Age Problem

[Kyzer]

Hey Guys.

I'm 15 and I'm looking into advertising my website design company locally, but I don't think business owners would take me seriously because of my age.

Has anyone else had this issue? and how could I overcome this?

Kyle.

[karlh]

Hi Kyzer, have you got a link to your company?

How old are you?

I have a friend, from when i worked in telesales who pretends to me as he looks 25! so he does all my work face/to/face wise for a small price.

[Kyzer]

Hello Karlh my company is Two Lance | Proffesional Website Design, Branding and Development services!

I'm only 15.

[karlh]

Can your get your clients via phone, learning a confident telphone manner would help, as if your in charge of the customer your in charge of the sale.

As for your website, very nice!

I don't get the for sale portfolio, are they bassicaly templates and you can fill in the contents for a client.

I am 19 and own www(dot)123-creation.co.uk we do similar work but i do more social networking integration.

[Kyzer]

I have spoken with some clients before, I guess more I talk to clients the better I will get with speaking with them. Do you have any tips or know any tutorials for speaking to clients?

Thanks for the view on our website, and the 'For Sale' designs are premade designs which anyone can purchase, if someone purchases one of them, it will be unique to them and I will edit it for the buyer.

I like your website and services, please email me at twolance @ mail.com so we can speak further!

Thanks, Kyle.

[-Mike-]

If you think you are too young it will be a self fulfilling prophecy.. every business has its unique challenges, just consider your stature one of he hurdles that need to be overcome. Focus on your strengths and see if you can use your age as an advantage. Perhaps do some free work for your church or community non-profits, then ask they kindly refer you business. It would be good to start in your own community. See this link for Entrepreneurs under 30, most started quite young Inc.com's 2010 List of the Top Entrepreneurs Under the Age of 30. Some of my favorites include Richard Branson owner of the Virgin Group, I definitely recommend reading his auto-biography... and Jordan Wirsz at Jordan Wirsz

[borisfowler]

Why do they need to know your age? Is that relevant to them? If you are paying for advertisements, then your money is just as good as anyone elses.

[s101elvis]

If you are paying for advertisements, then your money is just as good as anyone elses.

Exactly right.

[JohnGalt]

Why is twolance.com down!

I want to click through your portfolio a few more times haha

[zbreedlove]

personal experience...do a few jobs for cheap. do them really well. put them in your portfolio. start charging more. not in the tech industry personally, but that is what i did in several different industries.

[LP560]

Yea your website is down.

Age does matter in some cases but you can easily overcome that by perception and confidence.

[chanson]

Search out an individual you could possibly team up with that is older. He could represent your company for you and provide you with another angle of insight on important topics. I have no intentions of being offensive, and the fact is I got into business when I was young also(still am, 26, right?), but what will give you the upper hand is recognizing the fact that you have no experience in the business world. It sounds like you are working to overcome that objective already. Teaming up with someone more experienced could prove very beneficial in the long run. Good luck!

[SmartCompanySoftware]

Yes, it will be a problem. You will not gain any traction with most customers, but if you show passion, flair, confidence and have a great looking portfolio then you might be surprised about how many customers will be willing to give you a chance. Some people will dismiss you because of your age, but that is their problem to deal with. Other people will see a 15 year old kid who instead of hanging around street corners, is actually trying to make his own way in life and some of them will give you a chance to show what you can do.

Good luck with your chosen path. I'm sure that whilst you may be put off by some people, don't let that get in the way of what you want to do. Remember, we all had to start from somewhere.

[Lemonade]

Like other said, build up your portfolio and just don't advertise your age. I outsource to freelancers and I don't bother learning their age. Locally, as you said, could be a problem but if you set yourself up as the amazing fifteen year old designer people might treat you like a 'god' for having that skill so early.