Phone Etiquette
Phone Etiquette Guide for Notaries
In the fast-paced world of mobile notarizations, your phone is your storefront. Because most customers call the first person who shows up on Google, your ability to answer professionally and quote accurately determines whether you land a $150 loan signing or lose it to a competitor.
The High-Speed Greeting
For a mobile notary, the first five seconds of a call are the most important. If a title company or a frantic signer calls you, they are looking for immediate availability. Always answer with your business name and your own name, such as, 'Professional Notary Services, this is Sarah speaking, how can I help you with your documents today?' This confirms they reached a pro and not just a random cell phone number. If you are currently in a signing and cannot answer, a service like SkipCalls can handle the call so you never miss a $100 lead while you are busy witnessing a signature.
Key takeaway: Identify your business immediately to show callers they reached a legitimate professional.
Screening the Document Type
Before you give a price, you must know what you are notarizing. Ask the caller if they have a simple one-page Jurat, an acknowledgment, or a full real estate loan package. Using the right terms makes you sound like an expert. Ask, 'Do you have your unexpired government ID ready and are all signers present?' This prevents you from driving across town for a $75 mobile visit only to find out the customer isn't prepared to sign.
