Posted by Kat2857/CA on 2/2/13 9:32pm
Msg #453703

No work

I have been a Notary/Loan Signing Agent since Sept. 2012. I have done everything that is required/recommended to get going in this field. To date I have had only one signing. When I took my notary class the instructor stated that the state of Calif. has a large shortage of notaries. So, thinking because of this I became a Loan Signing Agent. Any help to move things along. I am getting very discouraged.

Thanks,
Kathy

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/2/13 9:36pm
Msg #453704

Kathy
The NNA have been pulling that stunt for years. They always say there is a large shortage of notaries/signing agents. They want your money. Unfortunately too many people fall for their BS. California does not have a shortage of notaries.
Go to the Find a Notary tab and do a search on your zip code to see how many there are in your area alone just on Notary Rotary.

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 2/2/13 9:49pm
Msg #453705

Thank you Sylvia.

Reply by Buddy Young on 2/2/13 9:50pm
Msg #453706

Kathy,

It takes at least a year to build a business. I'm surprized that you have only had one in four months though. You need to go to signing central and sign up with as many companies as you can with 3 stars or more.

Go back and read message 33325 and all the messages associated with it.

Buddy

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 2/2/13 10:43pm
Msg #453717

Buddy......message 33325 where??

*

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/2/13 10:48pm
Msg #453718

Re: Buddy......message 33325 where??

Kathy
At the top of the message board (before you click on any messages) there is a Search box, just search for message 33325, it will take you there.

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 2/2/13 10:51pm
Msg #453719

Sylvia. Thank you!

*

Reply by jba/fl on 2/2/13 11:53pm
Msg #453728

Kat

Msg #33325

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/2/13 9:50pm
Msg #453707

" state of Calif. has a large shortage of notaries. So, thinking because of this I became a Loan Signing Agent"

That's not really true. California doesn't have a "large shortage" of notaries. In fact, in many areas, there is a large saturation of notaries. What you did was fall for a sales pitch based on twisted statistics.

The fact is that California has the fewest number of notaries per capita in the country - about 440 notaries for every 100,000 residents (statewide). (per the 2012 NNA Census). It's also true that California has lost well over half of its' notaries in the last 4-5 years. Thing is, that doesn't mean there's a shortage or that there is an abundance of work available. That 440 number may be different if you live in LA vs. somewhere else... like like rural areas where I live.

There MAY be a lot of work available in SOME areas, but not others. What you need to do is research your area and find out how many notaries are commissioned in your area. This information can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website. Then, research the various websites and so who may be actively advertising themselves online for loan signing work. Now, you won't find all of them online, but you'll find most of them. In fact, just search your area right here using the 'Find a Notary' tool... how many notaries pop up in your area? If you're not getting any work, I'll be it's because you're in a highly saturated area and you're competing with many other notaries with established records.

Lesson learned... never believe the sales pitch of the notary instructors. They're selling you their products.

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 2/2/13 10:07pm
Msg #453709

Thank you Marian

Thank you for the information. I have learned a hard lesson. I should post the Notary/Loan signing school that said this........but I won't.

Take Care
Kathy

Reply by Karla/OR on 2/2/13 10:27pm
Msg #453712

Re: Thank you Marian

Hi Kathy~ I was disheartened to hear you have only one signing since September. It does take a while to get noticed by the signing companies, but tay with it and it will happen. We have all been where you are at and I think I can speak for others that it is worth the wait. Notaries love the freedom of being their own boss, meeting new people at signings and enjoying their (sometimes) lovely homes, an the decent pay that comes with it.

In regard to your one and only signing since September, my first thoughts were that perhaps you are not willing to take those signings where you have to travel a bit out of your "backyard" area, your fees are much higher than what the good signing companies want to pay you, and that you need to market yourself to those signing companies under the Signing Central tab that have at least 3 or more stars.

I wish a slew of signings in the future! Hang in there!

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 2/2/13 10:32pm
Msg #453713

Re: Thank you Karla

Thank you Karla. I would gladly take signings where I would travel. I ahve marketed myself to a very large area. I am based (home) in a good county that allows me to cover a larger area. I have been a signer since Sept, nbut my one and only job was on Dec 23rd 2012, no payment as of yet. Thank you for your kind words.

Take Care,
Kathy

Reply by Karla/OR on 2/2/13 10:53pm
Msg #453720

Re: Thank you Karla

You are welcome. My only other thought is regarding your profile. Since you are not linked to your profile we can't view it to see if there is something there that might help turn this around. I would be glad to look at it and offer soft critique (if it's even warranted). If you want to send it via Private Message, that's fine too. I used to be in classified advertising for a local newspaper so I have somewhat of an idea how to format things - I am not an expert by any means! I'm sure others look at mine and see room for improvement as well!!! :O)

Reply by Bear900/CA on 2/2/13 11:11pm
Msg #453723

Re: Thank you Karla

The notaries I know that “made it” seemed to start off with a mentor even if it’s for simple things. I did, and in turn I mentored. Sometimes you’re able to swap jobs with them when the other cannot make it.

Then find a niche. Mine is evening activity and very last minute calls.

I don’t try to compete with the daytime notaries. I would but I have other work so I’m happy.

It’s always best to have another side-line when breaking into this line of work.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 2/3/13 8:11am
Msg #453746

While you are waiting for loan signing work, Kat

Go to Signing Central (tab above) and sign up with the 4-5 star rated companies listed.
Market yourself for General Notary work while you're waiting for loan signing companies to hire you.
GN work pays very well with travel fees in CA.
Best of luck to you.

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 2/3/13 3:05pm
Msg #453807

Thank you ! n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/3/13 10:32pm
Msg #453852

Just for the record...

I think Misty meant notary fees, i.e. the allowable $10 per signature notarized. There is no regulation regarding travel fees here, so as long as those are listed separately for GNW, you can set your own fees for that. You'll need to consider not only a proportionate cost for your expenses to travel (i.e. gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, etc.), but also your time spent in the car not being productive doing other things, AND what the market will bear in your area.

Reply by JamesLee/VA on 2/3/13 10:03am
Msg #453754

This May Help

Hey Kat,

This is one of those "every little thing helps item"

If you get the background check through NR, it puts a BIG red check by your name. If you are a premium member its only $29.00.

I always ask when someone I have never worked with calls me "Where did you find me?" When they say NR I then ask them "What made them choose me?" I can tell you 75% of the response was the red check caught their eye. Such a small expense too.

Hope this helps!!
JLee

Reply by hodgy on 2/3/13 4:29pm
Msg #453824

Re: This May Help

I already have a background check but I agree it doesn't hurt for the increased exposure on the profile. However, can you tell me where it says $29 for a premium member? All I see is a $49 rate.

Reply by Gregory/CA on 2/3/13 4:43pm
Msg #453827

I paid $29 and if memory serves me well . . .

it was at time of payment when it listed the $29.00, but you do need to enter your NR UserID in the specified location.

Reply by C7961 on 2/4/13 3:26pm
Msg #453940

First of all I don't think there is a shortage of notaries. If there were a shortage, maybe the fees would be higher. Contact JMT to get on their list as they are busy.