equity_or_deferred_payment_response
Generate a professional email response when a client offers equity, revenue share, or deferred payment instead of cash. Choose to decline politely, counter with conditions, or open discussion.
Instructions
Write a professional, considered response when a client proposes paying you in equity, exposure, revenue share, or deferred payment instead of (or alongside) a cash fee. The hardest part of this email is saying no without burning the relationship — or saying yes with the right conditions. Three modes: decline (default — polite, firm, no-door-slamming; explains your policy without moralising), counter (you're open to it under specific conditions — e.g. partial cash + equity, milestone-based deferred, or a minimum cash floor), and open_to_discuss (you'd like to hear more before committing either way — useful when the offer might be genuinely interesting but you need more information). Distinct from discount_request_response (which handles cash price negotiation). Does not count against your monthly draft limit. Required: client_name, proposal_type (e.g. 'equity stake', 'revenue share', 'deferred payment after launch', 'exposure and portfolio work'). Optional: response_mode (decline | counter | open_to_discuss), project_description, your_conditions (only used in counter mode — what would make you say yes, e.g. '50% cash upfront and 5% equity'), your_name.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| client_name | Yes | Client's first name or the name they used to sign off | |
| proposal_type | Yes | What they're offering instead of cash (e.g. 'equity stake', 'revenue share', 'deferred payment after launch', 'exposure and a portfolio piece'). Used to keep the reply specific, not generic. | |
| response_mode | No | decline (default): polite, firm no — explains your policy, keeps the door open for paid work. counter: you'd say yes under specific conditions — state them clearly. open_to_discuss: you need more detail before deciding — ask the right questions. | |
| project_description | No | Optional: brief description of the project (e.g. 'mobile app for their fintech startup'). Helps make the response feel specific. | |
| your_conditions | No | Optional (counter mode only): what would make you say yes, stated plainly (e.g. '50% of the standard rate upfront and 5% equity', 'full fee deferred 90 days with a signed agreement', 'minimum $2k retainer plus revenue share above $10k monthly'). Auto-formatted into the email. | |
| your_name | No | Your name for the sign-off |