Case: A counter-offer template added $14k over 5 deals

Case: A counter-offer template added $14k over 5 deals
A creator accepted first offers because she had no negotiation script.

We built a 3-line counter template, reusable per deal:

1) "Thanks — for the scope (post + usage + exclusivity), my rate is [X]."
2) "I can hold [last campaign result] as a benchmark."
3) "If budget's fixed, I can drop [exclusivity/usage] to hit it."

Decision rules:
— If first offer is below rate card, then counter at rate card, never the midpoint
— If they say "fixed budget," then trade scope down, not price
— If they ghost 5 days, then send the Day-5 nudge from the outreach SOP

Result across 5 deals: 4 counters accepted at full or near-full rate. Total added vs. first-offer-accept: $14,200.

Checklist before replying to any offer:
— Compared to rate card?
— Benchmark result ready?
— One tradeable lever identified?