A couple of weeks ago I had this interesting question from Arlene Crespo from lifeplanweb.com.
I have been blogging since November of 2009 and I really enjoy writing especially about my experiences with life.
My problem is that my age works against me, If people see how old I am which is in my fifty’s they will be turn off. Most of the bloggers are young people in their twenty’s thirty’s forty’s.
What’s one to do when your at this age?
I thought this was an interesting question and one that might generate some good discussion so I’d like to hear your opinion on it. But before I do – let me share a few thoughts:
I’ve not really run into this question before and as a blogger still in my 30’s have not had to face it personally – so I can only really speak from my own personal experience as a blog reader but when I arrive on a blog by someone who is a little more ‘mature’ than myself I don’t think I’m any more likely to read, if anything it could make me think that the person is a little more experienced.
I’m a big believer in trying to use the situation that you’re in to your advantage and to try to turn perceived problems into opportunities – so if I was in this situation I’d probably be wanting to almost use my age as a way to market and brand myself rather than hiding it.
I’d be exploring trying to position myself as someone who has experience in my field, who has faced the challenges that others might not have faced and as someone who can coach and mentor a less experienced person.
That approach may not work in every niche but it’s probably where I’d be starting.
What Do You Think?
- Do you think age matters (on either end of the spectrum)?
- Could being a little older be used as an advantage?
- Have you used your age in some way in marketing yourself (whether you’re younger or older)?
PS: as I’ve written this post I realize I have been asked the question before, but by young bloggers who have asked if they should reveal their age out of fear of not being taken seriously.
I know of a number of bloggers who are still teens who’ve chosen not to reveal their age for this reason – but also have seen a few who have used their youthfulness to their advantage as a blogger by shouting from the hilltops that they’re young. I guess it can work both ways but I’d love to hear from both younger and older bloggers on their experiences with this.
Age does matter!
If your niche is for a younger crowed (e.g. for skateboards) and you are 40+ then you are to Old.
The problem with a older person is that they tend to talk down to others, you know ” I’ve been there- done that” attitude.
If you can overcome this “handicap” and not offer any advice when not ask directly for it – then and only then age does not matter.
Pine
At first glance, I thought this was a non-issue. But on reflection, I guess it is, as you note, an interesting question. I’m 63 and have been actively blogging for about 3 years. So, my initial reaction is, age doesn’t matter. In fact, to your point, I think people come to my blog not because of my age or appearance, but because I have something interesting to say about my topic (IT organizational change).
I have something interesting to say because I have 40 years in IT management, and 30+ years in management consulting. So, they don’t come to my blog because of my age, but because of my experience – which came with age!
So, net net, I think it depends. If I was blogging about skateboarding or the latest rap phenomenon, my age might be a turn off. On the other hand, if I was blogging about “the new retirement”, my age might be a draw.
I think it’s more the too young factor that kicks in with me.
Being young, the social and security risks of “shouting from the hilltops” is a big problem. That said, if you don’t say who you are, will “coming out” effect how your audience perceives you.
Personality adds value.
How can you inject personality without putting yourself at risk?
I agree with most of the above commenters on this one.
In Twitter I follow plenty of people who look older than I, and I wouldn’t be following them if I didn’t find their twitter-feeds interesting and/or useful.
I also follow people who are half my age, and ditto on that.
If people have to know your age (and they don’t) then leverage it.
I think few people on the internet know how old I am. For a Iong time I only used avatars that gave me an image instead of using a headshot (image = bluebells – don’t ask, long story!). Then I found a photo of me that gave an image of me that I liked and started using that on Facebook.
One of the big differences to my life, after joining internet social media & internet marketing two years ago, is the fact that few people care about anyone’s gender, age, colour, creed, mobility, etc. Or so it seems to me.
I have walking difficulties and a congenital condition, and I can’t remember anyone who has asked me about it on the internet. But in daily life on the streets it comes up again and again.
For me the internet is a great levelling place :)
I think in the work place it can be a problem, too young and you are looked at as not being committed, too old and people think your planning your retirement.
In the internet world its totally different, but people do respect an established website (5 years plus) with a great design.
So its not so much your age but the website age!…
:]
In my opinion, I think it is an advantage to be over 30 or 40 because no one really wants to read silly articles written by a 15 year old…
I guess I have never really thought about this question before. I don’t reveal my age, I guess I just don’t see a reason to do so. I have never thought to check the age of any bloggers whom I read regularly either, I simply don’t think it matters.
I have someone that I work with who is a transitional life coach. She specializes in helping retirees find new life purpose past the working years. In her niche, her age is a sign of credibility.
Hi Darren,
Perhaps, age matters to the reader when it comes to the topic / niche of the writer.
If you are writing about technology there are many young and old masters of net marketing.
If you are writing about personal and professional development (my focus) often readers expect you to share stories that show you have experience dealing with issues you are helping them solve. At least this is my experience when I host a seminar attendees really relate to my life stories and the lessons learned. They tell me in their feedback form and in person.
Simply my thoughts,
David
http://www.TheWonderTechnique.com
I don’t think age matters, but grammar and style do. The quote above contains at least eight grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Most people blog because they want to be writers. Grammar and style are the writer’s tools. Use them correctly.
I was just discussing this topic the other day with a friend. I am older (48 – gulp!) and have always wanted to write for a living but was afraid to do so. I went into retail management, then sales and eventually started my own successful business, which I retired from. Anyway, I went back to school and started to blog about the experience. I have begun to research different types of writing and of course blogging came up as it is such a huge part of the landscape these days. I think where the issue lies, is that us more mature folk may not be quite as well versed in Social Media and such as the younger set. So, while our experience is a definite plus, that lack of expertise in current technologies may make us feel a bit behind the times. I can Facebook, but heck if I have twittered!
Hi Darren,
I was quite surprised to read that you were in your 50s.
I do agree with you that you should try to use such a situation to your advantage. Its relatively rarer for a blogger to be in his 50s, and thus there are certain advantages that certainly do come with that.
I’m personally in my late 20s, which is relatively common for a blogger to be, thus have not used my age in any of my material.
Age does matter, but experience has more significance. As time passes we learn from our own mistakes. A person who had done more number of mistakes is more experienced and will do much better on a later stage
Darren, I’ve always believed that it’s not the biological age that matters, it’s the mental age. If you are younger mentally (I’m talking in terms of attitude, not a 50-year-old having mental age of a 15-year-old) it doesn’t matter what’s your age.
You’ve rightly said that you can always use age to your advantage. As you age, you grow wiser, more balanced, less distracted and more relaxed. You have seen the world and you know that small emergencies are not matters of life and death.
Arlene shouldn’t worry about people getting turned off by her age. I just checked her blog and she’s producing great content. Eventually she’ll develop a loyal audience.
~~ Sarah ~~
Like most people commenting here I’ve always thought there to be more issues with being a young blogger than a more “mature” one. There tends to be a belief, rightly or wrongly, that if you’re a younger person you have less experience and therefore weaker knowledge than an older blogger. I don’t believe this is necessarily always true but it would point to the fact that an older blogger does actually have more potential to benefit from using their age as part of their branding
I second what many have said about valuable content being the most important factor for me in reading and sticking with a blog.
Having said that, I think I can tell almost immediately the age range of a blogger by the language they use and the way they express themselves. Interestingly, I find that most of the overblown prose (the “I’ve figured this all out!” “You must do this now! type of post) is written by people under 30. Generally, they turn me off.
Clearly, I’m generalizing, and I recognize that there are compelling exceptions to my generalizations. Still, I find that posts on topics that interest me — such as building a business or personal growth — that are written by individuals in their 20s tend to be less thoughtful than ones by writers with more life experience.
This doesn’t mean, of course,that anyone over 30 is thoughtful, or a good writer, or has good information to impart simply because of age, but experience in one’s topic, whether business or life, can make a huge difference in how you approach a topic and whether what you have to say is useful to others.
As a side note, I also think there’s a huge — and possibly untapped- audience of baby boomers who might appreciate hearing from those with whose life experience they can relate.
Hi Darren,
I’ve been wrestling with the age question recently and am grateful to you for raising the issue.
I’m 65, but people think I’m ten to fifteen years younger, and I’m vain enough to enjoy their confusion. Because, of course, nobody wants to be thought of as looking “old.”
I suspect my good fortunte is attributable to good genes and hard work. In fact, as an economic casualty of what TIME magazine called “the decade from hell,” my YMCA card was the only health insurance I had.
The advantage of being older means I have more experience than younger people. But as Henry David Thoreau pointed out, age only provides the opportunity for wisdom. There is no guarantee, and there are people loose on the streets who have learned nothing from their years on the planet. At least nothing worth passing along.
But my age is not necessarily an advantage as a blogger unless it translates to content. If the content is good and true, it works. If it’s humbug or self-serving, it doesn’t matter if I’m 14 or 40 or 104.
Thanks to your last question, I am thinking of using my age to help market myself, either in my current blog or in a new one. Among the advantages of being 65 is I’ve got a lot of unusual experiences to share.
When I was 58, to use a recent example, a director friend suggested I take up acting. Baby boomers were getting older, and he thought I looked like a baby boomer who was getting older.
My first agent said, “Don’t do anything to your hair,” which is gray. And on my first job, a photo shoot, the photographer said, “Advertisers are looking for people like you who have that weathered look.”
I did not give him a noogie, and over the past several years I’ve done numerous commercials and print jobs. I also did a non-speaking scene with Janet Jackson for the movie “Why Did I Get Married?”
The scene was cut, but I got a good story out of it, and telling stories is what I do.
Cheers,
John
I personally don’t care about the age of the blogger as far as their posts are interesting and relevant to me. Older and younger bloggers usually have different blogging styles and this can affect their readers. I probably will not be interested in reading an article by a young blogger who uses a lot of slang and gives examples from the Twilight Saga to prove the point.
At the same time older bloggers can get too “preachy” and look at their readers like they are their children or they do not have enough experience. This style of writing can be a turn off for me.
As long as the blogger knows his/her audience and delivers relevant information there should not be any conflict in my opinion.
I personally don’t feel that being older is a bad thing in regards to blogging. If anything I would feel like the blogger has more experience in life and could produce more interesting posts.
I think age does play a little part as far as what a reader will look at when viewing a blog. What I mean by little part is the subject the blogger is writing about. Such as teen trends would not be so crediable from a blogger who is in their 40s and above.
As far as other topics in general most people who read blogs don’t really care if the person is 20’s or in their 60s. I think think if the blogger has good content and provides useful information then age does not matter in cyberspace. Its like the analogy of the dog in front of a computer. Online no one knows your a dog lol.
I don’t think age really matters Darren. I’m like you, if anything I think the age is what separates you from the pack and established you as a more experienced brand. I think that one should embrace age and equate it to experience.
I think, most cases, ones age can be used to one’s own advantage. If the age might be surprising to someone – use it as your USP.
Ex. A 17 year-old whose advised stock investors triple his age.
or
A 65-year old granny who still gets out there and whips 20 year olds into shape.
Its not the age but the energy which matters the most while blogging. Do you have enough blog caffiene in you to keep up with new interesting subjects in your niche then go ahead just keep pushing different keystrokes on your keyboard….
Looking at a scenario where a 20 years old blogger may not have enough motivation and energy to post something new everyday as much as a 50 years old blogger who is well inspired and has a surplus of a motivational energy in him…
So to conclude…Age really don’t matter.
I’m 59 and intend to do plenty of blogging for the second half of my life. I’m at the point where I can just be myself without worrying anymore about what anyone else may think of me. I am what I am and I make no apologies for it. That alone is a huge advantage.
I must say that what matters is the experience. If you’re sixteen and you say you’re experienced at something after doing it for just a few months I don’t know what to say to that. Again if you’re 50 and you’ve only done whatever you’re trying to get credibility from for 6 months can you really say that’s experience.
Age doesn’t matter as long as you can back it up with the meat and potatoes. Or like GaryV says “the chops”
I don’t think age has something to do with blogging. I believe that as long as you write articles with sense and interesting, your age won’t matter. Just like in love, age doesn’t matter… But seriously, as a blogger and I do follow some blogs of 50+ person and yet enjoy following it. Why? Simply because it entertains me and at the same time I learn something from them.
I believe that it depends on who you’re targeting with your blog and what you’re writing about. Age can be an asset or it can be a liability.
Age doesn’t need to matter when blogging – one of the best perks of online conversation is that we are often free from the immediate prejudice of a first physical impression. It’s what we say that means everything. Insightful and intelligent comments aren’t reserved specifically for the young or old, and it’s usually in the way we dress up our thoughts that we reveal our age. If a blogger uses phrases like “back in the day” or “you kids have it easy”, it’s just as tedious to read as a blogger who writes online comments using text-speak (i don’t LMAO tryin 2 rel8 2 bad gramr.) When all is said or done, I say age doesn’t matter – what does matter is that we treat our readers with enough respect that they read to the end of our blog.
I agree with the others who’ve said it probably depends on your particular niche. However, even if you’re older or younger than your typical target reader, as long as you have relevant things to say and present them well, you can still succeed.
I haven’t been blogging for too long, but my web site has been online for over 10 years and I’ve carved out a nice niche for myself.
I’m in my 40’s and my sites and blog focus on video games— typically considered a hobby for younger males. My readers are about evenly split between by gender and range in age from 10 to 80+. Older gamers are often delighted to see someone their age who shares their interest. Teenagers tell me they wish their moms were as “cool” as me. So I think that as long as you’re enthusiastic and articulate about your subject, age doesn’t matter.
Mature age should be used as a point of difference for any business.
This is a good answer to the question – but in my experience, I have never seen age used as a subjective label on a blogger’s credibility.
If a blogger creates beneficial, timely, and relevant advice, then I am usually all ears.
Age as a barrier can open the door to great content being dismissed based on other categories such as race, nationality, sexual orientation etc.
I won’t bust out the cliche of ‘content being *blank*’ but quite frankly, people are hungry for knowledge and if information is worthy enough, no self-imposed barrier will trump it.
It is important to write with respect given to rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling. You want people to read what you have to say without stumbling over poor writing and spelling. If you want people to read your blog, make sure you are creating something of value that will give something to the reader. No one wants to read a re-write of your favorite products’ sales brochures, nor do they want to take advice on life unless the blog writer establishes credibility. I think age has little to do with it. The older you are, the more experience you bring to your writing, but if you want followers, quality and value are what attracts people. They want to come away, smarter, better, happier, more inspired, etc. from having read your blog.
I definitely agree with who you’re targeting, it’s all about how you spin it. If you are writing a technology you obviously would like to play up the fact that you’re young and hip and with the latest gadgets. If you are a writing a technology blog and are older, you can spin it in the voice of “been there done that” and work it to your advantage.
Your writing style can determine how your age is perceived.
I would see an older blogger as someone who has been there and seen things. I probably wouldn’t think about it at all if I knew their age before reading the blog. I read so many types from mom blogs about parenting (I’m not a mom) to blogs about photography and health. It all really depends on what I’m looking for and if I like what they have to say, that keeps me as a reader.
Blog age or blogger’s age, it only matters to blog snobs. Experiences in life are not age restricted.
Age doesn’t matter as long as what is being written is interesting, accurate, and mostly professional in nature. Perspective comes with age and changes as you age. I like to learn from a variety of people who have a variety of life experiences.
Okay, I’m answering this from a viewpoint of a blog reader. When I stumble upon a blog where the blogger is much younger or older than me, I compelled to read more.
I felt that if a person younger or older than me knows more or can do more or better at blogging than me, I want to learn from them. I take it as a challenge.
So, younger or older bloggers should not be afraid to tell what their real age is. Just let readers like you for who you really are. That is a real advantage.
I think it’s pretty much unanimous. Age doesn’t matter! Blogging is about relating to people. Age is irrelevant. If you have trouble relating to people in day to day stuff then chances are you will when it comes to blogging too it’s probably as easy as that.
You’re absolutely right about the experience factor too Darren. In some ways it gives us older folks something to draw on. Most of the time we’ve been there and done that, so of course that’s going to be a plus when it comes to blogging. I’m kind of like you in my mentality anyway. I tend to turn perceived problems into opportunities too. In fact when I do run into roadblocks with clients, (I’m a real estate agent so it can come up on occasion), my favorite saying is that there are no problems, just solutions. Works for me every time!
While age may play a huge factor when one first stumbles upon a blog “that guy’s 14?!”, it’s the experience and value that the blogger brings to the table that counts.
Kinda like having the street smarts.
A blogger w/o the “eq” at 25 may not be able to connect with others who are able to wow their audience at 16 or 55.
@Jezza101 made another good point in the comment too about the “I’m 14 and I made a gazillion dollars” thing. :)
Age doesn’t matter. It’s the experience and the way you bring that out in your writing that makes me want to learn from a variety of ages.
I don’t think we should be hesitant to give our age or breadth of knowledge as there so many people who need/want what you have to say.
You pose a very interesting question. Personally I have learned a lot from people much younger than myself, just turned the corner @ 70, but feel much younger. One of my favorite quotes is “practice makes perfect” but with this caveat “the right practice makes perfect”. So often people keep making the same mistake over and over while expecting different results. Shared experiences whether young or old can have its advantages.
Think Betty White!
I don’t think a blogger’s age matters. What matters is the wisdom, experience and creativity she brings to the table. It also helps to write standard English without grammatical and spelling mistakes.
I’m 57 years old. When I was 45 I started a website which would have been a blog if blogs had existed then. It quickly grew to a readership in the thousands each day — big back then.
Last year I started FutureExpats.com, and a few months ago I started another new blog, OvercomeDiabesity.com. I don’t think my age matters a bit in my Future Expats blog, and I think it helps my credibility with Overcome Diabesity.
I don’t know what your reader’s blog is, but I would not read a blog as full of writing mistakes as that one (“fifty’s” instead of “fifties,” “will be turn off” instead of “will be turned off” and so on). Perhaps she should learn to write before she blames her age for lack of blogging success.
Wow! Popular post Darren!
I just had this same discussion with my 22 year old friend. He said that he was maybe already to old to start his own business.
I started when I was 28. Been at it for 4 years now. And I don’t really think age is relevant for success.
Talk soon!
Gideon Shalwick
As long as a Blogger knows how to write and write interesting useful articles, then their age does NOT matter.
Does age matter in the Blogosphere? Damn, I sure hope not!
I don’t think age does matter in blogging world, maybe you could encounter some readers that prefer younger age blogger but I know most readers are openminded and will not care of your age.
One of my favourite bloggers is in her 60’s
http://down—to—earth.blogspot.com/
Interesting question. I am 61 years old and have several blogs. I often get the feedback, that readers are surprised that I am so interested in internet stuff. So in my case I consider my age as an advantage.
I started my blog last Feb. because I was having ‘issues’ with turning 60 this year…( in less than 2 wks. now). So I decided to throw it out there and try to start a discussion about how aging has changed so much during my lifetime.
It’s turned into a look back at the journey so far, and also made me realize that I have so much ahead of me!
I think a blog just needs to be true to the blogger and they will find their audience. I read several blogs daily and some are people younger than my own kids. If the blog is relevant to you, it won’t matter how old the author is.
Barbara
http://zeroto60andbeyond.blogspot.com