The Age Gap. Can You Be Too Young?

Really man I would say that I would. I mean look at that guy who made mobile monopoly who was 18. They even used it in the sales pitch "18 year old kid cracks the mobile code" or whatever it was. To me doesn't matter what your age, if you know your stuff and your info is good then it will sell. But I say use it to your advantage. Because people will say well if a 19 year old can do it then I know I can. Some killer proof wouldn't hurt either. Good luck man.

It really depends on how you come across in the video and what the product is about.

I certainly would not dismiss you, as we probably move in different circles and if your making more than me using a specific technique I dont know about then I would be interested in learning from you.

I dont care how old someone is if they show me they know what they are doing, and I can learn something I dont already know.

There are lots of young guys launching stuff right now, but to tell you the truth I dont think they will be around for long based on there approach and treatment of there customers, If you build your business on a solid foundation, provide valuable content, and value and treat your customers with respect, I see no reason why you could not do well.

good luck to you

Gaz Cooper

I think it's clear that some people pick up I.M. a little bit quicker than others so I wouldn't have a problem trusting someone younger than myself. They just really need to know their stuff.

Well Caleb is 16 and lots of folks listen to what he has to say he knows his stuff so if you know your stuff it will come across and people will buy
have confidence young man I am sure you will do fine
cheers
-Will

Thanks guys, that boosted my confidence with the whole project. And I'll be around for a long time, don't worry about that

Do what ever you feel comfortable with. I have a 15 year old girl that is doing pretty good doing IM and she's also a moderator on my course forum.

But she doesn't do video just selling products and you'd never know her age from reading one of her blogs.

Truthfully, when I think of an internet marketer I think someone in their teens or early twenties.

If all of a sudden I seen a video, and it was someone in their later years I would be quite surprised because I would be expecting someone younger.

Long as you have the credentials to prove you have achieved what you say you had then I don't expect your age would be a factor at all for me.

Later,
Jason

I'll second the note on Caleb as a great example. I watch what he says in posts all the time. Very mature well thought out marketer.

Another example, although he is older now, is Ryan Moran. I started watching what Ryan was doing when he was a freshman or sophomore in college. He had an interesting style, shared good information, and was fun to watch in his videos. His being almost 30 years younger than me was of no concern.

I have actually been watching quite a few of your posts lately, too. You do not present yourself as a "kid" but as a marketer. Stick to being professional, mature, and presenting good ideas and no one will take time to "notice" your age.

Hi,
I am agree with you and want to share video .But I do not know, how I will share with you on Facebook.Guide me about this.

Simply, you must know what you are talking about in the video. Once you can come across as someone who we can trust, then no problem.....

I don't think age is a factor when it comes to selling online. Just be observant and test every variable....

Ever hear of Alex from Blogussion.com, or Michael from IncomeDiary.com?

i agree with the others, it doesnt really matter what age you are, as long as you come across professional in your videos. It's the way you deliver your message that gain people's trust.

If I see a video someone as young as me, or younger, I tend to think "Hey...if this kid can do it, I can too." I'm 24 now, and I only wish I had gotten started in this business at 19, so you're lucky.

Wow thanks for the awesome response. I was constantly trying to think of ways to avoid making a video but what the hell, I'm gonna go ahead and do it

I know a lot of marketers my own age but they don't deal with customers directly by way of showing their face etc.

But like many of you mentioned, I should use it as a headline. I'll stop shying away from the fact that I'm younger and use it as a sales point.

Thanks for the confidence boost everybody!

I have the same problem, they never not card me when I'm trying to get in into the casino.

I don't mean this as a criticism in any way, and I don't blame you for asking, and it's an interesting subject, but by asking here, you're asking marketers.

If you're selling products to marketers, that's relevant and potentially useful.

But for any other markets/niches, you need to be asking customers (and/or potential customers), not marketers, to learn anything helpful.

I think (in spite of what many marketers here sometimes say about this subject), that this is a really big issue. I'm 21 but look more like 17/18 and am acutely conscious that many people question my credibility over that, both in this context and in everyday life. I sometimes choose and edit my forum avatars to "try to look older".

Responses in threads on this subject conceal the reality, in my opinion.

You tend to get supportive replies only/mostly from kind people who think it doesn't matter at all and want to encourage you. I've had the same, myself. (Of course, I'm not suggesting that the replies are less than fully honest! Just that they're not representative.)

The people to whom it does matter don't comment, because they'd be embarrassed!

In other words, in a thread like this, you're interacting only with a self-selected minority. And obviously that's not in any way a criticism of anyone posting in the thread - quite the opposite, in fact!

If you're 14 or 15 you can perhaps play it to your advantage, I think, because of the "novelty value". And I see people doing that.

But if you're 19/20/21, it's a real problem.

So my answer is "Yes, you can be too young. And you can look too young." (Though it's less of a problem for men than for girls!)

Thanks for your honest opinion. I am planning to market towards marketers because they are my customers.

Hey! The work world is a fair world, there is no such thing as being too young. It is really the results you produce that makes others have faith in you. You can be 3 and be better than me !

It depends on who you're selling to.

For things like Facebook, you probably have an advantage looking young as long as you don't look like Justin Bieber parody. For the young hip niches, looking young is important and gives you more credibility than say somebody like me who has graying hair and a few winkles.

Now, if you're selling an antique appraisal service or mobility aids, looking young might not be the best way to sell.

Yeah I would say its an advantage. Everyone just kind of knows that the younger someone is, the more technology savvy they are, so it makes sense.

Hi Matt,
I am quite a bit older than you so here is my take on your question.
First pay attention to GazCoopers comment about customer service, it is vital to nail this early on, many companies fail at this even big ones, and from a personal view I would never do business with them again if they failed at this period.

A lot would also depend on the nature of your product and what the target market is but for what it's worth here's my 2c.

Do not make a crap video, try and achieve a professional presentation, if you have the funds get a pro do it, if not maybe you could use a drama student or local Thespian for a small fee, either way this will be money well spent.

The very best of luck to you.

Great stuffs always sell no matter the age of the person that produced them. In fact your age can be your additional weapon and I will advice you to use it as much as you can. You might even be surprise that the age factor is what is going to make all the difference.

Nope never too young to start blogging and creating website.. the earlier you start the better it is! As long as you enjoying it.

Hi,

Just a thought, who said you need to put your pic into your sales page or even tell anyone your age to sell.

I have never gave my age in any of the sales letters I have written. Most of the time I don't even use a name in them.

Of course, if you are trying to build a brand on yourself then you would disclose your details, but really that is just one way to write a sales letter.

Later,
Jason

Here's a perspective from one who has made a few more trips around the sun.

If one has any mother-wit at all, age is just part of the equation.

If you're 19, and you look 19, don't try to come off as older. Don't make age an issue at all. Do a competent video with confidence, and demonstrate that you know your stuff.

Take it seriously, and others will, too.

As others have alluded to, 'too much' maturity can be a disadvantage sometimes. Heck, I was out of school for longer than you've been around before the Internet was even open for commercial activity.

People see an older guy with a fish and think there's no way the old fart can know anything about doing business online.

So the knife cuts both ways...

Bottom line, if you've walked the walk you have every right to talk the talk. Be believable, and people will believe you.

Yeah I don't pretend to know anything. I have been doing Facebook Marketing for as long as I've been online. So that's what I teach. I'm a confident speaker as well so I think I will come off as a professional, respectable and trustworthy person

Thanks a lot for all your helpful advise! You've really helped me make up my mind.

Zuckerberg is pretty young, so...yeah, why not? The guy who made Runescape was around 16 or so.

I'm at the point with my business where I prefer to learn from people that run actual businesses and have for some time. They focus more on fundamentals and things that can make big changes in your business, which is more up my alley.

From what I see, most younger marketers focus on tactics. Just as a personal preference, those things don't really appeal to me.

So yes, I'd make those assumptions about you...fair or unfair. You'd have to really blow me away with content to prove me wrong.