...Am I too old?
This is the question i am putting out. I went back to school at the age of 36 to get a degree. It was during this time I remembered how much i loved to do research. My grammer is not the best but I always managed good marks with someone else doing proof reading and helping me with grammer. So back to the question I am 49 years old I have a website (sales are slow) I want to learn how to do proper and eye catching sales copy. do others here feel i'm too old to start learning this now. Please offer some tips on where to start if you dont feel i'm too old. One more question where and how would I go about finding a mentor to help me with my learning curve.
Pat

you want to do, you can do so you have to do.
stop thinking about, make the first step.

Ps: im a beginner, i will be happy if i can help you.

Heavens no, you're not too old.

I have a 78-year-old client who is teaching himself HTML and CSS. Don't be pulling that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" line on him, either --

Bailey

Yes, don't be ridiculous -- do whatever you dream of doing, without regard to how someone your age "should" be behaving.

If your friends give you crap, find new friends.

Why would you think that other people's opinions are more important than your own?

Thanks Bailey.
For the past few years i have been learning HTML, PHP, and CSS I now know enough about them to be able to hire out certain jobs and know what I want and what I'm getting for my money. I have been reading much on this form for the last little while. Recently I ordered 3 books which were recommended in this forum to help me learn more. I am getting ready to run a news paper add and will be coming here to get it critiqued before I publish it. I also know this is a good way to learn is as they say jump in and get both feet wet.
Pat

While it is hard to learn to be a really excellent writer and/or copywriter, it is, in my opinion, never NEVER too late and you're NEVER too old to begin anything, to do anything or be anything you want to be.

Susanna

Pat-

Of course you're too damned old!

Don't you know that once you passed the ripe old age of 40, you can never accomplish anything else in life?

Of course, you probably know from this "ridiculous" statement I've made that I'm being facetious here.

It's not what others "think" that really matters.

So many go through life telling "themselves" this very thing (most on a subconsciously level).

Am I too old?
Am I not pretty enough?
Am I too stupid?
Am I "doomed" to a life of poverty?

In religious circles, some blame this on the devil or little demons tapping them on the shoulder with these ridiculous "thoughts".

Some blame it on their mother or father.

Some blame it on society.

I blame it on what is called stinkin' thinkin' and there is something you can do about it, but it must come from within your very being.

Age really has nothing to do with it unless you've given up all hope and you're ready to roll over and die.

Attitude, perserverance, creativity, and a willingness to learn has everything to do with whether you succeed or not.

I'm sure you asked this same question when you decided to go back to school at the age of 36, but what did you do? You jumped in with both feet anyway, right?

If your just asking this question to get some "motivational fire" lit under your butt, then great...

-- but you're only going to succeed if YOU are the one telling "yourself" that you can do it, not anyone else.

I could name dozens of successful folks who "made it" later on in life.

According to this article, Colonel Sanders, born September 9, 1890, didn't begin actively franchising his chicken business until the age of 65.

In the article it says:
Read this, it might give you some inspiration (I know it does for me):
http://www.kfc.com/about/colonel.htm

Remember it's only what you believe that truly matters!

I can do it, I can do it Thanks to all the great inspirational feedback. Now to start working on a News paper add to go out this week. May as well start somewhere. Still having trouble thinking of stuff for a bluegrass music Website but that will come as my mind is made up to jump in and learn all I can.
I have been reading and re-reading articles and posts on here. Wow is there lots to learn, yet like anything else repetition of reading and practicing it is helping with memory and learning. So on words I go into a vast world of information on copywriting. Its a good thing I'm addicted to learning and crave more and more everyday.

Best wishes to you in your new endeavors!

I come from a broadcast background and have done freelance writing (articles, radio stories and the like) previously, so I'm learning a lot of new things as well.

This board is a great place to learn, and these folks are absolutely some of the finest copywriters on the face of the earth.

The bluegrass web site souns interesting. I own a country radio station on the internet so feel free to email me off the board if you need some help getting started.

Again, sincere best wishes!

Alan

Pat -
I just spent yesterday (Saturday) with some great friends and we had what is called a "fish-fry".

In Texas, it's where a group of us get together and have a big outdoor "picnic" of sorts with some of the best country-cooked food around.

Myself, along with about a half-dozen guys sit around and play "old" Country music along with some really great Bluegrass near the end of the evening.

We had over a hundred people (mostly friends and relatives of friends) at the event.

We even had two awesome fiddle players -- What a "hoot" it was!

Nothing like partying with a bunch of friends, drinking cold beer, eatin' some great food and playing some "down-home" country music.

... and please don't ask if I can "squeal like a pig" -- we don't do that sort of thing here in Texas!