Last week, I had the incredible honor of participating on a panel with some of the sharpest, most resourceful apostille agents in the country for a marketing roundtable. Bill Soroka, founder of Notary Coach, facilitated a conversation that will inform and inspire students in the World of Apostilles course for years to come-Thanks Bill.

Now, let me tell you something. I wish you could have been a fly on the wall.

Because what I witnessed was pure gold: These were real-world strategies. With hard-won lessons. A whole lot of heart.

Today, I’m sharing the big takeaways from the conversation, so you can apply them to your own business, whether you're brand-new to the game or leveling up your already thriving practice.

It All Starts with Visibility

Here’s the first thing that became clear: If people can’t find you, they can’t hire you.

Period. End of story.

Every single panelist credited their Google Business Profile (GBP) and a conversion-focused website as the backbone of their client flow. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. They just stay consistent with their online visibility with things like:

• Keeping their GBP updated with posts, photos, and reviews

• Making sure their website answered the real questions clients have and have an easy way to contact or book

• Finding creative ways to be remembered when the need popped up again

If you’re invisible online, you're invisible in real life too. No matter how good you are, you have to be findable.

Answer the Phone (Or Have a System That Does)

Another common thread, and you hear me harp about this all the time…

Answer. Your. Phone.

Sounds simple and common sensical, I know. But…

It’s not always easy.

Life happens. We’re in appointments. We’re running errands. We’re on the other line. For me, it feels like half my life is spent in elevators with poor reception. But the agents who continue to grow, and get more clients,  have a plan for when they can’t answer live. Things like:

• Quick, professional voicemail that sets expectations

• Immediate text responses letting callers know they were heard and will be called back shortly

• A system for returning calls as soon as humanly possible

Clients don’t mind if you’re busy. They mind if they feel ignored.

Repeat Business Isn’t an Accident

One of the proudest moments for me listening to these agents was how much they talked about repeat business and referrals.

They don’t get lifetime customers like this because they got lucky. It’s not because they crossed their fingers and dreamed real hard. It’s because they made themselves unforgettable by:

• Over-delivering when it counted most

• Being patient, clear, and kind, even when things got complicated

• Showing up professionally every single time

Here’s the thing about apostilles:

If someone needs one once, chances are they’ll need one again, or they'll know someone who will.

Your service is your marketing, as my good friend, Daniel Lewis said during the conversation.

Nobody Starts Out Knowing Everything

Every single person on that panel is successful today not because they never made mistakes, but because they never stopped learning.

Let me say that louder for the folks in the back:

Yes, these pros, who process thousands of apostilles every year, were once scared to take their first call too. But…

They never stopped learning.

• They built strong peer networks.

• They asked questions.

• They leaned on mentors and coaches (sometimes more than one).

They understood that every challenge was a chance to grow stronger, and a stronger agent builds a stronger business.

You don’t have to know everything to start. You have to start so you can know everything.

Proud Teacher

Watching this group share their experiences was one of the most rewarding moments of my career.

Not because they’re perfect.

But because they’re committed.

Committed to doing better, serving better, and being better.

And…

They’re committing to helping YOU bet better too. They shared this information freely to members of the World of Apostille course.

If you're reading this and wondering if you can build a business like that, let me tell you:

You absolutely can.

• With the right foundation.

• The right training.

• With the right attitude.

• And with the right people cheering you on.

Consider me one of them.

I’m a city girl. A teacher. A proud apostille expert.

And, I’m always here rooting for you.

Would you like to see a replay of the marketing roundtable? It’s available exclusively for members of the World of Apostille course.

I’m telling you, there’s never been a better time to join this business. Over 55 million apostilles are processed every year, and it’s growing.

Learn more and join the program here