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Young Authority?

by Gavin Publisher
20 replies
I am starting a blog about my journey as an affiliate, past, present and future.

I am 21 years old and my question is do you think people will respond well to a young authority figure such as myself. My blog will be about giving people advice here and there by learning through my experiences. But do you think people will want to take advice from someone as young as myself or would it be better to create an alternative figure that is more suitable for an authority figure in this niche, (older male)?
#authority #young
  • Profile picture of the author Jordan Mortimer
    Never lie to your intended audience. Otherwise you can kiss goodbye to any trust you build with them, sales, repeat visitors, etc. Perhaps you can prove yourself by showing a screenshot of your balance or something similar.
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  • Profile picture of the author rcnsmith
    No one cares about your age. I don't think I have ever wondered about the age of any "expert" that has offered info in the past.

    If someone is interested in affiliate marketing and learning about what others are doing to obtain success then they will be interested in your blog as long as you provide valuable info.

    As with any blog about any topic showing your results will prove that your information is authentic and motivate people to trust and try it as well, but that's expected regardless of age.

    If you have a new method or secret sauce that worked for you in affiliate marketing and you put it on your blog i'd check it out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Publisher
    Yeah i understand that being transparent is a priority, and it is so as long people respond positively to good content regardless of where it comes from I am happy. I was just thinking about how people think normally you know, a 20 year would be more inclined to take advice from 30 year old as age itself insinuates knowledge over an 18 year old.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Originally Posted by Gavin Publisher View Post

      Yeah i was understand that being transparent is a priority, and it is so as long people respond positively to good content regardless of where it comes from I am happy. I was just thinking about how people think normally you know, a 20 year would be more inclined to take advice from 30 year old as age itself insinuates knowledge over an 18 year old.
      You don't need to give advice. You don't need to be an authority figure. What you need is an angle - something that differentiates your site from the countless follow-me affiliate blogs all offering similar "advice" from self-proclaimed authorities.

      That angle might be your idiosyncratic style or presentation. It could be an unusual or counter intuitive method. But it better be different. Otherwise, your blog isn't likely to gain traction regardless of how old you come across.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Publisher
    My core angles would be:

    Complete transparency, maybe even going as far showing people exactly what i do, to the letter, i.e. what niches i got in, how advertise, how much i spend and how much i get and so on to the point where someone could follow step by what i do and mirror the success.

    Honest reviews on products, trust will be fostered over time.

    Having a personality type, making the blog seem like a 1 to 1 convo where the reader would be able to understand who i am based on my personality which would come through via the blog.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Actually, some people have the opposite problem. In the Age of the Millennial, it's often assumed that anyone older can't possibly know anything about that "online stuff."

    How can he possibly know anything? He's old.

    Look at how many of the members here look at all older people as living on Social Security, watching their VCRs blinking 12:00 until it's time for the Wheel...

    Bottom line, if you know your stuff and can prove it, age is just a number.

    [Last year, I celebrated the 29th anniversary of my 29th birthday... ]
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  • Profile picture of the author shmol
    Totally agree,

    While some people may be putt off by your age--I can tell you, that most people will not care.

    What they will care about is this--can you help them make money online.

    By being honest in your reviews--and really telling your readers what you like and do not like about the products you buy and try out--you will gain you tons of cred in this industry.

    Also, by admitting your successes and more important--the mistakes you make along the way--you will gain traction.

    Lastly,

    GO FOR IT!

    Hope this Helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary Chapple
    Agree with most of the above. If you offer good honest content that deals with problems or saves people time you will succeed. Good content in a hungry market. who gives a damn about age.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
    Originally Posted by Gavin Publisher View Post

    I am starting a blog about my journey as an affiliate, past, present and future.

    I am 21 years old and my question is do you think people will respond well to a young authority figure such as myself. My blog will be about giving people advice here and there by learning through my experiences. But do you think people will want to take advice from someone as young as myself or would it be better to create an alternative figure that is more suitable for an authority figure in this niche, (older male)?
    I don't think it matters one way or the other, but if you're really concerned about it, don't publish your age nor a "selfie".

    Problem solved.
    Signature

    Sid Hale
    Coming Soon... Rapid Action Profits (Pro)

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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Publisher
    Okay, thanks everyone for your feed back, really encouraging and I really am grateful. My website will be done in the next couple of days, once I load in all the content and it looks 100%, i chuck a link in for yall to check out..... and MAYBE SUBSCRIBE....

    Thanks again guys
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Gavin Publisher View Post

      Okay, thanks everyone for your feed back, really encouraging and I really am grateful. My website will be done in the next couple of days, once I load in all the content and it looks 100%, i chuck a link in for yall to check out..... and MAYBE SUBSCRIBE....

      Thanks again guys
      Before you do that, you might want to read the forum rules in the sticky at the top of the page. Especially the part about making promotional posts. (Spoiler: it's not allowed)
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Publisher
    Ah, never mind then. thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author simontoaldo
    Age is not a problem, more important to bring your content really useful to your audience and they will cherish it. Keep moving forward, bro
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Gavin Publisher View Post

    I am starting a blog about my journey as an affiliate, past, present and future.

    I am 21 years old and my question is do you think people will respond well to a young authority figure such as myself. My blog will be about giving people advice here and there by learning through my experiences. But do you think people will want to take advice from someone as young as myself or would it be better to create an alternative figure that is more suitable for an authority figure in this niche, (older male)?




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  • Profile picture of the author REIGN FOREVER
    I say go for it man! The youth is what keeps the fire burning. Your always going to have those spurts of haters which are from the older generation but just ignore them...I see them on here all the time talking down and all high minded to other people but you just let your haters be your motivators. I would say keep your audience around your age first then work your way up because there are so many around your age that probably need to hear your story so they can apply it and be successful as well. Most people who are smart in this know you can learn from anybody...I found myself learning from a 8 year old girl in one situation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
      Originally Posted by REIGN FOREVER View Post

      Your always going to have those spurts of haters which are from the older generation but just ignore them...
      Versus those from your generation who are apparently so open-minded ????

      Originally Posted by REIGN FOREVER View Post

      I see them on here all the time talking down and all high minded to other people
      "All the time"? Really?
      ...and you're speaking from what... 45 days worth of experience here? That hardly qualifies as "all the time".


      Gavin,

      As I said before, age shouldn't matter one way or another. At least as long as you're not promoting something that really is age specific.

      I also recommended that if you are uncomfortable with that to simply post semi-autonomously. You can publish under a business name and create (or have created) a business logo for "branding" purposes rather than using an image.
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      Sid Hale
      Coming Soon... Rapid Action Profits (Pro)

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      • Profile picture of the author Gavin Publisher
        I have no issue with being uncomfortable, its really about making sure an audience responds well to the information I am sending and i guess i am looking for the most effective medium I.E. my self or someone loosely based around myself, I am pretty confident that I can deliver though, just as long as people respond to the me as the deliver in a positive way.
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  • Profile picture of the author DGabeNJ
    I'd look at posting your age as an easy way to filter out the people who are too judgmental and close-minded to benefit from your story in the first place. If someone is going to write you off based on age, it's probably better that they leave your audience sooner than later. It's a self-filtering process imo, good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author vishwa
    Age will not be a serious factor here. Nobody care about your age. All they need is how you help them with their problems. If you are fail to provide quality and informative post than you will lose your audience.
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    Techbizmasters.com- Blogging, Technology, and Digital Marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author innn
    Age is not important.
    The main thing is to offer to your audience an interesting and useful content.
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