Have I made a mistake

[Colour Republic]

Age can be a problem too when you're young and trying to get work. I'm 22 but sometimes people look at me as if I won't have a clue what I'm doing, and sometimes I'll probably lose a job out to someone a few years older who they may deem more 'experienced'.

I went it alone at 18 and found it didn't affect me too much, as long as you have confidence (does not read ****y) in yourself and what you do then it comes across well. Sometimes I found it could work in my favour if I played it right, as some of the older generation were only to happy to give me a chance, it made them feel as though they were making a difference in my life, which in many ways it did.

EDIT: I have to say I'm surprised at your age Wingn as I've read your posts before and haven't come across as 'young' at all, if you get what i mean

 

[Peter]

Happened a lot in subby work for another tiler. The tiler quoted the job and sent me to it. Customer often said "How long have you been tiling", as if to say "Are you capable?". Agree though it can work in your favour if you try to come across as confident and enthusiastic as you can. Always loved the jobs when a customer was aphrehensive of the young lad with no hair on his chest taking on their bathroom, only to give you a £20 tip at the end of the job. :hurray:

 

[LM Ceramics]

Age can be a problem too when you're young and trying to get work. I'm 22 but sometimes people look at me as if I won't have a clue what I'm doing, and sometimes I'll probably lose a job out to someone a few years older who they may deem more 'experienced'.

i had the same problem mate im 21 now and started on my own at 19 i started off alright with doing alot of commercial and subcontract work but when that was drying up i was struggling to gain new customers on the domestic front due to what i reckon was my age (doesnt help me caus i look about 18 which made it worse)

 

[Sean Kelly]

Age can be a problem too when you're young and trying to get work. I'm 22 but sometimes people look at me as if I won't have a clue what I'm doing, and sometimes I'll probably lose a job out to someone a few years older who they may deem more 'experienced'.

Quite right. I won a job just before Christmas because the customer thought I was a more experienced tiler due to my age (44). The other 2 quotes were from much younger tilers. My quote was the highest too! (only by £10 though). I'm coming up to my 2nd year of being a tiler. So the chances were that the other 2 tilers may have been tiling longer than myself!

Aqua Tiling, On a slightly different note....Have you looked at your finances? i.e. have you cut back on the not so essential items like sky TV & football games etc? If you are not working you will have to make what money you have last longer. Working tax credit and Child tax credit. You will be surprised at how much the Government can help you. Use this link to see if you qualify for extra help: HMRC Tax Credits Online

Use Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert). He has financial budget planners and loads of tips of how to save money.

My training course finished in February (nearly 2 years ago). Read my underlined thread link at the bottom of this post.

Good luck, and believe me.......luck does play a big part in this game too.

Cheers
Sean

 

[jay]

hang in there if the work wont come to you go and get it

 

[Gazzer]

Ok i havent read all the posts in this thread so if i am repeating info then just ignore me.
Seems to me you are not exploiting the free or cheap ways of advertising and promoting yourself. You seem to be throwing money in every direction and only making the advertisers wealthy.

Step one, you have a PC so design a flyer without mentioning you are a newbie. Layout all the jobs you can do. Bahrooms, Kitchens, Walls, Floors etc etc....dont be shy with words...use things like Travertine, Stone, Ceramics, Porcelain....not just Wall and floor tiler !

Search the internet for other local trades and email them with your flyer....it costs nothing !

Get some flyers printed off one way or another.If you do them yourself dont get over ambitious , keep it simple and to the point.
Give as many contact options as possible, email address, mobile phone and home phone.

Get down to all your local Estate agents with flyers ( include in flyers that make overs can help sell houses) ask them to pass them onto house owners who are not having luck with a sale. Also Leasing and letting agents could use your services.

Do you have a university in the area ? if so there are usually areas that have streets full of student accomodation....find out who lets them out and get your flyer in there. This work usually is done in the main summer hols though. I do a fair bit of this sort of thing.

In the mean time, any part time job you can get will keep your spirits up and give some income.

Social activities have brought work to me too, such as a fishing club i waas with some years back...i probably did tiling for 50% of the other members.
Get your cards in the local cafes, chip shops, tile shops, etc etc...Always have cards with you !

If you know a nurse or someone who works in the health service, get them to put your details on the internal message boards...this is a great way to get work.....most of all dont stop trying and never stop promoting your self at every opportunity.

Most of the above will cost nothing but time....if you put the time in, it will come eventually.

All the best.

 

[Gazzer]

Just a few more points when doing your flyer.

Dont mention New tiler
Dont use the word "Cheap" "Cheap rates" in fact dont mention money at all.
Dont specify how long you have been tiling unless you do have years in the trade.

Can you offer out of hours work ? If so SAY IT.
Do you travel ? If so "SAY IT"

While you are walking down the High street searching for Estate agents you will see shops with tiled frontages which may need repairing....go in and offer your services " they may lease the shop so ask for the number of who ever does the leasing....you may find that one little job leads to lots more.

 

[Colour Republic]

If you know a nurse or someone who works in the health service, get them to put your details on the internal message boards...this is a great way to get work.....most of all dont stop trying and never stop promoting your self at every opportunity.

Some very wise words of widom from Neale in the posts above, he also makes a very vaild point with Hospitals.

Hospital staff have schemes running were they get discounts with local companies, most hospitals call it something different but they get details through internal bulletins as well as what gets stuck up on their notice boards so see if you can find out who runs it and get onboard

 

[Benny Tiler]

I don't know if this is been mentioned before on this thread (appologies if it has) but it is possible to make your leaflet drops more directed.

If I type my local councils name into google along with planning applications, so "council name planning applications" it takes me to an area on their site that lists all current and recent planning applications, uncluding name, address, and what their applying for. You can drop a flyer/card/letter through the letter boxes of those who are applying for conservatories, extensions, etc.

You can usually get the same info in your local paper under public notices.

Might not turn any work up instantly but it'll put you name infront of someone who is definately going to need some tiling in the nearish future.

Ben

 

[Aqua Tiling]

good idea benny