The experience was amazing.

My place is one half mile south of Canada.  Just north of my town is a cute little town in British Columbia.

Yesterday I went into town for a quick errand and noticed crowds of people on the street downtown. I knew the torch was in SW BC yesterday, but was too busy working to notice where.  I suddenly got a clue and pulled into a parking lot.

With me was Peaches, my black pug wearing a cute fluffy white sweater with snowflakes on it.

We wait for around 10 minutes and suddenly an elderly fellow carrying the flaming torch walked into view.  (I was right on the curb!)   He looked to be around 80 and the people in the crowd told me he was a civic leader and benefactor who had done some very important things for the town.  That big man had a round nearly-bald head and every bit of it glowed like a light bulb.  My face almost felt warm with the emotions he was beaming out to everyone: his joy, honor, gratitude, luck, and shear pleasure bathed everyone on the street.

I just realized now why he was looking down at the street yesterday instead of around at the crowd - this big-hearted man is bashful. Love that!

When he came near to where we were standing, I grabbed Peaches and held her high up in the air and waggled her cute little body back and forth yelling in a high pitched voice “Deeeebeebebedeeeeedibideeee. Deeebeideeidbeeeedidibedeee” (I say this to Peaches to let her know she is not in trouble and if she comes to me right this minute there will be massage and perhaps a treat.  Too many coyote around here.)  I assume Peaches was wearing one of her “my gawd, I hope she stops this soon” faces.  Everyone around us fell out laughing.   They were so happy they had been dying for an excuse to laugh at anything.

When the torch passed, I still couldn’t take my eyes off it and the man. Above the torch, the sky and buildings on the other side of the top of the flame were blurry and strange. I know that heat distorts light waves but still......   It was pure magic.

Then I did my errand.  After I got back into the car, I decided that was so fun, I drove 10 minutes to the next little town and watched again.

This runner was a woman around 35 years old. She was jogging as slowly as she could and her face was radiant, too.  She didn’t beam quite as brightly as the town benefactor (he’s clearly had more practice) but she was overflowing with fun, joy, gratitude for her huge luck, and just plain happiness.   I would not be surprised if I learned her eyes were wet then.

Peaches and I did our Deeebeidee routine again and this time even the kids were doubling over laughing.

I’m starting to understand why people like sports so much.  I’m still happy and it’s a whole new day.

Laura Vestanen, Notary Public

Professional Notary

(604) 484-3681 BC number rings in Point Roberts, WA – only 25km (16 miles) south of Vancouver

www.ProfessionalNotary.com

www.ApostilleNotary.com

Available 7 days a week daytime only.

Rush service available.

Fast border crossing.

2010 Olympics attendees welcome.

Documents in foreign languages and/or going to foreign countries welcome

Documents needing consular seals welcome. 6 day rush service available.

Phone calls from journalists welcome.

I regularly check my status on Google by searching using the words virtually all my clients tell me they use when searching for a notary in my town.  That's how I know which of my marketing chores are giving me the biggest bang for my buck.

This morning, I entered these words for a google search to check my rating on my new website:

Info on me shows up on ALL TEN of the free search results on Google page one!  Snaps to me!

My AR profile is first, of course.  Then my Merchant Circle listing.  My website is third.

The good news for you:

   I do not pay anyone to increase my SEO. 

   I never pay to be listed on a site such as MerchantCircle.

   I am low tech and I do all my own marketing chores and writing. 

   I created my own website using an online template, not a program that sits on my computer. 

   My website is plain but it has lots of information very useful for my clients. 

   The only place I blog is here on AR and only a few times a month.  I don't tweet, post on Facebook, etc.

I'm moving my website to GoDaddy.com this week because their template program is more flexible.  The new website is going to have even more links, resources, and information and a lovely map of my location.

I don't even use a visitor counter or google analytics.  (I don't care how many people visit my site.  I care about how many people book appointments with me.)

This means you, too, can ace your competitors on a Google search!

Good luck!   LauraV

www.ProfessionalNotary.com

Hi, Colleagues

I offer some legal secretary services in addition to notary work.  I learned how to do these things while I managed a law firm in California for ten years.  Plus I have taken additional seminars after moving to WA.

I wanted to create a new website in addition to my notary one to highlight these other services.

I finally created enough text to publish the first version of the site yesterday.  (I have more info to write up and add to the site as I find the time.)

Then I immediately listed the url on the various websites where you can post / submit for free.

Today I Googled using the two most popular words I know my clients use to search for these services.  (I know the words because I ask EVERY new client how they found me.)

The result:  The Craigslist announcement was at the top spot of Google's page one.  The new ActiveRain profile I created yesterday was in the number 2 spot.  Three other listings about me appeared on page one and included my notary website and a few other places where I have posted / submitted my notary site for free.

Within 2 weeks I should be represented by at least 7 results on the first page of Google.

The best news for you - I AM LOW TECH!  I don't even use a visitor counter.  I have to use templates to make websites because if Iuse programs that sit on your computer, the site always looks too unprofessional and ugly.  But I thoroughly understand how to get myself on page one of Google using low tech tricks.

You can hire an expensive wiz kid or you can knuckle down and do all the boring leg work yourself.

No one is more motivated than you to working hard to getting you on the first page of Google!

The second best news - this new website only cost me $12 for the domain name and $5/month for hosting and online template software.

Writing the text for the website took around 10 hours. 

Getting the website up and posting / submitting info took ALL day yesterday.  (Everyone but me left town for Labor Day Weekend.) 

But I'll be happy in a few weeks that I put in those 9 BORING hours yesterday. 

That will be when everyone has gotten their kids back into school, handle emergencies created by putting chores off until after summer, and starts calling me for ongoing work.

I'll get repeat work from old clients.  And the new site will bring in new clients. 

Special note to notaries - I don't mean to drive you nuts by not naming the services I offer.  I am avoiding naming them because they are very advanced and it's very tricky to get everything right.  (Notarizing and explaining a Reverse Mortgage purchase and loan or a Construction purchase and loan is a piece of cake compared to this stuff.) 

I simply don't want notaries to start doing this work and then getting sued for screwing it up.

I know a notary who writes real estate purchase contracts for clients.  (Legal in her state for notaries who are not paralegals or attorneys.) 

This is the level of liability I am talking about.

So use the internet marketing tips and forgive me for the rest!

Good luck!    LauraV

VistaPrint.com recently added some terrific new graphics to their postcard selections.  So I ordered one with a picture of beautiful Banff National Park in Canada.  My Canadian clients are going to love them.

The postcards just arrived and they are gorgeous!  100 for only $6.50 if you wait for a "free" sale and choose the slowest shipping.

I have been making a little check next to the place for the date in my notary journal.  These people will get a card 3 weeks after their appointment.  Their names and addresses will be entered into a MSWord doc.

One week is too soon.  Three weeks will delight them because they will have forgotten me until they need another notarization and go hunting for my website or business card.

But I will write the card within 24 hours of the appointment while my memory is still fresh.  Then I'll add a post it with the mail date.

On the picture side of the card where VistaPrint has made some solid areas for phone number, etc, I simply wrote in Lake Moraine, Banff National Park, Alberta.  It looks like a beautiful postcard.

On the back of the card I had my company name ONLY printed at the top left where a return address would be.  This is important.  If I add my phone number, website address, or anything else, the client will NOT see it as a Thank You card.  They will see it as a business card and me as soliciting more work.  They will NOT think of me mailing them a nice Thank You note as a personal favor. 

One of the most important tenents of marketing is to always make your actions and text as unique and personal to your client as possible.

My company name is also my website name: Professional Notary and ProfessionalNotary.com  That's why I frequently tell you that having a good domain name is urgent.

Text example for note -   A lovely couple gave me a $30 tip a few days ago.  All three of us used to live in San Francisco.   I'll write something short like this:  "I enjoyed meeting you and it was fun talking with you about San Francisco.  Best of luck in your new house!  Laura" 

I'll use my best penmanship and an ultra fine tip Sharpie so the ink won't melt if rain hits the card.  Ballpoint ink looks cheap.

Best of luck with YOUR marketing campaigns!    LauraV

Backstory -  I wanted to update my Will, Powers of Attorney, etc.  My biggest competitor just became a grandmother so I knew she would want to update her Will too.  So I called her and suggested we notarize each other's documents.  I knew some gals who would act as our witnesses.  We arranged a date.

I was shocked at her behavior at the appointment. She did the absolute minimum required by our state's notary laws:  she added her signature, date, and notary stamp on my documents. 

She didn't note anything in a journal. 

She didn't use an embosser seal besides the inked seal. 

She was very awkward about swearing in the witnesses with raised right hands which told me she hadn't administered the oath to anyone during the thousands of loan signings she had done over the last 6+ years.

If I weren't a notary and didn't know that all notary laws were fulfilled, I would have wondered if my docs were legally notarized because of her cavalier attitude and actions.

My state does not require journals.  But I journal and collect clients' signatures because journaling protects me in the event of a false accusation.  (Judges love paper trails.)  Journaling also lends an air of importance to the legal status of the documents involved.  Plus I can be helpful if there is an enquiry about a notarization.

My state does not require an embossed notarization in addition to an inked one.  But I have noticed that clients are VERY impressed when an embossed seal is used.  Using an embosser adds a solomnity and respect for the documents and thereby to the clients for their important transactions.  If the document is bound for overseas, I also use a gold seal before I emboss.

I always have preprinted receipt forms handy.  I created them on my computer with my letterhead and tax ID number (not social security number).  I complete the form at the end of the appointment and give to each client. 

Because I always treat my clients' documents with careful respect and do more than the minimum required, I am telling them via behavior that I am a true professional.  They won't want to go elsewhere and they always return to me.

So always provide services at your Professional Best standard.  Your clients will have greater trust in your work, be loyal to you, and happily give colleagues your phone number.

Hi, All

In this economy, most of us need to learn new ways to save money on everyday things.

There are three message boards I read for this purpose.  Here are the URLs for this purpose:

http://www.frugalvillage.com

http://www.simpleliving.net

http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm    

The first two require free registration.  (I've never been spammed by submitting my email address to either site.)  You can read all the articles on Stretcher.com without registration.

It's a bit tricky to get to the first two sites' forums' log in page.  Once you arrive, bookmark it. 

I found these three sites years ago.  I've always wanted to pay pennies for unimportant things (like dish soap) so I could spurge on loved things, like European travel. 

Hope this tip helps YOU!       LauraV

Keep anything religious away from your business voicemail greeting, website, and emails.  Even if the message only vaguely relates to a religion, it can keep a client from calling you.

Current project is a great example

A new client wants me to find a notary in a specific distant city in the US to handle some non-loan notary work as well as some specific administration services involving client interaction with foreigners via phone.  My client has clients with backgrounds diverse in culture, races, and religious beliefs.

I can see his point of view.  I used to live in San Francisco and now I live 20 minutes south of Vancouver, Canada. I love diversity and I'm cool with virtually all religions.

The client wants business dealings, correspondance, and conversations completely devoid of even the most vague of religious connotations so his clients are not offended.

If the notary he hires says anything as religiously-mild as "have a blessed day" to any of his clients, he would instantly stop sending the notary any work.

Read the definition to see why at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blessed

During this project, I have had to eliminate some great notaries because of semi-religious messages or symbols on their voicemail announcements, websites, and/or email signatures.  Correspondance and conversations with even semi-religious connotations would have insulted my client.

I understand my client's position.  Here is a story of something similar that happened to me:

A local women's non-profit organization had heard of some effective strategies I used with the support of a similar group in California.  The local group invited me to attend a club event with the purpose of wooing me to join.

I happily attended.  They made me feel welcome.  When lunch was served, one of the leaders offered a prayer of thanks. 

The words used in the prayer told me that the club members' religion was not mine.  The city in which the club is located includes many women of religions not matching the one in the prayer.  It was clear the club only wanted women of X religion. 

I decided during the prayer to not join that group. 

So think carefully about your greetings, graphic icons, and well wishes on various media. 

Your well-intended words and symbols could be off-putting or even offensive.

Hope this helps you!  LauraV

I get spam emails every day - who doesn't?  Most arrive in my Spam folder.  Plus I get spam emails that arrive in my In folder or Trash folder.

I check all three folders every day because some of my clients send out so much email they have been labeled as spammers.

Some spammers are becoming superb at wording subject lines to maximize the chance of my opening the message and at least reading the top lines.

I hate not opening these messages for fear of missing a gig or note I really do want.  But I hate to open questionable messages because even opening some of them will lauch cookies and other nastiness into my computer.  (White html on a white background, etc, can easily manage the trick.)

Today I came up with a way of prescreening questionable emails without actually opening them.  You are probably already onto this trick but just in case.....

Step 1   If the message is in your Trash or Spam folders, you need to move it to another folder.  I move it to my Inbox folder.

Step 2   Find the words in the subject line that are unusual in comparison to the words in most of the emails in your folders.  Notary would not be a good word to select.  Appointment would be a good word: we notaries think in terms of appointments: most clients think they can walk in to an office or schedule a loan signing with us.

Step 3   Type the unusual words into the Search field.  Hit the search mail button.

Step 4   A screen of email messages with your selected words will apear in chronological order with most recent on top.  So the suspicious message will appear first or close to it.

Step 5   You can read the first few sentences of the message on the Search Results screen.  It is super easy to tell a "real" email message from spam by reading these lines.

Now you know whether to open the message or check it as Spam and delete it.

I realize that all the marketers say we should have an email address that is dedicated to our website domain names.  Notary@ProfessionalNotary.com  for example.  But I have had ProfessionalNotary@yahoo for a zillion years.  It is all over the internet - thanks to my hard work.  I don't dare change it.

Best of luck in your notary business, LauraV

Most of you know this, but just in case.......

The thread of messages starting with message #33325 at the NotaryRotary.com message board is the best online source for learning about being a successful signing agent.

I re-read it occasionally because sometimes I get a new idea inspired by one of the messages.

If you are new, this is definitely a MUST READ.

http://www.notaryrotary.com/forums/forumsbody.asp?id=&forumid=1AAA00000003&messageid=1AAA00076138&code=29F503906B287660267A495896868178&smsg=33325&requestid=03103654002&action=view&format=threaded

Don't take everything as being accurate because the signing agent industry has changed drastically in the last two years, especially the way NSAs market to TCs and SSs.  But there are still plenty of terrific tips to make reading worth your time.

LauraV

ps: If you are new to this industry, do NOT ask questions on NotRot.  They will eat you alive!  The board at GoMobileNotary is much friendlier.  http://members.boardhost.com/gomobilenotary/  The owner of GMN is a very nice man so that's where I buy all of my notary supplies.

I'm writing about this so you can learn what professionals expect and look for when they want the best notary in the area.

I've been getting a new type of client: business attorneys and real estate professionals who hire me to find the best notaries in their area and train them in marketing to help bring clients in. They find my website, my profile on ActiveRain, and gossip about the notary marketing books I sell.

Attorneys, especially, want marketing-savvy notaries to help bring in new clients.

I start by Googling the word notary and the town of my client in this way: +notary +"New Orleans" +LA

Then I look at the last line of each search engine result in the free (no paid ads) section. That last line tells me if the notary has a unique domain name or is part of a notary directory.

I want the notary to have their own dedicated website and it cannot be an add-on site like the ones at NotaryNet or FreeWebs.

I am impressed when I find notaries with dedicated websites AND profiles on ActiveRain. I read their website, ActiveRain, and GoMobileNotary profile carefully.

I am looking for a few years of experience, full time availability, and number and types of loans signed.

I read the profile to see if the writing is informative, clear, and error-free.

If there is a photograph of the notary, I look for "normal," good grooming, and casual-professional attire. "Normal" means no crazy hair or any odd, cute, or sexy facial expressions. (Lots of ladies need to change their photos.) If there is no photo, I politely request that a recent one be emailed to me.

I was recently asked to search for a notary in a large southern California city. I knew there must be several hundred notaries within a half hour drive of the client's office. I found only SIX I thought worth contacting via email.

To get found by the best potential repeat clients, follow the above guidelines. (And please don't contact me to say you would love to be on my list. This is a huge country and I only get a few of these requests a month.)

Good luck!