For an entrepreneur, there is no option for hiding from problems and challenges; you must tackle them head-on. Just like any other business, the notary signing industry has its challenges and difficulties that notaries can’t overlook any longer as we are slowly heading toward 2025. Even the most experienced notary signing agents can fall prey to overlooked mistakes commonly known as ‘Blindspots.’ Whether it’s neglecting to stay current with evolving laws or mismanaging client communication, these blindspots can hold back a notary from reaching their full potential. In this article, we’ll uncover some of the most common blindspots for professional notaries and explore practical strategies to eliminate them. So consider this blog worth reading till the end.
A Few Blindspots For Notaries & The Solutions To Overcome Them:
Blindspot #1 Relying Heavily On Single Source Of Revenue:
Many notary signing agents fundamentally rely on loan signings as their primary source of income. During the pandemic, the housing market witnessed a boom, and the notary signing agents got increasingly dependent on this real estate boom to get signing jobs. However, the market has changed, and loan signings may never return to the same volume as a pandemic. So, as a notary, if you are solely relying on loan signings, it can significantly affect your financial stability.
Solution: It would be best if you diversified your income streams to ensure long-term success. It would help if you considered offering additional services to your clients, like general notary work, remote online notarization (RON), and apostille services to cater to a broad client base. Furthermore, you can start working with reputed law firms and medical establishments and notarize their critical documents. Expanding your services allows you to adapt to changing market conditions and tap into a broader client base. It will enable you to explore new markets while enhancing your profitability and revenue growth.
Blindspot #2 Giving Up Your Voice:
Notaries often need to pay more attention to the importance of participating in legislative changes and government policy discussions. If you stay silent on meaningful policy discussions, you miss the opportunity to influence the policy decisions or make them more constructive and insightful. If you involve yourself in critical legislative talks, you can take advantage of the opportunity to alter or modify government decisions that can affect your notary signing business, such as limiting the scope of notary services or imposing unnecessary restrictions.
Solution: Notaries should take an active role in legislative movements and advocacy within their profession. You can consider joining leading notary associations or forums to stay informed about the proposed changes in the legislature or policy framework. With the help of these platforms or associations, you can also voice your concerns regarding the changes in the laws and practices. Participating in government affairs, signing petitions, or even contacting lawmakers can help you protect your interests while showcasing your proactiveness through these platforms.
Blindspot #3 Neglecting Continuing Education:
In recent years, the legal landscape has evolved rapidly, and notaries who fail to recognize this change fall behind by creating a blindspot for their notarial services. If you have disconnected yourself from the changing laws, regulations, and best practices, the risk of unintentional mistakes and legal non-compliance increases significantly. Notaries who neglect continuing education may miss out on learning about new industry trends, procedures, and technologies that could enhance their services.
Solution: To avoid these circumstances, as a notary, you should invest in lifelong learning. Consider attending workshops, webinars, and certification to ensure you are updated with the latest industry knowledge, best practices, and insights. Investing in learning is an investment in your career, and it ensures that you are prepared for any changes in the industry.
Blindspot #4 Relying Too Much On Templates:
Notarial affairs heavily depend on extensive documentation and paperwork. To ease long paper trails and clerical work, many notaries use templates. While templates can be convenient and time-saving, relying too heavily on them can lead to inaccuracies or outdated legal compliance. Notarial affairs often require a high level of customization and personalization. If you use the same generic template for each transaction, it may result in inaccuracies and errors. In addition, it may be suitable for a variety of documents.
Solution: You should customize your document template as much as you can. In addition, you should review your document template for each client to ensure they are meeting the specific requirements and needs of your clients. If you can update the templates periodically, it can help you ensure they comply with the latest legal standards. It would be best if you took the time to personalize and verify each document to showcase your professionalism while reducing the chances of mistakes and errors.
Blindspot #5 Ignoring Technology:
Many notaries are hesitant to embrace new technology, whether due to a lack of familiarity or a belief that their traditional methods are sufficient. However, by ignoring digital tools, notaries may be creating inefficiencies in their workflow and limiting their ability to offer modern, convenient services to clients. Resistance to technology also reduces competitiveness in a fast-paced, digital-first business environment.
Solution: Notaries must embrace technology such as notary software, digital notary solutions, scheduling tools, and cloud-based document management tools. These technologies streamline workflows and enhance the client experience by providing greater accessibility and efficiency.
How Closewise Can Help You Avoid Blindspots With Ease:
Closewise is your all-in-one solution to help notaries avoid common blindspots with ease. Offering cutting-edge accounting tools, advanced scheduling features, and an automatic document upload and management system, Closewise streamlines daily operations for maximum efficiency. With powerful CRM capabilities, the platform enables you to maintain seamless communication with signing service companies, ensuring you’re always in the loop. Closewise also enhances your professional image with tools designed to keep clients informed and satisfied, making it easier to avoid pitfalls and grow your business with confidence.
Bottom Line:
If you want to grow your notary signing business, you must recognize and acknowledge the blindspots early that can hinder your success. Hopefully, this article has provided you with insights like continuing your education, embracing technology, diversifying your revenue streams, and actively participating in legislative matters that will help you build a competitive notary signing business. Avoiding the common blindspots mentioned in the blog will not only help you protect your professional integrity but also help you offer better services to your clients. In this journey, the Closewise signing service platform and business management tool can help you significantly while helping you recognize and mitigate crucial blindspots early. Join Closewise today and build a competitive notary signing business.