Marketing your business should be done on a consistent basis even if your business is successful. It is also encourage having several ways of marketing your business however; making sure to keep track of your marketing methods to determine which methods works best for your type of business.
CDandC Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC is committed to advertising their website aggressively to your targeted clients/customers giving your Ads maximum exposure.
CDandC is offering FREE Advertising for virtual professionals and independent contractors/freelancers on their online classifieds with a subscription to their free newsletter.
To take advantage of this offer subscribe to CDandC free newsletter then email the following information to be listed on their classifieds.
· Your full name
· Name of your company (if applicable)
· Job title
· Your address
· Telephone number
· Fax number
· Email address
· Website address
About CDandC
CDandC was developed by experienced paralegals who have worked at prestigious law firms in the United States. CDandC’s paralegals are experts in their fields of practice. Combined their members have more than 35 years experience working as paralegals.
Their mission is to take a genuine interest in their clients, understand their objectives, and meet or exceed their expectations. They provide their clients with safe, reliable and quality one stop shopping for all paralegal and notary services. For more information about CDandC products and services visit them at http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com./ Or email inbox@cdcnewsletter.com
All listings must be received by March 1, 2008.
Offer ends March 1, 2008.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Friday, November 30, 2007
CD&C Launches Virtual Paralegal Firm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC
(888) 680-0870
inbox@cdcformsprocessing.com
http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com
CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC
(888) 680-0870
inbox@cdcformsprocessing.com
http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com
New York City, NY – December 01, 2007 – CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC ("CD&C") offers virtual paralegal assistance to solo practitioners and small law firms. The members of CD&C have a combined 35 years experience working as corporate paralegals. They have worked with several top law firms in the nation. Their duties include, but are not limited to, Blue Sky, CFTC, HSR and Broker Dealer filings. In addition, they have experience with corporate governance, forming/maintaining legal entities, drafting and analyzing legal documents including resolutions, minutes, bylaws and policies among other paralegal duties.
About CD&C
CD&C is a virtual paralegal firm that strives to achieve results that exceed expectations through their commitment to their clients. Their mission is to take a genuine interest in their clients, understand their objectives, and meet or exceed their expectations. They provide their clients with safe, reliable and quality one stop shopping for all paralegal services. For more information about CD&C products and services visit them at http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com.
Monday, November 5, 2007
New Requirement for NSAs - Background Check
More and more, we, as a nation, are becoming ultra-concerned and extremely protective of personal data and personal information. Identity theft, depending on who you believe, is either running rampant in our country or not as prevalent as we have been led to believe. Still the “powers that be“ appear to be pushing for getting a handle on verifying the identity of all Notary Signing Agents. Some will see this as progress, while others tend to view it as a continuation of the Big Brother Syndrome.
In any event, for those who haven’t been updated, here’s what is transpiring now. Some lending institutions, banks, title companies and signing agencies are requesting that some of their “employees’ and “service personnel“ involved in the lending process undergo background screening and compliance training. Pretty much any individual that has access to the financial information of borrowers must submit to a background check. The “kicker“ here is that they also have to pay for it - more on that later! Notary Signing Agents fall right in the middle of that group. This sudden requirement is based on their loose interpretation of Gramm-Leach Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act.
While the members of CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC (“CD&C”) have yet to be required to provide certification, there have been such requests of some of our subcribers from various lending agencies and signing companies. However quite a few questions are emerging as to the sudden rush to have the certification done and as to whether it is necessary to do it. Also, the cost of doing this certification ranges anywhere from $9 to $150. Based on our readings, the general consensus is that there needs to be a definitive ruling on whether or not the requirement was supposed to be applied to “contractors“ such as NSAs.
When is it going to be a requirement for signing companies/title, escrow and various lenders to submit to background checks as required of the NSA to help prevent fraud? Maybe, if there was a requirement, it would reduce non-payment to signing agents. It would be harder for a “Mr. Joe” to open shop for a few days, close shop and re-open under a different name; all the while refusing to pay NSAs. There should be a list/system where reputable companies are listed to help the NSA weed out the bad companies. The NSA will be put on a list/system where the title companies will only hire the NSA who have had the background check and are certified. No system is perfect, but it can help to reduce the NSA’s risks.
Why do NSAs have to pay for the background check? The title companies are requiring the background check, so why shouldn’t they pay for it? Can the NSA purchase the background check without certification? Are they willing to pay an increased fee for advance education now that we are certified? Another expense added and we are still being underpaid or not paid at all…
Until that can be established, we recommend that you think long and hard about forking over your money. And if it turns out that we actually do need to have our certification, then we should discuss all options so as to have the most cost efficient service available.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
In any event, for those who haven’t been updated, here’s what is transpiring now. Some lending institutions, banks, title companies and signing agencies are requesting that some of their “employees’ and “service personnel“ involved in the lending process undergo background screening and compliance training. Pretty much any individual that has access to the financial information of borrowers must submit to a background check. The “kicker“ here is that they also have to pay for it - more on that later! Notary Signing Agents fall right in the middle of that group. This sudden requirement is based on their loose interpretation of Gramm-Leach Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act.
While the members of CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC (“CD&C”) have yet to be required to provide certification, there have been such requests of some of our subcribers from various lending agencies and signing companies. However quite a few questions are emerging as to the sudden rush to have the certification done and as to whether it is necessary to do it. Also, the cost of doing this certification ranges anywhere from $9 to $150. Based on our readings, the general consensus is that there needs to be a definitive ruling on whether or not the requirement was supposed to be applied to “contractors“ such as NSAs.
When is it going to be a requirement for signing companies/title, escrow and various lenders to submit to background checks as required of the NSA to help prevent fraud? Maybe, if there was a requirement, it would reduce non-payment to signing agents. It would be harder for a “Mr. Joe” to open shop for a few days, close shop and re-open under a different name; all the while refusing to pay NSAs. There should be a list/system where reputable companies are listed to help the NSA weed out the bad companies. The NSA will be put on a list/system where the title companies will only hire the NSA who have had the background check and are certified. No system is perfect, but it can help to reduce the NSA’s risks.
Why do NSAs have to pay for the background check? The title companies are requiring the background check, so why shouldn’t they pay for it? Can the NSA purchase the background check without certification? Are they willing to pay an increased fee for advance education now that we are certified? Another expense added and we are still being underpaid or not paid at all…
Until that can be established, we recommend that you think long and hard about forking over your money. And if it turns out that we actually do need to have our certification, then we should discuss all options so as to have the most cost efficient service available.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Signing Companies Not Paying Notary Signing Agents
A recent survey by CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC ("CD&C") of Notary Signing Agents ("NSA") resulted in several areas/topics of concern. The chief response among the feedback centered on non-payment and debt collection. In a nutshell, NSAs are doing signings and are being "stiffed" by some signing companies. This has been a problem for notary signing agents for a long time. Question is...what can be done about it?First, let us say that there are many reputable companies out there. But there are a few bad apples. These disreputable companies take advantage of the NSAs services. In fact, it would appear that scamming NSAs is becoming its own business. There are companies that open shop, hire NSAs to do closings, then refuse to pay them or promise a "payment/check in the mail" that can never seem to get there. Then there are other companies who agree to pay a certain fee for the services of a NSA, only to reduce the fee after the closing has been completed. Excuses range from poor quality of work to lenders not paying enough for the closing to citing slow business. What happens to these companies? Well, after enough complaints are lodged against them, they simply close shop and re-open under a different name.
There has to be a solution to this problem or, at the very least, a way to protect the NSA from being ripped off over and over again. One such way is the listing of companies that practice this scam in a public forum where NSAs can view such information before deciding whether or not to accept an assignment. There are several sites on the internet where for a nominal fee you can research signing companies. Most, if not all, of these sites also allow you to post your complaints for free. We here at CD&C have put together a manual/book called "Debt Collection Links & Resources Manual" which provides information on various resources available to assist with collecting outstanding debts. In addition, we also have a workbook titled "Notary Signing Agent Business Forms & Charts". Apart from containing a slew of very helpful charts and forms designed to facilitate a seamless work environment/product for the NSA, the workbook contains an agreement that can be used before accepting any signing. The members of CD&C are also NSAs, and we have been burnt before as well, so we speak/write from personal experiences. We ask our clients to sign the agreement so that we have something in writing to fall back on in case of any misunderstanding about payments or our responsibilities.The other side of the coin , according to several signing companies, is that some NSAs do very sloppy work. Some notaries would tend to agree. Think about it!! How many times have NSAs done closings for reputable companies because they needed someone to do "clean up" work. How many instances have you seen or known about where the initial closing wasn't completed because the NSA who did it neglected to make sure all the documents were signed and notarized where applicable. In these cases, the signing companies have to send another NSA to complete the closing. This means that the signing company will have to pay twice for the same closing. In other cases, what about NSAs who have completed signings, but will take up to a week before they send back the necessary documents to the signing companies.In the final analysis, it becomes beholden unto the NSA to do each signing correctly. If we do this, then the signing companies will have no excuse or "wiggle room" for not paying the fees. Unless, of course, they are unscrupulous to begin with.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.comLeaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
There has to be a solution to this problem or, at the very least, a way to protect the NSA from being ripped off over and over again. One such way is the listing of companies that practice this scam in a public forum where NSAs can view such information before deciding whether or not to accept an assignment. There are several sites on the internet where for a nominal fee you can research signing companies. Most, if not all, of these sites also allow you to post your complaints for free. We here at CD&C have put together a manual/book called "Debt Collection Links & Resources Manual" which provides information on various resources available to assist with collecting outstanding debts. In addition, we also have a workbook titled "Notary Signing Agent Business Forms & Charts". Apart from containing a slew of very helpful charts and forms designed to facilitate a seamless work environment/product for the NSA, the workbook contains an agreement that can be used before accepting any signing. The members of CD&C are also NSAs, and we have been burnt before as well, so we speak/write from personal experiences. We ask our clients to sign the agreement so that we have something in writing to fall back on in case of any misunderstanding about payments or our responsibilities.The other side of the coin , according to several signing companies, is that some NSAs do very sloppy work. Some notaries would tend to agree. Think about it!! How many times have NSAs done closings for reputable companies because they needed someone to do "clean up" work. How many instances have you seen or known about where the initial closing wasn't completed because the NSA who did it neglected to make sure all the documents were signed and notarized where applicable. In these cases, the signing companies have to send another NSA to complete the closing. This means that the signing company will have to pay twice for the same closing. In other cases, what about NSAs who have completed signings, but will take up to a week before they send back the necessary documents to the signing companies.In the final analysis, it becomes beholden unto the NSA to do each signing correctly. If we do this, then the signing companies will have no excuse or "wiggle room" for not paying the fees. Unless, of course, they are unscrupulous to begin with.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.comLeaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
How to Use Association and Organizations Membership to Get New Clients for Your Business?
Most people join organization and associations but never utilize their benefits. As a serious business owner, and we at CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC ("CD&C") would like to think we fall in that category, growing your business should be at the top of your priorities. Joining a business association/organization could help you get new clients/customers and possibly increase your business sales and recognition. Organization and associations offers several benefits that may enhance your business. Some of the benefits includes but are not limited to the following:Workshops, seminars, webinars, conferences and teleconferences. These benefits allow you to network with your peers, open discussions about what is going on in your industry, what others are doing and possibly put you in contact with potential clients/customers.Webinars and teleconferences are often offered online and by telephone where you can listen and participate in the comfort of your home. Often time you are allowed to record the teleconferences so that you can view and listen to them whenever convenient for you.Attending organization and associations meetings keeps you informed of the changes in your industry such as new products and services, discussion of new ideas and a review on how the industry is doing in general.Forums/Notice boards provide a place for you and your peers to meet on a regular basis and give feedback about their experiences in your business. Forum/Notice boards sometimes offer insider and time saving tips as well as answers to questions from people who are active in your line of business.Newsletters and industry articles, subscribing to association and organization newsletters will keep you inform on news updates. Make sure to take the time to read their newsletters and articles to keep up on the trends in your business, what your competition is doing and in most cases you will get feedback from your client/customers about what they think about the business and its services.
Always read archived newsletters and articles to learn about things that worked and didn't work in the past for your line of business. Past issues will also give a history of your business and answers to frequently asked questions.Get involved, volunteer with your association and organizations. Join committees. You may consider contributing to their newsletters this will give you exposure for your business and you may be viewed as an expert in your industry. Joining committees will also allow you to make decisions that will affect your business and a voice in the changes to your industry.Other benefits include the following:Member discounts - before shopping for business supplies, you should check your organizations and associations and their business affiliates for availability of discounts.Some organizations will lobby to protect your business industry in state legislature and state courts.Take advantage of their continuous training and educational programs.Most of them offer directory listing where you should consider advertising your services. Keep in mind that potential clients go to the organization and associations to find help.Some organization and associations like the National Notary Association offers personal identity theft protection for their members.If they have a logo, ask permission to use it on your website and marketing materials. It can create credibility for your clients/customers.Organizations and associations establish professional standards, give your business credibility, keep you updated on legislative news & activities, and enhance recognition of your profession. They can also increase awareness & value in the market place.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Always read archived newsletters and articles to learn about things that worked and didn't work in the past for your line of business. Past issues will also give a history of your business and answers to frequently asked questions.Get involved, volunteer with your association and organizations. Join committees. You may consider contributing to their newsletters this will give you exposure for your business and you may be viewed as an expert in your industry. Joining committees will also allow you to make decisions that will affect your business and a voice in the changes to your industry.Other benefits include the following:Member discounts - before shopping for business supplies, you should check your organizations and associations and their business affiliates for availability of discounts.Some organizations will lobby to protect your business industry in state legislature and state courts.Take advantage of their continuous training and educational programs.Most of them offer directory listing where you should consider advertising your services. Keep in mind that potential clients go to the organization and associations to find help.Some organization and associations like the National Notary Association offers personal identity theft protection for their members.If they have a logo, ask permission to use it on your website and marketing materials. It can create credibility for your clients/customers.Organizations and associations establish professional standards, give your business credibility, keep you updated on legislative news & activities, and enhance recognition of your profession. They can also increase awareness & value in the market place.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Pricing Your Products and Services to Make a Profit
Pricing is always a sensitive topic in business. There are no set fees for independent contractors/freelancers; well, usually there aren't. However, there are price ranges that we tend to follow. It takes a certain amount of skill and juggling to maximize your earning potential. You have to be careful not to price yourself out of the market, but, at the same time, you do not want to price your services too low where you barely make a profit. On the flip side you do not want to price your services too high where volume is so low you can't cover your operating expenses. Well, where and how to start? Always keep in mind the first rule of business!! You are in business to make money. That being said; you have to price your products and services to generate a profit. In the case of the notary signing agent, you have to take into consideration the state(s) and counties that you cover, travel expenses incurred, among other things. Virtual assistants such as independent paralegals/legal assistants/secretaries, bankruptcy forms processors and legal document preparers have to also consider the cost and use of equipment such as computers, its maintenance, office supplies, faxing and copying cost. Most importantly, in all cases you should factor in the price for your time. What are the options? You may consider increasing your prices above the average if your services reflect your advanced skills, knowledge and experience. It might be a good idea to have references that can support your claim. Be confident when negotiating your fees with your clients. If you can support the price of your fees with your quality of services and products, then you do not need to make excuses for your fees. Clients are usually willing to pay market or above market fees for quality services, excellent customer service and top-notch experience. Keep in mind though that even if you are great at your job, you may not get calls for work because your rates might be too high. Time to do some juggling!!
Price can also be a sign of quality. If you price yourself below your competitors, you may communicate that you are of lesser worth. I doubt that would be your intent. Focus on your value to the client, focus on their need for you. You should be experienced, dependable and professional, and, importantly, do the BEST job. Yep! Like I said; it takes serious juggling skills! By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Price can also be a sign of quality. If you price yourself below your competitors, you may communicate that you are of lesser worth. I doubt that would be your intent. Focus on your value to the client, focus on their need for you. You should be experienced, dependable and professional, and, importantly, do the BEST job. Yep! Like I said; it takes serious juggling skills! By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Notaries, Are You Unknowingly Committing Fraud?
A valuable tool/asset to have is that of the office/position of a notary public. In fact, most form processors, paralegals, virtual assistants will undoubtedly be taken much more seriously if they are also notaries. In the real estate transaction world, hardly any deal can get finalized without the familiar stamp of a notary public. The office of the notary public, while not the most highly paid, oftentimes serves as the last bastion or high tide for ethical and moral behavior. However, recently a shift has started to take place where more and more often, notaries are put in positions where they risk their stamp and seal, and, if subjected to the scrutiny of an overzealous legal system, possibly, some of their freedom.
Once upon a time, and rightly so, the only way to obtain a notary's stamp and seal was to personally appear before one with some form of legitimately acceptable identification. But, in recent times and given the boom in the housing market, notaries were being pressured to notarize documents without meeting and verifying the signatories. There's a story of a notary public who also happens to work at a law firm that was pressured by his supervisor and various attorneys on a deal to notarize documents on that deal without proper protocol. That notary was made to believe his job was dependent on his compliance. He stood his ground and refused to notarize anything improperly, and, luckily for him, the threat of termination was not followed through on. Needless to say, he is not a favorite person amongst some persons at his firm.
Simply put - Never notarize a document where you cannot verify the identity of the signer. You may have done countless closings with a particular signing company, became good friends with a broker or lender, have a "high trust factor" with them, but you can lose your license, or worse, go to jail for fraud. There is no telling if and when your action done today will come back to haunt you; could be tomorrow, next week, next month or next year; you just never know.
The following tips may serve as a mini guideline on what to look for as a notary performing your job.
Always make sure the name on the document matches the name on the identification presented to you. If these names don't match, don't do it.
Never notarize any documents that have blank spaces. These blanks can be filled in at a later time, and you could be a party to a fraud.
As a notary, make sure that you witness the document is being signed. Have the signer(s) appear in person in front of you.
It is ideal that as a notary you can be able to communicate with the signer(s) in your native language. For example, if you do not speak Spanish, it is probably best to let a Spanish-speaking notary notarize the documents of Spanish speakers.
We are aware that the pressure may be applied, and in an effort to drum up or increase business, the temptation may arise. Don't do it.
Enjoyed our article? We would love to hear from you. Let us know of any situation you may have been encountered with where you felt a fraud was about to take place.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Once upon a time, and rightly so, the only way to obtain a notary's stamp and seal was to personally appear before one with some form of legitimately acceptable identification. But, in recent times and given the boom in the housing market, notaries were being pressured to notarize documents without meeting and verifying the signatories. There's a story of a notary public who also happens to work at a law firm that was pressured by his supervisor and various attorneys on a deal to notarize documents on that deal without proper protocol. That notary was made to believe his job was dependent on his compliance. He stood his ground and refused to notarize anything improperly, and, luckily for him, the threat of termination was not followed through on. Needless to say, he is not a favorite person amongst some persons at his firm.
Simply put - Never notarize a document where you cannot verify the identity of the signer. You may have done countless closings with a particular signing company, became good friends with a broker or lender, have a "high trust factor" with them, but you can lose your license, or worse, go to jail for fraud. There is no telling if and when your action done today will come back to haunt you; could be tomorrow, next week, next month or next year; you just never know.
The following tips may serve as a mini guideline on what to look for as a notary performing your job.
Always make sure the name on the document matches the name on the identification presented to you. If these names don't match, don't do it.
Never notarize any documents that have blank spaces. These blanks can be filled in at a later time, and you could be a party to a fraud.
As a notary, make sure that you witness the document is being signed. Have the signer(s) appear in person in front of you.
It is ideal that as a notary you can be able to communicate with the signer(s) in your native language. For example, if you do not speak Spanish, it is probably best to let a Spanish-speaking notary notarize the documents of Spanish speakers.
We are aware that the pressure may be applied, and in an effort to drum up or increase business, the temptation may arise. Don't do it.
Enjoyed our article? We would love to hear from you. Let us know of any situation you may have been encountered with where you felt a fraud was about to take place.
By CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Leaders in business & legal forms processing and notary services. © 2007. All rights reserved.
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