Here are some tips for getting the most out of your listing

Get certified
Being certified by 123notary.com can get you an average of 78% more visits to your listing than an uncertified signing agent listing with comparable information. Getting certified is not expensive and only takes a few hours to study and take the online e-test.

Extensive notes
Having extensive notes is another important feature of a good listing. Many signing companies have told us that they prefer listings of notaries who really express themselves thoroughly and mention as much helpful information as possible so they can get an idea of who you are.

Additional areas
Having additional areas really boosts visitation. If you are only listed in your home area, you are missing out. Being listed in three additional areas could double your visitation. That will also help you gain name recognition as companies will see yoru name in more areas. Please see the advertise with us page to learn how many additional areas your listing is allowed. In many cases, we give more counties than we technically allow.

List your memberships in your notes section
Listing your memberships is a big plus. A notary who is a member of many organizations will come across as serious and well settled in the notary business.

Show off your good equipment
Having good equipment to show off on your listing such as a dual tray laserprinter is an excellent way to show the world how serious and well-equipt you are.

Multiple contact methods
Having multiple contact numbers is helpful. Most companies will want you to have a home, office, cell, and fax, at a minimum. Its not necessary to go overboard, but companies want to make sure they can reach you.

Answer your phone
Answering your phone is a must. Many notaries don't answer their phone much, and they are losing out on the calls. Companies are in a huge hurry to dispatch jobs and will give it to the first competent notary who answers their phone.

Skills and communication
Being knowledgeable and coming across well are irreplaceable skills. If you know how to do all the common notary procedures, know you way around your county and neighboring areas, have all the necessary forms, and have your act together, you are marketable. If the list of things you don't do is too long, you are losing out. Many notaries don't know how to do jail notarizations or hospital notarizations. Those can be a big part of your income if you do your homework. Many notaries know loan signing, but are not as proficient as they could be. Being the best at what you do is what gets you hired.

Branding ( name recognition )
Name recognition counts a lot. If companies begin to get used to seeing you name and you change the name to a company name, you just sacrificed your name recognition for nothing. On the other hand, if you have a company name that is well known and popular, that is okay too if you keep the name the same over the years. Its not good to switch your name much, because brand consciousness applies to your name. If companies see you on other directories too, or many counties on 123notary.com, they will recognize your name a lot more easily and be more likely to use your services.

Company names
According to a comparison we did between listings with a personal name and listings displaying a company name, the listings with a company name got 17% more visits on average. It is unclear whether the increase in clicks is due to their increased professionalism, or whether it is due to the fact that they display a company name.

Websites
Having a website is important. Websites cost money to create, and more money to host, but they will leave a great impression on potential clients if you do a good job. Quality design, and easy to find information about your services is a must. Promoting your site is hard work too. Exchanging links with other notary sites is a must. It might help if they are far away so they don't perceive you as competition.