Building a Better Notary Business
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"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."
- Sun Tzu |
In 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought in what is now known as the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match.
Ali's objective, obviously, was to win the match and regain his heavyweight title.
The problem was that Foreman was younger, stronger, meaner and overwhelming favored to win.
Ali didn't stand a chance - which is why he needed a strategy.
Ali knew he had certain slight advantages over Foreman. He was faster, more experienced, and mentally tougher. He also knew that Foreman was a hothead. Rather than go toe-to-toe with Foreman, Ali decided he would taunt the younger, less seasoned fighter into wearing himself out - leaving him frustrated, tired, and vulnerable. With this strategy in place, Ali would have a fighting chance.
From this strategy flowed the tactics that are now legendary. First, go at Foreman with a series of disrespectful, straight jabs to the face, guaranteed to make him mad.
Then, let the enraged Foreman chase him around the ring and press him against the ropes, wasting his energy, while focusing on minimizing the damage he absorbed - the famous "rope-a-dope."
Ali's strategy was to outlast Foreman. He trained himself to endure his punches. By the fifth round, Forman was tired.
Ali went on to win the match by knockout in the eighth round.
Ali's objective, obviously, was to win the match and regain his heavyweight title.
The problem was that Foreman was younger, stronger, meaner and overwhelming favored to win.
Ali didn't stand a chance - which is why he needed a strategy.
Ali knew he had certain slight advantages over Foreman. He was faster, more experienced, and mentally tougher. He also knew that Foreman was a hothead. Rather than go toe-to-toe with Foreman, Ali decided he would taunt the younger, less seasoned fighter into wearing himself out - leaving him frustrated, tired, and vulnerable. With this strategy in place, Ali would have a fighting chance.
From this strategy flowed the tactics that are now legendary. First, go at Foreman with a series of disrespectful, straight jabs to the face, guaranteed to make him mad.
Then, let the enraged Foreman chase him around the ring and press him against the ropes, wasting his energy, while focusing on minimizing the damage he absorbed - the famous "rope-a-dope."
Ali's strategy was to outlast Foreman. He trained himself to endure his punches. By the fifth round, Forman was tired.
Ali went on to win the match by knockout in the eighth round.
This story illustrates how having a clear objective, a strategy, and the tactics to achieve your goal can help you win at something that may seem impossible.
Starting a notary business is no different.
However, when first starting off, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
This is because most notaries begin wanting to know what tactics they should use instead of focusing on what strategy they should adopt.
But, like the quote above states, "Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."
Therefore, if you want to succeed in your notary business, you'll need to be like Ali and have a clear objective, then a strategy, and then the tactics.
Starting a notary business is no different.
However, when first starting off, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
This is because most notaries begin wanting to know what tactics they should use instead of focusing on what strategy they should adopt.
But, like the quote above states, "Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."
Therefore, if you want to succeed in your notary business, you'll need to be like Ali and have a clear objective, then a strategy, and then the tactics.
Objective, Strategy, and Tactics
I'm going to ask you a few questions to help identify your objective, the best strategy to achieve that objective, and the appropriate tactics.
Please do not skip this step. It's crucially important to helping you stay focused when building your notary business.
Without a clear objective and a strategy, I promise you...you will drown in the endless ocean of tactical notary advice you'll find on YouTube and social media.
The good news is this process is fairly simple and doesn't take long. Let's begin.
Please do not skip this step. It's crucially important to helping you stay focused when building your notary business.
Without a clear objective and a strategy, I promise you...you will drown in the endless ocean of tactical notary advice you'll find on YouTube and social media.
The good news is this process is fairly simple and doesn't take long. Let's begin.
Objective
The obvious answer here is, "To make money."
To make money means to create something that's valuable to other people. Money, as a tool of exchange, measures the amount of value you've created for others.
But we need to go deeper. We need to ask, "To make money for what?"
What is the purpose/reason for wanting more money?
Is it to one day quit your job so you can work from home and spend more time with your kids?
Is it to make a few hundred dollars a month to pay off debt or take an extra vacation?
The list goes on.
Your reason is as unique as you are. Think about what that reason is. Take your time to figure it out. Once you're done, move on to the next question.
How much money will you need to achieve this objective?
This will totally depend on the scope of your goal. If you're looking to do this part-time, then the amount will probably be less than if you want to make this a full-time career.
Keep your answers short and simple. You don't need to get fancy here. When you're done, move on to the next section on strategy.
To make money means to create something that's valuable to other people. Money, as a tool of exchange, measures the amount of value you've created for others.
But we need to go deeper. We need to ask, "To make money for what?"
What is the purpose/reason for wanting more money?
Is it to one day quit your job so you can work from home and spend more time with your kids?
Is it to make a few hundred dollars a month to pay off debt or take an extra vacation?
The list goes on.
Your reason is as unique as you are. Think about what that reason is. Take your time to figure it out. Once you're done, move on to the next question.
How much money will you need to achieve this objective?
This will totally depend on the scope of your goal. If you're looking to do this part-time, then the amount will probably be less than if you want to make this a full-time career.
Keep your answers short and simple. You don't need to get fancy here. When you're done, move on to the next section on strategy.
Strategy
Now that your objective is clear, let's look at the different strategies you can use to start your notary business.
In the notary world, there are two main ways to make money as a notary.
The first one is to become a Notary Signing Agent (NSA).
The second is to focus on getting General Notary Work (GNW).
They are completely different in terms of strategy, which is why it's so important to be clear on your objective.
We'll get into specifics later, but for now, let me explain the difference between the two.
A NSA is a notary who specializes in performing real estate closings for title, escrow and signing service companies. This option can offer more consistent work and is often seen as a better option for someone looking to build a long-term career as a notary.
GNW means providing basic notarial services to the general public. Unlike being a NSA, this option requires less training and specialization, however, due to it's inconsistent nature, it's not usually the best option for someone wanting to go full-time.
Based on your objective, think about which of these two you think might work best for you. Once you have an idea, move on to the tactics section.
In the notary world, there are two main ways to make money as a notary.
The first one is to become a Notary Signing Agent (NSA).
The second is to focus on getting General Notary Work (GNW).
They are completely different in terms of strategy, which is why it's so important to be clear on your objective.
We'll get into specifics later, but for now, let me explain the difference between the two.
A NSA is a notary who specializes in performing real estate closings for title, escrow and signing service companies. This option can offer more consistent work and is often seen as a better option for someone looking to build a long-term career as a notary.
GNW means providing basic notarial services to the general public. Unlike being a NSA, this option requires less training and specialization, however, due to it's inconsistent nature, it's not usually the best option for someone wanting to go full-time.
Based on your objective, think about which of these two you think might work best for you. Once you have an idea, move on to the tactics section.
Tactics
The subject on tactics is too large to discuss here. I'll go over specific tactics in the sections to come.
For now, just know that the types of tactics we can use to grow our business is only limited by our imagination.
Here are some examples:
The opportunities here are endless.
And it only takes a few, really well implemented tactics to have a huge impact on your business.
Therefore, the question to ask is not, "How many tactics should I implement?" But rather, "Which tactics should I focus on?"
One final word on tactics.
Your tactics should never be static. They should evolve as you and your business do. As your personal and business situation changes, your tactics can (and must) change, because, as the great philosopher Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."
Advice George Foreman could have used.
For now, just know that the types of tactics we can use to grow our business is only limited by our imagination.
Here are some examples:
- Marketing tactics - Specific activities to promote your services and acquire new clients/customers. This could include things like creating a website, distributing printed flyers, cold calling businesses, advertising on social media platforms, etc.
- Client relationship tactics - Strategies for establishing strong relationships with clients to earn repeat and referral business. Examples include providing excellent customer service, sending thank you notes after signings, periodically checking in with key contacts, offering loyalty discounts, etc.
- Operations tactics - Methods for running the day-to-day business efficiently. Some examples are using notary software to manage appointments, creating checklists to bring to signings, setting up accounting and record-keeping systems, contracting with virtual assistants for admin work, etc.
- Pricing tactics - Approaches to setting competitive rates and fees for your services. Tactics could include researching industry price averages, experimenting with different fee structures, offering packaged pricing bundles, establishing minimum fees based on mileage or time required, etc.
- Specialization tactics - Steps to develop expertise in niches like loan document signing, real estate closings, court filings, etc. Examples are completing advanced training, earning niche credentials, networking with industry professionals, listing niche services prominently in marketing materials, etc.
The opportunities here are endless.
And it only takes a few, really well implemented tactics to have a huge impact on your business.
Therefore, the question to ask is not, "How many tactics should I implement?" But rather, "Which tactics should I focus on?"
One final word on tactics.
Your tactics should never be static. They should evolve as you and your business do. As your personal and business situation changes, your tactics can (and must) change, because, as the great philosopher Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."
Advice George Foreman could have used.
You now have a 10,000 foot view of what it takes to build a successful notary business.
Hopefully by then, you'll have an idea of what direction you want to go in (if not, don't worry...you will).
Next, I'm going to share a resource with you to show you how to build a notary business. The information will be specific and actionable. It'll be the kind of information that will make you money...if you do the work.
When you're ready to move forward, click here.
Hopefully by then, you'll have an idea of what direction you want to go in (if not, don't worry...you will).
Next, I'm going to share a resource with you to show you how to build a notary business. The information will be specific and actionable. It'll be the kind of information that will make you money...if you do the work.
When you're ready to move forward, click here.