When you think of a business mentor, then it’s only natural that the first thing you might think of is a person that you have a direct one-to-one relationship in the real world. However, in these increasingly online-driven times, it simply isn’t the case that mentorship works like this anymore. Here, we’re going to look at the way to build both the relationships and the educational aspects of mentorship online, sometimes without having to talk to an individual one-on-one.
Listen out for the voices that stand out
First of all, you should make sure that you’re following business and entrepreneurship blogs that give you the opportunity to learn about new and established faces in their industries. Podcasts that invite guests like Barry Freeder, Kathryn Bertine, Bobbi Bidochka, and more can give you the opportunity to hear from a range of different voices. You can a lot of perspectives on how to succeed, allowing you to find those that match your perspective and method of approach. From there, you can start to look deeper.
Check out the body of work
Once you have a good idea of the people (and it should be people, plural, not person) that you want to learn from, you should get to know what they are best known for, as well as what platforms they might be publishing their insights on. Many experts like Barr Rosenberg will have blogs, for instance, where you can catch up on their insight on a regular basis. As such, you can apply their wisdom to how you run your own business every time they post, learning more from them as time goes on.
Get involved in online networking communities
If you want to get involved in the conversation and to learn more directly from those with insight to share, then you should put yourself in the right place at the right time to hear them. There is all manner of networking groups run through social media sites like Linkedin. Take the time to search for those that might be relevant to your sector or industries and join in, whatever it takes to do that. Listen, learn, and share your own experiences, too. The more engaged you are, directly, the more likely that your potential mentors are to talk to you directly, too.
Look for sites dedicated to helping you find mentors
The people who would agree to be your mentor, directly, are often looking for mentees, as well. After all, it helps them build positive relationships that, when you reach success, can benefit them, as well. As such, you should look at platforms such as MicroMentor that allows you to connect your business to people who have the relevant experience. Finding a real-life mentor to connect with online shouldn’t mean that you stop listening to the authorities that you have already found, however. It just means that there’s another voice to augment your education.
Of course, many of the tips above can help you achieve aspects of the mentorship experience, but if you want that experience for real, you need to reach out in person and form it.