How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Notary Business

329 Pages·2009·1.9 MB·English

by  Mick Spillane

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful

Notary Business

By Kristie Lorette and Mick Spillane
How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Notary Business

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lorette, Kristie, 1975-
How to open & operate a financially successful notary business / by Kristie Lorette.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-281-8 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-60138-281-2 (alk. paper)
1. Notaries--United States--Popular works. 2. New business enterprises--United States--Management. I.
Title.
KF8797.L67 2010
347.73'16--dc22
2010039591

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: Notary Basics
Chapter 2: Becoming a Notary
Chapter 3: Becoming a Mobile Notary
Chapter 4: Other Notary Services
Chapter 5: Laws and Ethics
Chapter 6: Getting Set Up
Chapter 7: Establishing an Office
Chapter 8: Create a Winning Business Plan
Chapter 9: Managing Finances and the Business Budget
Chapter 10: Marketing
Chapter 11: Developing an Online Presence
Chapter 12: GrowingYour Notary Business
Conclusion
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: State-by-State Notary Specifics
Appendix C: Notary Website Resources
Appendix D: Sample Business Plan
Bibliography
Author Biographies
Introduction

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a notary public may be a
quiet, older woman who stamps documents for real estate transactions and car
deals, but the fact is the notary public profession has been a profound and
distinguished profession throughout U.S. history. Notaries have always had close
ties to government agencies and the legal profession. The notary public
profession is also the type of business that is easy to start and run as a home-
based business, which is probably why you are reading this book in the first
place. If you are interested in working from home, this book will act as your
guide to starting a successful and profitable business as a notary public.

Almost everyone has dreamed of owning his or her own business. Often, these
dreams are the result of dealing with difficult bosses, low pay, long hours, swing
shifts, and other frustrations that come from working for someone else. In the
safe confines of the imagination, the vision of owning a business is immensely
satisfying: You are your own boss, you make your own decisions, and you do not
have to answer to anyone else.

When you do something you enjoy, it does not feel like a burden as work
sometimes does. An added bonus to being your own boss is the control of your
own destiny by being as busy as you want and pulling in the income you desire.
One of the main benefits of launching a career as a notary is you do not need a
college degree to become a successful, in-demand, and practicing notary agent.
The notary business also makes a perfect career for a stay-at-home mom,
retirees, those re-entering the work force, discharged military, or someone who
has an entrepreneurial spirit because it is a career that offers endless possibilities
for success and career advancement.

This book is one-of-a-kind in that it is your step-by-step guide to becoming a
notary public and launching a successful and lucrative business. Included in the
book are state-specific resources, industry terminology, and resources you can
use to make the career and business launch seamless and within reach. Whether
you are starting out as a notary or already established in the field, you will
quickly learn each state’s application process, training, and exam requirements to
advance to the next level in your career and your business. This book delves into
the state laws that preside over the practice of notaries, which is invaluable at
any stage of your notary career.

After moving beyond the notary public career itself, the book then takes you to
the heart of what it takes to launch and maintain a successful notary business.
You will learn how to open your own notary business, work as a mobile signing
agent, how to put your notary business on autopilot, and how to hire and manage
employees. You will discover some of the types of industries a notary can
provide services to and the fees charged for the notary services. The nuances of
the notary business are explained and techniques on how to handle them are
provided — from charging for traveling fees and handling no-shows and
emergency notarization.

Not only does this book cover the basics of the notary business, but it also
includes business forms, contracts, sample business plans, myriad checklists,
day-to-day operation information, information on your notary stamp, and
valuable time-saving tools that every business owner should have in his or her
arsenal. You have embarked on your first step to becoming a notary public
business owner by purchasing this book, which is a must have for a novice or a
seasoned notary.

Table of Contents