Are you a new notary or just need some help in what to do or how to market yourself as a new notary? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned notary but you still struggle with how to market your notary business. If so, then keep reading to learn the top 10 ways to market and grow your notary business.
Marketing plays an integral part in the success of your business. There are many ways to market your notary business. Some will bring you more business than others, but really, they all can bring awareness and potential clients to your business.
Test different marketing techniques but pay attention to the ones that bring you the most business and reach. They are the ones you’ll want to focus on and implement the most. Once you identify the core marketing practices that bring you the most business, you will be able to fine tune those practices. All it takes is tracking your marketing and client information.
Always ask a client how they heard about you if you’re not sure how they found you. It’s a great way to get valuable insight into how you’re marketing is working for you. Here’s how to market and grow your notary business.
Business Cards
One of the best ways to market your notary business is with business cards. Pass out your business cards everywhere you go. You will also want to have key information on your business cards as well as information that may make you stand out.
For instance, do you specialize in apostille services? It’s not a service that all notaries know how to do or offer. If so, put apostille services on your business cards! Will you do business at the last minute, later than most people, or on weekends or holidays? Then put that on your business card. Of course, there are size limitations on business cards so choose what you put on them wisely.
Business cards are a way to establish your brand.
In addition to individuals, you should pass out your cards to local businesses. Banks, hospitals, and escrow/title companies are great businesses to give your cards to.
Google Business
Another great way to market your business is by using Google Business. You can create a free Google Business Page for your business at: www.google.com/mybusiness.
Google Business can help others find you that otherwise might not. Plus, Google Business is free so there’s no excuse not to use it. When potential clients are looking for a notary nearby they will be able to find you if you have the right keywords in your profile. A good profile will also include testimonies, reviews, photos, and services offered. Be sure to highlight any specialized services and niches you offer as well.
Having a great presence on Google is essential for your notary business. Think about it. If someone needs a notary and doesn’t know of one, they may get on Google and go searching for one. If they are looking for a notary in their area they might google “notaries in my area”, “notaries near me”, or maybe even “notaries in ___” (insert whatever city they live in). Good Business allows for discovery of your business.
If you need help setting up your Google business there are tons of great videos out there to assists with that. YouTube is one such platform that has videos on the best way to set up your Google Business profile. It’s so essential to increase your visibility in search engines if you want people to find you.
Websites
Building an online presence takes time. Business cards, Google Business, and other marketing tools are great ways to get the word out about your business. However, you still need a website. You can put a lot more information on a website then you can a business card or Google profile.
Having a website gives you a chance to really give others an ideal of who you are and what you can offer them. You may even consider having a blog on your website and writing articles about notary services. This gives others a chance to see your knowledge and expertise. In turn, potential clients will fill more confident in using you as their notary. Including testimonies and reviews is another way to increase confidence and trust in you and your business. A website offers a way to really display your talents and services. In addition, you can include extras that really are effective such as a freebie readers can sign up for and a way to subscribe to your mailing list.
What are other notaries doing? Check out their websites to see what type of information and skills they offer and display. This may help you get ideals on the kinds of things you want to display on your own website. Don’t copy other notaries of course. But seeing what works and then finding ways to stand out on your own is what’s going to help you grow your business.
Connections
Strive to build long-term relationships with your contacts. Relationships and engagement are part of running your business and marketing. Be consistent in your communication as well even if this just means sending your contacts a quarterly newsletter or wishing them well for the holidays.
It’s also good to keep contacts informed on what’s going on with you and your business. This way you will be on their mind and the next time they need a notary (or know someone who does) they will reach out to you or recommend your services to others.
Even though you work for yourself keep a professional demeanor. Dress and communicate like a professional. You never know whose paying attention and watching.
If you feel comfortable, put your picture on your website. This way others can immediately connect and have a face to a name/business. This choice won’t make or break you per se, but it adds a nice touch and is more personal.
Your brand tells a lot about your business so use it to your advantage. You want to build a good reputation where good customer service, trust, and honesty stands out.
Online Presence
Running a successful business involves planning. Creating a business plan and sticking to it is key.
Business plans help you focus on what’s important and help one to be effective, organized, and productive. Your objectives and goals should align with how you see your business.
What sort of goals do you want to accomplish in your business? How will you go about accomplishing them? Your strategy may start out as trial and error as you learn more about your business and experience and ins and outs of running it.
Earlier we discussed using social media to advertise your business. But did you know social media should also be a part of your strategy? Don’t just post randomly when the mood hits you, or if you are having a particularly great day. Show up for your business every day in some way. One of the easiest ways to show up for your business is by having a social media strategy.
Part of a strategic plan for social media means creating a schedule for posting. If you find this hard to do, then consider investing in a social media scheduler. Your social media page helps you develop your brand and stand out.
Start off thinking about the type of content you want to post. Do you want to post reels, videos, memes, or pictures? What types of information do you want on your post? Would you like to talk about tips for those seeking notaries? Do you want to educate your audience on the notary world in general? Perhaps you want to get more personal and post videos of you going to appointments or the day in the life of a notary. Whatever you post make it your own. Will you mix business with a little bit of personal by sharing pictures of yourself and your family from time to time so that your audience gets to you know better? Or will you be keeping it strictly professional and business like? If you do decide to share personal pictures on your social media page, be sure to keep it minimal. Although others may be curious as to who you are and what your life is like, and you may want to show them, you’re still running a business. The main goal of social media is to highlight your notary business and what you have to offer.
To easily recognize your company, use your logo as your profile picture or banner for all your social media accounts. All accounts should be aligned.
Not sure which social media account is best for you? Just try a few of them and see which ones you feel most comfortable with. Or base it on the ones you enjoy the most.
However, if you already know you like sharing videos and plan to post content regarding the day in the life of a notary then choosing Instagram or YouTube may be the way to go for you. Instagram is also good for posting pictures and memes with tips.
Facebook is good if you like to post informational or educational type post. Or if you’re a notary that likes to mentor other notaries then think about creating a Facebook group for notaries to gather. Or even a place where potential clients can gather and learn. Then using Facebook to gain followers and then create a Facebook group will help with that ideal. You can bring people together to discuss challenges, new ways to grow their business, and support each other. Use the group to truly connect and grow, not just to talk about your notary business. Although once the groups grows, then introducing your business should definitely be a part of the plan.
LinkedIn has become a highly active and interactive way to gain an online presence. There’s really no right or wrong platform. It’s all about being active, present, and engaging. That is how you will be successful on social media.
A word of advice-don’t go crazy using a bunch of social media platforms at once. Try setting up two social media platforms and learn them well. Utilize all the tools they offer and get really good at mastering them. Post frequently. Don’t post once or twice a month and the rest of the time your followers see nothing posted on your page or channel. If you are an infrequent poster eventually your followers will move on and may even forget about your business. Besides, the more you post, the more likely the platform is likely to show others your post.
Once you know what platforms you want to use then just get going! Be sure you create a brand-new page. Do not turn your personal page into your business page.
Advertising
When it comes to advertising there are many ways to advertise your business besides paid ads although if you have the funds, paid ads can pay off and get you seen quickly.
A popular paid advertising includes pay-per-click on socials and websites. Using this type of advertising can be effective. However, be sure you know what you’re doing and have a decent size following so that your ad shows up when someone is scrolling through social media. You also will need to be familiar with SEO and using keywords to find your target customers.
You can also have ads on social media platforms. Facebook and Instagram are popular platforms for creating business ads.
Be sure you’re signing up with notary websites as well. Some websites that cater to notaries let you sign up with them. They usually have some sort of directory and a big audience. In the directory others looking for notaries can find you and reach out for your service.
You may even want to buy t-shirts, hats, etc. with your logo and/or company name on it and wear them when you go out every chance you get. You then become a free advertisement as you go about your day and others see you.
Marketing materials are another effective way to advertise. Think newsletters, brochures, flyers, magnets, and note pads. Pass out, email, or mail these items to gain more exposure.
Expansion
There are many niches to consider when it comes to your notary business. Niches allow for other type of notary work besides just general notary signings.
One such niche is loan signings. Loan signings are part of the real estate industry, and all transactions require a notary. To branch out into the loan signing world get to know escrow companies. Partnering with an Escrow office or Escrow officer is ideal. They will call you for a loan signing when a closing comes up. You can also sign up with signing platforms and signing service companies to get business for these types of notary signings as well. Their platforms are designed to connect notaries with clients seeking regular notary services.
In the beginning pick a few escrow offices to visit in your area. Introduce yourself and tell them who you are and leave a business card. If they do not already have a designated notary in-house or someone that they already use, then chances are likely that will reach out the next time they need a notary. Consider adding them to your email list when you send newsletters (with permission of course) so that they can get to know who you are.
Adding Loan Signings to your notary portfolio is another way to market yourself. Plus, we all know that doing general notary work doesn’t pay a lot. However, doing a loan signing pays anywhere from $75 to $150 per loan signing. It can vary. If interested in trying your hand at loan signings there will be a learning curve. You’ll need to take a loan signing course before doing these types of signings.
Network with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and loan officers as well. They often require notary services for document signings.
In addition to loan signings, consider these 12 ways to make money within the notary industry to expand your circle of potential customers.
Thumbtack
I won’t go into too much detail about how to market yourself using Thumbtack because I’ve already written an article about it. But when I tell you there’s tons of business that can come your way using Thumbtack believe me! I’ve experienced it! To read more about how Thumbtack can help you not only market your business but gain lots of new customers read the article here.
Socializing
Just going out being your authentic self and attending events is such an organic and fun way to market yourself. Attend local business events where networking is involved. Any event where people are gathered where you are free to walk around and talk with others is the best atmosphere to exchange information with others about who you are and what your business is all about. Don’t forget to also be engaging and ask others questions about themselves and their businesses as well. No one wants to talk to someone whose self-absorbed and just all about just talking about them. Networking and socializing are about engaging and exchanging information mutually.
Check out your local Chamber of Commerce for meetings and community gatherings that are comfortable for you.
Freebies
Offer your service for free and then kindly ask for a review or testimony afterwards. Have a freebie day once a month where you do free notarizing for a few hours to build your business. Eventually you’ll have many reviews. People love reading reviews about businesses. This will build trust and build your business reputation. Others can experience you and your business with nothing to lose by getting a free notarization.
A fun way to build on giving freebies is to take it a step further and offer your existing clients a discount for referring you. You can also offer other incentives besides discounts. Whatever you think your clients may be interested in receiving is what you can offer. Maybe your referral programs offers a free notarization for every three customers they send you that pay for a service.
To avoid customers just repeatedly waiting for freebie day to obtain your services, you can make freebie day open to only those who have never had a notarization with your company before.
Instead of a one-time discount for customers who send you business, you can offer a permanent discount for those customers who use your service often.
There are many ways that freebies can benefit you and your clients.
Additionally, by networking with other professionals in the industry and joining relevant organizations, you can increase your visibility and generate leads for your business. Complacency and staying in your comfort zone will get you nowhere. Be brave, be professional, be patient, and be engaging. But most of all be consistent!
If you implement these marketing tips, you’ll be well on your way to having a successful notary business in no time.
Happy notarizing!