Here's how you can craft a compelling personal brand as a freelancing product manager.

it's also important to include your passion and what drives you in your value proposition. For instance, I discovered that my true passion lies in creating user-centric products that genuinely improve people's lives. By emphasizing this passion, along with my technical skills and experiences, I've been able to create a value proposition that not only highlights my capabilities but also my dedication and commitment to making a difference. This approach not only sets you apart but also resonates on a deeper level with clients who share similar values and goals.

With so many Product Managers out there, why would someone choose you? Hence to stand out, you need to do the following: 1. Do not try to do everything. Eg. If Marketing is your strength, look out for PMM projects. 2. Have a strong portfolio. While everyone may claim to get things done, you show them how you actually do the work. 3. Offer a competitive price but don't go too low just to get the project. Remember, if you price your worth as too low, people might think you're worthless.

To craft a compelling personal brand as a freelancing product manager: Define Your Niche: Focus on your strengths and areas of expertise. Online Presence: Create a professional website and optimize your LinkedIn profile. Thought Leadership: Write articles, create videos, or speak at industry events. Networking: Join industry groups and collaborate with other professionals. Showcase Success: Highlight case studies and client testimonials. Social Media: Engage on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Offer Value: Provide free resources and consultations. Maintain Professionalism: Deliver high-quality work and stay updated with industry trends.

Fundamentally you need to be yourself and let your personality shine through in your communication and content. Bring your genuine passion for product management to bear. People generally connect and gravitate towards genuine enthusiasm. Identify your strengths. What are you particularly skilled at within product management? User research? Agile methodologies? Growth hacking? Craft a clear statement that emphasises the cogent value you bring (could be something like, "I help early-stage startups launch data-driven products that achieve rapid user growth").

What's the easiest way to stand out in a crowd of generic product managers? Sharing your stories. Here's a useful framework: - Who are the characters (company, stakeholders and yourself/your team) - What do they want (business goals) - Why can't they get what they want (problems they're facing) - What's at stake (negative outcome for not solving problem) - What did you/your team do to try and solve it (include what went well and didn't go well) - What did you learn along the way

Your personal narrative is how you show your unique view and true value as PM. It’s about the real stories behind your journey. When you are posting about a framework or PM topic, always link it to your experience and introduce it as a personal story, to make it relatable. Leverage storytelling techniques to make your point. it’s about being real more than showing theoretical expertise. Clients connect with that authenticity, and it’s what makes you memorable.

In my experience, one of the most important aspects of personal branding is not just showcasing your skills but also sharing what you have learned with others. By sharing your knowledge and insights, you not only help others benefit from your expertise, but you also establish yourself as an authority in product management. This creates long-term value and contributes positively to the community.

Think about where your target audience hangs out and where they might look for product managers. LinkedIn? Substack? Twitter? You won't be seen by the right people unless you're in the right places. Once you find the right platforms, create content that can educate, inspire, or entertain them. Show your knowledge and domain expertise. If you operate in a niche, be sure to bring everything back to that niche. Share learnings from projects -- both good and bad. Join communities and engage in conversations through comments on the platforms appropriate to you. But above all, be consistently active. Utilize analytics when possible to gauge your reach. Chances are that you need to post more than you'd think to reach a lot of eyeballs.

Crafting a compelling personal brand as a freelancing Product Manager involves networking smartly to build credibility and visibility. Focus your efforts on industry-specific platforms like LinkedIn and professional groups where your target clients and peers are active. Share high-value content that demonstrates your expertise, such as insights, success stories, and case studies. Build genuine relationships with key influencers and decision-makers, prioritizing quality over quantity. Attend impactful industry conferences and local meetups to connect with influential professionals. By networking smartly, you effectively enhance your personal brand and attract valuable opportunities.

The best approach is a mix of learning resources. - PM books: “Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love” by Marty Cagan, “Escaping the Build Trap” by Melissa Perri, “The Lean Product Playbook” by Dan Olsen. - Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, Udacity, and LinkedIn Learning. - Online webinars: Product School offers free workshops hosted by industry experts. In-person workshops will be more hands-on, but usually paid. - Certifications: Consider obtaining PM certifications such as Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) from Scrum.org or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) from Scrumalliance.org - Communities: Product Coalition, Mind the Product, and LinkedIn groups.

Commit to lifelong learning to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. This can involve taking specialized courses, attending workshops, or obtaining certifications that are relevant to product management. Sharing your learning experiences and insights can also position you as a thought leader and a proactive professional.

Actions speak way louder than words. Start with these steps: Build Products: Create BRDs, PRDs, roadmaps, user flows, and wireframes. Compile these in a blog or build prototypes using low-code platforms or ChatGPT. Showcase them on Notion or Wix. Offer Free Work: Look for small companies needing PMs and offer to freelance for free until they complete their hiring. This enhances your portfolio. Write: Blog about relevant topics and challenges people face. Add these to your portfolio. Share your work on Medium, LinkedIn, and Slack. Reach out through your network, cold emails, freelancing platforms, and digital marketing if possible to start getting paid jobs and build your brand. Remember, a long journey begins with a single step.