How To Be Taken Seriously As An Entrepreneur Who Looks Really Young

It may feel like a curse now, but in 20 years, it will be a blessing.

Your baby face will the envy of all your peers, but in the meantime, you fear its getting in the way of you and your business.

Has anyone ever said this to you?

But you look so young.

Are you in high school?

Wait, what do you mean when you were 26?

If so, lets form a power circle and mourn the loss of our credibility together.

Okay, its not that serious. But, it is important to be taken seriously when we conduct business.

Were in the same boat. Despite my three grey hairs, people always seem to assume that Im a spring chicken. As entrepreneurs, we want to get all our ducks in a row, because thats the difference between self-employment and unemployment. Can I get an amen?

Even if youre not operating your business on a full-time basis, youll want to do these four things to make sure your cherub-like looks dont interfere with your credibility.

1. Create a solid online presence

Your website and social media profiles are oftentimes the first points of contact between you and your clients. So, you must make sure that everything reflects your brand and skills perfectly.

Lets first talk about your profile picture. Youll want to ensure that its flattering and professional. Make sure that its in-line with your brand. If your brand conveys freedom and soulful living, for example, a picture of you in a starchy business suit doesnt exactly communicate that. Hire a professional photographer and invest in your digital appearance. Keep your look consistent across all your different profiles. Youll want people to recognize your avatar.

Stand out in your niche. Be active in Facebook business groups and help fellow members, thus positioning yourself as an expert.

Next up is content: Spelling mistakes are a no-no. So, if youre not 100 percent confident about your writing skills or your ability to convert readers into customers, hire a content marketing strategist or a copy editor to look over your copy.

Woo your potential clients with your words, communicating a solid brand voice and the fact that your business is...serious business.

If someone has something negative to say about your business, address it like an adult, without name-calling. While it may be entertaining for people (like me) to see Internet drama unfold, Internet back-and-forths do not scream professional.

Pro-tip: If you do receive a negative comment, use that opportunity to educate the person commenting.

2. Look the part

Even if you have an online business, youll be meeting people in real life, and those people could become your clients. Keep your in-person appearance consistent with your online profile. If you have honey-dipped ends in your profile picture, make sure you have honey-dipped ends in real life. If you change your look, get a new profile picture that reflects that. Its all about being consistent and being trustworthy. Your potential clients start off as strangers, and its really hard for people to trust strangers with their hard-earned money. So, it really has to be what you see is what you get, or your potential clients may lose trust in you.

Make sure the way you dress is also in line with your brand. If your target audience is composed of creative entrepreneurs, your apparel should reflect the fact that youre creative at heartthat is, if youre offering creative services as well. You dont need to wear designer brands. But, look like you own the business youve been marketing online. Make sure your clothes are ironed and, if youre not 100 percent confident, fake it til you make it.

Its not just our clothes that create an impression. The way we smell sends out a powerful message as well. Find your signature scent or have a few perfumes in rotation that represent you. For my people who love cologne, check out Cologne Masters . The site rates colognes, making your choice simpler and saving you time. As for those who love more feminine scents, you could take a trip to your nearest Sephora and get some samples.

Pro tip: First impressions are everything. Develop a strong handshake. Sit up straight. And look the person youre speaking to in the eye; it conveys confidence.

3. Develop speaking skills

After listening to a recording of myself speaking recently, I found out that I say the word like embarrassingly often. It was a painful listening experience, let me tell you. However, practice makes perfect. You could write down practice scripts and practice reciting them in front of a mirror. Record yourself, watch yourself, critique yourself, finesse your skills, and practice some more. Throughout this process, be kind to yourself. I know it can be tough to hear yourself speak, but do it anyway. You want your voice to invite people to listen to you.

Pro tip: Read Buzzfeeds article 23 Words Teenagers Love To Use And What They Really Mean , and dont use any of them.

If the sound of your voice bothers you, you could do vocal exercises, just like singers do, to improve. The way you breathe impacts the way you sound. Here is an exercise (courtesy of my college singing teacher): Put your hands on your hips, tilt your head back and yawn. Make the sound ah as you exhale.

Thank me later.

4. Know what youre doing

Truth be told, most people think young people are inexperienced.

Prove them wrong.

Take classes to hone your skills on a regular basis. Speak about what you know confidently. Master your elevator pitch. Be a teacher. Give your potential clients market knowledge that will leave people speechless. Give away free, valuable information that will make people want to take out their wallets and give you all their money. Age is meaningless. There are so many knowledgeable entrepreneurs online and offline who come across as very knowledgeable, regardless of their age. Id be confident using their services. If you invest in your education (and I dont necessarily mean a four-year degree), people will gladly invest in you.

5. Take advantage of your youthful appearance

Dont get mad. Some people will be extra impressed by you because theyll think youre a fresh-faced 18-year-old who achieved six figures in her first year of business; meanwhile, youre really pushing 30. And thats okay. Feel free to correct them. But, see it as a compliment and realize that some people may view you as a prodigy and take a special interest in you.

Pro-tip: You could point out the fact that you look young or that youre actually quite young on social mediabefore anyone else has the chance to do so. This way, youll be in full control of the conversation surrounding your age (and how it really doesnt matter).

Looking younger than you are has its own set of obstacles for business owners, but by ensuring that the four points above are in place, youll attract clients no matter how young they think you are.

P.S. To find out how you can save thousands a year so you can start your own business, enroll in my FREE course .