Born on this day!! TV personality Peter Marshall is 95. Actor John Astin is 91. Actor Warren Beatty is 84. Drummer Graeme Edge of the Moody Blues is 80. Musician Eric Clapton is 76. Actor Paul Reiser is 65. Rapper MC Hammer is 59. Actor Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210”) is 57. Singer Tracy Chapman is 57. TV personality Piers Morgan is 56. Drummer Joey Castillo (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age) is 55. Actor Donna D’Errico (“Baywatch”) is 53. Singer Celine Dion is 53. TV personality Richard Rawlings (“Fast N’ Loud,” ″Garage Rehab”) is 52. Actor Mark Consuelos (“Riverdale”) is 50. Actor Bahar Soomekh (“Saw” films) is 46. Actor Jessica Cauffiel (“Legally Blonde” films) is 45. Singer Norah Jones is 42. Actor Fiona Gubelmann (“The Good Doctor”) is 41. Actor Katy Mixon (“Mike and Molly”) is 40. Country singer Justin Moore is 37. Actor Tessa Ferrer (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 35. Country singer Thomas Rhett is 30. Rapper NF is 30.

THIS DAY IN GENIUS HISTORY

1842 – Anesthesia was used for the first time in an operation.
1856 – The Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Crimean War.
1867 – A treaty for the purchase of Alaska from Russia for the sum of $7.2 million, approximately two cents an acre, was submitted to the U.S. Senate.
1870 – The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race.
1964 – The game show Jeopardy debuted on television.
1981 – President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest by John Hinckley as he left a Washington hotel.
2002 – The Queen Mother Elizabeth of England died at the age of 101.

Today Is: Doctors Day, Grass Is Always Browner On The Other Side Of The Fence Day, I Am In Control Day, International Laundry Folding Day, Pencil Day, Torrents Day, Virtual Vacation Day, World Bi-polar Day

TODAY ON TV!
Primetime TV (All Times Eastern)

CBS – 8:00 – NCIS   /  9:00 – FBI  /  10:00 – FBI: Most Wanted
NBC – 8:00  – Young Rock  /  8:30 – Kenan  /  9:00 – This Is Us  /  10:00 – New Amsterdam
ABC – 8:00 –  Pooch Perfect  /  9:00 – Blackish  /  9:30 – Mixedish  /  10:00 – Soul Of A Nation
FOX – 8:00 – The Resident / 9:00 – The Masked Singer
CW – 8:00 –  Flash  /  9:00 – Supergirl

TV Talk Shows

Jimmy Fallon: Leslie Jones, Elizabeth Olsen, Nicky Jam & Romeo Santos (R 3/3/21)
Stephen Colbert: Dr. Anthony Fauci (R 3/12/21)
Seth Meyers: Ice T, Tracey Wigfield, Raghav Mehrotra (R 2/24/21)
Lilly Singh: Priyanka Chopra Jonas (R 2/10/21)
Daily Show: Pre-empted
Conan: Pre-empted
Watch What Happens Live: Pre-empted
Live with Kelly and Ryan: Jennifer Lopez, Tika Sumpter, Jeanette Jenkins
Ellen DeGeneres: Tracy Morgan, Fitz, guest host tWitch
The Real: Sensible cash-saving tips
Kelly Clarkson: Rebel Wilson, Adam Brody, Rachel Hollis

WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT? Here are today’s PPM-Friendly Topics!

QUESTION: Want some GOOD NEWS?? NASA says earth is safe from asteroids for the NEXT 100 YEARS!!! Uh.. why does this make us very, very nervous?????????????

 

QUESTION: Who REALLY wins in the NCAA tournament?? The women’s side loses MILLION$, but the men’s tournament makes nearly ONE BILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!!

 

QUESTION: Why can’t WE be fired like this?? Sharon Osbourne leaves “The Talk” with a payout rumored to be around $10 MILLION!!! But… she can’t talk about it!!!!!

 

QUESTION: Remember those “Satan Shoes” that Lil Nas X made out of Nikes?? They sold all 666 pairs of shoes… but now.. Nike is SUING THEM, and it’s a HOLY WAR!!!!!

 

QUESTION: Why do we love music SO MUCH?? A study finds it stimulates the same brain pathways as ALCOHOL and COCAINE, maybe because musicians are drunks???

Obi-Wan Series Cast Announced

Star Wars television series Obi-Wan Kenobi will begin production in April, Disney+ announced on Monday alongside the show’s cast.  Ewan McGregor will be returning to reprise his role as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi along with Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader.  The Disney+ series takes place 10 years after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Deborah Chow (The Mandalorian) is serving as director.  Kumail Nanjiani, Joel Edgerton, Moses Ingram, Bonnie Piesse, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell and Benny Safdie also star.  Obi-Wan Kenobi is the latest Star Wars series set to hit Disney+. The company previously announced plans to release roughly 10 Star Wars shows in the coming years.
********In this show, Obi-Wan has retired from the Jedi Knights and is running a small gas station in Arizona!!!
*******We’ll also meet his relatives: Jimmy-Wan Kenobe, Bobby-Joe Kenobe, and his first wife, Wanda-Wan!!
*****His uncle is a doctor: OB-GYN Kenobe!!
*****And then there’s Gomer, the cousin they don’t talk about!!
****The big headline here is that Hayden Christiansen got a job!!!

William Shatner Never Watched Star Trek

William Shatner admitted that he’s never watched an episode of “Star Trek” on which he played Captain James T. Kirk.  He told People magazine it’s “too painful” to watch himself in the iconic series that aired from 1966 to 1969.  “I have never watched ‘Star Trek’,” Shatner said. “There are many episodes I don’t know, there are some movies I don’t know.”  The only project Shatner did watch was “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier” only because he directed it. “I directed one of the movies — No. 5 — I had to watch that one,” he said. “But it’s all painful because I don’t like the way I look and what I do.”
*******He was upset because they made his toupee was made out of leftover tribbles!!
*******He also discovered that Sulu and Bones were more than just friends!!!
*******By the way, are you believing he never watched himself??? We don’t either!!!

Kim K Gets Gift From Gwyneth Paltrow

Kim Kardashian unwrapped a sexy post-split survival kit from her famous friend Gwyneth Paltrow.  Over the weekend she showed off some racy gifts from Paltrow’s Goop, which came packaged in a wooden box labeled, “Kim’s box of tricks.”  Inside she was her brand’s new $95 double-sided vibrator, Nécessaire’s “Sex Gel” lubricant ($20), and Sandoval Love Aromatic Concentrate ($60).  Also a custom version of Goop’s viral “This Smells Like My Orgasm” candle created in collaboration with Heretic, called — what else? — “This Smells Like Kim’s Orgasm.”  Prior to unleashing that climactic candle, Paltrow’s company broke the internet with its first scandalous $75 votive, “This Smells Like My Vagina.”  “I’ve never been more excited honestly … for the candle,” Kardashian said while sharing the special delivery on her Instagram Stories. “Thank you Gwyneth, I love you. Thanks Goop.”
******Kim’s orgasm smells like freshly printed money!!!
*****Her vagina has the scent of the busiest street in town!!!
*****She used the vibrator once… and it disappeared!!! She’s sending in a search team to look for it!!!

Elton John Working With Metallica

Elton John has announced that he’s working with Metallica.  He spoke to singer SG Lewis on his Elton’s Apple Music show “Rocket Hour” about the upcoming project — which he revealed in no specific terms.  “I’ve just done something with Metallica, during this lockdown period,” Elton said.  “I haven’t been doing any Elton stuff — but I’ve been doing great stuff with other people,” he continued. “So I’ll get you my email, email me and let’s get together and do something, OK?”   Nothing more was revealed regarding said side projects, but the news adds to Metallica’s pop music reach as of late. It was late last year when Miley Cyrus revealed that she was planning a Metallica-endorsed covers album — which reportedly features the “Rocketman” man on piano for a new version of the band’s 1991 single “Nothing Else Matters.”  “I’m so excited about this collaboration,” Cyrus told Capital FM in January.
********More proof that we’re in the end times!! What’s next? Dogs and cats, living together???

Godzilla vs. Kong Set Early Records

This past weekend’s international rollout of Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla vs. Kong” set a new pandemic record for a Hollywood film.  The film, which opens in North American theaters and on HBO Max tomorrow, debuted in 38 overseas markets to an impressive $121.8 million, including $70.3 million in Chinese receipts. That’s the biggest debut for a Hollywood film in China since 2019. The monster smackdown also grossed $12.4 million on 891 IMAX screens, also Hollywood’s biggest IMAX weekend since December 2019.  The “Godzilla vs. Kong” debut outperformed the entire to-date international gross of the studio’s December blockbuster release of “Wonder Woman 1984,” which currently stands at $120 million overseas (and an additional $45.9 million domestic), according to estimates from measurement firm Comscore. The previous benchmark for a pandemic-era overseas opening was the $53-million launch of the studio’s “Tenet” in August 2020.
*******Watching Godzilla take out the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet is going over well in China!!
******So… you’ve got a radioactive, fire-breathing lizard up against a monkey??? Who do YOU think is gonna win??
****It’s like the Tyson/Holyfield fight!! Godzilla is winning, and then Kong bites his ear off!!!

Sharon Stone Says Surgeon Gave Her Unwanted Bigger Breasts

Sharon Stone is speaking out about a surgeon increasing her breast size without her consent during a non-cosmetic surgery, in a new interview.  She had an operation to remove benign tumors in 2001 and when she woke up, she got the surprise of a lifetime. “When I was un-bandaged, I discovered that I had a full cup-size bigger breasts, ones that he said, ‘go better with your hip size’,” she told The Times.  “He had changed my body without my knowledge or consent,” she continued while further explaining that the surgeon “thought that I would look better with bigger, better boobs.”  In addition to the wild surgery experience, Sharon opened up about how she almost got into a fistfight with actor Michael Douglas, 76, after they allegedly argued about a mutual friend. Although the two are known for starring in the 1992 film Basic Instinct together, she revealed the altercation took place years before they filmed that.  “We went outside. I was like, ‘You don’t know me,’ he’s like, ‘And you don’t know me’,” she explained. “We had this fantastic high school argument.”
********We’ve heard the old, “he slipped me some breast implants” story before!!
*******Looking through the medical regulations, we didn’t notice a section that said, “You can improvise during surgery!!!”
*****Maybe she could have gotten a brain implant as well!!!

 

Ripping The Tabloids (Throughout the week, we’ll give you the stories from that weeks tabs!)
**Please Credit Publication!

Piping-Hot Pippen Goes For Myles!-(National Enquirer)

Former Kim Kardashian bestie Larsa Pippen has been spotted cozying up to a new hunk!  Myers Kronman, the founder of Model House Los Angeles, sipped rinks poolside with bikini-clad Larsa, 46, at the W Hotel in Miami’s South Beach.  The “Real Housewives of Miami” hottie is still legally married to her estranged hubby, Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen.

Charles’ Pals Pan Harry’s Penniless Prince Act!-(Globe)

Crybaby Prince Harry is being slammed as a two-faced hypocrite for whining how Dad Prince Charles had axed his allowance.  Harry griped his family had “literally cut me off financially” during his and wife Meghan’s explosive interview on CBS where they also hinted members of the royals were “racist.”  But a pal of Charles blistered the 36-year-old prince for “f**king hypocrisy,” noting:  “When Harry and Meghan left last year, they wanted to become ‘financially independent.’”  Sources note the couple and son Archie now have a $14 million, nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom mansion in California’s Montecito celebrity colony and have inked megabucks deals with Netflix and Spotify.  Harry also rakes in $445,000 a year from his late mom Princess Diana’s estate, and his and Meghan’s fortune is currently estimated at a jaw-dropping $140 million.

Loose Talk-(Us Weekly)

“Yes, at the age of 48, I finally got my ears pierced.”-Jennifer Garner

“I don’t think Selena should retire….a bad b**ch era in needed.”-Her thoughts on Selena Gomez possibly stepping away from music, Cardi B.

“That’s the biggest mystery to me and my sisters…..it’s the thing that has us absolutely blown away.”-On how much her voice has changed over 20 seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian West.

The Real Deal:  Lady Gaga & Adam Driver-(Star)

Transformation complete!  Lady Gaga and Adam Driver truly disappear into their roles as Patrizia Reggiani and her ex-husband Maurizio Gucci.  The Italian socialite hired a hitman to kill Gucci in 1995 and she is upset that Gaga, 34, didn’t try to meet her before beginning filming on The House of Gucci.  “It’s a question of good sense and respect,” the 72-year-old, released from prison in 2016, said.  Adam Driver plays the unlucky Maurizio, worth a reported $170 million when he was shot.

George Plays Matchmaker For Ben-(Life & Style)

Ben Affleck is ready to find love again!  It’s only been two months since he split from Ana de Armas, but the 48-year-old actor has already started asking friends to set him up and according to a source, he’s found the perfect wingman:  George Clooney.  “[George] been going through his contacts and already has a few women in mind for Ben,” says the source, noting a well-known actress is among them.  (Jennifer Aniston?)

Split:  Saweetie & Quavo-(People)

The two-year romance is over between the hip-hop stars.  Saweetie, 27, claimed Quavo, 20, cheated.  “The love isn’t real when the intimacy is given to other women,” she tweeted.  He responded, “I wish you nothing best the best.”

Number of the Week-(In Touch)

6.6

-billions of dollars Kanye West is reportedly now worth.

 

STUPID NEWS

Girl Scout Cookie Record Seller

An 8-year-old California Girl Scout set a record for the organization by selling 32,484 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies in a single season.  Lilly Bumpus, a Brownie who overcame a form of cancer known as Ewing’s Sarcoma when she was a toddler, sold cookies from a booth set up outside her San Bernardino home and collected orders online, many of which were donation orders for patients at various children’s hospitals in the area.  “A lot of people approached us saying we must have gotten big businesses or sponsors to buy from us, or big donations,” the girl’s mother, Trish Bauer, told the San Jose Mercury News. “The biggest order placed was 100 boxes. Lilly reached 32,000 boxes out of everyone seeing value in buying one box, two boxes, four boxes, and everybody working together to try to be a small piece of a really big puzzle.  “That, to me, is magical.”  Bumpus’ Girl Scout troop, which is composed largely of cancer survivors, girls currently undergoing cancer treatment and children who have lost a loved one to the illness, gathered outside her home March 22 to unveil her sales total: 32,484 boxes.
*********32, 483 of those boxes were Thin Mints!!!
*****How do you say no to an 8-year-old girl who survived cancer??? Answer: you don’t!!!

Golfing Record

A 79-year-old Arizona golfer broke a world record and raised money for charity by hitting 1,050 drives at least 200 yards inside a 35-yard grid.  Bob Kurtz, whose Guinness World Records include golfing 1,850 holes in one week, went to the TopGolf Scottsdale driving range on Thursday to attempt to hit 1,000 drives in 12 hours.  Kurtz, nicknamed “Golf’s Ironman,” said Guinness rules stipulated each of his drives had to travel at least 200 yards and remain within a 35-yard-wide grid.  The record attempt raised money for A New Leaf, a charity offering domestic violence, homelessness, behavioral health and youth programs.  See the video HERE.
********It wasn’t about the charity. He was just showing off for all the 75-year-old women!!!
*******His friends didn’t like watching him work that hard.. so they all went to the bar and had a drink!!

Riders Trapped On Slingshot Ride

State officials in Florida said all slingshot rides in the state have been closed for inspection after a snapped cable left two teenagers temporarily stranded on a ride.  Osceola County Fire Rescue said crews responded alongside the Kissimmee Fire Department on Thursday evening when a non-load-bearing cable snapped while two teenagers were on the Old Town Slingshot ride in Kissimmee.  The riders were stranded 30 to 40 feet in the air for about two hours and were rescued by firefighters using a ladder truck.  The teenagers declined medical treatment, officials said.  John Stine, the director of marketing and sales for Old Town Slingshot, said the company does daily inspections of the rides and they are inspected by the state twice a year.
*******They’re now superstars at their school!!
******If they didn’t find a way to make out while they were up there, it’s a missed opportunity!!
*******These rides are inspected… by old hippies who have pony tails, bald spots, and large bongs!!!

Dog Freed From Old Tire

Animal control officers and firefighters responded to a call in Massachusetts to free a dog whose head was stuck in the middle of an old tire.  Falmouth Animal Control said officers responded to the scene Saturday and discovered the dog, named Bella, had the tire stuck around its neck.  “Once on scene, initial attempts to free Bella from the tire were unsuccessful,” Falmouth Animal Control said.  “Falmouth Fire/Rescue were called in for assistance and after evaluation it was determined that the tire would need to be cut in order to free Bella.”  The firefighters carefully sawed through the metal rim of the tire and set Bella free, animal control said. See the pic HERE.
*******The dog was “tired,” but happy!!!
*******They should change his name to “Axel!!!”
******Now he knows how to change a tire!!!!!

 

STUFF THAT’S COOL AND VIRAL

VIDEO: SAY GOODBYE TO HUMANS AT AMAZON!

VIDEO: MAKING SOUND EFFECTS FOR THE GAME “HALO”

 

A LIST FOR TUESDAY

These 7 Steps Will Help You Negotiate Your Salary to Get What You’re Worth

The Penny Hoarder

Step 1: Research Salaries for Your Role

One of the best ways to calm yourself and to approach a salary negotiation with a level head is to do your homework about the company and your role. Don’t stress over manipulation tactics and strategies.

“If we go into a negotiation worrying about [that]… then we miss out on the most important feature of negotiation,” said Lisa Gates, cofounder of She Negotiates. “It’s a conversation. A human conversation.”

Gates, a leadership and negotiation coach for businesswomen and one of LinkedIn’s top 10 voices in the workplace, advises a good place to start is by searching what others in your position are earning. That could be by asking your colleagues (no, it’s not illegal, she said) or by looking up salary information on websites like Dice, Robert Half and Payscale.

With these tools you can establish what the national median income is for your position, what your local economy is paying and what your potential employer typically pays other people with the same title.

Consider where you’re located and where the company is located. For instance, if you are working in Nebraska, the local median income for copywriters is much lower than copywriter salaries in New York. But if you’re relocating to New York for the job, definitely use that salary range in negotiations. In that case, your salary history from Nebraska is irrelevant.

Likewise, this range is useful for establishing a fair salary for work-from-home jobs. Again, if you are a copywriter in Nebraska who is applying for a remote position in New York, you can negotiate a salary that’s in line with what New Yorkers earn, or at least you will have wiggle room to tap into national rates.

“Your salary should not be calibrated by your ZIP code,” Gates said. “It’s about the benefit you deliver to the company.”

 

Step 2: Know Your Work’s Worth

Once you’ve established a healthy salary range based on your research, you then have to plot yourself somewhere on that line.

“If you are a median performer… shoot for the median,” said Gates. “But chances are you’re amazing at what you do, and you want to shoot for a salary between median and high.”

When asking for above-average salaries, it needs to be a matter of showing rather than telling. If you believe you deserve the top of that range, then you’re going to need to fall back on something more substantial than “I believe I’m worth $70,000.” Because the obvious follow-up question to that statement is “Why?”

To be able to answer that question confidently and convincingly, “you need to make a list of all your contributions and accomplishments — and quantify them,” said Gates. “For example, if you are a customer service manager and you revamped your new-hire onboarding, what impact did that effort have on the bottom line?”

In terms of negotiation, your argument will be much stronger when it’s based on research and numbers rather than emotion. If you really do need that extra $5,000 for child care costs or relocation costs or rent, that’s OK to mention. Just don’t let that be your whole argument.

So show them exactly why you’re worth that extra five grand.

 

Step 3: Respond to the Initial Offer — Politely

This stage is ripe for fumbling.  You just got the job offer (congratulations!) and your emotions are running high — good or bad. It could be that the company offered you exactly what you wanted and you’re ecstatic. Or it could’ve lowballed you by about $10,000.  In either situation, it’s easy to respond on impulse. Check yourself first.

Take a deep breath and do not give your decision immediately, even if it’s a great offer. Likewise, it may not be the best time to negotiate especially if you’re a bit offended at that lowball.

“Responding graciously is the most important action to take when you first receive an offer,” said Loren Margolis, CEO and founder of Training & Leadership Success. “I recommend you state that you are grateful and excited, and then take a pause.”

Margolis is a career-training expert and a member of Forbes’ Coaching Council who’s worked with several Fortune 500 companies. She said that even if you know your answer or are ready to negotiate immediately, it’s good to ask for some time to think over the offer.

“If you negotiate on the spot, you run the risk of being influenced by emotion,” she said. “And you want to be logical and clear-headed when you talk money.”

The amount of time to ask the employer to think over the job offer could be anywhere from 24 hours to a week. Between 24 and 48 hours is typical, but employers may be in a pinch to fill the job quickly.

You can also ask the hiring manager for a deadline. That way you won’t be caught in a guessing game and will have a clear amount of time to review your salary research and prepare.

 

Step 4: Plan Your Counteroffer

At this point, you’ve done quite a bit of legwork on salary research. Now you need to pore over the details of your offer and establish what are known as a reservation point, a target salary and an anchor salary.

In salary negotiations, it’s important to stay within a realistic range that’s based on your research. And think back to your application. Did it ask, “What are your salary requirements?” If so, how did you respond?

If you answered “$40,000 to $50,000,” you have to work within that range.

For example, let’s say your initial job offer includes: $40,000 starting salary, health insurance, a 401(k) plan and three weeks of paid time off. If you’re an early-career professional, this offer might sound pretty good, and it is technically within your range. Negotiate anyway.

“Always negotiate, if for no other reason than to demonstrate that you are capable of having a problem-solving conversation,” Gates advised. “That’s what a negotiation is.”

The only exception is if the company made a “firm” offer or has a “non-negotiable” salary policy. If that’s the case, you might not want to push your luck.

But those cases are rare, so unless it’s expressly stated, get to planning your counteroffer.

First, do the numbers.

• Set a reservation point above the amount they initially offered, perhaps at $42,500. This number is the minimum salary you will accept.
• Your target salary, aka the amount you foresee agreeing on after negotiations, will be higher than your reservation amount — somewhere around $45,000.
• Your anchor salarywill be much higher. It’s the number you use to start the conversation and could be as high as $50,000.

It’s very possible the company won’t meet your target salary even after negotiations. But don’t fret — and don’t just look at the salary. Review the entire compensation package, including paid time off and continuing education, plus expenses you’ll incur, like the cost of living and commute.

Be prepared to also negotiate elements of your benefits package, too. Do they have wiggle room on vacation time? What about a work-from-home policy? Learning stipends? Loan forgiveness?

Or, as Margolis put it, “Determine what perks would add some sparkle to your life.”

The important part in a counteroffer is to remain flexible and open-minded.

 

Step 5: Practice the Negotiation Conversation

You’ve come a long way. But now you have all of these numbers and nuggets of advice floating around in your head. Can you recall them on a moment’s notice while under pressure and probably sweating profusely?

Didn’t think so.

The conversation itself could happen in person or over the phone. But it does need to be a conversation. No email negotiations — do it over the phone, via video chat or in person so you can better interpret the hiring manager’s tone and response.

And if the conversation does happen to take place in person, you’ll have to take into consideration much more than your tone. According to research from Robert Half, hiring managers pay keen attention to several nonverbal cues, the most important being:

• Eye contact
• Posture
• Handshake
• Hand gestures
• Facial expressions
• Fidgeting and nervous movements

This is why feedback is crucial. For the most part, you won’t be able to address any of those cues without someone else’s help.

“Practice negotiating with someone you trust. And ask them to make it difficult for you,” Margolis said.  “Have them counter your assertions and challenge you so you can practice professionally pushing back.”

Margolis also recommended writing out the perks that mean the most to you in the negotiation. Then, write down three things that distinguish yourself from the other applicants — they could highlight your experience, skills or ways you will add unique value to the company.

Forcing yourself to write it out makes your argument more cohesive.

Similarly, Gates recommended crafting an opening statement that lays out exactly what you want. She’s created a specific formula to guide the conversation that should include:

• Your strengths.
• Quantified results of those strengths.
• How you plan to produce those results in the future.
• An anchor number to start off negotiations.

Then round off your opening statement with a question that sparks discussion. She recommended something along the lines of, ”How can you help me make this so?”

Following this formula, your opening statement could look like:

“I’m a creative and witty copywriter who has produced several award-winning advertisements for past clients, which raised their ad revenue by 20% in one quarter. I believe with the new resources and larger team in my new role here, I will deliver even better results. These achievements warrant a salary of $50,000. How can we come together on this?”

Your statement will obviously look different. Use language that’s natural to you and change it around as much as you like. Be sure to include your anchor salary and an open-ended question that invites the employer to speak.

When you’re practicing with a friend, try changing the question, especially if the response isn’t what you were expecting. Because you want to start a discussion, avoid yes-or-no questions in particular.

Practice as much as you can and ask for feedback along the way. When all is said and done, thank your practice partner profusely. Drinks are on you.

 

Step 6: Negotiate a Higher Salary

After all that preparation, it’s not so scary anymore, is it?

Give yourself a pep talk, take a deep breath, and go get yourself a higher salary.

If you’re conducting the salary talks in person, remember to mind your body language. And if they offer you a beverage, take it. Having something to sip on will help smooth over those awkward pauses and can buy you some time to think of a response if you’re stumped.

If you’re talking over the phone, throw all that advice about body language out the window. That’s not important here. You’ll be able to have your notes in front of you, too.

Remember that your tone is what’s important on the phone. Speak clearly and slowly, and you’ll have a better offer in no time.

 

Step 7: Get It in Writing

You don’t want all that effort to go to waste.

After you rock your salary negotiation and come out with your target salary (or higher), be sure to ask for it in writing.

Sometimes hiring processes are long and involve plenty of people at the company. Things get forgotten or lost in translation. Perhaps the negotiation was handled by a separate person in the HR department. Maybe that separate person only had your initial salary offer on file and not the renegotiated amount. Or there could be something more nefarious in the works. Let’s hope that’s not the case.

“Ask for them to at least send it in an email to ensure that you and the hiring company are both on the same page,” Margolis said.

And when you finally sign your name on the contract, ensure it reflects what was sent in the email.

Now all that’s left is to bask in the success of the single highest-earning conversation you’ve likely ever had.

 

The preceding material was compiled and edited by Brandon Castillo.  The Editor-In-Chief is Gary Bryan.  The Radio Genius Show Prep Service is licensed for use on-air only by subscribing radio stations.  Other means of redistribution is forbidden.
© 2020 – Radio Genius Show Prep