Posted by NotaryMI on 8/28/13 4:27pm
Msg #482395

My Business is so slow

Can anyone give me some ideas of what other type of work I can get in my area with my notary work. I have been so slow the last 2 months. Not able to pay my bills with signings like I used to. I have been on the internet for hours the last 2 weeks trying to find businesses that could use my service. Not sure where to turn now. I am exhausted. I really do not want to get another job as I love doing my signings. Everybody I have talked to in this business is slow. Any ideas would be great. Thank You!!

Reply by Jana Miller on 8/28/13 5:09pm
Msg #482398

Hi, its slow in Southern California also. I know with summer and it being the last week of it, its been yawnsville. I heard about doing inspections for insurance/title companies where you go and take pics and download to send to them. I read people charge around 50.00 and it takes 5 minutes. You can also check out your local bail bonds. I get quite a bit of biz from some here. Or check out the trust attorneys. I do work for an attorney who does trusts and just one married trust I make 100.00 for travel and signatures. I'm doing fine with just basic notaries. Here you can charge 10.00 per signature and I charge 30.00 for travel. so I do a few of those a day and it adds up. But the loans are slow. I have decided not to go through signing services anymore. Fees are way to low and not worth it. Not many from them anyway. And seems I've been doing a lot lately in nursing homes. Powers of Attorney. So maybe drop some cards off. Get out there to those places. I do a lot of foot travel and find if they see my face and talk to me they are more likely to call me. If I think of anything else I will let you know.
Good luck.
Jana

Reply by Vincent Spilotro on 8/28/13 5:55pm
Msg #482399

A bit slow here too. Title Source completely shut off. And others are dragging a bit, but it is the beginning of the month. Rates are up a bit, but there is still plenty in the pipe, Harp 3 ought to come out soon. Jana mentioned getting more general notary work... always a good idea, since that doesn't rely on mortgage rates, and application rates. I need more of a rounded business as well; all eggs in one basket... no good. We will all go broke if we rely on doing refi's.

Reply by notary4az2 on 8/28/13 6:42pm
Msg #482404

I believe it is very slow everywhere. I did put my eggs only in this basket of notary work and almost 9 years of marketing has helped me maintain half of the notary work I was doing over these last two years. I already knew from the downturn in 2009-2011 that when things are good you save your money and market yourself, market yourself for the next uptick of signings.

Reply by JENNY/TX on 8/28/13 6:54pm
Msg #482405

Re: Don't forget Medical Depositions

Don't forget to get your business cards to as many doctors offices, physical therapy clinics, etc. These offices have to provide depositions from attorneys that deal with legal actions. If you talk with the billing or medical record administrator\office manager, ask them to recommend you when an attorney\legal record gathering firm needs depositions notarized. I make several hundred a month just with medical work. Each appointment usually takes 15 minutes plus drive time. Sometimes you can get several in one day or the same law\record gathering firms will need info from several offices for the same patient. Very easy work.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/28/13 7:39pm
Msg #482408

Re: Don't forget Medical Depositions

Seems to me that having those notarized is mostly a Texas requirement. From time to time, I get requests from Texas law firms for a notarized affidavit from a medical records clerk, but I can't recall those ever coming from anywhere else. Nice gig, though, for those of you in Texas!

Reply by Paula/OR on 8/28/13 8:03pm
Msg #482409

I am in a very rural tourist area. After turning 55 I decided to start my own company. I had QuickBooks experience but no one needed a full-time bookkeeper. I had legal secretary experience, but a dying family member to take care of so I could not take full time work. So when I started my business it was a three leg stool of NSA, pet sitting, and contract bookkeeping. My bookkeeping clients understand that if I have an signing that I will be late or not in that day at all. End of month with payroll and increased signings can be a juggling act but so far it has worked. It took 2 years to earn as much as I was earning at as a legal secretary on fewer hours, plus if I decide to move, I will have the SS with me at my next city. I just hope my eyes keep working LOL.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/28/13 8:34pm
Msg #482416

I am very happy working on my plan B.

It's my passion and about as far away from notary work as you can get.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 8/28/13 10:05pm
Msg #482426

Have you considered temp work?

Sometimes a 1 or 2-day assignment with a staffing firm to fill in for employees on sick leave or vacations is helpful. Plus sometimes you can get really good business tips.

I had a pt afternoon temp assignment when I 1st started as a mobile notary - since I wasn't getting any calls yet. It was at a relocation company and I worked with relocation specialists who knew the real estate markets throughout the country - and abroad. It was interesting; but I dislike the typical admin asst role.

Reply by Joe/NC on 8/29/13 8:46am
Msg #482447

I saw this slowdown coming in June and went on a 2 week vacation in July when I came back business was at a stand still. I decided to start looking for something that would give me flexibility to do signings as I got hem but still make money. In August I found a job in the merchandising field for a company that allows me to work when I want and can stop when needed, they pay decent and pay mileage. I was lucky to get this they only have 60 employees throughout the country and each state may have one or two employees.

I still have my signing business but it has become more pt since signings are very rare these days. I had 3 last week and 2 this week. I spend most of my days on my other job now.

Look into Merchandising, inspections, mystery shopping or anything where you might be an independent contractor.

Joe/NC

Reply by PJM/MI on 8/29/13 2:29pm
Msg #482504

About those inspections..

When the mortgage world fell on it's face in '08, I was already working as a field inspector. It kept me going when it got really tough. (And now here we go again).
The mortgage field inspection industry is ALSO having a downward trend due to our "recovering" housing market. The inspections, like the closings, are falling off the board, too.
As for insurance inspections, they involve some work, as in measuring the house, knowing alot about construction materials, and then at LEAST 15 minutes of uploading your pics and filling out the form.. for 1 house. Your time will be about 45 min to 1 hr on each house for about $30.00 per house.