How Young Entrepreneurs Can Get Advice From Experts

Author : David Garland

Picture this: You’re a young entrepreneur that has a great idea for a business or just started a business Where do you go for advice? Who do you listen to? Who do you seek out? Who do you avoid?

Answering those important questions can often lead to success or very expensive failure in business I recently had a chance to sit down with serial entrepreneur and speaking legend Sam Silverstein who is currently the President of The National Speakers Association Sam and I hung out about and hour as I kicked every question in the book at him to pick his brain about entrepreneurship I was captivated by Sam’s response to one of my questions when he talked about seeking experts out in your field as opposed to your parents

Especially for young entrepreneurs, the tendency on seeking advice is to go to the ones you know and more often than not, that would be your parents That’s all well in good, but unless your parents are savvy entrepreneurs or sleek business folk, you may want to include others when looking for advice in a specific industry I run many things by my parents and they are unbelievable for support

But, to really get great business advice (with no sugar-coating) I had to network my way into finding mentors who have already walked the walk I beat down doors, made phone calls, and did anything possible to form an advisory board of those who could save me from making expensive, business-killing mistakes And the nudges I received landed unbelievable contacts, sponsors, advice, and ABC television All by just listening to the right people and, most importantly, trusting instincts

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Tell everyone you know you are starting/started a business Send emails, make phone calls, and of course in person But don’t just tell these trusted folks that you’ve started a business and are looking for a high-five Instead, mention the fields you need help with and ask for contacts

But asking for help is only the first step Oftentimes it’s not as easy as just picking up the phone and instantly being taken on a magical journey to the business contact of your dreams People are busy and that makes persistence and following up the second key One of the most uncomfortable subjects in business is following up with people To be perfectly blunt, most people stink at following up and give up after trying one or two times to reach someone

Remember persistence is key

I once followed (err, stalked?) NHL great Wayne Gretzky 20 miles in a car with my dad when I was 13 to get an autograph It worked Another time I held up the same sign at a hockey game asking for a hockey stick from a player for twenty games before I got a stick But guess what? It worked!

Here are some tips on being persistent:

1 Create a preferred medium of communication Example: “Excellent, I would love to meet your super awesome PR contact Can you send me her information via email?” Some people love email, others hate it Find the preferred contact method that works

2 Setting a timetable: “Thanks Uncle Cletus for the great PR contact idea Can I check back at the end of the week if I haven’t heard from you? Us entrepreneurs run at the speed of light!” This could be the one of the top rules Time tables create accountability

3 Ignore the sales rules Give up after three calls? I DON’T THINK SO! The “give up after three calls stupid rule” is about as dated as pleated pants People are busy I can’t tell you how many times I reached someone on the 50th call and they said “Oh, you were the NEXT person on my call list to call back So glad you called!” Annoying for you, YES Great results, YES

4 Relevant Emails Don’t send the classic “just checking in” email Make it a point as to what you are looking for: advice, sponsorships, contacts, help, a new puppy Don’t be deceptive

5 Get out there Know where the person you hope to contact hangs out (and I’m not talking about showing up at their house – enjoy dodging cops) What events do they attend? What groups do they belong to? You can of course just show up or even send a friendly warning email: “Hi, Fred I saw you are a member of the Venture Capital Board I’m attending their event on the 17th and I look forward to meeting you there ”

Now, go get out there and land some meetings, contacts, help, advice, money, sponsorships, whatever!

Young entrepreneur David Siteman Garland is a speaker, writer, producer and host of The Rise To The Top TV show on ABC. He also posts business tips, ideas, and advice regularly on his entrepreneur blog.

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