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Let’s get one thing out of the way:
Just because you’ve got the tools and talent… doesn’t mean clients will automatically trust you, book you, or pay you what you’re worth.

Yoh. I know. It hurts a little, doesn’t it?

But it’s true.
And it’s exactly why I created the Graphic Designer’s Playbook Planner — to help you not only create beautiful work but also build a business that actually works. For you. For your life. For your future.

And in this first blog of the Playbook series, we’re talking about the front section of the planner.
The bit we often skip.
The part that doesn’t involve washi tape or colour-coded weeks.
The business side.
Because that’s where the magic happens.

The uncomfortable truth? Talent is only 20%.

I used to think: if I just got better at design… everything would fall into place.
I kept tweaking, improving, overdelivering…
But I was exhausted, underpaid, and quite honestly — stuck in a cycle of constantly proving myself.

It wasn’t until I started treating my creativity like an actual business
(yes, with systems, pricing boundaries, and reflection time)
that things started shifting.

That’s what makes a top-rated creative.
Not just a talented one.

A trusted one.
A respected one.
One who leads clients, not just designs for them.

So what actually makes a top-rated creative?

Let’s break it down. Honestly. Simply. Like we would in a WhatsApp voice note.

1. Passion & Patience

Yes, passion is what gets you started.
But patience is what keeps you in the game.
And most of this journey? Happens quietly — in follow-up emails, small improvements, and trusting the long game.

2. Always Learning

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
But top creatives stay curious.
They’re not scared to say, “I don’t know yet.”
They ask questions, try new tools, and let every project teach them something.

3. Stay Inspired

Burnout is real — and no, scrolling Pinterest for 3 hours doesn’t count as creative rest.
What inspires you? Lean into that.
For me, it’s magazines, music, walking, and sometimes just giving myself permission to unplug.

4. Own Your Niche

You don’t have to be everything to everyone.
The moment you get clear on what you love doing (and who you do it for), your messaging becomes stronger and your work more focused.

5. Communicate Like a Human

Your job isn’t just to design. It’s to guide.
The creatives clients love working with?
They ask questions, explain their thinking, and keep communication calm and clear — especially when things get tricky.

6. Be a Pro

You don’t need a fancy studio or a 10-step CRM system.
But you do need structure.
Start with a simple process. Stick to your word.
Make your clients feel like they’re in good hands — because they are.

7. Work-Life Rhythm

I’m not going to talk about “balance” because most of us know that’s not realistic.
But rhythm? That’s possible.
Set working hours. Log off. Eat lunch away from your screen.
You’re allowed to design your business to support your life — not run your life.

8. Create a Space That Works for You

Not every desk needs to be Instagram-worthy.
But it does need to work.
A good chair, natural light, clear workspace — small things that help your mind feel clear and focused.

9. Price Right

If you’re undercharging, you’re going to feel it.
In your energy. In your confidence. In your ability to say no.
Your pricing needs to support the quality of work you want to deliver — and the life you want to live. It’s not about being “affordable.” It’s about being sustainable.

10. Believe in Yourself

This one sounds soft, but it’s not.
It’s real.
You are not just pushing pixels.
You’re solving problems, translating ideas, helping clients show up in the world.
That’s big. Own it.

11. Build Real Relationships

Design is about people.
And long-term clients?
They stick around when they trust you — and when you treat them with honesty, respect, and a bit of personality.
Same goes for collaborators, printers, copywriters, and other creatives. Be kind. Build a network of people who lift each other.

12. Celebrate Others

The only way we grow this industry is by cheering each other on.
So when you see someone doing good work — say something.
There’s more than enough space for all of us to thrive.

13. Embrace Change

This job isn’t static.
Software updates, clients shift, life happens.
You don’t need to resist it — just stay open.
You’re allowed to evolve, change your offers, or try something new. That’s part of the process.

Your gift is safe with you.

That’s something I’ve had to remind myself often.

Being top-rated isn’t about being famous.
It’s about being trusted.
And that trust? It comes from the way you hold yourself, your process, and your client relationships.

Even if you’re a one-woman studio.
Even if your client list isn’t “fancy.”
Even if you’re still figuring it all out.

Start there.
Grow from there.
And give yourself the grace to evolve.

Want to go deeper?

This is the first of many topics I’ll be walking through as part of the Playbook Series — using the actual pages inside the Graphic Designer’s Playbook Planner as our guide.

Because being a designer isn’t just about visuals — it’s about how we design our time, our boundaries, our income, our identity, our life.

If you’ve got the Playbook — amazing. Go open to the “Top-Rated Creative” page and spend 15 minutes journaling on what hit home today.

If you don’t have it yet, you can find it here.
It’s not just paper. It’s a little business partner on your desk.