Why Being a Pigeon Could Foul up Your Notary Nest

Are you a Pigeon? Wait, what the flock did you just call me?!? Did you just call me a pigeon? Are you accusing me of being a rat with wings?? Before you fly off the handle, I'm not suggesting you have wings, a knack for statue-squatting, or an uncontrollable appetite for breadcrumbs. I'm actually referring to a concept known as 'pigeonholing.' It's a term derived from the tidy little compartments (or pigeonholes) people at one time used to store mail in. These days, it has come to represent the process of labeling and categorizing things, or in our case, people. Now, don't get me wrong. Labels can be super helpful – especially when you're trying to find the right tube in the medicine cabinet (wait…is this the toothpaste?). But when it comes to your career as a Remote Online Notary (RON), pigeonholing can be a very uncool bird indeed. Let's say for instance that you're known in your RON circle as 'Debbie the Divorce Notary.' Now, that's not necessarily bad. You're the go-to person for divorce documents, and that's a reputation to be proud of! But what if Mr. and Mrs. Newlyweds pop in to get their first house deeds notarized? They might hesitate. "Debbie, the Divorce Notary, for our new love nest?" they might wonder. "That's a little ominous, isn't it?" And there goes your potential client, flying away faster than a pigeon dodging a frisbee. And then there’s ‘Larry the Loan Signing Legend.' Larry, like many other RONs, found a comfy perch in the world of loan signings. And why not? The breadcrumbs in that particular sector can be quite delicious. He became so well-versed in loan signings, that he could identify a refinance packet in his sleep, spot an error in a deed of trust from a mile away, and could probably sign an acknowledgment with his wings...I mean, hands tied behind his back. Larry was riding high in the clouds of his success until the mortgage industry began to dip, as it tends to do. Suddenly, his phone wasn't chirping with notifications from new clients. His once plentiful bread crumbs started to dwindle. Had Larry nestled himself too comfortably in the loan signing pigeon coop? As Notary Loan Signing Agents, the temptation to specialize solely in loan signings can be a strong one. It's a rewarding field, both financially and professionally. However, putting all your eggs in the loan signings basket is much like our friend Larry's predicament - it leaves you vulnerable to market fluctuations. When the mortgage industry cools down, your steady stream of loan signings might cool down too. Pigeonholing can limit your business growth and diversity, because people may assume you only do one kind of notarization. It can prevent you from tapping into other potentially lucrative markets, like general notary work or medical documents, which are quite the golden eggs in the notary world. So how do we escape this pigeonholing predicament? Here are a few flight plans: Spread Your Wings: Show the world that you can handle any document that needs notarizing. Celebrate your versatility on your website, on social media, and through word of beak... I mean, mouth. Preen Your Image: If you're already pigeonholed, don't panic. You can rebrand! Remember: you're not just a 'Debbie' or ‘Larry.' You are ‘Debbie’ AND ‘Larry’. Soar to New Heights: Regularly upskill and train in different areas of notarization. **There is a site called Notary Stars that I hear is EXCELLENT for this type of continued education and training! The more you know, the more valuable you are. No one puts a knowledgeable bird in a corner... or a hole! More Eggs, More Baskets: Diversifying your services is like having eggs in multiple baskets. You'll be less dependent on one source of income and more resilient when market shifts occur. Ruffle Your Feathers: Shake up your routine. Offer services medical documents or immigration papers. Expand your offerings to include more things like I-9s, fingerprinting, permit running or being a wedding officiant. There's a whole world of notarization needs and related fields out there, just waiting for a bird with your skills! Squawk Loudly: If you've diversified your services, don't forget to tell the world about it! Advertise your wide range of skills on your website and social media. Let your clients know you're not just a one-signing wonder! So, before you find yourself roosting in the pigeonhole of 'only doing this one thing,' remember that variety is the spice of life – and business. You have the capability to be a majestic notary bird of paradise, spreading your colorful wings across all types of notarizations. Pigeonholed? More like pigeon-**hold** the entire notary spectrum in your talons! By recognizing and avoiding the pigeonholing trap, you'll ensure your notary business doesn't end up 'cooing' itself into a corner. Now, fly free and explore those broad horizons! You're not a one-trick pigeon, after all. In the end, it's all about flexibility. Being an exceptional Notary Loan Signing Agent is fantastic, but don't let it limit your full potential. By avoiding the narrow pigeonhole of specialization, you'll ensure your notary business soars, no matter the weather. Remember, you're not just any bird - you're a bird with an impressive range of notary skills. Don't let yourself be caged! Now, flap those wings and fly towards your next notarization adventure! #findthecheese