Subscribe to Keith Ferrazzi Mailings
You, Too, Could Become a ‘Digital Mentor’
| 09 | May |
| 2013 |
Apparently I've been a “digital mentor” for
some time. That's what my friend Nick Smoot, an entrepreneur and biz dev expert,
told me. He had been following me on Twitter and Facebook as well as reading my
articles and email newsletters in an effort to gain from my experience. And Nick
suggested I was probably mentoring thousands of others in exactly the same
way.
The term “digital mentor” was new to me. I had heard of “e-mentoring,” which is really just traditional mentoring using tools like video-chat, instant messaging and email as a replacement for face-to-face meetings. “Digital mentoring” is different: It’s broadcasting so that many others can learn from you, your experience and the things that have come together in your life that, well, make you you. Social media allows you to share with many what used to be shared to one person at a time.
Being of service to others has always been a big part of who I am, professionally and personally – I coach people every day – and the notion of digital mentorship made me realize I shouldn't just post stuff online. I should make a meaningful effort to enhance the lives of the people following me. With Nick’s help, I’ve put together a framework to guide my own digital mentorship and to help others become digital mentors. In my next post on this subject, I'll focus on helping digital mentees make the most of being mentored in this new way.
What Is a Digital Mentor Anyway?
"Digital mentoring” isn’t a radical departure from more traditional mentoring: It’s a transfer of knowledge through storytelling and sharing of insights from someone with greater experience and accomplishments. The goal, stated or otherwise, is to help individuals develop their lives and careers. The core concepts of mentorship haven’t changed; the delivery method and reach have.
There are tradeoffs. Unlike classic mentorship, the digital form is usually not a personal connection. The mentee must search out a mentor and explore all the platforms the mentor is using to share.
On the plus side, the connection the mentee feels with the mentor can be quite strong. The content can be well structured and consumed at the mentee's convenience. Perhaps most important, given the demanding schedules of many mentors, the great aspiration to help individuals does not crumble over scheduling difficulties.
Since this all happens online – via tweets, longer-form posts and video content recorded and shared by the mentor as well as related content he or she curates in the way of quotations, links, and online conversations with other thought leaders in the space – people who normally wouldn’t have access to the seasoned business professional or life-hacking-style mentor can now dig in and apply rich streams of insights to their lives.
Becoming a Digital Mentor
Want to join us as a digital mentor? Follow these steps:
1) Have something to say. Don't think that only “big names” can be mentors – really, you just need something to share. The stories behind your battle scars can be invaluable to an industry rookie. Malcolm Gladwell posited that 10,000 hours (or roughly three hours a day for 10 years) seems to be the magic number to attain expertise. But the knack you have for sharing is also important if you're going to guide people successfully.
2) What? Once you decide to share, identify what you’d like to share: Write down 12 things that have helped you get to this place in your life. What shaped your journey? What are the wins, the losses, and perhaps most important, what things do you wish you would’ve known ahead of time? [See the sidebar for an example of a friend’s 12.]
3) How? When you have your 12, use them to build out a framework for how you’re going to share. If it’s an article with a larger idea, anecdotal stories or life lessons, post it on LinkedIn or a personal blog, and promote on social media. Create a Youtube channel. At the bare minimum, share one of your 12 per month, so you have a year’s worth of insights. If you have a quote or a link to a story or book you found inspiring or that created turning points for you, share it on Twitter. For more real-world interactions, try an app like Here On Biz, which alerts you when business professionals that matter to you are nearby. [Note: Nick is the founder of this company, and I’m an advisor.]
4) Next? Start sharing your acumen widely.
A Few More Things to Consider
While you shouldn't announce that you’re a digital mentor (some might find that a bit off putting), make your hopes to help others clear. In your Twitter profile, you might say: “I’ve spent X-number of years in this industry and I want to share the lessons I’ve learned.” Be creative; try to inspire people to learn from you.
And while it's not necessary to say “Reach out to me with questions,” it can be hugely beneficial for both parties to make yourself available if you can spare the time.
When it makes sense, do some social arbitrage and connect your followers to peers and others when the introduction will be mutually beneficial.
Finally, share something personal (in pictures on Facebook, etc.). People will feel a deeper connection if you share some of your personal life. Be a complete person in the eyes of people who look up to you.
The term “digital mentor” was new to me. I had heard of “e-mentoring,” which is really just traditional mentoring using tools like video-chat, instant messaging and email as a replacement for face-to-face meetings. “Digital mentoring” is different: It’s broadcasting so that many others can learn from you, your experience and the things that have come together in your life that, well, make you you. Social media allows you to share with many what used to be shared to one person at a time.
Being of service to others has always been a big part of who I am, professionally and personally – I coach people every day – and the notion of digital mentorship made me realize I shouldn't just post stuff online. I should make a meaningful effort to enhance the lives of the people following me. With Nick’s help, I’ve put together a framework to guide my own digital mentorship and to help others become digital mentors. In my next post on this subject, I'll focus on helping digital mentees make the most of being mentored in this new way.
What Is a Digital Mentor Anyway?
"Digital mentoring” isn’t a radical departure from more traditional mentoring: It’s a transfer of knowledge through storytelling and sharing of insights from someone with greater experience and accomplishments. The goal, stated or otherwise, is to help individuals develop their lives and careers. The core concepts of mentorship haven’t changed; the delivery method and reach have.
There are tradeoffs. Unlike classic mentorship, the digital form is usually not a personal connection. The mentee must search out a mentor and explore all the platforms the mentor is using to share.
On the plus side, the connection the mentee feels with the mentor can be quite strong. The content can be well structured and consumed at the mentee's convenience. Perhaps most important, given the demanding schedules of many mentors, the great aspiration to help individuals does not crumble over scheduling difficulties.
Since this all happens online – via tweets, longer-form posts and video content recorded and shared by the mentor as well as related content he or she curates in the way of quotations, links, and online conversations with other thought leaders in the space – people who normally wouldn’t have access to the seasoned business professional or life-hacking-style mentor can now dig in and apply rich streams of insights to their lives.
Becoming a Digital Mentor
What Are Your 12 Things?
A well-respected entrepreneur friend of mine wanted to start sharing his experience with an audience, so I encouraged him to write down the 12 things that have shaped him in business. Here are his 12:
So: What's YOUR 12?
I’m clearly not the first to share
experience in this way; there are many people in business who have been guiding
others online. Check out the social media feeds of LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman,
Virgin Group’s Richard Branson and social media entrepreneur Gary
Vaynerchuk.A well-respected entrepreneur friend of mine wanted to start sharing his experience with an audience, so I encouraged him to write down the 12 things that have shaped him in business. Here are his 12:
- Your family is important – don't forget that.
- Know your strengths.
- Know your weaknesses.
- Avoid losers as peers or influencers in your life.
- Identify leaders around you and ask for wisdom.
- Mow lawns: Work hard in the summer.
- Be realistic, but dream big. I stopped pursuing sports to do something I knew could change the world.
- Read: Education is your responsibility.
- Nothing replaces hard work.
- Cleaning a toilet is something leaders do.
- Compliment those around you who do a good job.
- Be clear and open with others about your goals.
So: What's YOUR 12?
Want to join us as a digital mentor? Follow these steps:
1) Have something to say. Don't think that only “big names” can be mentors – really, you just need something to share. The stories behind your battle scars can be invaluable to an industry rookie. Malcolm Gladwell posited that 10,000 hours (or roughly three hours a day for 10 years) seems to be the magic number to attain expertise. But the knack you have for sharing is also important if you're going to guide people successfully.
2) What? Once you decide to share, identify what you’d like to share: Write down 12 things that have helped you get to this place in your life. What shaped your journey? What are the wins, the losses, and perhaps most important, what things do you wish you would’ve known ahead of time? [See the sidebar for an example of a friend’s 12.]
3) How? When you have your 12, use them to build out a framework for how you’re going to share. If it’s an article with a larger idea, anecdotal stories or life lessons, post it on LinkedIn or a personal blog, and promote on social media. Create a Youtube channel. At the bare minimum, share one of your 12 per month, so you have a year’s worth of insights. If you have a quote or a link to a story or book you found inspiring or that created turning points for you, share it on Twitter. For more real-world interactions, try an app like Here On Biz, which alerts you when business professionals that matter to you are nearby. [Note: Nick is the founder of this company, and I’m an advisor.]
4) Next? Start sharing your acumen widely.
A Few More Things to Consider
While you shouldn't announce that you’re a digital mentor (some might find that a bit off putting), make your hopes to help others clear. In your Twitter profile, you might say: “I’ve spent X-number of years in this industry and I want to share the lessons I’ve learned.” Be creative; try to inspire people to learn from you.
And while it's not necessary to say “Reach out to me with questions,” it can be hugely beneficial for both parties to make yourself available if you can spare the time.
When it makes sense, do some social arbitrage and connect your followers to peers and others when the introduction will be mutually beneficial.
Finally, share something personal (in pictures on Facebook, etc.). People will feel a deeper connection if you share some of your personal life. Be a complete person in the eyes of people who look up to you.
Share
Add new comment