How to Maximize Your Profit as a Process Server

By: Rus @ Writ Legal / November 5 2012

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Whether you are full-time or part-time process server, every private process server looks to maximize their profit. With the prices of gas going up, each process server has to make the most of each service of process. If you are not making enough money on the serves you do then it may be a good idea to review your tactics. Below is a list of items that can help you increase your profit margin in the process serving industry.

Group your services and types of services

Map your daily route by grouping certain services that are in certain areas and doing them back-to-back this way you are not driving to one city for a single serve. For example, if you have a service of process in Silver Spring, Maryland and a service of process in Wheaton, Maryland then you can group those two services together since they are both in Montgomery County. In addition to grouping your services you can also group them based on the types of serves. For example, if you have five corporate services (e.g. serving a business) then you may want to group those serves together and attempt service during business hours, given that they are business addresses of course. If you have five services on individuals that are to be served at residential addresses then you can probably save those for either before or after business hours to maximize your profit margin by not having to drive to one city for one single service of process.

Expand your coverage area

With the price of gas going up, many try to limit their driving and use other means of transportation. Unfortunately, with the process serving profession this is not a choice for many process servers. Unless you live in big city and can bike around to deliver your serves, you will probably need a car to serve process. With that said, if you expand your coverage area you can pick up more serves in an area that you may not routinely serve, you can make more money as a process server. Sure you may be driving a longer distance as compared to your usual route but you can dedicate a couple days a week to a certain area and spend the day there serving in that service area. If you are flexible then you can cover more ground and increase your profit by picking up more papers to serve.

Fitting serves into your daily routine

Some process servers work part-time and are only able to attempt service in the mornings before going to work to their full-time job or in the evenings, after leaving work. However, why not take on a few papers during your lunch break and make some extra cash serving process? For example, if you have a day-job in a city and you are asked to serve a process on a company in the business district of the city then you can serve that business on your lunch break and earn a few extra dollars. Often times corporate serves are viewed as “easy serves” because most of the times you are serving a Registered Agent which is obligated by law to accept service; however, you should not limit yourself to corporate services only on your lunch break. Though it may be difficult to make service attempts at a residence on your lunch break, if the residential address is close by you should not rule this out.

Choose the best time to attempt service

If you cannot make the residential services on your lunch break then why not attempt service before or after work, or even weekends? In fact, if you are serving an individual at his/her residence then the best time to go is in the evening or in the mornings since most people work during business hours and may not be home; however, it is very important to attempt service on weekends as well. This way you can provide proper due-diligence to your client.

Know your subject

Gather as much information as you can from your client before attempting service. Find out from your client if the subject is likely to evade service, if a different process server has previously attempted service on the defendant, etc.  Try to find a photo of the subject you are serving by using the social media outlets such as Facebook. This way if you are dealing with an individual who may evade service, you will be able to identify the defendant if they answer the door or if you spot them on the lawn. Not to mention, you are increasing your chances of successfully serving the process on the first attempt, or at the very least make the most of your service attempt. Either way, knowing your subject can maximize your profit when you attempt service.

Conduct proper due-diligence

When you make a service attempt, do not simply go out to the service location, knock on the door and leave. It would be a good idea to speak with neighbors, pay attention to the gas/water meter if it is accessible, notice signs of vacancy etc. This way you can get as many details as possible on a single attempt versus a list of “no answer, not home” responses.

Confirm the service address

Make sure the address actually exists! Sometimes clerical errors can drive process servers nuts because if a number is missed in the service address or if the name of the street is misspelled then this could be a complete waste of time for a process server as he/she may spend precious time looking for an address that does not exist. Therefore, before you head out check the service address with the USPS, Google, Map Quest or some other mapping resource to confirm that the service address actually exists.

Whether you are an experienced process server or just getting started in the industry, following these pointers will help you increase your income as a process server. If you have any other tips/suggestions on how to maximize your profit as a process server please share them us.