Why I Will Never Shame Notaries for Taking Lower Paying Assignments

There is a growing conversation in the notary signing agent industry that honestly needs more compassion.

I keep seeing experienced notaries publicly criticizing others for accepting lower paying assignments. Jobs like $65 signings are often labeled as desperate, unprofessional, or harmful to the industry. I strongly disagree with that mindset, and I want to explain why.

Everyone Starts Somewhere

Not every notary begins from a place of financial stability. Some are brand new and trying to gain experience. Others are dealing with job loss, medical bills, family emergencies, or major life changes.

When you are just starting out, those lower paying assignments can be a doorway. They help you learn the process, build confidence, and understand how real signings work in the field. Experience matters, and sometimes you earn it before you earn top dollar.

Judging someone for doing what they need to do to survive or grow is not leadership. It is elitism.

Real Life Does Not Look the Same for Everyone

I have worked with notaries who are supporting families, caring for sick relatives, or trying to recover financially. For them, a $65 signing is not an insult. It is groceries, gas money, or a step forward.

We cannot pretend that everyone has the same safety net or starting line. What feels unacceptable to one notary may be essential to another.

There is no shame in doing honest work.

Understanding the Trade Off

Lower paying assignments do come with limitations. Signing services control the pricing, the volume, and often the expectations. If your goal is to earn $150 or more per signing, relying solely on signing services is not the long term answer.

That is where strategy comes in.

How to Move Beyond Low Paying Work

If you want higher fees, the solution is not shaming others. The solution is changing how you market.

When you market directly to law firms, title companies, and businesses, you are no longer competing in a race to the bottom. You are negotiating value. Direct clients pay more because they care about reliability, professionalism, and relationships.

Signing services can be a training ground. Direct marketing is where income grows.

We Need More Empathy in This Industry

The notary industry is big enough for beginners and veterans. There is room for growth, learning, and evolution. What hurts the industry is not someone taking a lower fee. What hurts the industry is discouraging people before they even get their footing.

Instead of tearing people down, we should be teaching them how to level up when they are ready.

My Final Take

If you are taking lower paying assignments right now, you are not failing. You are building.

If you want higher pay, focus on direct relationships and long term strategy instead of comparing yourself to others online.

And if you are in a position of experience, lead with empathy. You do not know what someone else is carrying.