As a small business owner with little money for marketing, getting PR is the next best thing (ok, as long as it is GOOD PR)!  My downfall is creating press releases though.  I struggle with discovering what is interesting and creating a story worth telling.  Then I found out about PITCHRATE.com.  It is a site that connects journalist with experts.  I monitor the site for requests that fit my expertise and make the pitch.  I was skepitcal at first, but I just received an email for WE Magazine for Women that they used my interview!

The interview is at http://wemagazineforwomen.com/this-business-woman-helps-clients-solve-everyday-technology-challenges/.

I then used ping.fm to update all of my social networking status' (one update and boom, they are done) to share the news!

Tags: Mentor

Creating a connection on the ITEN website can be done a couple of ways depending on the type of user you are on the site (Start-up, Mentor, Investor) and why you are creating a connection.  Hopefully this will help you use the site, but also help us identify other ways to make it easier!

Start-up connecting with a Mentor

One of the key features of the website is to allow a Start-up company search for the right mentor.  Start-up companies have access to a section called MENTOR MATCHING (accessed from START-UP>Mentor Matching link).  The Start-up user can select the types of experience they are looking for in a mentor.  After selecting the criteria and clicking MATCH, the user is given a page that lists mentors with that experience.  The user can view the profile of the mentor.  Once they have found the right person, they will click REQUEST ME!.  The request will be sent to the mentor along with some of your key company profile information.

Creating a Connection

To see a list of users registered on the site, select the FIND OTHERS link in the top right-hand corner of the screen.  When you find someone you are working with or know, click their user-name link.  You will be allowed to view their profile.  Above the profile picture you will find several links:  Community, Edit, View, Messages, Connections, Moderation.  When you hover over CONNECTIONS, you will see an option REQUEST CONNECTION.  There is an option to add a message to the connection request.

Why Connect?

This is a great way to manage your ITEN relationships, especially those between a company and a mentor.  It also makes it easier to see who is online and not, so that you can send them a quick message.

Thanks to everyone who has registered, logged in and started using the site.  If you are a start-up company and haven't requested a mentor, please try it out!

Tags: Mentor

I am asked on a regular basis why I am a mentor.  Many people have difficulty understanding what motivates people to give their time to others.  Those who mentor understand the reward of helping others.  Below are just a few of the reasons why I mentor.

As a leader, I enjoy helping people achieve their goals.  One of the greatest rewards in my life is to help someone learn something new, accomplish the impossible or see a situation from a different perspective.  This is why I enjoy teaching.  It is so fun watching someone who has little confidence in themselves build a website and put it out for the whole world to see.  That single accomplishment allows my students to overcome that fear that technology is too difficult to understand.

I believe when I give to others, I get so much back in return.  In many ways, this is how I build my network.  It is amazing how much easier it is to ask someone something when you know that you have given them answers in the past.  I treasure those I work with and keep their interest at heart.  The become wonderful referral sources, communication networks and support when you need to ask for guidance.  

As someone who enjoys learning, I find when I mentor, I am able to learn so much.  Maybe it is my desire to "be in the know" all of the time.  It is so interesting hearing the innovative approaches being used, new technologies being discovered and new ways to solve old problems.

vI guess my final reason for being an ITEN mentor is that I am so excited about the start-up companies in St. Louis, especially those with innovative technology ideas.  As someone who LOVES St. Louis and wants everyone to make St. Louis (city & county) one of the best places to live and work, we need these companies to be successful.  If I can be a part of making that happen, what a great contribution to this community.  

Sheila Burkett

Tuxedo Park Management, LLC
sheila@tuxedoparkmgmt.com

Tags: Mentor