# New Notary just starting out **URL:** \ **Category:** Beginner's Questions\ **Created:** [June 29, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-notary-just-starting-out/46607 "2024-06-29T18:45:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 6
**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-notary-just-starting-out/46607/6 "2024-09-06T15:09:09Z")
@snyderamy09 Sorry to read about your difficulties receiving Signing Orders [SOs] from business entities. Truly, **launching a business** within this business sector of the industry (_like many entrepreneurial businesses_) is a **slog** to get things going regarding SOs. 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!!** _ ====== 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.** _ ====== 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:** _ > [@Why I haven’t received Signing yet](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/why-i-haven-t-received-signing-yet/35290/3): > > @Sunpeaches11 Based on your website, you’re located in FL. If you’re seeking the unadulterated truth in a response to your query, then please read onward. If, on the other hand, you’re seeking sugar-coated, misleading, & prevaricating statements, then by all means, please SKIP the remainder of this Reply . . . ====== STEP 1: There’s a paradigm shift that needs to occur when one charts their course to become a Business Owner by moving away from being an employee. If you’re CERTAIN that yo… > [@Temper your expectations](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/temper-your-expectations/21831): > > 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](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/starting-to-hate-doing-this-work/23162): > > 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](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/i-need-help-with-calculating-the-true-costs-of-doing-business/29848/5): > > 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](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/finally-a-reality-check-as-to-how-much-a-notary-earns/22434): > > 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](https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2021/06/how-much-can-i-earn-as-mobile-notary-or-signing-agent?utm_campaign=bulletin20210614&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nnabulletin&utm_content=BodyTitleMobileNotaryIncome&content_type=4&position=2&NNAID=153336141) > [@My Initial Tips/Advice to New People](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/my-initial-tips-advice-to-new-people/14114): > > I hope the following helps you getting started If you’re going to set yourself up as a business, go to [irs.gov](http://irs.gov) and get an EIN - takes 5 minutes - NEVER NEVER NEVER give your personal social security number to anyone - use your EIN for all your notary work, including using it to report your notary income on our tax return; Set up a separate checking/banking account for your notary income - keep your personal finances and your business finances separate; Get some business cards and start … > [@white\_check\_mark Not Receiving Signing Orders & Wondering How to Check the SATURATION in Your Region?](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/not-receiving-signing-orders-wondering-how-to-check-the-saturation-in-your-region/42885): > > 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: Remember to access the EXPAND section for defining additional details: The results from this Research you perform will be of great assistance in your business decisio… > [@Must You Complete A Training Course To Get Work?](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/must-you-complete-a-training-course-to-get-work/30734/4): > > 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. sparkles ====== **REMEMBER** to check the **immediately available information** found within the **Notary Cafe** database on multiple topics! 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. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/notarycafe/original/3X/9/b/9bfa2b5c287a3a8697551b7139e9349c3ed3064c.png) _ **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 . . .** _ 👑 🦢 --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-notary-just-starting-out/46607)._