Here’s the advice that I would offer a new Notary starting today Who’s Dedicated to their Goal of Becoming a Professional Signing Agent and Wants to be Successful:

Do your research and ‘Be Prepared’ before you say you’re a Professional Loan Signing Agent.

First of all, you must find out how many signing agents are in your town/in your area before you invest your money into a course-of-study, equipment, etc.  Don’t’ worry about your competition, but be aware of them. If there are a ton of notaries near you, your road to success may be tougher than someone who has very few loan signers nearby.  Be ready and prepared for that reality - this job is not for everyone – no crybabies allowed!

Before you go for it, make sure you have money in the bank and don’t quit your day job unless you’re confident you can make it through the slow times.  Having savings and a plan to augment your income with non-loan notary work will keep you afloat

Write a business plan and find out what it takes in your city to have a legitimate business. Don’t make this an unexpected expense! Get the proper permits and licenses, a business account and reliable software to manage your businesss. I never cheat on operational requirements or taxes.

Here’s where I start my thoughts on “Making It” in our business:

I suggest you get Certified by a reputable vendor. I only recommend an all-day live seminar, never a home-study or on-line course. Here’s why; Being Certified means that you are serious about your goal/job and took the time to participate in a course-of-study.  I have had clients ask me to prove I’m Certified. Why lie?

Peruse the message boards for information. READ, Don’t Post.  Use the Message Board Search methods if you need info. There is an abundance of free resources all over the web and message boards are a great way to get the info and recommendations you need. Learn about your craft and learn about methods that work for others.  Learn what TO DO, and NOT what to Do.

Buy the right equipment –the best equipment.  Investing in the right equipment is important now and down the road.  Good equipment lasts longer – the right equipment, especially for edocs, means that when you accept an edocs job then you’ll be able to complete that edocs job.  Be sure to have plenty of legal paper and toner/toner refill kits on hand.  It’s a law of nature that you’ll run out of paper and toner right in the middle of an edocs job and who will suffer if you can’t make the appointment?   That’s right:  Your customer, the borrower.

Dedicate yourself to signing up with 150-200 signing companies. It’s easier to “eat this elephant” one bite at a time by signing up with a few signing services every day until you’ve met your goal.    Dedicate yourself to marketing every day and expect your first year plopped in front of your computer.  If you have an “in” in our industry, I’d still suggest you not put all your eggs in one basket.  Don’t be complacent or lazy – work hard toward your goal.

I should have said this first:  You must love people to be successful in this goal, no exceptions. When I teach, I look out at a sea of eager students.  As soon as I tell them that when they go into clients’ homes they must be prepared to expect heavy smokers, the requirement of taking off their shoes, exposure to extreme body odor, kitty litter smells, dogs noses up your wazoo, bedridden clients, obese clients, breast feeding mommies, bratty kids, cats in your briefcase, holding babies so customers can sign and “readers”, I take a look at their faces and whittle the success rate down to a few, those few who really love people.

Make sure your profile is upbeat and snappy and update it often.  I read some profiles that have tons of “rules”, negative and demanding words,  very limited hours and info that no one cares about … I wonder how they ever get any calls. Get listed on all the popular sites that hit high on the most-used ISP’s like Google and Yahoo and get listed on sites that you know are promoting themselves (like www.unitednotaries,org!).  Use other people’s money to advertise your services.

Get some sharp business cards.  They are cheap, so get some particular to your loan signings and then another that may pertain just to your Mobile or Traveling Notary work.  I like www.vistaprint.com. Please don’t put your home address on your cards unless you like weirdo’s showing up at your door unexpected.

Never quit marketing and always “Up your Game”. Update ALL your profiles and use “call-me phrases like: “Available 24/7”, “Team Player”, “Edocs No Problem!”.   Get some juice in your marketing plan – tell potential clients why they MUST call you.  What worked last year may not work this year so be open to new ideas;  find your niche and brag about it.  For example, if I were Bilingual, I’d have that in Bold and Big Letters on all my profiles, my website and business cards. 

Speaking of websites, times have changed and you’ve gotta have one.  Must, must, must.  And be sure to put your Professional Photograph on everything you can – potential clients want to see that you don’t’ have blue hair, metal in your face and tats up your neck.  People resonate with faces and smiles (the exception is if you look like their ex-wife or husband, well, I guess they may not call you, LOL). 

Network with other LSAs.  Making new friends always leads to referrals.  If you don’t have a Networking Group in your area, start one!   I was a part of starting a group here in So Cal over 6 years ago and can’t tell you how many referrals I’ve received from others in the group plus! I’ve made a zillion new friends too.

Kelly M. Robertson
President,
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