Get a cuppa, gents; we have some drool-worthy, high-quality insights ahead for you. So, without further ado, can we dive in?
What Would You Do with this Loan Signing Assignment?
Loan signing agents usually begin their day by going through emails. They will be checking loan offers to be sure the assignments fall within their jurisdiction from their inbox. Today is one such day; you have the first assignment in your inbox, but the rest are on the way. You are there.
You start by choosing an assignment from the first email you got; it was from a signing service that you don’t recognize… but wait! They are offering to pay way beyond your fee, and you are definitely attracted. On the contrary, there is a limitation. The email is in charge, and it indicates that due to the service’s failure to get the signing documents, you are required to use a ‘secure link’ they have sent.
The more you peruse the email, the more weird stuff you see. The email, apart from the first letter of the sentence, is in lowercase letters, which you think is totally unprofessional. In addition, the date of the email is wrong, perhaps suggesting the writer was in some hurry. Still, you write to the service expressing the need for clarifications concerning their instructions. Unfortunately, the time and the email are quiet.
In the daily hustle and bustle of a Notary Signing Agent, you are always in a rush; time is money. You are called to make decisions in a very short span of time, whether to take up a loan signing job or pass it on to others. This offer is indeed quite attractive due to the heavy payment, but the strange appearance and content of the email lead to doubts. Will you dare and agree to the task, or is it better to step back? And is it even advisable to respond to such a message?
What is the proper way to handle this Loan Signing Assignment?
That email is very highly-suspicious:
- Almost no signing service will ever send you the signer’s documents before acceptance. One option would be to delete the email without responding.
- Another step would be to check on the internet if the company is a legal company. If not, then definitely do not treat it as a real assignment
- If you find this business is indeed not real, it would indicate this is a sketchy business and needs the attention of law enforcement. Here’s how you can report Notary Malpractice.
We encourage your feedback, so please leave a comment on what your next step in this situation would be. The comments section below is where you share your thoughts and strategies. How would you behave under these circumstances? Your opinions mean a lot to us, and we may use your response in our next week’s blog.
Expert Advice from Notaries on Best Practices
First, here are a few notaries who are open to discussing some of their non-secrets of how to be successful. They are the ones who have encountered the most normal all the way to the most bizarre and still managed to pull through with a pleasant look on their face and a contract of their own with a fancy stamp. These are their top tips:
- Always double-check the documents: You never know when someone’s going to slip a monkey wrench into your notary business. Make sure everything is in order before you start stamping away.
- Keep a sense of humor: Trust us, notarizing documents can be mundane. Embrace the absurdity and have a laugh along the way. Who knows, you might even find some hilarious stories to share at parties.
- Don’t be shy to say no: In case you get a document that you’re uncomfortable with, just use your intuition and decline to notarize it. There is no money that can compensate for selling your values (or for the lawsuit risk).
- Be aware of the latest notary laws and regulations: Notarization is a dynamic field; thus, attaining knowledge about the most recent news is a must. Go to lectures and workshops or engage in professional groups to make sure that you don’t miss out on any changes.
- Establish connections with your clients: It is typical for notaries who go beyond their duties, provide superb services, and successfully earn trust to get repeat work orders and referrals. Act as if every client were the only one you have (i.e., deliver 100% personalized service).
- Invest in your professional growth: Being the best at what you do and knowing things that other notaries don’t will set you apart. Maybe you would like to take advanced certification courses or further training to broaden or deepen your knowledge.
- Always double-check the documents: You never know when someone’s going to slip a monkey wrench into your notary business. Make sure everything is in order before you start stamping away.
Can you see it? Notaries are also regular people; the only difference with them is the skill of stamping things. Now, let’s check out some insights and tips from signing agents.
Tips and Tricks from Experienced Signing Agents
The unsung heroes of the notary world are the signing agents. They’re the ones who rock up to your house with hordes of papers to sign, and they somehow make it appear as if everything is possible. Here are some of their know-how:
- Stay organized: Being in charge of numerous signings for the day calls for an organization plan. You can get a good filing system or use your superpower– memory. Anything that works!
- Be adaptable – No task can be really foreseen from the signing agents. On one day, they may be signing a mortgage document, and on the other day, they may be notarizing a contract for a secret underground lair. Just go along with the situation and maintain a poker face.
- Networking, Networking, Networking – The community of a notary and signing agent is one of the best tight-knit communities. Make some connections, go to the conferences, and tell each other stories over a cup of notary-themed coffee. You know, you might meet your notary soulmate.
- Create the best customer experience – The signing agent toils directly with customers; hence, a good experience can change a tide. Be courteous, always available, and willing to go a step further in guaranteeing a smooth signing.
- Conquer the time management – The signing agents’ most productive ability is to simultaneous appointments and on-time signing completion. Get a proven method to manage your time and reorder tasks according to their urgency.
- Be current with the industry trends – Staying updated in the signing agents’ world means being able to anticipate the needs of new customers and offer services before they demand them. Besides, industry trends can change, and new technologies can be introduced. Keep yourself informed and adapt to the latest state of things.
As the gen from notaries and signing agents who have dealt with everything, we get to know the inner story of their experiences. It’s about time we proceed to some professional advice.
BlueNotary’s Expert Guidance for Notaries
BlueNotary happens to be a leader in the notary industry and is committed to sharing its range of knowledge and products with all public notaries. Thus, we have compiled some of the best tips for notary publics from their resources.
BlueNotary’s Recommendations for Notary Publics
You see, BlueNotary is familiar with notary publics, and they have decided to spill the beans. Below are some of their best practices:
- Continuously educate yourself: Notary laws and regulations change frequently. Be aware of changes and update your knowledge and skills by attending seminars, conferences, or any other notary event you can get hold of.
- Invest in quality tools: If you are a notary, then you must be ready with the proper equipment, which includes a self-inking stamp and a seal. Do not try to save money on a low-quality stamp and watch your notary business fall.
- Join professional associations: When it comes to the notary world, teams are usually stronger than individuals. When you join these professional organizations, you can not only get the resources you need but also meet the same people who are going through their notary life happily and sadly, just like you are.
BlueNotary’s Best Practices for Signing Agents
Hear the word, signing agents! BlueNotary will also educate you with their latest insights to boost your work performance. The following are the best practices:
- Double-check your work: This is a universal rule of good behavior–check and re-check once and twice the documents to be notarized as well as any documents of your own. Accuracy is the key, so take your time. Take a deep breath, ensure everything is in place, and finally, employ your fancy signing agent skills to deal with it.
- Communicate with your clients: A good signing agent is skilled in the art of client communication. Be proactive in your communication – tell them what they need to expect, give them an answer to the questions they might have, and keep your communication always professional and friendly.
- Embrace the chaos: No doubt, signing agents are undoubtedly the people who enjoy the chaos most. That’s right. Be happy for the unexpected, and you will get through it as joyful as it may be. Whether you are notarizing documents in a hurricane or dealing with a pile of papers, it is very important to always smile and, maybe, always carry a spare stamp in your pocket).
Additional Insights for Notaries and Signing Agents
1. Build a strong network: Networking is a must in the notary and signing agent profession, and it is the source of everything. Go to the relevant events, participate in forums, or join the professionals that make up your own branch. Through building a strong network, many doors can be opened: these are new opportunities, unforeseen mentorship, and shrewd advice.
2. Stay organized: As a notary or signing agent, a lot of documents, appointments, and deadlines will overwhelm you; thus, staying organized is the answer. Gaining this can be done using digital tools like apps for a calendar and systems for the management of documents that will keep you on track with all your tasks. A well-organized notary is a successful notary.
3. Maintain professionalism: Notaries and signing agents play a vital role in the notarial acts by keeping and administering the necessary documents, and thus, being professional is a must. Dress nicely when you go to the appointments, respect the privacy of the clients, and always act with the utmost integrity. Your clients will not only respect you for your professionalism, but they will also feel that they can trust you with their personal data.
4. Stay up to date with technology: The notary business is not an exception because the whole world is being driven digitally. The world is moving towards a more digital direction, and this is but one of them, although it is the most probable (seeing the current outbreak of the pandemic). Get to know the electronic notarization platforms and digital signature tools. The adoption of technology can help you to make your work process more effective and efficient.
5. Collect feedback and always move up: Don’t shy away from asking your customers or contemporaries for feedback about your service. The feedback that is constructive can aid in understanding what shortcomings need to be worked upon and improved. Be open to new ideas and always try to enhance your abilities as a notary or signing agent.
The insights serve as a weapon to tackle the changes that keep occurring in the world of notaries and Signing agents. BlueNotary, don’t forget, is your place to go when you need to shed light on darkness, as BlueNotary offers the best professionals and resources for your success.
Therefore, you all know about the best tips that have been shared by notaries and signing agents who have experienced it all. It is expected that you had a blast while reading this humorous literature and that you picked up some valuable knowledge along the way. So, go out there, well-armed with the essential information and with a newly-found respect for legal documents, the world’s unsung heroes. Have plentiful notarizing!
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