How to Start Mobile Notary Business

Summary: By definition a notary is an entity commissioned by the state to witness the signing of important documents. There are several reasons a notary client can’t or won’t travel to a notary’s office.

It maybe because of distance, time and maybe even health related. Choosing on looking at the glass half full instead of half empty, this now becomes a window for a business opportunity.

Going directly to clients to service them instead of them coming to you is not a bad way of marketing. This mobile notary business guide will help you establish your own notary business venture.

Here are sure steps to start your mobile notary business

Begin by preparing yourself

First apply for a commission. Visit the National Notary Association website and fill out the necessary documents. If you need further information, clarifications or instruction tips, consult with a business consultant. Second, gather your needed tools. Invest on notary stamps, a notary logbook, and probably a portable PC for your other recording activities. Third, prepare yourself to go around places. Allocate a budget for your traveling expenses. Invest on a couple of road maps and a few pairs of travel “ons”.

Know your rate

There are many ways to calculate and justify your rate. First, survey how much other mobile notary competitors in your area charge, and then set your fees near to what they charge. Second charging option you could do is simply have a standard fee plus extra traveling fee. Many mobile notaries prefer to charge this way since it’s easy to explain to clients and tally. Another way to charge clients is by setting fixed distance charges. This means your rates will differ on how far and where you traveled to accommodate the service. You could have a per zone charge. You can make a table to easily explain to your clients. Finally, you could also charge on an hourly rate or time spent fulfilling the service plus traveling. Clearly there are several ways to charge your client. Find a rate and a charging system that best suits you.

Make a list of potential clients

Grab a yellow pages book and jot down listing of potential clients. Do some cold calling and offer your services. Before calling, make a telephone script of what you want to say and practice a few times in front of a mirror. If you call 100 names, there’s bound to be at least 10 who will take on your offer.

Getting the word out

Promote yourself by first conducting yourself as a serious entrepreneur. This means becoming professional in your trade. Start with a sharp looking business card that tells about your services as well as your contact information. Give them away during social events. Better yet visit your local Chamber of Commerce and try networking your services with people in those circles. Also use print ads on the Sunday newspaper to get more people to notice you. Another way to attract client is to develop a website that notary clients can easily goggle.

Keep on keeping on

Keep your head up look for the big fish in the industry. Try targeting big clients with potential multiple notary needs like real estate brokers or try targeting areas like the city hall where there’s traffic of people with documents. Clearly starting a mobile notary business is easy but developing a client base will take time to develop.