We’ve been talking a lot about where we all stand in the industry at the moment. Honestly, we’ve put out some of the strongest, most read, most well-received blogs we have ever put out in just the past two months just about this topic. If you missed any of them, please check them out at wwww.notarystars.com/blog because honestly, we now feel like we are in a rhythm with all of you and we want to keep it up. They were written with love and care for our industry and your beautiful responses to them have shown us the extra hours we worked to put them together were worth it!
This month, we are moving away from the dreaded topic of high-interest rates and inflation of market changes but still trying to help our fellow Notaries and Loan Signing Agents. This month we are focusing on End-Of-Year, a term all Notary Loan Signing Agents understand. The last quarter of the year is sneaking up on us pretty quickly and regardless of higher interest rates, things are going to get busier. If you were on the cusp of going back to a full-time job you may just want to read those blogs and hang in there. The next three months are sure to be better than the last two because the last quarter of the year has always historically been busier for one main reason- most people are trying to wrap up their financial situations for a fiscal year.
With that said, we wanted to give you:
FIVE Great Tips for Loan Signing Agents &The End-Of-Year
#1 September is Crucial To Update, Update, Update
This goes beyond all of the dead listings which we talked about in our most recent blog & Podcast Notary Listing Sites & Databases Post Pandemic as you will want to make sure you are seen by every potential opportunity out there because they are going to be looking a little harder for you as we get closer to end-of-year.
#2) Take Time Now To Understand The Bigger Picture
You can relate better to your clients if you understand what exactly it is they go through. Here is a video that Travis Myers from Unlimited Ink did for Notary Stars that helps explain the entire lending process.This is actually one of our Notary Stars member’s only training sessions from our quarterly Boot Camps where Travis goes over the life of a loan. When you understand everything your Real Estate Agent, Signer, Lender, and Title Agency goes through just to get you to the table it will help you be more compassionate within your own job and a better Loan Signing Agent in their eyes.
#3) What You Do, How You Perform at End-Of-Year Affects YOUR Beginning-of-Year
It can take a while to mend a rocky relationship with a Signing Agency or a Title and Escrow office if you make a terrible mistake but it is always possible. Anyone who would hang an honest mistake over your head indefinitely just isn’t worth working with in the first place. During the end-of-year shuffle, it is a good time to let them know you are there for them if they need you and also update them on any training you’ve taken since your last mistake to remedy a rocky relationship. There is nothing wrong with saying, “You know, the last time we worked together it didn’t go so well so I want you to know I have done XYZ to ensure that I can better serve you and your clients". Here’s a video that we did this year at Notary Stars with The Most Common Mistakes That Notary Signing Agents Make.Even the most seasoned Notaries should take time to reflect and refresh their brains.
#4) Title Must Close Out Books & So Do You
Now, it might be just a hair too early to be talking about end-of-year close out and we don’t want you to jump the gun. However, it will be here much closer than you think. This is why we’ve partnered up with Notary Assist, Notary Accounting Software, and a professional Tax Preparer who specializes in accounting for Notaries for our October Notary Stars UnlimitedSession, which is absolutely FREE! If you would like to join that session, please register at NOTARY STARS UNLIMITED
#5) You Have to Start Preparing For Next Year
A great deal of Signing Agents like to take time at the end-of-year off for the holidays and family- which means is an ideal time to spend a little of that time catching up on back office work. If you are out in the field during this time it’s also a great time to build some new relationships for the beginning of the year. Regardless of your stance, you should spend some of that time preparing for next year by getting your ducks in a row. For instance, W9s are always one of the biggest issues at the beginning of the year, and here is why:
We often hear Notaries in SigningOrder and Snapdocs who say “Well, the IRS says I don’t have to update my W9 every single year. And that may be true if you are working for a single company but when you work for platforms like these you are working for multiple companies, all of which have multiple rules for their clients to follow. When you work direct a lot of your direct Title Clients will request this of you just to stay working with them. You should make it a point to get your W9s updated and ready to go in your end-of-year prep so that come January 1st, 2022 you won’t be chasing payments or wondering why the orders aren’t coming in through the platforms.
We will be talking about this LIVE later this week on Notary Entrepreneur! If you are looking for a great Notary Podcast to listen to we highly recommend following Abraham’s Podcast. He’s really the Notary Entrepreneur!
We will also be talking about this again on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 at 5 pm PST / EST on Notary Stars Unlimited.
Laura Biewer from Coach Me Laura will also be stopping by to give us an update on her upcoming Annual Notary Symposium. If you are curious to learn more please visit us on the 21st at Notary Stars Unlimited to learn more!
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