{"id":3528,"date":"2012-10-26T12:01:05","date_gmt":"2012-10-26T16:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/?p=3528"},"modified":"2012-09-06T16:16:28","modified_gmt":"2012-09-06T20:16:28","slug":"is-that-the-best-you-can-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2012\/10\/is-that-the-best-you-can-do.html","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIs That the Best You Can Do?\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I regularly find myself negotiating a money issue. As a freelancer, I negotiate what I\u2019ll be paid to write an article or book. People have said they never have anything to negotiate, since they have a job with a fixed salary. Yet so much more can be negotiated to your advantage if you get over fear of asking and nicely request a better salary, price, deal, payment arrangement, etc.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not good at asking for things, negotiating can be tough to initiate. But when you do, it can get you, or save you, a decent amount of money. Living in NYC on a freelancer\u2019s income has made me very adept at trying to get a better price, or amount paid for my services. I used to just accept what I was offered. DoorMats do that since we don\u2019t want to rock the boat. But since I increased the value I put on me and what I do, I got over my discomfort about asking for something that got me more or saved me money.<\/p>\n

My favorite lines for beginning a negotiation is, \u201cIs that the best you can do?\u201d or \u201cCan you do a bit better than that?\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a more polite way to say that you want more money or a better deal. I use that if someone wants me to write something for them and almost always get at least a little extra money than they first offer. I also use it to negotiate a better price for something I\u2019m buying. Most people try to do it for buying a car but I ask for deals when I\u2019m buying more than one of something in places that don\u2019t have a fixed price. I wouldn\u2019t try to get a deal at my supermarket but I do get them at the fruit stand on the street and from vendors at street fairs or even small shops when I\u2019m dealing with the owner.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is, if you don\u2019t ask, you definitely won\u2019t get a better price or more money. If you\u2019re negotiating a raise at work or a higher payment from a client, asking, \u201cCan you do a bit better than that?\u201d can get you better than what was first offered. I recently saw a pair of earrings I loved for $32. I asked if they could do better and saved $4. That\u2019s not a lot but it\u2019s better in my wallet than theirs!<\/p>\n

Value yourself enough to do what you can to get what you believe you\u2019re worth. I was recently asked to write an article that wouldn\u2019t take me long and I wanted to do it. The editor offered a fee and I gave her my line. She asked what I thought I should get and I doubled her offer. She gave me half of it, which was fine. Truthfully, I\u2019d have done it for what she originally offered, but know I\u2019m worth more so I asked and received. Don\u2019t be afraid to negotiate, as long as you do it nicely and don\u2019t put yourself in a bad position if you\u2019re turned down. Value yourself enough to at least try!
\n***************<\/p>\n

Take the 31 Days of Self-Love Challenge<\/strong><\/a>–a pledge to do something loving for yourself for the next 31 days–and get my book, How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways<\/a><\/strong> for free at http:\/\/howdoiloveme.com<\/a><\/strong>. Read my 31 Days of Self-Love Posts from 2012 HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Please leave comments under my posts so we can stay connected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I regularly find myself negotiating a money issue. As a freelancer, I negotiate what I\u2019ll be paid to write an article or book. People have said they never have anything to negotiate, since they have a job with a fixed salary. 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Daylle's books have been translated into over 10 languages and are popular around the world. She speaks for colleges, organizations and corporations. Through her company, Project Self-Empowerment, Daylle creates programs and materials to help people empower themselves. One goal is to raise the money to self-publish her book, How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways and give it away for free in colleges and through organizations, to give thanks for all her blessings. 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