Thread by @toyeseINTEGRITY

Practical Steps to Establish Relationship with who you Admire from afar.

A lot of us have Internet favorites. People we admire from afar. Asking someone to be your mentor isn't the best way to get a mentor.

I have something for you.
#Thread

These favourites are doing something right. They offer value, they’re authorities in their various fields. You see their work and you aspire to be more than a Twitter or LinkedIn connect

1. Sending a DM them to say you admire their work and would like to be friends won’t cut it

They already have a lot of people telling them the same thing. The ones that have time will say thank you and move on. Their time is money. The worst is the ones that just send a DM with “Hey”. You will most likely never get a reply.

2. Practice Mentorship by Observation.
Read their books, consume their content online, attend their events, pay for their courses. This is a good way to have multiple mentors (from different fields) in people that you don’t have direct access to.

Get familiar with their story/Do your research.Something they put out 5 years ago that impacted you. When you have an opportunity to engage, mention it. It will get their attention. Trust me. I have done it. It works.
Do the extra, quote one or two lines.

3. Make sure you’re in a place where you’re already offering value.

Even if you’re not an authority in your field yet, be sure to be offering value.

4. Engage with them online!!
Share their posts
Join their live videos
If you can afford, patronise them and Comment

Let your comments stand out so it won’t drown in the flood of other vague comments. If you can ask a question that will make them think and reply you, perfect.

5. Once they notice you, don’t be quick to as them to be your mentor.
Don’t ask for mentorship. Never. You’ll ruin everything, Keep engaging. Keep appreciating for the value they offer. Have conversations of interest.

Remember to be genuine because people see through fakeness

6. Politely ask for their input or constructive criticism on what you’re working on.
Good evening, Oloye Dele Momodu. I just wrote an Ebook and I was wondering if I could get constructive feedback from you if it won’t be too much trouble.

The above shows you value their opinion

7. If they take their time to go through your stuff and see that you’re serious, they will give feedback and that alone has opened more windows for conversations.

The more you engage, the more the relationship has been established.

If they say no, reply compassionately. They won’t forget. Even if they do, the DM thread will always be there. On your part, just don’t treat people as a means to an end. They’re just as human as you are

8. Always Communicate value
Keep in mind that they get a buttload of DMs, and that 90% of the DMs is people asking for something of them. If you want to stand out, put the person first. Almost no one does.

9. Offer Value: Think “what does this person need?

If you can’t figure out a need, offer something, anything. Or just plain ask them. It shows that you’re a giver, not a taker. And for some reason, people prefer to give to givers.

Remember nobody owes you a response. That you bought a book or have been a fan for years doesn’t mean you’re entitled to their time. If you would like to earn it though, these are some ways to increase your chances. #TheEnd