I never had a business mentor until I started blogging.
I could definitely have done with one, though, because I’ve been running my own business for 13 years and still have heaps to learn.
That’s what makes it challenging and fun to get a business mentor.
But I badly wanted a mentor when I started blogging and expanding my business.
Don’t we all crave someone to help us through ups and downs, advise us when we hit a rocky patch, guide us when we’re confused, and rejoice when we succeed?
Yes, I wanted a business mentor. I didn’t know how to get one, and my clumsy attempts failed spectacularly.
The dictionary definition of a mentor is “a wise and trusted counsellor or teacher.”
Since I set up this blog 18 months ago, I’ve been lucky enough to meet not one but two phenomenal business mentors accidentally.
It’s no coincidence that when I stopped trying to find a mentor and concentrated on doing the best job I could by myself, I found not one but two amazing mentors.
I don’t want to tell you who my mentors are because then everyone who reads this will beat a path to their door, and they’ll sack me, but they’re both inspiring thought leaders who are highly successful in their fields.
One is a business adviser who charges $1,500 an hour for her advice (seriously! And I get her insights free of charge), and the other is a globally acclaimed author and businessman.
A small business owner could never hope for better mentors, and I had never dreamed of having such illustrious business mentors myself.
It’s ironic because I asked one person to be my business mentor, but she didn’t want a bar for it.
She’s a little-known author who writes a column in the local paper.
Now, I’m sure she’s lovely, but she’s definitely not as dynamic as the mentors I ended up with and certainly not as famous.
But it turns out she did me a favour when she turned me down because the mentors I ended up with exceeded all my expectations for the role.
Plus, as always, you can learn from my mistakes.
So, how did I get these amazing mentors?
Jen Gresham has a great post about finding the right mentor, which you should read, but my tips are about persuading someone to be your mentor once you’ve identified what kind of person would best be able to help you.
9 Smart Ideas For Getting a Business Mentor in 2024:
1. Never, Never, Never Ask Anyone to be Your Mentor
You won’t see them for dust if you do. That’s what happened to me with the local lady I emailed asking to be my mentor.
Poor woman. It must have scared the living daylights out of her.
2. Show Them You Like Them
Show them you like them and their work by tweeting and commenting on their stuff.
Think about what you can offer them. It might seem unlikely that you have anything to offer, but you truly need to be a fan to get their attention and warrant their time investment.
Start by buying their books or other products, commenting on their blogs, and joining their affiliate programs.
Really read their stuff and email them, telling them about your experiences and how you appreciate their inspiration and advice.
Truly be a fan. Showing someone you like them is very different from telling them you like them.
3. Ignore Age
Your mentor doesn’t necessarily have to be older than you; they have to have skills, experience, drive, or talent that you admire.
4. Respect People’s Time
Keep your communications brief and to the point.
Ask specific, intelligent, and interesting questions that aren’t already answered in their books or blog posts.
Only ask one or two questions at a time and build up a relationship slowly and naturally.
Asking someone if they’ll be your mentor is a time-waster, as I discovered.
It is much better to ask them an interesting question that will help you straight away and show them you’re dynamic and professional.
Be super brief in emails. Never email them more than five sentences.
5. Prove You’re Worth Mentoring Long-term
Please prove you’re worth mentoring long term and are not someone who’s only in it for the short term or for themselves.
Be the best you can be every single day, and be patient. In time, a good mentor will find you.
Get all your profiles on Twitter, FaceBook, and LinkedIn perfect; you don’t know which one your mentor will check in at.
Connect with them regularly and don’t go away but practice smart online networking.
Be friendly and helpful, not a nuisance. Just leaving a comment on their blog after a period of being out of touch will let them know you still care.
6. Write About Them On Your Blog
Write about them on your blog and tell the world how marvellous your mentor is.
But never tell anyone they’re your mentor, especially the mentor. They’ll run a mile, remember.
7. Follow Their Advice
I know this sounds basic, but there’s nothing more annoying than investing time in someone who actively seeks your advice, spending time working out the best solution for them and advising them only to ignore it.
Please try out what your mentor recommends and make sure they know you’re actioning their recommendations. Give them feedback on the results.
8. Thank Them For Their Help
No need to go over the top and be professional. Just mention how much you appreciate their advice and support.
9. Repeat
Think about what you did to get the mentor in the first place, and keep doing it.
It should be a beautiful, symbiotic relationship. One which brings you both equal benefits and rewards.
Enjoy your business mentor, and make sure they enjoy you.
Have you got a business mentor? How did you find them? Or would you like a business mentor?
Why? How would it help you improve your business?
Quick Links:
- Business Ideas with Low Investment in India
- Side Hustles For Teens
- Things You Must Learn To Drive Steady Traffic On New Blog
Conclusion: Getting a Business Mentor in 2024
Overall, having a business mentor can be an extremely beneficial tool in helping one’s business take off.
Access to the experience and knowledge of more seasoned professionals can help you make better decisions and understand industry trends while networking.
There are plenty of methods for finding those resources and getting that support from experienced mentors.
Whether it’s through your network, programs like SCORE or the Small Business Administration, or by attending conferences or pitch events, putting yourself out there and seeking the advice of someone with more experience is a surefire way to set yourself up for success.
So always keep an open mindset, get creative with your search, and lay the groundwork for getting your mentor-client relationship started!
