How to Find Kickass Mentors to Help You Grow Your Side-Hustles
Because you will need them, whether you like them or not
We’re all probably on the search for a mentor to help us with our creative pursuits. Yet, the truth is, no one likes to be mentored. We reach out because we want our to-be mentors to sprinkle gold dust on our heads.
If you think like that, forget mentors. They will just annoy you with excessive advice. Plus, you are smart enough to grow your side-hustle to a Fortune 500 company in 3 years, am I right?
If you really want help though, and are willing to put in the work too, you need experienced people to show you the way.
This is how I find and hook the perfect mentor for my side hustles.
First, Think About the Personalities You Want to Hang Around With.
I work on copywriting projects for my daily side-hustle. To get better at what I do, I need to hang around Masters of the Trade.
Two quotes resonated with me on this topic. The first one is from Cuba Gooding Jr.
“Don’t let people disrespect you. My mom says don’t open the door to the devil. Surround yourself with positive people.”
The next one is from Ali Krieger.
“Surround yourself with good people; surround yourself with positivity and people who are going to challenge you to make you better.”
Life will be challenging when you choose to be better, no matter what your chosen hustle is. Think about it. There is no reason to come to Joe for service if Adrian is better at the craft.
Our goal is not to become another Joe, thinking that if he can, I can.
The goal is to challenge ourselves to reach where Adrian, the master of the trade is, and compete to become better.
But how do we know who is Joe, and who is Adrian? After all, searching online can cloud our judgment as everyone markets themselves as an Adrian.
Read, Review, and Immerse Yourself in Their Work
“The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.”
My approach to identifying Adrian(s) is to study their work thoroughly before reaching out. I go through what they do over recent months to convince myself that this person is good at their craft.
There is analysis and there is gut feeling.
I know my character flaws. I am easily impressed. I can read one article and go wow, this person is a brilliant copywriter. Let me sign up for his course!
And then, I would lose thousands of dollars on a course that teaches me everything I already know. Yes, I am gullible, naïve, silly, stupid, desperate.
Don’t be like the old me. Take time to study other people’s work. Trust your gut.
This is what I do when I search for copywriting mentors today:
- I read their work.
- My target is to study at least 10–15 pieces of their recent work, without prejudice, and topic of choice.
- I look for patterns. Are these pieces consistent in their call-to-actions, hooks, snappy short sentences, powerful titles that make me want to click?
- I check for variety. Does this person excel in writing short pieces, long-form articles?
I will go through the list. If my response is a resounding yes, I will do the following.
I will pick a title that this master has written and write my version. Then, I compare. I highlight and take notes of all notable differences, including word count, length of sentence/paragraph, positioning of call-to-actions.
I know (exactly) where I fall short after this exercise. I know (exactly) what I want this mentor to help me with after this exercise.
Reach Out, Knowing What You Are After and Whether For Free or For a Fee
You will be crystal clear in your ask, if you have done your homework.
First, think about what you want from this mentorship. Next, write down what you want to achieve by the end of this mentorship (mentors are mentors forever, but mentorships come with an expiry date). Lastly, decide whether to engage for free or for a fee.
The first two points are obvious. I will elaborate on the last point.
For free or for a fee is a debate we have in our minds. It applies to our mentors. We love things for free, but we do not want to work for free.
Our mentors think the same. They need to eat. They have mortgages and electricity bills to pay.
And so, if you want the master to be your mentor for free, be ready to engage in the barter trade. You must do something for free in exchange.
Remember this.
Give something, get something.
I do (parts of) copywriting projects for my mentors for free. He throws me work, and I learn from his direct mentorship. He would tell me, via email, what to do (or change), and I will submit an edited version within 48 hours.
And then, I would tap into his brains before submitting work to my clients. He would tear my work apart, give suggestions on the angle, and I would go back to the writing table.
That way, I improve my copywriting skills, and I get to grow my client base.
Summary
We need help with our side-hustles.
Our eyes are geared for the front view. That means we are blind to the left, right, down, up, back by default. We need someone to share with us what we lack.
We have to want that.
With mentors, we can improve our skills and increase our income. Watch as all short-term and long-term growth metrics trend upwards.
So, swallow that bitter pill. Reach out. Focus on learning. Eat many, many slices of the humble pie.
Because finding a good mentor is always worth it.
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure. Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
