Real Deal REInvestor Network

I appreciate the "looking for a mentor" emails and letters I get almost every week.

 These messages are very flattering and in some cases I'm sure I could help.

 I have had and have some awesome mentors so God knows I owe the universe big time and must give back but doing it one-on-one is not always the best.

 In most cases, this is just not a time-available prospect for me.

 While I love to help and share, I much prefer the "looking for a partner" emails and letters. Sometimes they are one and the same...but the person asking that second question versus the first has something more than a question on their side of the table if you follow me. In their case, if they bring solid value and ideas or energy to the table, often they already took action and are now looking for the next step. I love getting those messages.

 People that just have questions almost always get a response from me. But because I use content marketing for my own real estate and internet marketing businesses, I often answer their question to them and turn right around and make that answer into a universal answer I can share with others. If you just have read my articles or heard me speak, and have specific questions, just ask me and you’ll get an answer. Just don’t be surprised when I turn that answer into an article or a podcast or a video, or a prompt on my next conference call training for coaching students.

 That way others can hear the answer to your questions too AND others can benefit from the answers to any questions you ask!

 In the meantime, if you’re one of those people who want mentoring and have questions that's great! Mentors can cut our learning curve time in half or more. My advice? Find sharp guys and gals who have done what you want to do and connect with them after they are RETIRED. No real entrepreneur ever really retires, but you know what I mean.

 Find older and experienced mentors who still have the drive and the wits but are no longer actively driving the vehicle as fast as they were driving before. These once active successful guys and gals have a wealth of experience, a ton of contacts, an amazing amount of great advice, and most importantly, more time than they ever have had available-- and believe me, they will LOVE the vicarious feeling of being back in the saddle they get by helping you achieve your rodeo dreams too.

 How do I know? Because it’s always been my strategy to find mentors for me personally.

Now, when people ask me to mentor them I’m usually more likely to give them this advice. Find someone or several someones who aren’t as active anymore in doing what you want to do, and pick THEIR brains. Not only is it possible you’ll get BETTER answers than the ones a young – albeit ambitious and accomplished—guy like me can give, but chances are they have more time available because they’re not always right in the middle of launching another big project.

 These people are easy to find if you keep your eyes open and provide value to them, are enthusiastic and believe in yourself, and are persistent. And if you talk specifics, showing that you took action on a deal or scenario long before you tapped them for advice or to partner that’s even more powerful.

 It's how I find mentors, and its how people get me to mentor them too.

How's that for frank advice?