# Startup job offer valuation

By [Doug Lane](https://paragraph.com/@axalane) · 2022-03-30

---

One of the hardest things about building a career around startups is knowing whether you will be compensated fairly for your efforts. Often, early-stage startup employees accept lower cash salaries and bonuses based on the potential future value of equity.

But there are so many variables that affect eventual stock option value that it can feel like you’re trying to beat house odds at a casino. Only you’re not just at the casino for a day. You’re spending years of your life and career there.

Emily Kramer and Kathleen Estreich over at [the MKT1 newsletter](https://mkt1.substack.com/) wrote up [an excellent overview](https://mkt1.substack.com/p/marketing-compensation?utm_source=url) of the data points and considerations that should go into valuing a marketing job offer from an early-stage startup. It includes [a companion Google Sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-ztarbun7oqY1gWi0s7iUjUZYW73OhQU2WyVEgMtdaw/edit?usp=sharing) that you can copy to perform your own calculations, as well as some industry benchmarks to help you assess and negotiate an offer.

Amazing resources.

\-Doug

---

*Originally published on [Doug Lane](https://paragraph.com/@axalane/startup-job-offer-valuation)*