The Record

The energy was palpable as notaries from across the country gathered in Scottsdale, Arizona for the NNA’s National Notary Conference on June 4th. The event kicked off with an ice cream social and networking mixer, making way for two full days of connecting and learning from one another. 

Throughout the national notary conference, one thing was clear: notaries are focused on building their businesses in 2023. Many of the educational sessions were centered around new technological advancements and tools that will help notaries secure more signings.

During one of Monday's sessions, the Jot team took the NNA stage to discuss how notaries can succeed in today's market. Industry veterans Jaclyn Fox, Meagan Garrow, and Andy Cliff shared how technology can support notaries and how the Jot™ platform, created by notaries for notaries, can help set them up for success.

‍

Notaries in history

Jaclyn Fox, General Manager of Jot, began with a quick glance at the history of the notary experience. “At first, loan documents were printed, and shipped out, documents were split, the recordables were taken in person to the county to be put on record and then typically loans were scheduled via phone call,” recalled Fox, who has spent 25 years working in the industry.

But throughout the years, the industry has undoubtedly changed. With smartphone scan backs, mobile applications, digital stamps, and remote closings, there is so much more efficiency and support than there once was, noted Fox.

‍

A new notary era

Remote online notarization (RON) was a hot topic across the national notary conference, with a strong emphasis on training and becoming compliant in your state. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has seen increased demand for remote notarizations. States are quickly adopting laws to accommodate the growing use of technology. At the conference, the consensus was that RON will only continue to increase in popularity over the years and notaries must be prepared for this change. 

Endpoint, a digital title and settlement company has also implemented integrated technology into closings and signings. Its mission to make home closing easy for all inspired the creation of Jot, which connects notaries with homeowners looking to sign closing documents with ease.

“We’re very passionate about your experience as users,” Fox said. “You are the ones that are meeting face-to-face with our customers, you are a representation of us. We need to be invested in you to make sure that you are trained, and communicating. You can showcase your personality and do it your way, but we want to set you up for success.” 

‍

Embracing the notary community

Fox then handed the microphone over to Lead Project Manager Meagan Garrow, noting, “Our collective signing approach is to build a community, a community for you to reach your full potential.”

Garrow began speaking on how notaries can achieve long-lasting success and the importance of community. She encouraged the audience members to focus on their “why.” For career-long success, it's important to know what you're doing, how you're doing it, and most importantly why you're doing it, she explained

“Knowing why you do this is what makes you different, and it’s what makes you successful and helps you be in this business for the long run,” Garrow shared.

While demand for notaries can fluctuate, it will bounce back again, she noted. That’s why the NNA conference is so beneficial because it’s constant. Year after year notaries gather and are all in it together. That’s what building a notary community is all about.

Garrow left the audience with an empowering sentiment.

“Lean into who you are, hone in on your skills, and be who you are,” she encouraged the audience. “It’s about finding what works for you and owning it. Acknowledge your strengths and use them in your career as a mobile notary. It's also important to understand how to leverage technology, embrace change, and stand out in the industry.” 

‍

Empowering notaries with technology 

To close out the session, Andy Cliff, Director of Product, shared key features of signing platforms that benefit notaries and explained how the Jot™ platform came to be.

“Jot was specifically created for notaries,” he said. “We started with a clean slate, which was beneficial because we were able to prioritize the signing agent experience.”

Cliff walked the audience through several features of the Jot™ platform, including the sign-up process, which is an easy, paperless workflow with a quick turnaround. By integrating with the NNA, Jot can confirm and authenticate notaries’ identities, and confirm their NNA background checks and certification statuses quickly to make onboarding easier. 

Another key feature he highlighted was profile management. “The goal is to make it self-service and empower you to manage preferences, maintain your account, and ensure your status is active in the system to get offers,” Cliff said.

Several features of the platform are customizable to meet the needs of individual notaries, like vacation mode, which gives users the ability to pause offers so they can step away from work and enjoy some time off.

Jot™ platform users can also choose their communication preferences for text and email notifications. 

“We’re able to give users more control over how they want to receive notifications, as well as the type of information they are receiving, Cliff noted. “We want our users to have the best experience possible and we recognize that not everyone’s preferences are the same.”

Signing offers are typically sent via text, along with key information so notaries can quickly decide whether to accept or decline a signing directly from their smartphone. 

“Ultimately, we built Jot as an intuitive platform that is mobile-optimized because we wanted to be proactive, we don’t want you to have to search, so we’re pushing notifications to you each step of the way,” Cliff said. 

‍

A new focus on you

Cliff teased a couple of new features that Jot users can expect to see in the coming months. Jot plans to roll out automated feedback and surveys later this year so it can continue to gather valuable user feedback. 

To keep up with all the latest Jot updates and new product features, follow Jot on Facebook and Instagram at @signwithjot.

Are you a mobile notary trying to take your business to the next level? Are you tired of the same traditional fee structure for signing documents? It's time for an update! It’s true that there are only so many document signings that make up a day in the life of a mobile notary. But with just a few small adjustments, you can turn your existing notary services into an even more lucrative business. Here are five ways to earn more from your notary services.

‍

1. Establish a Network of Industry Contacts

Remember that networking is key when it comes to increasing your income as a mobile notary. 

Networking with lawyers, real estate agents, financial advisors, title and settlement companies, and other professionals is a great way to increase visibility for yourself, and potentially generate more business from referrals or direct inquiries from those who need notary services. 

You want to be seen as a go-to notary, therefore it’s paramount that you provide good customer service. By giving your clients a positive signing experience, you’ll become a household name, which will help you get more referrals and repeat business.

Make sure that people know about the notary services that you offer by joining professional organizations related to the field of document certification and authentication services, and building an online presence through social media platforms where potential clients may be searching for someone with expertise like yours.

‍

2. Participate in Notary Conferences & Events

Attending conferences and events related to the notary industry offers great networking opportunities with potential clients, and allows you to stay up-to-date on industry trends, which could prove helpful when marketing yourself.

The National Notary Association (NNA), for example, offers several regional and national events throughout the year. These gatherings give notaries access to workshops and sessions that will help them refine their skills and stay fresh on the latest trends. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with key industry leaders and decision-makers.

‍

3. Market Yourself

You’ll want to market yourself effectively, in order to uncover new potential business opportunities. Consider joining a national network of mobile notaries, like Jot, which can provide you access to a wider range of clients with different needs and budgets across multiple locations. Expanding your reach slightly outside your area, can give you access to more potential business, while still allowing you the flexibility of working from home or on-the-go. 

Furthermore, today’s technology offers many opportunities for mobile notaries to connect with potential customers through email campaigns, social media posts, paid ads on Google or Facebook, as well as website optimization that helps people easily find you when they're searching online for a mobile notary near them.      

‍

4. Notary Services Fees

It’s important that you stay up to speed on what current market prices are in your area and adjust accordingly. Research reasonable rates and negotiate to charge appropriate fees for each notarization that you provide. Most states have set guidelines for what constitutes a reasonable fee, so make sure you research the rules in your area before setting your rates. While each state has an established fee per notarization, loan signing fees are agreed upon per signing, and the fee will depend on the type of loan.

‍

5. Select the Right Notary Service Partner

If you’re looking to expand your notary services income, consider joining Jot, a fast-growing mobile notary service. The Jot™ platform connects experienced notary signing agents with homeowners looking to sign closing documents with ease.

Once you sign up and are approved, you will officially be a Jot notary partner, opening yourself up to new opportunities, resources for professional growth, and a notary community that helps you build relationships and find success.

Notaries should frequently check their profile status with existing clients to ensure they are still active and have provided all the necessary updated information in order to be eligible for work. Jot does things differently, with a focus on ensuring notaries are set up for success from the get-go with the resources and support needed to accelerate your career. 

‍

The Bigger Picture

As a mobile notary, there are several ways for you to increase your income potential. Strategies like networking with local professionals, utilizing technology, attending industry conferences, charging appropriate fees, and diversifying your client base will give you a strong foundation to maximize your earnings. By following these tips and planning properly, you can increase your income and see demand for your notary services soar.

Learn more about becoming a Jot notary.

Notary work is constantly evolving. The origins of the notary profession can be traced back to the time of scribes. But it wasn't until the late 1990s that signing services first came to market. For a long time, the standard practice to get more notary jobs was to drum up business by meeting with brokerages, title and escrow companies, and real estate agents all over town. Although these methods have been successful in the past, they tend to be time-consuming and the market has become more competitive.

The rise of technology has allowed many notaries to look outside of in-person meetings and relationships to secure new signings. With the new wave of signing services that are being created, notaries can more easily get matched with notary jobs. Read on for strategies that help you make the most of your signing services to gain more signing appointments.

‍

Resources for Notary Jobs

For notaries who are looking to land more signing orders, consider joining a nationwide network of notary signing agents. This type of network can provide access to jobs that aren’t available elsewhere and give you the opportunity to work with top companies in the industry.

Additionally, seek out local networking opportunities such as the chamber of commerce meetings or, depending on the area you work in, you may also be able to join a local notary chapter or association. Social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook are great places for sharing notary tips, finding work opportunities, and connecting with other professionals. 

Professional associations and organizations like the National Notary Association (NNA) provide a wide range of resources and support for mobile notaries, including continuing education classes, mentorship programs, and networking events so you’re prepared for every signing.  

‍

Finding Signing Offer Opportunities

Because most notaries are self-employed, expanding your reach by offering services on various notary platforms is advantageous. When signing up for these services, make sure to include a professional profile with the necessary credentials and any additional skills or experience that could set you apart from other notaries.

From traditional closing services to virtual notarization, there are many ways for a notary to get more signing orders. Becoming certified in Remote Online Notarization (RON) enables notaries to provide services to clients from the comfort of their own homes or offices, expanding their reach and clientele without geographical limitations. This increased accessibility allows notaries to grow their businesses while providing added convenience for their clients. 

Being certified in RON also demonstrates a notary's commitment to staying current with the latest technological advancements, setting them apart from competitors and increasing their marketability in an ever-evolving industry.

With the right skills and signing service partner, notaries can easily capitalize on these new opportunities and successfully grow their volume of notary jobs. 

‍

Finding a Supportive Notary Platform 

When considering which notary platforms to participate in, you’ll want to find companies that align with your values. While many notaries get signing orders from multiple sources, you’ll want to establish strong relationships in the industry by supporting the companies that support you.

Jot, for example, was created by former notaries who understand the difficulties and challenges of notary life. Jot was designed to make it simpler for notaries to get signing orders, offering a secure platform with features like weekly automated payments, real-time notifications, and a helpful notary dashboard.

Notaries are the lifeblood of Jot’s business, ensuring they are supported with the resources needed to be successful is an essential pillar of the company. With this in mind, Jot notaries have access to specialized training opportunities like quarterly speaker series and educational webinars to help build their skills and obtain more signing orders. 

Jot understands that true success comes from building relationships and loyalty with the companies you work with. That’s why providing an exceptional experience for our notaries and their signers is always top of mind for Jot. 

Ready to get started? Start signing with Jot today!