How can a newbie offer value to a mentor?

[Nick Hill]

Ok, so we know having a mentor can be the difference when starting out.  Having an successful investor in your corner is a definitely a great "edge".  How can someone such as myself offer value though?  Thanks!

[Brian Fouts]

Well, you can pay them.  Simple.  :)

But that's not typically how most individuals work.  Mentoring takes time and time is valuable.  It has to be a win win for everyone.  So how can you provide value to a mentor?  Couple of ideas, and it greatly depends on what type of investor they are and what your availability is and what type of investing you are looking to do.  

• Provide office services (unpaid intern).  Offer to answer phones, file, whatever.
• Offer to do physical marketing for them.  Placing bandit signs, driving for dollars, etc.  Basically, if you let them know that you will do additional marketing and bring them the leads, you can accompany them on seller visits and watch how they interact with a seller.
• If they are doing rehabs, offer to go by the project or accompany them.  Perhaps offer some labor on the weekends.  

Typically how I have done it with new investors is I first want to know what their goals are.  If they are not in line with what I do, then they should look elsewhere.  If they are, then I start with the basics, marketing for properties with little or no money (driving, bandit signs, etc.).  Once they market and get some leads, we review the leads together, then they accompany me on house calls and I share the process.