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Success strategies for switching from employee to full-time Notary Signing Agent

Updated 8-9-23.

Becoming a Notary Signing Agent was one of the best decisions of my life — but it wasn’t easy. Changing jobs from a full-time truck driver to a full-time Signing Agent took a lot of effort.

When I started as an NSA, I worked my full-time job from 2 am. to 11 a.m., and would then take loan signings from noon to 8 p.m. I almost quit after 2 months. But I stuck it out, and soon I was making more money from loan signings than I was from my day job.

I decided to become a full-time Signing Agent, and today I’m also the co-owner of a successful nationwide signing service that works with Notaries across the country. Becoming a full-time Signing Agent was a great choice for me. But leaving a full-time job for the uncertainty of a new mobile Notary career can be intimidating.

There's a BIG difference between running a full-time business and having a “side hustle” or a “side gig.” Working part-time doesn’t take a lot of effort, but if you want your full-time Notary business to succeed, you must be ready to work harder and smarter. If you treat this only as a side gig, it will only pay you like a side gig. If you treat it as a business, it can reward you with a successful full-time profession. If you’re thinking of making the leap, here are some success strategies to follow from my own experience:

1. Actively market your Notary business. 

A lot of Notaries complain that they don’t receive work offers. Maybe they’ve dropped off a few business cards at title companies or sent a few emails to signing services. They’ve updated their listings on directories like SigningAgent.com or Snapdocs. While these are important steps, they are what I call “passive marketing.” If you want your full-time Notary business to succeed, you can’t rely solely on posting your information and waiting for someone to offer you work. You must actively market yourself.

Active marketing helped me make $4,800 in my first month as a Notary Signing Agent. I didn’t just sit around and wait to hear from companies — I actively reached out and spoke with them every day.

Here’s an important tip many Notaries and Signing Agents don’t realize. You may call a signing service at 9 a.m. and speak with someone who tells you there are no signings available in your area. But Notary work can pop up unexpectedly any time — another Notary may call the same company later in the same day and get a signing that just came in. So, when I started out, I not only called several companies each day to check on assignments — sometimes I would call the same company in the morning, afternoon and evening of the same day. So, if a company you want to work with accepts phone calls, follow up often.

2. Show companies your value when you contact them.

When you contact potential clients looking for general Notary work or loan signing assignments, you must show them the value you offer them as a Notary and what can you offer them that other Notaries can’t.

Here are some examples:

  • Let them know if you are available to work outside normal business hours. Be sure to tell them you are willing to commit extra time to correct any notarization errors that occur. Inform companies if you have customer-facing skills, such as fluency in sign language.
  • While most Signing Agents have some form of certification, background screening and E&O insurance, let companies know if you have other licensing, training or background that is helpful during loan signings, such as experience working with a real estate or mortgage company.

When you introduce yourself, explain that you are looking for ways to help their business and customers. Remember, let companies know you are offering something to them — not just looking for work.

3. Don’t bring an ‘employee’ mindset to your Notary business.

If you want to quit your job and run a full-time Notary or Signing Agent business, you cannot bring the mindset of an "employee" to your business.

Working as an employee brings a steady paycheck and benefits, and leaving that security can be intimidating.

To successfully run and operate your own Notary business, you will have to face and overcome the fear of not having traditional job security.

You will have to push yourself to step outside your comfort zone because you — not an employer — will be responsible for the management, growth and success of your Business. And you must be prepared to let go of the traditional benefits of being a full-time employee.

As a business owner, you will have to make decisions, such as how to incorporate your Notary business, what insurance your business needs beyond Notary errors and omissions coverage, and manage your finances and income tax.

A lot of Notaries love the idea of starting their own business but are simultaneously terrified of letting the safe, steady paycheck and benefits go. I made the leap because I hated my old job and wanted a better life for myself.

Working full-time as an NSA allowed me more quality time with my family. And I didn't have to ask another person for permission to go on vacation. I wanted this change enough to let go of the security of my old job, to completely step outside my comfort. The moral is that your desire for independence has to be greater than your fear of failure to succeed in a full-time Notary business.

Gordon Collins is a Notary Signing Agent, the co-owner of Precise Signing Solutions with his wife Andrea Collins and the author of “5 Keys to Becoming A Preferred Notary in 2022.”

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Related Articles:

How to get work as a new Notary Signing Agent

32 Comments

Add your comment

JackeeSJohnson

25 Jul 2022

I would like help becoming a signing agent.

National Notary Association

26 Jul 2022

Hello, we'd be happy to help! You can find more information to help you get started here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/signing-agent/nsa

Jackee S Johnson

25 Jul 2022

I would help becoming a signing agent.

National Notary Association

26 Jul 2022

Hello, we'd be happy to help! You can find more information to help you get started here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/signing-agent/nsa

Jacobie Dardy

25 Jul 2022

I like to become a notary agent .

National Notary Assocation

26 Jul 2022

Hello, we'd be happy to help! You can find more information to help you get started here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/signing-agent/nsa

Roberta Winters

26 Jul 2022

I was very impressed by the Article.

Sad is Pierce

26 Jul 2022

Signing agent

adams4492@aol.com

26 Jul 2022

I would also like to start my own business as a notary. We just relocated to Georgia, and I need more info on how to do this. I have my notary liscense. Help…..what’s next

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2022

Hello. You can find more articles with information and business-building tips here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/building-your-business

Teresa L. Melson

29 Jul 2022

Will i have to complete Mikes Mobile Notary course for my Notary Business?

National Notary Association

08 Aug 2022

Hello. We're sorry, we are not familiar with the course you are referring to. If you need assistance with the process of becoming a Notary or Notary Signing Agent, you can visit our website at www.NationalNotary.org and click "Become a Notary" or "Become a Signing Agent" for information and guidance.

Bernita Glenn

30 Jul 2022

Im just getting started. How do i get over the jitters?

National Notary Association

01 Aug 2022

Hello. It's understandable to be nervous when starting out. But as long as you follow proper procedure, you should be OK. This article and video have tips to help new Notaries perform their duties correctly: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/08/5-things-preparing-for-first-notarization

margaretsmobilenotary@gmail.com

06 Aug 2022

This was a good read and thanks for sharing.

Angela

18 Aug 2022

Hi. What’s your Facebook group called? I would love to join. Thanks. 😊

National Notary Association

29 Aug 2022

Hi Angela. Here is a direct link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nationalnotary. You can also find us on Facebook by searching @nationalnotary on the platform.

M. Walker

29 Aug 2022

Where can I find your Facebook community

National Notary Association

29 Aug 2022

Hello. Here is a direct link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nationalnotary. You can also find us on Facebook by searching @nationalnotary on the platform.

Rae W.

31 Aug 2022

I have always dreamed of being a notary, never took the chance looked into it and left it there. I have my name and LLC. what's the next step and how do I start I am in AZ

National Notary Association

02 Sep 2022

Hello. You can find more information about how to become an Arizona Notary here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/arizona/how-to-become-arizona-notary

MJ Nasrallah

04 Sep 2022

I am just getting started to put myself out there, but I’m a bit nervous, I know once I do my first signing I will feel better, I need help getting over the jitters!

Barbara.Bitela

12 Sep 2022

This article is so misleading I don’t even know where to begin a truly it is

Tonya Cantrell

13 Dec 2022

I would love to become an signing agent. I’m already an notary public

National Notary Association

14 Dec 2022

Hello Tonya. We'd be happy to help you with more information. You can get started here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/signing-agent/nsa

Ron

07 Jan 2023

Guys the money is not out there like it used to be I been doing this for 17years and the business is up and down with the interest rates, I went from making 70k a month having 9 notaries working for me to I am bearly making 2k a month now and no notaries working for me, people don't quit your full time job thinking you are going to make tons of money it is not the time right now.

Diane

01 Feb 2023

I agree with Ron. With the interest rate being so high, they are barely any refinances. All that are out there are HELOCs, sales and purchases, but they are few and far between. I'm barely making 2k a month as well and I have made as much as $7k. Because of this signing agencies aren't paying what they used to as well. Supplies have doubled in price, as well as the price of gasoline. It's not a good time.

Shannon

25 Jun 2023

I am a notary how do I go from notary to signing agent

National Notary Association

26 Jun 2023

Hello. Please see here for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/signing-agent/nsa. Also, some state restrict Notaries from participating in loan signing assignments-for a list of states with restrictions, please see here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/support/signing-agents/state-restrictions

Kate

21 Aug 2023

I agree with above comments…. This can only be a side hustle for now. SO many signers have flooded the market, everyone moves here thinking they will make a fortune doing this… keep your day job and do this odd hours on the side.

Lanette Hudson

20 Dec 2023

I WOULD LOVE TO BECOME A NOTARY SIGNING AGENT

National Notary Association

05 Jan 2024

Hello. You can find information to help you get started here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/signing-agent/nsa

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