How Did You Get Started

[MJP728]

Hello Everyone,
My name is MarQuetta, I’m new to the world of Notary trying to get my start. I’m trying to put myself out there and get started, yet I’m not sure of what to do. I was looking for a mentor, to show me the ropes. Is anyone available In the Wilmington, Delaware to assist me to start out on my journey.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

[cNsa5]

@MJP728 Great question in the title, but it appears that what you truly want to learn is how You can get started, right?

As varied are the personalities in humans, are the variety of methods/techniques that businesses are launched within this business sector.

First, a few questions . . .

• Perchance did you research your region to determine the existing quantity of potential competition?
• Did you research this sector of the business industry to determine how very challenging it is to become a successful business owner/entrepreneur within this business sector especially at this juncture?

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Truly, launching a business within this business sector of the industry (like many entrepreneurial businesses) is a slog to get things going regarding SOs. Definitely NOT A SPRINT, but truly a MARATHON!

The YouTube videos hawking “it’s EASY PEASY to make $100K/year” has been debunked repeatedly . . .

Unfortunately, folks do still decide to “invest” in the used car salesman tactics of bait & switch! They tell you if you’re not receiving SOs to just launch a Signing Service & you’ll be living in a McMansion next week . . .

UGH!!

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This segment of the business industry has been in a strong downward spiral regarding volume of SOs and increasingly LOWER fees for many years, but especially since ‘post-COVID-19,’ etc.

I and the other sages on the Notary Cafe forum regularly endeavor to help new forum members grasp the reality of the unadulterated truth of the current state of this business sector - myriad variables in the financial & real estate markets are negatively affecting this industry.

There is immediately available information found within the Notary Cafe database on this topic & many others that will prove quite beneficial to you.

This information is a GOLDMINE!

Most members express that they find it difficult/NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to locate the Search Function in order to access the wealth of information available within the database.

To be helpful, I’ve inserted an image for you & others [see below] to help members locate it to unlock the wisdom & knowledge of other members on the forums.

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Accessing the database to locate information about potential clients has saved many of us an inordinate amount of time ‘chasing’ payments for Services professionally provided to potential non-payers . . .

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I’ll share a few helpful threads to provide you with excellent insights & guidance to help you make a viable business decision at this juncture. The data within these threads is not only helpful, it’s valid & has held true to many members across the entire US.

Here goes . . . as you’ll easily see there is clearly a plethora of data immediately available to assist in this regard. Here are only a few of the available helpful threads:

Temper your expectations

To preface this, I’ve been a lurker on these forums for quite some time and I’ve noticed a ton of expectations lately that seem too unrealistic. I’m a NSA out of Michigan and have been one for the past 7 years. I usually pull in at least 8k worth of business every month but it takes a LONG time to get to that point. I see a ton of newer notaries looking to make fast money or expecting SS or TC to come to them over seasoned notaries while they have very little experience. A few tips that I’d sug…

Starting to hate doing this work

I am just beyond frustrated with this industry. I do this as a part time gig to pay bills, I teach full time, but this industry is just asking for too much and pays too little. They really want me to do a refinance for 100 bucks that has 200 pages and want me to travel there. ALL the signing services are paying less. A refinance no matter how big should be no lower than 100 but these services constantly yelling me te the average is $80. Gas prices in my area are $3+. What idiots are out here doi…

I need help with calculating the true costs of doing business

It would be in your best interest to jot down all of the expenses associated with performing the services you provide within your service region to determine a baseline operating cost. Then, at that point, you can calculate the fees that will generate a net profit to determine if you’ll have a Profit or sustain a Loss at that rate. There are many items to consider within your Overhead calculations. Here are a few to get you started: • telephone expenses including cell phone equipment and month…

Finally..a reality check as to how much a notary earns

The NNA has completed a survey of income. Here’s the link: How much can I earn as a mobile Notary or Signing Agent? | NNA

2023 Notary Survey Results: In a slow market, Notaries stay strong by...

Not Receiving Signing Orders & Wondering How to Check the SATURATION in Your Region?

Success (or the lack thereof) is HIGHLY dependent upon the location/region of the US for your home base. It’s a really GOOD idea to Research the “Find a Notary” segment of this website for the existent saturation in one’s current region. Here’s an image of that component of the Notary Cafe navigation ribbon: [image] Remember to access the EXPAND section for defining additional details: [image] The results from this Research you perform will be of great assistance in your business decisio…

Assignments

@realtydocusigning No, you’re not doing anything “wrong.” As with most businesses that are starting out, it’s a SLOW process. In general, most do find building a business within this business sector to be a MARATHON, not a sprint. Well, that is unless you live in a region that isn’t already saturated with Trained, Certified, & experienced Notary Signing Agents [NSAs] who are also seeking out Signing Orders OR if you have a family member who works at a Title/Escrow Company [T/EC]. …

I found a list of MISMO approved RON, RIN, and IPEN providers for emortgage closing!

Touche! What we’ve been saying over and over again here. It’s not that we don’t want to help - but each “newbie” (hate that term) has to help themselves.

Must You Complete A Training Course To Get Work?

I concur with the insights of LindaH-FL & mannie1950 (return to the teaching industry). Also, there are 2 recent posts by CherylM that leave the sugar-coating behind & Tells-It-Like-It-Is . . . Truly, anyone entering this business sector needs to change their mindset from that of an employee to that of a Business Owner. It’s a completely different paradigm and is managed differently as well. Best Wishes with your decision.

In addition to the above referenced threads, there are simply THOUSANDS of other HELPFUL threads immediately available to you.

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IF you have reviewed all this information & have definitively decided to move forward with launching your business, be certain that you have completed at least one or two reputable Professional Signing Agent [PSA] training/certification programs & purchase Errors & Omissions {E&O] insurance. Absolutely KNOW the Notary Laws of your state completely! Plus, do yourself a BIG FAVOR & create an Employer Identification Number [EIN]. This will save you many potential headaches in the future. Also, be certain to set up checking & saving bank accounts utilizing the name of your business as well as purchasing business cards. In addition, be sure to check if your region requires a business license.

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[cfletcher]

That’s a great question. You are on the right track seeking out an mentor. If you are unable to find a mentor in your local area, consider trying to find a virtual mentor. Everyone has a different method of the way they learn. Some people can learn watching videos, others can learn by reading, then there are those that learn by being shown how to do things. If you would like to talk, please let me know…

[MJP728]

Thank you, I truly appreciate your response. I will be reaching out to you directly soon.

MarQuetta

[ewing_joe]

How I got started. In the late 1990s, I was an independent insurance agent. I copied all my applications at a local copy shop. One day the owner suggested that I become a Notary Public and he would call me anytime someone asked for a notary. So I got commissioned and did hundreds of notarizations there and many more for his customers at their homes. By the time I started doing loan signings a year later, I had already filled up my modern journal with signatures. I got steady work from several sup-prime lenders in my city and that took me all the way up to the mortgage crash in 2008.I’ve always agressively marketed my services to the public, something you newbees need to do if you intend to survive.