How to Be a Freelance Project Manager

Freelance Project Manager

Project Management is one of the hottest career options out there. Project managers earn big bucks and occupy positions of repute in an organization. However, what stands out about the profile of work is the fact that freelancers can more or less enjoy similar perks along with the added benefit of working from the comfort of your home. Know how to become a freelance project manager.

One group of project managers’ freelance full time. The other group freelancer by the side and often works out of a need to earn extra money. However, what both groups must realize is that Project management is a well-paying career option and you can earn more than designers earn as a project manager.

Freelance Project Manager Jobs

You will have to fulfill many roles as a freelance project manager. You must be willing to take on duties that are similar to a full-time engagement, albeit from the comfort of your living room. Project management is an important position in an organization and you should be extra careful about the quality of work you turn in, and the deliverables you set for the liaising teams should be clear and concise. Some general duties that you will undertake/or be responsible for, as a project manager will include:

  • Agreeing on project objectives
  • Representing the client’s interest
  • Providing independent advice on the management of projects
  • Organizing the various professional people working on a project
  • Risk assessment
  • Making sure that all the aims of the project are met
  • Making sure the quality standards are met
  • Using the latest project tracking software
  • Recruiting specialists and subcontractors
  • Monitoring sub-contractors to ensure guidelines are maintained
  • Accounting, costing and billing.

Freelance Project Manager Skills

As a Freelance project manager, there are many skills that you must perfect and be adept at to garner success. Project management is a skill set that is in demand and offers a more rewarding alternative to daily run-of-the-mill office work in the freelance segment. Thus, you need to develop some skills and hone them to a razor’s edge. Some of the important skills include:

  • Be highly organized and be able to multitask
  • Be a leader and take charge
  • Be an effective communicator
  • Be a good negotiator
  • Be detail-oriented
  • Recognize and solve problems quickly
  • Possess the necessary knowledge of platforms, technologies, etc.

There are many websites, forums, and videos that can teach you project management online.

Lynda, Pmi.org, Stanford.edu, UWaterloo, and Telegraph offer many free, paid-for courses that teach you the basics of Project Management and you can take on many certification programs and become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

[Also Read: Best Project Management Tools for Freelancers]

Finding Work

As a project manager, there are many small scales, medium and even large organizations that may have a use for your talents. Many websites offer jobs for project management. As a project manager, you can find many freelance opportunities. Odesk, Peopleperhour, Elance, and Freelancer Are some of the popular websites offering job opportunities to project managers like you.

Freelance Project Manager Career

As a freelance project manager, your success can be determined by the kind of reputation you boast off, and how employers rate you. Like other freelancers the initial bedding-in period that you will face can be tough and very new, however, there are steps you can take to ensure success as a project manager. Some of them, include:

  • Being able to market your services and creating a Social Media presence
  • Creating a responsive network, one which you can leverage to find projects and extra work
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work under pressure, and to strict deadlines
  • An understanding of the industry

Project Manager Pay Scale

Usually, freelance portals offer various kinds of payment models. In the fixed-price model, the price is usually pre-determined. The hourly model is the most popular and employers usually pay a predetermined sum per hour. Finally, in the project-budget based model, you often need to auction for such projects. Usually, a fixed price model may range from $20- $200 and upwards, while you have to pitch for hourly projects, and budget payments, which usually range from $5- $35 an hour. Project Managers usually earn $28 an hour.

Resources

Lynda, Pmi.org, Stanford.edu, UWaterloo, and Telegraph offer many free, paid-for courses that teach you the basics of Project Management and you can take on many certification programs and become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).