The problem when you’re a beginner

Here’s a common situation:

Let’s say you’re a beginner in some tool or technology.

For example, Swift and iOS Development.

And you’re itching to grow in this field. You know there are many different paths to get the experience you need. But you’re not sure which one to take…

• You could read a book that teaches Swift.
• You could watch YouTube videos on Swift.
• You could enroll in a university course on Swift.
• You could build a proof-of-concept iOS App in Swift.
• You could purchase a video course on Coursera on Swift.
• You could read Apple’s developer documentation on Swift.

So many options, where do you start???

Enter the “Advice Triangle”.

I came across this in a podcast episode from Cultivated Culture by Austin Belcak.

At the time of writing this, he’s one of the few writers on LinkedIn with over 1M+ followers. He teaches you how to land your dream job without applying online. If you’re looking to get hired, give him a read.

Anyway, The Advice Triangle works like this:

1. You ask an “expert” for advice in a quick-to-give way.
2. You execute on their advice, then show them proof.
3. You ask for more advice through a coffee chat.

This sequence makes them feel like a trusted mentor. They place a small investment in you, watch you grow, and feel compelled to keep up with you.

Austin Belcak @austinbelcak Want to build better relationships? Try the "Advice Triangle." 1. Send your contact an email asking if you should do A or B. 2. When they reply, take action on what they recommended. 3. Circle back with your favorite learnings, then ask for more advice. Rinse and repeat! 6:6 AM • Aug 22, 2023 3 Retweets 29 Likes Read 3 replies

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Here’s how you can use it:

The Method

Step 1.

Look at your list of options from before. Pick 2 from the list that you’d be able to execute and finish within 2-3 weeks.

A book from Author A versus Author B.

Or free YouTube videos versus a paid Udemy course.

Something that shouldn’t take more than 2 weeks to complete.

Step 2.

Reach out to your expert of choice.

Head to LinkedIn. Find iOS Developers with some experience. And send them a short message asking “Hey, I’m looking to improve my iOS skills, and your profile stood out to me. I’m deciding between {ResourceA} and {ResourceB} to get started. Which would you pick?”

The point of this LinkedIn message or e-mail is to get a quick answer.

Not a referral. Not a coffee chat. Not a full-blown 5-paragraph response.

Just a quick response of A or B.

Step 3.

Follow their advice. Get to work!

Step 4.

When you’re done, follow up and show them what you did.

You can write up a blog post. Write a Twitter Thread. Record a Loom. Share a Figma design—just package up what you did.

It’s okay if it’s amateurish work. It should be. The point here is to show that you actually took their advice.

Step 5.

At this point, you’ve earned their trust as a valuable student of theirs.

They’ve planted a seed in your development, and they’ll be more inclined to watch you grow.

Ask for a 30-minute coffee chat. You’ve earned it. ☕️

From here, you can ask them about their backstory. Ask them what their failures and setbacks were to get where they are today. Ask them how they overcame their struggles.

Keep it casual, conversational, and friendly.

Note: You can repeat this process with as many “experts” as you would like. It actually works even better if you reach out to 10+ people at Step 2. You don’t have to do it one by one.

An example script to use

Here’s a template you can use through e-mail. I encourage you use it:

```

Hey {name},

I’m an up-and-coming iOS Developer, and I came across your profile on LinkedIn.

You stood out to me since you’ve been working in iOS since 2011, have published an app on the App Store, and have worked at my dream company: Netflix.

I’d love to get your quick take on something…

I’m looking to improve my skills in Swift to prepare for job applications. I’m considering 2 options:

Option A: Buy a $49 self-led course on Swift on Coursera (link here)

Option B: Buy a $19 self-led course on Mobile App Design on Udemy (link here)

Which should I take first?

Don’t want to take too much time, you can simply respond with one letter. I’ll take it from there.

Best, {your name}

```

Why it works:

2 Reasons:

• It shows you are a Lifelong Learner. You take advice.
• It shows you have an Action Bias. You take advice and act on it.

This person now has invested in you and your story. They play the role of a mentor in your success. And they’re more likely to give you more of their time and mentorship.

If you asked 25 complete strangers for a coffee chat right away, 1 might agree.

But when you take this route of

1. getting a direct response,
2. engaging your target mentor,
3. and establish trust off the back of a very small ask,

then you’ve earned the right to be their student, and more than 1 person will agree.

(These numbers are arbitrary, but they illustrate a point.)

Last thoughts

Most people are skeptical of what they read and consume because trust is rare nowadays. In this AI-driven world, the ability to build human connections is your most valuable asset. If you show that you can grow and craft your own story (a personable skill), then you get ahead of the rest.

Build trust.

Talk soon,
Ricky

Ricky Palaguachi

Say Hi 👋 on LinkedIn​

☎️ Book a 1:1 call with me​

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