Posted by Barry Harrell on 11/30/10 11:23pm
Msg #363301

TX signing agent course help

I am a recently discharged disabled veteran. I want to specialize in after normal hours mobile notary and signing agent work but am lost in all the different courses and certificates offered. I have read that some are better than others but do not know who to believe. Is one truly better than the others. In order to avoid product promotion please send me an email if you have a recommendation. I am a member of both NNA, and AAN but I think that all just adds to the confusion. I have to make this career work....any ideas?

Reply by HisHughness on 11/30/10 11:33pm
Msg #363303

Don't know that I would be much help on finding instruction, Barry. Brenda would probably be your best source for that. I never took a course. You will find that the majority of posters here, including myself, are not fans of the NNA. One of the absolute best things you can do to ensure that you get off to a good start is to begin at the very first message in NotRot and read through to the very last; I would suggest you devote at least an hour a day to that while you are still learning.

You've got my support as a disabled veteran -- along, of course, with my gratitude. All of my contact information is available in my profile. Call me if you need help. I want to see that you are successful.

And thank you again for your service.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 12/1/10 5:49am
Msg #363324

Bless you and thank you for your service, Barry. I think the BEST education into this that you could find would be to volunteer as a grunt-worker at a title agent's office, as a means of 'apprenticeship'. Even without experience, there's a lot a person can do to help out in a busy office, and by proximity, observation & osmosis - you would learn A LOT, and it would have a much higher chance of being correct. Not to mention how it would look on your resume ... =)

Understand that this education will take a little time; also keep in the back of your mind that while 'inside' experience is absolutely invaluable, it is also often lacking in broader knowledge. Always be aware, one person's or one office's "right way" might NOT be the only right way ...or it might actually even be wrong. =)

Reply by jba/fl on 12/1/10 7:52am
Msg #363337

Just a couple of things that I will point out immediately, and I know many more will come along as the day progresses and add their 2 cents.

First, the AAN is an organization based in Texas, which is a plus for you in that the principal writer is in TX also. You can pretty much believe whatever you read there will be correct in and for TX. Pay close attention to the TX posters - they speak from your viewpoint. I'm from FL, my father is from Austin, but that doesn't give me any advantage in knowledge re: TX law and procedure, so I could very well be totally off the wall. After a while, if you keep up with your daily readings here, you will figure out who really knows what they are talking about and who just likes to hear themselves talk and see their name in print.

Next, which others could argue should be first, check out a few profiles of posters. See what they are saying about themselves. That profile is your advertisement to the people who are looking to hire YOU. Currently, you only have your last name and nothing else. Not that I could, but I wouldn't find anything there to compel me to call you first. Of course you need your full name, address, how to reach you anytime, etc., but a bit more is helpful. Click on a name that is in the smaller blue letters and that will take you to their profile. Get ideas, but DO NOT copy as that is not you. Get some information on your page, tomorrow check it again, tweak it, add something you forgot, clear something that looks vague. Do this every day for a week, polishing, polishing, polishing. Spit shine that advertisement for you.

Msg #33325 is a compliation of messages that have been put into one thread over the years and is titled Everything you wanted to know.... Good starting point for your readings.

Learn about the Orange Search button above - it, like Google, is your friend. If there is a question that you have, it has been asked somewhere along the line by someone.

Enough from me. Enjoy your day as I know I will be enjoying mine under the freedoms won and preserved through the services of people like you. Thank you.

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/1/10 8:25am
Msg #363342

Barry, first of all, thanks for your service to our country.

I will get an email or PM to you today with suggestions.