You’re Not Underpaid, You’re Under-Negotiating—A Legal Checklist for Getting What You Actually Deserve

Wanting more money and better opportunities is easy to say out loud. Being set up to actually handle them is the part most people skip. In this episode of She’s So Lucky, Les Alfred brings in creator-economy lawyer and tech founder Kameron Monet for what’s basically the missing layer of “getting what you want” talk: the structure. Because you can be confident, you can be audacious, you can “manifest” all day—but if you’re negotiating blind or signing sloppy contracts, you’re building on vibes instead of protection. 

Think of this checklist as your quick legal reality check before you sign that deal.

☐ Treat negotiation like a form of self-love

Monet says negotiating is self-advocacy. If you want more, you have to practice standing up for yourself in real time.

☐ Trust the first ‘this feels low’ instinct

The first gut-check is the one to listen to. If it feels off, don’t talk yourself out of it—counter.

☐ Prep is the confidence hack

She’s big on “preparation breeds confidence.” Walk in with your numbers, your rationale, and your non-negotiables so you’re not negotiating from panic.

☐ Ask around before you ask for more

Monet encourages using your community: ask peers what they’re paid, ask coworkers what ranges look like, ask other creators what’s normal. Not asking is how you stay underpaid.

☐ Know who you’re negotiating with

Different decision-makers respond to different approaches. Monet suggests learning who will be in the room (or on the thread) so you can tailor your pitch.

☐ Start higher than feels comfortable

Don’t just “aim high”—it’s “aim high with a reason.” Even if you don’t show your math upfront, you should be able to back the number up.

☐ Always ask for the budget

She shares the cautionary story of someone naming a “dream rate” only to find out the brand’s budget was triple. Don’t guess—ask.

☐ Use the rule of three for the back-and-forth

One offer, one counter, one final decision. Monet says this creates a clean boundary that keeps you from endless, draining negotiation loops.

☐ Don’t be afraid to walk away from disrespect

If a counteroffer is wildly low, you don’t have to keep the conversation going. And sometimes walking away is what brings the brand back with a real number.

☐ If price won’t move, negotiate the terms

Adjust the deal instead of just the rate—deliverables, exclusivity length, usage rights, whitelisting, scope. Don’t do double the work for the same money.

☐Never start work without a contract (ever)

No “we’ll send it later.” Monet explains how this is where payment timelines get murky and suddenly it’s all “he said, she said.”

☐ Scan every contract for these three landmines

• Perpetuity (forever usage = no future pay for future use)
• Termination (you need a clean exit if things get messy)
• Exclusivity (make them list competitors; avoid vague “but not limited to” language)

To hear Kameron Monet break down the legal tea on negotiating smarter and protecting your work, listen to She’s So Lucky wherever you get your podcasts.

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