Having the support of a marketing mentor can guide you through the steps needed to make informed decisions and navigate significant career moves. They are alongside you to share their insights and help guide you to where you want to be, because they are someone who has already achieved the goals you want or knows how to help you get there.

Having a network of mentors can help you in various aspects of your journey and reward you with access to the right advice at all times. 

How does Marketing Mentorship Work

A marketing mentorship is a professional relationship in which the mentee receives support from an experienced marketer. Someone who can provide guidance and strategic advice in order to support the mentee through their developing career.

The mentor is willing to share their knowledge to help the mentee develop effective strategies, avoid mistakes, and offer objective opinions. 

Do I need a Marketing Mentorship?

A marketing mentorship can be a program or a professional/peer who can help guide you through your career goals. It can be a structured program with a set curriculum if you are a beginner, or a network with a variety of experiences and advice from different women. 

A mentor can provide advice to develop skills, career guidance, and confidence, among other things. Behind a successful person, there’s a mentor who helped them along the way. Growth doesn’t have to be lonely, especially in marketing.  

Why Mentorship Matters for Women

• Increased Promotion
• Navigating Challenges
• Expanded Networks
• Empowerment
• Confidence Building
• Skill Enhancement 

Women who have mentors are more likely to get promoted. Women in structured mentorship programs are 50% more likely to get promoted.

How to Find a Mentor

To find a marketing mentorship program, you need to explore what fits you best. Look into what you want, and what programs seem like the best fit for your needs. 

Reaching out to a professional you admire from your workplace can suffice when you need a mentor from your organization; however, if you want a more general mentor with broader experience and more general advice, mentorship programs can be beneficial for you as an individual.

A mentor can serve as a role model, someone who is in a position that you aspire to have. As someone whom you can reach out to for advice on important changes or decisions.

Where to Find a Mentor

There are multiple marketing mentorship programs and communities online; some are paid, others are free. They can come from an accredited business or organization. It is your choice to choose the one that feels right to you.

• AMA
• Marketing Mentors
• Mentor Cruise
• Growth Mentor
• The Marketing Society
• Content Marketing World

Tips for Finding a Mentor

• Online Platforms
• Industry Associations
• Cold Outreach
• Networking Events
• Online Communities

How to Ask

• Be specific; know what you want to learn, have specific goals and questions for whom you are choosing as your mentor.
• Be Mindful; Set boundaries, respect time frames, and have effective communication. 
• Be Respectful; Reach out, with a brief, personalized message, and be prepared for rejection. Do not let rejection stop you from looking for a mentor. 

We live in an era where communication is easily accessible. Find a community, have a conversation with friends/coworkers, and explore all the options available to decide if a marketing mentorship is right for you. There are several options and benefits to consider.

What each person needs depends on their individual goals. Utilize your resources to determine the most effective course of action, develop your skills, and explore new opportunities through the available resources. 

If this sparked something for you, it may be worth exploring what mentorship could look like.

🪽 Written by Celina Amaral Sahagún