I haven’t been around the bloggyworld, the Facebooksphere, or the Twitterverse lately because I’ve been working like crazy. Not jewelry designing (though I sooo wish it were), but advertising design work. We are in the midst of planning a four-prong campaign that involves a bunch of negotiating, planning, coordinating, and running around like a chicken with my head cut-off. When it’s all said and done I will have had to negotiate with about 50 or more people to get it done. Yes, me. Just little ole’ me, tee-hee hee.

Have to be very flexible when negotiating with lots of people

I have had to manage model and talent contracts, flight arrivals and departures, studios and hair salon rentals, one big photoshoot, plus a bunch of little remote photoshoots, ad artwork submissions, blah, blah, blah, blah. When I do these, I always learn a lot. Most  times I gain inner knowledge, but this time I’ve gained knowledge through vicarious learning. Wanna hear what I learned? Here it goes…

1. When opportunity knocks, those who answer the quickest get the job! — Jiving around gets you nothing.
2. When presented with a contract remember everything is negotiable, but you must know these things:

Know What you want
Know What your bargaining chips are
Know What you will not accept
Know What you are worth



If you can do this at this age, you've got mega bargaining chips

3. It’s okay to say what you want as long as you are professional and very clear — it’s not helpful to say you are good with something and then have to come back and say you’re not good after all. Nobody likes a wishy-washy pest, at least I don’t.
4. Preparation, preparation, preparation is invaluable!
5. Stand out by being great at what you do, don’t stand out by showing out.



6. Don’t whine about what others got, that you didn’t get. — Just not a good look.
7. Don’t sell yourself too short — being too humble only makes people wary of your capabilities.



8. Don’t think you are irreplaceable because you have been asked to do something special, there’s always another you waiting in the wings.
9. Don’t be nasty or rude in person, by email, over the phone, etc because people don’t forget.
10. Flexibility is good, but don’t be a door mat.
11. Be honest, stop lying — the truth always comes out.
12. Don’t overthink anything too much, it might keep you from getting the job done.


Sometimes you find yourself doing something like this, hey just roll with it. You are incredible! Just admit it!

13. See the positive in everything– this is a biggie for me to practice.



Most important thing is to find a great balance in how you handle yourself, your brand , and your business. You might say, oh she’s in Advertising that’s why she thinks that everyone has a brand. Guess what? We do have a brand. Some call it a reputation or image. Whatever you think of it as, it is important to keep it in tact or else you can set yourself back. However, if you have shamed your brand just pick yourself up and re-brand yourself.

Another opportunity will present itself, just remember to be ready.