Proximity: How This Underrated Strategy Builds Businesses

We’d like to believe that because we’re good at what we do, we’ll get hired more than those who aren’t. 

But that’s not how this business works. 

There are notaries less talented, less skilled, less trained, less compassionate than you, killing it in this industry because they found the right clients and opportunities at the right time.

So, how can you get them too?

Get in the room.

Not the comfortable rooms full of other notaries (those are great, too, but for different reasons). 

I’m talking about the rooms where your clients gather.

That’s the difference between peer networking and client-getting. One builds camaraderie. The other builds your business.

If you want more consistent work, better clients, and real momentum, you’ve got to put yourself in the orbit of the people who can hire you, refer you, and trust you to serve their customers.

What is a Client-Getting Event?

A client-getting event is any semi-structured gathering where your ideal customers are already spending time. Think:

• Trainings and continuing education

• Industry-specific conferences

• Networking mixers

• Member meetings for associations and councils

• Online meetups or summits

And here’s the important part:

You don’t have to just attend.

You could…

• Volunteer

• Sponsor lunch

• Set up a table as a vendor

• Teach a mini-session or keynote

Many associations and event organizers are actively looking for speakers and sponsors who bring practical value to their members. There’s more than one way to get in the room, you just have to be willing to raise your hand, and think outside the box a bit. 

Why Proximity Changes Everything

Most notaries think in terms of “getting a job.”

But real growth happens when you’re seen as a resource, maybe even a friend, but not just a one-time vendor.

When you show up in the same room as your ideal client, you’re no longer a stranger. You're part of their professional world. They start to remember your name, and associate you with trust and reliability. They’ll start to ask you questions, and refer you to colleagues. They’ll invite you to things like lunch, networking opportunities, golf tournaments, happy hours, and all kinds of sporting events. 

You’ve heard the saying, “More deals are closed on the golf course than in meetings.”

That’s the power of proximity.

It creates opportunities you’ll never find from behind a screen.

You don’t need to be the slickest salesperson or the loudest person at the table. Just be present, be helpful, and be curious. That’s enough.

Where to Start: Find Events Based on Your Specialty

Here’s a few examples of what I’m talking about. These can help identify where your specific ideal clients might be gathering:

Apostille Agents

Ideal Clients: Immigration attorneys, adoption agencies, international business consultants

Look for:

• CLE classes on immigration law

• Adoption info nights

• Cultural exchange program events

• International business panels

Trust Delivery Agents

Ideal Clients: Estate planning attorneys, LDAs, paralegals, financial advisors

Look for:

• Estate and elder law bar association events

• Paralegal networking mixers

• Wealth management workshops

• Estate planning community seminars

Loan Signing Agents

Ideal Clients: Escrow officers, mortgage pros, real estate agents

Look for:

• Realtor board meetings

• Title company trainings

• Mortgage broker meetups

• Homebuyer education events

Medical Facilities

Ideal Clients: Social workers, case managers, discharge planners

Look for:

• Hospital network training events

• Social work conferences

• Long-term care symposiums

• Aging and senior care summits

How to Find the Events

Start with a simple search:

• Google “[your ideal client] + event”

• Check Eventbrite, LinkedIn Events, Meetup, Facebook, and local professional organizations

• Explore chambers of commerce, industry associations, or continuing education providers

Or let AI do the heavy lifting:

“I’m a [type of notary] looking for client-getting events where my ideal clients [describe them] are likely to attend in [your area]. Can you help me find opportunities to attend, sponsor, or speak at?”

This works great with ChatGPT or your favorite research tool.

Take Action: 5 Client-Getting Events in 12 Months

Don’t wait for the perfect event to fall into your lap. Make this intentional.

Identify five client-getting events you’d love to attend this year.

Get creative about how you show up: attendee, volunteer, speaker, sponsor, or vendor.

Register for at least one this week.

Block off the date, do your prep, and show up with presence & value, not high pressure sales of your services.

The goal isn’t to pass out 100 business cards. It’s to make a genuine connection with someone who might need you, if not today, then soon.

Then, plan for future events now so you can budget and prepare.

Remember…

In this business, one connection can change everything.

And that connection often comes down to one thing:

Proximity.

The right people can't refer you, hire you, or think of you… if they don’t know you exist.

So go where they go.

Sit where they sit.

Speak where they listen.

Your dream clients are already gathering. Now it’s your turn to get in the room.

Attending Client-Getting Events is part of my Top of Mind Method, represented by the acronym, S.M.I.L.E. The ‘E’ stands for expanding your knowledge and your network. These tools and strategies are exactly what helped me build a multiple six-figure notary practice and I teach all this and more in the High Performance Notary community on the Skool platform. 

If you’re ready for an exact plan to help you stay consistent with marketing and staying in touch with your network, join us on Skool here.