Notary2Pro Roundtable Webinar [January 13, 2022]
Notary2Pro’s Roundtables provide engaging, highly impactful, and valuable information for professional signing agents. We want to enable notaries and signings agents to grow their businesses, expand their skillsets, and improve their life and work experience.
Notary2Pro’s January Roundtable discussed the topic of growing your notary business as a professional signing agent with two experts in the field of notary. Julie Winkel of Signature Closers is an experienced Manager of Client Relations who provided valuable insights from an employer perspective. Andrea Douling is a successful Professional Loan Signing Agent and entrepreneur with a viral YouTube channel called “Not Me Notary”. She offers great information in an engaging video format.
These experts highlighted a few key areas that employers need to see in Professional Signing Agents to develop a professional and successful business. The number one area of emphasis for both Julie and Andrea is communication. As a professional signing agent, you must constantly communicate with borrowers, schedulers, and title from the beginning to the end of the signing. Remember to follow through on every step of the process and focus on the task at hand. Andrea commented, “The most important signing is the one that you’re in at that very moment”. It is easy to make a mistake if we look too far into the future on a signing.
These experts highlighted a few key areas that employers need to see in Professional Signing Agents to develop a professional and successful business. The number one area of emphasis for both Julie and Andrea is communication. As a professional signing agent, you must constantly communicate with borrowers, schedulers, and title from the beginning to the end of the signing. Remember to follow through on every step of the process and focus on the task at hand. Andrea commented, “The most important signing is the one that you’re in at that very moment”. It is easy to make a mistake if we look too far into the future on a signing.
A second point was setting yourself apart from other PSAs. Our experts said the best way to set yourself apart from other Professional Signing Agents and get priority signings from title companies is to deliver error-free signings consistently. Providing error-free signings moves you up in the Title Company tier system and, in turn, gets you priority on more signings. Beyond this, it is essential to be thoroughly prepared for every signing and anything that could go wrong. The best PSAs are willing to do whatever is necessary and go the extra mile to accommodate their clients. Of course, it is impossible to prepare for every mishap, but Andrea suggests successful PSAs learn to “roll with the punches,” Julie shared how one Singing Agent kept tables, chairs, and even a printer in their trunk; just in case! The best PSAs do not overbook themselves and keep a flexible schedule for borrowers. Julie talked about how schedulers will prioritize future signings for those willing to take last-minute signings to help borrowers. Title companies and schedulers remember the names of agents who do favors!
Both Julie and Andrea remarked that leaving plenty of time between closings and not overbooking yourself for closing appointments is essential. Things can often go wrong, so remember to leave a cushion between all notary and professional loan signing appointments. Honoring commitments and subject matter knowledge are additional keys to success!
Finally, our experts offered encouraging words to everyone interested in becoming a Professional Signing Agent. Andrea notes, “Do not let fear stifle your success”. Andrea became a professional signing agent with no real estate knowledge. She has built a successful career based on her error-free signings, willingness to learn and absorb information, and direct
marketing. She encourages signing agents to market themselves directly to employers after completing at least 20 signings. Successful professional signings agents are organized, personable, friendly, flexible, and knowledgeable. These professional signing agents receive priority and preferred signings with title companies and schedulers.