Mentors are valuable to anyone who wants to grow in their career, regardless of what that career may be. In marketing, however, mentors can open doors to a host of benefits that go beyond the usual perks that these relationships offer. The knowledge gleaned from marketing mentors goes beyond the insight into negotiation tactics, networking opportunities, and career resources. Marketing mentors can also guide you to the latest technology available, new strategies, access to creative designers and copywriters, and so much more.
In some cases, mentorship happens organically. For many, the first mentors in their careers were professors, teachers, or other educational leaders from school, trainings, or courses. Your managers or supervisors from early jobs may have had many of the characteristics of a good mentor. In some cases, your mentor may not even be in your field of business but still offers insight that helps you build your career—perhaps a neighbor or relative with extensive business experience.
When mentorship doesn’t happen organically, you should seek one—or more—out on your own. Approaching strangers can be hard; even asking casual acquaintances can be difficult. These tips can help you secure strong business relationships to help further your career.
Open Your Mind and Squash Your Ego
Before you seek out new mentors, you must be ready to accept any knowledge they may impart. If you struggle to accept advice or criticism from anyone, whether due to a shy nature or a belief that you’re usually already the smartest in the room, then not only will you not benefit from a mentor-mentee relationship, but you might also leave frustration in your wake.
Take some time to evaluate your current situation and determine your goals for a relationship with a mentor. What steps do you need to take to reach those goals, and whose help would benefit you the most? How can you improve areas of sensitivity before seeking someone else’s advice, opinions, or approval?
Prepare your mind, heart, and ego for the help that could come your way.
Explore Your Current Network
You may already know several people who could serve as excellent mentors. You just need to identify the strengths they could offer. Again, these potential mentors could be family connections, current colleagues or supervisors, or members of a nonprofit you serve. They may not work within your specific industry, but they could provide the inspiration you’re looking for.
Expand Your Network
You may need to create opportunities to meet new people in order to locate potential mentors. Consider joining professional organizations within your industry and then expand to organizations that fit your niche. For instance, as a woman business owner, you might join your local NAWBO chapter. Your local Chamber of Commerce may be another option for expanding your network.
Give as much time as you can to these organizations so that you can develop meaningful relationships over time. Simply attending once per year while contacting members to discuss mentorship won’t help your case. You should be present and engaged so you can learn all you can from the other members. Only then will you know who might be a great mentor for your specific goals and aspirations.
By this point, you may have already developed mentor relationships without a lot of effort. Simply putting yourself in situations where you meet new people can open several doors. If you’re still not learning from the people you identified as possible mentors in an organic way, it’s time to take bolder steps.
The Bold Steps
Organic mentorship is the easiest and possibly the most powerful option. When you and a potential mentor form a bond without the need to ask or consent, then you likely have a natural openness between you that will lead to learning. However, that’s a blessing that favors very few.
You may need to pursue relationships with your chosen mentors. Be bold! Ask to meet for coffee or even spring for lunch, with the expectation set that you would like to ask questions or pick their brains. In many cases, the recipient of your invitation will be flattered and happy to oblige. This is a great first step to developing a more organic relationship.
You may also need to be more direct with some. By explaining that you’re seeking a mentor and listing the reasons you admire their work and success, you may nudge the door open a little more. It could happen that your chosen mentor isn’t comfortable with the idea of taking on a mentee. If that’s the case, be ready to move on. Pursuing the matter will only make you both uncomfortable.
Once you’ve developed a relationship, work hard to maintain regular contact with your mentors. Surrounding yourself with many may seem like a great idea in theory, but once you realize the work necessary to keep in touch with everyone on a regular basis, you may determine that a select few can offer the most powerful guidance.
Finally, remember to always keep your mind open—remember the first tip? If your mentor feels their advice is falling on deaf ears, they won’t continue to provide assistance or guidance. Accept feedback with grace and apply any lessons wherever possible. That’s why you were looking for a mentor in the first place, isn’t it?
