How to be of use

[Makani Donaldson]

Hey everyone, I'm wondering what's the best way to approach a seasoned investor to start out. 
I don't have a lot to offer as far as money or experience goes but I do have time available to do things. Listening to podcasts people often say find a need or something that the seasoned investor doesn't want to do or where you can be of value. 
I have no problem approaching people but I just don't know what exactly to offer. I'm not sure how I would offer to do a specific job or task when I'm not even sure of the tasks that are typically needed to be done in a RE deal. 
im not sure if my question makes sense to others but hopefully i could get some advice on how to go about offering my services of time. 
thanks for you time! 

[Peter W.]

This is probably unconventional advice.   But I would ask for advice and then follow up later with a thank you which includes how the advice worked out.  People love to be useful to others and asking for advice tends to give them an ego boost.   Ben Franklin used similar advice to turn an enemy into a friend (although his was asking to borrow a book).

There are some caveats here, you cannot be wasting time thus you need to demonstrate that you are taking action.  Here's an example

**** advice question, I'm looking to break into real estate, what advice do you have for me.

Better advice question, I'm looking to break into real estate.  I've been driving around ___, ___ and ___ neighborhoods looking for distressed properties.  I've been knocking on doors, there is one that seems like it's abandoned, however despite finding the owners name from tax records I cannot seem to get in contract with them to make an offer (despite trying x, y and z).  Do you have any advice?

On the better advice, you demonstrate that you are trying something, the progress you've made, and where you got stuck.  The advice can now be something very actionable, which you can try and then send them a thank you note based on how it went.  The experienced investor can give advice knowing that the seed will take fruit and likely bear fruit later.  As opposed to regurgitating some general platitudes which is what you will get if you ask the first question.