Here's every single salary I've ever made. (SOLO Episode) | The Real Stuff

[@baileek12]

As an HR rep and someone who hires and offers candidates roles I ALWAYS recommend during the negotiation stage that candidates ask for a minimum 10% increase in salary. Do not tell the HR rep offering you the position what you are currently making. Let them know that to be able to accept the position I need at minimum this amount (which would be 10% increase of what you are currently making). Great video! I love how people are becoming more transparent about pay these days. It is educating our workforce and encouraging people to get paid what they deserve!!

[@Ami-vo6kf]

Would love to see an episode on combining finances with a partner (pre and post marriage)!

[@arianacallejasaquino2393]

this!

[@silviacastle5314]

That would be great 🎉

[@noelvandy]

Post marriage assets in both names, budget by calculating 50/20/30 from the combined income. Doesn't matter if one has a different income than the other, all purchases should be made wisely

[@lilbabyo5]

Super cool for many reasons - 1) you’re a great presenter / storyteller 2) this topic is awesome and so humbling (thank you!) and 3) format (you solo) was so perfect and vulnerable yet empowering…. Have been following you since Refinery and this is the BEST!

[@luciebfink]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

[@nicoleduffy4662]

Loved this episode! I feel like we never get this level of transparency from content creators. Truly appreciate you sharing!

[@affordablebyamanda]

Thank you for the transparency, Lucie! It’s so important in this industry! ❤ been here since your early days at Refinery 29!! ❤

[@juliazeng5663]

I've been following you since your Refinery days and stayed on as a watcher due to your honesty and genuineness. Your videos never felt flashy or like "fast" consumption and it feels like you're the same person off-camera as on. Thank you for this video and your transparency! Even though I'm in a different career field, this inspired me to seek better opportunities for myself!

[@mealprepsundazes3033]

Thank you for the honesty and transparency. I listened to your first podcast last week and I just want to say the things that you are talking about is all the things we all want to talk about but are unsure how to approach someone with these topics. I am looking forward to what else you have for us. Thank you Lucie!

[@luciebfink]

So appreciate this ❤❤❤

[@rachelhaywood833]

I've never heard about this kind of transparency. I love it and I'm so so appreciative -- I'm trying to grow my own small stationery business and it's refreshing to hear how you worked hard to propel yourself to where you are today. Hearing this sort of information just makes me that much more hungry to grow and thrive in my own work!

[@christinagarcia3719]

I work in sustainability consulting. As a woman in STEM navigating this niche sector, I found it so difficult to know how much I was worth in the beginning of my career. I make it a point now to be transparent with any woman I work with about how much I make and my salary journey. I feel this helps my colleagues to know their worth and also serves as a periodic check in regarding my salary. It’s always an awkward conversation, but I think it’s so important and any momentary awkwardness is worth it. In turn, a lot of colleagues have also been transparent with me which is extremely valuable.

[@sophialehmer-peasley9019]

I'm glad you're transparent about your salary, and it's so cool that you're a woman in STEM. I got my BS in Environmental Science and it's always cool to see what you can do with it.

[@Audra999]

This is a great episode that gives us an informative perspective into a career in media/social media. Money is always treated like a taboo subject unfortunately. And the fact that there was no blueprint in this industry and you had to make it up as you go is so interesting!

[@mckinleytretler2989]

The transparency in this video is so wonderful! Love that you are starting these conversations.

[@chiukhalay]

Thanks for the transparency. I think so important to share, as someone who is not on the US to be able to see what possible or what are the different ranges of prices, different lifestyles.

[@marianaaragao551]

Hey Lucie! Loved the episode. I've been following you for years but had lost track of you. Happy to see you're doing so good for yourself and loved the transparency. I'm not a content creator but as a young woman trying to make something of herself it was inspiring! Best of luck!

[@littlegeo1]

LOVED this episode Lucie. I think you gave great advice and lived experience and the transparency was absolutely amazing! I totally understand why you didn't do it before but I hope that the rest of your audience respects you enough to see the positive in this type of conversation.

[@flowersgalor123]

The development of your career has been so so cool to see, seeing it organized in this way was super entertaining. Thank you for your transparency!!

[@heloisebrunet330]

I love how you talked about the two careers you had, and how everything flipped with the energy you involved in it! I am a state employee in France, and quit my job for a long time for each of my 3 boys, so I laughed when you said you felt akward saying those big numbers, because I feel equally akward sharing my little numbers, (32 K total salary for my husband and I, for a family of 5) as people very often assume we live in total poverty ;D (but we own our house, live a very comfortable life and have a lot of fun!). I really like the perspective you take on your career, keep going!

[@galifiron]

Great episode Lucie! It was really interesting to hear a really detailed review of your salaries and rents in the past. I feel like it's something that we don't even get to talk with our siblings or closest friends about. There is a lot to learn from this, thank you so much.

[@margotshang7729]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode! Serendipitously, my first job was also at Ogilvy in NYC. But even beyond that similarity, I think this is one of the most coherent, thoughtful, and illuminating discussions of money and earning I've heard (and I love personal finance TikTok etc). Looking forward to more of your podcast!

[@ZaLajf]

Hi! I loved to listen to this episode. Kind of wished, I could have talks like this with my friends. In the future episodes I would love to hear how do you manage your monthly/yearly budgeting! It seems like you're living a lifestyle many people want to live, but probably also know how to handle money :) Best, Lucia from Switzerland

[@alexandratracey8252]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE talking about money and salary transparency. I wish more women would talk about it. I also hope that the more we normalize financial success, the less we feel the need to justify that success. Money is an exchange of energy and I think the taboo nature of this conversation keeps, women especially, perpetuating money blocks and upper limit issues. It's time we build our wealth and be proud of every single dollar and success.

[@libbysworld7649]

Lucie!! This is so great. I would love to see your take on "Loud Budgeting". This has been a game changer for me. Love this video, so very much. Transparency isn't always sexy for the presenter, but for the recipient on the other side, so much is being realized and gleaned. Priceless!

[@samanthaholland983]

Very interesting! I am not a content creator, but had heard previously the difference in pay comparing working under a company vs on your own. I just didn't realize the magnitude in difference. Congrats on all your success!

[@MeganBunday]

I love this form of content! The information you have shared is so vulnerable and inspiring. You inspire me to expand what I manifest for myself. Thanks you!

[@jj-if6it]

Can't believe you left Refinery29 5 years ago already! It was a good move though. I've followed you since those "try living with Lucie" days

[@lawalaminat4865]

This was so insightful. Thank you for the transparency.

[@somdrum]

Super interesting episode! If you revisit the topic in the future, I would love to hear your perspective on any struggles you've felt financially. I can imagine it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows... particularly working in kind of the "wild west" of early influencer days :). I ask because I did come away from this episode feeling a bit like, "wow, I should be pursuing more creative side hustles!" but I also feel like the landscape nowadays is very different in terms of brand reach-out and competition. I would love to hear your thoughts!

[@sarahabrams7315]

I really appreciated this episode. Thank you for being transparent.

[@jj-if6it]

I've made the same mistake too. I think it's a lot better for prospective employers to ask you "what salary do you want?" rather than "what's your current salary." Good on you for pushing back! $2k might not sound like a lot but it's still a pay rise, and every little bit is important

[@lindsaylollylue]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the transparency, not only is it SO rare in a creative field to see- but amongst creators and social media content creators specifically. Love to see and grow from your insights

[@oceaneyeye]

Thank you so much for sharing! Money is such an important topic, yet no one seems to want to talk about it. So thank you! I would love an episode of how you combine finances with your husband

[@jj-if6it]

I remember you talking about your career and how it really took off with those stop motion videos. I find that so cool and inspiring

[@akankshasingh9200]

Loved this eposide Lucie!

[@bexbagan]

I love what you said about needing to know the scope of the work before you provide a fee. I'm not a content creator, but I was approached by a University to lead a workshop and asked to give a fee- without knowing any details about what they actually want.

[@alliewinkleman7785]

I’ve never had a company ask me flat out what I currently make. Typically I’ve been asked what are my salary expectations or range. I then give a range that’s 15-20% more than I’m currently making. To answer your question, about what to say if they ask, my husband said he always lies and says more than he’s currently making. I’m not in the content creation world though and neither is he.

[@nataliasmialek9]

Amazing episode Lucie, love your honesty! ❤

[@aparnabhattacharya13]

Super interesting episode. Thanks for sharing..

[@marikagranato1703]

I loooooove this content, this idea! Great job!!

[@grace143ed]

As someone who’s worked for 20 years in the media in New Zealand - the high rates of pay in the US always come as quite a shock! Plus the so-called “slow” pay rises! Not sure how kiwis survive earning half the salary and paying for a similar cost of living, but somehow we do. Love the transparency though, really interesting and clearly you advocated for yourself along the way.

[@laurenk2677]

It was really nice to hear these numbers - I never thought that creative jobs (in the content creation space without being, like, Emma chamberlain) could make the same large amounts as I always assumed were reserved only for investment bankers, lawyers, surgeons, etc

[@elenaholtz247]

Thanks for sharing! It’s crazy to think how people now in 2024 still make 55k or less, and that’s what lots of companies are offering when you look for jobs 😢

[@nataliecotto1227]

Loved this episode!

[@jac-pieceynumnums]

Very interesting episode.

[@alexisdelia7522]

This gives me confidence in making more overtime!

[@Gabriguez1]

Loved this podcast Lucie. ❤️❤️❤️

[@cauthoncrazy]

Would love chapters on these vids!

[@michelledsouza7]

Yes, you're meant to say your salary expectation or if you don't, you would need to negotiate the salary. That's something I definitely had to learn.

[@britneyknowles1]

Love this content ❤

[@keymclean6927]

Loved this episode ❤

[@emilyroberts4420]

Love this!

[@Lerikaa16]

Thank you for sharing!

[@aeep0820]

Thank you so much, Lucie, for sharing and being so candid. Honestly, hearing you share these numbers made me feel oddly uncomfortable because, as you stated, money has become such a taboo topic to share openly. Even with my own family, I find that I talk about my salary and expenses in a very generalized way because I make more than they do and it would make them uncomfortable. As you mentioned in the beginning, there can be a lot of stigma around content creature either positively or negatively. Hearing how much your business makes, I’m sure there are people that think that that’s crazy when “all you do is post.” Im curious, if you’re comfortable sharing, how do you quantify what you charge/make based on the work you do now? Is it still just based on an arbitrary flat fee or based on the brands budget? Or is it “packaged” based on the request like an a la carte system? Like, for example, I’m a fundraiser and I know between my experience and the industry standard, the appropriate hourly rate to charge for something like say writing a grant. And with that, again say based on the grant, it’ll take me say 40 hours and thus here is the final cost. Im also curious, I guess if you think what you/social creators make is appropriate based on the work you do? While I knew content creation could be the at lucrative, it is still surprising to an extent that you can make 6-7 figures doing it versus say working for an ad agency or doing content creation as a salaried employee. Thanks so much for encouraging transparency and trying to destigmatized money, mental health, and sex!!

[@luciebfink]

The space is so interesting because as you develop as a creator and get more experience under your belt, your brand repertoire grows and your value grows. If your numbers are growing, it’s almost like you’re a billboard being moved to a more trafficked area. If your value is growing, it’s just that people place a lot of value on what you say and who you promote. Value for creators can grow in a number of ways…many are through credentials. in some cases, becoming a published author, giving TEDx talks, etc. Another thing that’s important to remember - to the point of “all you do is post.” Posting is just the last thing that creators do. Brands are typically paying for the time spent generating a creative idea, executing that idea, filming, producing, editing, etc. Often times, the content we create for brands doesn’t even live on our platforms, but it’s used on THEIR platforms where there is paid spend put behind it, and it’s used as a general advertisement. In that case, it’s almost like they are coming to creators instead of advertising agencies to get engaging content created. That same content from an agency would cost thousands, so why shouldn’t the individual who’s single-handedly doing the research, copywriting, filming, editing (and being on camera), be paid the same if not more? Hope this is helpful!!❤

[@aeep0820]

@@luciebfink this all totally makes sense. It’s cool to see that the ROI of the work content creators do is being so highly valued. Like you said, you’re doing the work of an entire advertising agency on your own from start to finish! That’s a lot! And again, for people outside of the industry to place value/judgment on the final product instead of the full process is a big disconnect. A post, theoretically, seems simple to the average person because the platform is so accessible. But all of the work that goes into it like you laid out and the ROI the brand is getting based on the content creator’s education, skill, own following, etc. is huge! I think it’s very similar to the way art and artists continued to be valued (my background is arts and culture). So many times I’ve heard people at galleries make the stereotypical comment of “my kid could do that” or “why would I pay that much for a bunch of paint splatters?” Similarly, you’re not just paying for that finished product. You’re paying for the labor, materials, the prowess/notoriety of the artist, etc. I think the creative space, in general, is sometimes hard for people to grasp just how much work goes into the final, public facing product. Thanks for the back and forth dialogue 😊 you’re the best!!

[@laboheme125]

Can you share how money was talked about in your household growing up? What you learned and if there are lessons you plan to pass down to your son and future children.

[@Nilorac1234]

super interesting, thanks forswearing

[@michaelamccracken1285]

I loved those episodes and although I don’t work in the field it would be interesting to see how you pay yourself, how your managers take percent of the brand deals also what about lawyers who review your contract. While a brand may offer you 10k for a video how do you divide that, I don’t think that’s something most people think about when it comes to individuals as a business. You being the “talent” or the face of your brand it seems like there are additional moving parts that we as viewers don’t see

[@luciebfink]

Yessss this! I can definitely do some follow-ups to this

[@AdeolaAsh]

Thank you 🫂

[@carolinenelson7890]

Very interesting thank you for sharing. By the way and not really related to this topic but did you know that you have a doppelganger - a Finnish actress in the series Arctic Circle whose name is Lina Kuustonen ?

[@luciebfink]

oh wowwww she's gorgeous thank you so much!!!

[@jj-if6it]

only a slight resemblance I think!

[@TransparencyBodycam]

Now it is illegal for employers in NYC and New York State to ask about salary history during the interview process. What do you think Refinery29 may have offered you if you did not have to answer any questions about your salary history before they made you an offer for $62k?

[@luciebfink]

Honestly I think the 60k range was in line with new hires in the video production department, so probably the same! MAYBE $65k?

[@TransparencyBodycam]

That is interesting to hear. We're the salaries really that low?

[@jj-if6it]

@@TransparencyBodycam It was almost 10 years ago, and the company was probably quite small

[@gro8018]

Was there ever a conversation with R29 about your content creation on the side? What advice would you give people that also work at media companies who want to start to do their own content?

[@luciebfink]

Yes! From the moment I was hired they had written into my contract that I was allowed to create my side content (I had a robust side business before I met them). However, once my platforms started growing from the content I was making for them, it got trickier. Then they wanted a slice of the pie 😅

[@gro8018]

@@luciebfink Thank you for taking the time to reply! Loving these new episodes.

[@jj-if6it]

Ah 2015, the good old days!

[@jj-if6it]

I was expecting you to share the answers here as well as on Instagram?

[@SlamKKi]

❤

[@eattravelhome]

Lucie, You have been an inspiration to me ever since your R29 days. I’m a micro-influencer and it’s been a roller coaster ride for me but from this video I learned that I might be selling myself short. Thanks for sharing!!!! These topics overall are my favorites because I’m interested in the financial aspect of this industry and not a lot of people are open about it. Looking forward to more content like this. 🩵

[@luciebfink]

Love this and I'm rooting for you!!

[@eattravelhome]

@@luciebfink thank you! 😊