Telephone Etiquette is Essential as a Notary Signing Agent

Read how this notary acted unprofessionally and probably never even knew it!

Victoria Ring---Bio-

This past week I was talking to a notary who was very disappointed that he had tried everything he knew to do and still could not make money as a signing agent.  As I continued to ask him questions in an attempt to determine what he might be doing wrong, this notary received a telephone call on another line.  He asked me to hold on, but instead of putting me on hold, he just laid the phone down so I could hear his other conversation. (Very unprofessional.)

The other conversation involved a company he had completed a signing for and I heard him speaking very sharply to them.  At first I thought it was a personal conversation because this notary did not sound professional in the least.  Instead, he sounded like he was talking to his spouse and they were having a disagreement.

When the notary came back to the phone he did apologize for the interruption but immediately he began to complain about the company he had just spoken to.  He said, "Boy, I told them.  Of course I sent those papers.  I know what I'm doing."  Then he immediately switched the subject and asked me "If I buy your book will I make money?"

I said, "No. Simply buying any book will not make you money. The only way you can make money is to use the information in the books as tools to build your company.  You must implement the information.  Just buying my notary book and sitting it on a shelf will do nothing."  However, the notary did not understand what I said because he did not listen and understand what I just said. Instead he came back with "So how can I make some money."  This is when I realized this notary was only seeking the "magic bullet" to success which does not exist.

However, I did attempt to take "one more shot" and try to give him some positive suggestions to help him in the best way I knew how.  But, as I made suggestions the notary immediately shot everything I said down.  He not only complained but managed to find the negative side to every scenario I presented.  I finally gave up. This notary will never make the kind of money he wants.  He is trying to run a business by cutting corners and his negative attitude will prevent him from trying new things and looking at his successes and failures as learning experiences.  The suggestions I made were meant to help him think in a positive direction, but this man was so negative it was unbelievable.  His only concern was to make money -- nothing else. He never once asked me questions that involved doing his job properly (he evidently needed to improve his phone communication skills.)

I am sure there are many notaries out there who know people like this.  What is so sad about it is that most people do not have the ability to look at their behavior objectively and improve upon it.  Human nature causes them to immediately blame others when they try everything they know to do and nothing works.  But in order to excel in your own business you must learn to think of your customer first and adapt your behavior and services to meet those needs -- not yours.

When I started my first business in 1988, I also tried everything I could and still did not see results. This is when I sought out people who were successful in the business and I began listening to them and utilizing their suggestions. I also purchased videos, training tapes and lots of books as well as joined local groups to learn from others who knew more than I did.  Regardless how hard you try, you will never bypass the hard work it takes to build a company.  But I suppose there will always be a group of people out there who will always continue trying, then blame others when they are unable to find it.