I am very excited to introduce my ever-growing Notary Business to the New Year, 2009!
For the passed 2 years, CLA Mobile Notary and Certified Signings has been blessed with good times, good people, good business associations, the ability to make good marketing efforts, and the ability to curb poor business mistakes. I’ve gained a mother lode of information, that peaks my natural born curiosity to learn even more about the business.
I am resoundingly humble with a remarkable respect for others. I accept each assignment in my business and my life as an opportunity to grow and learn. I welcome the world to grow and learn with me in this life long endeavor to reach for the stars! I’m not by myself…we are all in this together!
Call on me for ALL OF YOUR NOTARY NEEDS! With Regard and Respect: Cheryl Lee Anderson, Notary Public and Certified Signing Agent, for Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino Counties. 951-514-9205 www.certifiedsigningscalifornia.com
Well, here I am spreading good news about another great deal from Staples! (I'm hoping for some nice kickbacks from corporate Staples...some day...you think?...yeah right!)
The sale starts this weekend...check staples.com for other great deals too. The paper is $1.99 per ream/limit 2 per customer...(I am soooo taking all six of my kids!) hahaha...
I was having a conversation with a fellow notary today regarding marketing ideas for our Notary Loan Signing Business. The basis of the conversation was what would be unique and ideal to put in "goodie bags" for our local Title, Loan, and Escrow Offices.
Although Goodie Bags Per se are not necessarily unique, they CAN BE ideal, I think, if they can be something of good use or value.
My main objective is to keep my information on the desks of our officers long enough to be remembered...and perhaps appreciated, and I don't want to send the same typical items that may not be of any good use.
So, I have come up with the idea to just ASK what you would like to see in YOUR goodie bags!
Idealistically BUT realistically speaking, however...
If there are any unique Goodie Bag ideas that you could share that YOU would like to see land on your desk once in a while, that would make you think twice about us...(literally think twice about us or more!)...please let me know!
Today I was asked a question by a fellow notary that made me ponder for few a moments before I replied. He asked me how I "do it" with so much competition in my area(?).
"Do It?" Meaning successfully run my Notary Loan Signing Business? Competition? I thought, YIKES! Well, I guess it is out there, but I haven't based my business practice or motives on the woes of my competitors. As a matter of a fact, I have to honestly say that I have learned from the best, in my opinion, both local and afar. (AFAR? Ok, Cheryl...ease up on the "SHREK" lingo!)
Seriously, though, I constantly challenge myself and push myself to market my business. Perhaps because if I don't, this so-called competition will. So, I do check out the business practices of those that are seemingly successful at what they do, (not necessarily all Notary Signing Agents, either). I've talked to some of the VERY best in our industry. Wow...They ARE VERY PLEASANT people, afterall! I take notes. I apply reasonable and attainable business ideas and press forward with fortitude and entrepreneurial perseverence.
My "competition" is my fellow notary. Ok, Yeah, so what. Over 400 + notary signing agents just in my general vicinity alone. (and my phone still rings). I guess this is what he was implying.
I'm fully aware of the competitive market. But I don't see it in a bad way. I am working everyday. I am getting calls regularly. Yet, I have no awe-inspiring secret to success story...(Well, not yet, anyway!)
I see others in this industry as constant reminders that I must do a very, VERY good job in my business, and to work harder and make sure that there are no mistakes...to cross every "t", dot every "i", make a good impression (notarial seal impression, that is), and do the best that I can do for my clients...
To me, my so-called competition are my comrades, my leaders-who show me great opportunities, my followers-whom I must show great opportunities to as well...I see this as having a competitive edge.
I just wanted to share that Staples is having a great 1 penny sale until Wednesday, July 9th! A pack of 8 #2 pencils for a penny, 10 count pocket folders for 10 cents, small sample bottles of hand sanitizer for 1 penny, etc. Plastic folders for 25 cents. The reason that I feel this is of any relevance at all to our industry is because I take pencils, coloring books, crayons, paper pads, etc., with me to my signings because I've had LOTS of signings with children present. An hour or so for a signing, and these children tend to feel restless and perhaps left out, so I bring little things to occupy them, and to make them stay busy, for the borrowers...and of course ME! I always ask permission before offering to the children, but it goes over very well, relievingly!
There is another product that was given to me not long ago called "Smencil" and it is a very STRONGLY fruit-scented pencil made almost entirely out of recycled paper! They are also packaged really cute. I was told they are about $1 each. I am going to order and stock up with these to just have as a "gift" upon me leaving my signings.
If I ever have too much, I donate the rest to the local schools.
I usually don't list other companies here, but it is a great opportunity to stock up on these little virtually free items to just have...just in case!
So, I took my real estate exam in December '07. I passed, and with that I was going to conquer the world...be TOPS in the Real Estate Industry here in Southern California!
Although clouded by the current market woes and near fall-out, I was still going to set myself apart and make $$! Well, yeah...ok. It didn't quite work out that way. Not because I COULDN'T make it happen, and definitely NOT because I failed, because the potential and ability is there, and will always be there...but it's because I became quite busy with another venture that was in its infancy stages during this time as well.
I met a very wonderful and ambitious real estate gentleman who introduced me to his broker. Now it all seemed ideal (to me) with its quaint and comfy office, few agents, and Down To Earth enviance, I thought I would just fit in...and with license waving in my green little hands...ready to be trained...earnest to break into and become a part of this potential million dollar industry...there I sat.
Phones weren't really ringing, so real estate salesperson/receptionist skills didn't come into play. Surfin' through the MLS system till I nearly gagged was all but a thrill...hmmm, I thought...I've seriously gotta do something! Take me out on some showings! Let me sit for an open house! Let me cold call! Let me place some yard signs...clean some yard signs?! Anybody? But nuthin! So I got up, marched right into the broker's office and asked, "What is it going to take to get me started?" I had to get my feet wet. I was eager to learn, and I was willing to teach myself from observation alone...but one problem...not too much was going on to observe...at least at that time, and at least from where I stood. Now, don't get me wrong, I was never discouraged and I never gave up. I understood the reality of the current conditions. Agents became a little tighter on what they chose to resource out. I understood that. They had mouths to feed and mortgages to pay, too. So, the broker says..."start by putting your SOI together, and we will go from there." SOI? What the heck is that?
It is yourSphere Of Influence.
It made sense...start by telling everyone I know who I have had an acquaintance, what I am up to...let them know I am available! So, that is exactly what I did.
I wrote a letter briefly explaining who I was, in case anyone forgot, and what I am doing now, and how I can help them. But I didn't use it toward my Real Estate Business...(at least not yet). My list was long and I was happy with myself...but I was getting increasingly busy with what I was doing on the side. So I started focusing on marketing myself, and then thought why don't I use my Sphere Of Influence to gain some recognition by those a little closer to heart and home?
I modified and used this Sphere Of Influence idea for My Notary and Loan Signing Business! I cannot even begin to tell you the magnitude of work for me which it has made. What an incredible idea...and it was free, and easy...and since it gave those that I listed a sense of familiarity because they had met me before, or knew me personally, it cemented some relationships and generated a lot of notary work, and the referrals are AWESOME!
I have marketed myself quite extensively, but would have missed this opportunity because I didn't think to even market to my family, colleagues, or friends. As subtle as this little modest letter that I had written to my SOI, it has pushed my notary business forward. I highly recommend it...and maybe, once I get the nerve or inkling to pursue my RE career, I will peruse this little gem then, too!
But what about Organized Clutter? Is there such a thing? My husband seems to think so...
Well...let's look at my desk for instance. My Brother MFC 8460N Laser Printer to my right, My Hewlitt Packard flatbed legal scanner to my left, my monitor in the middle, my hanging files (and lots of them) within both drawers on either side of me...My label maker, stapler, pens. pencil sharpener, stack of business cards, postcards, mailing labels, pictures of my children, overdue files, my big fatty calendar-(displaying a beautiful blanket of appointments), reference materials, my notary stamp and journal locked away safely in its drawer, overnight packaging envelopes, etc., 2 phones, my Sun Light Lamp that so proudly lights my way, all organized and conveniently within MY reach.
But seriously...as much as I love the way I can access anything I need at my desk, My wonderful, truck driving husband laughs at me...calling my masterpiece of a desk ORGANIZED CLUTTER!! "But I work well this way," I tell him. I'm not a mess...I am very efficient and everything has its place...( I think so anyway). I've never lost anything, never misplaced a file...perhaps he doesn't understand the nature of the business...maybe he doesn't understand the nature of MY business...hahaha.
Made me think about how others organize themselves...what makes others comfortable while spending ruthless hours at the desk sometimes...
So I ask, what is on YOUR desk? What makes you work more effortlessly, and efficiently?
I've gotten a couple calls for e-notarizations, and although I am not equipped at doing them right now, would love to refer them out. Like I've said, I have only gotten a couple calls out of the many I get for anything else, but I certainly do not like to say "no" without the ability to refer them to someone in the Riverside County area.
I have been offering all of the new Signing Companies and my Return Signing Companies 20% off of the agreed upon fee on EVERY 5th signing that I do for them up until September 30th, 2008!
There is nothing to work out, nothing to agree to, and nothing to sign. It will be automatically worked into your account on EVERY 5th signing done for you that I am available for and that I execute.
I want to return the favor along with extraordinary and guaranteed service to all of my repeat and loyal Signing Companies...and I want to get off to a great start with some new companies!
I am very easy to contact and work with...and I strive to make your client comfortable and less apprehensive over the whole signing process. I will always represent your business as if it were my own...and did I ever mention to you that I SMILE? This isn't my job...this is my business and I really love it!
There is no better compliment than that of a referral...unless it includes 20% off on your 5th signing!
I have been a veterinary technician for 17 years. Although it has been a passion of mine, I've experienced the dreadful BURNOUT, and have discovered an interest in real estate since I've started my mobile notary business last year. So, I studied for my RE exam and passed in December, '07, and am waiting for my license to arrive. In the meantime, I've realized that the RE exam didn't much "examine" my knowledge, yet, moreover touched on common sense, so imagine my surprise when I passed!
What I had studied, however, excellent teaching material, in my opinion, really didn't have much influence or information on what to do AFTER the test is taken. Quite disappointing, but a challenge to be overcome, nonetheless!
I am self-motivated, tenacious, and driven...but feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I am well aware of the market right now, but have great expectations and high hopes that it will soon turn around, so I am taking this slow time as an opportunity to learn as much as I can so that I can be a reasonably competent person in this dynamic field. I've learned a lot here on Active Rain, and am implementing some ideas...love the SOI! I've got great friends, contacts, and networking resources.
Would anyone have any suggestions, websites, reference materials, etc., that they could recommend that I may peruse on my own before I venture out? Being thrown out with the wolves is not appealing to me, especially since I will be a part of a transaction that ultimately may change someone's life. I have found an agency that is willing to help me out in providing assistance during my transactions, but would like to go in with my running shoes on...so I can be a vital asset of the business.
Anyone out there in my area who is new at this too, and would like a networking "bud" and someone to bounce some ideas off of is welcome to contact me. clanotary@yahoo.com
Notary Signing Agent in Riverside County Servicing the following cities:
Hemet, San Jacinto, Nuevo, Riverside, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Menifee, Sun City, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Temecula, Romoland, Homeland, Perris, Beaumont, Banning, La Quinta, Norco, Chino, Upland, Ontario, Fallbrook, and Redlands .
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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