Erin McGoff is an award-winning filmmaker, content creator, and career advice expert known online as the internet’s “big sister.” Through her Advice With Erin platform, she has built a massive audience of Gen Z and millennial professionals by sharing practical, no-nonsense guidance on careers, communication, and navigating the workplace. A Pulitzer Fellowship recipient and Forbes 30 Under 30 (2025) honoree, Erin’s work has been featured in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Business Insider. In this episode, Erin shares how she turned filmmaking skills into a thriving creator career, what professionals misunderstand about salary negotiations, and how mastering communication can dramatically increase your earning potential.

On this episode we talk about:

How Erin transitioned from filmmaking into becoming a viral career advice creator
Why authenticity and simplicity helped her build millions of followers online
The mindset shift that turns your salary into a “floor” instead of a ceiling
Practical strategies for negotiating raises and increasing compensation
Why written communication is one of the most valuable workplace skills today

Top 3 Takeaways

Your salary is the floor, not the ceiling. In today’s economy, professionals should think beyond their paycheck and look for ways to build additional income streams or leverage their skills in new ways.
Value drives compensation. Raises don’t come from personal circumstances—they come from demonstrating measurable value to your organization and clearly communicating it.
Visibility matters in your career. Many talented professionals go unnoticed because they don’t communicate their impact. Making your contributions visible to leadership can significantly improve career growth.

Notable Quotes

“Your salary is not the ceiling of what you can earn in a year—it’s the floor.”
“Close mouths don’t get fed. If you want something in your career, you have to ask for it.”
“The biggest mistake people make when asking for a raise is talking about themselves instead of the value they bring.”

Connect with Erin McGoff:

Book: The Secret Language of Work
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advicewitherin
Other: https://advicewitherin.com

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