The Big Importance of Small Talk For Notaries
As a notary, it’s important to be organized and possess people skills along with all your other Notary Public services. These finely honed people skills, one of which is the ability to conduct “small talk”, will not only help build rapport but will also help determine the competency and mood of the signer. And, who doesn’t love leaving a lasting first impression?
Notary Public Services: Here are some small talk topics to get you started when you’re looking for ways to ease into a conversation.
Sports/Athletes
This one is perfect if you find yourself amongst a sports lover. Think of the season; what sport is in full force? Football, hockey, soccer, maybe a special event like the Olympics? If you’re not a huge sports fan yourself, you may want to catch up on the highlights so that you have some points to narrow in on. And remember, even if you’re not a sports fan, you can allow your client to educate you by asking some simple questions. People love to tell you all about their favorite team.
Weather
What it’s like outside is a perfect ice-breaker. Small talk wouldn’t be complete without a bit about the weather. Is there a storm coming? Is your city breaking heatwave records? What about the weather overseas? Maybe you’re planning a vacation and looking forward to the tropical climate. Talking about the weather is a light and breezy way to get your client to talk without being too personal.
Pets
Who doesn’t love to brag about their fur babies? Whether your client is a dog or cat lover, I’m sure they have some stories to share about the cutest thing they did recently. Maybe the signer has an affinity for horses. Whatever the animal of choice, talking about pets is a great way to get a conversation flowing naturally.
Hobbies
You know that one of your hobbies is entrepreneurship and being a notary, but what else are you interested in? I bet you could find a few things you like to do that would make for great small talk. You can easily break the ice with a question about the signer’s hobbies. Ask what they do when they’re not working. Do they play sports? Coach their kid’s soccer team? Play fantasy football? Hobbies and activities are a little less high-level than the weather and a great way to get to know someone a little bit better.
Food/Restaurants
Are you in a newer-to-you area? Are you meeting a signer right before your lunch break? Why not ask about recommended restaurants or foodie hotspots near you. A fellow foodie would love to give you recommendations on their favorite spots or maybe some new additions that you could check out. Food is a hot small talk topic that has great benefits for both parties.
Technology
This is a big one, especially now that RON (or remote online notarization) is a trending topic in the U.S. Aside from post-pandemic changes, there are a ton of techy topics that you could chat about. Did you recently get a new smartphone? Have you been keeping up on SpaceX news or that big billionaire guy going to space? Tech is a safe and non-committal topic that keeps things light and interesting.
No matter what you choose, it’s a good idea to go into a meeting with a new signer with some idea of what you want to kick off the conversation with. Small talk can be a great way to break the ice, get to know someone, learn some new facts about someone, and get a glimpse into your client or potential client’s life. The more you know, the better you can be of assistance, and that’s what’s going to set you apart and make you the best Notary Public you can be.
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