What are the most effective SEO mentorship practices?

One way to get started, which I used to get mentored by 3 top voices and leaders in SEO, is to find people who are in a position you want to be in. Want to be a Head of SEO? Want to run your own SEO Agency? Want to start an SEO SaaS? Find someone who is already successful in that area and reach out to them with a well-researched message, asking if they'd be willing to provide 15 minutes of their time for you to ask questions. Humans want to help - and as long as you're polite and show you've done your research, they will be willing to jump on a call.

Once I got on a first call with potential mentors, I was sure to spend 1-2 hours of prep to develop questions that showed I'd done my research and ensured the time with them was as valuable as possible. By doing this, your mentor will feel good about the time they've given up - because not only did you do your prep, but they will be able to tell they had a real impact. At the end of your first call, ask if they'd be willing to spare another 15 minutes in 1 month's time. Your mentorship doesn't have to start formal - casual 15-minute chats once a month are more than enough. If you continually do your prep, make the most out of their time and show you value their time, your mentor will want to jump on a call.

Here's how you can do thorough research on your mentor to show you know your stuff and to give you the info you need to ask the best possible questions in your mentor calls. Google "*Their Name*" ensuring to keep the speech marks to see every page on the internet that includes their name. You might have to spend some time filtering through the pages - but this will allow you to find a lot about them, meaning you can ask questions specific to their experience. There's no point asking questions that don't align with their skillset or experience. This allows you to turn questions like "How do you build links?" to "How did you get featured in Forbes on X project in 2022?" This will get you a much better answer, that is more likely to help.

Effective SEO mentorship practices include setting clear goals, finding a mentor with hands-on experience, and maintaining a back-and-forth dialogue. To find a great SEO mentor, connect with experienced professionals on social media and seek someone with the right balance of knowledge. A successful SEO mentorship should be mutually beneficial, providing guidance, support, and constructive feedback. Mentors can help mentees navigate the world of SEO, differentiate credible sources from unreliable ones, and offer advice on getting started. It's important to choose a mentor who focuses on ethical and sustainable practices for long-term success in the SEO world.