Updated 7-23-24. You’ve got your Notary commission and you want to start a new business as a Notary. But what comes next? Don’t worry — two successful, self-employed Notaries, Daniel Lewis of Indiana and Marcy Tiberio of New York, have suggestions to help you get your Notary business started on the right foot.
1. Start with what you know, then branch out.
When starting out, focus on building your business one service at a time. Many new Notaries try to offer several kinds of services immediately: loan signings, general consumer work, loan modifications, auto loans, annuities, debt settlement, etc. However, when you lack experience, it’s easy to make mistakes that can hurt your Notary business and cost you future work. Instead, start with one or two services and get comfortable with them. When you have more experience under your belt, then you can add more services to increase your Notary business. What you don’t want to happen is to overextend yourself, make mistakes, and lose work. At the same time, keep in mind that you will make mistakes — you’re only human. Mistakes are how you learn and how you handle those mistakes is what can make or break your Notary career.
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2. Connect with other Notaries.
Finding a Notary willing to mentor you is crucial. A mentor, ideally someone in your state, can offer guidance, support and ideas to help you launch and grow your business. They can also be a great resource for getting jobs. You can help with their overflow when they are booked and refer work to them that may be outside of your comfort zone.
Networking with other Notary professionals is one of the best ways to increase your business without encountering significant costs. People like to do business with people that they trust and like, and networking is about building relationships. Most NSAs who have long-term success rely on Notary networks. Your state Notary association is a great place to network with other Notaries.
3. Never stop educating yourself.
The laws and rules governing Notaries, and the expectations for Signing Agents, are constantly changing. If you want to avoid mistakes and keep your business growing, always keep up with the latest developments. Here are a few quick tips that will make a dramatic difference in your Notary career:
- Read and review the Notary guide for your state. In many states, you can download and print your state’s Notary guide online along with the most updated Notary laws.
- Attend workshops and conferences, both locally and nationally, that offer training and presentations to improve your knowledge.
- Check with your state commissioning office or professional Notary associations such as the NNA for answers to Notary-related questions.
- Connect with professionals outside of your immediate circle such as realtors, loan officers and escrow officers. Many times, the real estate and banking industries have a direct impact on Signing Agent work. They can be a wealth of information to help you stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve.
4. Make a business plan and follow it.
Whether you are a new Notary starting a business for the very first time or a seasoned professional, having a plan is essential for success. A business plan will help you anticipate and overcome financial or legal obstacles you may encounter over time that may not be obvious at first.
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Developing the right plan can help you with starting or expanding your business, and knowing what resources you will need to assure your success. Having a business plan also helps you figure out how much to charge for your services and what type of business model you should develop.
5. Market yourself and your services.
Developing a strong marketing plan can make or break your business. Marketing in the Notary profession has changed over the years. At one time, a Notary could make a decent income by just posting a simple profile online and then waiting for the phone to ring from potential customers — but that’s no longer the case. You need to develop a strategy to get the word out about your Notary services — both online and in your local community. Let local businesses, schools, churches, insurance agencies, banks, real estate professionals, and your friends and family know that you are a professional Notary and that you are available for their Notary needs.
You should also make sure that you are advertising your business on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If you plan to do loan document signings, you should ensure your profile appears on sites like FindaNotary.com and SigningAgent.com and includes the most up-to-date information.
Daniel Lewis, the NNA’s 2010 Notary of the Year, is the owner of Lewis Notary Services, Inc. and a contributor to the Notary Bulletin. Marcy Tiberio is a NNA 2015 Notary of the Year Honoree and owner of Professional Notary Services, Inc., in Rochester, New York. She can be reached at marcy@professionalnotaryservices.biz.
Additional Resources:
Signing Agent Tools
Signing Agent FAQs