Setting your own work schedule is a wonderful thing, but it can also be a challenge. Unless you’re naturally self-motivated, you might struggle with time management, especially at first. Here are a few useful time management tips for mobile notaries that help you stay on task.
1. Choose Your Working Hours
When working remotely, it’s important to structure your day just as you would in a traditional 9-to-5 setting. Otherwise, it’s too easy to fritter away your time.
That’s not to say that you must adhere to those hours exactly. After all, one of the benefits of being a mobile notary is setting your own hours.
For example, if you’re most productive in the morning, consider working from 6 or 7 AM until 2 or 3 PM. On the other hand, night owls might prefer starting the day at 10 AM and working until early evening.
Notify your clients and colleagues once you’ve set up your work schedule so they’ll know when you can be reached. Applications such as Google Chat allow you to set the status to “Away” or “Don’t Disturb,” making it easier to adhere to these guidelines.
2. Make Yourself Available
While it’s important to stick to your set working hours, you want to ensure you’re easy to reach.
When you’re getting started, you should set up a social media page and print out business cards to distribute to potential clients. You might also consider adding your name to local notary signing agent directories.
Once you’ve done that, respond to any calls, voicemails, and emails as soon as possible. Consistency and availability are key to maintaining good business relationships. Moreover, staying on task will help you remain focused, which is a great time-saver.
3. Be Prepared For Travel
When one of your clients calls and needs something notarized, you should be ready to head out at a moment’s notice. Keep your supplies together in a safe location so you can access them whenever you need to head out the door in a hurry.
On a related note, maintaining your vehicle properly is one of the most important time management tips for mobile notaries to prevent service interruptions. You might not have to punch the clock at a second location, but you’ll still need reliable transportation if you expect to service your customers on time.
4. Use Invoice Reminder Software
If certain clients don’t pay you on time, chasing them down can distract you from your other projects. Use a program like InvoiceOcean to set up automatic reminders when customers are late on their payments. It will allow you to set up the time span just once, so there’s no need for continuous adjustments.
5. Track Your Time
Mobile notaries aren’t paid hourly, but that’s no reason to neglect this step. Tracking your time can help you understand how much time you spend on certain tasks and how you might manage projects better. Consider using a tool such as Toggl or Indy to help you make the most of your work time.
6. Keep Skills Sharp
Becoming a mobile notary is a huge step forward, but there’s always more to learn. Consider setting time aside to pursue new lines of work or even take a class or two. This might mean turning down jobs that need to be a better fit for you personally, but developing a niche will help you strengthen your business.
7. Take Time Off
Pay attention to your personal time, as doing so can lead to burnout, making you less productive in the long run.
Take at least one day off every week, and schedule vacations occasionally. You’ll need to plan ahead on the practical and financial levels, but you’ll come back from the breaks refreshed and with a clearer focus.
In Summary
Effective time management is essential for any freelancer, including mobile notaries. These time management tips for mobile notaries should help keep your business on track while improving your work-life balance.
