1. Don’t let over excitement ruin your earning potential. You need to go into every negotiation with the confidence of a rich person. People can’t see you account balance so they will judge you by how you carry yourself around money. Here’s how I learnt that.

2. Few years ago I was hired by a Hungarian company to handle their product development. I saw super excited because I’ve been trying to work internationally but Nigerian passport has always hindered my plans.

3. I excitedly came up with a figure in my head that I felt was acceptable as my fees. Showed up at the meeting in my usual black attire (I always wear black to meetings that require negotiation because it’s about to be a funeral).

4. I showed up at the meeting thinking I was about to kill them with my fees. After the whole discussion the hand me a paper that breaks down the fees structure. Everything I wanted to charge was the 10% down payment they were offering before I even start the project.

5. I looked at it and kept a straight face, and then told them to excuse me I need to use the ladies room. I could barely walk straight to the ladies room. Got in there and did some light dancing that may or may not have been twerking.

6. Composed myself and walked back into the meeting to tell them that their offer was unacceptable with a straight face. Asked for x2 of what they were offering and 40% down payment before proof of concept and balance after commercialization.

7. They agreed and I went back to my hotel room to die because I just faked self believe to command money I didn't even think I was worth. Whatever you think you are worth ask for x3. You might just negotiate your way to something you don’t even know you deserve.