Comments on: Lessons Learned “Selling” My Micro-ISV http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/ Passionate about Startups and MicroISVs Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:21:47 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: MicroISVs, Software Products and Startups: Software by Rob’s Most Popular Posts of 2008 | Software by Rob http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-7206 MicroISVs, Software Products and Startups: Software by Rob’s Most Popular Posts of 2008 | Software by Rob Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:05:08 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-7206 [...] Lessons Learned “Selling” My Micro-ISV “Within a week of my ‘for sale’ post I received 20 email inquiries, sent out nearly that many NDAs, distributed 13 sales packets, and spent about 10 hours answering questions via email. I set a deadline for offers, and by the time the deadline passed I had three suitable offers on my desk. Two of them were nearly identical, with a down payment and monthly payments. The third was something I hadn’t expected.” [...] [...] Lessons Learned “Selling” My Micro-ISV “Within a week of my ‘for sale’ post I received 20 email inquiries, sent out nearly that many NDAs, distributed 13 sales packets, and spent about 10 hours answering questions via email. I set a deadline for offers, and by the time the deadline passed I had three suitable offers on my desk. Two of them were nearly identical, with a down payment and monthly payments. The third was something I hadn’t expected.” [...]

]]> By: 47 Hats - Lighting can strike and surprises happen http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4110 47 Hats - Lighting can strike and surprises happen Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:47:37 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4110 [...] post: Ever wonder what your microISV is worth? Rob Walling found out when he decided to sell his microISV. Interesting reading, good stuff that few people will share, [...] [...] post: Ever wonder what your microISV is worth? Rob Walling found out when he decided to sell his microISV. Interesting reading, good stuff that few people will share, [...]

]]> By: Why an NDA (or Any Small Dollar Contract) is Worth Your Time | Software by Rob http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4102 Why an NDA (or Any Small Dollar Contract) is Worth Your Time | Software by Rob Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:16:02 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4102 [...] ← Lessons Learned “Selling” My Micro-ISV [...] [...] ← Lessons Learned “Selling” My Micro-ISV [...]

]]> By: Rob http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4101 Rob Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:54:54 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4101 @Warren - This is a good question. A wise man once told me "We don't write contracts for when we go to court, we write them to keep us out of court." In the case of small dollar contracts like this NDA, a sales contract for your website, or a small software development contract (under $50,000), the idea is not to win a court battle, but to accomplish two things: 1) To communicate with crystal clarity the terms of the agreement. This is enough to keep most people honest. 2) In case of a breach, to convince the other person (or their lawyer) beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will win a court case. If you can convince them of that, they would be foolish to go to court because you can sue for damages plus your court costs. This is why there are so many out of court settlements; one of the parties thinks they are going to lose and decide to pay damages instead of going to court and losing. This is the real power of a contract. So yes, an NDA is worth the time. @Warren – This is a good question. A wise man once told me “We don’t write contracts for when we go to court, we write them to keep us out of court.”

In the case of small dollar contracts like this NDA, a sales contract for your website, or a small software development contract (under $50,000), the idea is not to win a court battle, but to accomplish two things:

1) To communicate with crystal clarity the terms of the agreement. This is enough to keep most people honest.

2) In case of a breach, to convince the other person (or their lawyer) beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will win a court case. If you can convince them of that, they would be foolish to go to court because you can sue for damages plus your court costs. This is why there are so many out of court settlements; one of the parties thinks they are going to lose and decide to pay damages instead of going to court and losing. This is the real power of a contract.

So yes, an NDA is worth the time.

]]> By: list of strengths and weaknesses http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4091 list of strengths and weaknesses Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:44:26 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4091 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Warren http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4084 Warren Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:41:45 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4084 Is an NDA even worth the time of writing in up? Unless what you're selling is worth the better part of a million USD, all you're going hear from a lawyer is "it's not worth taking it to court" (i.e. legal fees will eat everything before you get a bite) Is an NDA even worth the time of writing in up?

Unless what you’re selling is worth the better part of a million USD, all you’re going hear from a lawyer is “it’s not worth taking it to court” (i.e. legal fees will eat everything before you get a bite)

]]> By: Chris http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4083 Chris Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:46:48 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4083 Rob, Very interesting. BTW, thanks for the info on escrow.com. Good Luck! Rob,
Very interesting. BTW, thanks for the info on escrow.com. Good Luck!

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/comment-page-1/#comment-4082 Jonathan Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:42:54 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2008/06/04/lessons-learned-selling-my-micro-isv/#comment-4082 I'm reminded of a nugget of advice once received from a friend of mine in NJ who dug holes for a living: "the best partner is a dead partner"... :) I’m reminded of a nugget of advice once received from a friend of mine in NJ who dug holes for a living: “the best partner is a dead partner”… :)

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