I have been a signing agents for months now. I receive text messages and emails about a signing and I reply promptly but I never get the assignment. How do I get my first assignment? What am I doing wrong? I have signed up with lot of companies to put name out there but getting nothing. Can someone please give me some advice?
Two questions:
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Where are you located?
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Did you get a certification? If so, where?
I think there are some companies that have already selected a notary and the message goes out as a text blast anyway. I have had the same issue with some companies and I have been doing this for 9 years. I actually called one of the companies that sent out the text and I responded immediately to ask them why they never select me and that was there answer. It doesn’t hurt to make a phone call occasionally and get your name out there.
I am located in Charlotte, NC.
I am certified from Notary2Pro
Thank you so much. Any helpful information is appreciated.
Carol has a wonderful support network of referrals who have agreed to use her students to get their loans signed. I would suggest contacting Carol or Barbara and see what, if anything, they can do for you.
Good luck.
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Best to be certified with NNA.
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There is no magic secret formula, honestly if you are new it takes a little luck and being in the right place at the right time to get business from a signing company. I didn’t look at your full profile but obviously having a Signing Agent Certification, being Background Screened and carrying E&O Insurance is pretty much a basic requirement for all signing companies. Where you live has a lot to do with it as well - do you live in a big city or a small town? Are there a lot of other signing agents in your area that you are competing with? On top of that having mortgage or title company experience makes you more likely to get selected. You are most likely to get an assignment near the end of the month when companies favorite agents are already booked. If you get a signing make sure you execute it PERFECTLY and then thank the signing company and ask them to contact you if they get anything else in your area.
Oh, and “all money isnt good money.” I know you will be excited to get your first deal, but check the notary boards, if the company has a history of not paying then dont waste your time, unless you just want to work for free for the “experience.” If you accept a deal from a non-paying company I would personally call them back and tell them that you require PayPal payment upfront due to their no-pay history, but it’s your business and your call.
HOWEVER, I always suggest cutting out signing companies and going directly to local title companies and builders - you will do less work and make more money because there won’t be a signing company taking a cut. I wrote a detailed post about it, I will cut and paste it for you and post it here.
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This is a reply that I wrote to a post asking if business was slow, but It explains why and how I feel you should market directly to title companies and builders to get (better) deals:
You can’t count on signings from signing companies as your main source of business. It takes a lot of hard work and hustle but you MUST market to title companies and builders to become their main notary, use this “slow” time to market. Use sources like Vista Print to make flyers and marketing postcards, send emails to escrow officers and their assistants and builders offices etc and stop by their office and deliver them by hand. Even if a company has said they aren’t interested don’t give up, politely touch base with them every now and again. Trust me, one day they will be in a pinch and they will need you!! And when you do get a deal for them do an EXCEPTIONAL job and show them what a benefit it is to have you! Don’t get discouraged, it may take months for you to get a successful lead, but it is worth it!
Since you will be dealing directly with the title company you will get paid more (usually what the signing company would have gotten paid), you will get paid faster (usually within 14 days), if you are doing their in house signings you won’t have to go to customer’s houses (and we all know that conditions in some folks houses can be pretty nasty), you won’t have to print anything, you will usually work “regular” 9-5 hours and there will be some one right there in the office if there are questions or issues! I have one builder with 5 subdivisions in my area and a title company that uses me to do all of their signings. I have more signings than I can handle and I occasionally have to subcontract to other notaries. I make 25%+ more than I used to while doing fewer signings, the work is easier and I get paid faster!
Just to let you know, I used to be a mortgage loan officer and processor and I’ve been doing notary signings for over 8 years, so I am very knowledgeable and I have a lot of experience. 
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Thank you very much for your response to this very worthwhile topic. I’m a Paralegal/Notary and have been doing Debt Settlement Agreements for a while now. Hoping to do well as a Certified Signing Specialist very, very soon.
NC is an attorney state. Many, but not all, title companies are utilizing attorneys to handle the closings. I’ve found it very effective to just open the yellow pages and start calling all the real estate attorneys directly. Ask them if they are using mobile signers and if they are, ask for an onboarding package. If they aren’t don’t just hang up. Ask them WHY they aren’t. I’ve located two that just had not thought of the value added benefit of having someone who can travel to the client. Sell yourself and your service to them. Show them how they can increase their volume by adding mobility to their business mix. They won’t always be receptive to this, because some view us as competition, but keep in mind: the answer is always no unless you ask. Once you ask you increase the odds of that no going to yes by 50%. Don’t wait for the business to come to you. Especially all these low ball mass email texts we all seem to be getting.
In addition, not all companies recognize certification from just one source. I’ve found being certified by more than one also increased my business. Locate a list of title companies across the nation. On your slow days make it your mission to call at least ten of them and get on boarding packages from at least 5 of the ten you call. It will take a few hours to fill that many out but if you do it daily for a week or two I promise you your phone will start to ring. It’s the law of numbers.
Lastly, do not ever sell yourself or your service short. Stick to your guns on your fee. YOU ARE WORTH IT. You have paid the money to be certified and you are officially self employed now. What you offer has value. Don’t settle. Ever.
Good luck to you
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When did NC become an attorney state for signings.
To the best of my knowledge the attorney states are ME, DE, W. VA, SC and GA with attorney restrictions in MA
NC has never been attorney only - when did they convert? And do you have the statute to cite that?
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Thank you all for your great feedback. Everything has been very helpful.
According to the NC State Bar all closings in the state of NC must be supervised by an attorney. Even if you think there isn’t an attorney involved, when you look at the CD 8 times out of 10 you will see an attorney listed. Nearly every closing I do either has an attorney I can call if the consumer has a question, or calls in at the beginning of a closing to introduce themselves and let the consumer know they are available if needed.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 84-2.1 defines the practice of law to include:
(i) preparing or aiding in preparation of deeds, deeds of trust, lien waivers or affidavits, or other legal documents; (ii) abstracting or passing upon titles; or (iii) advising or giving an opinion upon the legal rights or obligations of any person, firm, or corporation. The closing of a residential real estate transaction involves many of these components. Therefore, Authorized Practice Advisory Opinion 2002-1 (Rev. 1-26-2012) requires that closings be handled by or under the direct supervision of a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Tatia, thank you for this information. I know NC was pushing for this some time ago…never heard it went through - in fact we’d heard it died. I know many NC notaries on other forums who may benefit from this information. With your permission I’d like to pass this on elsewhere?
Again, thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Tatia, for this valuable information. I learned a few days ago from a Realtor about North Carolina’s decision to mandate that Closings be held at an Attorney’s office. According to him, it had something to do with Closings being held in places such as outdoor cafes and other places where confidential/private meetings were virtually impossible to obtain.
I live in Tega Cay SC. I have also been a signing agent for months now with NNA and have only completed one job. Any help/advice would be appreciated!
I am also a newly minted NNA signor here in San Diego’s east county. Slowly but surely, I am getting up and almost ready to go get some Southern California $un. So much to get going for the biz: dba, the 2 tray printer (has anyone any good recommendations? I am looking at a BROTHER laser printer), all the periphery. I did download the “XOME” app, so in addition to that I plan to do some face time with some of the local title companies.