Posted by Michelle/AL on 11/27/09 9:23pm
Msg #312360

How Often Do You Check: "Find a Notary"?

At least once a month I search for notaries on this site in my territory. It's a good way for me to size up my competition. This month I noticed several new profiles and names for Madison County. I'm beginning to see more men getting into the business in my area. It will be interesting to see if the presence of these new notaries result in me getting fewer calls.

Reply by Laura_V on 11/28/09 4:24am
Msg #312366

You are one smart business cookie, Michelle.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 11/28/09 7:03am
Msg #312369

Unfortunately profiles do not always reflect

the notaries actual experience and many profiles are puffed up to grab the business. There is another site where they offer a cookie cutter profile and the notaries follow this (no creativity) down to the loan numbers in the suggested wording regardless of their experience. How do I know this? The notary notes are under the line item questions and the discrepencies between the two can be ridiculously different. That can be good for my business if the searcher is paying attention. But the key is to be the best out there and establish some good accounts that keep calling and with the hopes of winning new acccounts with well written profiles that are bathed in integrity.

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/28/09 9:47pm
Msg #312419

Re: Unfortunately profiles do not always reflect

<<<<Unfortunately profiles do not always reflect the notaries actual experience and many profiles are puffed up to grab the business..........But the key is to be the best out there and establish some good accounts that keep calling and with the hopes of winning new acccounts with well written profiles that are bathed in integrity.>>>>

I agree, SnoopdogMS.....a stellar job will speak for itself and puffed up profiles will ultimately backfire. The work will reflect the experience (or lack thereof) and demonstrate that the notary cannot deliver according to their word (profile).

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/28/09 7:57am
Msg #312373

Laura, when this was not my only source of income

I didn't monitor the competition as much. Now that it is my only $ource, it matters a lot!

Reply by Laura_V on 11/28/09 10:48am
Msg #312379

Re: Laura, when this was not my only source of income

Have you graduated? Are you ready for that lead I emailed you about a month ago? PM me if interested.

Lead is specific to AL.

Reply by PAW on 11/28/09 7:02am
Msg #312368

Been checking frequently for years. Not only here, but on other 'directory' sites as well. I've seen the tide ebb and flow considerably, through the heyday period as well as the steep decline in the marketplace. The past year or so, there has been a resurgence in the number of signing agents, probably due to the workforce decline, but the marketplace is still rather skimpy here. That means more agents vying for the same pie, thus ending up with smaller pieces. Thus it has become increasingly necessary to provide a more diverse product offering. Drive-by and simple home inspections have been a secondary skill set for many signing agents for as long as signing agents have been around. As more and more houses appear on the REO market, and state and local governments starting to crack down on lenders who own the property to keep the properties up, the inspection field is expanding. Not much now, but I expect it to increase substantially as ordinances and statutes get enacted to protect the value in neighborhoods.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/28/09 7:46am
Msg #312372

PAW, I was contacted recently by two companies to

do property preservation jobs. I told them if they want me to drive by and/or go inside and take photos, no problem. But as far as mowing grass, removing debris, light repairs, that's not my field. (It's hard enough keeping up with those tasks at my own home.)

I am seeing more vacant homes in various neighborhoods.

Reply by Deb_AL on 11/28/09 8:17am
Msg #312374

Hey Michelle - I noticed that too the other day. It doesn't seem to have affected the calls you and I get because we have our regular clients. Hope it won't in the future.

Reply by Notarysigner on 11/28/09 10:59am
Msg #312380

Although I am relatively new to this industry I also check and noticed in my immediate area the number has almost doubled (# of SA). Advertising doesn't appear to be the key here, it's doing an great job and drawing return business. I work primarily for three entities ( SS, private Attorneys and long term care/senior centers). personality, not low-balling, determines whether you get repeat business. I'd rather notarize a trust than do a loan signing request, about twenty dollars difference; two sheets of paper vs 100+.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/28/09 11:46am
Msg #312381

What's particularly frustrating w/ notary search

Is that about 90% of the listings haven't been updated since 2007-2008.
Some of the listings I couldn't see....and I'm getting a NR error message saying page doesn't exist.

Reply by tonya/AL on 11/28/09 12:46pm
Msg #312383

Michelle, I check about 4 or 5 notary databases regularly also. I haven't noticed an increase in SAs, but then again I am in a rural area and so are most of the counties that I cover.

Reply by Laurie_OR on 11/28/09 1:58pm
Msg #312387

I used to check the forum for my area, but after having my own loan docs emailed to me I called 8 of the notaries on the list in my area, not one answered their phone or called me back. I left voice mails for each of them.

At the time I only left messages stating that I was looking for a Notary/Signing Agent because my lender had sent me loan documents to sign. I indicated that I was willing to pay their fee out of pocket and would be happy to meet with them.

Reply by Notarysigner on 11/28/09 2:50pm
Msg #312393

beware

Some of the notaries in my area have taken to passing themselves off as SS..will give you an assignment and pay you less theN what they're receiving. Sort of a, "signing service, signing service" LOL

Reply by tonya/AL on 11/28/09 3:12pm
Msg #312395

I had a similar issue here last week. I was trying to help someone locate a notary for a POA. I would have had to charge a high fee for the travel involved. I think I went through 10 notaries listed on this website before finding someone that could notarize a single document. Either no one answered the phone or they didn't do general notary work.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/28/09 3:58pm
Msg #312398

Interesting Responses...

...I guess since the basic membership here is free it encourages people to create but not maintain their listings. I personally know one notary here in Huntsville who has a basic membership. I saw her two weeks ago at the gas station. She is now running a childcare center. I told her her profile showed she was still active. She just shrugged. She doesn't get many calls and when she does she declines them.

I would hate to be scheduler having to weed through the names and determine who's serious about working and who isn't.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/28/09 6:00pm
Msg #312405

A reason that many of us would like to see a purge

of inactive files. There are so many who don't bother to update or take down if they are no longer doing the work. Out of sight, out of mind. Then someone who comes here looking for notary can't find one and gets discouraged.

Could that also be why other listing services no longer show basic people? They are the biggest culprits it would seem, but I know that is not necessarily true either.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/28/09 10:30pm
Msg #312421

Is this site losing value as a place to advertise?

[I had this message all done, then hit the wrong key and poof - all gone! Hate it when that happens. So I'll try again...]

It's been a very long time (many months) since I've gotten any calls from this site, even though I'm the very first listing for my city/zip code - in the Premier Member category. I did a search on Google and didn't see NotaryRotary come up at all on the first page. (If most people are like me, they don't even look to the bottom of the page, let alone beyond that.)

Whenever I get a call from someone new, I ask where they found me and it's always the other guys lately. I don't know if it's because Harry isn't promoting this site as much as he used to or if it's because others around here are doing a better job of promoting their sites these days, but it does make me wonder whenever it comes time to pay for renewal of my listing here.

I've been a Premier Member for many years to support this site because of this forum and because buying supplies as a Premier Member is such a good value - but I don't buy nearly enough to offset the membership costs. It wouldn't take much to make up for it, but I'm not sure I've gotten any calls this year at all from here and it would be nice to at least break even.

Anyone else have this situation in their area? (BTW, I have practically the same profile here as at the other site.)

Reply by Notarysigner on 11/28/09 11:25pm
Msg #312425

Re: Is this site losing value as a place to advertise?

Whenever I ask, it's usually this site. I also list on the free sites although you must "re-new" every 30 days which could be a pain. One SS told me they always call premier listings and never basic members.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 11/29/09 8:51am
Msg #312430

Other sites are losing value too.

The "other site" now charges and arm and a leg. I can't afford it any more. The leads I get aresn't even a break even for me any more.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 11/29/09 5:43pm
Msg #312455

Curious to know what.....

others think of the numbers site. If you want to, pleasae consider PMing me.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/29/09 5:46pm
Msg #312457

I still get enough new calls from them and here

to justify the annual fee...

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 11/29/09 5:51pm
Msg #312459

Re: I still get enough new calls from them and here

What position do you have and how much do you pay?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/29/09 5:55pm
Msg #312460

Top position...and puh..lenty...:) n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 11/29/09 7:56pm
Msg #312464

Thanks for sharing Linda!...:) n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 11/29/09 9:42am
Msg #312433

Re: Is this site losing value as a place to advertise?

Very iffy here. Yes, there are some calls, but not what I would call break-even. I get more from the coffee shop than anywhere else. Prior to that I got more from xyz but I just cannot continue to support them so have let them go, opting for here. A bit of a disappointment as I just don't get enough, but being basic here would give nothing, so premier it is. The numbers site is just too expensivea for these times, $500 for #6. Nah - pass. Plus, this is the only REAL forum - none of the others are as lifely, comprehensive and knowledgable, not to mention down right funny and hilarious at times.

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/29/09 2:21pm
Msg #312444

Re: Is this site losing value as a place to advertise?

I think having outdated profiles have hurt this site. Gives the impression of being "unmanaged". As others have said, people/companies get frustrated having to wade through the outdated profiles to get a practicing notary. Once the purging issue is resolved, I will pay for a premiere listing. Until then, I will remain a basic listing. I do get calls from my basic listing. I'll definitely keep a listing on the coffee site and the numbers site I will keep my current placement.