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Another year has come and gone, along with the bustle of the holidays. Keep that momentum going by working on your business plan for the coming year.  Having a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and how you will accomplish it are the keys to becoming successful. While your plan should be specific to your business, here are a few universal ways to get started off on the right foot.

Notaries exist in nearly every country on the planet, but the role of notaries in the United States is far more limited than that of their international counterparts. In other countries, notaries are usually lawyers or other professionals who have been specifically trained in the drafting of documents. 

In today's age, the Internet drives the global economy. What does that mean for the notary industry? It means that more and more people are going online to find a notary near them. This is why the American Association of Notaries offers a free notary locator listing. It's easy to create a profile with us. Once you do, your visibility to potential customers will increase significantly and your business will grow.

In its simplest form, the term notario publico translates to notary public. On a deeper level, however, the difference between a notario publico and a U.S. notary public is vast, and therefore it can be problematic for notaries to use this particular terminology in the United States. While a notary public in the United States is authorized to perform specific notarial acts and practice limited discretion, a notario publico in many Latin American countries is an individual who has received the equivalent of a law license and who is authorized to represent others before the government.

Like most notary signing agents, I went through the drill of contacting all of the four- and five-star signing companies listed on one of the well known signing agent directories. After I got a couple of years of experience under my belt, I decided to narrow my marketing efforts to local title companies.

Personally, I believe that first impressions are lasting impressions. As signing agents, many of our first impressions are made on the internet.

A notary public is a state officer commissioned by his or her state of residence to serve the public as an unbiased, impartial witness. More than likely, if you are a commissioned notary, you have undergone some kind of training or classes to become a knowledgeable expert in how to perform your notarial duties.

The following are issues that are addressed by law in many states and may carry severe penalties. Notaries in those states that do not address these issues should heed the following: