Building a network of people you can ask.
The best advice often comes from someone who did the thing last year. A small, honest network of people you can ask beats a large, silent one. Here is how to find advisers, ask well and keep the network alive.
Where advisers come from
You probably know more potential advisers than you think.
Former coworkers
People who have seen your work and know your field.
One step ahead
People who did what you are about to do, recently.
Local groups
Trade groups, meetups and community organizations.
Instructors
Teachers from courses you have taken.
Ask well
A good question is easy to answer.
- Ask a specific question, not “can I pick your brain?”
- Share what you already tried
- Offer a short call or an email, whichever is easier for them
- Thank them, and say what you plan to do next
A simple message
“Hi Sam, I'm deciding between two training courses for industrial maintenance and saw you took the first one last year. Would you have ten minutes this week to tell me how useful it was? I've read the course outline and the reviews; I mainly want to know whether it helped in practice.”
Follow up
Following up turns one conversation into a relationship.
Same day
Send a short thank-you.
After you act
Tell them what you decided and why.
A few months later
Share how it turned out.
Any time
Pass along something you think they would find useful.
Give back
Answer questions from the people who are a step behind you. Networks stay alive when advice flows both ways, and explaining what you know is one of the best ways to understand it better yourself.
Keep the network healthy
A network lasts when it runs in both directions.
Give first
Share an article, an introduction or a thank-you before you need anything.
Keep it small
Ten people you can really ask beat a hundred names you never call.
Write it down
Keep a short note on who knows what and when you last spoke.
Close the loop
Tell people what you did with their advice and how it turned out.
Common questions
About asking for advice.
Is it rude to ask a stranger for advice?
Not if the request is short, specific and easy to decline. Many people are glad to answer one clear question.
What if nobody replies?
Wait a week, send one polite follow-up, then move on. Silence is usually about a busy inbox, not about you.
How do I ask without sounding like I want a favor?
Ask for their view on one decision, not for work, money or an introduction in the first message.
Should I take every piece of advice?
No. Collect a few views, look for the common thread, and make your own decision.