I get a ton of traffic to my blog from people who want to know how to ask someone to be their mentor. This post is part of a series on asking someone to be your mentor. Be sure to look for the links to the related posts at the bottom of this article!
I’m a mentor and I’ve had many mentors over the last 2 decades. So I’m somewhat of an expert. I’ve also worked with some of the top mentors in the world. This is what led me to launch my Joel Comm, twitter dude, mini project.
I had the idea that I would buy Joel’s book, Twitter Power 2.0, send him a really flattering email and ask him to meet personally over coffee and give me some tips on using Twitter that would directly relate to my business. 15 minutes max.
If I liked his book – which is on a slow boat from the library right now – I would actually buy it and ask him to autograph it for me.
And, through this project, I would share with you a good example of how to ask someone to be your mentor. That was the idea anyway.
But a strange thing happened this weekend.
On Friday I had this huge flurry of new twitter followers. In the time it took me to play 9 holes of golf, 44 new people followed me. My blackberry was full of ‘em. My carefully nurtured 80 or so followers exploded in 24 hours to 191 followers.
I realize that to some of you, 80 people is a meager following — but to me it was manageable — less spam to wade through.
And I really like the people that follow me. I follow them back.
This morning, those followers all disappeared and I’m now at 131 followers. Is there a rule somewhere that I don’t know about saying you have to follow back everyone who follows you or they drop you? I really do not understand Twitter.
So, this morning I cheated and opened my free download of Twitter Power 2.0 (first two chapters). I can no longer wait for the book to arrive from the library. I want to find out the “trick” to Twitter.
I’m sad to say, Joel’s book seems outdated. I’ve read through page 74 and his tips are kind of spammy. To me this is like breaking the Cardinal rule, or something. I’m completely disillusioned. I don’t think I want to ask Joel to be a mentor after all. I should have stuck with my first instinct when I opted out of all his emails.
This project, alas, has come to an end. But I didn’t forget that I promised you some new information on asking someone to be your mentor. Here’s the email I would have sent to Joel if I hadn’t changed my mind.
*********
To: Joel Comm
From: Theresa Bradley-Banta
Date: Monday, August 23, 2010
Subject: Thank you for the inspiring work you do
Dear Joel,
Last October I saw you speak in Scottsdale and I was so impressed with you and the idea of blogging that I came home from the event and started my own blog — all thanks to you. You truly inspired me!
During your presentation you mentioned that you were an expert in using Twitter and that you have published two books on the topic. Since then I’ve purchased a copy of Twitter Power 2.0.
I’m writing to ask if you would be willing to spend 15 minutes with me over coffee and to do me the great honor of autographing my copy of your book? I’d love to find out who inspired you to become an expert at Twitter and to get your best advice for someone who is just starting out!”
Very truly yours,
Theresa Bradley-Banta
*********
And thus a great mentoring relationship is born. Or not.
On another note… I cannot find Joel’s email address anywhere, on any of his sites. I did follow him on Twitter last week so I guess if I ever decide to pursue this I could tweet him.
Oh! And one last bit of advice. Do your research before asking someone to mentor you. Be sure you are in alignment with your values, your vision and your methodology.
Buy the book!
7 Surefire Ways To Ask Someone To Be Your Mentor
Scripts, Tips and Tactics For Getting A Mentor
by Theresa Bradley-Banta
A BigFishTopDogs.com Publication
Other great resources for asking someone to be your mentor:
You… Just Like Clark Kent. Glasses… No Glasses.
How To Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor By Email – Part II of The Joel Comm Project
Are You Ready for a Mentor? Will a Mentor Be a Good Fit?
Approaching Someone to be Your Mentor
How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor
Top 5 Ways to Find a Mentor
5 Top Strategies for Asking Someone to Be Your Mentor
Related posts:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Theresa,
I removed myself from Joel’s list (for the 2nd time) about the same time that book was released, which is out of date, but to be fair, it is a year and a half old. Three months online is like a year so it’s seriously out of date now.
I bought his first book on Adsense about 6 years ago (or so) thinking he must hold some closely guarded secrets. Nope. None. His target market is most likely complete newbies.
As for your Twitter following and un-following situation, every time a new piece of advice or software comes out to “build your Twitter list” things like that happen. People follow hundreds and then un-follow them (whether you follow them back or not) just to get past the Twitter follow limit and then they can follow more. They aren’t trying to build relationships at all. They just want the numbers. I don’t know what good they think that will do (unless they’re selling how to build your Twitter list) LOL.
No worries! It’s nothing you did to cause it to happen!!
Deb Augur recently posted..Why You MUST Understand Your Target Market
Hi Deb,
I really appreciate your comments on Joel Comm. I liked him so much during the event… he’s charming, funny (except for maybe the iFart app – truly juvenile), and I loved how he talked about his family… but you know what? None of that translates to his product(s). Too bad. It seems he misses the human connection part entirely.
Thanks for enlightening me on the follow / un-follow aspect of Twitter. Guess I’ll keep plodding along as normal and follow those that are smart, caring and tweeting top content! Like @mywebgal!
Thanks so much for your comment – I feel tons better!
Theresa
Great post. I have several mentors in the offline world but do not have an onlione mentor. To be honest there are not many bloggers that I enamored with enough to ask them. BTW, I am going over to Twitter to follow you…no reciprication required
dan keller recently posted..Do you want me to read your blog Then tell me about yourself
Hey, thanks for stopping by Dan!
And thanks for the follow on Twitter… you might bring me up to 150 followers!
Is this is contest with most people do you think? I heard some great advice a while ago… (not in reference to Twitter)
Don’t be in a hurry, don’t be greedy, don’t panic and choose wisely. It’s good advice.
Thanks again for your visit – it’s nice getting to know you a little bit.
Theresa
BTW – I liked your about page and your comment about calling yourself a Tycoon. Love the way you think!