How can you find a mentor in Content Marketing outside of your company?

Network in content marketing circles, like LinkedIn groups and industry events. Connect with professionals you admire; direct outreach shows initiative. Be clear about your mentorship goals and what you offer in return. Seek a mentor whose career path inspires you. Remember, effective mentorship is about mutual growth and respect.

I would say that even when you follow marketing thought leaders and experts on social media, indirectly they can be your mentor as well. Engage with their content by commenting, sharing, and asking thoughtful questions. Direct messaging can be an effective way to initiate contact and express your interest in establishing a mentorship. Sending a message never hurts ;)

Eventbrite is your best friend here. I met a lot of inspiring people who became my friends at networking events. However, one thing I'll add is that events do not have to be networking-based. You can meet mentors and/or insightful people even at lecture-based events. If you are at the beginning of your career, you can even offer to help with any projects or struggles they might have. That's what I did as a student, and it paid off.

It doesn't just have to be IRL events. Online communities might have a dedicated space to #findamentor, but at the very least they are great places to connect with the right people.

You don’t have to go to networking events to build your network (though this can be helpful). I built my network by volunteering for relevant committees. These committees would hold monthly panel speaking events. This way, I got to use my skillset and regularly meet new people who had the opportunity to see me in action. I’ve landed multiple roles through the network I’ve built from volunteering.

In all honesty, using LinkedIn's collaborative articles makes it extremely easy to find niche influencers. Identify a few of your top skills and then explore the article categories to find applicable topics. Browse articles that interest you and see who the article experts are or who has a top voice badge. Connect with them and reach out for genuine advice, but don't be too salesey.

Start within your own company. I was guilty of keeping my desire to find a professional mentor as an unvoiced thought in my head for too long. I've since mentioned to a couple of senior people at my work that I'd value a mentor and they've already made helpful introductions!

Embark on a quest akin to seeking a wise wizard in the realm of Content Marketing. Begin your journey at the Enchanted Forest of Networking Events, where you can mingle with fellow content creators. Cast your net into the Social Media Sea, engaging with industry influencers and joining content marketing guilds. Attend the Grand Library of Webinars and Workshops to learn from the masters. Seek out the Oracle of LinkedIn, sending messages to those whose content marketing magic you admire. In this adventure, your courage to reach out and connect opens doors to mentorship and shared wisdom.

Start by reaching out to professional contacts, attending industry events, and utilizing platforms like LinkedIn. You must be clear about your goals and demonstrate your eagerness to learn when approaching potential mentors.

Attend relevant content marketing conferences, workshops and events in your area or virtually. Seek out opportunities to network with experienced professionals. Actively participate in panel discussions, Q&A sessions and networking breaks with potential mentors. Identify content marketers whose work you admire and look for a connection on LinkedIn.