Notary Signing Agents often get stuck doing the same thing and struggle to grow their business. The key to building a Notary business and getting more assignments by finding ways to get outside your usual circle and create a distinctive brand that differentiates you from your competition. How do you do that?
According to Anne Fields, a long-time NSA with Fields & Associates, there are several elements to business success:
- Preparing with the right tools.
- Prospecting for new clients.
- Networking in your community.
Fields discussed how to follow these strategies in an NNA 2020 Online presentation.
Begin with the right tools
It’s incredibly important to have a separate workspace in the home with a desk, bookshelves, high-yield laser printer, shredder, scanner and an up-to-date smartphone, Fields stressed.
Take care with your paper and ink supplies too. These small but bulk purchases can really add up and impede your bottom line. It’s also good to have basic supplies such as journals, pens and tabs. Customers are often very impressed with small details, such as having both blue and black pens at your disposal, she said.
Insurance, certifications and references will complete your business tool belt. You will want Notary errors & omissions insurance, signing agent certification that’s going to be accepted by banks and title companies and great references who can attest to your ability to handle certain documents and transactions.
Prospect for new business
Maybe you have “enough” business to suit your needs, but clients will drop off unexpectedly, so it’s a great idea to know how to get new assignments when clients disappear.
Join platforms, such as Snapdocs, where you can bid on projects that are far away, which many people don’t want to pursue. If you’re new, you can build a stellar reputation taking assignments that others don’t want and doing an excellent job. You’ll also build up great ratings, which employers look for when choosing a Notary.
Set up profiles on listing platforms. Some of them offer printable lists with companies hiring Signing Agents. She created a master list of companies and then sent a package of her credentials, including her resume, references, insurance and certifications, to the companies’ vendor management departments. After that, it was just a matter of time waiting for the calls, she said.
Network, network, network
Online forums and platforms are great, but don’t forget about visiting local businesses, such as the UPS store, law firms, banks, healthcare facilities and such. Fields also recommended getting involved with your local chamber of commerce. The chamber will introduce you to realtors and people employed with title and escrow companies who are always looking for good Notaries. And they aren’t the only ones. Bankers, lawyers, insurance brokers and other businessmen and businesswomen tend to join local business associations and often need Notaries, and regularly networking with them will lead to new opportunities and more business for you.
And don’t forget civic organizations such as Rotary and business organizations for men and women. Networking may not come naturally, but it can be improved with practice and persistence.