Real Estate Blog - Success Notary Tip #1

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Success Notary Tip #1 - Answer Your Phone

As a notary, your cell phone is your lifeline to receiving new business. If you do not answer your phone then the caller is likely to hang up and dial the next notary on the list.

Because our cell phones are so important to our notary business, I am often shocked at how many notaries do not answer their phones.

I recently had a gentlemen tell me that he was surprised to get a live person when I answered my phone. He had tried several other notaries and I was the only one that actually answered his call.

Great customer service not only sets you apart but it also guarantees repeat business. One way to deliver great customer service is make sure your phone is always in ear shot so that you can easily answer your phone.

Even with the best intentions there are times when you are going to miss a call. I have found it extremely helpful to ask in my voicemail greeting that the caller "leave a message as I am able to return most phone calls within 15 minutes."

Being a notary requires that you are available at a moments notice so be sure always keep and answer your cell phone!

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Posted by Long Beach Mobile Notary - LaShon James-Major on 01/21/2008 01:53 AM

Comments (17)

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17 Comments on Success Notary Tip #1 - Answer Your Phone

JAN

2008

Yes... answering your phone would help!!!!!!!!! I run into this issue as well, nothing worse than trying to show a home that has a combo lock box and you can't reach the agent. Good advice! Thanks.

I guess I just cannot figure out why someone who was in real estate, or was a loan officer would not answer their phone.

Is mobile notary your main business? -Virginia

I can identify!! MOST of our clients have said they called others FIRST and were not able to get them!! Well, i want to thank those that do not answer! Happy new year to you!

I agree, your phone is your business lifeline. I only give out one phone number for my business calls - that's my cell phone and I do keep it with me at all times. I have it in the bathroom when I take a shower (yes, I've had to get out of the shower with wet hair to answer the phone!). I take it outside with me when I go to the mailbox. It's with me when I leave the house and when I go on my morning exercise walk. I used to have a problem where I sometimes could not get to the phone to answer before it rolled to VM. You can contact your cell service provider and ask for an increase in ring time. I am with AT&T and I have my ring time set to the maximum of 30 seconds. If you are with Verizon, I believe you have to do a monthly update on your phone to keep the extended ring time in place. It's been a lifesaver!

LaShon, answering the phone is important as a notary, as an agent, or in just about any business. People hate voice mail and will often move on to the next person if they cannot reach you.

JAN

2008

Christina, I can only imagine how frustrating that can be. Ugh!

Rayne, I've answered the phone in the shower. It's that important to me.

Virginia, currently my main income comes from being a mobile notary and loan signing agent.

Diane, you're right I forgot to thank those that didn't answer their phone. :)

Linda, I've also answered my phone in the shower. I take pride in my business so I feel it's important to be available when others aren't.

Brian, since I know I don't like vm I feel it's important to answer my phone. It sets you apart.

JAN

2008

"Great customer service not only sets you apart but it also guarantees repeat business."

How right you are! Answering your phone in a polite, professional, business manner is also a big plus! I always answer "Hello, this is Barbara at Linker Mobile Notary. How may I help you?"

I've had several clients comment on the professional way the phone is answered and they are addressed. (that's why they are my clients and bring me repeat business and referrals now!)

JAN

2008

Good work, Barbara. That's why you're the "San Diego Notary Link!" :)

JAN

2008

I guess I may be the weirdo here: Whenever I'm in a signing, I never, ever answer my phone. I feel that the client is paying big bucks for me and only me. If I miss a call (and I do!), then I may lose it and I accept that. If it's a vendor who loves me, then they already know my "policy" and they wait for my return call. You win some - you lose some, but all-in-all, I feel our client deserves our complete attention and respect -- that's what I would want!

Thanks for the opportunity to express my opinion!

kelly

JAN

2008

So true!!!

Many notaries for whatever reason fail to answer their phone. Also as important, many notary public and loan-signing agents have outdated email addresses.

When people need the services of a notary, they have a right to expect that if you have a phone and email published that they should be able to contact you or have you contact them back in a reasonable time after their call or email.

We can speak from both the call and email perspective as we have a national network of notaries and we have to contact some of our notaries ourselves, and it can become a difficult chore. We also have people looking for notary services to send email requests and the email bounces, as the email we have on file is bad.

Frequently changing your phone number or email address is not good if you plan to develop a stable business model. Consistently in have a stable phone and email are pillars to build a successful business. Then you need to be proactive in answering your phone and email inquiries.

I often get the impression that many notaries treat their business as a hobby and never give it an opportunity to blossom to a business, especially notaries who work part-time in the profession.

There might be some that don't fully recognize or understand the opportunity and potential for earning a living as a Notary Public.

Kelly, you make a great point about calls that come in while meeting with a client. But, even under those conditions, there is a way to respect the client while acknowledge the incoming call. It could be the lender for the signing you are conducting. I leave my cell phone on and the flip up when on an appointment, as I use it to get the time for my journal entry and to calculate the 3-day RTC if necessary.

Great post on an important subject matter for all notaries public.

FEB

2008

Kelly, whether to answer your phone when you're on a signing is each agents personal choice but I was more so commenting on answering your phone when not on a signing. Since you're a professional that takes your business seriously I know clients are able to easily reach you when you're not on a signing.

Ntsike, I totally agree with your comment. Many do treat their notary business as a hobby so they don't bother to keep their e-mail and phone number up to date. Personally, I like what I do and I want others to feel comfortable with using my services so I treat my business as well as any other business owner.

FEB

2008

The Bluetooth ability is especially good for women with long hair. Obviously the hair hides the ear piece.

You can speak in a lower voice than a cell phone and you can answer your phone at work.

Only the individual knows whether this situation would work for herself at work or not!

I really like the hands free aspect of the bluetooth technology. I use it all the time!

http://www.joanbergstromnotarypublic.com

FEB

2008

Excellent observation. Too many notaries screen their calls or have services that would offend a business calling with an assignment.

Email is another weak spot. We have clients to visit our website and send email to notaries and the email bounce because the email address is no longer valid.

Your phone and email are your lifelines to being successful in this business. Make it easy for people to contact you.

Periodically call or email yourself and ask yourself if you enjoyed the experienced. Occasionally, have a trusted friend do the same thing and ask them if they enjoyed their experience.

Remember clients and customers are looking for an experience. The more favorable the experience the more likely they are to continue using your services and send you referrals.

Great post!

MAR

2008

Words to live by..and not just for notaries, this goes for all "professionals"

MAR

2008

When I teach loan signing classes for www.notaryclasses.com I always stress how important it is to never change your cell phone number or your email address.

http://www.joanbergstromnotarypublic.com

JUN

2008

I never answer during a loan signing, but have been thinking about changing this and stepping out for a minute - as I can't tell you how many I have lost in that last few months because they would not wait an hour or so. I used to have an answering service, but can't afford that with the decreased income. But if not busy on another call, at loan signing, or something pertinent, I always answer the phone call, or call back as soon as possible.

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