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17 Years Old - Offline Marketing

by iRunThis
21 replies
Hey Warriors,

I'm only 17 years old and I've been looking into offline marketing for quite some time now but really stuck to Affiliate Marketing because I viewed my age as a roadblock. Now I'm here to ask the people actually making decent money with offline marketing, is my age really a roadblock at all?

Is it hard to get clients and also collect payments without meeting your client in person?

If you were 17 and wanted to start offline marketing, how would you go about doing it, and what would you do?
#marketing #offline #years
  • Profile picture of the author sconlinemarketing
    I don't think age has anything to do with it. If you can show results, and make them feel confident you know what your doing, you should be able to land them as a client. I started off doing websites for cheap to get proven results to show, you may have to go that route to get started.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    Remember this because it is true. The first impression always counts. Just act professional at all times. Your age doesn't necessarily have anything to do with business, don't even bring it up. You are there to sell something. If you have had other contracts before, point that out. Proof always helps when trying to make a sale.

    Jake Gray
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    • Profile picture of the author seomoney
      first I would cold call every business in the area. cold calling works and is the quickest way to establish contact.

      i would charge 25% more than the competition. lets the business owner
      you are legitimate and serious.
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
    Originally Posted by iRunThis View Post

    Hey Warriors,

    I'm only 17 years old and I've been looking into offline marketing for quite some time now but really stuck to Affiliate Marketing because I viewed my age as a roadblock. Now I'm here to ask the people actually making decent money with offline marketing, is my age really a roadblock at all?

    Is it hard to get clients and also collect payments without meeting your client in person?

    If you were 17 and wanted to start offline marketing, how would you go about doing it, and what would you do?
    I started at 16, so yes it's very possible. You have to position yourself as an authority, and most importantly you cannot let someone walk all over you in a meeting. Stand your ground, be firm, and have a plan of action.

    If you have any delays in delivery or show any signs of confusion in meetings, expect to walk away.
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  • Profile picture of the author tubeincreaser
    Lol, I am 15, have been doing this since I was 13. Age is but a number.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      I would march in like I was 30 years old. People expect internet pros to be young, and except that they can even be teenagers...even PREFERABLY sometimes, because they think they can get a better deals from teenagers.

      The attitude offline is "These kids are brilliant at this stuff... you want to know something, ask a teenager".
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    • Profile picture of the author prtiyamong
      Hey i am 21 years old . i am doing offline marketing from 2 years .
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  • Profile picture of the author grin
    I think the only thing that is different for you is your tax bracket. Other than that, if you can connect on an adult level, then you can operate like that just like anyone else. If you can provide a solution, then anyone with the problem will be glad to have you on board.
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    • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
      Originally Posted by grin View Post

      I think the only thing that is different for you is your tax bracket. Other than that, if you can connect on an adult level, then you can operate like that just like anyone else. If you can provide a solution, then anyone with the problem will be glad to have you on board.
      Depending on the state take advantage of the tax bracket while you can... Under 18 = VERY few taxes, at least in Florida.
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  • Profile picture of the author mpmar99
    Age aint nothing but a number.
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    • Profile picture of the author EmilyC
      I think the biggest issue is that you can't sign contracts if you are underage. Maybe you can make a parent or older person a business partner who can sign on behalf of your business.

      Good luck!
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      • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
        Originally Posted by EmilyC View Post

        I think the biggest issue is that you can't sign contracts if you are underage. Maybe you can make a parent or older person a business partner who can sign on behalf of your business.

        Good luck!
        Here's a loophole for this. Have one of your parents form a LLC with you as the Managing Member. You can sign as many contracts as you'd like after that point. =)
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        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          Your age can be an advantage in this industry.

          The perception for over 25 years has been that young people know all kinds of things about computers and more recently that young people know all kinds of secrets about the internet.

          If you're focusing on the basics, asking questions and listening, then you'll be as good as anyone else at building trust and rapport.

          And if you have a genuine committment to helping business owners make real sales and profits then you'll build a reputation very quickly (and you should get some great referrals from happy clients).

          Stop worrying about the minor stuff (like your age) and focus on what's important: the fact that business owners seriously need help from someone like you.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
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          • Profile picture of the author John Durham
            Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

            Your age can be an advantage in this industry.

            The perception for over 25 years has been that young people know all kinds of things about computers and more recently that young people know all kinds of secrets about the internet.

            If you're focusing on the basics, asking questions and listening, then you'll be as good as anyone else at building trust and rapport.

            And if you have a genuine committment to helping business owners make real sales and profits then you'll build a reputation very quickly (and you should get some great referrals from happy clients).

            Stop worrying about the minor stuff (like your age) and focus on what's important: the fact that business owners seriously need help from someone like you.

            Kindest regards,
            Andrew Cavanagh
            So funny that we see 17 years old as a really minor issue... yet in his seventeen year old world its the biggest mountain of a set back...

            Honestly I see it as an advantage. Get started NOW and retire when you are 30! Heck what you have there is not a MOUNTAIN its a USP!

            In agreement with Andrew here, people really believe that young people are brilliant these days with this internet stuff, as they hear stories and rumors of teenage multi millionaires... They also believe that they can get a better deal from young people... Even internet SAVVY adult will tell you their kids know more than they do! Heck Im one of em!

            In fact I was having trouble turning a thumbnail into a pop up the other day and my ELEVEN YEAR OLD figured it out for me! lol

            This is a fascinating topic.

            Its just interesting to that as humans "Across the Board" we tend to make mountains out of moleholes, not realizing it till years of maturity later, and look how much success was kept from us only for the simple reason of the the way we "percieved" things.

            Many times our fears were unwarranted...

            Once he sees that being 17 is a really minor problem... he's gonna get enlightened like "I DO like green eggs and and ham Sam I am"!!!

            Being 17 wasnt that big a deal after all... in fact I have more energy and zeal and free time to invest than men twice my age.

            I cant count how many things can I look at in my own life that are NOTHING now... that I used to believe were such a big deal, and I let those things hold me back.

            Lol. It even happens in your thirties if your hair starts thinning a little and you think its the end of the world... later on you are like "I love it... I cut it down low now, dont have to hassle with it, it looks the same every day, never disapoints... I dont have bad hair days... I feel much more confident not having to worry about having great hair every day, and I perform better without the preoccupation".

            Losing hair wasnt something to fear at all, it was actually rather liberating!

            We let so many dumb things hold us back! Hindsight is 20/20.

            Get started now being fearless, because in 20 years you are gonna realize that half the stuff that worries you now was a mirage.
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  • Profile picture of the author thedog
    Hey, remember, Doogie Houser was a medical Doctor.
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  • Profile picture of the author masterpeez4py
    you can start up a website designing business or do more of outsourcing work like writing articles or content online.
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  • Profile picture of the author IvanovaiKai
    Hey buddy,

    Im currently 17 years old (18 in april) i started this on the week of my 17th

    To be honest with you, allot of my clients say they much prefer working with me over some others, simply because I'm easy to get along with and seem more approachable, maybe they think they can try and get me down on price,

    One thing i will say though, do stand your ground on your prices, don't let the age difference negotiate your prices

    I've had a client that has said to me
    "Im not sure if i want a 17 year old handling my companies internet presence"

    To which i replied,

    "Why is age a factor here if i may ask ?"

    He said to me "Well i couldn't see any fault in any of what you told me, that was the only thing in my head , your age"

    After he realised how silly hes reason of thinking was, he quickly signed a contract for a 2500 first month and 500/month thereafter deal


    My point is, if you present yourself and your work correctly your age will not even go through there head. If it does just reassert yourself as the "expert" in the field.
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    Kai Aleksandr Ivanovai

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  • Profile picture of the author nandi
    If you conduct yourself professionally age should not be an issue and I commend you for your guts. At forty something looking back i wish I had started at your age. Just bulldoze just look at Mark Zuckerberg you are a maverick just kudos to you!
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    Age is just a number! But yeah might be a good idea and easier if you start out partnering with someone or a company to get clients.. then build up your confidential and reputation to get your own later on.
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  • Profile picture of the author SuperNuker
    hey irunthis!

    I'm just like like you! I just turned 18 and was facing the same self doubt. One day I just went out there and did it. stop the analysis paralysis.

    If you know what you are doing your client will easily see your expertise. I just closed my first client for 1400. Not because I figured out the perfect way to pitch, but rather because I simply did it.

    Hopefully you are listening to the wise words of john Durham, I'm his free offline on crack he says "winners simply do the things winners won't. losers will not contact a potential clients, winners will."

    I encourage you to start winning.

    Ps JOHN DURHAM THANKS! I JUST BECAME a premium at the TMF! It is pure gold!

    -Regis
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  • Profile picture of the author nasuryono
    I don't think age matters at all. In fact, older people tend to trust younger people in terms of technology prowess nowadays.

    It's just a way to flip your weakness and turn it to strength.

    Just my 2 cents.
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