5 Tips for Successful Online Mentoring

Online mentoring has recently exploded in popularity as more and more people turn to digital tools for support in their careers. Entrepreneurs, in particular, are frequently attracted to the many benefits that digital mentorship can offer. 

However, for digital mentoring to be effective, mentors must take intentional steps to make sure their mentoring strategies translate well to an online medium. In this guide, we have five helpful tips for mentors, coaches, and advisors who want to branch into the world of online mentorship.

Tip #1: Establish Clear Expectations

Establishing clear expectations with your mentee from the outset is very important because it sets the stage for a productive mentoring relationship. Try implementing the following checklist:

Step One: Clarify Goals

Start by encouraging your mentee to define their own goals. Understanding what your mentee wants out of the mentorship is very important because it allows you to tailor your guidance to their needs. It’s okay to make suggestions if the mentee seems unsure, but it's best to let them lead the conversation.

Step Two: Define Roles and Responsibilities

Outline the specific roles and responsibilities that you and your mentee will accept. Defining concrete expectations from the get-go establishes both purpose and accountability within the mentorship.

Each role or expectation should be double-sided; for example, one of your responsibilities may be to provide actionable feedback, and one of your mentee’s responsibilities may be to take active steps to implement that feedback between each session.

Step Three: Determine Communication Methods

Once you’ve clarified goals and expectations, discuss with your mentee how often you will meet and how you will communicate between sessions. Establishing this consistency early in the relationship is crucial for earning your mentee’s trust.

Tip #2: Build Trust

It can be difficult to develop trust in an online mentorship since in-person interaction is limited. However, by prioritizing genuine connection in your interactions with your mentee, you can lay the groundwork for a strong relationship.

Here are some strategies to help you connect with online mentees:

Spend Time Getting to Know Each Other

Step beyond the immediate context of the mentorship and try to learn about your mentee on a personal level. Asking about the mentee's life or interests outside of work, as well as sharing a little about yourself, can help you develop a rapport that will make it easier to collaborate. 

Getting to know your mentee also makes you a better mentor because it gives you insight into how you can tailor your approach to their personality. Plus, taking the initiative to get to know your mentee lets them know that you truly care about their success.

Be Transparent

Strive to create an environment where your mentee feels safe to fully express themselves. It can be challenging to build this environment in an online setting, but a great place to start is with your own actions. If you demonstrate transparency and vulnerability, your mentee is more likely to feel comfortable doing the same. 

As a way to break the ice, try sharing a story about a relevant setback you’ve experienced in your career and how you responded — this is a great way to show your mentee that it’s okay to be honest about the mistakes they make and the challenges they face.

Show Empathy

Your mentee should always feel heard during your meetings. Don’t just listen to what your mentee has to say, but actively acknowledge their thought processes and validate their frustrations. Conversely, don’t forget to celebrate your mentee’s successes along the way. 

Tip #3: Provide Constructive Feedback

Offering feedback in a way that’s supportive rather than judgmental is the best way to nurture your mentee's growth potential. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to coddle your mentees — sometimes, it’s necessary to deliver criticism that’s difficult to hear, but a good mentor understands how to offer that criticism in a constructive way. Your overarching goal should always be to empower the mentee.

Consider the following guidelines for providing useful feedback:

Focus on Behavior, Not Personality

Avoid making generalizations about your mentee’s abilities or personality. Instead, direct your feedback toward specific actions that can be improved or corrected. Focusing on observable behaviors makes it easier for the mentee to receive your feedback without feeling defensive.

Be Timely and Specific

Your feedback’s timeliness is pivotal to its usefulness. Addressing each challenge as it arises allows your mentee to reflect while the issue is still fresh in their mind. It also makes it easier for them to apply your feedback. 

It’s also very important to be specific about what your mentee does well and how they can improve. Point out what they can do better and provide actionable steps for improvement, but also highlight their strengths and encourage them to develop those areas further.

Offer Actionable Suggestions

Your feedback should go beyond telling your mentees what to work on and also show them how. Share relevant resources, recommend workshops, or draw from your own real-world experiences. Practical insights and actionable steps are what a mentee needs to take ownership of their growth and development.

Tip #4: Encourage Growth and Development

The overall objective of online mentoring is to facilitate your mentee’s professional growth — no matter what kinds of specific goals you and your mentee are working on together. As a mentor, a significant part of your role is simply maintaining a supportive and inspiring space where your mentee can thrive.

Here are some ways you can encourage growth and development in your online mentorships:

Challenge Your Mentee to Step Outside Their Comfort Zone

The best growth often happens when one ventures beyond their comfort zone. Encourage your mentee to embrace challenges and explore unfamiliar territory in their industry. Help them identify and overcome their limitations by pushing them to try new things. By encouraging your mentee to practice calculated risk-taking, you can help them expand their horizons and empower them to discover untapped potential.

Create Learning Opportunities

Whenever possible, seize opportunities to help your mentee stay up-to-date in their industry. Share the latest professional insights, suggest interesting articles or books, and generally make yourself available as a learning resource. Not only will this provide your mentee with a wealth of valuable information to aid them in their career, but it will also nurture a growth mindset in them and speed their professional development.

Support Career Aspirations

If your mentee already has a specific goal, your priority should be helping them create a roadmap to success. 

If they don’t yet have a clear objective, you should assist them in identifying a concrete, achievable goal. Then, you can offer your guidance in a structured manner and provide relevant industry insights that will propel your mentee toward their specific aspiration.

Tip #5: Prioritize Accountability and Communication

Without accountability and consistent communication, it’s nearly impossible to make progress in a digital mentoring relationship. Try these three tactics for improving communication with your online mentees:

Establish Regular Check-ins

Keep your online meeting times with your mentee on a regular schedule. Consistent check-ins are essential for reinforcing a strong relationship and making your mentee feel supported. If you’re able, it’s a great idea to make yourself available to your mentee for questions between sessions, but always keep a standing appointment with your mentee at whatever interval you both have agreed upon.

Follow-Up on Action Items

This one is crucial — make sure your online mentorship is more than just talk. Consider ending each session by recapping the action items and milestones you discussed with your mentee. Then, encourage your mentee to take ownership of their tasks and offer your support and guidance wherever it’s needed. The next time you meet, start off by discussing how these action items went, addressing any obstacles the mentee encountered, and celebrating achievements together.

Hold Each Other Accountable

Above all, encourage your mentee to take charge of their own professional growth by holding them accountable for the goals they set. As the mentor, it’s your job to help them plan the steps they’ll need to take and provide guidance to keep their growth on course, but always emphasize that it’s the mentee who is in the driver’s seat.

Likewise, ask your mentee to hold you accountable for your role in the relationship. Remind them that they should always communicate with you if they have questions or aren’t getting the kind of support they need.

Looking for an Online Mentoring Platform?

If you’re interested in becoming a digital mentor (or finding one), consider an online mentoring platform like Mentorcam. Mentorcam provides a convenient way for experts and learners to connect from anywhere in the world for personalized, one-on-one mentorship. Whether you’re trying to find a mentor online or want to offer your expertise, online mentorship with Mentorcam could be a transformative experience for your career.