The Negotiation Playbook: How to Ask for What You're Worth and Actually Get It

Part of the Wealth Mechanics series by Daniel Cross, The Negotiation Playbook bypasses the psychology of why asking for money feels hard and focuses entirely on the concrete mechanics of the conversation. This manual is designed to give you exactly what to say, in what order, and why it works, ensuring you never walk out of a room leaving money on the table.

Whether you are a job candidate, a freelancer, an operations manager, or partners sitting at the kitchen table, this book offers actionable scripts and decision frameworks for high-stakes money conversations.

Inside, you will learn how to navigate essential negotiation scenarios, including:

• Naming the Number First: Use the anchoring effect to set the frame for everything that follows by stating a well-researched opening number.
• When They Lowball You: Respond to underwhelming offers with a structured, two-round counter strategy built around evidence, not emotion.
• Negotiating the Whole Package: Expand the pie by trading across terms like signing bonuses, equity, flexibility, and title when base pay is fixed.
• Pricing Work That Doesn't Have a Price Tag: Use a concrete floor-versus-value formula to set freelance and creative rates confidently.
• Asking for the Raise: Build a documented, scope-based case and request a dedicated meeting for the conversation everyone avoids.
• The Competing Offer: Use a second option as real leverage without issuing an ultimatum or burning a valued relationship.
• Negotiating as a Household: Align with a partner on shared money decisions by separating underlying interests from rigid positions.
• Walking Away as Leverage: Build a BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) so you can firmly hold boundaries against scope creep.

The Negotiation Playbook is not about becoming a shrewd or ruthless operator; it is about being prepared, direct, and fair. By treating negotiation as a learnable skill with specific, repeatable moves, you will learn how to ask for your true market value and actually get it.