How do I ask someone to become a mentor? originally appeared on Quora - the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights.
Answer by Joshua Baer, Austinpreneur who helps people quit their jobs and become entrepreneurs, on Quora.
Finding Mentors
There are a lot of "mentor networks" out there. Some of the best are national accelerators like Y Combinator and 500 Startups as well as local mentor networks organized by groups like Techstars (many cities), Capital Factory (Austin), and 1871 (Chicago). Besides tech, many organizations will have mentor networks such as university alumni groups, faith-based organizations, or clubs.
An important thing to understand is that most mentors do it because of some affiliation or connection. It doesn't take much, but there is usually some personal connection that makes it meaningful. So you need to do some networking to figure out who you are connected to and how and which affiliations you can leverage.
Asking for Help
When you are ready to ask for help, do your homework first. Respect their time by researching their background and coming up with lists of questions you have and ways that you think they can he helpful.
Get an introduction from someone they know and trust. Ideally that person knows you too. If you can't find a personal connection, don't be afraid to cold call them. Reach out on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Try them all!
Most mentors don't just want to work with anyone - they want to work with entrepreneurs who are a really good for them. Why is that person the best mentor for you? If you can make a good case for why that person can have a big impact in ways that are unique to your business, they will find it very compelling.
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