Take me Seriously!

[Michael]

Any suggestions out there for how to get people to take you seriously if you're a young entrepreneur?

Ive always noticed that when you start out in business as a young entrepreneur its hard to get noticed and backing.


""Actions speak louder than words" - Do what you say you will do - under promise and overdeliver. "

[Businessceo1]

When you have more cash then them… When you own things better then them…
When you have established that you dont have a silver spoon in your mouth, from your parents…
When your maturity level is right…
When you make things happen, when they just talk about it…
They have no other choice but to take us seriously.

[DarK_AssassiN]

I've had someone once who owned a guitar store, and they wanted a website. Halfway through making it they find out I'm 16 and tell me to just give them what I made so far (because they liked it) and they would finish it in dreamweaver (hate that program).

Anyways... I told him he can go find someone else and if he ever feels like coming back he pays a dumbass fee of $75 before I start the project just to cover himself. He made me so mad.... I hate people like that that think just because your young you can't do anything (even though he could see that I was good at it and he even said he liked it).

[longhornfreak]

don't tell ur real age then dark, in fact don't menchin it at all and if they ask it is really none of their business to know.

[Stato]

Yeah, keeping your age to yourself can help you alot lol

[mtatum4496]

Did you have any type of agreement in place with this client?

People don't normally ask the ages of the vendors they work with. Especially when working via the web, there is not a chance to see the person and determine their age that way. Since it is nonessential information, don't volunteer it directly or indirectly (i.e no comments like "I'll have your project completed after school Friday).

If you don't already have some sort of simple agreement that you submit to a client before starting on a project, then draw one up. Even a simple Terms of Service would give you some protection from a client who backs out in mid stream. It also makes you look much more professional if you can refer back to the TOS and note there is a fee for completed tasks within a project as well as a fee if the client returns later and wants you to finish the project. Springing an unknown fee on someone just because they acted like an ass and you are upset doesn't do you any good and can do you some harm in the long run.

[aquariancore]

Be knowledgeable but not know it all. Learn the correct methods of listening. Don't be eager to jump in with advice and learn to small talk. Small talk will teach you about people and be learning to catalog what they say and remembering events they talk about you gain respect. (It also helps in the sex area as well)

[mtatum4496]

Good point. Valuable information can be picked up by listening more and talking less. Keep in mind that this also givesyou the chance to confirm with the client that what he or she means to convey is in fact what you are hearing. When you do respond to your client, using phrases like "If I understand you correctly, you want..." give them the chance to correct any ambiguous statements they have made and you are not left to interpret their wants.

[deanac24]

I totally agree. When I was just starting out, no one took me seriously. They still dont actually..lol.

[aquariancore]

I totally agree. When I was just starting out, no one took me seriously. They still dont actually..lol.
[/b]

I hope you are being sarcastic. you always seem to come up with excellent info at the right time.