This blog article features a call to action for those avante-garde notaries that already know they want to be ahead of the curve with evolving technology. If you want to skip the article and register for the EscrowTab network, and get access to their free IPEN software on your own device, you can do so here. You can listen to this blog on YouTube here The mortgage industry consumes about 2.2 billion pieces of paper every year (50-60 million of which are estimated to be notarized), which, depending on their size, will require a minimum of 117,000-200,000 trees to supply. According to some industry estimates, there are about 950 million other non-mortgage related documents notarized every year, and many of those use more than a single page. So as notaries public, somewhere around 4-5 billion sheets of paper pass through our hands every single year. That’s unsustainable for a few reasons: Paper is expensive to lenders, closing agents, the legal profession, and notaries; The environmental impact is severe; And consumers are tired of it. Not to mention…as I write this, we're sliding into 2023! We live in an age where I can simply think about ice cream and I’ll start getting ads for Haagen Dazs in my social media feeds (so it seems, anyway). There’s got to be a better way! And there is. Remote Online Notarization (RON) has commanded the spotlight over the last few years, and given the circumstances, that made perfect sense. But In the post-pandemic world, there must be another option. It can’t be just two choices for notarization: Notarize virtually via RON platforms; Or notarize in-person with paper. The third option, In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) bridges the gap perfectly because not every signer will be a candidate for RON, nor will every receiving agency/party accept RON documents. And now (finally) the technology for IPEN has evolved to an easy to use and practical application. Already legal in fifty states (but not necessarily used), In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) occurs when a borrower and notary are in the same location and the borrower signs with their handwritten electronic signature. The notary then electronically notarizes the documents without any paper involved (may require eNotary registration in your state). Despite its legality and approval, IPEN had not garnered much attention or mainstream use because people either didn’t even know it was an option (including notaries), or they still had some concerns about the validity of electronic signatures. Not to mention the technology was clunky…at best. The times are-a-changing though, and EscrowTab is plowing the way with an easy-to-use, secure system with a forensically verifiable signature. And that has the industry’s attention. If you’re not in their network yet, get in it now. This is the smoothest IPEN technology I’ve ever seen. And did I mention forensically verifiable signatures? You’re going to want to be the first to know about some of the game-changing updates they have in the works. Join the EscrowTab Network Here Previously, working with EscrowTab required the purchase or lease of a tablet. But now they have released their free app for active notaries that want to differentiate themselves as “EscrowTab Enabled.” There are some technology requirements, so EscrowTab will still approve your devices, but you can get started by registering here. Here’s the device system requirements you must have in order to download their free app: Microsoft Surface Pro X with a Bluetooth Stylus (Windows 10 or 11) Apple 12.9 inch iPad Pro with Apple Pencil (iPad OS15+) Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra with a Bluetooth Stylus (Android 12+) (If you don’t have these devices you can buy or lease one from EscrowTab) Because of the market environment EscrowTab launched in, they’ve been primarily focused on the mortgage industry. Already approved with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, MERS, and MISMO, and not to mention a client list that would make any notary’s pen tingle, they will inevitably change the way this industry works. Never before have we been so close to a 100% paperless mortgage while maintaining in-person integrity and human connection. But it's not all about mortgages. Remember, there’s 950 million other notarizations happening out there every year. EscrowTab plans to help with that too. That’s right. EscrowTab for General Notary Work (GNW) and Specialty Notary Work (SNW) is coming soon! Insiders can’t confirm exactly when this will roll out in 2023, but it’s close. Just as EscrowTab is disrupting the mortgage industry, they plan to do the same with other specialty niches like estate planning documents, auto loans, medical paperwork, and so much more. Don’t get left behind on this. Be among the first to know and register with EscrowTab here. There’s no commitment and no cost to register. If you have the proper technology and eNotary credentials for your state, you’ll be in their preferred network AND you can update your SigningAgent.com profile with the designation, “EscrowTab Enabled.” Intimidated by new technology? Don’t worry, they have free training available. And, from my own experience, this is some of the simplest software to use. It’s about as close to paper as you can get without being paper. They’ve nailed it. Here’s How to Get Started with EscrowTab and What to Expect Register for free and with no commitment or expectation here (just get connected with EscrowTab) Watch for the “Next Steps” email from EscrowTab and follow those directions (arrives within 24 hours) If you haven’t done so already, follow your state’s rules for registering as an e-notary (EscrowTab can actually help create the electronic notary seal for you) Let EscrowTab know your device specifications (they’ll prompt you for this) Attend a free training to learn how to use it Real estate closings may get filtered to you because you’re on the EscrowTab approved master list that many title and escrow companies use. Plus, you can advertise “EscrowTab Enabled” on directories like www.SigningAgent.com and others. But most importantly, you’ll be in the EscrowTab network and among the first to know about the capabilities with General Notary Work and Specialty Notary Work. If you want to stand out in a sea of sameness, do something or be something different. Get EscrowTab Enabled. Share your thoughts or ask your questions about EscrowTab or IPEN in the comments below. Bill Soroka teaches a Prolific Content Creation Course in the Notary Business Builder advanced mastermind program. He is also the best selling author of three books (and counting) designed to help notaries build their dream.

Taking my own advice, I started diversifying my own mobile notary work back in Phoenix (before the move to Washington). In the Valley of the Sun, we’ve been insulated from the economic shift (until very recently), as most of my clients are home builders, or specialize in commercial transactions, but I wanted to get ahead of what’s to come. I asked myself which appointments I’ve enjoyed most through the years, and which I thought could also be the most lucrative, considering the legislative bindings in the state of Arizona. The answer: Living Trust Presentations. These living trust presentations fall under the more general category of estate planning, but similar to loan signings, you can command a higher, bundled fee because you actually present documents, gather signatures, and perform notarization (if required). If you need some training on living trusts, last wills and testaments, powers of attorney, etc (all estate planning documents and usually part of a living trust presentation), you must get “Laura Biewer Presents…” training and replay library here. As per usual, Laura shows you how to do it in knitty-gritty detail and it will boost your competence as well as your confidence. It wasn’t enough to just say, “I want more living trust presentations.” One thing I’ve learned is that when you ask the Universe for something, be specific. I wanted living trust presentations that were fun & enjoyable, didn’t require hours of travel, and paid well. Really well. So I got specific. I created my ideal client avatar. Here’s who I wanted to work with: Family or Estate Attorneys (or their financial planning partners) that service decamillionaire clients (net worth over ten million) and beyond. These attorneys have beautiful offices at or near the Biltmore Financial District in Phoenix, OR they're actively building their own virtual law firm, designing their own dream life. They’re willing to pay premium fees, set and agreed to from the beginning, and I am included as part of the attorney value proposition to their clients. The staff and attorneys in these offices are also warm, friendly, and respectful, committed to a win-win for their clients, and for their vendor partners like me. They have significant volume to support me, and do not hesitate to refer me to their colleagues at every opportunity. The documents are clean, accurate, and orderly, and the appointments run smoothly and efficiently. I meet interesting people at each and every appointment and are encouraged to stay in touch and cultivate longer relationships. Payment is prompt, usually within hours or days. Once I knew who I wanted to talk to, I talked to them. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn on social media and Google. Once I saw an entry to connect, I took it. The clear stand out winners for positive connection and feedback are the attorneys who are building virtual law firms. Yeah, it’s a thing. A big thing. There are now entire industries and technology being created to service virtual law firms and help them stay compliant and secure. Check out Clio and Dialpad. The American Bar Association even had laid out it's own best practices for eLawerying. The rise of the virtual law firm is based in three major points: Lower overhead for attorneys More flexibility for attorneys (life-work balance) Better for the environment (less printing and paper usage, etc) And here’s the cool thing for us notaries: The attorneys that are building these virtual law firms still need boots on the ground help for gathering signatures, making presentations, and performing notarizations. There is opportunity for all of this both in-person AND via Remote Online Notarization (RON). The attorneys that ended up hiring me, three of them by the time I moved, were either virtual already, or trying to get there. They didn’t want to live their remaining days in a suit and tie. Two didn’t even want to live in Arizona anymore. They sent me signings from their cabin in Idaho and their beach house in California. I was helping them get what they want, and they were helping me get what I want (fun signings with a minimum $250 fee with no BS). That’s a true win-win, and yes, they do exist. Zig Ziglar nailed it when he said, “You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.” The key is to speak their language. If you can figure out what they want and how you can support that dream, you’ll have clients for life. Three steps to get it done: Learn how to do the work amazingly well. This will help you represent your attorney clients at the table, without question. Get in the orbit of your ideal clients. Once there, you can find opportunities to connect. Reach out so you can support each other. In the comments below, please share your own experiences and preferences with estate planning appointments. What has worked for you? What hasn’t worked?

The Legacy & Libations Call is on Hold at this time. You can still watch the replays and you can still tap into the amazing value at My Life and Wishes. This is a super chill call/show/training designed to help you progress on your own personal estate planning process. Why work so hard to build wealth and a legacy if we don't protect it, right? So here's what the call looks like in its first iteration: We kick off the call with a value-packed conversation (count on some cheesy jokes and dark humor too) between Jon and I, or one of our estate planning attorneys, or a passionate professional from the industry. Then, segway to a quick, yet deep, lesson on the My Life & Wishes legacy vault. Part of the reason we're hosting these weekly calls is so you have some support in making progress on your estate planning. This legacy vault keeps all your "stuff" in one, highly secure, digital place. We'll then close out each call with a live Q & A where you can ask your questions. Bring your favorite evening beverage- coffee, tea, vodka, whiskey-you name it, it's welcome. Can't make the live show? Catch the replay on my YouTube channel here. See you Wednesdays!

Through 26 business failures, I tried my share of network marketing opportunities. Aside from Primerica and Legalshield, I wasn’t good at any of them. And even with those two, I was mediocre at best. I just happened to love the insurance products from those two companies, so they were easier to talk about. And that ended up being a huge realization for me. I’d get so enrolled with the vision, falling in love with the potential of the opportunity (a total reflection of my dating life at the time too), and daydreaming about: Having freedom and flexibility to do what I want, when I want; Making unlimited income, easily; And finally being able to call myself a successful business owner. And then reality hit. The top three reasons I failed at network marketing: I tried to sell stuff I didn’t really believe in, so I shied away from talking to anyone about them. And, even if I loved the product, I wasn’t interested in building a team at the time. And frankly, with most of the companies I joined, if you wanted to make money with their program, you had to build a multi-level team. I just wasn’t ready for that. With network marketing being such a highly regulated and scrutinized industry, there were way too many marketing & advertising rules for my taste. I was stubborn and fiercely independent. But I still wanted a flexible schedule. I still wanted unlimited earning potential. And I still wanted to be a successful business person, proud of my products and services, and with creative flexibility to dream up some wild & crazy idea one night, and implement it in the morning. Who doesn’t want that? Enter… the notary business. The notary business gives you: A Flexible Schedule… Unlimited Earning Potential… A business, and essential service, you can be proud of no matter what. You help people! As a notary, you serve an important role in commerce and fraud prevention. There’s no need to shy away from sharing your services because people need you. Your service is an actual requirement in most instances. People need you on their best days. And they need you on their worst days. That’s why you must tell everyone about your business. There’s no stigma to overcome. It’s all upside. Tell everyone you’re a notary. Anything less is a disservice to your network. Think about how hard it can be to find a caring, thoughtful, well-trained, and professional mobile notary. Because even with 4.5 million notaries in the country, your prospects can’t always find the right one when they need one. The committed notary, like you: Caring Thoughtful Well-trained Professional That’s why it is imperative you share your services with your network. Go further than an occasional social media post. Talk to people. Reach out. Stay in touch. We tend to overestimate our social media reach and underestimate our influence within our personal and professional networks. Tell everyone. And let me help you. I am on a mission to help you serve one thousand more customers this year (it’s okay if you want less, or more customers-enter your dream number of clients here). One of the most powerful tools I have to help you share your business and services is the TOMM app by Notary Coach. It’s free in ‘23. Get it here There is NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED. Just download it. Watch the training. Practice. And use it. If just 1% of the notaries in this country started using the app and claiming their slice of the nearly one billion document notarization pie, we’ll impact over five million lives and generate over $250,000,000 in revenue for notary entrepreneurs. That's a quarter of a billion dollars. Our small business is actually big business. Get your slice. We’ve preloaded tools and resources in TOMM that will help you engage with your contacts in a different way. These resources will demonstrate your commitment to your craft and your passion for service and convenience. No one else has these tools. Stand out in a sea of sameness. Embrace the full power of the opportunity you hold in your notary bag. You own access to an essential service that helps preserve our way of life. What other business can be built around a service that is a required element of the global economy? Be proud of the services you provide. Create the schedule you dream about. Earn the revenue you wish for. And tell everyone you’re a notary. Get the TOMM app here Through his TOMM app by Notary Coach and the advanced learning mastermind, Notary Business Builder, Bill Soroka is on a mission to help the most committed notaries in the country each serve one thousand more customers this year, impacting more lives, generating more revenue, and building a business that lasts no matter what.

The world’s largest advanced-level notary collaboration just became more accessible than ever before. Listening to feedback from notaries across the country, me and my fellow founders of the Notary Business Builder learning community (NBB), Laura Biewer and Jennifer Neitzel, have officially made the advanced mastermind program available separate from the TOMM app by Notary Coach. What does this mean for notaries who want training and support? It means you can gain access to some of the best teachers in the industry, as well as their online courses & technology, and their live teaching classes every month for a fraction of the original cost of membership. You can now purchase NBB and TOMM separately! And even if you decide to buy them both, it still costs less than before. In fact, the Standard version of TOMM (the only app that helps notaries get new customers) is FREE! You can get TOMM here. And if/when you’re ready, you can easily upgrade through the app. More on TOMM later! Back to NBB… Have You Been Afraid of Losing Your Notary Business? If you fear your phones will go quiet with the rising interest rates, and you’re afraid you may have to quit this business and go get a job again, then you finally have the support, training, and technology to get serious about building a notary business that will survive beyond loan signings. There’s never been a better time to be a notary public! The Best Notary Training in the World. Here’s what you get with an NBB membership (hold on tight, there’s a LOT!): First, NBB is the only advanced learning program of its kind with a faculty of collaborators that are committed to helping you become better notaries and stronger entrepreneurs. We’re on a mission to help you serve more customers, make more money, and build a business that will thrive no matter what the mortgage industry is doing. Our faculty is active in the program, not just granting you access to their online courses and technology, but also teaching new content and material every single month. This keeps your skills and training relevant for a constantly changing work environment. Meet the Faculty of Notary Business Builder (NBB): NBB features ten top notary coaches, notary trainers, and other industry experts that will help you grow your notary business to dream levels. These instructors will help you get more clients, make more money, and feel supported and part of a loving community. Bill Soroka, founder of Notary Coach and four-time bestselling author Laura Biewer, founder of CoachMeLaura, bestselling author, and notary expert in all fifty states Jennifer Neitzel, founder of Signing Agent Marketing (SAM), and professional relationship development expert Judi Lawrence, founder of the Lawrence Institute For Notaries and creator of the World of Apostilles course and certification program Jim Allen, the Marketing Notary and Google Business Profile Optimization expert and teacher Sandra Long, global expert on LinkedIn and author of the book, “LinkedIn For Personal Branding”, and co-author of “Supercharge Your Notary Business with LinkedIn” written with Bill Soroka Nina Penny, leading Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional, loan officer, and co-creator of the Certified Reverse Mortgage Signing Professional (CRMSP) program Zion Brock, recovering aerospace engineer, recording artist, producer, and expert in online content creation, automation, and distribution Tyler Botsford, founder of Green Monkey Marketing, VRConnect, the Front Page: SEO for Notaries course, and a digital marketing expert Sue Hope, founder of NotaryAssist, and expert in notary business management This is a different kind of community than you might be used to. These incredible faculty members aren’t simply tacking their name up on a website. They are committed to your success and they actively participate in the Notary Business Builder program, which makes them accessible to you in many ways every month. You can text, email, or even set up coaching calls with many of these faculty members. But even better, they all teach regular masterclasses on their expertise every month. The Live Teaching Calls and Notary Training Included with NBB Depending on the month, there could be up to twenty live teaching calls offered through the Notary Business Builder program. Don’t worry! You’re not expected to attend all twenty calls! In fact, you should not attend every call. We record them, so you can revisit a particular training when you’re ready for it. In NBB, we teach that you should “nail it, then scale it.” That means you get to decide what is most important for your business at the time, and then let the NBB teachers and resources support you until you get the results you want. Then move on to your next goal or objective. How to Get More Notary Customers In Notary Business Builder, we have everything you need to succeed. But let’s be real, 99% of notary entrepreneurs don’t have the results they’ve been craving. They need more clients, more revenue, and more confidence. That’s where our NBB teaching calls come in. We know that your customers only come from two places: Online visibility and your professional/personal relationships. So, that’s where most of our NBB members will start. To help you get more notary customers through relationships, we feature a monthly teaching call with Jen Neitzel and Bill Soroka, called Building Authentic Relationships (we call it the BAR call), where we get granular on the specific characteristics, tactics, and skills to connect on a deeper level and grow influence within your network and your client base. But relationships are only half the equation. Your online visibility is equally (if not moreso) important for getting that phone to ring & ding with local prospective customers. This is why we have THREE search engine optimization (SEO) experts on the faculty of Notary Business Builder. Jim Allen, the Marketing Notary, runs a continuous five-week in-depth NBB Google Biz Profile Optimization Course exclusively for members of Notary Business Builder, focused on GBP and local SEO. Tyler Botsford, our digital marketing expert, runs a monthly training called SEO for Notaries and teaches granular strategies for enhancing your overall online visibility. Zion Brock is an automation and content distribution genius, and teaches a monthly class called, Harnessing Content Creation to Get Known, focusing on blogs, social media posts, graphic design, AI, and even video production. Everything that could enhance your online visibility is available to you, along with the experts that can further guide you to success. These four calls alone will change your business forever, but of course, we didn’t stop there. Try NBB Risk-Free If your mind is blown (or your eyes are tired from all this reading), and you want to just join NBB already, use the link below and try us for a month. You can cancel anytime and we offer a 100% money back guarantee if you cancel your first month within thirty days. No questions asked! Join NBB Catch the next training by joining today! There are NBB Teaching calls taking place every week! All training sessions are recorded and stored in a special Training and Replay archive. Even More Notary Training Opportunities So what happens when you implement what you learn from Jen, Bill, Jim, Tyler, and Zion? The phone starts to ring and you get more chances to build client relationships and masterfully deliver the notary services you’ve been hired for. That’s why we continue your notary education in NBB. Laura Biewer, often referred to as the G.O.A.T of the notary world, will help you focus on mastery with three different teaching calls every month: Advanced Specialty Notary Work training, focused on issues, strategies, and skills involved in growing your enterprise beyond loan signings. The Success Mindset call helps get your internal dialogue and habits aligned with the results you are striving to create with your business. And Laura’s latest call, created to complement the all new Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent program, is called Trust Delivery Conversations, and features specific training and attorney interviews about the estate planning world. What About Training on Branding and Marketing for Notaries? The live teaching calls included with your NBB membership have you covered here too. Jen Neitzel leads the Marketing Matters every month with a Q & A format so you can hear about the challenges and the creative solutions notaries all over the country are utilizing to grow their business. That’s what is so amazing about NBB: We share information with each other. It’s not just the faculty that are committed to your success, but your fellow members too. We’re abundant thinkers and we know that helping each other succeed doesn’t create competition. It creates collaboration. And that’s how we change the world and make some dreams come true. Sandra Long is one of the world’s foremost leaders and speakers on the LinkedIn platform, and in particular, how to leverage it for personal branding. Not only has she written the book on the subject, but she’s dialed-in to the notary community with Bill, co-authoring Supercharge Your Notary Business with LinkedIn. She teaches LinkedIn For Notaries every month and dives deep on specific topics that will help you enhance your brand on LinkedIn and connect with more of your ideal customers. This is incredibly important if you’re working with estate planning attorneys and other professionals beyond loan signings. Nina Penny keeps your finger on the pulse of the reverse mortgage industry with her Reverse Mortgage Continuing Education call every week (Her certification course is also included in NBB-more on that later). What About Connection and Support in Notary Business Builder? This is where the power of a mastermind community like NBB really shines. There are three weekly calls specifically for connection, questions, and perspective (although every NBB call provides space for that). Every Tuesday, the NBB Accountability Call is specifically structured to share goals, wins, & challenges in a supportive, well-coached format. Laura, Jen, and Bill lead this call together and it’s closed out each week with a specific call for support. Do you know how to answer the question, “How can I support you in your business right now?” This call helps you gain clarity so you can offer the gift of contribution to your network. It feels good to give, and if you constantly deny your network the opportunity to give, it closes off paths to deeper connection. Our Accountability Call will move you toward being more comfortable both asking AND answering the call for support. On Wednesdays (except the last Wednesday), Bill leads his Office Hours call and provides a safe space to ask questions, hear perspective, and celebrate wins-the big ones, the small ones, and everything in between. And on Saturday mornings, Laura hosts her Inner Circle for an intimate group of twenty notaries or so to dig deeper on specific topics surrounding technical notary skills and beyond. If there’s one thing that me, Laura, and Jen are committed to, it’s delivering more value than you’ll ever pay for. So we didn’t stop there. Mentioned earlier, NBB members can email and text our faculty with questions. And, many of our teachers are available for one-on-one coaching calls booked in advance. We also created a comprehensive directory of NBB members so you can reach out to your high-performing peers. Gotary is the directory of the world’s best notaries. And we include a premium profile listing to Gotary with your NBB membership. We went over-the-top in Search Engine Optimization of this directory, and NBB members reap the rewards because it’s easier for legal professionals to find them here. Gotary is also broadcasted and marketed to the legal professional community as a trusted source for well-trained and passionate notaries. We’re committed to your success and we’re doing everything possible to help grow your business with you! What’s cooler than that? Well, I'll tell you what is cooler than that. Many of our NBB members are doing more than simple notarizations. They’re innovators and true entrepreneurs that see a need in the marketplace and work to provide a solution. In Notary Business Builder, we want to support all your endeavors, not just the ones that fit into the notary box. That’s why we started the Innovator Spotlight, a marketplace for NBB members to showcase their courses, books, and products that aim to elevate the industry and beyond (releases summer 2023). And Notary Bookkeeping Too? In survey after survey, guess what over 53% of entrepreneurs despise doing… Yep, accounting and bookkeeping! Okay, we know some people love bookkeeping (nerds 🙂), but for most solo-preneurs, especially, it’s overwhelming or tedious so they put it off, and it builds up, creating stress not just at tax time, but throughout the year because it weighs on your mind. You know you should be keeping up with it, but you don’t. Then you spend 364 days ‘shoulding’ all over yourself and then pull an all-nighter in panic mode submitting your tax forms. What if you could stay on top of bookkeeping throughout the year, quickly and easily, AND have all the support you need to get your questions answered? It will amaze you at what you accomplish with a free mind. Without the weight of a tax burden and pile of receipts on your mind, you can focus deeply on income-generating activities, cultivating relationships, or spending more time with the people you love doing the things that you love. Make business ownership fun again! That’s why we’ve included the NotaryAssist bookkeeping software and support in your NBB membership. Free your mind, and the cash will follow! Look! These Online Courses Are Also Included in Notary Business Builder: There’s even more courses available in your NBB Dashboard and you can access these anytime you need them. Use our course app (powered by Kajabi) to access courses on the fly! All Included in NBB: Real World Notary Training Replay Library (all avail states) with Laura Biewer ($2497 value) World of Apostille Certification Program from Judi Lawrence (Yellow Level, $499 value) The Sign & Thrive Notary Training Course and Community by Bill Soroka ($497 value) The LinkedIn Professional Profile course with Sandra Long ($397 value) First Page SEO for Notaries course with Tyler Botsford ($297 value) The Get Known Strategy course with Zion Brock ($197 value) Signing Agent Marketing program and membership with Jen Neitzel ($240+ value) The Certified Reverse Mortgage Signing Professional program with Nina Penny ($197 value) Morning Mastery for Mobile Notaries and Loan Signing Agents with Bill Soroka ($147 value) “Laura Biewer Presents”…Specialty Notary Work Training and Replay Library ($127 value) The Five Star Notary Review-Getting Guru Course with Bill Soroka ($97 value) That’s over $5,000 in courses alone! Not to mention the live teaching calls every month and the NotaryAssist software we mentioned earlier. I know this sounds like a crazy amount of value. It’s never been done before, and that’s part of the very reason we had to do it right now. It’s going to take a little bit of crazy to create the results you’ve always dreamed about for this business. Everything You Need to Succeed as a Mobile Notary and Credentialed Professional So there you have it. Over $5,000 in online notary training courses. Direct access to the best trainers in the country. 20 live-virtual teaching/connection opportunities every month The support & abundant-thinking community you’ve been craving A faculty that works for your business and success as hard or harder than you do NotaryAssist bookkeeping to stay on top of your game Premium profile listing on Gotary so hiring companies can find you This and more is what makes Notary Business Builder the easiest decision you have to make right now. Get immediate access right now for $58 per month. Let Me In! Join NBB Now The Independence Day Special starts now. For a limited time, you’ll also receive a one year Basic Membership to CLIN, the California League of Independent Notaries, led by Matt Miller. In addition to Matt’s great content and access to his advocacy news and advice, you’ll receive a listing on his directory of members, which is also a powerful marketing tool for your online visibility. That’s another $29 in value just for taking action today! Join NBB Here There’s no risk. Look, we know this level of value isn’t for everyone. Most people are so used to “fluff” offers with a hidden catch, that this offer to join NBB might seem totally unrealistic. We get it. We’ve surprised ourselves with this one too. $58 a month for ALL of these inclusions borders on insanity. But before they strap us into a vest and lock us in a padded room, try us out. You can cancel your subscription anytime (and we make it easy to do so!). Plus, if you join and just completely hate it, we’ll give you your money back (just cancel in the first 30 days). Are you ready to believe in the possibilities again? Join NBB with Zero Risk To be successful as a mobile notary, it does NOT require that refinance signings are falling from the sky because of unprecedented low interest rates. There are still nearly a billion documents notarized every year (and growing) outside of the mortgage industry. Let us show you the full spectrum of possibilities in Notary Business Builder. Sometimes just one idea, one skill, or one person, can change everything. We get to do that everyday in NBB! This is one of the longest emails/blogs I’ve ever written, so I hope I answered most of your questions about NBB. We’re really proud of the results this program brings to our members. Some of those results are less tangible, because they’re about feelings, emotions, and confidence. But that’s an important part of a great program, even if you can’t add a dollar figure to it. If you have any questions about how NBB could help you, I invite you to text me directly at 602-309-0706. Thank you for your patience in advance, as that is my direct mobile number and I may be in appointments and meetings throughout the day. Don’t forget to introduce yourself. I love to know who I am talking to. I look forward to getting to know you in NBB!

Have you ever felt completely overhwelmed by all the hats you have to wear as a notary entrepreneur? We have to be bookkeepers, remembering to send invoices, track mileage, and report expenses. We have to constantly be building deeper relationships with our current AND prospective customers. Methodical posts to social media. Constant updates to our Google Business Profile. Staying in touch with our network to keep us top of mind. The list goes on! And on...and on... It's a lot to manage, for sure. Worth it, of course, but it can be like juggling spinning plates with rotating blades. Ouch! I was about to quit my notary business because I started losing sleep at nght because my mind obsessed over all the things I had to do...and wasn't doing. The detail work is NOT my strength. And not doing them, letting them build up, sucked the joy right out of my business. I didn't know how to hire someone else to help me at the time, and frankly I still wasn't sure if I could afford it back then. A hundred grand a year, or even two hundred grand, after expenses, goes fast. So I decided to make it easy for me. I created a list of four or five things (depending on the client) that, if done after every appointment, would make life less stressful for me. To help me remember them, and create a habit around them, I wrote all down on a Post-It note and stuck it to the center of my steering wheel. What to Include In Your Post-Appointment Ritual Let's first define a ritual. A ritual is simply a specialized string of habits, like a routine, that you use at specific times or occasions. For the sake of our conversation, this ritual will take place after every single appointment to help you stay on top of things, deepify your relationships, and give you peace of mind, knowing that your ducks are in a row. The kinds of habits you include in your post-appointment ritual can vary, depending on your personality, your strengths (and weaknesses), and the goals of your business. For me, I included things like: Send the invoice Communicate with hiring party Send handwritten note (or through SendOutCards) Update my bookkeeping (including mileage and expenses) And I completed these items, ideally, in the car right after the appointment. I always moved my car down the street, or around the corner though, because no one wants a creeper sitting outside their house. You can go to a nearby park, or even a coffee shop if you prefer. The point is to do it as part of the previous appointment's time allotment. I always built in an extra 15 minutes to give me plenty of time for the ritual. It doesn't always work out, but 95% of the time, I stay up on the important stuff. Worst case scenario, I perform the post-appointment ritual a couple hours later for two or three appointments instead of the one. I've seen some notaries get creative with their post-appointment ritual. It doesn't have to be all about business stuff. Some notaries include things like: Call/text a family member to stay in touch Call/text a prospect to keep them top of mind Update their Google Business Profile Post to social media Research nearby prospects Follow up with yesterday's leads Handwrite a letter to a loved one Stretch (There are whole routines for people who drive a lot) Whatever would bring you peace of mind, knowing that all that should be done is being done, can be part of your post-appointment ritual. Keep it limited to four or five things. You want to set yourself up for success. Choose things you can easily do in your car after an appointment, and if you need to, make sure all the materials are within reach to complete. Will you share the post-appointment ritual you do or create in the comments below? To more joy (and better sleep)!

Have you ever needed a notary "buddy" you could rely on for referrals, but were concerned about the quality and professionalism you might encounter? I know I did! That's why I am so proud of the new notary directory we built and released in early 2023, Gotary.com. This is an exclusive resource that we use to promote the best notaries in the world: our members of the Notary Business Builder program (NBB) and the all new Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agents (CNTDA). I literally talk to estate planning attorneys and other professionals everyday, advocating the strength and professionalism of our notaries. Already, signing companies and law offices are choosing Gotary as their first stop when looking for credentialed professionals as an extension of their brand in the servicing of their clients. Who are credentialed professionals? First and foremost, they are notaries! But they could also be fingerprint technicians, wedding officiants, field inspectors, trust delivery agents, and technology specialists. All of which are searchable on Gotary! Find a Notary Near Me Need a notary that speaks a particular language? You can search for that! Need a notary in a certain zip code? You can search for that! Need a fingerprint technician with a physical, "brick & mortar" location? You can search for that! And so much more! Find your top performing peers- the world's best notaries at Gotary.com. You won't be disappointed! I even guarantee it! If you'd like to join the elite, world's best notaries, it's all about your passion, training, and commitment to excellence. Join us in NBB or through the Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent program today at the links below. Both of these designations receive their rightful place at www.Gotary.com Join NBB Become a Trust Delivery Agent

I avoided using traditional sales language like, "leads," "pipelines," and "prospecting" when first started coaching notaries through my courses and books, and I think I've done you a great disservice. Sales are a major part of any business, including a service-based one as a mobile notary and loan signing agent. No revenue, no business. I knew how turned off I got when people used "salesy" terminology that sounded like work-uncomfortable work at that- and I tried to shield you from that experience. But it's not real. We have to get over it and move past the semantic aversion to all things salesy. If you want your business to thrive, you have to sell. Everything is sales. Your smile. Your style. Your skills. And it's a numbers game (don't let anyone, including yourself, tell you otherwise). You must put yourself in front of more prospects to get more business. Your results this month are directly proportional to your efforts 30-90 days ago. So yes, you can predict the future. You can tell what kind of month you'll have next based a lot on the seeds you planted last month. That's all prospecting is: planting seeds for relationships and opportunities. And those notaries that prospect well, will prosper well. How to Prospect Notary Clients The first thing you have to do is get clarity on who your ideal customers are. Another way of looking at it is figuring out what kind of appointments bring you the most joy or income. With clarity, comes customers. Then, tailor your digital assets and online visibility to match the keywords and phrases those ideal clients might use to search for your services. As your online presence gains momentum, your phone will start to ring and ding with opportunities. Don't stop there. Now the real prospecting begins. Become a gardener, constantly planting seeds through intentional conversations done with both your mouth and your fingers (email, text, etc). If this makes you nervous, start by talking to just one prospect, everyday, about your business and how it might help them save time and resources. If you want serious results, talk to ten prospects everyday. If you want faster results, talk to one hundred prospects daily. Sound crazy? Maybe. But here's the thing, there are no rules, nothing holding you back from talking to even one thousand prospects a day, if that's what it takes to get the results you want. This business isn't easy, but it is simple. Our services are essential, even necessary in our modern economy. There are so many opportunities that you can build six figure revenue and seven figure wealth, if that's what you dream of. This is the wild west of the notary industry. There's a billion documents being notarized every year and if you're not the one notarizing them, someone else is. Wake up. Plant seeds. Answer phones. Repeat.

The word 'client' and 'customer' gets used interchangeably in our notary industry, and there's nothing wrong with that. But it's confusing at times. If one word works, why use two, right? But I find myself doing it too. Customers...clients...semantics, right? Well, words do matter, so I looked at how I operate in my own business, and here's what I found: As it turns out, I don't use client/customer interchangeably. A client is a client and a customer is, well, a signer. Define the difference between a client and a customer In my business, as both a mobile notary, loan signing agent, trust delivery agent, and signing company owner, I created my own definitions for client and customer. Maybe these will help you too. A client is a person or company that hires me on a regular basis, with expectations of a certain standard of care, an understanding of processes, and some sort of financial agreement in place, to provide my services to their customers/clients. An example of a client would be an escrow officer or estate planning attorney that sends their clients to me. A customer is a "signer," in our notary industry language. It's literally anyone who signs a document in my presence (or acknowledges doing so), especially if I have taken responsibility for their identity (notarized), or verified them as witnesses. Why does this matter? Lots of reasons! I may not send a thank you card to a client after every loan signing appointment they book me for, but I will send a thank you card to every customer. Make sense? The escrow officer doesn't need (or want) a token of appreciation for every signing they send you. They get it already! And, they clearly appreciate you, because they keep sending you signings. But customers are different. Your signing appointment is the first time you get to meet them. So you get a fresh chance at a first impression every time. So, I send a handwritten note. Knowing the difference between clients and customers helps focus your energies too. If you enjoy delivering trusts, you know you can focus your marketing efforts on estate planning attorneys that have volume to support you. These amazing people make great clients! If you love helping members of the public when they need you most, you know to focus your efforts on search engine optimization (SEO) with keywords and phrases that appeal to people doing DIY trusts and documents. There's over one hundred million Americans that need a trust but don't have one...yet. They are perfect customers! Is there cross over? Absolutely. YOU are the only one that has to understand the difference in how you define customers versus clients. Do you define clients and customers differently? Share in the comments below!

Unlock Your Potential at the Philly Notary Social 2023 A Unique Gathering of Mobile Notaries and Loan Signing Agents Mobile notaries, trust delivery agents, wedding officiants, and loan signing agents, imagine an event that offers transformative experiences, that cultivates relationships, and catapults your career to new heights. That event exists, and it's called Philly Notary Social 2023. Philly Notary Social: More than Just an Event Philly Notary Social is more than just a scial gathering of fellow nerdaries – it’s an annual phenomenon that transcends ordinary professional meetings. For three days, from September 29th to October 1st, notaries from across the country convene to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and chart a new course for success. All while having fun together! Learning from the Industry Titans There are two full days of learning, guided by some of the industry’s most seasoned professionals. These titans of the trade come from the East Coast to the West Coast, with a singular aim: to arm you with tips, tricks, and strategies that can revolutionize your career. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with leaders, peers, and government officials. Hearing their insights can be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. Fostering Relationships and Building Networks In this rich ecosystem of peers, you’re never alone. Shared events, like the Philly Notary Social, creates a vibrant space for you to foster relationships, allowing you to build a network that can be an invaluable resource for problem-solving and idea generation. The Power of Peer-to-Peer Networking Peer-to-peer networking, often underestimated, can be the key that unlocks more opportunities. Imagine being able to discuss your challenges with someone who has walked in your shoes, or even sharing your own experience to help a fellow notary. Let's face it- not everyone fully appreciates our notary stories! There is a magical synergy that happens when like-minded professionals come together, creating a collective intelligence that surpasses the sum of its parts. This is the magic of masterminding together! A Balanced Blend of Professional and Personal Experiences Beyond the professional growth and networking, Philly Notary Social promises an experience that’s not all work and no play. Special gatherings, parties, and a special birthday celebration (mine!) ensure a balanced blend of professional and personal experiences that create memories to last a lifetime. The Transformational Opportunity at Philly Notary Social 2023 The journey from being a mobile notary to becoming an industry leader is filled with obstacles. But with the right guidance, support, and tools, these hurdles become stepping stones to success. Philly Notary Social 2023 offers you this transformational opportunity, the chance to redefine your professional journey and sculpt the career you've always envisioned. Your Invitation to Transform Together So, are you ready to unlock a new phase of professional growth, camaraderie, and fun? I cordially invite you to join us at Philly Notary Social 2023. Let's learn, connect, celebrate, and transform together! For all the details, dates, hotel info and even a split payment plan, visit the website for Philly Notary Social here. Philly Notary Social September 29-October 1, 2023 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Reserve Now

The Top Five Reasons to Become a Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent I collaborated with two of my favorite friends and colleagues, Laura Biewer and Jennifer Neitzel, to create the Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent program (CNTDA) for three main reasons: With the slow down in refinance/mortgage transactions, notaries needed another source of revenue. Even though we've been advocating for the shift to estate planning and living trust presentations for two years, most notaries didn't make a move because they didn't know how to do it. And, after talking to hundreds of estate planning professionals and attorneys, it was clear there was a major gap in three arenas that had to be addressed: Awareness, Skill, and Communication. The Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent program bridges all three of those gaps with the industry's most comprehensive training and certification program designed just for notaries. The notaries that take the course and pass the test will gain the skills they need to deliver a full trust competently, AND they'll learn exactly how to identify and communicate with their ideal clients so they get more of the appointments they most enjoy. At the same time, the attorney or legal plan company can be confident in the abilities of the CNTDA and relinquish even more of their appointments to their new trusted ally. It's a win-win if I ever heard one! I think the biggest value the certification has though is how it's shifting the conversation about the relationship between notaries and attorneys. Every day, I'm in awe about how many law offices do not fully understand the immense network of mobile notaries that exists in this country. We're here and eager to serve, but many attorneys and legal plans don't know it yet. A properly trained and committed notary can greatly enhance the impact and revenue of an estate planning firm. How cool is that? I get to share a network of the world's best notaries, and newly designated trust delivery agents, through our partner directory, Gotary.com, with estate planning professionals all over the country? Everyday! It's a "stop the press" kind of moment when you share this certification with an estate planning attorney. This is what I have found so inspiring over the course of this last year with intentional conversations: Most, if not all, estate planning attorneys chose this law specialty because they are passionate about helping other people (usually triggered by a traumatic story from their own family). So they love when a notary is equally as passionate about helping others-so much so, that the notary goes through the added expense and rigor of obtaining a special certification just to be of more service. This trust delivery certification is powerful! The Top Five Reasons to Become a Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent #1: Replace Lost Loan Signing Revenue Let's face it, money is at the top of your mind right now, especially after the last few years we've had in this business. Refinances and other loan signing appointments were practically falling from the sky, and we were rolling in revenue. But it's different now (for most markets). The dust is settling, and we're returning to a pre-pandemic "normal" as part of the cyclical nature of real estate. This has left many notaries fearing for the future of their business. Estate planning documents, like living trust presentations (trust delivery) aren't tied to the real estate market. In fact, it's one of the most stable legal specialties out there, which is why there are over 200,000 estate planning attoneys in the country. Trust delivery is similar in many ways to loan signings in that you offer bundled services like: travel, document presentation, signature gathering, and more, so you can charge a commensurate fee. These fees can vary between $100-$250 depending on where you're located, whether an attorney is present, and who hires you. So you can see, with great clients and solid online visibility, you can easily meet or exceed your loan signing revenue. #2 Deliver Joy and Peace of Mind One of my favorite aspects of trust delivery (besides the great income) is overall energy and feel of these appointments. Most take place at the signer's home, or the attorney's office and there is this energy of relief, knowing that they have their final affairs in order and their hard-earned legacy is protected for their family. Many of the signer's you'll meet have been "shoulding" all over themselves for years (sometimes decades), knowing they should have a trust in place, but never got to it...until now! They are so grateful to you and the overall experience! As a trust delivery agent, you deliver more than just documents and notarization: you are delivering peace of mind. What's better than that? #3 Stand Out From Competition Picture it: Two notaries walk into a BAR Association meeting and share their services. One has gone through the added training and certification to become a Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent, fully understanding documents, processes, etiquette, and even ethics. Addiitonally, because of the training, this notary understands how to bring even more value to the relationships through referrals and mutual prospecting. The other notary relies solely on their pamphlet and their E & O coverage amounts. Who is going to get the client? If you want to stand out in a sea of sameness, follow Bonnie Rait's advice: Let's give 'em something to talk about. Your CNTDA designation is a conversation starter and a head-turner. #4 Master the Documents As a trust delivery agent, you don't have to prepare any documents-just like you wouldn't prepare a Deed of Trust or a Promissory Note in loan signings. You get the gift of having a very distinct lane to stay in. With your CNTDA training, you'll understand the various documents included in a living trust and how to briefly describe (not explain, cuz that's outside our lane) them. We're so proud of this training because we worked with an advisory board of estate planning attorneys, paralegals, and legal plan companies to design the Signing Table Mastery module, equipped with sample trust documents, scripts for describing the documents, and pitfalls to look out for when notarizing (or not). Believe it or not, for the majority of trusts, these documents are quite simple, and in no-time, you'll be a seasoned pro and master of the documents. #5 Access More Clients Three million attorneys. Another 35,000 law school graduates every year. 210,000+ estate planning specialists. That's a lot of potential clients to work with, and that's literally just the tip of the iceburg. In addition to attorneys, many states of "paralegals" (or legal document preparers, or a variety of similar names), and legal plan companies that also draft this important paperwork and utilize notary contractors to fulfill trust delivery. But did you know that an attorney is not required to create a living trust? That means that members of the general public are your prospects too. In fact, it's estimated that there are nearly 180 million adults in the US that need an estate plan that don't have one...yet. Which probably explains why there is 210,000 estate planning attorneys vying for their attention. And there are hundreds of DIY document companies providing downloadable resources to help people create their own trusts. That's why, outside of the Signing Table Mastery module, the majority of the CNTDA program is focused on helping you get more clients by both enhancing your online visibility so those DIY customers can find YOU when they Google, "Notary Near Me," and elevating the relationships you have with your ideal attorney/legal plan clients. We know implementation and practice is key to your success. A certificate is worthless unless put into action. With the CNTDA, we give you the exact strategies, words, and skills to put this certification into practice immediately. Miss that ringing phone? Enjoy it again as a Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent now. Here are a few resources for you: If you want to check out the program specifics and see the pricing, click here. If you just want some free training about living trust presentations, check out this 45 minute webinar we offered called, The Next Big Boom for Mobile Notaries: Living Trust Presentations here. If you still want some more info, download the free chapter about Trust Delivery Agents from mine and Laura's book, Beyond Loan Signings: The Ultimate Guide to Monetizing Your Notary Commission Through Specialty Work here. If you want the whole book, get it here. And if you're still humming the words to "Something to Talk About," watch/listen to the full song from Bonnie herself on YouTube, here. Now Is The Perfect Time There has never been a better time to be a mobile notary. The over-inflated mirage of a pandemic refi boom has subsided and now reality is clearer, and much more exciting. Estate planning thrives always, and completely unreliant on housing trends and mortgage interest rates. Your services are needed,and will always be needed. And now that you have that clarity, you can focus on the next big boom for mobile notaries. Get Certified Now

Did you know you can make money as a notary public? Chances are if you're following my blogs and email, you probably already know that. But if you're brand new to the notary world, or even if you've had a commission for years, but never knew what to do with it outside your 9-5 job, I've got some good news for you. You can build a thriving business as a mobile notary through, what we call, Specialty Notary Work (SNW). There are hundreds of millions of documents that get notarized every year, and most states allow notaries to charge travel fees in exchange for the access to your services in the convenience economy. People value their time more than anything right now, and if you're willing to travel to them, you can build a business as a notary public on wheels. Depending on the type of appointment, and the state your commissioned in, you could generate anywhere from $60-$150 (or more) per appointment. How to Monetize Your Notary Commission Through Specialty Work Earlier this summer, at the National Notary Association's annual conference, I released a poweful new book with my colleague, Laura Biewer, the most recognized notary expert in the country, to show you exactly how to monetize your notary commission through Specialty Notary Work. Already a bestseller, this book, Beyond Loan Signings, is the exact blueprint you need to develop a side hustle, or even a full time business endeavor. Get Beyond Loan Signings Here In the book, we share nine different specialties that you can use with your notary commission to start generating revenue right away. These include: Medical facility work Trust delivery Loan signings And even cannabis! And then we also include five specialties that dovetail beautifully with notary work, but they DO NOT require a notary commission to work them. These include: Field inspections Apostille facilitator Fingerprinting And more! There's Never Been a Better Time to Be a Notary There is opportunity everywhere! Even if you think that because your state restricts your notary fees to $5 per stamp, or if you think because your employer paid for your commission you can't build a business with it, I invite you to think differently. There are nearly 4.5 million notaries in the country, and roughly 200,000 build a business with it. You can do this! Because, even with 4.5 million notaries in the country, you can't always find one when you need one. If you're curious at all, even remotely interested in building a side business, or leaving your corporate job altogether, you owe it to yourself to read Beyond Loan Signings. Amazon often has the e-book available for less than $3.