The heat is on! As summer kicks into full gear, life may seem like a sunny poolside barbecue for many. But for Remote Online Notaries, it's the season of grilling, not on the barbie, but over client identifications. While the world is sipping margaritas poolside, we're busy playing detectives on the digital frontier, validating identities. Just as the sun doesn't take a day off in summer, neither does the responsibility of ensuring a client's identification. Think of the identification verification process as preparing a poolside BBQ meal. The ingredients: signer name, photo, and expiration, must all pass the freshness test. Firstly, let’s grill the client's name. Just like ensuring the meat at your BBQ isn't past its sell-by date, it's crucial to confirm the authenticity of the client's name against all the documents provided. When verifying a signer's identity, imagine it's like figuring out if the pool's water is warm enough for a swim. Your job is to dip your toes in, using the provided ID, and decide if the person is really who they say they are. Just like each summer day has a different temperature, there's no one-size-fits-all rule for every situation. Sometimes, you'll need to make a judgment call, like deciding if it's ice cream or popsicle weather. When in doubt, you can always ask for an alternative form of ID that your state deems acceptable with the correct information. The next ingredient is the photo. But this isn't as simple as throwing the meat on the grill and coming back a few minutes later. Pictures may look straightforward, but you need to look deeper, sort of like checking that your BBQ chicken isn’t just seared on the outside but raw in the middle. You want that meat thoroughly cooked inside. Look for features, aging effects, or changes that may suggest a mismatch. Does the signer’s birthday say you should be seeing a “Baywatch Babe” but instead you are looking at a “Bengay-watch Babe?” Use your best judgment. And for the libations, don’t overlook the expiration date on the ID, like forgetting to chill the beverages for your BBQ. Different states have different "best before" rules, just like how some like their steaks rare and others well-done. Ensure you're following the regulations for the state in which you are licensed. One tip that's as refreshing as a summer lemonade is to make verbal commentary during the audio/video recording about the ID. You might say something like, "We're both July babies, it seems," or "Don't forget your ID expires at the end of this year." This practice not only helps to encourage friendly banter, but also ensures thoroughness and leaves an 'audio notation' in your electronic recording that you did your due diligence in checking the ID. But remember, while poolside chitchats are fun, don’t let any sensitive information slip once you leave the party. In the end, when the sun sets and the BBQ embers cool down, remember this: the ultimate responsibility falls on your shoulders as the host of the BBQ party. The RON platforms provide the tech, like the grill and the patio chairs, but you're the one flipping the burgers and mixing the drinks. If there is a party foul, YOU as the Notary will ultimately be held responsible. As notaries, we bring the human touch to this online gig. We're like the lifeguards in this vast digital sea, ensuring each notarization swims safely back to the shore of integrity. So, let's roll up our beach towels and meet this summer with sunblock levels of diligence. After all, it’s not just any old season, it’s the sizzling summer season of identity verification. Let's keep the beach vibes high and the fraudulent IDs low!

Office space rentals, equipment rentals and purchased business equipment: When it comes to tax deductions for office space and equipment here are some general guidelines to consider. 1 – Office Rental Space – Rent Expenses can usually be deducted as a business expense. The amount will depend on your lease agreement and local tax regulations, but usually the full rent paid is deductible as a business expense. 2 – Equipment Rental Fees – Rental fees for business equipment such as computers, scanners, or machinery are also deductible as a business expense. So similarly, to office space rent, the full rental fees can usually be deducted. 3 – Purchased Equipment – when you buy equipment or machinery for your business, you to need to spread the deduction out over its useful life, known as depreciation verses deducting the full cost in one year. Depreciation reflects the equipment’s gradual loss of value over time. * NOTE – Tax Rules in regard to depreciation vary, so it is very important to work with a tax professional to ensure compliance for your specific jurisdiction. 4 - As with all Business Expenses – Keep Accurate Records of documentation such as all Lease/Rental Agreements, & Receipts to support your deductions! Tax Tip June 2023 edition from Glen Hill, 20+ year CA Tax Professional and NotaryAssist Software READ ALL OF THIS YEAR'S TAX TIPS BY CLICKING HERE: https://www.notarystars.com/blog/notary-tax-tip-space-equipment-rentals-purchases https://www.notarystars.com/blog/can-signing-agents-write-off-meals-on-taxes-yes-and-it-pays-to-eat-in-2023-as-long-as-you-do-things-properly https://www.notarystars.com/blog/mileage-for-notary-business-owners https://www.notarystars.com/blog/bad-signing-agencies-unpaid-signings-tax-tips https://www.notarystars.com/blog/tax-tips-from-sue-hope-glen-hill https://www.notarystars.com/blog/tax-tips-from-sue-hope-glen-hill-january-2023 https://www.notarystars.com/blog/your-notary-loan-signing-agent-business-tax-time

This week during general mentorship we got on a topic that is near and dear to my heart and may be on yours as well, anxiety. Feel free to watch the full replay here. Maybe you aren't diagnosed with anxiety but 30% of people suffer from anxiety and with the stresses that can come along with owning a small business you more than likely face it at some point in your daily life more than you wish. In fact, I personally take at least one to two calls a month from Notaries around the country who are suffering from anxiety related to their Notary businesses. And because I've dealt with clinical anxiety most of my adult life (overcoming it without medication) I love helping my fellow Notary Business Owners with what I've learned over the past 13-14 years. Some of the most common things I hear are: Do You Think I'll Make It? What If I Don't Succeed? I Don't Think I'm Cut Out for This? I Feel Like I Don't Know Enough! No One Seems to Understand What I'm Doing Here. I'm Afraid I'm Going to Let My Family Down. These are just a few of the things I've heard on the Notary Stars' support line in the past year- especially after the downturn and even more now that we are starting to level out. Before I go any further, if you feel these things you need to know you are not alone! When I became a Notary Public & Loan Signing Agent there was really only one or two mentors out there, the National Notary Association and Notary2Pro was getting off the ground. At that time, I was in California, which has some of the strictest Notary laws of all 50 States. And I was absolutely fed up with Corporate America because I was tired of being the responsible one who showed up to work on time, did the most work, and got absolutely the least recognition for it. I wanted this career to work for me much like many of you do because I just couldn't go backwards. Funny story: I wanted it so badly that I wound up in the ER several times trying to convince nurses and doctors that I was having a heart attack. I even wore an expensive at home heart monitor for 30+ days because I convinced doctors they just hadn't found what was wrong with me. Or, they wanted to humor me? That's neither here nor there anyway. The fact of the matter is that I get how stressful it is to become a business owner and although Unlimited Ink Notary and Notary Stars does very well for itself, a decade later. I will never forget where I came from or how hard I had to work to get here. Which is why I want to give you some of the things I've learned over the years to deal with anxiety as a business owner that have really helped me. Here are my top go-to's to alleviate anxiety: Create a Happy Place Play List and Keep It on Hand If You Have Pets Play with Them Pets Generally are Comforting. Do Things You Did as a Kid/Teenager Go to the Mall/Movies Play Video Games Ride a Bike Swing on a Swing Set Color in a Coloring Book Call an Old Friend to Catch Up Identify Outload What is Wrong and if Anything is Actually Wrong If you'd like to add to the list of ways to get rid of Anxieties, We'd love for you to comment on this blog article:

There's a lot of talk about what you can copy certify as a notary public. And there’s a little more to this than meets the eye. Not all states authorize notaries to copy certify or they limit what you can copy certify. Most state handbooks tell you exactly what you can or cannot copy certify. So, everyone please check your handbooks FIRST. Those who have state handbook have been linked here for you: State Handbooks & Reference Manuals Copy Certification is verifying that a copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document. Some states require that the Notary make the copy. Other states simply state that the notary is to inspect or compare the copy to the original for accuracy. California limits you to copy certifying your journal entries and original powers of attorney only. Hawaii notaries can only copy certify their own journal records. Maine has the distinction of restricting notaries to only providing copy certification services for private records. New York, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee do not allow you to copy certify any document. (not a complete list) New York doesn't accept a copy certification of any kind unless it's from a government office, like a certified copy of a birth certificate from the Vital Statistics Bureau. That is an important distinction. Some common state-defined limitations include; Vital records, public records, publicly recorded documents, or anything that's recorded in county records. So let’s figure out what those document are. What is a vital record? Think of this in terms of our government holding a record of important life events. If they collect data on this event and hold it in their authority, then it is considered a Vital Record. This includes, birth certificates, marriage licenses, civil Unions, domestic partnerships, separation agreements, divorce decrees, and death certificates. Only the government that issued the record can guarantee its authenticity. What are Public Records? A Public record refers to any document with information that has been recorded or filed by a public agency. So that COULD be any Vital Record but can defined further as Trial Transcripts, Depositions, Bankruptcy, Civil or Criminal Judgements, (almost any kind of court record), Corporate Minutes, Electoral rolls, Records of accounting for Banks, Conveyance Deed, Deeds of Trust or Mortgage, Motor Vehicle Records, Police reports. This is not a complete list, but you get the idea. What are Publicly Recorded Documents? That would include everything that was just noted in the above paragraph. But it goes further than that because in some counties, we can request just about anything to be recorded at our County Recorder’s Office. Last Wills, Powers of Attorney, Assignment of Corporate Stock Ownership, and other miscellaneous documents. So, if you have this specific restriction in your handbook and the original document presented to you has a County Recorder’s stamp in the upper right-hand corner, then you cannot copy certify this document…No matter what type of document it is. Some states allow copy certification by document custodian. This is a legal process where the original document holder signs a statement that the copy is identical to the original and that statement is then notarized. So really, it's not certifying a copy of the original by the notary, it’s notarizing a statement by the document custodian. See the difference? The document custodian is verifying the authenticity of the document and not the notary. What is a Tangible Copy Certification? Tangible means information that is contained in electronic or other tangible forms and capable of being ‘papered out’. This is for RON notaries who have completed an online notarization and might print out the document, signature page and notarization page and certify it to be a True and Unaltered copy of the original electronic document. RULONA provides that every state adopts the provision to allow RON notaries to copy certify their electronic notarizations. So, there you have it. Get out those state notary reference manuals and look up what is authorized for you to copy certify in your state. Commit that information to memory because you never know when you will get the request to certify a copy of something.

If it hasn't happened to you already, it is going to at some point. You will be asked to provide either one of your Signing Agencies or Direct Title Clients and additional Acknowledgement or Jurat "incase anything happens." But you have to ask yourself a good question here, "what could happen?" Well, in most cases your clients will ask for them just in case one of your Notarizations is incorrect so they can swap it out. You know you don't want to be the cause of delaying a loan closing, but you also don't want to violate your State laws either (at least we hope you don't). It seems innocent enough, right? They would never do anything wrong to hurt you or someone else, right? Right??? But what if they attached it to a document you weren't even sent with the signing package? And what if that document wasn't necessarily in favor of the signer? Or what if they attached used it on another file. If you don't think that escrow officers or title officers are human beings that also do things wrong- you really need to think again. There are actually some Signing Agencies that will tell you if you don't provide additional certificates, they can't work with you. That is okay, you don't need to work with them. A good Signing Agency would never ask a Notary Loan Singing Agent to break their State laws or best practices. Now we forewarn you to be polite about this as some of those agencies still have access to Blacklist you and/or tell others a different reason why they wouldn't work with you. So, as much as you should want to throw up a middle finger at them- don't! Simply tell them that you aren't able to take their assignment because you aren't comfortable with that specific request and it's not a good fit. Leave it with, "If that ever changes, I'd love to work with you." For Title Companies and Direct clients you can let them know that you will always double check your work. Really lean into your training and remind them that you have trained countless hours (at NotaryStars.com) to hopefully not make a mistake but if you do that you will promptly fix it. And you need to mean that. Notary Business Advice: In our industry previous business should always come before future business. When you make an error, you have to remedy it as soon as possible. Not after your next signing but before it. Always check with your client to see when it is acceptable to have the correction. Mistakes are going to happen. Breaking the law is no way to prevent it. Just remember these words from the late, great, Carol Ray from Notary2Pro: "It is not the mistakes we make that people will remember but how quickly we remedy them." Reference: NNA | Signing Agent Tip: Sending Extra Notary Certificates | 2023

Summer! The word alone brings a sense of freedom and leisure. The sunny skies, the smell of barbecues wafting through the neighborhood, the lure of the beach, or a trip to a fantastic vacation destination. It’s the perfect time to kick back and spend quality moments with family and friends. But as a Remote Online Notary (RON), you’re an independent business owner, and you may find it challenging to strike a balance between your work responsibilities and enjoying those summer delights. Never fear, RONs! It's absolutely possible to keep your business thriving while making the most of the summer season. Here's how: Plan Ahead - Charting Your Summer Voyage Planning is the key to success. Look at your summer calendar in advance. Identify the days when you'd like to be away from work and block them out. Then look at your workload. Are there times when your clients typically need your services the most? Schedule your working hours during these peak times. Inform your clients about your summer schedule in advance. Use it as an excellent and valid reason to reach back out via phone, email or a newsletter. Let them know when you'll be available and when you won't. If you set expectations ahead of time, your clients will respect your time off. After all, everyone understands the importance of a good vacation! Delegate Responsibilities - Building Your Beach Volleyball Team You're an independent business owner, but that doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. Consider hiring a temporary assistant for the summer months. This assistant can handle administrative tasks, scheduling, and client communication while you're away. There are many virtual assistants available today who can seamlessly fit into your operations. And don’t forget neighborhood kids that are off school and could use the extra income. Not every task needs to be “high level”. There are plenty of things you can assign to others that don’t require your magical touch. You could also consider partnering with another RON to cover your clients while you're away. This could be a reciprocal arrangement where you cover for each other during vacations. Not only will your clients continue to receive services, but you'll also forge a professional relationship that can be mutually beneficial. Remember, this new RON you team up with is your colleague, not your competition! And best of all, they don’t even have to be local. You can team up with another RON anywhere in the country. Establish Efficient Systems - Setting Up Your Lemonade Stand Efficiency is your best friend when it comes to managing work-life balance. Leverage technology to streamline your operations. Use online scheduling tools, like Calendly or Setmore, that allow your clients to book appointments with you. Set up automated responses to let clients know when you'll be unavailable; a CRM like Hubspot or a mass emailing software like Mailchimp are great for this. You could even consider taking a “working get-away” within your state’s borders. Make sure you have a reliable mobile setup for your notary work. If you decide to mix work with vacation, you'll need to have all necessary tools at your fingertips. It’s as simple as a laptop with a reliable internet connection. With a good setup, you can work from anywhere! Embrace Flexibility - Riding the Summer Waves One of the great perks of being a RON is the flexibility. You can work anytime your heart desires. This means you can adjust your working hours to accommodate personal activities. Want to spend the day at the beach? No problem. Schedule your appointments in the early morning or late evening. Want to take a week off for a family trip? Go ahead. There will always be more work when you return. Prioritize Self-Care - Sunscreen for the Soul Remember, you're no good to your clients if you're stressed and burned out. Taking time for yourself isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Make sure to schedule time for relaxation and self-care. Enjoy your favorite summer activities. Spend time with loved ones. It's crucial for your mental and physical health. Remember, the goal is to make your work as a Remote Online Notary compatible with the life you want to lead, not the other way around. Summer is a time of renewal and relaxation. With a little planning, delegation, and the right systems in place, you can enjoy your summer while keeping your business humming along smoothly. So, go ahead, put on your sunhat, and let's make this summer a memorable and balanced one! Summer! The word alone brings a sense of freedom and leisure. The sunny skies, the smell of barbecues wafting through the neighborhood, the lure of the beach, or a trip to a fantastic vacation destination. It’s the perfect time to kick back and spend quality moments with family and friends. But as a Remote Online Notary (RON), you’re an independent business owner, and you may find it challenging to strike a balance between your work responsibilities and enjoying those summer delights. Never fear, RONs! It's absolutely possible to keep your business thriving while making the most of the summer season. Here's how: Plan Ahead - Charting Your Summer Voyage Planning is the key to success. Look at your summer calendar in advance. Identify the days when you'd like to be away from work and block them out. Then look at your workload. Are there times when your clients typically need your services the most? Schedule your working hours during these peak times. Inform your clients about your summer schedule in advance. Use it as an excellent and valid reason to reach back out via phone, email or a newsletter. Let them know when you'll be available and when you won't. If you set expectations ahead of time, your clients will respect your time off. After all, everyone understands the importance of a good vacation! Delegate Responsibilities - Building Your Beach Volleyball Team You're an independent business owner, but that doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. Consider hiring a temporary assistant for the summer months. This assistant can handle administrative tasks, scheduling, and client communication while you're away. There are many virtual assistants available today who can seamlessly fit into your operations. And don’t forget neighborhood kids that are off school and could use the extra income. Not every task needs to be “high level”. There are plenty of things you can assign to others that don’t require your magical touch. You could also consider partnering with another RON to cover your clients while you're away. This could be a reciprocal arrangement where you cover for each other during vacations. Not only will your clients continue to receive services, but you'll also forge a professional relationship that can be mutually beneficial. Remember, this new RON you team up with is your colleague, not your competition! And best of all, they don’t even have to be local. You can team up with another RON anywhere in the country. Establish Efficient Systems - Setting Up Your Lemonade Stand Efficiency is your best friend when it comes to managing work-life balance. Leverage technology to streamline your operations. Use online scheduling tools, like Calendly or Setmore, that allow your clients to book appointments with you. Set up automated responses to let clients know when you'll be unavailable; a CRM like Hubspot or a mass emailing software like Mailchimp are great for this. You could even consider taking a “working get-away” within your state’s borders. Make sure you have a reliable mobile setup for your notary work. If you decide to mix work with vacation, you'll need to have all necessary tools at your fingertips. It’s as simple as a laptop with a reliable internet connection. With a good setup, you can work from anywhere! Embrace Flexibility - Riding the Summer Waves One of the great perks of being a RON is the flexibility. You can work anytime your heart desires. This means you can adjust your working hours to accommodate personal activities. Want to spend the day at the beach? No problem. Schedule your appointments in the early morning or late evening. Want to take a week off for a family trip? Go ahead. There will always be more work when you return. Prioritize Self-Care - Sunscreen for the Soul Remember, you're no good to your clients if you're stressed and burned out. Taking time for yourself isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Make sure to schedule time for relaxation and self-care. Enjoy your favorite summer activities. Spend time with loved ones. It's crucial for your mental and physical health. Remember, the goal is to make your work as a Remote Online Notary compatible with the life you want to lead, not the other way around. Summer is a time of renewal and relaxation. With a little planning, delegation, and the right systems in place, you can enjoy your summer while keeping your business humming along smoothly. So, go ahead, put on your sunhat, and let's make this summer a memorable and balanced one!

When it comes to printing a document that has been notarized online, the authentication process plays a crucial role in ensuring the document's legitimacy and integrity. 1. Digital Notarization: The first step in the authentication process involves digital notarization. This process involves the use of advanced technologies to affix a digital notary seal or signature to the document. The digital notarization process creates a tamper-evident seal that helps prevent any unauthorized modifications tothe document. 2. Certificate Authorities: To establish trust in the digital notarization process, certificate authorities (CAs) play a crucial role. CAs are trusted third-party entities that issue digital certificates used in electronic transactions. These certificates verify the authenticity of the notary's digital signature and ensure that it has not been tampered with. By relying on trusted CAs, the authentication process adds an additional layer of security and trust to the notarized document. 3. Document Hashing: To ensure the integrity of the notarized document, a process called document hashing is employed. Document hashing involves generating a unique digital fingerprint of the document using cryptographic algorithms. This fingerprint, known as a hash value, is unique to the document's content. Any modifications made to the document will result in a different hash value, making it easy to detect tampering or alterations. The hash value is typically included in the digital notary seal, providing a means to verify the document's integrity during the authentication process. 4. Verification and Document Printing: During the authentication process, the recipient or party requiring the printed document will verify its authenticity. This involves checking the digital notary seal, the digital signature, and the associated digital certificates. The recipient may use specialized software or online tools provided by the notary or a trusted authority to verify the document's integrity. Once the document has been verified, it can be safely printed, knowing that it has undergone a secure authentication process. This ensures that the printed document is an accurate representation of the digitally notarized version, providing assurance to all parties involved. 5. The papering out of an Online Notarized Document: Several states have established a designated procedure to verify the printed document's integrity and confirm that it remains unaltered from its electronic file counterpart. In states where notaries are authorized to perform true copy certification, the process typicallyinvolves the following steps: 1. The notary will print the document that was previously notarized online, ensuring that it accurately reflects the content of the electronic version. 2. The notary will securely attach a separate certificate for true copy certification to the printed document. This certificate serves as an official declaration by the notary that the printed copy is a trueand accurate replica of the original electronic file. 3. The notary will personally sign the certificate using ink and apply an ink stamp or seal to further authenticate the document. This signature and stamp affirm the notary's professional responsibility for certifying the accuracy of the copy. 4. Finally, the notary will carefully package and ship the printed document, along with the attached certificate, to the intended recipient or receiving party. This ensures that the certified copy reaches its destination in a secure and verifiable manner. Example of a Florida Compliant Authenticator Certificate: Declaration of Authenticity The attached document “Document Name”, dated “Date It was done online” and containing _X_ pages, is a true and correct copy of an electronic executed record printed by me or under my supervision. At the time of printing, no security features present on the electronic record indicated any changes or errors in an electronic signature or other information in the electronic record after the electronic record's creation or execution. In states where notaries are not authorized to perform true copy certification, the process typically follows these steps: 1. The documents that need to be certified as true copies are sent directly to the receiving party. 2. In this scenario, the notary can provide a blank loose certificate, which includes an oath or affirmation. This certificate will be attached to the printed documents by the receiving party. 3. The individual who prints the documents must sign the provided certificate in the presence of a notary. It's important to note that this step cannot be completed through remote online notarization, as it involves swearing or affirming that the printed copy attached is an exact replica of the electronic file. Example of an Ohio Compliant Authenticator Certificate: AUTHENTICATOR CERTIFICATE I certify and warrant that the foregoing and annexed paper document being presented for record, to which this certification is attached, represents a true, exact, complete, and unaltered copy of the original electronic document. The county offices of the auditor, treasurer, recorder, and others necessary to effectuate the transfer and recording of the instrument shall be entitled to rely on such certification and warranty for all purposes. Would you like to hear more about this subject? Check out the Virtual Notarization Series on Amazon by Amy Seitz:

Obtaining a certification or status of diversity within a state or qualifying category can be advantageous for small business owners in many ways. Not only can it demonstrate a commitment to diversity, but it can also provide businesses with access to a wider range of opportunities, including government contracts. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of obtaining diversity status and how businesses can use it to market themselves to local government agencies. Firstly, obtaining diversity status can provide businesses with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. It demonstrates a commitment to diversity and can help businesses stand out from their competitors. Additionally, it can provide businesses with access to a wider range of opportunities, including government contracts. Many state, federal, county, and city agencies have allotted amounts of funds that they must spend with businesses that have this certification. To obtain diversity status, businesses must meet certain criteria set forth by the state or qualifying agency. These criteria typically include ownership by members of a minority group, such as women or individuals from underrepresented communities. The specific requirements may vary by state or agency, so it's essential to research the requirements and ensure that the business meets them before applying for certification. Once a business has obtained diversity status, it can use it to market itself to local government agencies. It's important to create a marketing strategy that emphasizes the business's commitment to diversity and how it aligns with the agency's values. For example, the business could highlight how its ownership structure aligns with the agency's diversity goals. To market to local government agencies, businesses can attend local government procurement events or reach out to procurement officers directly. It's essential to have a strong understanding of the agency's procurement process, including its timeline and requirements. Additionally, businesses should be prepared to provide documentation of their diversity status and how it aligns with the agency's requirements. An example from me, during a local vendor fair, I had the chance to converse with a local city government office. I informed them that my business provides identical services to those being offered by a large corporation they were using, but with the added benefit of our diversity certification. I explained that this certification would make us eligible under their spending funds. To my surprise, the city government representative immediately responded positively, indicating their willingness to hire our business for those services. It's worth noting that many government agencies have notaries on their staff. However, when they need to outsource work, they are more likely to choose a business with diversity certification over others. This preference extends to a variety of services, including notary, fingerprinting, and courier services (just to name a few opportunities). In conclusion, obtaining diversity status can provide businesses with many benefits, including a competitive advantage in the marketplace and access to government contracts. To use diversity status to market to local government agencies, businesses must have a strong understanding of the agency's procurement process and create a marketing strategy that emphasizes the business's commitment to diversity. By doing so, businesses can increase their chances of being selected for government contracts and expand their opportunities in the marketplace. Would you like to explore further advantages of diversification? Then be sure to check out my latest book "Unlocking Opportunities: Why Obtaining Diversity Status Can Benefit Your Business," releasing on Amazon.

If you were looking for more doom and gloom about the Notary & Loan Signing Agent industries, you really opened the wrong article. This article is filled with all sorts of good business advice for those of you who are still with us or just getting started as a Notary Loan Signing Agent. Did you notice I didn't say... Notary Business Advice or Loan Signing Agent advice in that last sentence? That's because you are so much more than a Notary or Notary Loan Signing Agent. You are a business owner and it's about darn time you started thinking like one because we are really through the worst of the fall out of the interest rate hike and it's either get prepared now or leave what money is to be made on the table for those who will get prepared. Now if you haven't been to our General Mentorship on Mondays then you've missed three really great sessions this past month including: The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid, Where to Look for Business Right Now, & How to Handle the Long Haul as a Signing Agent. You should really catch up if you haven't watched them and join us each Monday at 5 pm PST / 8 EST. Just Here are 10 Business Tips That You Should Be Thinking About: Market Research Unlocks the Very First Door to Success If You Fail to Plan, Then You Plan to Fail Good Ole Benjamin Franklin said this one. And we all want to see lots of his face still to this day! It's all about the Benjamin's, isn't it? Seriously though, Goal Setting is the key to success in any business. And the good news is you can start anytime! Here's a great goal setting video for you to get ya started. Focusing On the Value of the Product or Service You Offer Will Bring You Revenue Barbara Corcoran says whatever you do be the best at it, and we agree! No Matter what you are doing in business you need to be an expert in it. And never take for granted that you will always have new things to learn. Customer Service Will Always Be Your Greatest Asset This one is personal because I often get made fun of for what seems like the overuse of Mrs., Ms., Misses., Mr., Yes Mam, and No Sir. And all I have to say is I'm not currently looking for work and I'm the one writing the article to help others. I don't say that to be cocky at all. What I mean is that I constantly live in fear of losing clients because I didn't provide excellent customer service. And I believe good customer service starts with how you make people feel. And I like to make people feel respected! Maya Angelou says it best, "people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." If you want to brush up on your customer service skills, you can start with our free Customer Service Champions sessions. Small Business Owners Must Learn to Analyze and Be Comfortable in Making Big Decisions No one can teach you to make decisions, but you make them every day. For some reason though newer business owners get that "deer in the headlights" mentality when faced with making a decision. Some of this might stem from current culture where people are used to finding the answers quickly on YouTube for many of life's problems. But unless you are a plumber, the kitchen sink isn't your business. Yes, you can learn a lot online, but you have to be able to analyze and make decisions after you research! Your Window of Success is Too Short to Learn Everything Through Experience I use this example a lot but it's so fitting for this one. If you were accidentally run over by a car, crushed a few vertebrae, and were facing back surgery. Would you choose the surgeon who just graduated but decided he was just going to learn as he went along or the one who graduated, took additional courses, and worked on a team of surgeons with more experience first before practicing by themselves? Business Owners Must Be Adaptable and Know When to Grow or Pivot I wish I was able to get this out to you prior to the downturn of the market. It's a really good one! Growth and Pivoting is a part of business. It shouldn't take a downturned market for you to start expanding your services. You should consistently be grooming your business to learn what you can do to expand. No Business Will Survive Withoutt Marketing 2-5% The general rule of thumb is that you should spend 2-5% of your revenue to market for future business. If you don't market your business, it will not grow. The People You Work with Are Not Your Friends or Family This one has a lot of meanings for me really. I like to make my colleagues feel like family, but the truth is they aren't. They don't owe me anything. We all come to work so we can go home to our own families. Learning this early on a business owner is extremely important. Business is business. You can make it feel good, but you will need that support system of real friends and family if it fails. Business Owners Can't Be Fearful This year at the 2023 Level Up conference we learned the phrase, "Do it Scared." And then we learned that fear and excitement live on the same level within us. It really just depends on which one we choose to see it as. Business owners have to be confident and unafraid in every aspect of their business. It doesn't mean that you can't delegate, that is not what I'm saying. But if you are going to delegate then you should be able to analyze, make a decision, and be confident about whom or what you are delegating it to. I bring these points up to you without trying to mention the Notary and Loan Signing Agent Industries at all because all we seem to talk about these days is being a Notary or Loan Signing Agent. That's great and all but we need to also be thinking about the bigger picture which is being successful business owners in it for the long haul. Look for more articles soon to come just geared toward owning a business in general!

Meals can be a business expense, but you must do it correctly! Here are some key tips to help you avoid making mistakes: Sit-down meals are deductible, but grab-and-go meals usually are not (unless while traveling for business) Now this doesn't mean that if you are working you can just write off meals. What it means is if you: Take a client to dinner or meet with someone to discuss business Purchase a basket of fries or coffee to use a table Or even buy something for your clients so you can conduct business You should always record the intention, attendees, date, time and amount of the meal for required documentation purposes A helpful tip is to write it on the back of the receipt and then take a picture of both sides of the receipt. Here's an acronym to help you remember what to capture. I Always Do That, Ahh! Use software tools such as NotaryAssist to maintain and organize your records, plus generate reports and logs. NotaryAssist also lets you upload copies of your receipts Work with qualified tax professionals to stay informed and up-to-date with tax laws and changes REMEMBER that in 2023, the allowable deduction for meals will return to 50% of the meal cost. This is subject to change annually. By following these guidelines, you can maximize your business deductions while staying compliant with tax laws & regulations. READ ALL OF THIS YEAR'S TAX TIPS BY CLICKING HERE: https://www.notarystars.com/blog/notary-tax-tip-space-equipment-rentals-purchases https://www.notarystars.com/blog/can-signing-agents-write-off-meals-on-taxes-yes-and-it-pays-to-eat-in-2023-as-long-as-you-do-things-properly https://www.notarystars.com/blog/mileage-for-notary-business-owners https://www.notarystars.com/blog/bad-signing-agencies-unpaid-signings-tax-tips https://www.notarystars.com/blog/tax-tips-from-sue-hope-glen-hill https://www.notarystars.com/blog/tax-tips-from-sue-hope-glen-hill-january-2023 https://www.notarystars.com/blog/your-notary-loan-signing-agent-business-tax-time

Season 1, Episode 1 “Unleashing the Power of Remote Online Notarization in Healthcare” [Theme music fades in] [Voiceover in the style of Meredith Grey] As the sirens blare and the ambulance speeds through the city streets, racing towards the emergency room with a critical patient in tow, the hospital staff braces themselves for the intense, high-stakes drama about to unfold. In this world where every second is precious, and life and death decisions are made on a daily basis, there's no room for inefficiency or delay. In the midst of this pulsating chaos, a groundbreaking innovation has emerged, ready to transform the way healthcare providers handle their processes and documentation: Remote Online Notarization (RON). RON has revolutionized the notarization of documents by harnessing the power of audio-visual technology, enabling notaries to verify signers and notarize documents remotely over the internet. In the high-octane world of healthcare, RON can help save valuable time, reduce the risk of infection, and improve patient outcomes, offering a lifeline amidst the tumult. In today's gripping episode of A Dose of Efficiency: RON Emergency, we'll delve into the unique challenges faced by the healthcare sector and explore how RON can be harnessed to address them, turning the tide in the race against the clock. Act 1: The Diagnosis The healthcare sector faces a unique set of challenges, from strict privacy and security measures to compliance with regulations like HIPAA. Add to that the necessity of accommodating individuals with disabilities and the need to maintain efficient processes in a high-pressure environment, and you've got a recipe for a high-stakes drama. Enter RON. This innovative tool has the potential to address these challenges by offering secure, efficient, and accessible notarial services. By allowing notarization to take place remotely, RON can eliminate the need for in-person visits and reduce delays in obtaining crucial documents. Act 2: The Treatment Plan In the bustling halls of our fictional hospital, patients and healthcare providers alike face a seemingly endless stream of paperwork. Healthcare documents, credentialing processes, and informed consent for medical procedures are just a few of the areas where RON can have a significant impact. When healthcare documents require notarization, RON offers a fast and secure solution. Gone are the days of patients and healthcare professionals traveling to a notary's office or waiting for a mobile notary to arrive. Now, a notary can verify signers and notarize documents remotely, saving time and reducing the risk of infection. Credentialing processes, too, can benefit from the efficiency of RON. With the ability to notarize diplomas, transcripts, and certifications electronically, healthcare professionals can complete the credentialing process faster and more conveniently than ever before. Finally, obtaining informed consent for medical procedures can be a time-consuming process, especially when notarization is required. RON offers a streamlined solution, allowing patients to provide their consent remotely, ensuring that medical procedures can proceed without unnecessary delays. Act 3: Overcoming the Complications In any gripping hospital drama, complications inevitably arise. In the world of RON, these complications come in the form of patient privacy concerns and the need for compliance with HIPAA regulations. But fear not! RON has the potential to address these complications, providing a secure and efficient solution for notarizing healthcare documents. RON's advanced identity verification methods, such as knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions and requiring government-issued IDs during the audio-visual session (or better yet by using biometrics in the states that allow this), provide an added layer of security essential for maintaining patient trust and meeting strict privacy standards. With careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to protecting patient privacy, RON can overcome these complications, ushering in a new era of efficiency and security in the healthcare industry. Act 4: The Call to Action As our hospital drama unfolds, we're reminded of the power and potential of remote online notarization in the healthcare industry. But in order to turn these success stories into widespread reality, notaries must step up and embrace the opportunities RON presents. To be part of these success stories, remote online notaries need to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the unique challenges of the healthcare sector. Here's what you can do to make a difference: Step 1: Get RON-Ready Becoming a remote online notary starts with familiarizing yourself with the laws and regulations governing RON in your state. Complete any required training, obtain the necessary certifications, and choose a secure, reliable and easy-to-navigate RON platform. Step 2: Understand the Healthcare Sector Dive deep into the world of healthcare and learn about the unique challenges and requirements this sector faces. Understand the types of documents that may need notarization, the importance of patient privacy, and the regulations that govern healthcare information, such as HIPAA. Step 3: Master the Art of RON in Healthcare Develop your expertise in performing RON for healthcare documents by honing your skills in identity verification, document handling, and electronic signatures. Stay updated on the latest technologies and best practices, and be prepared to accommodate individuals with disabilities in your notarial services. Take the initiative to learn what your state allows you to accommodate and be the notary that people come to for the best treatment. Step 4: Build Your Network Forge connections with healthcare providers, hospitals, and telemedicine companies to showcase your expertise in remote online notarization for the healthcare sector. Offer your services as a solution to the challenges they face and help them streamline their processes, improve efficiency, and enhance patient care. Act 5: The Happy Ending As the curtain falls on today’s episode, we envision a bright future where remote online notarization plays a crucial role in revolutionizing the healthcare industry. By embracing RON, notaries can help healthcare providers save time, reduce risks, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. But the journey doesn't end here. As technology continues to evolve, new developments and innovations will emerge, offering even more opportunities for notaries to make a difference in the healthcare sector. So, as the credits roll, we encourage you, the notaries, to take up the mantle, embrace the power of remote online notarization, and make your mark on the healthcare industry. The future is waiting, and it's time to write the next chapter of this compelling drama. [Theme music fades in] The End.

I needed a mobile printer to be able to take jobs on the go but didn’t want to connect directly to my car’s battery. So, this is what I did. I’m using a Brother 5200 Dual Tray printer btw. I purchased: a Marine Battery from for $79 to around $99.00. a Battery Box from Amazon for around $12.00 a Pure Sine 2000W 12V from Amazon for around $212.00. a trickle charger to maintain the battery bought at Amazon for $58.00 a Bestek 300-Watt Pure Sine Power inverter Car Adapter DC 12V to AC 110V for around for $49.99. The 2000W inverter is connected to the battery as is the trickle charger. The charger is connected to the 300W invertor. The 300W invertor is connected to the 12V outlet DC Connector (cigarette lighter). All of this is well secured to the car so it will not move in case of impact. I can also use either of those inverters to plug in my Brother ADS-1250W portable scanner for the times I’m unable to scan from the signer’s home. I know that an expense of $430.00 seems high. However, in a matter of just 3 months it has more than paid for itself.