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Is it Possible to Become a Successful Freelance Project Manager?

Getting a full-time project management position has a lot of benefits. Constant income stream, obviously, is one of the main benefits. It provides the opportunity for a project manager to bond closely with the team, and personally guides them in achieving project outcomes.

While freelancing might not entail income security, there are a lot of other perks that make it preferable to full-time employment.

Working as a freelance project manager allows you to be your own boss. You can also customize everything to your own liking from the lighting to the temperature of the air conditioner. You can work whenever and wherever you want.

In case you are thinking about being a freelance project manager, here are a few tips that can help you make a successful transition.

1. Build Your Network

You need to focus on building your network if you want to be a successful project manager. One effective way you can increase your contacts and promote your service is by registering with placement firms and temporary agencies.

When you do an exceptional job for a few project management placements and temporary project management agencies, you no longer will have to prospect clients. They will come to you directly for managing their projects.

2. Create a Portfolio

If you don’t have a portfolio of work to back up your statements, you will not be taken seriously. In order to impress the prospective clients, you need to focus on building a portfolio. This requires that you work hard to build your portfolio.

You need to have proven work experience in both long-term and short term projects handling, risk and crises points, effective communication skills, and effective team management. Whether you are in the industry for less than a year, or more than a decade, you should add new tasks to the portfolio, and continue to add more. This will make you a magnet for companies looking for a project manager for managing their projects.

3. Know about Additional Freelancing Costs

You must account for all the costs involved in providing freelance work. Consider adding cost of online collaboration software, internet charges, utility bills, and other costs involved in providing freelance service. The costs should be incorporated into the amount that is charged for providing the project management services.

4. Create a Legal Document

Another important tip to work as a freelance project manager is to get the help of other freelancers who are expert in preparing legal documents. Ask them to prepare contract documents that you will require to enter into relationship with the client. You need to get familiar with the legal jargon contained in the contract document. This will avoid any confusion later down the road.

The above tips can help you to successfully transition to a freelance project manager. Keep in mind that the road to success while working as a freelance project manager is rarely a straight one. You need to be flexible in your approach when working with the clients. While building reputation, and gaining clients is hard work indeed, however, like any business endeavor, the efforts will be more than worth it in the end.