the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Exit Strategies: After moving on from my startup, someone approached me with an offer to buy. What are some strategies for successful negotiation?
HL
HL
Harvey L. Gardner, Sole Practitioner at Harvey L. Gardner answered:

First of all, unless you have an offer in writing, you don't really have an offer. Don't accept or make verbal offers. You asked what should be your next step. The next step is to make a counter-offer in writing. It's not unusual for first offers to be much lower than what you're asking or what you would like to have, or even what you would be willing to accept. Don't be discouraged by this. It's a place to start. Keep talking, if you really want to sell. If you don't really want to sell, make a counter offer within the range you're willing to consider. When negotiating, determine three prices you would be willing to accept: 1. A pie-in-the-sky price you don't seriously think you'll get. 2. A price you think is realistic. and 3. A rock-bottom price that you must have, or you'll walk away. Walking away is the best bargaining chip you have, but don't do it as long as your offers are above your "rock-bottom" price.

Talk to Harvey Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.