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April 18, 2013

Personality & expressing your uniqueness

Filed under: Marketing — Tags: — admin @ 1:39 am

We have many notaries with great personalities. But, most can not describe themselves to save their own lives. They are dependable, reliable, and professional. They all claim to be this way, yet so few of them are. What sells is unique information. These dependable and reliable folks COPIED their verbiage for their notes from someone else. That is why roughly 5000 notaries on our site have almost identical notes sections. Be copying doesn’t sell. Uniqueness sells. Don’t tell me, now you are going to copy from someone a little more unique than the last guy you copied from. It just doesn’t end.

You are unique, so learn to express your uniqueness.

Stop being professional and reliable. Nobody believes this self-hype nonsense.

Here are a few examples of notaries who are very unique.

(1) I am a Native New Yorker with Southern charm.

(2) I bring crayons and dog treats to my signings. I get to know the children and pets first, and introduce myself to them.

(3) I specialize in high-profile figures and celebrities: confidentiality and respect for privacy…

(4) Contact us 24/7, since we’re part vampires and we never sleep. :D

(5) A Veteran-Owned Business, Notary One is the ONLY mobile notary service rated A+ by the Central Ohio BBB, Five Stars by both Merchant Circle and yelp. com, and twice honored by “Angie’s List” with their prestigious Super Service Award.

(6) My bag is always packed and by the door ready for your call

(7) I give each job 110% and my track record proves it.

(8) We work with a mobile laptop allowing us to perform your closing as though you were there–when you can’t be.

(9) Technology is my soul. I am your notary of choice: …. I think three steps ahead and provide great customer service. I will guide your clients through the loan signing process. Last-minute signings welcome!

(10) Uneasy borrowers are my specialty!
It is worth it to think for about thirty minutes on what makes you unique. We are all unique. What you need to know is that the unique notaries are getting far more than their share of clicks and jobs. A thorough notes section gets about double the clicks of a blank notes section or one liner. But, a unique and stunning notes section can get you quadruple the clicks. Numbers don’t like. People love a good notes section!

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I am dependable, reliable, and accurate, yeah right!
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April 14, 2013

7 ways to use Facebook to market your notary services

Filed under: Marketing,Social Media — Tags: , — admin @ 7:35 am

“The Dalai Lama likes Edna’s Notary Services.”

That would be an endorsement any businessperson would ki–errr…work very, very hard for. Though it is unlikely that His Holiness would indicate a preference for any one notary service over another, almost anything is possible when you use Facebook wisely.

1. Envision the Future. What do you want to get out of your online presence, and your Facebook presence in particular? Do you want more customers? Do you want to raise your status in the notary community? Do you want to promote certain causes related to your business? Your plan determines the cost and amount of resources needed to use Facebook as a marketing tool.

2. Do not rely on Facebook alone. Just as you would not rely on an attack cat as the sole component of your home security system, you should not rely on the world’s largest social media platform as your only means of promotion. Every business needs a website, and every business website should have its own domain name, for example: ednasnotarypublic.com, as opposed to www.bighugenotarysite.org/ednasnotarypublic. Domains cost in the low-to-
mid two digits annually, and you can just build a free blog site on WordPress or Blogger and point your domain to that. Your website should contain easily accessible contact information, directions, a list of services, and regularly updated News and/or Blog sections.

3. Create a Facebook page. It’s free, it’s easy, and Facebook walks you through the process with
pretty pictures. Start here.

4. Promote your site from your Facebook page. Unless your website features copious amounts of nudity, your Facebook page is likely to see the most traffic of your online endeavors. But as the primary means of Facebook communication are short status updates (which may include links) and image or video posts, your website is the place for blog posts, file downloads, and types of content that you are unable to offer via a Facebook page. Whenever you update your website, post a link to the new content on Facebook. Be sure to use images in your website content, as this creates a more compelling Facebook post.

5. Get “Like”d. There are few things as uplifting in this modern age as a Facebook “Like.” When someone Likes your page, it is posted on their wall (see paragraph one of this post) for all their friends to see, admire, and emulate. Begin your quest for Likes by Liking other pages–other notary services for sure, but mainly target people, businesses, and organizations that reflect the type of customers you desire and/or those that reflect or compliment the values and mission of your business. The more Likes you give, the more you are likely to receive, Grasshopper.

6. Update regularly. In the case of a small notary business, every two to three days is a good rule of thumb. Let’s be honest–most folks do not want five updates a day from their notary. Your updates can be links to your own site, links to sites of interest to your preferred customer base, an event your business is hosting, a quote from one of history’s great notaries, a photo of a particularly fetching seal, or anything that will catch someone’s eye. Remember to use images
whenever possible.

7. Use Facebook Ads. Up until now, you have not had to pay Facebook one thin dime. All that is about to change. Facebook Ads let you create ads that target customers according to your criteria.

Al Natanagara is a writer, journalist, and blogger whose career includes stints with ZDNet, CNet, CBS, LexisNexis, and Law Enforcement. http://www.findatitlecompany.com/

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April 14, 2013

123notary.com/m to have a new algorithm

Filed under: Marketing — Tags: , — admin @ 3:10 am

123notary/m to have a new algorithm

We will be reprogramming 123notary.com/m sometime this year to have a new algorithm. Since this will be used by people on cell phones on the run, a higher priority will be placed on whether the notaries in question answer their phones most of the time or not.

We might create a new search feature which highlights notaries who specialize in last minute appointments as well.

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April 9, 2013

Does Elite Certification Help?

Filed under: Marketing,Ninja Selected Articles — Tags: — admin @ 9:26 am

I just crunched some current numbers. The stats on 123notary have changed a lot this year. It used to be the case that position was the primary factor in who got jobs. Now, things have changed. Just as long as you are in the top five spots, your exact positioning doesn’t matter as much as your qualifications for obtaining jobs.

We recommend using unfair tactics to get work such as:

(1) Knowledge
(2) Qualifications

We learned that those with good notes sections, Elite certification, and 5+ reviews were getting at least 6 times the amount of work, yes 6x, that notaries got who did not have our certification or any reviews. Getting reviews is free. Our Elite Certification is something that you have to pay for once, and take a test, but that you get to keep for life after that.

If you are not sure about the Elite Certification, get the reviews first, and tidy up your notes. Then, see if you get more work. If you do, then we can talk about Elite Certification later. Visit our Elite page below

http://www.123notary.com/elite.htm

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April 6, 2013

I am dependable, reliable, and accurate — yeah right!

Filed under: Marketing,Your Notes Section — Tags: — admin @ 9:17 am

Do you know that roughly 4000 notaries on 123notary claim to be dependable, reliable and accurate? Every time a new notary describes themselves this way, I tell them that they are basically telling the world that:

(1) They are incapable of writing anything intelligent about themselves
(2) Make wishy-washy unverifiable claims
(3) Are just like the other 4000 notaries who few people really would want to hire
(4) Are probably stretching the truth

Most of these “dependable, reliable and accurate” notaries are not dependable. They come late to signings, and haven’t a clue as to basic loan signing terminology. As for accuracy, Sally and I always get a good laugh when the notaries who claim to be accurate make several spelling mistakes in their notes section — which completely disproves their claim of accuracy.

Don’t tell us that you are professional — show us.
Don’t tell us that you are dependable — show us
Don’t tell us that you are accurate — show us.

Another notary wrote a notes section that read:
I triple check all of my work at every single signing. When there is any type of ambiguity, I call the lender immediately to double check with them exactly how they would like me to handle a particular situation. If the lender is not available, my experience with loan signing situations will be sufficient to find an educated solution to any type of loan signing situation. I dress in a suit to all signings, and my shoes get shined once a week — rain or shine (no pun intended). I park on the road no matter what, and I never discuss anything that would be unbusinesslike at the signing table. I am on time or your money back. I guarantee my work. If there is a single mistake that is my fault I will not charge for the signing. If you hire me, it is all about business!

This notary never uses the word, “Professional” even once. But, from reading what he writes about himself, you not only get the impression that he is professional, but you get an idea of what he is like. People who use 123notary want to get an idea of what you are like. If you just write that you are professional, and efficient, then they will think you are a very uninspiring person who has no clue of how to express themselves — and they will also think that you are not very professional.

So, if you are professional — don’t say that you are professional — say something else that will make OTHERS say that they think you sound professional!

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April 5, 2013

Fake it until you make it with your number of signings.

Filed under: Marketing — Tags: — admin @ 9:06 am

We have many notaries on 123notary. Some are honest, others are clueless, a few are motivated, but most just want an easy ride. Recently, I have become aware, unpleasantly, that there is a small percentage of fakers.

We had one lady who claimed to have signed 2000 loans. When I asked her what type of loans she signed, she drew a blank. I immediately sensed that she didn’t know anything and was a fake signing agent. We had another who had signed 200 loans — allegedly who couldn’t name even a single loan type. I had to drag it out of him what the names of the documents were that he had notarized — and the answer sounded like he was reading a list from a journal, and not by memory. A sign of inexperience. We had a third gentleman who had signed 100 loans who didn’t know that the figure most commonly used to compare loans was the APR. How can he not know that?

The think you need to realize is that people who fake their number of signings do not get jobs. People who call them immediately sense that they are incompetent as notaries and shouldn’t be hired. 123notary is expert at presenting notaries to the public. But, if your presentation doesn’t match up to your oral skills, you will be standing in the unemployement line. Yes — present yourself well, but don’t fake it until you make it. You ruin your credibility and ours as well.

Rather than being dishonest, just evade the topic of how many signings you have done (if there are not that many) and talk about what you have done in terms of specifics. List loan types, or specific companies you have worked for. List documents you are intimate with. Specifics sell a lot more than generalities like “Lots of experience”, or “Professional and reliable”. People want real information, not unverifiable claims.

So, as Martin Lawrence used to say

Keep it real!!!

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March 19, 2013

How to write a notes section if you have no experience

Filed under: Marketing,Your Notes Section — Tags: — admin @ 12:55 am

People ask us this question every day. What do I put in my notes section if I have no experience. So many notaries leave their notes blank. Nobody will hire you if you leave your notes unfilled. If you don’t have any experience, there are still many things to write about.

You can write about what types of notarizations you are willing to do. Be specific — readers love specifics. You can also write about what you used to do. Readers love to get to know you by reading your notes. The more they say, the more they like you.

Here are some examples.

(1) Someone with no experience
I am available to perform any type of notarization for any type of document or loan signing. Deeds, Affidavits, Contracts, Refinances, or any other type of loan or document is fine. I provide service from 9am to 9pm six days a week. I’m fluent in Malay & English. Call any time!

My professional background is very varied. I worked in a Mortgage company for five years, but was an assistant to a well known comedian before that. I also worked in Real Estate for three years. I have a BS in Chemistry. I also play the violin and flute (No, not at the same time).

(2) Someone with a dozen loans signed
I have signed many refinances, and a few reverse mortgages. I am happy to assist you with any type of loan or document signing 24 hours a day! Just give me a call and let’s get started.

I have 30 years of experience working in an insurance company. I have a Masters degree in photosynthesis.

Call me today!

(3) Someone with notary experience, but no loan experience
I have been a notary for 12 years and have completed hundreds of document signings for a wide range of clients. I have signed Deeds of Trust, Grant Deeds, Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, Wills, Affidavits, Contracts, Permission for minors to travel, Affidavits of domicile, and many other documents. Call me any time for a loan or document signing.

I am a real go-getter, and a hard worker. I put in that extra effort to get the job done right. I also help the clients understand the notarization process and what their options are. Legally, I can not decide what type of notariztion to offer, but I educate the signers as to what the different types of notarizations mean, and how they are most frequently used.

I used to work as a stockbroker at Tuna, Jones & Barney for three decades. I have an MBA in Marketing

——————————

We are trying to train the notaries to put their selling features at the top of the notes. Selling features are any facts that make you stand out such as experience, or familiarity with certain types of documents or loans. Or, a selling feature could be a smoothly written line about who you are as a person that makes you stand out in a nice way. Detailed personality descriptions should go in the 2nd paragraph as a rule. If you want to talk about your professional background before you were a notary, please put that at the bottom. So many notaries put their real estate or insurance information at the top of their notes, and it simply counts against them as the clients are more interested in reading about their notary skills, since they want to hire the notary to do notary work — not real estate work!

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March 17, 2013

The top 1% and the 99%

Filed under: Marketing,Ninja Selected Articles — Tags: — admin @ 12:52 am

I think that the bottom 99% of notaries should take over wall street — or perhaps Orange county where most of the signing companies are. It seems that 1% of the notaries have aboutr 30% of the reviews on 123notary, and perhaps about 20% of the jobs. It seems unfair.

Why should this 1% get only 20% of the business, when they are so smart and hardworking. We have so many slackers on our site who refuse to get a review and belligerantly protest getting certified by us. 20% just doesn’t seem fair. I think they should get at least 30% considering that these top 1% are elite certified and have reviews coming out of their ears. They are putting in the effort while others slack off.

So, the 99% can take over a park somewhere, beat some drums and waste time while the top 1% will be busy working and succeeding even more.

I apologize for being cynical, but this is really how it works in the notary world, and in the real world. People getting ahead have developed real skills, and a real work ethic that most people lack. Most companies I deal with just flake on every project every step of the way. I have yet to find companies that do what they are supposed to more than 40% of the time!

On a brighter note, if more of the 99% would join the 1%, then they could get ahead too. Unfortunately, that would morphize the 1% into 1.5% if a few joined them!

Good luck!

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March 6, 2013

The dismal fate of urban economy listings on 123notary

Filed under: Marketing — Tags: — admin @ 12:33 am

I just checked stats on people with economy listings.

The average p#7 actually does fairly well in terms of attracting work. But, I learned the hard way, that p#7′s in urban areas are not created equal. Due to the heavy competition for work in urban areas, it is hard for those downstream to attract any work at all. Most p#7′s show no evidence of getting any significant amount of work in big cities, while p#7′s in average or remote areas got almost as much work as those in top positions in the urban metros. However, we learned something very interesting.

If you are a p#7 in an average area, getting one or more reviews gives you 80% more work. The more reviews the better obviously. Not bad for getting on your knees and asking a few people for a review. The humiliation paid off, right? Not as much as it does for your urban counterparts. The urban folks with p#7′s with no reviews get almost no work at all. In fact, we show no evidence that they get any jobs at all. To be quite honest, as long as they fail to have a single review, they are wasting their money and time listing on our site at all. But, wait — there’s more! The minute they get one or more reviews, the phone starts ringing, even when there are ten or twenty other notaries above them. Yes — review are that important. There are other factors like having good work skills, late night hours, etc. But, just having one or more reviews instantly gives them as much work as a high placed listing in a busy metro that doesn’t have a review.

Equation:
P#7 in metro area with reviews = High placed listing with no reviews and no certification (in terms of job acquisition rate).

P#7 in metro area with reviews = .6 the job acquisition rate of a high placed listing with one or more reviews — NOT BAD!

The moral of the story here is that you are getting an inefficient return on your investment getting a high placement on 123notary if you don’t get reviews. It will still generally be worth the money, but you would get so much more out of it with a handful of nice reviews.

The second moral of the story here is that if you are not in the top five to seven spots on the search results of ANY area on 123notary, you don’t have much of a prayer to attract any significant quantity of work if you don’t have reviews. I am not trying to turn away business, I am only trying to coach you into knowing how to get a good return on your investment. All you have to do is ask for a review from clients who swear by you.

Good luck!

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March 2, 2013

Notes sections gone bad

Filed under: Marketing,Your Notes Section — Tags: — admin @ 12:26 am

Last Chance Notary — Nome, AK
We are rude to our clients, and are generally late to appointments. It is hard to keep track of time anyway around here with the 22 hour days. We can get away with this type of unprofessional behavior, because there is no competition. This is a town of 2000 people separated by mountains and water for hundreds of miles with no roads connecting you to the next nearest community. But, look at the bright side — you are probably better off with us rather than flying someone in from Fairbanks!

Last chance notary — we’re your only chance

Alice’s Special Notary Service
Need something notarized? Or, need more than just something notarized? Call us! But, don’t call us unless you are single. I won’t go into details about what happened with our last client.

Alice’s Special Notary Service — Notarizations and more…

Notaries With Attitude
If you are looking for a notary with social graces — we are the wrong people to call.

Regal Notary Services
If you want the best — call someone else. If not — then call us! We sleep until dawn, dress unprofessionally, and have no sense of social etiquette. But, we will get your notarizations done for a price that is very affordable.

Chapter 11 Notarizations
We understand what you are going through. You will never feel alone with us!

Creative Notary & Accounting
Call us when you are tired of doing things the regular way and want to get creative! Get creative — with Creative!

Midnight notarizations
Call us at that bewitching hour of the night!

No questions asked notary service
We specialize in assisting “questionable” clients. We have a don’t ask — don’t tell policy! Just make sure your documents are legitimate, otherwise it will be unlawful for us to assist!

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