I’ve been in the same Senior Copywriter role for three years with solid reviews, no complaints. But last week, in a totally casual convo, I found out my coworker (same title, same experience, same team) makes $15k more than I do. I’m not even mad at her—just mad at myself for never pushing. I accepted my last raise without countering because I didn’t want to seem “difficult.” Now I’m wondering if I’ve been leaving money on the table this whole time. If you’ve successfully asked for a mid-cycle raise, how did you frame it without sounding ungrateful?

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I positioned my raise request around impact and market value, brought salary comps, recent wins, and made it about fairness, not feelings. I framed it as a conversation, not a demand, and my manager was surprisingly receptive. You don’t have to wait for review season to know your worth.

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I was in this exact position. Found out the other copywriters were making 10k more than me (we were all copywriter level, so pretty junior). I asked for a raise, bringing forward all of the reasons why I deserve it: first due to my achievements, and second of course, because of fairness. I was denied and told it’s not that big of a difference.

Jumped to a different agency and got a 40k raise. I don’t have any advice for asking for a mid cycle raise, but my advice is - jump.

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If you want a mid cycle raise, do some high profile work and win some big awards. Your agency usually will give you a raise so you don’t get poached.

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Advocating for your value is never “being difficult”. Difficult is a company that makes you have to prove what they should already know.

The advice already here is good. Alongside that, you could also begin to look past Senior CW and start building your case for ACD, if that’s something you’re interested in. Make you goal known and start asking for those types of responsibilities. Then when review time comes around either a) you’re talking about a promotion or b) you’ve proved your value in new ways that make it hard to not give you more money if a promotion isn’t in the cards yet.

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Are you a man or a woman? Female creatives tend to get paid more.

Female creatives leave the industry at a higher rate, especially after having kids — so as they get more senior, the women who stick around are in high demand and are usually paid a 15-20% premium.

If you are a woman and making less than your female coworker, it could be for other reasons, such as she had a poaching offer and the agency made a counter to keep her or maybe she just complains more.

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They assume it's nonsense bc they've been fed the feminist line that they're at a chronic disadvantage just for being a woman. Spoiler: women are treated better in some fields and worse in others. The victim game is not one anyone wins.

(Speaking as a woman who's tired of men patronizing me and my female peers complaining when they've never been oppressed in their lives.)

Market value. Do your research on your role’s salary benchmark in your region/industry and lead with that.

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How much was your raise for?

Depends on your relationship with your ECD’s. If it’s good, you can work on it over time. Discuss where your goals are to grow, and what responsibilities you want to take on throughout the year while emphasizing that you want to grow in compensation with the growth in responsibility. Then keep on them every quarter to show them how you’re hitting on those goals. Better to grow to grow to the next step up on the ladder though than to try to negotiate for the role they’re already paying you for.

In all my experiences, you will almost never do well staying where you are. You can show salary comps, discuss your achievements, etc… nothing is better than moving to the next agency. It’s a really tough time to do that though. Especially if you like your current situation.

Best case, make yourself invaluable, and learn every skill you can where your are. Start interviewing. And when this madness is over, make the move for higher pay.

Time to ask for a raise, and dust off the resume if you don't get it.

I had the same thing happen to me. I found out a new hire in my department was making more for the same role and the same assignments. When I brought it up to my manager, he said, "That's your fault for accepting the first offer". UGH! I will never make that mistake again, and I no longer work there, and neither does he, lol

Please, I am new to copywriting where can I get job, and I'm even open to also learn more. Your response will be highly appreciated.

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I want to ask for a 20%raise, knowing that the company is planning the year budget around now should I give my manager a heads up as to what I’m expecting before my salary review? I got a 0.6% raise at the start of 2020 and a 4% in April this year. The raise this year came with the title of “Lead” and more work responsibilities, talking with a co-worker we now make about the same amount. I started working here right out of college (10 years).

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How to ask for a raise when you have more responsibility ?
Is it normal for people to ask for a raise when more responsibility/task fall under them? My company is going through separation and unfortunately my team is the one getting separated, I have to take on responsibility of another 3 people and continue to deliver the same after separation… how will you start this conversation with your manager ? Thanks in advance.

BSME ~1yoe what’s an expected pay raise for an annual review was thinking of some percentages and wasn’t sure what’s too low or too high

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Dialysis nurse (chronic) here for 12 years. Trying to apply to a different company to get a raise. Living in Sarasota, fl. What should be a reasonable pay?

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I’m the Affiliate Chair for for the DC Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and looking for a few volunteers for leadership roles helping the affiliate grow and raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. Message me if you’d like to get involved!

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If you had a job at a big name agency in a smaller market, where you loved everyone you worked with and had just gotten a (small) raise, would you leave it for an amazing offer from a big market shop?

I have a pretty good idea that I’m being undervalued & underpaid. Anyone willing to share base salaries for account manager/account executive/sales lead for food/CPG industry? Any companies considering inflation raises or have already committed to increasing annual merit to match inflation? If so, willing to share % raise?

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Does getting snapshot at partially next level in 4 perimeter and next level in 1 perimeter will be enough to get promotion? I have received similar kind of 5 snapshot. ( some cases next grade in 2 perimeter)
Current position is associate 2 in Assurance

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hey, I joined Deloitte in June 2020 as an GPS SA analyst, I just staffed on internal project only providing me adjusted utilization. Now my standard util is 40 and my adjusted is 105... and this project last in another month... by then my standard util might be 20.. will my promotion be affected by this? My target promotion year on TOD is 2022. My manager said we might sell to client and extend this project in September but nothing guaranteed.

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How does one tell their boss (owner of the company) that you are burnt out? The sheer volume of work is exhausting and I haven’t taken a true vacation as we are a small company so if something urgent comes to my email I feel like I must respond. I was given an additional title and more responsibilities last year as well but only a 3% raise for it.

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Guys anybody from Verizon have received the hike percentage for performing rating. I think this year also they won't adjust the package with market standards. ? Can anyone throw some light on this. For last 2 yrs i am receiving performing and also manager haven't initiated the mts 3 promotion. Please share a way to get a hike than getting only 10 percent

Does anyone working in Barclays UK knows how much salary increase do we get for AVP to VP promotion? My base pay currently is £60k as an 10 years of experience AVP Barclays

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Is there any internal exam that I need to give in Accenture for promotion/hike?

Level 8 speaking

Hi All

Request your suggestions.

YOE : 4 Year
Role : Data Engineer

I have two offers in hand one from Tetadata and other from Accenture.

Teradata : 10.5 Fix
Accenture : 11 Fix + 21% Variable + 60K joining Bonus

Which one is the best suitable for my experience.

Deciding factor :
1. WLB
2. Compensation
3. Yearly Increment
4. Promotion

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Have an offer from a dream company but I'll need to go in at a lower level. Knowing that I can bring a lot of value to the company (read- I know my worth), I negotiated with the hiring manager to have a level/comp review 6 months after employment. If I hit all my goals (ie, prove myself) within that time frame, I'll get a promotion and salary adjustment.
QUESTIONS:
Should this be in writing in the offer letter?
How detailed should it be? I assume I won't know what goals to set till I start...

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I have an offer from IBM of 16 lpa, but recently I got promotion in my current company and package got raised. Should I ask IBM to increase my package?

Y. O. E - 5.10

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@Capco what’s the comms/content space like? I’ve heard lots of mixed reviews re: consultancy jobs, but that’s not my focus. I ask as I’m looking into a potential position at Capco, but concerned I could be leaving a more “secure” company (BofA) for a raise at another org. that has a lot of room for improvement.

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Hello folks,

I am new to fishbowl and recently got an offer from Publicis Sapient for a senior associate. They are offering $136k with unlimited pto benefits. As I am from the industry and haven't heard about this company before, I would like some comments or thoughts about working for this company? How do they invest in their employees (like pay raise, promotions, etc)?

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How to ask Salary Hike to my Manager, How should i lead the conversation? Will it impact anything (promotion etc.). Please guide me as I am fresher and this is my 1st company.

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What are the promotion cycle and salary review cycle months?

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I never thought I’d ever be able to use this line.

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How much hike did you guys get this year?

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Does anyone know how to become an independent contractor?

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Hi Fishes,

I got offer letter from Mphasis. Any idea about Morgan Stanley Account.

And what are good/bad about joining Mphasis.

Favorite spg /marriotts in south of France?

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Can anyone refer my wife to big4 or tech? She has 7 years of experience with quality assurance and automation. She has masters from KSU with 3.88 GPA in information technology with a specialization in data analytics. We are in Atlanta GA and not looking for a travel role at the moment. Please IM me if you have any openings. Thank you !

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Hey fishes, let's do a poll!
What would you prefer between these two?
1. Great wlb, decent if not so good pay
2. Great pay, poor wlb

Edit: you are welcome to include a one liner reason supporting your choice.
I am trying to understand how people prioritise life & work.
Thanks in advance.

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Started as a fresher in Capgemini with 6.8LPA. I switched to PwC few Months back.

CCTC in PwC AC : 11lpa with 2.10YOE.
Oracle Practice - Fusion Technical Developer

Is this package good enough or I'm underpaid and need to make another switch?
Your comments.

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Hi All, just sharing what on mind to vent it out from my system. Maybe with this I could gain some insights and inspiration.
I have been working as a data scientist since 2018 & have been the bread winner. I have neither been under a proper mentor nor with a team of peers from my field to help me out. I was alone and confused. I have never really got the chance to prove myself which makes me all the more depressed. I'm not sure what to do with my future, indecisive and low on confidence.

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Hi, I am done with 2 rounds of interview in CGI. Waiting for second round result from past 4 days . Daily I am dropping remainders to the team. But no response. Can I consider it as negative?
CGI

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Confession: Ramadan’s coming up real soon. As much as I look forward to fasting, it dampers my productivity and it’s very tiring

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There's no interesting bowl for women to discuss things they want

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Good morning!

Still trying to figure out this whole Fishbowl thing, so here goes my first post.

I would love to get into provider credentialing, but all employers I've looked at want at least 3 years of experience. So, I'm looking at Provider Network Coordinator roles, because I'm finding some of those roles don't need AS MUCH experience. I'm a RHIT, and have been working in healthcare for nearly 10 years.

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Is PE Ops a good starting point if you want to learn more about entrepreneurship and prepare for your own start up?

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How hard is a career pivot from digital advertising to a product manager or even developer? I’m learning python 🐍 and at the point where I’m working on a pretty advanced project. I think having technical skills in combination with digital marketing can increase my net worth in the long run .

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I’m here to seek some guidance over a doubt of mine. I am joining a new company and they wants me to join on 21st November . But I have a notice period of 30 days which I’m supposed to serve in my current company.

I’m looking for some tips and ways to negotiate with the new company for granting me a new joining date or to buy me out of notice period and thereafter join in for the new job.

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What’s the best credit card for points in the UK. I’m from the US and have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Marriott Amex

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Additional Posts in Copywriters

I’m overdue for a raise. On average, what percentage increase should I ask for?

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I’m helping my friend put together a brand book for his startup. I’ve seen this go so many diff ways, but besides the design-related stuff, what exactly is important to include? Do I include a brand mission statement? Brand manifesto? Brand positioning? Brand tagline? Would love your thoughts.

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Any copywriters (in branding/otherwise) currently report to a strategist instead of a CD? Trying to have an open mind about them approving copy without judgement but it’s like pulling teeth for me.

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When non-ad ppl ask you what do you do? In terms of title; do you tell them “copywriter”? Or immediately assume they dont know and might confuse it with copyright infringement, and just end up telling them that you’re a writer or a creative director, and skip the hassle

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"I'm not a copywriter so this is gonna be terrible BUT..."

🙃🙃🙃

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RANT: People re-writing a cw’s stuff has always been painful. These days it’s far more common than when I started. It’d be one thing if they upgraded the work. If I learned from it. If I genuinely seethed with envy over their wit w/that perfectly placed semi-colon. People can’t re-art direct stuff bc they don’t know the programs so they ask the ADs for changes. Word and a keyboard made everyone think they can write. Which they can’t. Google Slides is Google slip ‘n slide into (bad ref. here.)

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Any recommendations for a course / resources on children's book writing / illustration?

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Is it better to be at a small shop and crank out work for smaller clients in your first year or be at a big name shop and maybe make nothing? Deciding on an offer...

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Hi. I’m looking for a CA, OR, or WA-based writer who’d write blog posts for a product / lifestyle site about weed and west coast weed culture. Needs to be otherwise professional & willing to use name

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Trying to break into advertising, specifically copywriting.

Are there any programs, schools, or courses that I can complete online while also working full time? Thanks!

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If you are approached for copy position with a company called LadyBoss... RUN! I don’t know racket they’re running but they set up a video conf with a bunch of copywriters interviewing simultaneously.

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So, you’ve reached the stage of your career where you care more about cashing a fat paycheck than making “creative ads”. You’d rather have the resources and free time to fulfill your creative itch outside of work than try to sell the next big idea to an 28 year old marketing manager with an annual budget of 150k. How do you make the absolute most money as a copywriter while still working a 9-5? Asking for... a... friend?

likefunny

I keep getting recruiters asking to apply for new roles, which is what I thought I wanted because I’m not growing at my agency. But I’m so fatigued I don’t even know if I want to stay in advertising. Have y’all left or took a break to do something different? What did you do?

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Would any of you goofballs want to join an informal drinking group for copywriters who write non-advertising stuff like fiction, non-fiction, comedy, plays, poetry or whatever?

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Is it a red flag to interview with a potential new agency that I'd have to move to a different state for and they never give you a chance to ask any questions or fly you out to meet in person?

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LA! Hiring mid-level CWs and ADs! Must have video prod. exp. and be very conceptual.

Solos and teams apply!

LINKEDIN ME (I’m bad at fishbowl)
Samantha Schneiderman (director of creative services)

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I'm not the best at coming up with lines on the spot. I can write good lines when I'm by myself in front of my laptop, but not when I'm talking with my CD or someone else. Is this considered an issue?

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Would you apply to this COPYWRITER job even if you don’t have any of these skills? Ps they have lots of other requirements too

Post Photo
likefunny

Thoughts about going back and forth between agency and in-house? Is it a good/bad idea? Is it even possible?

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Jumping off a related topic: am I delusional to not care about jr/int/sr level titles? I've been a "copywriter" since the day I started and steadily gained responsibility, autonomy, and money. Happy with career progression, always getting juicier assignments, work directly with ECDs/CCOs... am I missing something crucial? Is my case an anomaly? Or is it okay not to push for a title upgrade?

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