A few months ago, my local public library granted free access to several databases for cardholders.
I access these databases from my home computer using my library card number.
Using Reference USA, I have been building prospective client and referrer lists with owners' names, fax numbers, and addresses. I only note business owners who have websites.
I believe strongly in doing detailed demographic research to find my best prospective clients. I started this when I moved to my new town five years ago. I know exactly who my best prospective clients and referrers are by industries, age range, income range, etc. www.ZipSkinny.com is a helpful website. You won't find the information by just reading it: take time to really study the data there.
I faxed an annoucement of services to 75 potential referrers in a specific industry this week. I have found MyFax.com to be cheap and reliable.
Now that virtually all businesses with websites get faxes via email, I no longer think faxing is unethical. The recipient can view the first page of the fax in the body of the email so she/he can choose to print or simply discard. Even better, they can save the message for future reference. So even though the fax arrives in their email, it stands a far better chance of being read than a regular email does.
Tomorrow I will mail 100 color postcards to a different list. (I had the cards printed at www.VistaPrint.com - They look great.)
This weekend I will create a list of clients in yet another industry and fax a different announcement to them next week.
Some of the notary work my clients want involves some legal secretary chores as well, so I charge handsomely for that. I'm still cheaper than what attorneys would charge for the same service. I made $255 yesterday from two back-to-back appointments. Total time 1.25 hours. No loan docs involved. Payment at table. Both clients drove to me: one from a half hour away, the other 1.25 hours away. While writing this text, I just got a call from someone wanting this service tomorrow. I quoted $105. Sweet!
The main database I use is Reference USA. This is a database of businesses in US and Canada. Most libraries grant access to additional databases as well.
How to access the databases for free: First, get a library card. Then access the library's website from anywhere. Look for the word reference or search or databases. At some point you will be required to enter your library ID number.
Once you get into Reference USA, select Custom Search. In the next window, click on Yellow Page headings and City, State. Click any additional boxes you wish. Most industry databases use SIC codes for businesses. The longer the number, the more specific the selection. For example: Surgeons would be a longer number than doctors. The more specific you can be, the more useful your results will be. You can find the SIC codes by looking at the Yellow Page headings. Click on the blue word "headings." A pop up window will appear. Note the SIC codes for future reference.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) website might allows access to additional databases and knowing the SIC codes will be handy. http://sba.gov/tools/resourcelibrary/smallbusinessstatisticsresearch/index.html
So do what clever notary Pamela Knight does: think about what add-on services your notary clients might need and post them on your website.
Then do what I do: fax or mail announcements to people you find on free databases!
Best of luck, Laura
www.ProfessionalNotary.com
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