Why is it so important to track your business mileage as a Notary Public Business owner and how and how should you do it? Tracking your mileage for business purposes can help you SAVE money on taxes by claiming deductions for business related travel. Here are three tips! Tip 1 – Record your odometer reading on Jan 1st – then again on December 31st by doing so will help you calculate how many miles you drove your vehicle in that year. Tip 2 – Separate business miles out from personal miles. You will need diligent records of your business travel. Tip 3 – Create a Trip or Mileage Log – containing the date and total mileage of business trips in chronological order. NotaryAssist can save time and effort for notaries who would otherwise have to manually track their business mileage and calculate their deductions. With the ability to customize how milage is tracked; Odometer to odometer, Total Mileage or Auto-calculate, NotaryAssist generates mileage logs and mileage reports for tax time. Additionally, having a reliable system for tracking mileage can help ensure accuracy and compliance with tax 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

Are you ready for round two? After the overwhelming response to our first list of unique industries to target for your remote online notary (RON) business, we're back with 10 more! If you thought the first list was fun and intriguing, you're in for a treat. With these new industries, you'll continue to diversify your RON clientele, discover new opportunities, and make your mark in previously untapped markets. So, let's dive into another set of fun and approachable marketing strategies to help you conquer these industries! Renewable Energy - Harness the power of the renewable energy sector by offering your RON services to eco-conscious companies. To market your services in this green industry, create content showcasing your expertise in handling permits, contracts, and equipment purchase agreements. Attend renewable energy conferences and networking events to build connections and engage with potential clients who value sustainability. E-commerce - Tap into the ever-growing world of e-commerce by offering RON services to online retailers and businesses. Create targeted marketing campaigns highlighting the convenience and efficiency of remote online notarization for supplier agreements, international shipping documentation, and other crucial e-commerce documents. Collaborate with e-commerce platforms, and consider offering exclusive promotions for their users. Event Planning - Party planners, rejoice! Your RON services can help event planners and vendors manage notarized contracts, permits, and insurance documents with ease. To market your services to this lively industry, showcase your ability to handle event-specific documentation through engaging social media posts, targeted email campaigns, and by attending industry events. Offer flexible appointment times to accommodate the hectic schedules of event planners and vendors. Aerospace and Aviation - Reach for the stars by marketing your RON services to the aerospace and aviation industries. Highlight your expertise in handling contracts, licenses, and regulatory compliance documents in your marketing materials. Attend industry conferences, join aviation-related LinkedIn groups, and build connections with professionals in the sector to showcase your understanding of their unique notarization needs. Agriculture and Farming - Cultivate new opportunities in the agriculture and farming industry by offering your RON services to rural clients. Emphasize the convenience and efficiency of remote online notarization for clients with limited access to traditional notary services. Create targeted campaigns that address specific farming-related notarization needs, and partner with agricultural organizations to build trust and establish your expertise in the field. Military and Defense - Serve those who serve our nation by offering RON services to military personnel and defense contractors. Highlight the accessibility and security of your services, catering to the unique needs of these professionals, whether they are stationed domestically or abroad. Collaborate with military support organizations and attend industry events to build connections and showcase your dedication to supporting our armed forces. Telecommunications - Connect with the telecommunications industry by providing RON services for contracts, licensing, and regulatory compliance documents. To market your services to this fast-paced sector, create targeted social media campaigns, offer webinars on the benefits of remote notarization, and attend industry conferences to network with professionals in the field. Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals - Contribute to the world of cutting-edge research and innovation by offering your RON services to biotech and pharmaceutical companies. To market your services in this industry, create content that showcases your expertise in handling research agreements, clinical trial documentation, and intellectual property matters. Attend industry events and join professional organizations to network with potential clients and demonstrate your commitment to supporting their groundbreaking work. Film and Television Production - Lights, camera, notarize! Offer your RON services to film and television production companies that require notarized documents for location permits, talent and crew contracts, and distribution agreements. To market your services to this creative industry, create engaging social media campaigns featuring behind-the-scenes content, collaborate with production companies, and attend film festivals and industry events to network with potential clients. Emphasize your ability to accommodate the unique scheduling and location challenges faced by production professionals. Food and Beverage - Add some flavor to your RON business by targeting the food and beverage industry. Restaurants, bars, and food manufacturers may need notarized documents for licensing, health and safety compliance, and contracts with suppliers. To market your services to this appetizing sector, create food-themed content, attend industry events, and collaborate with culinary influencers. Showcase your ability to provide efficient and secure notarizations that meet the specific needs of food and beverage businesses. And there you have it, another 10 non-traditional industries to target for your remote online notary business! With these new industries, the possibilities for growth and diversification are virtually endless. As you continue to explore these untapped markets, you'll not only expand your RON business but also forge connections with fascinating clients from all walks of life. Remember, the key to successful marketing in these industries is to be fun, approachable, and encouraging. Each industry has its unique challenges and requirements, so take the time to understand their specific needs and tailor your services accordingly. To quote Roger Ebert, “We are put on this planet only once, and to limit ourselves to the familiar is a crime against our minds.” Start thinking outside the box. Just because no one in the industry has ever tried cultivating business in these ways before doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Be creative! Carve out a piece of the notary pie that is your very own! And don’t forget, Rome wasn’t built in a day. There will be trial and error, but the payoff is likely worth it in your newly specialized niche. Go ahead, let your RON business take flight, and watch as your notary services continue to make a difference in these diverse industries!

Every mobile business that deals with sensitive documents needs a mobile printer and a mobile scanner. If you are newer to your field you may try to skimp by with phone scanners but if you are a Notary Public, Loan Signing Agent, or working with any type of important legal documents you are truly going to want to invest in an easy-to-use portable scanner that provides clear quality scans. Especially if you are working with Title and Escrow documents. The scanners we have listed here have been purchased by Notary Stars or Notary Stars Members. Although the links below are affiliate links, this is how we keep fresh new content coming to the site regularly. We promise to never put items on our site that we have not invested in ourselves! Here Are the Top Rated Mobile Scanners by Notary Stars for 2023! Check it Out on Amazon Epson Workforce ES-400 II Color Duplex Desktop Document Scanner for PC and Mac, with Auto Document Feeder (ADF) and Image Adjustment Tools Starting at around $289 Epson Workforce ES-500W II Wireless Color Duplex Desktop Document Scanner for PC and Mac, with Auto Document Feeder (ADF) and Scan from Smartphone or Tablet Starting at around $319 The Massimo portable power station is the perfect way to keep your electronics charged while you're on the go. See it on Amazon Did You Need a Mobile Printer As Well? Check Out Our Suggestions Here

Notary Public and Loan Signing Agents absolutely have to have the best Laser Jet Printers (never Ink Jet Printers) to navigate their Mobile Notary Public Businesses. Notary Stars is happy to make the following recommendations for printers we've actually purchased or used in the recent past. We'll always do our best to keep this list updated. Please note that the items below do contain affiliate links, which is how we also keep information like this, free and public! We never post things on our site that we also haven't spent our hard-earned money on as well. Here Are the Top-Rated Home Office Printers by Notary Stars for Signing Agents See it on AmazonBrother Monochrome Laser Printer, HL-L5200DWT, Duplex Printing / Dual Tray / w Wireless Networking See it on AmazonBrother HL-L6200DWT Wireless Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex Printing and Dual Paper Trays (Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready) Starting at $399 See it on AmazonBrother Monochrome Laser Multifunction All-in-One Printer, MFC-L5700DW, Flexible Network Connectivity, Mobile Printing & Scanning, Duplex Printing, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready, Black Starting at $439 and requires and additional purchase for an additional tray. See it on Amazon Brother Printer LT5500 Tray Starting at around $139 Here Are the Top-Rated Mobile Printers by Notary Stars for Signing Agents See it on AmazonBrother HL-L2300D Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex Printing Starting at $119 See it on AmazonThe Massimo portable power station is the perfect way to keep your electronics charged while you're on the go. We Also Highly Recommend Purchasing Your Toner and Drums from V4INK on Amazon If you decide to go with the Single Paper Tray route you might need Page Separator And here's a great video from Notaries around the country and how they set up their equipment.

If you're running a remote online notary (RON) business, you've likely tapped into the traditional, but somewhat floundering, market of real estate. Or you may have tried, with limited success, to break into the world of legal services. But what if we told you there are other industries out there, just waiting for your notary expertise? There are people out there right now that need your services that don’t even know they need them. That's right, we've compiled a list of 10 non-traditional industries that could greatly benefit from RON services. So buckle up, get ready for an exciting ride, and let's explore some fun and approachable marketing strategies for your RON business! Maritime and Offshore Industries - Ahoy, Matey! As a remote online notary, you can be a beacon of hope for those working in the maritime and offshore industries. With limited access to traditional notary services, these professionals will treasure your convenience and efficiency. To market your services to this unique niche, consider creating ocean-themed promotional materials or hosting virtual networking events for maritime professionals. Don't forget to emphasize the ease of completing notarizations from anywhere, even on the high seas! Sports and Entertainment - Lights, camera, notarize! Athletes, entertainers, and agents need notarized documents for contracts and other agreements. To market your RON services to this glamorous industry, create eye-catching social media campaigns and target influencer partnerships. Offer flexible appointment times to accommodate busy schedules and showcase your ability to notarize documents securely and efficiently, even when clients are on the road or between gigs. Insurance - Let's face it; the insurance industry can be a bit of a maze. Help clients navigate the paperwork with ease by offering RON services for their insurance needs. To reach this market, consider partnering with local insurance agencies or hosting webinars to educate agents about the benefits of remote notarization. Emphasize the convenience and security of your services, making it clear that you're the go-to notary professional for insurance matters. Franchising - Calling all franchise enthusiasts! Remote online notarization can be a game-changer for franchisees and franchisors alike. When marketing your RON services to this industry, focus on the benefits of streamlining the franchise agreement process. You can create a franchise-focused blog, share success stories, or offer exclusive promotions for those in the franchising world. Remember, you're helping to pave the way for entrepreneurial dreams to come true! Nonprofit Organizations - Nonprofit organizations have a special place in our hearts, and they need notary services too! When marketing to nonprofits, emphasize your commitment to supporting their missions by offering special rates or partnering with them for events. There is nothing more fulfilling than community outreach (and it looks great on a resume, just like when entering college). Create content that showcases your expertise in handling grant applications, board resolutions, and other nonprofit-specific notarization needs. They'll appreciate your dedication to their cause, and you'll feel great about making a difference! Human Resources - HR professionals are the unsung heroes of the corporate world, juggling countless responsibilities. Show them some love by offering RON services to help with employment verifications, background checks, and other employee-related documents. To market your services to HR departments, create targeted LinkedIn campaigns, offer webinars on how RON can simplify HR processes, and emphasize your ability to provide quick, secure notarizations. Intellectual Property - Eureka! It's time to tap into the innovative world of intellectual property. Inventors, patent holders, and copyright owners need notarized documents for their brilliant ideas. To market your RON services to this creative bunch, craft content showcasing your expertise in handling patent applications, trademark registrations, and other IP-related notarizations. Consider attending industry events and partnering with intellectual property attorneys or innovation centers to build your network in this niche market. Art and Collectibles - Add a splash of color to your RON business by targeting the vibrant world of art and collectibles! High-value transactions often require notarized documents to verify provenance, ownership, and authenticity. To make a name for yourself in this industry, collaborate with art galleries, auction houses, and appraisers, and create visually striking marketing materials that highlight your expertise in handling art-related notarizations. Remember, you're helping to protect and preserve priceless treasures! Travel and Hospitality - Pack your bags and set sail into the world of travel and hospitality! With visas, travel permissions, and other legal matters requiring notarized documents, your RON services can provide much-needed convenience to globetrotters and travel businesses alike. And don’t forget the expatriates and US Citizens living abroad! To market your services to this industry, create travel-themed content for your website and social media channels, collaborate with travel agencies or hotels to promote your RON services, and consider joining Facebook groups for US Nationals living overseas. Emphasize your ability to notarize documents quickly and securely, no matter where your clients may roam. Technology and Startups - Ready to dive into the fast-paced world of tech and startups? These innovative businesses often require notarized documents for incorporation, funding agreements, and contracts. To market your RON services to this cutting-edge industry, create a strong online presence through targeted social media campaigns, industry-specific blog content, and collaboration with startup incubators and coworking spaces. Be sure to emphasize the convenience and security of your services, allowing tech entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best – changing the world! And let’s face it… if anyone should understand how to use technology, this is the group that will have your back. So in conclusion, venturing into non-traditional industries can add an exciting dimension to your remote online notary business, providing fresh opportunities for growth and collaboration. By targeting these 10 unique industries, you can showcase the versatility and value of your RON services, while having a blast discovering new markets and meeting fascinating clients. So, what are you waiting for? Get your creative marketing juices flowing, and let the fun begin! Embrace the adventure, and watch your RON business thrive in these exciting, untapped markets.

The increasing demand for remote online notary services has given rise to various RON software platforms. These platforms provide a convenient way for people to get their documents notarized without having to be physically present before a notary public. While this development is certainly a welcome one, it also raises some concerns about the availability of RON notaries. With the influx of new RON software platforms, it makes one wonder if we are entering an age where there simply aren't enough RON notaries to go around. There could be two reasons for the potential shortage of RON notaries. Firstly, the demand for their services may be outpacing the number of notaries who are trained to offer them. Not every notary public is authorized to provide remote online notary services, as additional training and certification may be required. Secondly, some notaries may be hesitant to transition into the digital realm of notarization, which could contribute to the shortage of RON notaries. As a result, there may be a limited number of notaries who are qualified to provide RON services, which can create a bottleneck in the notarization process. Another factor that could contribute to a shortage of RON notaries is the competition among RON software platforms. As more and more companies enter the market, they will need to attract notaries to their platform in order to provide notary services to their customers. If the number of notaries remains fixed while the number of companies vying for their services increases, this could lead to a situation where there aren't enough notaries to meet the demand. Underhanded marketing tactics are starting to rise in the competition among remote online notary (RON) software platforms. Such tactics may include poaching notaries from competitors through cold-calling or spreading false claims about the competition in fictitious blog posts. This type of marketing approach can lead to an unprofessional work environment where notaries are frequently subjected to unsolicited solicitations from multiple companies. Moreover, it can result in notaries signing up for platforms based on inaccurate information provided by these marketing campaigns, which can cause them to misunderstand the features and requirements of the platform. Notary Stars has added to this article with a warning for all Notaries interested in RON by stating they feel it is very important at this time to make sure you are choosing a RON Platform that is owned and operated by a US company and not from an overseas vendor. Underhanded tactics not only create a negative image of the RON industry but also raise concerns about the ethics of the companies involved. Notaries who are caught in the middle of this tug-of-war between RON platforms may find it difficult to navigate this competitive landscape, which could ultimately lead to a shortage of notaries. As more companies enter the market, it is essential that they maintain ethical marketing practices and avoid using tactics that are misleading or dishonest. This will ensure that notaries are not swayed by false claims and that they are able to provide the best service to their clients. As a RON notary, it is important to be cautious of platforms that use underhanded sales tactics to gain your subscription. Not only do these tactics create an unprofessional environment, but they can also be a red flag indicating that the platform may be struggling financially. If a company is resorting to unethical marketing practices to attract notaries, it may be a sign that they are not doing well and are looking for any way to generate revenue. Finally, if a platform is using underhanded sales tactics, it may be a sign that they do not value their notaries as they should. A company that values its notaries will focus on providing a high-quality platform and will be transparent about its marketing efforts. By contrast, a company that uses unethical marketing practices may view notaries as little more than a commodity to be exploited for their own benefit. This can lead to a toxic work environment and a lack of trust between the notary and the platform, and the customers you serve. Ultimately, RON notaries should be cautious of platforms that use underhanded sales tactics and focus on working with companies that value their expertise and treat them fairly.

This month's General Mentorship that talked about Slow to Pay and Non-Paying Signing Agencies which sparked a great question- are Notaries allowed to write-off bad debts like we hear about at other companies? We are not Tax professionals here at Notary Stars so we reached out to our good friends at Notary Assist and to Glen Hill, The Tax Lady to get an answer and here is what we found out: Notaries cannot write off bad debt because they don't actually have a loss (although you may beg to differ) because our businesses are on a cash basis and not an accrual basis. Cash basis lets businesses record income and expenses only when cash is actually received or paid. Accrual accounting involves tracking income and expenses as they are incurred (when an invoice is sent, or a bill received) instead of when money actually changes hands. An unpaid invoice on a cash-based method of accounting cannot be written off as a bad debt. Essentially, the notary cannot include it as income since they were never paid, and therefore did not pay taxes on that income either. Most (if not all) accounting software allows us to identify it as an uncollectable invoice. Now, the good news is we can still write off the cost for mileage, supplies, and applicable expenses. In other words, we cannot write it off as bad debt BUT & AND we get to write off expenses associated with it even if we never received payment. It some cases, this is a better write off than the bad debt process, including proving to the IRS our documented collection efforts. Some notaries may think we can write if off because some small businesses get to write off returns. However, we do not provide merchandise or products that can be returned. We provide a service to the public and having unpaid invoices does come with the industry. This is even more of a reason to be diligent in our record-keeping for all of our expenses as business owners. 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

Yelp.com is one massive business directory! You almost have to be on it to maximize your Internet presence. And for some it is very scary to think about listing with YELP because of the horror stories they hear. In 2019, the film BILLION DOLLAR BULLY, available on Amazon, addresses a lot of these fears, but we are really here to address fearlessly listing with YELP and how you can bite back at bigger Internet Giants like YELP by harnessing their Internet presence and not paying a dime. First of all, let us explain something. Currently, in 2023 Yelp is valued at 2.10 billion dollars and it gets 90% of its revenue from advertisers who don't understand they can easily do what it does with a website made on Wix.com. Their power, and appeal, isn't in their revenue though (as impressive as it is). Yelps power resides in its Search Engine Optimization (SEO). We double dog dare you to Google just about any business type with the words near me in it and you'll most likely see the first three Google Business Listings from Google My Business, a sponsored ad or two, and then Yelps directory. Yelp doesn't really make its money from advertising if you ask us, Yelp makes its revenue from those who think that building a website is difficult and that you have to be some sort of tech genius to understand SEO. Ronnie Mickle, owner of Unlimited Ink Notary and NotaryStars.com (a niche directory for Notary Loan Signing Agents) has built many websites smaller than Yelp that can outrank the Internet giant and he teaches Notaries weekly within his niche just how to do that- and for much less cost than paying for costly Yelp ads! Still there is an old saying, "if you can't beat them, join them," and even though you can out rank Yelp yourself without paying any money you still can, and should, utilize their directory for two very important reasons. First, because they provide a healthy backlink to your website pulling you up in search rankings almost immediately. And second, because while your website is gaining SEO their marketing team will be working around the clock to bring you in customers. Here's a free video on how to set up and maximize your Yelp Business Listing but don't forget to continue reading the article on why after you set up your listing you shouldn't pay YELP a dime (at least for now). Within hours or days after you sign up for YELP you are going to get a call from one of their highly trained market managers. Or that is at least how they'll refer to themselves. They are going to tell you they have statistics for businesses just like yours, but the question is, do they really have those statistics? We've never seen any real ones when we inquire about them after setting up listings. We just get the "we'll get back to you." speech and they never do. They are going to be asking you to run Ads on Yelp or purchase things to "make you stand out," like a company logo. You don't need any of their ad ons for your listing to function properly at this time and here's why you should definitely not purchase Yelp Ads and only use their free listings for whatever traffic you can get. #1) Yelp Ads seems to run 24/7 currently as opposed to Google Ads where you can schedule what time they run. There is no point running an ad at 2 am for a client you can't pick up the phone for or answer an email for most small businesses. Especially if you work in services that are generally needed yesterday, so to speak. This means you are paying for clicks while you are sleeping and not while you are working and wasting your marketing budget. This is one of the hard stops, but there's more! #2) Yelp Ads seem to group small businesses at the Top-level categories of the site. So let's say Notaries are often grouped into advertisements with Attorneys (which are two different things). That's because of where the top level resides. Why would you pay for invalid clicks in a directory? #3) Yelp uses questionable ethical SEO Practices to drive members into their site. Google loves lists and ratings. So the first way they draw members in is with Meta Tags and Meta descriptions like "The Top 10 _________ Near Your City." When you click to enter Yelp as a consumer you only get a list sorted by distance, not the actual Top 10. So, working hard for those reviews and paying YELP to advertise you first isn't working there. And, if someone has less, or not as good, reviews as you, they can still show before you as long as they pay money. Yelp also has a metatag they use often that says "THE TOP FREE _______ NEAR YOUR CITY." Now there may be some not for profits out there so we aren't saying never but if you are reading this you are most likely not operating your business for free. Which means they are bringing in users through organic search who might be looking for free or reduced cost services but then charging you top dollar for their clicks on your ads when those users won't hire you because you are charging them. THIS IS QUESTIONABLY ETHICAL BECAUSE THEY ARE MISLEADING THE ORGANIC USER BY ABUSING GOOGLE'S ALGORITHM BUT THEN CHARGING YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR A CLICK (ALL WHILST DOING ITEMS 1 AND 2 A THE SAME TIME). Here is proof they are doing this. This screenshot was taking on 3-23-22. If they are doing it to Notaries, they are doing it to all businesses out there. Our site works no differently than Yelp and their Meta Tags are dynamic. The best way to list on Yelp until they change their practices is to only go for their free listing, let the rep call you once, politely decline any offers, don't take any of their "free" offerings, obtain the healthy backlink form them, get that free Internet traffic and joining a course like Notary Stars + Marketing to learn how to out rank them. And then ditch them! Sources: Google Finance - Stock Market Prices, Real-time Quotes & Business News Yelp Inc. (YELP) Market Cap & Net Worth - Stock Analysis Yelp Business Model - How Does Yelp Make Money? (businessmodelanalyst.com) Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links, specifically for Amazon, which links to Billion Dollar Bully. We use affiliate links wisely here at NotaryStars.com as they help us keep free content like this coming to you!

I sometimes chuckle at the things I see when it comes to marketing a Notary Business. I mean, the past two years I've seen so many people charging $75 to $150 to help Notaries master Google My Business. One person out there claims they are a so good at Google My Business that they can retail their Google My Business course for $800 in value. Of course, that's why they had to make it 92% off on a Black Friday sale to sell it because even they know that it was total BS. I mean, come on, for $800 you could run an entire year of effective Google Ads that would pay for themselves. Anyway, I'm writing this article because I want to help you with ten tips that every Notary Business owner should consider implementing. Rome wasn't built in a day, and you won't be able to complete these in a day. But bookmark the page, print it out, and make your own checklist to complete them. #1) Make Sure You Are Listed Where You Could Actually Get Hired There are five types of listing out there that you need to be aware of: Notary Management Databases like- SigningOrder.com, Snapdocs.com, ZigSig.com Notary Directories like - NotaryStars.com, 123Notary.com, NotaryRotary.com, Hybrid Directories and Scheduling Platforms like- NotaryCafe.com Free Business Listings like- Google My Business, Yelp, and Next Door Social Media Listings like- Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Pages, and TikTok This alone is a lot of ground and you can't be afraid of what you don't know. You just need to make sure you are listed in these places and your profiles are written out well! I actually meet Notaries daily who still haven't completed 1/4th of this entire list alone. #2) Showcase what makes your Notary Business different whether you are a in a saturated market or not on your resumes, business cards, websites, and profiles. Make sure you are listing your training from Notary Stars, Notary2Pro, Laura Biewer, Judi Lawrence, Bill Soroka, Signing Agent Basics. And showcase what you learned in each course! But don't forget to also showcase your equipment such as mobile printers, mobile scanners, etc. These are important items for onlookers. Credentials are really everything in a highly competitive market and you want to flex your competitive muscles. If you still don't understand how having a mobile printer and scanner affects how many orders you may get from Signing Agencies you should take a look under the hood of SigningOrder.com and Snapdocs.com because both of them have filters to not even show orders to those who don't have mobile printing and mobile scanning capabilities. It's something that is kind of hard to fake as well because if you mark yourself having these and then aren't able to produce like you do- you'll wind up on a Notary Blacklist for sure. Check out Are You Really A Mobile Notary & if not, visit our Notary Resource Center for suggestions on equipment #3) Make sure you have a website that is actually working for you, and you understand Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Having a Website to expand your Notary Loan Signing Agent business is essential these days. Google My Business and Yelp don't get all of the traffic. Consider the Internet like a new age rolodex. Google usually shows the first three businesses nearest the consumer, then a yelp page (which many avoid) and you have the chance to knock off Yelp and all others with a great website. You can also control your pages to come up for particular search. For instance, I personally have the first page that comes up most of the time when you Google Jail Notary Phoenix and land on the first page for Hospital Notary Phoenix. Google Pages provided in Google My Business won't gain you great optimization, if any at all. They are meant to be a part of that function of Google My Business. The only people who will ever see it are the people you send there. If you already own a website but don't understand Search Engine Optimization, I highly recommend taking my A La Cart Marketing Course: THE ONLY NOTARY SEO COURSE YOU'LL EVER NEED #4) Do not limit yourself to only Loan Signing Agent work. Abraham Zamora and I, have done a great deal of Podcast about expanding your Notary work to more than just Loan Signings. If you are looking for some inspiration, please consider listening to the Podcast: THE BEAUTY OF OWNING A NOTARY BUSINESS. #5) Do not wait for business to come to you, call, email, and walk-in. When working with Signing Agencies, I give this tip often. Keep track of who is sending you the most business in your area and then go after those companies first. However, you are never going to be paid what you want if you don't walk into Title Companies and let them know you exist. I did an entire 3-part series called Direct Business which you can purchase at: THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY OF DIRECT MARKETING Lots of Escrow Officers love to make personal relationships with Notaries locally and then use Signing Agencies for their Nationwide business. There's a client waiting for you today! #6) Attend the right kind of conferences that will actually get you business! One reason that I don't have a Notary Stars Conference is because you would be spending a lot of money to travel to it and money while you are there. We already charge a monthly fee and although I'm asked to have anyone anyway- they are expensive and I don't want to go through hiring vendors just to sell you things that you might not need. That's what conferences are designed for. Now I can understand a first year Notary Loan Signing Agent, or even second year, attending the National Notary Assocation Conference. However, I encourage all Notaries to spend their travel dollars for conferences on their local Escrow Assocation Conferences which are generally cheaper, closer, and can get you in touch with real Escrow Officers in your area! You can meet, shake hands, pass out swag, and business cards. And if you live in an area where it's costly (like California) see item 10! #7) Collect Reviews Like a 5th Grader Collects Pokémon Cards! You should be collecting reviews on Google, Notary Stars, Yelp, and Next Door every chance you get! We put out a great Commuitip this year on how you can turn a simple lanyard into a review magnet. We recently did a test on Google with a Notary who was getting no business. So we got her some reviews and then the phone started ringing. Oh, and haven't you ever seen the button on Google Business or Yelp that says, "sort by reviews." It's there for a reason! Checkout Notary Public ID Lanyards with a Twist #8) Learn how to properly run ads online such as Google Ads, Instagram Ads, and even TikTok. Google offers extensive training for new ads accounts. Don't get me wrong- you need to know what you are doing, or you can run up a bill. But with a little time and effort you can make a good profit off of a little investment. I also go over this in my marketing course at Notary Stars. Instagram and TikTok make it even easier. And, they are super affordable! #9) Ask your friends and family effectively to support you and do one action item for you. They say it's much easier to turn a client into a friend than a friend into a client- which is so true! That's why I started writing what I need my friends and family to post on social media for them and supplying the images. You can do this too! I also often send pages of my website to friends to ask them to review the content for spelling errors but secretly I am just having them click on the pages to get better rankings. And don't be afraid to tell them exactly who you need to connect with. For instance, there's not a person that knows me that doesn't know I'm a headhunter for Realtors, Title/Escrow Officers, Loan Officers, and certain types of Attorneys. I shamelessly make it a part of my conversations! #10) Formulate or Join a Reliable Notary Networking Group Formulating a Notary Group is so important on so many levels. For instance, you can divide up cost on important events like a conference. You can go in and share your group at a conference and split supplies or swag cost. We did a whole session on the importance of a Notary Networking Group. If you missed it, check it out here: Increase Your Notary Business by Creating Notary Teams

It can be terribly frustrating for Notary Signing Agents (NSA), especially newer NSA's, when it comes to slower paying and non-paying Signing Agencies. One of the things Notary Stars does to help this is offering two really nice features like our Signing Agency Blacklist and our Signing Agency Reviews for our members. The best defense for all of us is to try to avoid bad Signing Agencies. However, there is still work that needs to be done on the Notary Signing Agent's side to know a few things like: When To Complain No matter what you think or feel you can only begin a complaint with a Signing Agency when the payment terms you've agreed to are passed. Until that day there is absolutely no argument that you can make that will make that Signing Agency or Title Company look bad to any of their clients as it's easily provable that you are just disgruntled and out of line. So, you truly need to make sure you are outside of your payment terms. If your complaint is that a company is slow to pay but they do pay within their payment terms, there is no valid complaint to be made and only a personal opinion. If you do not wish to accept a company's payment terms you can simply choose not to work with them or only work with them when you feel that it's a good fit (like filling in your calendar gaps). Try not to burn bridges with slow paying companies because you'll need them if you wind up in "Amrock Jail," or during a downturned market. We suggest as soon as you create a client in your accounting software that you set their payment terms up, so you know when their invoices are due by their promise to pay by dates. And, of course, you always need to keep that W9 you have updated! How To Complain Per the Signing Agent Code of Conduct we all agree to when we become a Certified Signing Agent through the National Notary Assocation- we are not allowed to complain, or seek payment, from any party except the assigning party. Title and Escrow companies are not going to write a second check and will always insist you contact the Signing Agency they contracted. This is because the funds are generally pulled from the transaction at the time of closing and they can't charge that client again. You can, however, make an inquiry of the party that contracted the assigning party to see if the payment for your order has been made. Unfortunately, this is all you can ask or confirm, and we suggest you do no more than that! But that gives you enough information to know if the company you need payment from should have the funds they owe you. Please do not take it any further than just asking for confirmation if payment has been issued... that could be considered harassment. If your payment has been issued, and only if you are outside of the agreed payment terms, then you can send a demand letter. We do suggest your letter to be polite and understanding. Example: Dear Assigning Party, I have realized we are now outside of the payment terms we agreed to for payment and I am requesting either payment be rendered, or a response letting me know why my payment is late, or when it will be sent. I am willing to work with you on payment if needed, however, I would appreciate one of these three types of responses within 7 business days. Who To Complain To Every single State has individual laws on how to follow up on bad debt and you absolutely must follow these laws or else you could wind up in big trouble. This is something you should research on your own, but these little simple rules should help you. You should only call or email inside their posted business hours and if they aren't posted then use 9 am to 5 pm to ensure that you are inside of the law. You should also only make calls or emails on business days, never on weekends! Always be polite. Do not be excessive or make threats. Keep a log or proof of your attempts of calls by screenshotting your attempts or use your phone records when the time comes to show you've made a healthy positive effort to collect. Do not practice legal jargon if you are not an attorney! Even if you know a law you should not quote the law or try to use it. Only an Attorney working for you should do that. If you ever did go to court with the entity this could have your case dismissed. Only follow up after the payment terms are broken, then give a time to respond, and only send three payment demands maximum 30 days apart. If you State, you will take action such as reporting to the credit agencies or attorney generals' offices you must follow through with it. Making empty threats can also have cases dismissed or get you into trouble for making threats. BELIEVE US, WE LOOKED INTO THIS CLOSELY! Where To Complain You start first with the assigning party. You can also use services like Legal Shield, but we haven't seen much luck from it actually working here at Notary Stars (and yes, we tested how it works). Leaving Google and Yelp Reviews won't actually help you because all of these reviews will be removed if the party you leave the review about reports you as an employee or contractor which is outside the terms of those review sites that you also agree to when posting reviews (it's all in the fine print). Leaving post in Notary Cafe, Notary Rotary, and Notary Forums may alert other Notaries but it won't help you get payment either. To be honest, the clients that hire Signing Agencies won't see these post. The biggest message you can send after three polite attempts is to contact the Attorney General's Office to inform them about the company in the State where the company resides or is registered. This can prevent companies from continuing to operate if they are hurting others or prevent them from starting a new business with a new name in the future. Each State has an Attorney General's office that will hear you complaints and will investigate companies that don't pay their contractors. You can encourage other Notaries with the same problem to do the same. If you are interested in watching the mentoring session where we went over this LIVE you can watch the replay at: Checkout the following resources that go with this article: Read the Blog: https://www.notarystars.com/blog/are-... Blacklist of Bad Signing Agencies (Members Only): https://www.notarystars.com/blacklist... Signing Agency Reviews (Members Only): https://www.notarystars.com/company_r... Topics from this video: Collecting on unpaid invoices Notarize 24/7 - California has stopped paying Cali Attorney General contact info Insurance for Bad debt? Write-off Bad Debt Illegal requests from Signing Service Hybrid Certificates

Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) is a security process that verifies a user's identity by asking them to answer specific questions that only they should know the answer to. This process is often used in situations where a user needs to verify their identity before accessing sensitive information, such as when logging into a bank account, accessing medical records, or performing a remote online notarization. The goal of KBA is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information by verifying that the user is who they claim to be. The process works by asking the user a series of questions that only they should know the answer to, such as their mother's maiden name or the name of their first pet. The answers to these questions are often used to verify the user's identity and grant them access to the requested information. While KBA can be effective in verifying a user's identity, it is not without its limitations. One of the biggest challenges with KBA is that the answers to the questions can sometimes be guessed or obtained through social engineering tactics. For example, an attacker might be able to obtain the answers to KBA questions by researching the user's social media profiles or contacting them directly and pretending to be a legitimate source. KBA has a drawback where the questions asked may be too intricate or hard to answer, causing inconvenience for users who may forget the answer. This can lead to frustration and prevent users from accessing the information they require. However, despite these limitations, KBA continues to be an essential security measure for safeguarding sensitive information. In real estate transactions, KBA is still the most accepted form of ID proofing (adding to the ID Credential Analysis), even though some notaries have other legally available methods at their disposal. During remote online notarization, the signer is required to answer a 5-question quiz with a passing score of 80% within a two-minute window. The standard protocol in most states is that signers are permitted to attempt the KBA quiz twice within a 24-hour period. If the client fails both attempts, the notary is required to wait 24 hours before attempting to verify the signer again. In case the signer is unable to wait for the mandated 24-hour period, they can opt for a different notary. Alternatively, if the current notary is legally permitted to do so, they can use the oath of credible witness. It is illegal for the current notary to switch to a different platform and have the signer redo the KBA quiz before the mandated 24-hour period is over. In addition, it is important for notaries to be aware that certain RON platforms may require signers to provide their social security number to access KBA questions, even though KBA can be generated from sources other than credit history. Keeping this in mind is essential for ensuring a smooth transaction for the notary's potential client base. In conclusion, knowledge-based authentication is an important security measure for protecting sensitive information. While it is not perfect, it can be effective in verifying a user's identity and preventing unauthorized access. Apart from KBA, the client is also required to undergo ID credential analysis (further details on this will follow). If you enjoyed this newsletter and are interested in learning more about KBA, be sure to check out my Virtual Notarization series available on Amazon.

Ohio Notary Laws are updating – Effective April 3, 2023! Ohio Senate Bill 131 will go into effect on April 3, 2023, and will create a new element with a person’s ability to become an Ohio Notary! This new aspect of qualification allows for any notary public, in any other state, who meets these minimum requirements: Has had their commission for at least one year in the other state, and Is in good standing within their own jurisdiction, and Has completed all the required training for their current state, and Has completed the 3-hour training course & passed the exam for Ohio, and Does not have any disqualifying offenses. Now, what does that mean for you? It appears that many Notaries are reading this and going “oh man yes!” without realizing there are still some limits to this aspect. What it DOES NOT MEAN is that you could become an Ohio Notary Public and perform notarizations while in your home state. Example: Jim is a notary in California, California does not allow remote online notarization yet. Jim obtains his Ohio Notary Public Commission and gets certified to perform RONs for Ohio. YES: If Jim is traveling to Ohio and will be physically in Ohio; he would be permitted to perform RON transactions under Ohio Notary Public Laws. NO: If Jim is at home in California and wants to do a RON transaction – he cannot do this as he must be physically located within the Ohio Borders to serve as an Ohio Notary Public. I, personally, love this new law because in about a year or two I plan to move to Florida. I will live in Florida for about 8 months within a year, and then spend my summers in Ohio. After I have lived in Florida for a year, with a Florida commission, I will now be able to obtain my Ohio Notary Commission for when I’m in Ohio. I will not lose my business just because I am “on the move”. This will be extremely helpful if you reside right on the Ohio border in a connecting State. Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, or Indiana! You probably get text messages for signings; however, since they are “across the geographical limits” you must turn them away. Now, if you obtain this dual commission in Ohio, you can say Yes! Another way this could work for you as a notary is to promote the fact that you are dual commissioned. Now, you and I both know that having a dual commission is not “really” something that will help you be a better Notary Public. However, when you “pitch” to your prospective client base it makes you “sound” like you are more qualified than any other Notary Public that walks through their door. In this business, every little aspect helps when reaching out to new clients. The next area that they changed was within House Bill 567, Effective April 6, 2023. They updated the definition of an acknowledgement. The new definition is: a declaration by an individual before a Notary Public that the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record, and if the record is signed in a representative capacity, that the individual signed the record with proper authority and signed it as the act of the individual or entity identified in the record. Should a Peace Office decide to become an Ohio Notary, they no longer need to have a background check performed. They can simply submit their OPADA Certificate to replace this requirement in the application process. The other big change is with Vehicle Titles. Previously, every title had to be notarized by the Seller with an oath given. Now, if the vehicle is being sold to a Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealer, the seller does not need to have the title, or a power of attorney notarized. This does not change private party sales, or sales to a junk yard. These title transfers must still be Notarized by the Seller, with an oath given by the Notary, and all the lines must be completed prior to notarization. This includes the Name of the Buyer, the Buyer’s Physical Address, The Amount Which Was Paid for the Vehicle, The Odometer Reading of the Vehicle, and the other miscellaneous items that require a check mark on the appropriate answer. If you believe that you would like to become an Ohio Notary Public, after the April 3rd date, you will want to get started with your background check. This will require you to download the fingerprint card from the Ohio Attorney General’s website (https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Forms/Forms-for-BCI-Criminal-Records-and-Background-Chec/Background-Check-Forms/BCI-fingerprint-card), then meet with a local fingerprinting agency/training notary public in your area. After you have your ink fingerprints completed, mail the form to Ohio. This background check must be completed within 6months of your application to become an Ohio Notary Public. On April 3rd (or after) you can obtain the required training and exam at www.cyberizeitcourses.com. This training program has a state mandated fee of $130.00. This training program is self-paced and fully online. You can attend it from anywhere and complete the educational requirements for the Ohio Notary Commission. Should you want to obtain your Remote Online Notarization Commission for the State of Ohio. This is a second educational course, and the state mandated fee for it is $250.00. This course also is fully online and is only available through one vendor (per Ohio’s current law). This course can be purchased at https://www.becomeanohionotary.com/?pg=semwebCatalog&panel=showSWOD&seminarid=10423. Again, a friendly reminder, no matter what type of Ohio Notary Public Commission you have you MUST be physically located in the geographic region of Ohio to perform services as an Ohio Notary Public.