Losing Traction

[Brian Stone]

I don't know if I've had a bad past couple of days, or if I'm just in a bad mood, but the pros I have been asking for help want money. It has really set me in a distressed spot.

I have asked for help from people that have made it, they are successful and have multiple properties, but they won't help me. I'm not talking about on here, I'm talking about in real life, off the computer, I have asked pros that I have met how they have done things to get off the ground and they just won't help me. Why do "mentors" want money from beginners so bad? If I were a real estate success, I would help the newbies out.

For instance, I asked someone how THEY built their buyers list. Their answer was that it was a secret. Do I need to pay these people for their help really?? Do I really need to make it on my own? I understand I need to do my own legwork, but I guess I just need some direction from a real life pro. Why are some people so disinterested in being helpful? I look up to these people and want to be like them, successful and busy and wealthy, and they just won't help me.

Do all mentors just want money? I feel discouraged. Sorry for the rant and the crying and whining, but I feel like I don't know where to go next. Is it up to me to make my own mistakes and go it alone??

Sigh. Love you guys at Bigger Pockets though. Thanks for everything. Sorry again for the whining.

[J Scott]

A few things to consider:

- The successful investors are getting asked for help every single day. Multiple times per day. So, you're not the only one asking them for help, and if you don't have an relationship with them prior to your asking, you're just one of a hundred other guys who will be asking them this year.

Idea: Build a relationship first, then ask for help.

- 90% of those who ask for mentoring will quit before they're successful. So, those you are asking for help recognize that there's a 90% chance they'd be wasting their time by saying yes.

Idea: Prove that you're serious before you ask for help. Provide some indication that you're willing to stick with it (I like to see people who have gone out and gotten their real estate license, as that proves to me they're serious about the time and effort).

- 90% of those who ask won't have access to enough capital to do a deal. So, even if the successful investors taught everything they know, the student wouldn't have much chance of being successful.

Idea: Prove that you have access to capital. At least enough cash that you can get a hard money loan or access to a private investor.

- You're asking the successful investor to teach you how to compete against them. Why would they do that for nothing in return?

Idea: Prove that any success you have will result in more success for them. Always couch every discussion in how it will help the investor, not how it will help you. Offer your services for free during the mentoring, and be willing to do grunt work.