More Tips on Brain-picking

Some thank you cards I've received...

I received some comments from experienced creatives about how they handle requests for brain-picking. Most people will respond if someone asks politely and with respect. But young artists and even working professionals need to realize that what they’re requesting is a “favor” and that the mentor is under no obligation to help them.

Todd Melby describes a mentor’s worst case scenario:

“I volunteered to mentor a reporter through a professional journalism organization. When I contacted the reporter, she seemed distracted on the phone. When we set up a time for me to evaluate one of her stories, I prepared and called her at the appointed time. She wasn’t there and didn’t return my call or email. A month later, she wanted to start over and try again. I declined.”

Kimberly Haas lays out the number one obstacle an established working artist faces when someone out of the blue asks for help. This goes for professionals as well as those new to the field.

“I struggle with this. Yes, I want to be magnanimous and supportive of new producers, but maybe because I work in a very specific area of radio production, the requests I get all seem go something like ‘I’m into the same kind of music and want to produce a show just like Echoes.’ My internal reaction is usually, ‘So you want me to help you compete with me?’”

It’s important consider why someone in the business would want to freely hand over information it took them years to acquire. Again I stress offering your own time to volunteer, bartering a skill you have that you can offer in trade or paying for actual consultation time.

Finally, Michael Van Meter makes an important point about following through with a thank you note.

“One item to add to your list: Say “Thank You” after the brain-picking session. A formal card or other handwritten note is always groovy, but at least an e-mailed acknowledgement of the value of the time is an important bit of manners that some recent beneficiaries of my time have blown off.”

An email thank you is okay but a thank you card in the mail means so much more! I proudly display mine on my office wall. If someone volunteers their time to talk to you, the very least you can do is send a thank-you card. It really helps reinforce the idea that mentors haven’t wasted their time and are appreciated. This makes the mentor more likely to help someone else in the future!

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