Advice on Niche Market Exit Planning

Selling a Theater Information Services Business

A lot can go wrong during the sale of a theater information services business even if the seller has previous business sales experience. More than ever before, it's important for sellers to know the tactics and techniques that are being used to maximize sales price and achieve desired sale outcomes.

You won't find any magic formulas for selling a theater information services business, especially while the market is struggling to overcome the perceptions created by a down economy.

However, serious buyers also understand the value of a good theater information services business. So for theater information services business sellers, today's market is all about convincing buyers that the numbers make their companies worth the asking price.

Average Timeframes

Hoping for a quick theater information services business sale? You may be disappointed. Although asking price and other factors contribute to sale time, it's difficult to predict how long your business will be on the market before you locate the right buyer. Before you can list your theater information services business, you'll need to invest as much as a year in preparing it for prospective buyers. Once your business is ready for the marketplace, it could take an additional six months to a year to locate the right buyer.

Seller Concessions

Seller concessions are becoming more commonplace in business-for-sale transactions. In a down economy sellers become bankers; an unwillingness to finance at least part of the sale of a theater information services business can translate into a dead deal. Capital is scarce, causing new entrepreneurs to rely on sellers to finance at least part of the purchase price. If you are unwilling or unable to offer financing, be prepared to offer other types of concessions to close the deal.

Brokerage Benefits

Brokers give theater information services business sellers distinct advantages in the marketplace. First, business brokers are in tune with the realities of the market and are skilled at helping owners make their businesses attractive to premium buyers. More importantly, brokers have the ability to identify serious buyers and maintain confidentiality throughout the sale process. Typical brokerage rates (a.k.a. success fees) run 10% of the final price - an expense that is usually recouped through a higher sales price and less time on the market.

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