Business Exit Planning

Selling a Market Research and Marketing Analysis Business

Unfortunately, many sellers are waiting to list their market research and marketing analysis businesses until the economy fully rebounds. We think that's a mistake because for the right buyers, market research and marketing analysis businesses are a great investment.

You won't find any magic formulas for selling a market research and marketing analysis business, especially while the market is struggling to overcome the perceptions created by a down economy.

There is no simple way to sell a business. But the most prepared market research and marketing analysis business sellers are achieving fair market value and more for their companies through persistence and the application of sound selling techniques.

Equipment and Inventory Concerns

It's incumbent on buyers to commission their own appraisal of your market research and marketing analysis business's physical assets. Most sellers, however, conduct a pre-sale appraisal to gain an accurate gauge of asset value prior to negotiations. A professional appraisal is a necessity because it gives you the information you need to negotiate a sale price. A pre-listing appraisal also gives you the opportunity to document the condition of your market research and marketing analysis business's assets and possible even make repairs or upgrades to increase the total value of the operation.

Preparing for What's Next

The decision to sell your market research and marketing analysis business can't be made without adequate consideration of what will happen after the sale. If you aren't sure what's next, you could be in trouble because future plans and selling strategy are inextricably connected. In today's market, many buyers expect seller financing - a concession that might not be a possibility for sellers whose next step requires the entire proceeds at the time of the sale.

Leveraging Industry Connections

There are a lot of different places to look for market research and marketing analysis business buyers. To advertise your sale to the widest possible audience, consider a listing on BizBuySell.com or other top online business-for-sale listing sites. But industry connections can also be a valuable source of leads. When leveraging industry relationships for sales prospects, you'll need to be cognizant of the potential for competitors to use knowledge of your sale against you in the marketplace. Use good sense in restricting the flow of information within the industry and focusing your efforts toward trusted industry allies.

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