Posted by Marian_in_CA on 3/8/10 1:09pm
Msg #325902
Free webcast from Office Depot re: Business Plans, Pricing
Office Depot has a series of free webcasts for small business owners. Tomorrow (4PM eastern), they're having one called, "How to Create a Winning Business Plan" and will cover:
* Where did the money go? Accounting Basics
* How Much Should I Charge? Pricing Basics
* Building the Team? Who does what? Why, how and when?
Link: http://www.officedepot.com/specialLinks.do?file=/webcafe/main.jsp
Click on the red "Register For Webcast" button.
I think this would be a good opportunity for a LOT of notaries out there who haven't had any business education, who lack a business plan... or, honestly, who think $65 for a loan signing is a lot of money. 
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Reply by BrendaTx on 3/8/10 1:40pm
Msg #325908
Learn how to make a Business Plan??
Oh c'mon, Marian, that's a lot of work.
Please just post yours.
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/8/10 2:01pm
Msg #325917
LOL!!! I'll go right ahead an do that. n/m
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Reply by CaliNotary on 3/8/10 2:05pm
Msg #325920
YOU'RE MEAN!
You didn't say you were going to post your client list too. Don't you realize that you were new once? You're contributing to the negative culture of this board.
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Reply by cawest/PA on 3/8/10 2:39pm
Msg #325926
Re: YOU'RE MEAN!
Who's mean? and why don't you link your name?
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Reply by Lee/AR on 3/8/10 2:48pm
Msg #325933
cuz we don't want to n/m
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Reply by desktopfull on 3/8/10 3:42pm
Msg #325951
To Funny!!! Thanks for the laugh guys. n/m
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/8/10 2:55pm
Msg #325937
You guys are killing me, here! LOL n/m
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Reply by Reverse Mortgage of America - Jessica on 3/8/10 1:42pm
Msg #325910
i don't mind $65 for an in-house signing (at my settlement office or local settlement office within 10 miles) and i do offer it as an option to clients who want to save money. the settlement company pays for printing the docs and there isn't a need to overnight the docs back to the settlement company. i've booked signings this way where i've had more than 1 back to back. not bad for a side job. 
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Reply by cawest/PA on 3/8/10 2:38pm
Msg #325925
without wanting to sound mean are you not the one telling a customer with refusal to sign that you will charge him a fee for a second trip? (not knowing of course if the TC will send you again and not knowing if the customer will pay for a second visit) ... so that you would take 65 for a signing does not surprise me.
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Reply by Reverse Mortgage of America - Jessica on 3/8/10 2:48pm
Msg #325934
nah, i don't think you're being mean. i have a backbone afterall.
i didn't include all the necessary information on my original post for the discussion. many replies were concerns that it is not my place to discuss additonal trip fees with a borrower, but with the hiring party. my business is typically directly through borrowers and not a ss or tc, so the borrower is my hiring party. since most notaries do receive their business this way, it's easy to assume everyone does but not in my case.
$65 may seem like a low-ball fee, but if there is no or minimal overhead costs (in the case where the signing takes place in my office or at a settlement office within 10 miles) why would i pass on the opportunity to earn $65 for less than an hour's worth of work? my business is generated by referrals.
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Reply by cawest/PA on 3/8/10 2:54pm
Msg #325936
still with you going at 65 you are killing the rates for others who do not have the job as a *side job* imo
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Reply by Reverse Mortgage of America - Jessica on 3/8/10 3:01pm
Msg #325942
i don't think i'm "killing" the rates for anyone. in my case, the borrower is the one traveling and the settlement agent is printing the docs. i wouldn't print the docs or travel for $65.
i guess i'm the exception to the rule in that i have lots of contacts in the industry who refer their family member or friends to me. the last thing i want to do is bite the hand that feeds me (title reps, other settlement agents or mortgage brokers) and miss the opportunity to earn more business.
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Reply by CaliNotary on 3/8/10 4:57pm
Msg #325966
I don't know about San Diego
But here in LA, at certain times of day, 10 miles can easily be a 30-45 minute drive.
If they come to you, docs in hand, then yeah, I'd say that warrants a discount over a regular signing fee. But once you hop in that car, no way.
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Reply by MichiganAl on 3/8/10 3:19pm
Msg #325948
I don't need a business plan, I'm just a notary. n/m
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Reply by Reverse Mortgage of America - Jessica on 3/8/10 3:26pm
Msg #325949
Re: I don't need a business plan, I'm just a notary.
ha ha...just wait for marian to tell you otherwise! (unless you're just kidding of course!)
she's got a good point, even if your "just a notary."
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Reply by MichiganAl on 3/8/10 3:35pm
Msg #325950
Re: I don't need a business plan, I'm just a notary.
I wrote an article three weeks ago (soon to be published) for another notary site about the importance of a basic business plan. I'm definitely kidding but sadly, many have that exact attitude.
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Reply by Reverse Mortgage of America - Jessica on 3/8/10 3:44pm
Msg #325952
Re: I don't need a business plan, I'm just a notary.
well, i'm glad you were just kidding...ha ha. i was only giving you a hard time. no ill intent there.
congrats on your upcoming article! a business plan is important, no matter what business it may be. can anyone who is "just a notary" say that they will never apply for a loan or credit? it's so much more than, "now i've passed the test, i can just sit here and make money..." if it were only that easy, everyone would be rich!
if you happen to have an online posting of your article, i would be interested in receiveing a linked copy.
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Reply by BrendaTx on 3/9/10 8:24am
Msg #326045
Sorry I hijacked this thread: Marian's right...TODAY
at 4 PM Eastern - tune in.
Great place to start getting ideas on how to make a plan for your business.
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