Funny Notary: How Humor Helps Build Relationships

You can listen to this blog on YouTube here

Earlier this year, in an effort to funnel my Soroka family somewhat-sense of humor toward something more constructive than sarcasm and cheesy dad jokes, I attended an online comedic writing workshop with 12-15 instructors from around the country.

I don't know about you, but when I hear "Comedic Writing Workshop," I'm anticipating a few laughs throughout the day, no?

Guess how many presenters made me (or anyone) laugh. 

One. 

One teacher got the assignment right. 

And I liked her immediately. 

That's the power of humor. It brings people together whether they're thousands of miles from each other, or simply sitting across the signing table. 

Using humor to cultivate relationships with your clients in a service-based business, like as a notary public, can be a powerful tool for building trust, establishing rapport, and ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Here are some key benefits of using humor in your notary business:

1. Humor helps to put people at ease and create a positive atmosphere. When people are laughing and having a good time, they are more likely to feel relaxed and open to engaging with you. This can be particularly important in the notary industry where people may be feeling anxious or stressed about their situation.

2. Humor can help to build trust and rapport. Clients who laugh together with you, stay with you.  Laughter shows that you are approachable and relatable. This can help to build a sense of trust and camaraderie, which can be critical in building long-term relationships with your clients.

3. Humor can be a great way to show personality and differentiate your business. In a sea of sameness, standing out can be difficult. By using humor, you can showcase your unique personality and help your business stand out from the crowd.

4. Humor can improve communication and problem-solving. When people are in good spirits and relaxed, they are more open to new ideas and solutions. This can be particularly useful in service-based industries like ours where effective communication and problem-solving are critical for success.

However, it's important to use humor in a way that is appropriate and respectful. Here are a few tips for using humor effectively in your notary business:

1. Know your audience: Not everyone will find the same things funny, so it's important to be mindful of your audience and tailor your humor accordingly.

2. Along those same lines, as a notary we often meet people on their best days, where humor may be appropriate, but we often meet them on their worst days too, when humor won't be appreciated as much. 

3. Be respectful: Avoid making jokes that could be perceived as offensive or inappropriate.

4. Don't force it: If you're not naturally funny, that's okay. Don't try to force it – it's better to be genuine and sincere than to try too hard to be funny.

5. Use humor as a tool, not a crutch: Humor can be a great way to build relationships, but it's not a replacement for providing excellent service and meeting the needs of your clients.

Overall, using humor in a service-based business can be a powerful way to build trust, establish rapport, and improve communication with your clients. By being mindful of your audience and using humor in an appropriate and respectful way, you can cultivate strong relationships that lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Remember the ONE teacher that made me laugh in the comedic writing class? 

That was Gina Barreca, author of over 17 books, and a global speaker. 

People magazine called her "Smart & Funny," and I agree. 

Humor literally brought us together and she just recently joined us in Notary Business Builder (NBB) for an intimate conversation on the Essential Gift of Humor. 

You can watch the 61 minute presentation here. 

Humor has helped me tear down walls, clean up messes, open doors, and close deals. 

How has humor helped you in cultivating relationships with your clients? Share with me in the comments below. 

Bill Soroka teaches a Prolific Content Creation Course in the Notary Business Builder advanced mastermind program. He is also the best selling author of three books (and counting) designed to help notaries build their dream business. 

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn here.