How to Choose a Mentor to Help You Grow Your Business

Many of the most successful small business owners have said that having a good mentor (or many good mentors) was key to their success. But how do you find a good mentor? And what make for a good mentor? In this article, I'll show you the different kinds of mentors you can find and give you some tips for finding a mentor who can help you become more successful.

Different Kinds of Mentors

There are many kinds of mentors. Some are highly involved in your business and in person, while others are people you might never meet or talk to. Some are paid consultants, while others are free. The kind of mentor you choose depends on your particular needs and your personality.

Authors

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to find a mentor is to find authors who write about your industry and follow their work. This is the most cost-effective way to find a mentor. Some of my favorite mentors over time have been authors whose work was so educational and informative, it was almost as useful to read and study their books as it would've been to have learned from them in person. This kind of mentoring isn't as personal as others, but as my own success has grown, I've come into contact with some of these authors and they've become actual mentors that I can call or e-mail when I need their help.

Multiple Mentors-At-A-Distance

I have several mentors for different purposes, and many of them are people I have relationships with who I can call or e-mail when I need help or have a question that calls for their particular expertise. The benefit to having "multiple mentors at a distance" is that you're only really contacting them when you need them, and since you have several of them, you'll be less likely to be a burden to them. Many "at a distance" relationships are informal and require no financial commitment on your part, however there are some highly experienced and well-known figures who may want compensation for their commitment to assist you.

Business Consultants or Coaches

A business consultant and/or coach can often double as a mentor. You'll get excellent advice about the logistics side of running your business, plus, as many consultants and coaches work with clients in different industries, you'll have the benefit of their experience in other areas as well. One note of caution: know your consultant's or coach's background and find out if they've really been successful, and find out what they've been successful doing. Sometimes consultants or coaches have been successful only at building their own brand, and have created many "cookie cutter" clients - but they're really only good at that one thing. A good consultant or coach who will make for a good mentor will have been successful in different businesses and in life.

In-Person Mentors

An in person mentor may be someone you know or someone you hire. Either way, they're likely to be fairly involved in your business, giving you advice and keeping you on-track.

Finding a Mentor

Finding the right mentor can be a real challenge. Whether someone is the "right" mentor for you depends on several factors. You'll want to make sure your personalities mesh well, and that your mentor is someone you respect. You should make sure your mentor has had success in your industry or similar, and can guide you on a path that's right for you, rather than attempting to push you into a "cookie cutter" business model.

Your mentor may be someone who is willing to guide you for free, or they may want to charge you. If you encounter someone willing to mentor you for free, do your research to find out if this person is genuinely interested in helping you or if they're offering to help in the hopes of some kind of gain down the road. If they want to charge you, make sure you know exactly what you'll receive for your investment.

When you find someone who you want to mentor you, how do you get them to mentor you? Answer: just ask. If you want them to be a "mentor at a distance" just ask if it's okay if you contact them from time to time with a question. If it's someone you want a more formal relationship, ask if they might be willing to mentor you, and ask what they might charge for such a relationship. If they say they're not interested, that's okay - you're no worse off after the "no" than before you asked. All you have to do is move on and find someone else.

Mentors are one of the most important keys to success, but choosing a mentor can be a challenge. Finding the right mentor can make a huge difference in your business growth...but finding the wrong one can be a disaster. Do your research, make sure you know what you're getting into, and choose wisely.