Sign & Thrive

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Most notaries who want to break into trust and estate work focus on one thing: getting estate planning attorneys to hire them. They send emails. They drop off business cards. They wait for the phone to ring.

What they're missing is the strategy that changes everything — becoming a resource before they ever ask for anything in return.

In this episode, Bill Soroka breaks down the Three-Tier Estate Planning Referral System, a simple but powerful framework that transforms notaries from vendors into valued partners. This isn't about collecting names. It's about building a curated ecosystem of trusted professionals at every level so that no matter who asks you for an estate planning referral, you have a thoughtful, genuine answer.

You'll learn why having a referral list isn't just a nice-to-have — it's one of the most effective marketing tools in this specialty. When you lead with referrals instead of services, the entire dynamic of your outreach changes. The subject line "A referral for you" gets opened. The conversation that follows feels like a partnership, not a pitch. And the attorneys and professionals who receive your referrals start sending work back in return.

That's the referral loop. And this episode shows you exactly how to build your end of it.

Here's what we cover:

The three tiers of estate planning referrals — your personal network, budget-friendly options, and vetted DIY solutions — and why having all three makes you a genuine resource instead of a one-trick referral machine.

Why passing along a name is a tip, not a referral, and how to make warm introductions that actually open doors and create relationships that last for years.

The double opt-in approach to introductions — a strategy Bill learned from the book SuperConnector — and why it changes how both parties show up to the relationship.

How to edify the people you're introducing so the connection starts on a foundation of genuine trust rather than a cold exchange of contact information.

The five steps to building your referral list starting today, even if you're brand new to this specialty or feel like you don't know enough people yet.

Why the three-tier system isn't just a business strategy — it's what builds the reputation of being the go-to resource in your community, the person who always has an answer, and the professional that estate planning firms protect and keep calling.

Whether you're just getting started in trust and estate work or you've been building your practice for a while and want to deepen your referral relationships, this episode will give you a concrete framework and immediate action steps you can put to work today.

Because the notaries who thrive in this niche aren't the ones who market the hardest. They're the ones who bring the most value before they ever ask for anything back.

Ready to be that notary?

Join our free community of notary entrepreneurs at www.Skool.com/notary/about

Check out the books Bill has written to help notary entrepreneurs grow their businesses at www.notarycoach.com/books

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I called over 200 notaries listed on my own platform about paid estate signing jobs.

Two called back.

That experience — and the painful decision it led to — is at the heart of this episode.

For years I ran Gotary.com, a premium notary directory I personally built, marketed, and stood behind. I put my name, my face, and my phone number on it because I believed in the professionals listed there. And when hiring parties started telling me they couldn't reach those notaries, I tested it myself.

The pattern was the same every time. Calls unanswered. Voicemails unprofessional or missing entirely. Texts and follow-ups ignored. For paid jobs.

That's when I made the decision to shut Gotary down.

But here's what that experience revealed that goes far beyond one directory:

Most of those notaries didn't ghost hiring parties because they were careless. They ghosted them because they had quietly stepped away from the business — and never properly closed it.

Ghost listings. Phantom profiles. Phone numbers that ring into the void. And hiring parties who find those listings, make those calls, and hear nothing — they don't know the person quit. They just know they got ghosted by someone who called themselves a professional notary.

Multiply that across thousands of inactive notaries who never closed properly, and you start to understand where the responsiveness crisis in this industry is actually coming from.

This episode is about that problem. And the solution.

Whether you're thinking about closing your notary business, already stepping away, or still actively building — this one is for you.

What we cover: — Why quiet, graceless exits are fueling the notary responsiveness crisis — The real cost of ghost listings, dead profiles, and inactive voicemails — A complete step-by-step checklist for closing a notary business with integrity — How to protect your reputation, your relationships, and the profession on your way out — The one question worth asking before you close the door for good

This episode is for you if you're: — Searching for how to close a notary business the right way — Wondering what to do with your notary seal, journal, or commission — Feeling burned out, discouraged, or ready for a different season — An active notary questioning why responsiveness in this industry is broken — A mobile notary, signing agent, or loan signing agent wondering whether to continue

Resources mentioned: — Join the free community: skool.com/notary/about

The Sign & Thrive Podcast is hosted by Bill Soroka, founder of NotaryCoach.com and the High Performance Notary community — helping notaries build sustainable, professional businesses through relationship-based marketing, better systems, and a higher standard of service.

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Most notaries are commissioned…

But very few are truly prepared for the responsibility that comes with the role.

In this episode of the Sign & Thrive Podcast for Notaries, Bill Soroka sits down with Lori Hamm—former notary administrator for the Montana Secretary of State’s office—for a candid conversation about the gap between what notaries are expected to do and how they’re actually trained.

This isn’t a conversation about how to stamp documents.

It’s about what’s really at stake when a notary verifies identity—and what happens when the system assumes competency that may not exist.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing this “right,” or felt like there’s a deeper level to this profession that no one is talking about, this episode will give you a new perspective.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  Why being commissioned as a notary does not automatically mean you’re qualified 
•  The real role notaries play in preventing fraud and protecting the public 
•  What state oversight actually covers—and where it falls short 
•  Common misconceptions about notarization and identity verification 
•  The risks notaries face when operating without deeper training 
•  Why the notary profession is evolving—and what that means for your future 

This conversation is especially important for notaries who want to:

•  Build a credible, professional reputation 
•  Work with higher-value clients like attorneys and institutions 
•  Reduce risk and operate with greater confidence 
•  Understand the bigger picture of the role they play 

Because the truth is—

Notaries are often the last line of defense in critical transactions.

And the world is starting to expect more from those in this role.

If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to step into a higher standard of professionalism, you can learn more about the national credentialing movement here:

www.americannotaryguild.com

And if you want to build a real business around your notary commission—with consistent clients, proven systems, and a community of notaries doing the work alongside you—

Join the High Performance Notary community:

https://www.skool.com/notary

Listen to more episodes of the Sign & Thrive Podcast for Notaries for practical strategies, real conversations, and the mindset shifts you need to grow a thriving notary business.

If you found value in this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with another notary who’s ready to level up.

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I shut down a platform I built to raise the standard of this industry.
 Not because it failed… but because I couldn’t stand behind it anymore.

There’s a moment every business owner faces eventually.

When the data doesn’t just disappoint you…
 It forces a decision.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind why I made the call to shut down Gotary — a directory I built differently on purpose.

Not faceless.
 Not automated.
 Not “set it and forget it.”

I put my own name, my own reputation, and my own confirmation on the line for every notary listed.

And that’s exactly why I couldn’t ignore what kept happening.

Repeated complaints.
 Missed calls.
 Unreturned voicemails.
 Inconsistent professionalism.

This wasn’t one-off noise.
 It became a pattern.

And at some point, you have to ask yourself:

Would I trust this… if I were the client?

In this episode, we talk about:

•  Why I built Gotary the way I did 
•  What I heard over and over again from hiring parties 
•  The difference between systems and behavior 
•  Why some problems can’t be solved with better tools 
•  The line every business owner eventually has to draw 
•  What this means for your own reputation and growth 

This isn’t about calling anyone out.

It’s about ownership.

Because at the end of the day:

A system can create opportunity.
 But only behavior earns trust.

And if you’re serious about building something that lasts…
 that’s the part you can’t outsource.

You can join the conversation and get the support you need to grow a truly professional notary business in my free community on Skool here: https://www.skool.com/notary/about 

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Most notaries are taught to build their business one review at a time.

Build your Google Business Profile.
 Ask every client for five stars.
 Stay visible.

And that advice works… to a point.

But if you’ve ever felt like you’re still chasing the next appointment, still wondering where the next opportunity is coming from, there’s a reason.

You’re playing a transaction-based game.

In this episode, Bill Soroka introduces a different approach—one that shifts your focus from individual appointments to long-term, high-value relationships.

It’s called The Review Flip.

Instead of focusing only on getting your own reviews, you begin helping your attorney clients (especially estate planning firms) strengthen their online visibility and client feedback systems.

Why does that matter?

Because many small law firms:
 • Were never taught how to market their business
 • Don’t have a structured review-getting strategy
 • Rely heavily on referrals and inconsistent visibility

That gap creates an opportunity for you.

Not to sell.
 To help.

And when you help the firm grow, something powerful happens:

More visibility → more clients → more estate plans → more signing appointments → more consistent income for you.

That’s leverage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why focusing only on your own reviews limits your long-term growth
 • The hidden opportunity inside small estate planning firms
 • How to introduce yourself to attorneys without sounding salesy
 • How to support a law firm’s review strategy during your appointments
 • The simple language that makes this feel natural and professional
 • How this shifts you from “vendor” to “trusted partner”

This isn’t about becoming a marketing expert.

It’s about recognizing the value you already bring—and applying it in a way that creates stronger relationships, better positioning, and more predictable business.

If you’re ready to stop chasing individual appointments and start building partnerships that generate consistent work, this episode will change how you think about reviews, visibility, and your role as a notary.

Take the next step:

Inside the free High Performance Notary community, you’ll find a fully customizable, one-page Review Visibility Framework you can share with attorney clients and prospects.

It’s designed to help law firms:
 • Make review requests part of their workflow
 • Remove friction for clients
 • Build trust and visibility consistently
 • And integrate a notary partner into that process

Join the community here:
 https://www.skool.com/notary

You are more than a notary with a stamp.

Step into a role where you help your clients grow—and your business grows with them.

That’s The Review Flip.

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How long would you keep marketing your notary business with zero response?

Seven days?
 Thirty?
 Ninety?

In this episode of the Sign & Thrive Podcast for Notaries, Bill Soroka sits down with Victor Diaz of Andre Mobile Notary Service in Houston, Texas to unpack what really happens when you commit to daily prospecting — even when nothing seems to be working.

Victor spent nearly 120 days sending outreach emails to estate planning attorneys without a single reply. No encouragement. No validation. No quick wins.

Most notaries would have quit.

He didn’t.

Today, one attorney alone sends him steady weekly work — and that relationship started with an email that initially went unanswered.

This conversation is a real-world case study in notary marketing, consistency, and professional growth.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “staying top of mind” actually means in a service business
 • Why most notaries quit too early
 • How to structure your day around energy and productivity
 • The difference between motivation and commitment
 • How to market to estate planning attorneys the right way
 • Why email prospecting works (even when it feels like it doesn’t)
 • How one referral relationship can change your entire business
 • The power of follow-up and professional persistence
 • How to confidently talk about your notary services anywhere
 • Why simply having a Google Business Profile is not enough

Victor shares how he blocked his time, committed to daily execution, and refined his outreach instead of chasing new tactics every week. He explains how community accountability and structured habits helped him stay disciplined through discouraging seasons.

You’ll also hear how he:

• Built relationships with attorneys by adding value beyond the signing table
 • Helped referral partners grow their own visibility
 • Asked for reviews strategically
 • Created a referral loop that brings business back to him
 • Turned everyday conversations into real opportunities

This is not hype.
 This is not overnight success.
 This is what one full year of disciplined marketing looks like.

If you are a mobile notary, loan signing agent, apostille agent, or estate signing specialist struggling to get traction, this episode will challenge you in the best way possible.

Because the truth is simple:

The work that builds a sustainable notary business is not glamorous.
 It happens in daily emails.
 In follow-up calls.
 In uncomfortable conversations.
 In showing up when no one is responding yet.

And when it compounds — it compounds fast.

Victor also shares his perspective on professionalism in the notary industry, ongoing education, and why commitment to growth separates serious business owners from hobbyists.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Is this even working?”
 “How long should this take?”
 “Am I doing enough?”
 “Why isn’t my phone ringing?”

This episode is your reality check — and your encouragement.

Stay consistent.
 Refine your approach.
 Honor your commitment.
 Give it time.

Because sometimes, the phone starts ringing right after most people would have quit.

To connect with Bill and explore the High Performance Notary community, visit NotaryCoach.com or join at skool.com/notary.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with another notary who needs to hear it — especially the one who’s thinking about quitting too soon.

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Most people are watching.

They’re reading, learning, absorbing… but rarely speaking up.

If that sounds like you, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.

In fact, research on online communities shows that nearly 90% of people are “lurkers.” They observe, they learn quietly, and they stay on the sidelines while a small percentage of members drive most of the conversation.

But here’s the question this episode explores:

Is staying quiet neutral… or is it quietly costing you more than you realize?

In this episode of the Sign & Thrive Podcast, Bill Soroka takes a deeper look at the psychology behind lurking, why it’s such a common behavior across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook groups, Skool communities, training programs, and Zoom calls—and when it’s time to move beyond it.

This isn’t about posting more for the sake of being visible.

It’s about developing the skill of contribution.

Because the professionals who grow the fastest aren’t the ones consuming the most information… they’re the ones learning how to bring value in the rooms they’re already in.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why lurking is completely normal—and why it still has a ceiling
 • The 90–9–1 rule and how it shows up in real communities like High Performance Notary
 • What actually counts as an “online community” (hint: it’s more than social media)
 • The hidden cost of staying silent in your industry
 • The difference between low-impact and high-impact engagement
 • How to contribute in a way that builds trust, visibility, and real relationships
 • Five practical ways to bring value without being an “expert”
 • Why gratitude is participation—and how it strengthens your network

The Shift: From Consuming to Contributing

Most notaries (and entrepreneurs in general) are trained in skills—but not in how to show up in a room.

They know how to do the work.

But they don’t always know how to:

Articulate what they know
 Ask better questions
 Engage in meaningful conversations
 Support others publicly
 Build trust through presence

This episode reframes every online space you’re in as a training ground—not for content, but for leadership.

Whether it’s LinkedIn, a Facebook group, a Skool community, or a weekly Zoom call… these are all opportunities to practice becoming someone who brings value.

The 7-Day Contribution Challenge (Simplified)

Instead of overwhelming you with a checklist, Bill shares a simple approach you can apply immediately:

• Add real value to one conversation per day
 • Share one lesson you learned the hard way
 • Help one person publicly—with detail and intention

These small, intentional actions can shift how you’re seen, how you feel, and how you grow.

Want a place to practice this?

Join High Performance Notary, a free community of 2,000+ notaries who are building real businesses, supporting each other, and learning how to show up with confidence.

This isn’t a place to scroll and disappear.

It’s a place to practice.

Join here: https://www.skool.com/notary

Key Takeaway:

You don’t need a bigger audience.

You need to bring more value to the room you’re already in.

Your next level won’t be built in silence.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another notary or entrepreneur who’s ready to step out of the shadows and into the conversation.

And if you’re ready… we’ll see you inside.

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If you’re starting a fingerprinting business—or thinking about adding fingerprinting services to your existing business—there’s one thing you need to understand right away:

Getting trained is only half the equation.

The real question is this:

How do you actually get clients?

In this episode of the Sign & Thrive Podcast, Bill Soroka breaks down the daily marketing habits that turn fingerprinting from “just another service you offer” into a repeat-driven business that generates consistent income.

Fingerprinting is one of the most overlooked service opportunities in the compliance and background check industry. Millions of professionals require fingerprinting every year for licensing, employment screening, and regulatory compliance.

Healthcare workers.
 Teachers.
 Security professionals.
 Volunteers.
 Financial industry employees.
 Government contractors.

And many of these professionals must complete background checks again and again throughout their careers.

That means fingerprinting isn’t just a one-time service.

It’s a repeat-driven compliance business.

But here’s where most people get stuck.

They add fingerprinting to their services.
 They put it on their website.
 Maybe they update their Google Business Profile.

And then they wait.

The phone doesn’t ring.

Not because the demand isn’t there—but because they never build the visibility and relationships that drive fingerprinting appointments.

In this episode, Bill introduces the framework he calls:

The Seven Drivers of a Repeat Fingerprinting Business

These seven drivers represent the daily habits and marketing actions that successful fingerprinting entrepreneurs use to build relationships with organizations that regularly require background checks for their employees, contractors, and volunteers.

You’ll learn how to identify the right prospects, start conversations with decision makers, and position your fingerprinting business as a trusted resource for organizations that need reliable compliance services.

If you’re researching how to start a fingerprinting business, how mobile fingerprinting services attract clients, or how to build a repeat-driven service business, this episode will give you a practical roadmap.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why fingerprinting is one of the most repeat-driven service businesses available
 • The types of organizations that regularly require fingerprinting services
 • How to build a prospecting list of organizations that need fingerprinting
 • The simple five-minute research strategy that helps your outreach stand out
 • How to contact decision makers in HR, compliance, and credentialing departments
 • The follow-up rhythm that keeps you top of mind when companies need fingerprinting
 • How warm introductions can unlock long-term business relationships
 • Where fingerprinting clients gather and how to position yourself in those rooms
 • The daily online visibility habits that help clients find your fingerprinting business

Bill also explains why fingerprinting entrepreneurs who focus on daily execution and visibility eventually stop chasing appointments and start becoming embedded in the hiring and onboarding workflows of companies that need background checks.

That’s when fingerprinting stops being a side service and becomes a predictable, repeat-driven business.

Join the free High Performance Notary community, where thousands of entrepreneurs are working together to grow their businesses through consistent marketing and daily execution.

Visit:
 https://www.skool.com/notary

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If you’re ambitious…

If you see opportunity everywhere…

If your brain lights up with new ideas, programs, certifications, and partnerships…

But at the end of the month you’re wondering why revenue didn’t move the way you expected…

This episode is for you.

Today we’re talking about something most notary entrepreneurs are never taught — opportunity cost.

Opportunity cost is the hidden trade-off behind every decision you make in your business. Every time you say yes to something, you are automatically saying no to something else.

The problem? Most people never stop to ask what that “something else” might be.

In this solo episode, Bill shares a candid look at one of his own entrepreneurial weaknesses: chasing shiny objects. As someone who leads with Enneagram Type 7, the enthusiast, Bill openly talks about his tendency toward FOMO — fear of missing out — and how constantly saying yes to new opportunities nearly sabotaged his ability to build anything meaningful.

You’ll hear how that realization changed the way he approaches growth, focus, and decision-making today.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• What “shiny object syndrome” really is and why entrepreneurs struggle with it
 • How opportunity cost quietly drains momentum from your business
 • Why being busy often feels productive but doesn’t actually move revenue
 • The psychological and neurological reasons your brain chases novelty instead of execution
 • A simple framework for evaluating whether a training, call, or opportunity is worth your time
 • How to ask the powerful question: “What am I avoiding right now?”

Bill also shares the guardrails he uses today to keep ambition from turning into distraction — including reflection periods, quarterly focus, and daily execution habits that keep the business moving forward.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but progress is slower than it should be, this episode will help you step back, refocus, and make better decisions about where your time and energy actually go.

Because the difference between a drifting business and a thriving one is rarely talent.

It’s focus.

And every “yes” carries a hidden cost.

Listen in and ask yourself the question most entrepreneurs never stop to consider:

What is this decision costing me?

Resources Mentioned

High Performance Notary Community
 Join for free and connect with a community focused on execution, visibility, and building real notary businesses:
https://www.skool.com/notary/about

About Bill Soroka

Bill Soroka is the founder of Notary Coach and the High Performance Notary community. He is an entrepreneur, trainer, and author dedicated to helping notaries build sustainable, profitable businesses through consistent action, strategic visibility, and relationship-based growth.

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Why would someone hire an apostille agent when they could “just send the paperwork themselves”?

That question sits at the heart of this episode.

In this conversation, I sit down with Judi Lawrence — widely known as the “Queen of Apostilles” — to unpack what clients are really paying for when they hire a professional apostille agent.

Most beginners think apostille services are about knowing where to send documents. But as you’ll hear in this episode, the real value goes far deeper than mailing paperwork to the Secretary of State.

We discuss:

• The emotional state of most apostille clients (confusion, urgency, deadline pressure)
 • Why rejection avoidance is one of the most important professional skills
 • What happens behind the scenes in a properly handled apostille job
 • Why “just call the Secretary of State” is not a business model
 • The difference between being a document runner and a professional facilitator
 • How time and opportunity cost impact profitability
 • Why pricing cannot be copied from Facebook groups
 • What “the market bears” really means in your state
 • Why developing strong notary skills is non-negotiable

If you’re searching for apostille training, wondering how to become an apostille agent, or struggling to price your apostille services confidently, this episode will give you clarity.

You’ll hear why:

Apostilles are not “toothpaste.”
 Every job is different.
 Time is your most valuable asset.
 And professionalism is what commands higher fees.

We also talk about one of the biggest mistakes new apostille agents make — underestimating their indirect costs. Communication time. Research. Travel. Rejection prevention. Timeline management. These are the hidden components that separate profitable businesses from burned-out operators.

If you want to build a sustainable apostille business instead of guessing at fees or underpricing your services, this conversation will help you think like a professional.

Because clients aren’t paying for a stamp.

They’re paying for certainty.

They’re paying for someone who understands the process deeply enough to carry the weight for them.

If this episode resonates and you’re ready to go deeper into apostille workflow, Hague vs. non-Hague countries, rejection prevention, structured pricing, and building a real apostille revenue stream, explore the World of Apostilles training inside High Performance Notary.

Learn more at:
 NotaryCoach.com/apostille 
 Skool.com/notary

If you found value in this episode, share it with another notary entrepreneur and leave a review — it helps us reach more professionals who want to elevate the standard of this industry.