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16 years old, offline business

by Clawbog
19 replies
I was bored a few days ago and I decided I would try to get into making money offline. Using my web development skills, I quickly set up a website. The website looks professional in my opinion. Problem is, I'm 16 and I don't think any businesses would take my seriously.. My website is mainly about mobile websites at the moment. I'm still gathering more information on other services I could provide.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I could get clients?

EDIT: I've read JohnSpanglers thread and it has a lot of very valuable information. I want to take action, but I hit another block. The business area is 5-10 mils away from my house and I don't have a car for appointments. =\
#business #offline #years
  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    Offline marketing is a business. It will not work if you're just looking to do it when you are "bored"...

    If you are serious about it you could try working with someone else more established until you get a portfolio built.

    Sounds like you should look to outsource with an older B2B sales rep you can JV with for a percentage of the sale. Modesto craigslist is probably a good place to start.
    Modesto is a big area probably full of opportunities...

    Keep scanning this forum for some good ideas - there are teenagers your age and a little older trying to branch into offline as well, through gaming sites, game stores, skateboard shops etc. businesses that you already fit that demographic, and you may be able to use your skill, and your age, to your advantage...

    Take Care,
    3M
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    • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
      Dont let age hold you back here is another person in your age bracket that seems to be doing pretty good

      View Profile: Mike McAleer


      Try e-mail, sending flyers, or read some other ideas around here. Good luck and try to take it serious, than age won't matter.
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    • Profile picture of the author Clawbog
      Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

      Offline marketing is a business. It will not work if you're just looking to do it when you are "bored"...

      If you are serious about it you could try working with someone else more established until you get a portfolio built.

      Sounds like you should look to outsource with an older B2B sales rep you can JV with for a percentage of the sale. Modesto craigslist is probably a good place to start.
      Modesto is a big area probably full of opportunities...

      Keep scanning this forum for some good ideas - there are teenagers your age and a little older trying to branch into offline as well, through gaming sites, game stores, skateboard shops etc. businesses that you already fit that demographic, and you may be able to use your skill, and your age, to your advantage...

      Take Care,
      3M

      Thanks for the tips.

      I understand that this is a business and that I can't treat it as a hobby. I've been looking at JohnSpangler's thread for a while and it's a very good idea. I want to do it, but I'm afraid that businesses won't take me seriously and I'm under 18 so I can't sign any contracts.
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  • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
    I got into IM when I was 17 (I'm 20 now). So I can tell you it won't be easy to get people to start taking you serious at first. Once you build up a strong portfolio, it gets a little easier. Just stay at it, and act like a professional when you are talking to people, and they will respect you.

    As far as client getting, like the guy above me said. It is best to start with places that you visit on the regular, and have some kinda relationship with. After you get em, ask for referrals and go from there.
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    • Profile picture of the author ezybux4u
      Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

      I got into IM when I was 17 (I'm 20 now). So I can tell you it won't be easy to get people to start taking you serious at first. Once you build up a strong portfolio, it gets a little easier. Just stay at it, and act like a professional when you are talking to people, and they will respect you.

      As far as client getting, like the guy above me said. It is best to start with places that you visit on the regular, and have some kinda relationship with. After you get em, ask for referrals and go from there.
      Your right on the money SubUrbanHype! I have tried many venture since my mid-teens and continuing now onto my late 20's. If you have the ambition to try, you have all you need to be deserving of success. Get out there and get yourself known and always over-deliver on what you promise a client. Rock on buddy, age is no barrier!

      Peace and Prosperity
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  • Profile picture of the author iRunThis
    I just turned 18 on august first. If you feel like your age is holding you back, you don't have to show yourself at all to be involved in offline marketing. Offline marketing CAN be done all online believe it or not. All you would have to do is get the owners email address, this can be done by calling in and simply asking for it, going in personally and getting a business card (they don't have to know that you want to do business with them yet), or you might just be able to find it online somewhere. (slim if you plan on building them a website) but if they already have a site and you just want to make it mobile then that's perfect!

    Go on their site 'contact us' grab the email out of there. In your email you will want to introduce yourself, tell them what you specialize in, tell them what you are offering, and you can also give examples of your work right there in the email.

    Hope this helps man! If you have any questions feel free to PM me
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    • Profile picture of the author Clawbog
      Originally Posted by iRunThis View Post

      I just turned 18 on august first. If you feel like your age is holding you back, you don't have to show yourself at all to be involved in offline marketing. Offline marketing CAN be done all online believe it or not. All you would have to do is get the owners email address, this can be done by calling in and simply asking for it, going in personally and getting a business card (they don't have to know that you want to do business with them yet), or you might just be able to find it online somewhere. (slim if you plan on building them a website) but if they already have a site and you just want to make it mobile then that's perfect!

      Go on their site 'contact us' grab the email out of there. In your email you will want to introduce yourself, tell them what you specialize in, tell them what you are offering, and you can also give examples of your work right there in the email.

      Hope this helps man! If you have any questions feel free to PM me
      I've been trying this for a week, it was my first idea. No luck so far. =\
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      • Profile picture of the author deepseo
        I start Home Marketing Business for a company he provide me resources and I give a marketing for business....
        company have a web site he take quirey and give me detail and i visit company given adress............
        company have a many site and many home making business person
        I know one name of company site
        I also 16 year old and working for youth.......
        any Idea.......
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  • Profile picture of the author SUPER Louie
    Try forum marketing. Your age doesn't really matter as long as you don't tell them your age. Some people may not take you seriously if they discover you're only 16 y/o

    Tell them your age when you're already successful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Good to know that you are interested ,and no doubt this will surely take you great heights...
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  • Profile picture of the author JammieWilliam
    Age does not matter if you are serious for your work. Try Forum Marketing. read some other ideas. you sure can make a preety job.
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  • Profile picture of the author Noel 100K
    Partner Up with someone who is 18+ years old that has a lot of business connection in your area. Tell him I will split the profit 50/50 or 40/60 or whatever you think is fair for the amount of work you are going to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author P1
    Age doesn't matter if you're talented.

    Try to help local people on Craigslist maybe.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clawbog
    So, age doesn't matter when signing a contract for recurring billing?
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    • Profile picture of the author KabirC
      Originally Posted by Clawbog View Post

      So, age doesn't matter when signing a contract for recurring billing?
      I am 15, I have to co-sign everything with my parents under the company because I am a minor.
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      • Profile picture of the author Clawbog
        Originally Posted by KabirC View Post

        I am 15, I have to co-sign everything with my parents under the company because I am a minor.
        You take your parents to appointments with business owners?
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        • Profile picture of the author KabirC
          Originally Posted by Clawbog View Post

          You take your parents to appointments with business owners?
          Nope, I have pre-signed contracts from them...Since my dad is also the CEO of my company, and he knows about this stuff he will some times come for the meeting depending on the client.
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  • Profile picture of the author IvanovaiKai
    Hey Buddy,

    I'm 18, and been doing business with people allot older than me since i was 15/16

    In my experience, my age has never been a matter on a negative stature, normally they are more impressed because of it

    Although i agree that partnering up with someone who is older can be a good idea, i myself wouldn't have wanted to do that solely because... If you learn NOW how to assert yourself as the expert/leader of the conversation etc at 16 think what your going to be like by the time your 18 or 20 ?

    Your lucky, allot of people in this era realize and embrace that Children are the future, and know allot more about the web and technology based systems than the older generation
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    Kai Aleksandr Ivanovai

    Make Money Online.. Just via emails and local businesses ? Click Here

    Flawless Events & Management LTD
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    • Profile picture of the author Clawbog
      Originally Posted by KabirC View Post

      Nope, I have pre-signed contracts from them...Since my dad is also the CEO of my company, and he knows about this stuff he will some times come for the meeting depending on the client.
      Originally Posted by IvanovaiKai View Post

      Hey Buddy,

      I'm 18, and been doing business with people allot older than me since i was 15/16

      In my experience, my age has never been a matter on a negative stature, normally they are more impressed because of it

      Although i agree that partnering up with someone who is older can be a good idea, i myself wouldn't have wanted to do that solely because... If you learn NOW how to assert yourself as the expert/leader of the conversation etc at 16 think what your going to be like by the time your 18 or 20 ?

      Your lucky, allot of people in this era realize and embrace that Children are the future, and know allot more about the web and technology based systems than the older generation
      Thanks for that guys. I'm still setting everything up. I gotta think of a way to get to appointments now, cause city transport isn't very reliable here, lol.

      Also, what do you guys think of the idea creating a business directory for a local area, getting it to the top of Google, and then selling front page ads on it?
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