[rident]

Yeah this is a great way to tackle it. Image and branding comes along for the ride. Even if it's your desire - the client's desire is typically going to be functionality, security, usability, accessibility, etc. All of which are a means to an end for a lone wolf designer/engineer. Listen and learn from them about their pain points before promoting your own skills or favorite parts of the industry.

[ksaj]

"Listen and learn from them about their pain points" goes straight to the heart of it. An ugly website might be a normal nothing to them. But one of your related skills might be all they've ever wanted, and you'll only ever know by looking at what they want to solve (versus what you want to pitch to them).