The (Sometimes) Rocky Road to Success

How a Mentor Can Pave Your Way to Success

By Russ Banister

"You can only help them find it within themselves"
--Galileo Galilee

One of the most effective ways to jump-start your new career is with the help of a mentor. A mentor is a coach, an advisor and trusted friend. The interaction between mentor and mentee is a one-to-one structured relationship between a seasoned veteran and a serious newbie.

One definition of mentor is "to serve as a trusted counselor...especially in occupational settings." Traditionally, mentors don't expect to be paid. They take on the role because they see the benefit to their own character and career development. Recently, mentoring has become synonymous with coaching or consulting, a growing profession.

How and Where to Find a Mentor

You may have to exercise some ingenuity to locate a mentor. Look at the work of various writers. Find someone you'd like to emulate. Perhaps you like their style, their market or maybe, their location. Try the AWAI forum Member List. There are any number of people you could approach who have gone from student status to working copywriter. Look at their websites to gauge their experience level. Your own personal network may lead you to your desired mentor. If you are willing to pay for a coach, there are many options available, including a program offered by Bob Bly.

One word of caution, though, not everyone desires to be a mentor. You may have to ask more than one person before you get a positive response.

Here are some suggestions to set criteria for a mentor.

  • Is he or she knowledgeable in the field you want to pursue?
  • Does he or she perform the job well?
  • Do they seem like they could be a good teacher?
  • Is this someone you could develop a friendship with?
  • Do you see them as a role model?
  • Could you accept feeback from that person?

Expectations and Rules of the Relationship

Accountability-When your mentor offers a suggestion, follow through. Don't come back with excuses, just with results you got from the effort. By the same token, your mentor is accountable to you to give advice and direction that has worked for him, not just theory.

Honesty-When your mentor has occasion to tell you something you wouldn't want to hear-accept it. Be honest with him when you blow off the work and do something else. It goes both ways. Like a marriage, without honesty, the relationship will fail.

Consideration - Your mentor is a self-employed professional writer. His first priority is his work. As the mentee, always ask if he has time to speak before you go on about things. Use email before the telephone. By being respectful of his time, he'll make the time to see you.

Appreciation - Everyone likes to be appreciated. While you don't have to break the bank to give a lavish gift, even something like sharing a good book lets your mentor know you value his contribution to your success. And never let him pay for the coffee!

Loyalty - Make only positive or neutral comments to others about your work with your mentor.

Remember, you will be working with someone who earns his living doing what you want to do. As you get busier with course material, marketing yourself, and writing for real clients, you'll find time becomes precious. Your mentor already knows this and must limit the time he spends with you. It's not personal. When meeting with your mentor have your agenda prepared. Try to make the most of every meeting. If you develop a friendship, you may be able to get answers while socializing.

Somewhere along the way, you may find your mentor doesn't have all the answers. That's okay. You and your mentor can learn together. And you may be able to teach him something he hasn't learned yet.

Be careful not to become too dependent on your mentor. At some point, you WILL have to do it for yourself. Your mentor can help you unfold your roadmap, choose the car, but he can't get in and drive for you! If you're overly dependent on your mentor, you won't find your own voice, niche or success. Finding the right balance is important to your career growth.

You Gain, Your Mentor Gains

I asked Vic Elias, my mentor over the past year, how he benefited helping a newbie. He replied, "We all have this need to help our fellow man. This gives me the satisfaction of being useful to someone else and watching his growth. If I can help clarify the confusion you feel, then I know I've done my job."

Establishing a relationship with a mentor can accelerate your growth, both as a writer and a businessperson. Having someone believe in you, who has been through what you're experiencing and challenges you to be your best will put you on the fast track to success.

Contact Russ at minds-eye@shaw.ca