What’s the difference between a listing that gets positive reviews and one that gets negative reviews or no reviews at all?

I took it upon myself to see what the most critical analytic or metric on listings is. Reviews were one of the most critical while test scores also mattered. But, try getting even the best of notaries to study for a test. But, what types of listings are likely to get a review, especially if they are just starting out and haven’t had time to get a review?

1. Test scores
Listings with good test scores on certification tests, and my little email quizzes tend to be more likely to do well with positive reviews. Those with positive reviews that had been tested had a 40% likelihood of doing well on one or more of our tests, while those with no reviews or negative reviews had a 20% chance.

2. Notes sections
Those with no reviews or negative reviews behaved similarly in their notes section. The majority had a poorly written notes section with very little compelling information. Those with good reviews had an 80% chance of having a passable notes section based on my criteria. If you have at least four critical pieces of information that make you stand out from the crowd, that was my minimum standard of passing. Although I prefer unique and classy notes sections — but, try to find even one!

3. Answering calls
Those who are more likely to answer the phone and do jobs are more likely to get reviews. If you don’t get any jobs, it would be difficult for someone to write a review about you unless they did so by accident.

4. Logging in
Those who login to their listing more often are more likely to do well in general.

5. Manners
I looked at the manners records of those notaries who got complaints. I did not see a pattern of bad manners with me. I figured that if people were rude to me, they would be rude to clients, but apparently it doesn’t work like that.

6. Answering emails
Those who have positive reviews almost always answer emails. Those with negative reviews almost always ignore emails from me. It seems that email response times and rates are the most reliable indicators of how much trouble a Notary is likely to be in real life.

What confused me is that there seems to be very little difference between listings with negative reviews, and no reviews at all. I wanted to find some telltale sign that someone was at prime risk of getting a bad review, but couldn’t find anything. Some of those with bad reviews had a good track record with us and good test scores. Their bad review was not because of incompetency but because they left someone high and dry or got belligerent. I guess it is not predictable who will flake on someone unless they make a habit of it.

A very educated Notary got a review from a client that said, “Patty rocks.” She wanted the review removed. I told her that the review was good. It was written in the language of a real person. Not all of us are university professors who use the queen’s English. Some of us use high-brow English, and others are more informal. The point is that the review was enthusiastic and real. And in real life, some of our clients might have an education not in excess of a Harvard Professor — or perhaps more than some.

So, accept the language they use, even a few spelling mistakes. The point is that the public needs to know that people like you and trust you. A Notary with no reviews has very little credibility.

In my opinion, your certifications mean more than reviews, but for the clients, the reviews mean more than the certifications. Certifications are given by impartial agencies who judge you based on your knowledge. Clients judge you based on if they like you and had a good experience. They are both important. But, some people fake reviews. It is not so easy to fake a certification. But, in any case, popularity trumps — so show the world that you have some!

This Notary wrote up a Trust, but used the wrong apartment number, the wrong banking information and didn’t return calls.

Another Notary disappeared from communication and used the excuse that her power went out.

A Notary was assigned a job. 10 minutes before the appointment she texted to say she would be “a little late.” Two hours later she showed up. That is more than a little late. The Notary replied that she apologizes, but unfortunately some personal matters prevented her from showing up.

A Notary with low placement — didn’t provide scanbacks, only shipped back half the package and then threatened the clients with emails and threats because she didn’t get paid…. COMMENTARY — good God!

The error. A Notary made a small mistake and promised to fix it but didn’t after handling two refinances. Then she shipped the package to the wrong mortgage company. Then, she became unresponsive. The other Mortgage company was fast getting the documents back so all was not lost.

A notary rushed the borrowers through the signing and then admitted that he was double booked. Then the notary responded saying that he has no response for racist people. COMMENTARY – I’ve heard of playing the race card, but the Notarial race card? That’s new even for me.

A Notary forgot to scan a package and the docs got back after four days. The responses was, “Sorry, my dad got sick.”

One Notary committed fraud by forgina seller’s signature on a document. COMMENTARY – I should make a test question out of this one.

Q. Should you commit fraud by forging a seller’s signature on a document?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Hell no, that’s illegal

A Notary canceled a signing at the last minute. Her husband texted the company to tell them it was because the price was too low. COMMENTARY – you are not required by law to accept, but once you accept you can’t back out unless they change the terms on you (which happens.)

The Notary was to notarize Jane only on page 1. The notary notarized both Jane and Fred, and on the wrong page, not page 1 which nullified the documents. COMMENTARY – if you get weird instructions in writing, follow them. You can call to confirm the weird instructions, but it is in writing so no misundrestandings should happen.

I wrote another few posts about bad reviews and excuses that Notaries made. Now here are some of the best recent good reviews!

Melissa is absolutely amazing and very professional. She saved my closing from falling apart. She picked up on the first ring and took a closing 2 hours before signing. I highly recommend her and will working with her every chance I can! Thank you again Melissa!

I met Laurel and my client in Las Vegas to sign some very important financial documents. She was most professional, on time, great communication and made me look good in front of my important client. I would highly recommend Laurel and will be utilizing her services again in the near future. Thank you very much Laurel. You are the best!

Barbara was courteous prompt and extremely knowledgeable on our settlement!! I had further questions a few weeks later and I called Barbara. She not only answered my questions but went above & beyond to find me the phone numbers I needed!

Christine was amazing! We needed some medical paperwork notarized for my father and she was able to provide witnesses and notarize documents within a couple of hours. She was kind, considerate, and compassionate about my father, yet efficient and professional. I would highly recommend.

Brian is a very kind person. Also easy and fast to work with. He wore his mask and gloves at all times he even let me put Lysol under his shoes before he came in the house. He is such an amazing notary very good to work with!

I just wanted to advocate for Elizabeth because she really shined when we needed a notary last minute, she gladly stepped in made time for us despite her full schedule. She was professional, very COVID conscious and her warm disposition makes her a pleasure to work with. We met our deadline despite our poor planning thanks to her and will be our first choice in the future, thanks again!

Barbara did an incredible job for me! I live in CA and my 91 year old aunt lives in FL. I called Barbara at 9pm her time and she drove an hour and a half each way the next morning to get a Power of Attorney notarized. Her follow-up was impeccable for a couple of additional calls. I highly recommend her as a professional, can-do person! Thank you, Barbara!

Elizabeth contacted me before our signing time and advised me that the documents had not yet been received. She assured me, however, that as soon as she got them she would be in route to my house. She arrived in a timely manner after getting the docs. I understood it wasn’t her fault she was running a few minutes behind. She looked and acted very professional, had a great smile, and was very nice. We got the documents signed in a matter of no time and she was on to her next signing. I recommend Elizabeth for all of your signing needs. Thanks again ma’am.

If you want to have a healthy listing, you need reviews. You should ask for reviews every day, or at least whenever someone tells you how much they like your work. But, many notaries claim they don’t have time.

You have time to brush your teeth daily right? And if you don’t brush them — you lose them. (gulp.)
You have time to wear your seat belt, right? And if you don’t you might die.
You have time to eat daily, right? And if you forget, you will die after a few days.
But, many of you don’t ask for reviews daily.

People who don’t have reviews get less than half the business that those who have reviews get. It is also important to write a thorough notes section (ask for help if you need any).

People also come up with lame excuses why not to ask for reviews. Some will not ask for reviews because they don’t get enough business. But, if they had reviews they might get enough business. Others say they don’t need reviews because they have too much business. But, if things slow down, you will once again need the reviews.

It’s kind of like not brushing your teeth because you don’t have any cavities — now… Brushing your teeth is for the long run and not for right now. So is asking for reviews.

It’s kind of like not wearing your seat belt because you haven’t had any accidents recently.

It’s kind of like not eating for a month because you are too fat anyway.

So, ask for a review today (and then floss.)

So many Notaries don’t have reviews. Each time I talk to them I get different concerns, excuses and questions. It is common for people to not want to ask for a review because the signing company told them not to talk to the borrowers about any business other than the signing. But, not all signing companies tell Notaries this. Other times, many Notaries feel ashamed to ask for reviews.

I try to explain that getting reviews is a life or death issue. If you don’t get reviews, you don’t get much business and then you have no future in this industry. If you feel fear or shame, try to work your way through it otherwise you won’t survive. Asking for reviews is a habit. Once you get used to it, you will do it naturally.

Just try to do the best work you can. Then, when someone tells you how good your work is — that is your cue!

Reviews on 123notary are supposed to be unique to each listing. We do not want to have pages completely copied as we are not sure how Google will react. This is for marketing and SEO reasons and not for integrity or notary reasons. So, if you started with one listng and then purchased two more listings, you would not start off with reviews on the new listings. So, is there a solution? Yes.

We allow Notaries to copy ONE of the reviews, so pick the best one. We will also copy another review upon request. The bottom line is that we want each review to come on a different day and from a different IP address. What we don’t like is for someone to have three reviews published the same day as that looks cheesy. We also don’t want multiple reviews coming from the same IP address as that looks fraudulent.

So, although we do have restrictions, we can also help you get two reviews on your new listings almost immediately.

Here are some of our best older posts about getting reviews for your listing on 123notary.com.

FYI: To do well on 123notary, you need several reviews on your listing in addition to having a good notes section. New reviews gravitate clients more than old reviews. If all of your reviews are three or more years old, you will appear to be someone who used to be trying hard, but who is taking it easy now. To avoid looking like a washed out notary, try to get two new reviews every year. The minute anyone says, “gee I love your work”, that is your cue to say, “oh, can you write me a review? I can just send you a link and it takes only 25 seconds.” Get their email address, send them a link to your review page, and they just need to put in their name, email address, and a quick comment in their own words. Not everyone will do this, but around 10% will. So, you need to keep asking people. You might need to ask two dozen people per year to get two or three reviews, but that is all you need to get positive attention on 123notary. The main thing is to make it a habit to ask for reviews.

123notary’s comprehensive guide to getting reviews!
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16290

You lose $333 each time you don’t ask for a review!
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=18893

5 or 6 reviews doubles your business
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=8484

The link is the missing link to getting reviews on 123notary!
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=18890

Handling complaints (bad reviews) like a man!
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=22619

Flossing vs. Reviews – both are habits
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=22259

Most of our seasoned Notaries have a long scroll of reviews, and they should. Browsers judge you by your reviews. If you don’t have them, you will not be seen in a very positive light. But, people who just signed up on 123notary often wait a very long time before getting reviews.

Newer listings lack credibility. Without reviews or certifications, people will not trust you. So, with a new listing, the first thing you need to do is to get reviews from anyone. Your clients, signing companies, title companies, neighbors, your cat (if she can type), or a friend who has used you. My rule is that if they have used you, they can write a review. Send them and emailed link and ask for a review.

Remember — five reviews doubles your incoming new calls on 123notary.com and you might have to ask five dozen people and send links to get that many reviews, but it is worth it. Reviews lose their gravitation towards new clients after two or three years so keep getting new ones — they are date stamped and you don’t want to look washed out.

Additionally, study from Notary Public 101 and try to take our over the phone certification test as well. Good luck!

You might also like:

Flossing vs. Reviews – both are habits
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=22259

How can new notaries survive without reviews?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=20057