What Are Intro Sessions?
Intro sessions are free 20-minute calls offered by mentors to potential mentees. Their purpose is to assess compatibility, and they must be completed before a mentorship bundle can be purchased.Think of intro sessions as a mutual interview: the mentee evaluates if you’re the right mentor for them, and you assess if you can genuinely help them achieve their goals
Purpose of Intro Sessions
Marketing
Intro sessions are your primary marketing tool. They allow mentees to experience your mentorship style risk-free, building confidence and trust before they invest in a full bundle.Compatibility
Our platform exists to create successful mentorship relationships. This only happens when mentor and mentee are truly compatible. During intro sessions, you evaluate:- Goal-Experience Alignment - Do their goals match your expertise and areas of specialization?
- Skill Level Fit - Is your experience appropriate for their current level?
- Realistic Expectations - Can you genuinely help them achieve what they’re seeking?
Accepting a poorly matched mentee often leads to frustration for both parties and unsuccessful outcomes. A thoughtful “no” protects everyone’s time and investment.
Before the Session
Review Mentee’s Filled Form
Before every scheduled intro session, carefully review the mentee’s information: Check for completeness:- Has the mentee completed the form with accurate and geniuin information?
- Is their profile information complete and professional?
- Does their name and information appear genuine?
- Confirm your internet connection, camera, and microphone are working correctly.
- Incomplete or missing answers to essential questions
- Profile information that appears fake or unprofessional (e.g., obviously fake names, incomplete profiles)
- Clear misalignment with your expertise based on their stated goals
Always review the mentee’s information as soon as you receive the booking notification. If you identify issues during your review, reject the session immediately through the platform.
Managing Cancellations
Sessions are automatically approved when mentees book them. In case something urgent came up that prevented you from attending, it’s important to cancel the session:- Cancel at least 24 hours prior to the session
- Use the platform’s cancellation feature to notify the mentee
Last-minute cancellations negatively impact the mentee experience and your reputation as a mentor. Always cancel with proper notice when necessary.
Session Structure
Session Duration: 20 minutesKeep Intro Session Evaluation Form open on your screen during the session to capture key notes in real-time. Immediately after the session, complete and submit the form.
At the 13-minute mark, after reviewing goals and challenges, you must decide which path to take: 4A. Mentor’s Approach (If Fit) to explain your services, or 4B. Mentor’s Feedback (If Not Fit) to provide a professional recommendation.
| # | Title | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome & Framing | 3 min | Mentor briefly introduces themselves and sets the purpose of the session: to get to know each other, understand the mentee’s current situation and future goals at a high level, and confirm fit. Encourage the mentee to turn on their camera to help build a better connection, but don’t insist if they’re not comfortable. |
| 2 | Mentee Introduction | 5 min | Mentee shares their background: current role, skills, experiences, and recent projects. Mentor listens and notes key points. |
| 3 | Goals & Challenges | 5 min | Mentor asks about the mentee’s goals, issues, and areas where they feel stuck. Clarify expectations and feasibility for mentorship. |
| 4A | Mentor’s Approach (If Fit) | 5 min | Mentor explains how they can help: share methodology, expected focus areas, and recommended bundle duration. |
| 4B | Mentor’s Feedback (If Not Fit) | 5 min | Mentor explains why they may not be the right fit. Provide constructive feedback, high-level advice, and note that the platform’s community team will contact and assist in connecting them with more aligned mentors. |
| 5 | Wrap-Up & Next Steps | 2 min | Summarize discussion, confirm understanding, and ask if mentee has final questions. End the session politely and clearly. |
After the Session
Update Session Status (Mandatory Compliance)
Timely submission of your decision is required for the Silah team to manage follow-up and referrals effectively.- Evaluation Form (Pumble): You must submit the Intro Session Evaluation Form via the Pumble platform immediately after the session concludes.
- Final Decision (Silah Website): You must also submit your final Approve/Decline decision on the Silah platform website., even if:
- The mentee didn’t show up
- You as the mentor didn’t show up (and didn’t cancel in advance)
- Technical issues prevented the session
- The session ended early or had any other issues
Always update the session status regardless of what happened. This is critical for our system to function properly and for the community team to follow up appropriately.
What Happens Next
The Silah team will follow up with the mentee after this: If Rejected:- The team will try to refer them to other mentors
- They will work to find a better match for the mentee
- The team will try to follow up with them to address any concerns and close the deal
Achieving the Purpose of the Intro Session
The intro session works best when it is structured around three core objectives:Guide the Conversation
Lead with clear, focused questions to understand the mentee’s background and goals.
- Ask structured questions that help you assess compatibility
- Keep the session on track and within time
- If the mentee drifts off-topic, steer them back politely with purpose-driven questions
- Ensure you gather all the information needed to make an informed decision
Example redirect: “That’s helpful context. To make the best use of our time, can you tell me specifically about your main challenge with [topic]?”
Decide and Act
By the end of the session, decide whether you are the right fit to support the mentee.
- Make your decision during or immediately after the session
- Record your decision on the platform right away so the mentee gets timely clarity
- This allows the community team to step in quickly if needed
Don’t delay this step. Immediate feedback helps maintain momentum and shows respect for the mentee’s time.
Leave the Mentee Hooked
Share high-level advice or insights that demonstrate your value and expertise.
- Highlight key gaps you noticed and how you would address them
- Briefly explain your methodology and why working together would be effective
- Provide at least one actionable takeaway they can implement immediately
- Even if not a fit, leave them with constructive advice and a positive impression
The goal is for the mentee to walk away thinking: “This session was valuable, and this mentor knows their stuff.” Whether they work with you or not, they should feel the time was well spent.
Best Practices
Prepare in advance
Prepare in advance
Review the mentee’s profile and application before the session to maximize your 20 minutes together and identify any red flags early.
Be honest about fit
Be honest about fit
It’s better to decline a mentee who isn’t a good match than to commit to an unsuccessful mentorship. This protects both your time and the mentee’s investment.
Provide constructive feedback
Provide constructive feedback
Whether accepting or rejecting, give the mentee actionable insights they can use to improve or find the right mentor.
Set clear expectations
Set clear expectations
If you accept the mentee, be specific about what they can expect from your mentorship approach and recommended bundle duration.
Control the session timing
Control the session timing
Stick to the allocated time for each section. Politely redirect mentees who go off-topic to ensure you cover all necessary areas within the 20-minute window.
Always update session status
Always update session status
Remember to update the platform immediately after every session, regardless of the outcome. This is mandatory for the system to work properly.
Common Questions
What if the mentee doesn't show up?
What if the mentee doesn't show up?
You must still update the session status on the platform, marking it as “Skipped by mentee.” This helps our team follow up appropriately and track engagement patterns.
Can I extend the session beyond 20 minutes?
Can I extend the session beyond 20 minutes?
While you can use your discretion, it’s generally best to respect the 20-minute boundary. This maintains consistency and protects your time. If more discussion is needed, that’s what the full mentorship bundle is for.
What if I realize mid-session that we're not a good fit?
What if I realize mid-session that we're not a good fit?
It’s perfectly acceptable to pivot to the “not a fit” path (section 4B) during the session. Be honest, respectful, and focus on providing value through constructive feedback and high-level advice.
Should I accept a mentee if I'm unsure?
Should I accept a mentee if I'm unsure?
If you’re genuinely uncertain, it’s better to decline. A lukewarm “yes” often leads to unsatisfying mentorship experiences for both parties. Trust your judgment.
What happens if I have an emergency and can't cancel 24 hours in advance?
What happens if I have an emergency and can't cancel 24 hours in advance?
Contact the Silah support team immediately. While we require 24-hour notice, we understand true emergencies happen. Communication is key.
Do I need to contact the mentee after the intro session?
Do I need to contact the mentee after the intro session?
No. As a mentor, no follow-up with the mentee is required unless they purchase a bundle. The Silah team handles all communication until a bundle purchase is confirmed.
Need Help?
If you have questions about intro sessions or need assistance with a specific situation, reach out to the Silah community team. We’re here to support you in creating successful mentorship relationships.