I have been contacted by many, many companies who want me to sign up with them to provide work. Some are; Loan signing solutions, Nationwide notary registry, NNA, find a notary.com, US signing agent, Hire notary.com. Charges are from $30 up to $100. Do most of you pay these companies to find work for you? Which ones are good? Thanks!
Save your money. Hiring parties are using the platforms. IF (big if) you’re in an area where local TCs hire outside help, stop in their office when you’re in area & introduce yourself. Ditto mortgage brokers. For GNW, list yourself on all the FREE sites–yellowpages, google, etc. Do NOT ever pay for ads…the ROI just isn’t there.
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@Jcarlson9 As expressed above, NEVER pay for advertising!
For most Directory listing sites, they’re no cost or minimal annual fee.
Also, there is MORE THAN AMPLE information immediately available within the Notary Cafe database (use the Search Function - see below).
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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Regarding training/certification/mentoring . . .
There are many scams to be wary of . . .
This is what is meant when we reference that “it’s a very small world” in this business sector.
Someone new can make an inadvertent (or simple) error on their initial few signings and VOILA! Their name is “out for publication” between & among lenders, title/escrow companies [T/ECs], etc. and those individuals are avoided for possible Signing Orders.
Another reason we advocate for ensuring you receive some professional, reliable, & trustworthy training (not YouTube) prior to accepting your initial Signing Order. Just looking out for your successful Business Launch!
As new members seek insights regarding launching their business, a Key Element to Success is providing themselves with an appropriate foundation and undergirding that will serve & support their business.
There are multiple factors to consider:
- What is your background?
- Do you have experience in Real Estate?
- Do you have experience in Mortgage Lending?
- Do you have experience in Banking?
Etc. ad nauseam . . . => just know that you’re launching a business and the onus is upon you to create the best foundation possible from the onset.
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My personal experience:
When I initially started performing this work, I successfully completed MULTIPLE training/certification programs including Notary2Pro & NNA and many others. I have extensive experience in skill sets that require certification and recurrent evaluation tests; i.e., I’ve maintained my Project Management Professional [PMP] certification for more than 20 years. So, I understand what it usually entails and the elements that should be included within a comprehensive training program.
Regarding the NNA training specifically, it’s lacking across multiple topics & categories. Many NNA “graduates” choose to take additional training courses elsewhere, because they sense they’re insufficiently prepared. Their primer has errors throughout. Their hotline is less than reliable for accurate responses.
In my experience with undergoing the multiple training programs for certified notary signing agent [CNSA] certification, hands-down without question, Carol Ray’s Notary2Pro training programs are optimum in this industry. I’ve successfully completed ALL of the multiple training/certification programs that Carol offers through her company Notary2Pro. Her programs are thorough & detailed. These also prepare the business owner to operate a business. In addition, she offers Mentoring services. I found those to be excellent & INVALUABLE when I was initially starting out in this business sector. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. 
I’ve professionally compared the training/certification programs available at Notary2Pro with the others I’ve successfully completed. The ONLY training/certification program I recommend is Notary2Pro.
A list of companies that hire Notary2Pro graduates (with minimal or no experience) is provided to successful course graduates. => This list is pure GOLD! Study up, refresh your notes, & let Carol know when your initial few signings are scheduled. She is a wonderful mentor & can be on standby in case you encounter difficulties or have questions during your first few signings. She’s the Best! Her support will help you Build your Confidence in providing this service. 
In addition, Notary2Pro works diligently to keep this list up-to-date regarding vetting and viability. As we all know, some reliable clients can encounter financial difficulties and that, in turn, can negatively impact CNSAs directly.
Of course, your best bet would be to visit their website at https://www.notary2pro.com/ , research, and make the choices appropriate for your situation. The training programs by Carol Ray are comprehensive & thorough. 
P.S. I receive no compensation or remuneration of any type or kind as a result of my first-hand experiential review above.
P.P.S. Unfortunately, Carol passed (February, 2022) from our earthly plane. I hope she Rests In Peace. I’m grateful to have made her acquaintance and studied under her tutelage.
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ADDITIONAL NOTE: Here are 2 separate threads (see direct url links below) that will serve you well. Read them carefully & take notes. There is pure gold within these words . . .
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Here are two reference texts that I strongly recommend:
To All Notary Cafe Members & especially those considering launching a business within this sector (or those recently having done so . . .).
- I often express to DIVERSIFY services provided as it will “smooth out” the peaks & valleys of the income stream.
Over the years that I’ve been providing these professional services, I’ve purchased many texts (more than a baker’s dozen or so). There is ONE text that have purchased & gained an IMMENSE amount of wisdom, support, & guidance from reading => “Marketing Your Non-Loan Notary Services” by Laura Vestanen. The price is QUITE reasonable at a mere $8 (used version). This text is an instrumental guide to effectively & efficiently expand your business while simultaneously utilizing your well-honed notarial skills!
I truly found it to be very helpful , insightful, and truly assisted me in brainstorming my way to greater success years ago. It’s much easier to surf the peaks and valleys of business cycles if there are multiple income streams (diversify your services across varied business sectors ).
FYI: I receive no compensation or remuneration of any type or kind as a result of my first-hand experiential review above nor from any sales of the text.
===>>> However, now I can strongly recommend an additional reference text: The Entrepreneur Equation. It provides insights for the entrepreneur to perform a Self-Evaluation, Risks & Benefits, Understanding Finances, Setting Expectations, & many other topics critical to success. It’s available in a physical book or via Audible.
Just finished reading the text. It’s only 288 pages, so a quick read. It’s truly a Step-By-Step Guide to help objectively evaluate every aspect.
Best of all, the author provides this valuable data interjected with much-needed humor! It’s very straightforward.
This enables you to comprehensively assess the next step to take (or not take) . . .
It’s the best type of Reality Check for it’s brutally honest with you BEFORE investing hard-earned cash into a new venture. She answers every question you can think of & then some . . .
The following Editorial Review says it all (from the Amazon web page for the book):
““I wish I’d had The Entrepreneur Equation when I started my business. It would have saved a lot of time, stress, and heartache through the growth while I made a go of it alone. If you’re thinking about starting a business, already running a business that is not profitable, or you haven’t been able to take your business to the next level, this book is for you.””
—Gini Dietrich, CEO of Arment Dietrich, Inc. and author of Spin Sucks
FYI: I receive no compensation or remuneration of any type or kind as a result of my first-hand experiential review above nor from any sales of the text.
I’m not on any sites that charge for a listing. Go direct to platforms. Such as snapdocs signingorder - there are several out there. Probably a list on the forum somewhere.
Rays ? I believe they charge the most. $300. For classes.
@Jcarlson9 Never pay for a Directory Listing.
In my direct experience of successfully completing MULTIPLE certification/training programs, the Notary2Pro courses are the ONLY ones that will serve you well for preparing you to launch, operate, & develop a business within this sector.
In addition, that Fee is for the comprehensive & complete set of courses.
Remember the adage: You get what you pay for . . .
===>>> The others are selling you the “sizzle,” but not the steak.
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You really do need to ensure that you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, because it will take a LOT OF WORK to be successful in this business sector AND it will take time to become established (like in any new business you launch).
This is why I have also recommended “The Entrepreneur Equation” by Carol Roth. It would have helped me SO much if I had know about it in the beginning . . .
Best Wishes
@Jcarlson9 When you purchase “The Entrepreneur Equation” text also purchase this reference text (as noted above previously):
The combination of these two reference texts and the training/certification courses referred to above will provide you with excellent guidelines & guardrails for launching, establishing, and flourishing the business.
It takes hard work, dedication, pounding the bricks, developing new relationships, thinking creatively, & a very strong willingness to ensure customer satisfaction to achieve success.
I’m a firm believer in not having to pay to get work. This reminds me of “professional” photographers or “talent agents” who promise to find acting jobs once one has used their services and paid a fee up-front. If and entity truly finds you work, they can collect their fee from your earnings. And we know THAT’S never going to happen, RIGHT?
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Very good advice, no need to pay there are free sources.
A very good training company is Notary Training School less then $100