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September 11, 2015 at 7:35 am #992801Up::0
Hello!
I was wondering if people have some great go-to questions or ways of approaching new mentors (cold!). So, let’s say they are a 3rd removed on linkedin, what have you done that has worked?
What questions have you asked to engage them but not be a nuisance?
How have you introduced yourself?
Have you waited until just the right moment in your business development or just leapt in?Would love to hear people’s successes!
September 11, 2015 at 8:38 am #1188228Up::0Although I’ve not sought one on LinkedIn, I’d say I’m a pro user on there. I’d make sure they had seen my face around, building trust and showing my usefulness on groups they frequent. You then need a reason to contact them.
So I’d then Comment on one of their Pulse posts, or thank them for Liking or Commenting on a Pulse post or discussion post of my own. I would Endorse them.
It’s a long route (and they could refuse after the investment) but wading straight in might be awkward. Probably avoid people who are big names as they get overwhelmed with requests, while those without big following and celebrity status will more often be flattered. Find someone who knows your industry (preferably), and if not certainly highly skilled and general business acumen, with a proven track record, and who’s values align with yours and your business.
If they mention a hobby on their profile that you share a genuine interest in, make that an early ice-breaker. Consider whether you’re willing to pay for advice that could change your life or whether you think people who have ‘made it’ should give back. Hope that helps.
September 11, 2015 at 10:19 am #1188229Up::0Thanks so much for your response Paul. I am not really a seasoned linkedin user, so I hadn’t thought of all those channels of being seen even before saying hi (yet I often support people similarly on facebook/twitter/instagram) but had never thought to transfer it to linkedin. Brilliant advice across all of your points. Thank you!!
September 11, 2015 at 9:11 pm #1188230Up::0You’re welcome! BTW, feel free to request a connection with me on LinkedIn. The link is on my profile on here. You can mark me as ‘Friend’ and mention Flying Solo so I know who it is. You’ll then have access to my network too.
September 12, 2015 at 6:37 am #1188231Up::0Paul Peace, post: 220671, member: 54653 wrote:You’re welcome! BTW, feel free to request a connection with me on LinkedIn. The link is on my profile on here. You can mark me as ‘Friend’ and mention Flying Solo so I know who it is. You’ll then have access to my network too.
Thanks so much Paul! I will do!September 13, 2015 at 1:38 am #1188232Up::0Hi there,
I was approached to be a mentor recently and was won over by the following:
– The pitch was well researched, and tailored to why they thought I’d be a good fit
– What was expected time wise was made very clear (1 x 1 hr Skype call a month)
– The subject was cracking! “An important question from an inspired Flying Solo followerIt was clear to me the mentee had spent a good deal of time crafting the email, and hadn’t just cut and pasted a generic message. No doubt it took some time, but I took the bait so a worthwhile investment!
A final note, I wouldn’t make a big deal of the LinkedIn connection and certainly would try to get their email rather than approach them using their LI
ID. My LI is full and I mean full of spam.Good luck.
Sam
September 13, 2015 at 2:19 am #1188233Up::0Thanks so much Sam. All those points are incredibly helpful and I am definitely taking them on board!
September 13, 2015 at 3:59 am #1188234Up::0You can get emails in LinkedIn. The prospective mentor’s email is on your contacts .csv file in your account. You then have the best of both worlds. You can tag your most ideal prospective mentors as “warm” and “hot” leads and even schedule messages. Another wonderful thing about LI is that your contacts expect to be messaged. Otherwise, there’s no point being a ‘connection’. On email, people can get a bit upset as it feels more personal. Email is also a grey area if you’re expecting free mentoring because you’re asking for payment (time is money) from someone you have not done business with – could be construed a selling, though I think most people would be happy with a personalised message that explains why them in particular, as Sam was, even flattered.
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