Use a professional network for a mentor first

Reach out to the contacts you already have to start your search for a mentor. No matter their education level. They are more aware of your potential for improvement because they have seen your efforts. 

However, if your network is smaller, you might need to broaden your search. For someone with the right skill set. Take into account anyone, from close family friends to nearby small companies. Attend local networking events if you can, and start participating more in your niche on Twitter and LinkedIn. Before you start your outreach, this can help you cultivate relationships.

To locate a mentor, make cold calls

Cold messaging or emailing is an effective strategy to build your network, forge alliances, and expand your business. But it’s also a useful way to get suggestions from knowledgeable strangers. A possible mentor should ideally be approached in person or via Zoom. So that you can build a stronger relationship and demonstrate to them your commitment to achievement.

Keep in mind that these folks probably have a full email of people asking them for things owing to their own success. So make an effort to be as accommodating as you can. Here are some suggestions for starting a conversation with a prospective mentor:

  • Make a list of specific inquiries about both their experience and your company.
  • Start by introducing yourself so they can understand your goals and challenges.
  • Be considerate of their time and show them your appreciation. If you are meeting them in person, offer to pay for the coffee, refreshments, or meal.
  • Ask them if it would be alright to stay in touch or if you could send them questions if you ever have any as you near the end of the chat.
  • Get a feel of how open you can be around a possible mentor, though, before anything else.
  • A strong foundation of friendship, openness, and a shared interest in a particular field. It is the cornerstone of a successful, long-lasting mentoring relationship.

Attend gatherings to get to know seasoned entrepreneurs

Online and offline networking events have done a terrific job of attracting enthusiastic individuals with common interests. 

On websites like Meetup or Eventbrite, you may find these events and register for the ones that interest you. Check out these networking pointers before the event. 

Get a Clarity call going

While Clarity is not a platform for mentorship, you must pay to speak with these mentors. It does provide on-demand consultant calls with accomplished business-people and professionals.

For targeted phone sessions, the cost is anywhere between $1 and $10 per minute. It separates professionals into different business fields (such as business development or pitching to investors). Similar to Quora, there is another location where you may publish your queries and receive responses from expert business-people. Look in discussion boards and online communities.

There are also many online forums where novice and seasoned business owners can discuss their ventures. As long as your post conveys your promise as an entrepreneur and you put yourself out there in the correct areas. These forums are a terrific way to directly seek out mentors.

There are a variety of subreddits on Reddit where you can hunt for mentors, such as r/entrepreneur and r/smallbusiness.

You can find instances of how people have previously inquired about mentorship possibilities. By searching for “mentor” on these subreddits.

There are a ton of Facebook groups you can join if you run a Shopify store to solicit advice or informal mentoring, such as:

  • Shopify Business Owners
  • Insiders Club 
  • Ecom Strategy Unofficial Shopify Podcast

Any offers you find through these means should be scrutinized carefully. Sometimes they are consultants who are simply interested in charging you money. Sometimes they may not have the level of experience they prefer to portray. 

Join LinkedIn to meet a possible mentor

A fairly obvious way to connect with potential mentors is through LinkedIn. You’re sure to locate a possible business mentor with more than 850 million users in more than 200 countries and territories. 

You can look for specific mentorship related talents or expertise on LinkedIn profiles. Even if you don’t have their email address, you can send a connection request to someone you like if you locate them.

Consider looking for mentors using hashtags like:

Offer assistance, career guidance, and mentoring.

You can follow these hashtags to learn about mentorship opportunities.

To keep up with the most recent posts and inspiring sayings from organizations and individuals. You can even follow the hashtag.

On Twitter, look for a mentor

Similar to LinkedIn, Twitter is a good place to look for a mentor. Despite having half as many members as LinkedIn (about 300 million), the social media platform is still an excellent location. This is where you meet business leaders. 

If you already have a Twitter account, start by looking at who you follow. Who serves as your example? From whom do you wish to learn? Ask them if they’d be interested in mentoring you by sending them a direct message to their inbox.

Do not yet have a profile? Not to worry. To identify mentorship opportunities, you may also search hashtags like #MentoringMonday, #mentors, or #mentorshipmatters.

Find a free mentor through the SCORE website

Through SCORE, you will be matched with a seasoned small business mentor who will provide you with free help in person or online. A good number of SCORE mentors have achieved their own level of business success. And are willing to share their insights and lessons learned from working in the real world with their mentees. 

Investigate the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in your area (SBDC) 

The United States is home to more than a thousand different Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). These centers are made possible by partnerships between the United States Congress. And the Small Business Administration (SBA) in both public and private organizations. 

Entrepreneurs can take advantage of free business advising and training offered through SBDC programs. In addition to this, they provide tried and tested business tools that might help your company get off the ground or grow. Enter the ZIP code of your company to locate the SBDC that serves your area.

Help is available for the following:

  • Putting together a plan for a business.
  • Obtaining financial backing for a business
  • Acquiring a financial understanding
  • Assistance with marketing and sales
  • Inspiring both motivation and inventiveness