Time to get paid
As a general rule, creatives are underpaid. We are ultimately responsible for our agency’s final product and yet our efforts rarely lead to a big reward.
How come?
Because most of us don’t really know how we do what we do. We spend a bunch of hours letting stuff spin around in our head until ultimately an idea craps itself out. When success usually feels like an accident, how the hell can we have any confidence that we’ll be able to do it again (and again and again and again)?
So when it comes time to ask for a raise, most of us just take whatever scraps we can. “How can I ask for a big increase when I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing? It’s too much pressure! I can’t handle it!”
Except you can. And you have. Countless times.
Every day brings a slew of pressure on all of us. Demanding clients. Crazy timelines. Asshole managers. Time and time again, we confront these obstacles and still manage to churn out work that makes a difference. You think a few thousand bucks more in salary is going to push you over the edge? Please.
Yes, a blank sheet of paper (or computer screen) will always be cause for a mini-freakout session. But think about how many times you’ve filled that page (and many more). So do yourself a favor and allow a little bit of confidence to seep into that overtaxed brain of yours.
People can smell confidence. Including your boss. And when she does, I can guarantee you that she will be much more likely to give you the raise you deserve.