What Makes National Paralegal & Notary Different?
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When you are looking for national notary signing services, it’s unlikely you’ll just search for something like “notary near me.” After all, you’re probably not just looking for a single notary, and you certainly aren’t looking for one who works at the local post office or bank. If you’re in need of a notary that has expertise and specializes in mortgage or debt settlement signings, then you need a high-level notary who performs notary services very regularly. You might be wondering how to choose a document signing company that will provide the best notaries for your signing needs.  We’d like to tell you a few of the reasons why National Paralegal & Notary (NPN) stands out among the many signing companies you may be considering….

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Hold Up! Notary Myths You Never Thought You Needed to Know
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While everyone has heard of a Notary Public, few people really understand what they do unless they’re directly involved with notary signing services. And like most careers that everyone knows just a little about, myths spring up related to notaries, notary signing agents and their businesses. At National Paralegal & Notary, our job is to make sure that NPN notaries are qualified and well trained so the documents we handle for our clients are properly signed and notarized. But we’re also concerned about the truth surrounding our industry. Today we’re going to look at a few myths that surround notaries and document signing services like ours. MYTH: A Notary Can Give Legal Advice A notary cannot give legal advice.  Many NPN notaries are also paralegals….

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Technology is the Key to Growing Your Mobile Notary Business
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Technology has changed loan signing procedures drastically. It is critical for signing agents to understand these changes if they want to remain competitive. We all know that speed and accuracy are paramount. Using technology to achieve these goals will certainly set you apart from your competitors. From finding clients, to completing signings at lightning speed, as well as upgraded billing options, technology has paved the way for my business. Your Understanding of Technology is Key Traditionally, signing agents had many options for finding work. They could send paper advertising or could even stop by local banks and drop off information about their services. Consumers, however, are no longer turning to local banks for loans. Instead, they use online services like Quicken Loans to shop for…

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Are You Maximizing Your Website? 7 Easy Methods To Get The Most Out Of Your Site
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Imagine you’re standing in front of a giant wall filled with televisions. Each one blares loud messages and flashes obnoxious graphics . . . look at me, notice me, see me. And in the center of it all – one clear, clean, quiet screen shines. An oasis of clarity in a cacophonous sea. Can you feel the change in focus and energy within this single description? In the digital world, your website competes with countless others to attract clients and share information. But, rather than shout loudly, it pays to be the clear screen. After all, your website is your storefront. So, it’s important to create an inviting space that clearly articulates the key information your target market needs to know. Here are a few…

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Should You Form an LLC? Why I Say Yes!
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If you’re running your own business, you have likely heard it before: To LLC or not LLC? That seems to always be the question! When you’re working on your own as a paralegal or notary, it’s easy to default to becoming a sole proprietor. The paperwork is rather simple, taxes are easy enough, and there’s no headache with annual filings and fees. That being said, LLC’s have a great deal of advantages that should absolutely be considered when building your business. Before we dive in to the specifics of what those advantages are, let’s consider what an LLC actually is. An LLC is short for a limited liability corporation and, basically, separates you personally from your business when it comes to legal and financial issues….

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The Top 6 Habits That Are Preventing You From Growing Your Notary Business
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If you’ve been struggling to grow your notary business, then this is for you! Over the years we’ve worked with many notaries, most of whom are experienced, well-educated, and professional. However, we’ve found that despite the fact that they are well-prepared, they do not all deliver an exceptional experience, inhibiting them from growing their business effectively. To help, we’ve identified the most common, subtle, and self-sabotaging habits that may be preventing you from growing your notary business. Take a read and let us know in the comments below: are you guilty of any of these?   1. Not Reading the Fine Print This may seem obvious, but it is also the most common issue among notaries. The documents that you are dealing with are not…

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How to Create an Excel Spreadsheet to Track Your Mileage for your Mobile Notary Business
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As a mobile notary, your work depends on travel. And guess what? All those trips are tax deductible as long as you keep stellar records.  Here’s how to do it properly: In order to deduct your mileage, the IRS needs to know: Your odometer reading at the beginning of the year How many total miles you traveled for work on your vehicle Your odometer readings for the beginning and end of each of your trips Creating Your Spreadsheet Ideally, your spreadsheet will have the following information in the first row: Date & Time of travel The purpose of the travel (a description) Where you were traveling FROM Where you were traveling TO Total miles traveled Make each of these requirements their own column in your…

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8 Personality Traits That Make a Notary Great
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Do you remember being in high school or college and taking those quizzes to see what career you were best suited for? Those tests would ask about your preferences and personality traits to match you with jobs that best fit your natural abilities.  They were modified aptitude evaluations in their best forms. Well, today we’re sharing what we think your answers would need to be in order for “notary” to show up as your best fit. That’s right, over the years we’ve found that there are a few personality traits that make for truly outstanding notaries. Take a look at our thoughts below, then let us know by making a comment what other personality traits you think make for a great notary.   1. Natural…

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Running Your Mobile Notary Business From Your Car
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How do you feel about spending countless hours in your car?  As a mom, I do this all day, every day and I am totally ok with it! In fact, I built my business around this very idea. After many years of teaching and carting my kids around to school, soccer, basketball and ballet, I decided it was time to find a new way of living that allowed for more “me” time between the travel and traffic. I knew that I needed to find something that gave me freedom and flexibility, would allow me to make a difference, and (my FAVORITE) be out and about all day. That’s where becoming a notary including a loan signing agent and wedding officiant came in! The time I…

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7 Ways to Stay Safe as a Mobile Notary
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Mobile notaries often travel alone to meet complete strangers in unknown places. While this may be a necessary part of your job, staying safe while doing so is essential. You never want to be in a situation where you fear for your safety because you encounter hostile conditions. It’s important to have a plan in place to mitigate the situation. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself safe as a mobile notary.   1. Meet in Public, Whenever Possible If you are able to meet with the signers in a public place, this is the best option. With others around, there is always less chance of encountering issues. Also, if they do choose to do something unsavory, then there is an…

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3 Steps to Encourage Referrals
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Referrals are the lifeblood for success in your notary or paralegal business. The more memorable you are, the more people will feel compelled to spread the word about the quality of service you have provided. Here are three effective steps to encourage referrals in a way that aligns with your business and personality. And don’t worry – none of these steps are complicated, stuffy, or fluffy!   1. It Starts with AMAZING Customer Service Start by thinking through your customer’s complete experience when engaging your services. From start to finish, ask yourself: how do they find you, how does communication start; and once they’ve chosen to work with you what does the process look like? Next, anticipate their needs. Based on what you know about…

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The Secret Life of a Notary
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So you think that being a notary is all about showing up and checking ID? Think again. Despite its laid-back reputation, a life of a notary has many challenges and lots of intrigue. Here are some of the hurdles that a notary has to overcome on a near-daily basis.    “I need it done now.” Most notary appointments are just that: Appointments. But often – very often, in fact – a business such as a law firm, financial institution, or debt settlement company, will call in the morning to arrange a document signing in the afternoon. Sometimes, the notary doesn’t get even that much notice. In response, the notary does what she can to accommodate her clients, sometimes skipping lunch along the way.   “Don’t…

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