Questions and Answers from NSA's - Article 4

Covers a wide variety of topics. Make sure you read them all to get all the information.

by  Victoria Ring---Bio

Dear Victoria:  I get so much junk mail that I often delete email messages that are very important by accident. I read in the last issue that you were hit with a really bad adware virus on your computer computer.  I am so afraid to set up a website or market on the internet because of all this stuff. What do you do to maintain the 50 State Notary website? --Steve

Dear Steve:  When a person decides to run an internet business, there are a few things they should have (or purchase):

1.  Business class high-speed internet connection. It is almost impossible in this day and age to run an internet business without high-speed internet access. Upgrading to Business Class will normally come with an actual hardware firewall (not software installed on your computer.) This firewall is the best protection for keeping an internet connection up and running 24/7. (50 State Notary uses Roadrunner.)

2.  Have a good internet host.  There are literally thousands of internet web hosts offering web page services, but the majority of them are not as good as they claim.  Because most beginners have no idea the right questions to ask to make the determination whether the web host is "good" or "bad" they often learn the hard way.  For instance, I used to use Cedant.com as my web host but my web site was often down because they were either fixing an internet problem or backing up their system. It was a nightmare! Then I discovered BummerHosting.Com and have never experienced a period of downtime in over a year.

3.  Make sure your email is not downloaded to your computer. Another reason I also enjoy doing business with BummerHosting.Com is that they have a top-notch email program. My email is protected from virus attacks because it is NEVER downloaded to my computer. Instead, I view it on BummerHosting's secure computers.  For those of you who have a Yahoo.Com, MSN.Com or HotMail.Com email account, you can understand the concept.  You log into your email account and view your email on the internet.  If you use Outlook Express, Endora, Netscape, AOL or other similar email software to get your email -- it is being downloaded to your computer when you click on "Get Mail."  I found this method to be dangerous and I now access all my email from BummerHosting.Com

4.  Keep your computer clean inside. I also keep the internet cache cleaned out on all the computer systems, as well as running an adware, virus and pop-up software on a daily basis. Once a month I run ScanDisk which is a utility in Windows under "Accessories."

Note: If you would like to check out the services of Bummer Hosting, you can call them toll-free at 888-440-1776. Be sure to mention that you were referred by 50 State Notary and are interested in the same service we have.

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Dear Victoria:  I just received an email that was forwarded to me by someone else. The email said this lady wants to develop a company just like 50 State Notary and put you out of business. Would you like her name and address?  --Tony

Dear Tony: No, but feel free to pass along my contact information. I would be more than happy to meet with anyone personally and help them start another company like 50 State Notary.  The notaries and paralegals need as much education as possible and it would be wonderful to see more companies start-ups dedicated to this important topic.

You must understand Tony that 50 State Notary is a unique company that has no fear of competition. That is because we develop all our products in-house and our products are only available from 50 State Notary.  In addition, 50 State Notary has built its company base with loyal customers who respect our high-quality. You can do the same with your freelance notary business also.  Do a superior job for the companies you work for and you will build a customer loyalty of repeat business. When you reach this point in your marketing, you really don't have to advertise anymore. Word of mouth advertising (from your loyal and satisfied customers) will keep you in business and you too will never have a need to fear any competition.
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Dear Victoria: I placed an order for your Training CDs after the 30th when the coupon special expired and was charged the original price. I am sorry that I did not have the time to check my e-mail on a daily basis, however, I responded to your coupon offer as soon as I received it.  I only wish you had advised me that the coupon was no longer valid and inquired if I still wanted to place the order at that time before filling it.   --Linda

Dear Linda:  50 State Notary has an automated ordering system. When a credit card order is received, it is processed through a secure server at our merchant bank. After approval, your order is sent to our distribution center where your order is filled. When I decide to offer a special coupon price on an item, I go online and reset the form at the merchant bank to acknowledge the coupon price if an order is received before the expiration date. After the date has expired, the automated system would have charged you the normal price. It would be impossible for me to drive to the distribution center each day, check every order and call the customer back to make sure the product they ordered is what they really wanted.  People must take responsibility in deciding what products they wish to purchase and if they make an error, learn from the mistake and not expect the merchant to compensate them for their own error.
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Dear Victoria: I have been very successful in my notary business and I dearly love reading The Notary News. However, after reading some of your answers to some of the notary questions I believe that many of them do not understand what you mean by marketing. Some people believe that if you go out on an assignment -- this is marketing. Perhaps it would help if you would explain what marketing is in relation to the notary. --Sheila

Dear Sheila:  For those of you who do not understand what marketing is -- marketing is simply selling products and services to people who want to buy them. Going out on an assignment is not marketing -- this is called "doing your job."  However, the notary had to use some form of marketing in order to get the job in the first place. They either filled out an online application (a form of marketing) or called and spoke with the signing company (another form of marketing). Marketing is essentially doing what it takes to get income for your business.  Once you have obtained the assignment from the company, the rest of your duties falls under the category of "doing your job."