5 Ways Younger Entrepreneurs can be Taken More Seriously

Let’s be real: it’s tough to be taken seriously as a young entrepreneur. In a world full of 70 year old company execs, how will you make them think of you as anything other than someone who’s young enough to be their kid? We’ve been there, and we’re guessing the reason you’ve clicked on this article is because you’re trying to find ways to maneuver this situation, too. We’ve compiled five basic ways to make sure you get taken seriously, so you don’t have to waste time before your pitch convincing someone that you’re of legal age.

Tip 1. Be professional in the most basic ways: Dress well (or have your own distinct style, but put in effort). Even in an era when people are dressing more casually, let your clothes send the message that you are taking yourself seriously. Oftentimes, your clothing choice contributes heavily to people’s first impressions, therefore influencing whether or not people think well of you.

Tip # 2. Timing: Arrive early or, at the very latest, arrive on time. There’s no need to show up to a meeting an hour early, but make sure to have few extra minutes to get in and get settled. This goes for more than just meetings: it also goes for interviews, company get togethers, lunches, and just showing up for work in the morning. And remember, even if your company has a chill policy when it comes to punctuality, other people in your office will begin to notice if you occasionally show up later than everyone else. Full disclosure: I’ve been there, and it’s genuinely just more fun to be at work and in on the action than to be at work an hour later, even if there’s technically no company “how-to’s” on time. Make sure you don’t let a simple mistake like chronic lateness compromise your reputation before you even open your mouth to speak.

Tip 3: Be confident and concise. The things you say (and the way you say them) are an automatic indicator of your intelligence, competence, and interest in your venture, so learn to get to the point quickly. Filter out anything that’s extra fluff without significance and make sure to speak with assurance. While you’re listening to yourself speak, make sure you’re conveying confidence in your words. In terms of being as concise as you can, make it a point to speak only when you can value to what is being spoken about. If you want to be valued and taken seriously, think of ways you can contribute genuinely helpful ideas or details; the exhibition of confidence is going to be your greatest asset in your quest to be taken seriously because it shows that you take yourself seriously — and if you take yourself seriously, then others probably will as well.

Tip 4: Mind the subconscious signals you send, and mind the ‘tude ;) In essence, just be aware of yourself: Pay attention to your body language, stand or sit straight, try not to fidget, and seem stable. All of these actions make you seem more thoughtful, more put together, and more experienced in the professional world. Most importantly, make an effort to remain humble and respectful. Treating others the way you want to be treated is a sure-fire way to be taken seriously, especially when the people you’re talking to are potential investors. Sure, you don’t have to share the same opinions, but you can always choose to be respectful. And make sure to find the right balance between earlier tips and humility: in short, be confident, but never cross into arrogance. The surest way to be taken seriously is to be honest and authentic. They’re qualities that don’t come along that often. Consistency, humility, and honesty are actually pretty rare, but empty promises aren’t. If you prove you’re a member of the former group, you’ll be sure to have many responsive partners and investors ready at your doorstep, regardless of your age.

Tip 5. Last but not least, we cannot stress the power of preparation enough. Make sure to prepare more than you think you need to, whether it’s for an event or for a simple morning team meeting. Go that extra mile and do just a little bit more research, practice your speech just a few more times, come up with just a few more plans. Chances are, when you get the chance to speak, you’ll have the potential to really impress people. Plus, if you make it a habit, you’ll never show up to a meeting unprepared or underprepared. And to tell you the truth, it’s simply not enough to be intelligent. Information is power and people take it seriously.

So there you go, young innovators. If you use these simple tips, eventually, you’ll develop a reputation for being humble, self-aware, secure, trustworthy, and well-read, and people will naturally assume you’re focused and hardworking despite your youthful glow ;)