Posted by KimWmsVA on 5/20/09 2:22pm
Msg #289314

Should you be a member of any associations????

Being new to the loan signing bus, I was wondering if it was worth it to join any of the notary associations. ie National Notary Association, American Notary Association, etc.

If so, which one(s) would be the best investment?

I DID look using the orange button and did not find anything on this topic...

Thanks in advance to all that respond...

Reply by Tom/NJ on 5/20/09 2:30pm
Msg #289315

I'm sure everyone here is pretty much in agreement that you need to join the former association you have listed....wait what? no?

Honestly, I don't really think you need to...Depending on where you think you're going to get out of them, I think just reading this and other notary forums will suffice.

Reply by Todd/OH on 5/20/09 3:58pm
Msg #289322

In most professions, it looks good and provides credibility when you can show you are a member of a professional organization. There are some very poor organizations in every profession. There aren't all that many a notary can join but there are a few.

One particular organization claims to serve the notary and every need the notary might have - all they do is take your $$ and give little (very little) in return. I called them a couple times for advice and it turned out they were wrong on one issue. I don't feel comfortable naming them - my phone will ring like mad for the wrong reasons.

Do your home work. This forum and a couple others are VERY good for information and education.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/20/09 4:00pm
Msg #289323

I look at return on investment. To me, that means I pay for a listing and get business. This site and a couple of others returns that investment in short order. Most of them do not. That took me a couple of years to sort out, but if it isn't on the first page of search engines, then you probably won't get business.

The different notary associations take money and send you email and advertisements and are suppose to keep you informed on notary law changes in your state. Unfortunately, they can't possibly keep up on all the laws, so I don't use them for that. Some notaries in different states believe that they need to join the big one in order to get a BackGround Check. Others buy the BCG offered here. I belonged to the "big one" for couple of years when I was a newbie. Their supply prices are higher( I get mine here) and their notary advise is wrong a lot. Search "NNA" on this site and the other boards and you will get a feeling for what they are about.

You have to decide what is best for you. Personally, I don't belong to any. I get my legal info from the California SOS and my attorney. I get a BGC in the course of renewing my commission every four years (I have never been asked for one, BTW). I buy my stamps here. I save my money for marketing and listing on the notary sites that get me business.

Good Luck on building business .....

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/20/09 4:04pm
Msg #289325

One more thought ..

It all depends what your business model is. Belonging to the local chamber of commerce and going to the mixers can be a good way to get general notary work and perhaps market other services you offer.

Reply by MW/VA on 5/20/09 4:05pm
Msg #289327

This is a hot topic right now. If you look through some recent posts, you will see a lot of discussion on one of the associations & their knack for getting our money. In spite of that,
I do believe in professional memberships. The ASN isn't expensive to join & they do send e-newletters & state law updates. IMO they don't have any particular personal agenda.
I always think it's a good idea to build your business & work these matters into the building process, adding them at an appropriate time. My 1 1/2 cents.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/20/09 4:18pm
Msg #289332

Exactly Right.

I belonged to the ASN up until the time I decided that I needed to cut expenses. I did like the newsletters, but sometimes their state law update interpretations were not exactly correct either. The associations always have a disclaimer telling us to double check our local laws .... Takes them off the hook.

The best source is the Secretary of State and an attorney that is well versed on the laws of your particular state. The CA SOS has an excellent website that gives us the info we need to be in compliance. That is unless the Governorator shuts it down to save money instead of cutting the junk out of the budget .. But that's a post for politics.

Cheers!!

Reply by notaryinmo on 5/20/09 5:22pm
Msg #289338

Kim: You've received some excellent advice from some of the best in the biz. I do hope you take what they're telling you to heart. These poster's won't steer you in the wrong direction.

Good luck in building your notary business!

Reply by KimWmsVA on 5/20/09 7:41pm
Msg #289372

Thanks to all that have responded. I was concerned about "wasting" what little bit of money I am bringing in right now. I decided to forego the memberships right now with the associations and have upgraded by listing on certain sites. This one has been the best source of knowledge and I cannot thank each of you enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!