Sometimes the cash is fixed. That doesn't mean the deal is. You trade on terms instead of price.
Work down this list and ask for whatever you can get:
— Shorter usage rights (30 days, not 12 months)
— Fewer deliverables for the same money
— No exclusivity
— Keep your raw footage to reuse
— A testimonial or case study for your portfolio
— First right to their next campaign
Example: they're stuck at $500. You accept, but drop ad rights and cut from 2 videos to 1. Same pay, less work — your effective rate went up.
Your move: when you hear 'that's our max,' shift from 'how much' to 'what do I give for it.'
Deal Desk 101
@DealDesk101
How to negotiate when the budget truly won't move
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