Page 98 - The Bootstrapper Bible

ChangeThis There are lots of reasons why an individual might not want to mentor you. Time is the big- gest one, of course. But there may be organizational, competitive, or personal reasons as well. You can be sure itʼs not about you personally, but some external factor. Let it go. One woman I know is an expert networker. She has had a series of minimentors, people who help her with specific issues. Iʼm a big fan of a letter, or maybe two letters, in which you lay out who you are and what youʼre looking for. You probably donʼt want to write to a stranger and say, “Hey, want to spend 10 hours a week giving me free advice?” Instead, start the relationship in a simple, no- obligation way. Maybe ask the person to lunch to pick her brain. Maybe inquire about friends of friends who might be able to point you to other friends… One woman I know is an expert networker. She has had a series of minimentors, people who help her with specific issues. She asks her network of people, “Who do you know whoʼs an expert on topic x?” Then she writes a short letter to the person whoʼs been recommended, mentioning the person who recommended she write and asking for 15 minutes on the phone. She calls the personʼs secretary, then sends the letter. Nine times out of 10, she gets her 15 minutes on the phone. She spends 10 minutes exploring the issue she needs help on, then asks for (and usually gets) the names and phone numbers of three or four other people who might be able to help. And she always sends a nice thank-you letter. | iss. 6.01 | i | U | X | + | h 98/103 f