Posted by Aixa Rivera on 1/21/09 9:09pm
Msg #275254

Starter

Hello I just joined today with a Basic Membership. Can anyone tell me the turn around on possibly recieving a call or request for services? I would really appreciate it. Thank You, Aixa

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/21/09 9:14pm
Msg #275256

Depends on how many companies you've signed up with, your experience, your profile and how much competition there is in your area..... and a lotta luck. Do a search on your zip code and, while you're at it, also check out Signing Central so you know who NOT to accept a signing from because you won't get paid.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/21/09 9:26pm
Msg #275260

Aixa..

I would suggest completing the notes section of your profile, for starters - you're a new notary, but you may have expertise in areas that will help enhance your qualifications - your profile is your mini-resume and your chance to convince companies why they should hire you instead of your competition.

You have 170 mobile notaries within 20 miles of your location...you're going to have to aggressively market yourself and your skills ...

Good Luck

Reply by Becca_FL on 1/21/09 9:31pm
Msg #275261

Aixa, the area of the state you are in is flooded with...

very experienced NSAs that have been at this a very long time. Unless you have some industry experience, along with industry contacts, you may have a hard time getting started. You could possibly find some work with low paying, cross your fingers in getting paid, low rent signing services, but now is not the time to be getting into this business unless you are bringing experience and contacts to the table. JMHO, of course.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/21/09 10:00pm
Msg #275264

Re: Aixa, the area of the state you are in is flooded with...

Becca's right, Aixa, it's not going to be easy. You can't sit back and hope for calls to come in, because it won't happen.

But, it's not impossible. With some ingenuity and resolve, you can build a business as an NSA, or with just general notary work. If you can find a niche market that hasn't been tapped yet, that would be a good start.

The best advice I was given a few years ago was this, "Spend a long time researching various types of documents that need notarizing and categorize them by industry or audience. Then research the people who use these forms and learn what their needs are, where they go and what they do."

Doing this will help you know where to look for customers. Loan documents are just one (and a mighty popular one!) way of earning money. There are plenty of others, too. Unfortunately, most of us probably aren't going to share those, though.

I suggest reading this article from the Harvard Business Press, called, "Why Entrepreneurs Love a Downturn
-- they say that starting a business during lean times is actually a really smart thing to do.

http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/gergen-vanourek/2008/08/why-entrepreneurs-love-a-downt.html

Excerpt: "The bottom line: a downturn presents many unforeseen opportunities. Entrepreneurs view financial challenges and, instead of wringing their hands, find ways to innovate and spin them into gold (or social transformation). It doesn't hurt that entrepreneurs are used to being nimble, responding quickly to market shifts, and managing cash flow."

I actually agree with this. If you look back at the NSA business, when it got popular a lot of people flocked to it hoping to make a quick buck (or 100,000 bucks as the case may be). Where are they now? A bunch of them are long gone, moving on to other ventures now that there's not much demand. In CA, the number of commissioned notaries dropped by 30,000 last year alone. That doesn't account for the notaries who still have active commissions but just aren't working anymore -- and there are A LOT of those.

You know what? That's fine by me because it means less competition and allows me, and other dedicated notaries who are determined, to find those opportunities. It's not easy, but it's not impossible. So, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it or that its just a bad time and to forget about it. If you are really wanting to pursue it, you should... but it will be a LOT of work and a lot of creative thinking.

Reply by GA/Atty on 1/21/09 10:23pm
Msg #275265

You need to contact the companies in Signing Central

directly to get into their databases. Being fluent in Spanish is a major plus for you. Good luck.

Reply by RickG/CA on 1/21/09 10:41pm
Msg #275266

Also, check, recheck, and continually update your profile. Watch for frequently misspelled words.

Reply by Todd/OH on 1/23/09 7:35pm
Msg #275463

Market yourself

Market yourself until your fingers are numb. Search for companies anyway you can and send them your info. There are bad boys out there and you learn like the rest of us. The more you market the more you learn and earn.