The Mentor’s Fee: When Paying For Advice Loses Its Value
Don’t break out the wallet unless you’re getting your money’s worth
I’ll never forget the day my former mentor paywalled me.
For a year and a half, I’ve been getting free marketing mentorship. For the time, it was good. Talking to my mentor was relaxed, like talking to a friend. Eventually, I had suspicions that my mentor would come up with weird excuses for not meeting or replying to emails. Still, I have the benefit of the doubt.
One day, as I go to schedule a meeting, I was met with a payment portal requesting $1,000 a 30-minute session. No warning, no courtesy heads up — just a payment screen asking for credit card information.
I was caught off guard. Here was someone I looked to as a guide and advisor, now seemingly cutting me out. I emailed for clarification, but got radio silence. I felt the professional relationship not only soured, but confirmed my hunches. I felt we had built a good bond — but apparently it wasn’t what it seemed.
I don’t have a problem paying, but it’s the principle and lack of communication. If it’s going to be a strictly professional relationship, I want it to be mutually beneficial. He gets my money, I get his guidance.
For the price, I want my mentor to be on time, provide actionable steps that improve my career path, and connect me with others in his network. What I got was someone who was late to meetings and enthusiastic, yet surface level insight. That’s acceptable for free mentorship, but charging rent prices? No thanks.
I’m back to figuring out how to succeed on my own. Which is fine and I’m no stranger at. I do thank him for his time, but in the words of Shark Tank…for that reason…
