Posted by Elizabeth Brown on 3/23/11 1:51pm
Msg #377255

Is it worth being a paying member?

I am a newbie and wanted to know if it's worth paying to this website ( I believe its $139.00) I suspect that because I have no experience, my name will be passed over for those that experienced no matter how high I am ranked. What do you think? Thanks

Reply by Teresa/FL on 3/23/11 2:08pm
Msg #377258

Becoming a premiere member would move you up to 2nd in your zip code.

I would suggest adding additional information to your profile and upgrading. You can make the money back with just 1 or 2 signings.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/23/11 2:18pm
Msg #377264

And Notary Rotary gives discounts on supplies to Premier members.

Premier membership:

a) All Basic Membership features
b) Customizable privacy settings
c) A Premier Notary Rotary™ directory listing
d) The ability to rate companies you sign for
e) Support phone and fax numbers
f) Access to detailed company information in Signing Central
g) Coverage area analysis - list of counties, ZIP codes and cities in your area
h) Notary supply discounts of 33% on most products
i) Discounts on future memberships


The current membership renewal fee for Premier Members does not exceed $79.

Reply by BobbiCT on 3/23/11 2:17pm
Msg #377262

If you want business ...

Becoming a paying member here is an excellent way to market yourself and your notary public business.

Consider membership here as one of your many marketing expenses when you prepare your income tax return next year.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 3/23/11 2:39pm
Msg #377271

It depends on how many other notaries in your area

The membership fee varies depending on how many other notaries are in your area - at least that's my understanding. I am not a premier member but if I was really trying to do loan signings full time I think it is probably worth the money because it puts you near the top of the list. This works to your advantage if you are in an area with lots of notaries because it places you on top.

If you have no experience, you should maybe look into getting certified (and there are many, many websites out there aside from the NNA that offer certification for much less than NNA does). At least a certification will show that you have the basic knowledge to perform a signing.

Reply by James Dawson on 3/23/11 2:50pm
Msg #377274

There are seven premier members within ten miles of your area, four are regular posters here and appear very active (busy). Maybe they will chime in.

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 3/23/11 3:52pm
Msg #377289

While my area is oversaturated with

Notary Signing Agents, I have received many calls from Title Companies, Lenders, Real Estate Brokers and Attorneys that have mentioned the Notary Rotary website.

Stephanie

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 3/23/11 3:49pm
Msg #377285

Yes, it is worth paying and becoming a member here n/m

Reply by Les_CO on 3/23/11 3:58pm
Msg #377290

I’ve been a premium member for many years. Either I know something about this business you don’t, or you know something I don’t. The choice is yours.

Reply by Elizabeth Brown on 3/23/11 8:05pm
Msg #377313

Thank you so much for all of your helpful comments. Much appreciated!

Reply by Les_CO on 3/24/11 9:38am
Msg #377342

Perhaps my answer was a bit terse, but when someone comes on here and asks the mostly paying members, if getting a paid membership is stupid or not, it could be taken as an insult to our intelligence? “No a paid membership is not worth it, I’m just an idiot because I’ve been paying for my membership for years”…DUHHH.
Obviously paying members think it’s worth it or they would not be ‘paying members’
Sorry but I see this question almost every day.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/23/11 11:52pm
Msg #377328

Hi, Elizabeth. Think of it as a start-up business expense;

without marketing/advertising, there's little hope of growing your business.

We all started out; dipped our toes in the waters, and worked hard to learn the ropes.

Networking is a tried-and-true necessity, and in many ways belonging to professional organizations, whether on the Web, or one's community, is the lifeline in this big ocean.

I'm an old Mobile Notary salt, and have this to offer Newbies:

Buy the Advertising: Remember to Edit to refine your Profile often, as you gain experience, because you've paid for marketing ~you~ in that oft-visited "Find-a-Notary," that river of income flowing into to the sea of survival.

The forum has a wealth of information to glean, and, (while there are often "interpersonal exchanges," if you can get past the drama,) excellent minds from all over the country post here. Plus, you can "search" till the cows come home.

There are tons of resources for start-up businesses to explore, because, even if part-time? It's a serious business with serious consequences, which, leads to my second point:

Learn your State's Notarial Laws, like lyrics of songs.[jk] If your State has a Notarial Handbook: study it, dog-ear and highlight - always refer to the Law when you have a question of Law. (Google Oregon's Handbook, for instance - it rocks.)

Anyhoo, Elizabeth, once you dip your toe in the waters, so more choices must be made, aren't there?

Do I give of myself to learning this odd and yet completely insane profession [jk]?

Do I love meeting new people in their homes and businesses, or at camp grounds, or worksites?

Do I have the tools and equipment to fulfill an assignment?

Do I have a budget?

Do I know the cost of my expenses for transportation, printing, faxing, bookkeeping, insurances, advertising, education, etc?

Can I afford to wait 15 (few) - 45 (some) - 60 (alot) - 90+ (some) days for payment?

The ripples of questions just seems to grow after dipping a toe...

All the Best to all Entrepreneurial Newbies, so well represented by you, Elizabeth.

[Disclaimer: Been at Notary Rotary going on, good grief, almost a decade, so it's all just my *old* humble opinion about this enterprise.]

Reply by MW/VA on 3/24/11 8:40am
Msg #377337

Short answer--yes! n/m

Reply by rengel/CA on 3/24/11 11:11am
Msg #377354

Hi Elizabeth, I'm in the Sacramento area and have found this membership to be invaluable. Don't worry about experience. Most companies will take a chance on someone with less experience if you are honest with them. Most important in this business is paying attention to detail. Ask questions, but don't rely on other people's answers as the gospel truth. Research as much as you can yourself because some folks might have an agenda or might just not have a full understanding of notary law.

Good luck!