Signing Company Gossip Archives - Notary Blog - Signing Tips, Marketing Tips, General Notary Advice - 123notary.com
123Notary

Notary Blog – Signing Tips, Marketing Tips, General Notary Advice – 123notary.com Control Panel

January 18, 2022

Low-Ball Signing Co’s? How to get biz directly from Title

Originally published many years ago

Do you get business from low-ball signing companies? Are you sick of it? Aren’t we all.
Notaries do a lot of reactive posts about bad offers, but look at it from a different point of view. Let’s be proactive instead of reactive here.

First of all, it doesn’t matter how many bad offers you get as long as you get a few good offers.

Second of all, if you have little experience or training as a signing agent, you are not entitled to anything better than a low-ball offer.

Third, consider this. Some notaries are saying that low-ball signing companies need notaries more than notaries need them. I think that if this were true, that no notary would work for them. Yet, notaries do work for them. However, if you have had it up to here with these bad offers, here is a not too sophisticated strategy that can get these guys to stop bothering you.

Take an offer from a low-ball signing company. Do a nice job with a smile. Do all the fax-backs, etc. Then, find out who the Title company is who offered this job to the signing company. Contact the Title company directly and offer them your services directly at a reasonable price.

Keep in mind that signing companies are in business for a reason. If they charge $150 and pay the notaries $60, why do Title companies use them in the first place? Signing companies can take huge quantities of work off the shoulders of Title companies with a 100% reliability rate. They not only supervise the work, but they guarantee that all of thework will get done correctly and on time, otherwise they get fired. But, what if you are a responsible notary who is a better quality notary than what those signign companies use and charge $85 to work direct with Title. Okay, that’s not enough. What about $95? Think about it. Make your offer attractive to Title and you can “steal” some Title companies away from these nitwits who keep texting you! Teach them a lesson.

On the other hand, I do not recommend contacting Title companies directly unless you have signed at least 700 loans, are certified by at least three agencies, and have a very stellar track record. Title companies don’t play around with beginner’s luck — they want professionals!

.

You might also like:

If you contact Title companies directly, what do they want?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16110

A newbie at a Title company
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15774

Share
>

June 20, 2021

Who is SnapDocs best suited for?

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: — admin @ 8:52 am

On a regular basis, I hear Notaries complaining about Snapdocs. Yet, Notaries keep signing up for it. Notaries complain that:

1. Jobs are too far away (sometimes or often)
2. Jobs pay too little
3. You have to be fast getting back to people or you won’t get the job
4. They don’t get texted at all
5. They get texted too much only to find that they don’t get even one job.
6. The type of company that hires them micromanages them too much.

On the other hand, Notaries don’t have that many regular complaints about getting paid late for Snapdocs jobs, so that is a good thing.

So, who is SnapDocs best suited for?

1. If you like bells and whistles
If you like texts going off regularly throughout the day, you might like SnapDocs. You might be addicted to the action. Some people thrive on regular commotion, while some of us prefer peace and quiet.

2. If you like apps, portals and technology
You mean a stargate that takes you to the other side of the galaxy? Not that kind of portal. But, some people, even older people really like how well designed and intricate the SnapDocs software is. It keeps track of all of your accounts, reviews, stats, downloading docs is a snap (maybe they should call it DocsSnap), and texting back and forth is easy and partly automated. Personally, I only use technology when I have to, and I am generally far behind the times. On the other hand, I often master the effective use of certain technologies.

3. You are a beginner
I recommend SnapDocs to beginners regularly. It doesn’t work for all beginners, and beginners aren’t the only people who use SnapDocs in the long run. However, the people who hire from SnapDocs are not looking for the cream of the crop otherwise they would come to 123notary! SnapDocs is a way for beginners to sometimes get a lot of experience in a hurry. Some people get a heap of work all at once, while others get little or nothing. Business in general is unpredictable and often feast or famine, and feast sounds good if you get a Vegas style dessert buffet. Famine — not so good.

4. You like haggling
If you like to get $50 offers, and text the offerer back and say, “$125, and not a penny less. I have 20 years of experience, baby!” These experienced Notaries who wish they had been Moroccan and like to live as if they are permanently at a Bazaar love to bargain. If they answer enough $50 calls, eventually they get a few good offers from people who are either desperate, don’t care about the money, or are tired of novices.

SUMMARY
Snapdocs works well for some and is a disaster for others. My suggestion is that you try it if you love technology and need to pay your dues working for low wages while you get some experience. For all others, I recommend against it unless you like the excitement and you like to bargain.

Share
>

March 26, 2021

Snapdocs – a $100 Million + organization

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: — admin @ 4:59 am

One of my clients told me that Snapdocs has invested more than 100 million in its operation. That is a lot more than I ever invested. I only put in a few hundred thousand and that was for programming over a long period of time. I started on a shoestring just like I ran my other businesses as a kid doing landscaping.

I had no idea they were so big. No wonder their programming is so good. But, investing millions doesn’t make the notaries they list worth 100 million – and that’s an answer to the million dollar question.

They stole a lot of market share from us and NotaryRotary. But, honestly, one of my clients just called me thanking me for my work and informing me that I am in the “big three” of notary platforms. I told him it is because of many years of smart and strategic work and because I’m special. I patted myself on the back after I said that.

In today’s economy talent can often outperform investment. That is perhaps the reason I can successfully compete against multi-million dollar platforms like the NNA and Snapdocs. I’m amazed that I can do it year after year. On the other hand I am not slacking off, except that I got very behind on emails.

Share
>

January 16, 2021

Notary Signing Blueprint, LLC

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: , — admin @ 1:14 pm

Notary Signing Agent Blueprint, LLC.

This company sells loan signing courses. Many of the Notaries on 123notary are getting certified by this company. I have heard that the course is similar in nature and quality to Notary2Pro’s course, although I have never seen either. Blueprint seems to have spiraled in popularity over the last two months as I never heard about them before.

So, what are your experiences with this company? How is Jon, the manager or owner? What is he like? You are encouraged to comment below.

Share
>

November 15, 2020

Why Notaries don’t like Snapdocs and why companies do

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — admin @ 8:37 pm

Originally posted in 2019

Let me go point by point about how Snapdocs is designed for those who hire, and not for the convenience of those who are Notaries.

1. Cattle Calls
Cattle call style mass texts make life easy for those hiring Notaries. They just input a few lines of text, click a link and a desperate Notary will come crawling to them. One minute of work for the signing company, but dozens of Notaries will have their life interrupted only to find that the job has been given to someone else.

2. Thumbs up or thumbs down?
The Notaries cannot see what the comments are about them. But, companies can get an idea of what other companies think about the Notaries. These comments do not compare to 123notary’s skill analytics. But, this game is no longer about skill, but price and not making any major blunders or leaving people high and dry. I tested many of the best Notaries on Snapdocs and the vast majority did not know how to follow instructions nor did they understand Notary Procedure well at all.

3. Downloading & Uploading
The process of downloading documents or uploading documents is easy for signing companies. It is also easy for Notaries, but designed more with the intent of convenience for those paying to use the system.

4. Record Keeping & Data
Snapdocs stores lots of data about who your connections are who you do signings with as well as job information. This is very convenient for those using the system except that your information about your secret clients will become known to Snapdocs for better or for worse. That was an issue for several companies I am acquainted with.

Personally, I prefer a system where you can get to know the notary in person over the phone before you use them. But, for the millennials out there, Snapdocs fits their cultural model. It relieves people of the necessity and burden of actually having to talk to others. Where has humanity gone? I have to post my latest selfie on Instagram.

You might also like:

What notaries don’t like about snapdocs
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21246

Snapdocs – when the texts stop
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21163

Share
>

November 14, 2020

Snapdocs: When the texts stop

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: — admin @ 8:02 am

Originally posted in 2019

Notaries are always complaining about low-balling, cattle calls and a shortage of work. But, in the last few months, business has been so bad that many have reported that on Snapdocs, the texts stopped all together.

I have lived through different economic cycles from inflation in the 70’s to a recession in the 80’s to the dot com bust in 1999 and the 2008 financial crash. However, I have never seen an industry crash quite like now. I am amazed that 123notary is surviving so well in this difficult time.

So, what do you do when the texts stop? Do you get another job? Do you sit and wait? Do you cry?

When business is bad, I tend to work even harder. That means we get less sign ups so I have to scour the internet to sign people up myself, screen many out, and repeat the process. What about you? When business is bad do you try harder or get more apathetic? The winners in this industry try very hard. I suggest doing exactly that.

.

You might also like:

Compilation of posts about Snapdocs
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21531

See our string of posts about Snapdocs
http://blog.123notary.com/?tag=snapdocs

Share
>

October 18, 2020

Snapdocs losing business to zigsig, and signingorder.com

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — admin @ 9:20 am

When Snapdocs got popular back in 2015, I thought that was bad news for us. However, there are other businesses copying Snapdocs’ style which is bad news for Snapdocs. Fortunately for me, 123notary’s style of running our directory is less high-tech, and more based on me having knowledge of the business. Someone can buy into a notary business or directory, but they cannot buy the knowledge of notary work or directory analytics that I have. Or so I think…

Copying Snapdocs’ style sounds expensive, but if you have the programming budget and the technical knowledge you can do it. It looks like multiple agencies are doing their own version of Snapdocs.

So far, nobody has created anything at all similar to 123notary, at least based on the behind the scenes working of our directory. Maybe the angels are protecting me.

I personally do not know anything about those competing with Snapdocs. I only know what their affect on our business has been. Queries for lower paying jobs are down on 123notary as a result of Snapdocs. I don’t know how long they will last, but with the new competition it will be a lot harder for them. High placed listing sales are also down, but that is more due to the depressed market of 2014 to mid-2019. Now things are picking up a bit in late 2019. Perhaps it will stay busy. The mortgage rate predictions of the experts suggest so.

Share
>

July 13, 2020

Despite low-ball fees, Snapdocs continues to gain market share

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: — admin @ 10:23 pm

I track people’s popularity on similarweb.com. I can see that 123notary has gone down hill in popularity, but remains popular with those who still pay well which is important. Snapdocs is an organization that gets boatloads of complaints. Some Notaries swear by them but most have relatively negative things to say and lots of complaints.

The fact remains that the convenience they offer is so popular that their market share continues to grow. So, in the long run, if you Notaries continue to work for cheap and agree to be treated like cattle, this business model will succeed. That is up to you. Now, it is time for dinner and I must go.

Share
>

July 3, 2020

Snapdocs doesn’t take phone calls. How much of an issue is that?

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: — admin @ 9:54 pm

123notary started about twenty years ago, and our business model was to offer human to human consultations, help and sales. People like that we are interactive, knowledgeable, skilled and experienced. When you call the NNA, they also answer the phone, but the more experienced members seem to work at the hotline and I don’t know if that is still in existence. The hotline people do not know about marketing though, and 123notary specializes in that.

Snapdocs on the other hand does not take phone calls. They are too high tech for that. I wonder what people’s experience is dealing with a company so antisocial that they don’t engage in phone calls? For me this is a big negative. But, in today’s antisocial world, most people don’t want to talk to someone else anyway.

I believe in reincarnation, and a lot of the people in my city are extra-terrestrials at least spiritually. They don’t like to talk to humans, and they are very comfortable with futuristic devices and applications.

How is communicating with Snapdocs? Are they helpful? What are your reactions?

Share
>

June 9, 2020

How often do you not get paid on Snapdocs?

Filed under: Signing Company Gossip — Tags: — admin @ 10:13 pm

I am hearing all different stories from Notaries who use Snapdocs. Of course, it is not Snapdocs themselves who pay you but the companies who work through them. On the other hand, they are a portal and they have the power to have standards for payment terms if they want to.

One Notary said they got paid on average in 40 days.

Another says 30-45 days

Another says 50-60 days

Another says 14 days or less

One Notary got 700 jobs and then all of a sudden the phone stopped ringing, or beeping… whatever noise it makes when you get a text.

Snapdocs reportedly does not get involved in payment unless all parties involved want to use Vendorpay. Interesting.

But, how often do you just not get paid on Snapdocs? Is this regular? Is it a bad problem or just a once in a while phenomenon?

Share
>
Older Posts »