Asking for a raise is dreaded by most employees, but many women seem to have a particular aversion to the workplace ritual. It’s not lady like to ask for money, right? WRONG! Gals need money just as much as men.

A producer with a TV station in Philadelphia recently asked me to be a guest on the show to discuss this problem because she’s seen the raise-asking fear among women as well.

Here’s the clip from the show.

And here are some of my top five points to keep in mind:

1. School yourself on salaries.
You can’t go into salary negotiations armed with nothing. You need to know what others in your position are making in order to figure out how much you should ask for. Websites such as Salary.com is a good place to start. Also, professional organization often have this type of data; and don’t forget your colleagues, or people who held your job before you.

2. Sing your own praises, often.
It’s hard to convince managers to pay you more if they don’t know all that you do for them. Make sure to keep your boss abreast of your accomplishments via occasional emails, or quick chats. When you come to the table, have a list ready with all the great things you did for the company in the last year.

3. Fight sexism.
Don’t accept the reasoning that some managers give about why men are paid more than women. The labor force is now made up of 50 percent women and we’re breadwinners as well. If you get nowhere with a biased boss it may be time to talk to human resources, or your manager’s manager.

4. Practice, practice, practice.
Women just hate asking for money and that can impact your forcefulness and conviction when you enter the room with your boss to ask for a raise. It always helps to practice your raise elevator pitch with friends and family.

5. Don’t take it personal, and DON’T get emotional.
In this economy, there’s a good chance your employers is going to be tightfisted so don’t think a decision not to give you more money is personal. Getting emotional will only hurt your credibility for the next time you go in with your hand out.
Before you head into negotiations do some homework and figure out if your company, or your division, is actually making money or at the brink of bankruptcy. You can’t get blood from a stone people.