I’ve really enjoyed this article because I think that sooner or later almost every designer will face this situation, so it’s more then helpful to have also the sight of the other designers.

I don’t think it’s a matter of ethic, it’s just our work as designers. I’m not talking about “we’ve to pay bills, so every tactics to make more money is worth to do”. What I’m saying is that as designers we’re asked to solve the client problems. In some circumstances upselling the project telling the client that for the purpose of its needs it could be necessary to do some other steps it’s our role. If the client have decided to hire a designer is because he/she knows that needs help. And we must give it.

Naturally, as said before, we’ve not to drain the client asking even more and more money just because we have a lot of expences to pay. We need to be correct and, rightly, be prepared to receive a kindly “No” to our proposal.

Thanks again Preston!

Thanks for adding your thoughts on how to approach this tactic. Best of luck in all.

Also, let’s face it, as much as we are designers, those who freelance are also business men/women, and in all aspects of any business we need to know how to talk and sell our business and services. Anyone that owns their business and says otherwise is lying, but as long as your truthful and professional in your intentions of the upsell, I say go for it.

What kind of research do you do? How or where? Would you mind sharing with us? Thanks for contributing!

I tend only to ‘push’ things which I think would make a big improvement to their business – I’d get a load of statistics and details together before I approach the client about them as well. and, as you said, no means no!