15 Ways to Improve Your Notary Business in 2007

I wrote this article about improving your notary business back in January. I think the information still applies. I came across this article that was written for process servers but a lot of the tips relate to the notary industry as well. These are the articles main points:

1. Answer Your Phone: Keep your cell phone on as much as possible. During a signing it is courteous to stay off the phone but at your earliest convenience you should excuse yourself to return the call. You might also consider having someone field calls for you when you are unavailable.
   
2. Expand Your Service Offerings: If you aren't currently trained to notarize loans consider going with LoanSigner101. Most mobile notaries only handle loan signings. Laura Vestanen has written an e-book titled, Marketing Your Non-Loan Notary Services: Effective and practical techniques to get notary work outside the loan industry. It has received excellent reviews and sells for $9.98 on Amazon. If it sparks a few profitable ideas, it is well worth the investment.
   
3. Understand Marketing Basics: Consider purchasing one of the several marketing books available.
   
4. Advertise When Business is Good: This is easy to do.
   
5. Advertise More When Business is Slow: This is easier said than done, yet it has to be done. If business is slow and you need to take advantage of the downtime and work on ways to increase your exposure.
   
6. Get Involved in State and National Associations: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. In all honesty, being a part of the National Notary Association is generally going to be a positive experience, especially for new notaries.
   
7. Ask Your Customers for a Referral: This is as easy as handing them a business card at the end of the signing.
   
8. Contact At Least Three New Potential Clients Per Week: Successful individuals don't skip the intimidating aspects of their job. If you can commit to this sort of persistence you will almost certainly succeed.
   
9. Improve Customer Service and Communication With Customers: Do your best to enjoy the conversation at the signing table. Don't become so single-minded that you can't carry on a discussion with the signer if they are interested.
   
10. Raise Your Prices--Compete on Service, Not on Price: I would not recommend raising prices to any client you are currently working with. Just about every bank, title and escrow company is considering how they can cut costs. Sending them an updated fee schedule at this time would be unwise. However, you can alway charge more to new clients. Just make sure that your service is worthy of the fee.
    
11. Delegate Tasks: This is not likely an option for notaries. Maybe your spouse could help answer the phone when your unavailable but that is about all you can legally delegate.
    
12. Use Technology to Improve Efficiency: I know most notaries print everything on legal-size paper even when the document is supposed to be letter-size. Consider purchasing a dual-tray printer so you can save money by printing on the correct size paper. A good quality printer is a must in the loan industry. Now would also be a good time to look into electronic notarization supplies.
    
13. Build of Update Existing Web Site: If you don't already have a website for your notary business you should consider going with NotaryWebsites.com.
    
14. Charge More For Private Individuals: You should probably consider focusing your attention on clients who can offer you recurring business. You should charge more for "one-time" clients.
    
15. Set, Plan and Track Your Goals: It's always a good idea to set some goals early in the year and figure out how you can achieve them. Create a fun way to track your goals and stay motivated throughout the year.

Here's to a prosperous 2007!

I originally posted this on MyNotarySource.com where you can find a notary in our mobile notary directory.