2022 business prospects look strong as Notaries find new ways to serve customers

Many Notaries reported high demand for mobile services in the past year, continuing the record increase in demand for Notary services started in 2020. As the new year begins, Notaries predict 2022 will be even stronger thanks to new business strategies that led to success last year.

As the coronavirus pandemic evolved, Notaries have found innovative ways to adjust and thrive, including the following:

Meeting the growing demand for mobile and online Notary services

Finding new ways to accommodate customers, such as flexible appointment locations and electronic payment options Offering remote notarization services to customers.

Demand for mobile Notary services is on the rise

One of the biggest takeaways from 2021 is that customer demand for mobile and online Notary services is increasing. Many traditional venues for Notary services — like banks — are less available due to COVID restrictions, but that’s meant more opportunities for mobile Notaries.

“For the first half of last year there was a lot more work because many people were getting their estates in order,” said California Notary Robin Fishman, who works part-time for several estate attorneys. “The lawyers and I were going to these clients’ homes in times of fear and the unknown so we would make sure nothing was left off the table for them to be uncertain about.

“I had an amazing year in 2021 despite spending a month in the hospital with COVID. I became a Notary in 2003, so that experience has helped me guide my business to where it is today. When I started, about 98 percent of my work was signings, now about 90 percent is general Notary work,” said Daniel Lewis of Carmel, Indiana.

“I discovered there’s a big need for general Notary work in communities. Schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and even car dealerships are requesting notarizations. That can keep you busy and fill up your week. People are getting more comfortable doing a lot of their life online, but many people still like someone coming to their house to settle their legal matters.”

Fishman agrees. “I like the simplicity of doing general Notary work. I really enjoy it. I’m not doing this to earn a living and with my elderly signers, I often lower my fees or don’t charge for travel. It feels like I’m giving back a bit. For me, I’d like to do that more often in 2022.”

To succeed in 2022, Notaries changed the way they do business

While the pandemic taught all of us how to adapt to life-threatening circumstances, Notaries learned to adapt their business practices as well. To be successful in 2022, Notaries are offering customers more flexible choices when it comes to appointment locations and payment options.