From One-and-Done to Always-Booked: The Art of Staying in Touch

One of the biggest misses of most notaries is that they treat each appointment like it’s a one-night stand.

You show up. You notarize. You disappear.

Boom. Done. Transaction complete.

And that’s fine if you’re cool with chasing new clients every single day for the rest of your notary life.

But if you’re looking to build a real business, one that brings in consistent, predictable income and earns you a reputation as the go-to notary in your market, then we need to talk about the “L” in the S.M.I.L.E. Method:

Leverage Long-Term Connection Strategies

This is the part where we turn that one-and-done appointment into a lifetime client (and hopefully, their friends, family, neighbors, boss, hair stylist, and Pilates instructor, too).

But first, a quick reminder: Back in the “M” of S.M.I.L.E. (Masterfully Deliver Your Services), you asked for permission to stay in touch. (If you skipped that part, congrats, you just made the rest of this harder than it needs to be.)

Assuming you did ask (and they said yes), here’s how you actually stay in touch without annoying anyone, and without spending all day on it. 

In this week’s edition of Notary Business Tips, I’ll briefly introduce you to the longterm connection strategies, and then over the next few weeks, I’ll deep dive into each. 

Email Marketing: Still King

There are two flavors of email strategy, and you’ll want to use both:

Broadcast Emails

Think of these as your weekly newsletter or personal check-ins. Maybe you share a client story, a local update, or a quick tip. This is also the perfect opportunity to announce a new service or product offering. It’s like tapping your audience on the shoulder and saying, “Hey, I’m still here, and I still solve problems,” while also bringing them value (not just pitching them). 

Automated Drip Campaigns

This is your digital tickle file. Pre-written sequences that get delivered on autopilot over weeks or months. A little education here, a gentle reminder there. A smart drip campaign will keep you in touch for months, sometimes years, without too much effort on your part. 

Content Creation + Social Media Distribution

Start simple. Write a blog. Or record a video. Or dictate into your phone and post it as a story.

Whatever format you choose, your goal is the same: Share what you know in a way that helps others and reminds them you exist.

Then, distribute that content like candy on Halloween:

• Post it to your social profiles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

• Mention it in your emails (New content makes for an ideal broadcast email)

• Add it to your booking confirmations or email signature

You don’t need to be a celebrity. You just need to be seen often enough that when someone needs a notary, they think of you.

Text Messages, DMs, & Phone Calls

Yes, we’re going old-school now. Nothing fancy here. A short text or direct message like:

“Hey Liz! Just thinking about you. How’s the estate plan coming along?”

Or a quick call to check in and remind them you’re still in the business of making their life easier.

These little nudges create big impressions.

Office Pop-Ins & Stacked Networking Meetings

These were my secret weapons.

I’d plan one block of time a week to drop into local offices of my clients like title companies, attorneys, insurance agents. Just to say hi, and maybe drop off a treat. These were easier than “cold” pop-ins because they’re already my clients-I’m just popping by to say hi. 

Then I’d stack several networking appointments back-to-back on the same day, in the same spot, so I could efficiently connect to many people in a one-on-one environment.

Handwritten Notes (Yes, Really)

Handwritten notes are a lost art. Which is exactly why they work.

Send one after an appointment. Or after a referral. Or just randomly when you’re thinking about someone. It doesn’t have to be Shakespeare. A couple lines in your own handwriting = unforgettable.

Engage With Their Content

Your clients likely create their own social media content too. One of the most effective ways to bring value to them AND keep yourself top of mind is to continuously, and thoughtfully, engage with them there. 

Go beyond the ‘Like’ and comment in a way that continues the conversation, and if it makes sense, share the content with your audience in a meaningful way. 

Think Bigger Than One Appointment

When you’re sitting across from a client, it’s easy to think your job is to notarize their document.

But the real opportunity is in the ripple effect. This isn’t just about them. It’s about everyone they know.

If you show up professionally…

If you stay in touch consistently…

If you make yourself useful and memorable…

You won’t just get their business, you’ll get their entire network.

That’s how you build a legacy business under your notary commission.

So go ahead and S.M.I.L.E. wide, because the “L” is where the magic happens.

Want help putting your long-term connection strategies in place?

Join the High Performance Notary community. We’ll help you build the systems, scripts, and habits to stay top of mind without burning out.

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