Okay, I’ve been sitting with something lately and I think it’s time to talk about it.
I keep seeing white label designers market themselves in ways that…well, let’s just say they’re not doing the community any favors. You know what I mean – the posts that position someone as the “reliable choice” by implying everyone else is flaky. The “I’m not like OTHER freelancers” energy.
And listen, I GET wanting to stand out when you’re trying to market white label design services. This industry can feel competitive. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of building successful partnerships: You don’t need to dim someone else’s light to make yours shine brighter.
Your Favorite Coffee Shop Doesn’t Need to Bash Starbucks
Think about it.
Your favorite local coffee shop doesn’t have a sign out front that says, “We’re not like those OTHER chains serving burnt, overpriced drinks.” They don’t need to. They let their single-origin beans, cozy vibe, community focus, and the baristas who remember your ridiculous oat milk cortado order do the talking.
Same thing with white label design partnerships.
You don’t have to position yourself as “better than” or “not like the others” to be seen. When you lead with what makes you awesome instead of what makes others supposedly terrible, you attract agencies for all the right reasons.
Let your strengths speak. Let your client experience shine. Let your brand — your flavor — show them exactly why you’re the right partner for them.
What Professional White Label Design Marketing Actually Looks Like
Here’s the shift I want you to make:
Instead of: “I’m not a flaky freelancer who disappears”
Say this: “I prioritize consistent communication with beginning of and mid-week check-ins.”
Instead of: “Unlike other designers, I actually meet deadlines”
Say this: “My process includes milestone checkpoints so we stay on top of timelines”
Instead of: “I’m not your typical unreliable white labeler”
Say this: “Here’s exactly what you can expect when working with your business name…”
See how much stronger that is? This is how you can market white label design services without throwing anyone under the bus. Keeping the focus on you and your unique selling points.
Honesty Time: There’s Enough Work for Everyone
I don’t know if you’ve noticed lately, but the number of agency owners posting in Circle or dropping into designer Facebook groups looking for white label help lately? INSANE. My DMs are full of people searching for the right fit for their upcoming projects — and we’re talking the full spectrum of design services. Whether it’s brand, web, copy, SEO, or illustrations, the demand for quality white label designers is through the roof compared to the actual supply.
Plus, we all have different strengths:
Maybe I’m the one agencies call for that perfect coffee shop brand vibe 😉
Maybe you’re a brand identity wizard
Maybe someone else is the SEO expert
Maybe someone else kills it at website design
Maybe another designer is the illustration queen
There’s room for ALL of these skills. Agencies have different needs, different processes, different budgets. What’s perfect for one might not work for another and that’s actually GOOD for business.
How I Handle “Competition” (Spoiler: They’re Not Competition)
Just last week, I saw two different posts in design groups from agencies looking for white label help. Instead of jumping in to pitch myself, I did something different.
I tagged one of my designer friends who I KNEW would absolutely crush these projects. Why? Because the work was totally in her wheelhouse – exactly the type of branding she’s passionate about. Plus, she’s actively looking for new clients right now while I’m heads-down focused on finishing my content for The White Label Way course.
Here’s the thing – so did two other white label designer friends of mine. We all saw those posts and immediately thought of the same person because we know her work and we know she’d be perfect for it.
That’s what real community looks like. We’re not competing for scraps – we’re actively lifting each other up and connecting the right designers with the right opportunities.
The result? Our friend got connected with some amazing potential clients, the agencies got multiple recommendations for someone who specializes in exactly what they need, and we all reinforced that the white label community supports each other.
This isn’t just feel good vibes it’s smart business. When one of us creates an incredible experience for an agency, it makes ALL of us look good.
The Taste Test: What Flavor Are You Serving?
Every time you work with an agency, you’re not just delivering design files. You’re representing the entire white label industry. When you show up with integrity, killer work, and genuine care for their success, you make it easier for the next white label designer they consider.
When you show up talking trash about others in the field? You’re making agencies question whether ANY of us can be trusted.
And honestly? Agencies can smell that competitive desperation from a mile away. They want partners who are confident in their abilities, not someone who needs to tear others down to feel good about themselves.
What Agencies Actually Want in White Label Design Partnerships
After working with dozens of agencies over the past 9 years, here’s what they consistently tell me they value:
- Reliability: You do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it. Hitting deadlines with no issue.
- Communication: Regular updates, quick responses, and proactive problem-solving within office hours.
- Quality: Work that matches or exceeds their standards.
- Collaboration: Being teachable and adaptable to their processes while giving your own input on how things could potentially evolve.
- Trust: Treating their business and clients like your own.
Notice what’s NOT on that list? Putting down other designers. And when you read through an agency website, you’ll notice they don’t do that either. Agencies focus their messaging around their strengths without pointing at other’s weaknesses.
Your White Label Design Marketing Challenge
I want you to audit your marketing messages. Are you building yourself up or putting others down?
If you catch yourself about to post something that throws shade at “other freelancers” or “typical white labelers,” pause. Rewrite it to focus on YOUR strengths and unique value instead.
The white label design community is small. Your reputation matters. And agencies talk to each other more than you think.
When you market white label design services professionally – focusing on your strengths rather than others’ supposed weaknesses – you build trust with potential agency partners and strengthen the entire industry.
Tell me in the comments: What’s one unique strength you bring to white label partnerships? Let’s celebrate what makes each of us special instead of competing for scraps.
Ready to build white label design partnerships the right way – with confidence, community, and killer processes? The White Label Way course covers exactly how to position yourself professionally and land dream agency clients.
Leave a Reply