How can you learn from experts and mentors in your field through online networking?

Identify your gaps and what exactly you need to learn. Seek for the best hands to guide you with the knowledge that you need. Using LinkedIn for instance can offer clarity here. Identify certified and recognized users in a skill on LinkedIn, you can read their publications, send DM and seek inquiries, you may be lucky they respond to you. However, you can always read their posts and gain insights in the niche.

SUCCESSFUL #Networking in today's world can only be achieved if you do several things . ?Identity your brand ?? Evaluate what and who you are ?Be authentic ?? No one likes a fake persona ; especially if you act differently in person than the person you present online ?Be consistent ?? Post on-line constantly (but not too much) with value added posts ?Be helpful ?? When you offer help , word gets around that you are the "go-to" for <fill in the blank> ?Network in-person to bolster your networking on social media ??This reccomended action is key. Your followers remember you if you interact with them in person Once you establish a relationship with a networking group, #mentors will be drawn to you.

I recommend using associations here. In my experience, it is very easy to find mentors there. The big advantage is that there is already a common theme, which makes it much easier to get started. There is also a certain sense of belonging, which makes people much more willing to invest their time as mentors. Nowadays there are associations for almost everything and in most cases there are people who are already active in networking.

Reaching out to people that is expert in your field makes your journey x100 faster!! Having a mentorship. Is one of the best things that I did in my career. For me, here's the tip when you are reaching out to people and seeking advice. Step1: JUST DO IT! message them on any possible platform that you can imagine. Step2: Any valuable information that they advise to you make sure you are going to do it. Step3: Return to those people and let them know you did what they said. Do the process again and again, you will find a perfect person who will help you out through your career.

Mentoring is often free - when someone is truly an expert in their field be prepared to pay them for coaching - it's worth it! You'll get free mentoring from someone trying to make a name for themselves.

In my experience, the ideal way to address these people is in their "natural environment". Conferences or workshops are very suitable for this. You should also keep your eyes open in your own working environment. In larger companies in particular, there are usually enough mentors who are much easier to approach.

Using various online platforms and tools to search for people who have the skills, credentials, and achievements that admire and aspire to.

This is where most of the people fail terribly, because they directly DM and ask for XYZ thing upfront, that's not how it works. First of all most of the mentors will not like this and you first impression will become a bad impression. So to establish a good connection with the mentor :- 1) Research about the mentor and talk about something or about their journey or appreciate them or discuss about a problem. 2) If the potential mentors don't reply to your messages, its not always they are ignoring you, some of the mentors don't find enough time to reply to everyone, then start commenting on their posts and gain their attention and then DM them again after you get some engagement from them on their posts.

Follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry-specific forums, and interact with their work by leaving smart comments and asking insightful questions. You can also join online communities or groups relating to your field to meet possible mentors and colleagues. When contacting potential mentors, write a personalised note expressing your enthusiasm for their work and emphasising your want to learn from them. Be precise about what you intend to gain from the mentorship and do something in exchange, such as sharing your own knowledge or assisting with a project. Remember to be appreciative of their time and open to any advice they may offer.

Before you reach out to potential mentors, make sure you are not asking a question that can be answered by consuming their content. Many thought leaders spend a lot of time curating content so take time to digest what they have already shared to ensure your questions are thoughtful and demonstrate a genuine interest in learning from what they have to offer. If you have identified a mentor who offers a lot of practical / tangible advice on social media - try implementing some of their tips and reach out to them by sharing with them how you got on. This demonstrates a strong personal drive and can be a great motivator for a mentor investing time to support your development.

According to Benjamin Franklin, I would use well-dosed favors to strengthen the relationship. A few rules should be observed: 1. The favor must be appropriate. Ideally, the favor should relate to the mentor's profession. The simplest example is to ask for information on a topic in which the mentor is an expert. 2. The timing and frequency must be right. Asking every day can quickly become annoying. Once a year is not enough to achieve the desired effect. The timing should also be well chosen. Ideally, the person should have the time available. 3. There must be no imbalance. Something must also be given from your own side. This can be a thank you, but also a contribution in the form of knowledge.

It's useful to agree on some "terms" during your initial meetings and keep to them to show respect and build trust, like how often to meet, for how long, etc. Remember, learning can be a two way street as the relationship develops, you too can add value. Mentors can gain a great deal from these interactions too.

In my experience, building & maintaining mentoring relationships requires intentional efforts to establish trust, communication and mutual value. Define the goals & expectations of the mentoring relationship from the beginning and actively listen to your mentor's advice and insights. Come to each interaction prepared with specific questions or topics you'd like to discuss. Regularly express gratitude for your mentor's time and guidance and act on the feedback provided by your mentor. Keep your mentor informed about your progress & achievements. Remember, the key to a successful mentoring relationship is consistent and respectful communication, a commitment to learning, and a genuine appreciation for the guidance provided by your mentor.

Certainly, building and nurturing a mentorship relationship requires finesse and respect. While it's essential to stay engaged, it's equally crucial to be considerate of your mentor's time and commitments. Initiate follow-ups thoughtfully, ensuring your messages are concise and relevant. Express genuine interest in their insights and expertise, rather than seeking constant attention. Proactivity is key; share your milestones, seek guidance when needed, and show appreciation for their guidance. A mentorship is a two-way street, and by upholding professionalism, you can foster a lasting and mutually beneficial connection.

I would be careful committing or asking to commit to a long term mentorship upfront. First 1-2 meetings are there for you to learn more about each other and see whether these mentor-mentee relationships work. It is okay to decide not to proceed after first or second meeting - after all your time and time of your mentor is very valuable and you want to be mindful about how you spend it. Setting up structure, expectations on your first meeting is key for me - asking how much time mentor can dedicate to me, how often they would be available for meetings, what they want to achieve from these sessions, and how do we want to measure success is important. Being open and honest is critical, and providing timely mentee feedback can truly help!

The key to unlocking meaningful connections is remembering stories? It's true! We're wired for stories. They tap into our emotions, spark our imaginations, and leave a lasting impression. Stories are a treasure trove of "what to do" and "what not to do" moments. You can learn from someone else's triumphs and missteps, accelerating your own journey. Reach out to the expert/mentor and ask their stories. The stories you will listen from them will reveal the "why" behind the "who". This leads to "how" you can become "what" you want to.

In my experience, it can also be very helpful to involve the expert or mentor in a specific project. This can be effective and at the same time you quickly get to know each other better. In one specific example, I involved a mentor who is an expert in agile working and SCRUM in the implementation of an agile project. Just 30 minutes a week and only for specific feedback. The result was very valuable for both sides. Win-win.

Key to successful mentorship is indeed keeping an open mind. We all tend to fall victims of a confirmation bias (we tend to find and remember information that confirms our perception) and belief bias (we judge the argument's strength not by how strongly it supports the conclusion but how plausible the conclusion is in our minds). Making sure you are aware of unconscious biases and come to mentoring meetings as unbiased as possible - would really help you learn, see things from different perspectives and break through limiting beliefs and assumptions you may have. Ask questions, and then ask more! Seek to understand, seek to learn, and do not postpone actually trying new approaches!

Engage Actively To maximize learning from experts and mentors online, actively engage with them beyond just listening. Participate in discussions, ask thoughtful questions, and share your own experiences. This active engagement not only helps you grasp their insights more effectively but also demonstrates your commitment to growth. Additionally, consider contributing to the community by sharing your learnings and experiences with peers. This reciprocal approach fosters a dynamic learning environment and strengthens your professional network, enhancing both your knowledge and your reputation in the field.

It’s important to surround yourself with several mentors. People operate in different ways will sometimes try to mentor you using their own ideas and skills. By leveraging different people you can get a lot of different types of approach to tackle the same issues and apply something that is adjusted to your style.

It is hard to imagine a mentor being experienced and knowledgeable in all topics you might be interested in. Build on your mentor's top strengths and consider multiple mentors, each with their own superpower. For example someone may be really great in networking and this is the area you really want to get some mentorship on. But also you are interested in mentorship on critical thinking, leadership skills, business strategy etc. You may need few different people for all of these! Consider different types of mentorship: peer mentoring, reverse mentoring (when more early in career person mentors more seasoned mentee), flash mentoring (for short period of time or only 1-2 sessions), or traditional mentoring with clear goals and outcomes.

It is not only helpful to learn from several mentors, but also to connect them. This creates great connections from which everyone benefits. And not only that, new knowledge can also be created.

Exposing yourself to different perspectives is a great way to sharpen your own and develop your unique voice which is needed around the table! As you diversity your network and learn from connecting with different people, try to be intentional in taking time to reflect about what exactly you want to learn from them as it relates to your professional development. An intentional mindset can help you to pay close attention to what you need and will turbo charge your rate of development.

"Learning from experts and mentors in my field through online networking involves setting clear goals, joining communities, engaging actively, connecting with influential figures, attending virtual events, sharing knowledge, seeking mentors, being consistent, and expressing gratitude for support."

It's important that you continue updating your goals, expertise, and skills as your field of work evolves. In addition, it's important to continually seek out new connections while strengthening current relationships with networks and mentors. Besides giving a wealth of knowledge from mentors and professionals, online networking provides an environment for self-reflection and analysis centered around one's own experiences.

Give before you take! Find experts and mentors you want to connect with and offer to assist free of charge. Ask whether you could shadow their work and help them out on an internship basis. This demonstrates passion, willingness to assist and is a win-win situation for both parties.

Navigating online networking to learn from experts is like a digital treasure hunt. Each expert is a gem hidden in the internet's vast expanse. Use LinkedIn and forums as your maps to these treasures. Engaging with content leaves breadcrumbs of your interest. Reaching out for mentorship is deciphering a secret code with respect and clarity. Webinars and virtual events are gatherings of minds, offering clues to wisdom. Share your insights, adding to the collective treasure. Patience and persistence are your compasses in this quest for knowledge and connections.

I believe all those things make everything more complicated from what it really is. Just ask. Explain yourself in plain words. Don’t craft a 10-step strategy ffs. Be human.

Try different approaches. If this is new to you, you may with to attend an on-line event. Or, if the event is held near you, perhaps take the time to be physcially present. Either way, be ready to meet and greet. Do your research. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Be prepared to share ideas and exchange perspectives. Find out where the next event might be. Make a note to yourself where you want to be, and go become it. Learn it from the master.