Categories

Tips for Getting General Notary Work


You have your commission, insurance, and notary supplies, and you are raring to go. But where do you go, and how do you get general notary work? Here are a few tips to get you started.


Having an online presence allows potential customers find you. Building a simple website that is search-engine optimized will ensure that your site is on the front page of an Internet search result. Also, using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram gets your business out in front of people you might not normally meet during your everyday schedule.

Make certain that when you use social media that your posts are relevant, consistent and timely. Discuss the services you offer. List your times of operation, the locations you service, and your contact information.

Reach out to social workers and administrative personnel in places (see a short list below) that might utilize mobile notary services. Let them know of the services you provide and your willingness to help with their notary needs. Be certain to leave them plenty of business cards and check in with them periodically.

Institutions that may need notary services:

- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Senior living communities
- Jails
- Charter schools
- Rehabilitation centers
- Organizations that offer services to the elderly such as Lifespan or Eldersource
- Adoption agencies
- Banks - for documents they are unable to notarize due to company regulations
- Insurance agents
- Car dealerships
- Law firms.

You may also post flyers in grocery stores, libraries, and recreation centers as well as any place that has a community billboard. Make certain your flyers have tear-off tabs so customers can easily take your information with them.

Tell your friends and family what you do. Word of mouth is a great way to build your business. The more people who know about your services, the more likely you will get more business.

Be a joiner. Join your local chamber of commerce, land title association, bar association, and networking groups.

Make certain you have fully completed profiles on well-known notary locator websites.

Advertise in your church bulletin, sponsor a recreational sports team, give out pens with your information, and wear clothing with your logo to draw attention to what you do.

Network with other notaries in areas you don't cover so you can refer business to one another when you aren't available or when a client needs a notarization in an area you don't service. Networking will also provide you with the opportunity to brainstorm with other notaries to gather business-building ideas.

-- Marcy Tiberio is a Contributing Writer with the American Association of Notaries

Legal Disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries seeks to provide timely articles for notaries to assist them with information for managing their notary businesses, enhancing their notary education, and securing their notary stamp and notary supplies. Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. However, we make no warrant, expressed or implied, and we do not represent, undertake, or guarantee that the information in the newsletter is correct, accurate, complete, or non-misleading. Information in this article is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding notaries' best practices, federal laws and statutes, and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered this information from a variety of sources and do not warrant its accuracy. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, loss, damage, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss or consequential loss out of or in connection with the use of the information contained in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their states' notary authorities or attorneys in their state if they have legal questions. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.

Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.