Posted by Mdene_AZ on 1/19/08 10:40am
Msg #231424

I don't understand...

I have been a notary for 4 years and I absolutely get lost on Notary Rotary chat.
Do notaries really get more signings by having their own website or is it "locaton, location, location?"

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/19/08 10:46am
Msg #231426

You asked... imo, it's location, (amount of competition and population),

Reply by CJ on 1/19/08 11:03am
Msg #231428

For me,

I have picked up only a couple of new clients at this place. But that's fine. I find I lean on Notary Rotary more for the input from other notaries.

Right now it is slow across the nations, and it will continue to stay slow at least as long as this mortgage crises is in the news. So no matter how experienced you are, or what your great location is, if people can't get loans, there are no docs for you to sign. For me, I started calling my old clients that I had not heard from in a while, and I found a lot of their phones were disconnected. I dragged out their old world orders and called their clients, and they are out of business too.

(P.S. As well as the people here answering notarial questions, in the leasure section I can get helpful opinions on other things.)

Reply by Becca_FL on 1/19/08 11:01am
Msg #231427

IMO, more signings = location. If you want more general notary work, you really must have a website and multiple profiles that give you good search engine rankings. Since property values have tanked in my area signings are down a good 50% from last year and 75% from 2006. My website and profiles yield me an average of 5 calls per week for general notary work and 3 out of the 5 usually accept my terms. The various jobs received via my internet advertising have averaged around $75 per job and I'm paid at the time of service.

Reply by CalGal on 1/19/08 1:15pm
Msg #231436

I think a lot depends on your fees, your reputation and which SS you are signed with. I do loan doc signings part time and meet my $$$ goal every month and then some. At times I have to turn signings away.

Reply by MichiganAl on 1/19/08 3:37pm
Msg #231439

If it's done properly, a website is a very good marketing tool. It allows people to find you, it provides more information about you and your services, and it allows you to make a good impression of yourself. I get a lot of business from my site, and because I know a thing or three about search engine optimization, many people looking for a signing agent/notary in my area come upon my site first, even before listing sites like this (that said, I do get many calls from my listing here as well). But in my opinion (as a former web designer), many sites are done poorly. They don't make a positive impression, but instead give a very unprofessional appearance. If you're going to do it, know what you're doing or find someone who does to build it or assist you. Otherwise, you're likely wasting your time or driving potential clients away.

Reply by JK/TX on 1/19/08 5:48pm
Msg #231440

Re: I don't understand...MichiganAl

But in my opinion (as a former web designer)..........

Seems like web designing would be rewarding, you didn't like it? I don't like all the coding, really got my nerves. And funny, the codes involve the keys I don't do too well with, without pecking.

I built (?) one page using instructions from a website. The instructions were for elementary school students (sigh)...... Just out of determination, I finished the one page.....it took me the better part of a day to complete.... and looked....bad. Guess I'm not smarter than a fifth grader when it comes to web designing. lol

BTW, thanks to all that answered my post when I was looking for a sitebuilder a few weeks ago. I went with Web Studio (John NorCa suggested it, thanks John) and I looove it.... soooo easy !!

Reply by MichiganAl on 1/20/08 1:57am
Msg #231475

Re: I don't understand...MichiganAl

The web designing itself was rewarding. I enjoyed being creative, I loved having a finished product that displayed the fruits of my effort. The frustration was getting people to give me what I needed. It's THEIR business. They needed to tell me what they wanted accomplished, what their goals were, what they wanted to say about their company, what kind of experience they wanted for their visitors, what colors they wanted, etc. It was unreal. Something that should have taken a month would take up to a year just getting what I needed. By the time I had what I needed, the joy was pretty much gone.

Reply by DocumentDiva on 1/19/08 10:53pm
Msg #231469

I have found a website to be essential to my business especially with the slow down in the real estate business. In the last month I've even got a few loan signings out of it.

I created my website with a template at http://www.freewebs.com. If you don't have a website yet it's important to start listing your profile in as many different places as possible. Here a couple of links with free profile listings.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/148027/Increase-Your-Web-Presence

http://activerain.com/blogsview/105004/Increase-Your-Web-Presence

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 1/19/08 11:39pm
Msg #231470

A website is a must if you want business! My website brings me 90% of my NOTARY business. My loan signings I get from regular signing services I use, and Notary Rotary profile. I've had a few loan signings from my website, usually local people calling to refi, and I work with a few local Escrow and Title companies.

So, yes, you need a website, and you need to market it. The links LeShon gave you are a good start.
Also, include your website name on your business card and all your marketing material.