Updated 12-15-23. Demand for Notary services isn’t constant and as a professional Notary, you’re going to experience both periods of high and low demand for your service. To be successful in the long run, it’s important that you be prepared to weather any downturns. In this article, we’ll look at 7 ways to help your Notary business stay strong no matter the state of the economy:
- Offer Notary services to a wide variety of customers and industries.
- Stay visible online with a Notary website and Google Business Profile.
- Manage your budget and income responsibly to plan for slow business periods.
- Work on building strong relationships with your current customers.
- Increase your Notary training.
- Network with other Notaries for support and tips.
- Look into remote online notarization if your state allows it.
1. Offer Notary services to a wide variety of customers and industries.
As a Notary business owner, it’s important to think outside the box when serving your customers. Did you know that more than 1 billion notarizations are performed each year across a variety of industries, including business, government, finance, and healthcare?
Notaries are able to offer a variety of business services for customers, including:
- Working as a Notary Signing Agent for real estate transactions and loan documents
- Assisting with travel documentation like apostilles or passport applications
- Notarizations for estate planning documents such as wills, deeds, and power of attorney forms
- Notarizations for facilities such as jails, hospitals, or libraries
… and more!
Some states even give you the authorization to officiate weddings as a commissioned Notary, so the possibilities are truly endless!
2. Stay visible online with a Notary business website and Google Business Profile.
It's essential for your Notary business to have an online presence to get local clients and create more income. One of the best ways to do this is a Notary business website.
Creating a Google Business Profile will allow your Notary business and website to show up in Google search results when someone is searching “notary near me” in your local area. And the best part is that it’s FREE!
Also, create listings on Yelp and other business review platforms so it’s easy for potential customers to find you. This is also a great way to showcase reviews and testimonials from your current customers so you can build trust with new clients.
3. Manage your budget and income responsibly to plan for slow business periods.
There's no question that being a Notary can be a great way to make money part-time or even full-time. Like any business, it's important to have your finances in order. By being prepared with a financial plan from the start or making positive adjustments where you are now, you can ensure that you’ll be ready if financial challenges arise in your notary business journey.
4. Work on building strong relationships with your current customers.
It’s important to develop a good relationship with the customers you serve to build loyalty and trust, which can lead to repeat business and referrals for you in the future.
When meeting with clients in person, take the time to listen to their needs and concerns. Take note of customer birthdays and anniversaries, kids and pet names, and send them personalized cards or emails to them on important dates and to thank them for their business. Show that you are invested in them as not just a client but as a person.
By taking the time to grow your relationships with clients, you will build a strong foundation for success in your Notary business. And when the economy starts growing again, you will have a solid foundation of loyal customers.
5. Increase your Notary training.
As a Notary, you have a responsibility to provide honest, error-free services to your customers. This requires you to know and follow your state’s Notary laws and conduct every notarization ethically. But don’t forget, state laws can change over time. If you find your business slowing down or you have time available, do some refresher training to sharpen your Notary skills. Visit your state Notary agency’s website or a trusted professional organization to see if there are any new changes or updates to notarization guidelines. Check out available tutorials on Notary basics — it never hurts to make sure you’ve got a good grasp of the fundamentals.
And remember, anything you learn will help you offer better service to your customers.
6. Network with other Notaries for support and tips.
Joining a Notary community that meets online or in person can be a great way to find new business ideas and solutions to challenges you face. It’s an opportunity to talk with other Notaries who can offer advice and support. This can be invaluable when you're starting out, or if you run into problems as you continue your journey.
Additionally, you can often find and attend local Notary events and workshops to learn new techniques, meet new people and gain valuable insights on your business.
Not sure where to start looking? Try searching for “Notary network,” “Notary meetup,” “Notary group” or “Notary workshop” to see if there’s a group or event near you!
7. Look into remote online notarization if your state allows it.
If you’re looking for ways to increase your service area and reach more clients, one option is to offer remote online notarization (RON) if your state authorizes it.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) is conducted over the internet and allows you to notarize documents online without having to leave your home.
Before you can start, the first step is to check your state’s requirements for RONs as each state has its own rules and regulations.
Mark Wills of Loan Signing System is a Notary educator, a mentor to more than 10,000 Notary Signing Agents and a Forbes Real Estate Council Member. For more information on how to market your loan signing agent business, please visit Complete Notary Mentorship.
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