How I negotiated my rate up by 40% on my second booking with the same company

Sharing this because I think a lot of non-union actors don't realize you CAN negotiate, especially on re-bookings. My first gig with this production company was $500/day for 6 days on a ReelShort series. Fine rate, good experience. After wrap, the producer said "we'd love to work with you again." 3 months later they called for another series. Same role type. Same platform. They offered $500/day again. I said: "Last time was great and I'd love to come back. For this one I'm looking for $700/day." There was a pause. Then: "We can do $650." I said: "If it's $700 I can confirm today." They said yes. That's a 40% increase for the same kind of work, just by asking. They came to ME — which means they valued what I did the first time. That's leverage. Three things that made this work: 1. I delivered on the first gig (on time, prepared, no drama) 2. They reached out to me, not the other way around 3. I didn't apologize for asking — I just stated my number Not every situation has this leverage. But when a company re-books you, that's the moment your rate goes up.