How to Negotiate Your Worth (Even When It Feels Scary) ft. Kameron Monet
You’re going to want to take my girlboss card when you hear this, but negotiating terrifies me. I don’t walk into negotiations feeling particularly strong or like I have the upper-hand. As I was approaching how to close out the “How to Get What You Want” series, I knew that I couldn’t be the only one struggling with this, and wanted to highlight how we can all be more confident negotiators to truly get what we want.
So I invited Kameron Monet, attorney and tech founder of Social Docket, to the show to give us a masterclass in negotiating without undervaluing ourselves.
Why Most People Leave Money on the Table
The biggest reason we don't negotiate isn't because we're bad at it. It's because we're unprepared — and when you're unprepared, you're not confident, and when you're not confident, you fold. As Kameron says, “preparation builds confidence.”
So what does preparation actually look like? It means knowing your number before you walk into the conversation. It means researching what others in your field are making — and yes, that can mean asking people directly. It means knowing who's on the other side of the table and how they like to operate. The more you know going in, the less likely you are to panic when they push back.
How to Negotiate a Salary or Brand Deal Step by Step
1. Start higher than you think you should.
Uncomfortably higher — but not a random number. Know the math behind your number so that if someone asks how you got there, you can walk them through it. Don't pull a number out of the ceiling and hope for the best.
2. Ask for the budget before you give your rate.
This one is a game changer. Nine times out of ten, the number a brand or employer tells you as their budget isn't their ceiling — it's their opening. You can work with that.
3. Give your rate as one number, not broken down line by line.
The moment you start itemizing — this much for a post, this much for a story — you invite people to negotiate each piece. One number is cleaner, stronger, and signals that you know what you're worth.
And if they can't meet your price? Negotiate the scope. Less deliverables, shorter exclusivity, fewer usage rights. You don't always have to move on the number. Sometimes you move on the work.
What to Know Before You Sign Any Contract
Getting the deal is one thing. Protecting it is another.
There are three contract terms that come up constantly and that people consistently get wrong. The first is perpetuity — which means forever. If a brand can use your content in perpetuity, they never have to pay you again for it. Push back on this every time.
The second is your termination clause. Make sure you have one. You need a way out of any agreement, not just them.
The third is exclusivity. Always get competitors listed by name. Never agree to language that says "but not limited to" — that phrase keeps the door open for them to add whoever they want, whenever they want, and hold you to it.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Here's what I want you to take away from all of this: negotiating isn't confrontational. It's not aggressive. It's not asking for too much. Every time you stand up for what you're worth, that's self-respect in action.
And if they say no? You either keep negotiating, adjust the terms, or walk away. The right opportunities circle back. The wrong ones reveal themselves quickly.
Get the deal. Read the contract. Know what you signed. That's how you stop just getting what you want — and start actually keeping it. Listen to the full conversation with Kameron on Apple and Spotify or watch on YouTube.
