Hire the Best Customer Success Managers

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Rating is 4.6 out of 5.
4.6/5
Based on 878 client reviews
Hazem M.

Alexandria, Egypt

$10/hr
5.0
15 jobs

With over 6 years of hands-on experience in operations management and customer service, I help businesses streamline processes, enhance team performance, and deliver top-tier customer experiences. I’ve led teams, built training systems from scratch, and improved KPIs through data-driven strategies and a focus on quality assurance. My leadership style is collaborative and growth-oriented, I believe in empowering teams to deliver their best. I’m skilled in tools like Tableau, Power BI, Salesforce, Zendesk, HubSpot, Medallia, Asana, Zapier, and Microsoft Office (including Excel) and I’m always eager to learn new platforms that help optimize operations and communication. If you’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking, hands-on management, and a passion for client satisfaction, I’d love to help your business grow.

  • Online Chat Support
  • Email Support
  • Customer Service
  • Technical Project Management
  • Technical Support
  • Logistics Management
  • Logistics Coordination
  • Communication Etiquette
  • Customer Support
Anumba C.

Imola, Italy

$15/hr
4.9
19 jobs

Most Customer Success Managers escalate technical issues. I solve them directly. That single difference is why B2B SaaS companies trust me to own their most complex accounts, protect net revenue retention, and drive product adoption without pulling in engineering. 5+ years in post-sales customer success with a DevOps background. I manage the full customer lifecycle from client onboarding through renewal management and expansion revenue growth. ◆ PROVEN CUSTOMER SUCCESS RESULTS ✓ 95% customer retention across 50+ B2B SaaS accounts ✓ 98% CSAT score maintained consistently ✓ Churn reduced from 18% to 7% within 6 months ✓ $800K+ in annual renewals and expansion revenue managed ✓ Client onboarding time cut from 90 to 45 days ✓ 50% fewer engineering escalations (I resolve them directly) ◆ HOW I HELP SAAS COMPANIES ✓ Post-Sales Account Management Own end-to-end customer relationships. Quarterly business reviews (QBRs), executive stakeholder management, renewal pipeline management, expansion opportunity identification, at-risk account recovery, and customer success planning. ✓ Technical Client Onboarding & Adoption Drive product adoption from day one. Custom implementation planning, API integration support, technical training, user adoption strategies, time-to-value acceleration, and success plan development. ✓ Customer Lifecycle Management Health scoring, voice of customer programs, NPS and CSAT tracking, churn prevention strategies, net revenue retention monitoring, customer advocacy development, and cross-functional alignment with product and engineering teams. ✓ Technical Support & Troubleshooting Tier 1-2 technical support, DevOps troubleshooting, bug triage, escalation management, customer documentation, and helpdesk optimization. ◆ TECHNICAL SKILLS & TOOLS ✓ Customer Success Platforms: Gainsight, ChurnZero, Totango, Planhat ✓ CRM & Helpdesk: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk ✓ DevOps & Technical: AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, API integrations, Git, basic Python scripting ✓ Analytics & Collaboration: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Google Analytics, Slack, Jira, Asana, Confluence ◆ CLIENT RESULTS B2B SaaS Platform ($2M ARR) ↳ Reduced churn from 18% to 7% in 6 months. Managed renewal pipeline and grew expansion revenue by 25%. → VP of Customer Success Cloud Analytics Company ↳ Managed 40+ technical accounts ($1.2M ARR). Resolved complex API integrations during client onboarding without engineering involvement. 96% renewal rate. → Head of Sales ◆ WHAT CHANGES IN 90 DAYS → 25-35% improvement in customer retention → 40-50% faster client onboarding and time-to-value → 50% fewer engineering escalations → Renewal pipeline fully managed and forecast → 15-25% growth in expansion revenue I can start within 24-48 hours. Whether you need post-sales account management, a technical onboarding program built from scratch, renewal management, or at-risk account recovery, I'm ready. 📩 Message me with your customer count, current churn rate, and biggest challenge. I'll respond within 2 hours. Click the “Invite to Job” button or send me a quick message. Talk soon.

  • Account Management
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • SaaS
  • Customer Retention
  • Customer Support
  • Technical Support
  • Customer Service
  • Zendesk
  • Intercom
  • CRM Software
  • HubSpot
  • Troubleshooting
  • Customer Onboarding
  • Salesforce
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Linux
  • Client Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Sales
  • Customer Satisfaction
Martha Sofia V.

Barranquilla, Colombia

$25/hr
5.0
3 jobs

Hello! I’m a bilingual Customer Success Manager with experience supporting SaaS, EdTech, and enterprise clients across the U.S. I specialize in client onboarding, relationship management, retention, LMS support, and cross-functional coordination to help customers stay engaged and successful long-term. I have experience supporting Blackboard environments, virtual learning operations, customer communication, issue resolution, and high-touch client support. My background combines Customer Success, account management, and education, allowing me to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Here’s how I can help your team: ✔️ Customer onboarding & adoption ✔️ Client retention & relationship management ✔️ Account coordination & customer communication ✔️ LMS support (Blackboard & Moodle) ✔️ Zoom, Microsoft Teams & remote collaboration ✔️ English-Spanish bilingual support ✔️ Training sessions and customer guidance ✔️ Issue escalation and cross-team follow-up Clients appreciate me for being proactive, organized, calm under pressure, and highly responsive. I genuinely enjoy building strong client relationships and helping customers feel supported and confident throughout their experience. If you are looking for someone who can combine professionalism, empathy, communication skills, and strong customer management experience, I’d love to support your team. Let's connect!

  • Customer Experience Management Software
  • Customer Retention
  • Account Management
  • SaaS
  • B2B Marketing
  • Compliance
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Customer Onboarding
  • Process Improvement
  • KPI Metric Development
  • Risk Management
  • Team Management
  • Customer Experience
  • Customer Engagement
  • Customer Relationship Management
Kainat F.

Fort Abbas, Pakistan

$4/hr
4.5
11 jobs

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸? 𝗜’𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱. I specialize in helping job seekers secure opportunities by 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 that highlight their strengths and match employer expectations. With a strong understanding of recruitment processes and 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 (𝗔𝗧𝗦), I ensure your applications are not just submitted—but noticed. 🎯 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂: 🔹 Write and customize cover letters for each job application 🔹 Optimize and tailor resumes/CVs based on job descriptions 🔹 Submit job applications on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and company websites 🔹 Perform job searches based on your skills and preferences 🔹 Track applications and maintain organized records 🔹 Improve your chances with ATS-friendly formatting and keywords 𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 - 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 & 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 – understanding your goals, location, and preferences - 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 & 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – optimizing documents for ATS and recruiters - 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 – sourcing relevant, realistic opportunities - 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – customized submissions for each role - 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 – full visibility of all applied jobs This structured process ensures consistency, relevance, and professionalism in every application. 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 & 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗜 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 I regularly assist candidates applying for roles such as: - Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Data Scientist - Product Manager, Project Manager, Business Analyst - Cybersecurity & GRC roles - Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Customer Success - Financial Analyst, Accounting & Finance roles - HR, Operations, and Administrative roles I work with 𝗜𝗧, 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀, including new graduates and experienced candidates. 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 & 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - Entry-level, senior, and executive positions - Full-time, contract, part-time, and internships - Remote, onsite, and hybrid roles - US, UK, Canada, Middle East (KSA), and global job markets - Federal, government, civilian, and USAJobs applications (where applicable) 🎯 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗲? 🔹 Detail-oriented and highly organized 🔹 Strong written communication skills 🔹 Familiar with global job markets and hiring trends 🔹 Committed to quality, accuracy, and confidentiality 🔹 Quick turnaround and reliable service I understand how competitive today’s job market is, and my goal is simple: to help you land interviews faster. Let’s work together to take the stress out of job hunting and move you closer to your next opportunity! Job Aid | Job Search Strategy | Reverse Recruiting | Job Portal | JobScore | Job Posting | Applicant Tracking Systems | Resume Writing | Cover Letter Writing | Cover Letter | Targeted Cover Letter | Career Coaching | IT Career Coaching | LinkedIn | LinkedIn Profile Optimization | LinkedIn Profile Headline & Summary | LinkedIn Profile Creation | LinkedIn Development | Company LinkedIn Profile | CV | CV/Resume Translation | Fortune 500 Company | Resume Screening | Job Description | Data Entry | Virtual Assistance | Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet Skills | Recruiting | IT Recruiting | LinkedIn Recruiting | Internet Recruiting | Administrative Support | Executive Support | Keyword Research | Company Research | Email Communication | HR & Recruiting Software | Recruiting Process Consulting | Hiring Strategy | Outreach Strategy | Email Outreach | Bidding | Communications | Job Costing | Job Description Writing | Tech & IT | Candidate Sourcing | Candidate Interview Consulting | Candidate Interviewing | Candidate Management | Candidate Evaluation | Lead Generation | LinkedIn Lead Generation | Data Extraction | Data Mining | Mock Interview | Candidate Recommendation | Online Research | Indeed

  • Job Aid
  • Career Coaching
  • Recruiting
  • Job Search Strategy
  • Job Description
  • Job Portal
  • Reverse Recruiting
  • Applicant Tracking Systems
  • Resume Writing
  • LinkedIn Profile Creation
  • LinkedIn Recruiting
  • IT Career Coaching
  • JobScore
  • Job Posting
  • LinkedIn
  • Resume Screening
  • CV
  • Job Costing
  • IT Recruiting
  • Candidate Sourcing
Sandra U.

Lagos, Nigeria

$17/hr
4.5
23 jobs

Customer success isn't just about solving problems. It's about building relationships that keep customers engaged, loyal, and confident in your business. Hi, I’m Sandra, a Customer Success Specialist with over 5 years of experience helping businesses deliver exceptional customer experiences while building lasting client relationships. I take a proactive, solution-driven approach to every interaction, ensuring customers feel supported, valued, and set up for success. Whether I'm managing customer accounts, resolving complex issues, onboarding new clients, or providing seamless support across phone, chat, and email, my goal is always the same: to create positive experiences that strengthen customer trust and contribute to long-term business growth. Here's how I can support your business: ✔ Customer Success & Customer Retention ✔ Client Relationship & Account Management ✔ Customer Onboarding & Education ✔ Email, Chat & Phone Support ✔ Customer Experience (CX) Strategy ✔ CRM Management ✔ Customer Escalation Resolution ✔ Executive & Operations Support ✔ Calendar & Inbox Management ✔ Documentation & Process Improvement What I bring to every team: ✔ Exceptional written and verbal communication ✔ Empathy and active listening ✔ Strong problem-solving skills ✔ Attention to detail ✔ Time management and organisation ✔ Ownership and accountability ✔ Adaptability in fast-paced environments I am proficient in using a wide array of platforms like Slack, Intercom, Zendesk, Helpdesk, Zoho, Trello, Sprout, Asana, and more to streamline processes, enhance team productivity, and elevate client satisfaction. My goal is to help you achieve 100% customer satisfaction by fostering efficient and effective customer interactions that build lasting loyalty. Whether you're looking for someone to improve customer retention, manage strategic client relationships, streamline support operations, or provide world-class customer experiences, I'm committed to becoming an extension of your team and delivering measurable results. I don't believe in simply "getting through tickets." I believe in creating customer experiences that strengthen your brand, improve loyalty, and contribute to business growth. If you're looking for a reliable, proactive, and customer-focused professional who genuinely cares about your customers' success, I'd love to connect and discuss how I can support your business.

  • Email Support
  • Zoho CRM
  • English
  • Ecommerce
  • Shopify
  • Dropshipping
  • Customer Service
  • Customer Retention
  • Order Processing
  • Product Knowledge
  • Zendesk
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Customer Onboarding
Jean S.

Cebu City, Philippines

$25/hr
5.0
49 jobs

Ranging from Individuals to Start-Ups and Multi-Million Dollar companies, I have successfully honored my promise of providing high-quality deliverables and helping my clients achieve their business goals through our collaboration. I am a Customer Happiness Ninja with more than 12 years of hands-on experience, 5 years working in the BPO Industry. I am a Master of E-commerce Store Management. I am a Rockstar VA who provides outstanding Administrative and Executive assistance since 2016. I take great pride in my services and in providing the best in all areas. My services include but are not limited to: ✅ Customer Service Management - Extensive experience in Gorgias, Freshdesk, Zendesk, Helpscout, Reamaze, Zoho, Front - Ensures all escalations are being attended to and handled in a timely manner - Resolves disputes and chargeback cases - Creates customer service scripts for future CSRs - Creates customer self-help articles to educate our community better based on frequently asked questions - Identifies, designs, and implements new processes for operational efficiency - Provides critical insights into customer feedback, journeys, and pain points; recommending opportunities for improvement ✅ Operations and Order Fulfillment Management - Very well-versed in Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon Seller, OrderDesk, Whiplash, Odoo ERP, Hellium 10, Klarna - Extensive experience in Print On Demand sites like Gooten, Printful, Teelaunch, Jondo, Custom Cat - Wide experience in 3PLs - ShipBots, XPO Logistics, Amazon FBA, Whiplash, CJ Dropshipping, MegaFulfill, DSers - Ensures all orders are fulfilled in a timely manner - Makes sure all the information is correct to relay the order to our manufacturing and fulfillment team - Lists new products whenever available - Inputs new orders into the internal system - Coordinates with Partner Vendors, Suppliers, Logistics, Supply Chain - Creates and continuously updates Fulfillment SOPs ✅ Project Management & Operations I have extensive experience managing projects and day-to-day operations for eCommerce brands, digital agencies, and remote teams. I specialize in turning priorities into clear tasks, keeping projects on schedule, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. What I do well: - Run daily and weekly check-ins and stand-ups - Translate high-level goals into actionable task lists - Manage projects in tools like ClickUp, Asana, Notion, Monday, and Google Sheets - Monitor deadlines, chase updates, and unblock team members - Build and maintain SOPs for recurring processes - Provide clear progress updates and operational reporting to leadership I’m highly organized, proactive, and comfortable working independently. Founders and managers rely on me to keep execution moving so they can focus on strategy, growth, and decision-making. ✅ Social Media Intelligence - Using data and different marketing tools I can help you understand how impactful your brand, product or service is and how to gain organic engagements - Influencer reach out and collaboration - Creates content and scheduled posts - Youtube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter - Extensive experience in Graphic Design using Adobe apps and Canva ✅ SAAS Support (Software as a Service) - App Integrations - Highly trainable and quick to learn web applications and CRM systems ✅ Discord Moderator ✅ Administrative and Executive Support I would like to work and grow with a company long-term. I strive to provide the best service. I am committed and always willing to learn new things.

  • Email Communication
  • Customer Service
  • Gorgias
  • Order Processing
  • Administrative Support
  • Adobe Inc.
  • Ecommerce
  • Customer Service Training
  • Shopify
  • Team Management
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Odoo Administration
  • Account Management
  • Operations Management Software
  • Project Management

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Resources to help you hire

Cost to hire a Customer Success Manager

Cost to hire a Customer Success Manager

Explore typical Customer Success Manager rates and what businesses pay to hire top talent.

Customer Success Manager job description template

Customer Success Manager job description template

Get tips to write a job post that attracts qualified Customer Success Managers.

Customer Success Manager interview questions

Customer Success Manager interview questions

Top interview questions to help you hire the right Customer Success Managers, faster.

How To Hire the Best Customer Success Managers

To cultivate long-term customers who are both satisfied with your product or service and also understand how to get the most value from it, a freelance customer success manager (CSM) can be a linchpin.

Customer success falls under the umbrella of customer service, and takes a proactive approach to outreach. A customer success manager is a mentor and relationship builder; their goal is to nurture happy and loyal customers. In contrast, a customer service professional is a reactive problem solver—an essential point of contact for incoming questions, resolving issues as effectively and efficiently as possible when they come up.

Learn more about the impact a freelance CSM can have on your business and how to find one who can help boost your customer relationships.

Writing a freelance customer success manager job post

Let’s explore how to post a job on Upwork in order to find the freelance customer success manager who meets your needs. First, create a job post that describes what you want to accomplish and why, and also sets expectations for your project.

If you aren’t sure about the details, don’t hesitate to turn to a professional—after all, that’s often why businesses turn to freelance experts in the first place.

Job post title

The goal of a job post title is to grab the attention of CSM professionals who can help you reach your goals. Highlight details such as relevant keywords, important deliverables, or other distinguishing pieces of information.

Job post title examples:

  • Customer success consultant to develop retention and loyalty programs
  • Freelance customer success manager for SaaS onboarding project
  • Customer success strategist to support market expansion—6-month project
  • CRM optimization expert for customer success project

Project description

In the job description for your project, clarity and detail can help potential freelance professionals better understand what you’re looking for and decide whether they might be a good fit. Explain the scope of work by including:

  • Overall objectives. What does success look like? For example, your project may aim to improve customer satisfaction scores or reduce churn.
  • Required deliverables. Specify any deliverables you expect to be developed as part of the project, such as a new onboarding program or a series of customer workshops.
  • Project specifications. Explain the project duration or timeline, critical milestones, essential skills or experience you’re looking for, as well as other requirements that will shape your project. 

Provide clear directions for proposals you receive, such as requests to answer screening questions or to link to portfolio examples that can help facilitate the selection process.

Common CSM responsibilities

A CSM is a proactive and customer-centric role. While project requirements will vary, there are a number of overarching responsibilities that can inform your search for a customer success professional. For example, a CSM should:

    • Be proactive. CSMs actively work with customers to create tailored success plans and provide solutions before challenges arise.
    • Build relationships. Becoming a strategic partner means understanding your customer’s business goals and how your product or service can contribute to their success—both in the moment and as their business continues to evolve.
  • Encourage growth. A CSM’s role isn’t just to understand how your product or service works. They should also look for opportunities to upsell or cross-sell to customers in a way that encourages them to expand their use to get even more value.
  • Serve as the voice of the customer. As a direct connection between the customer and the company, customer success professionals are important customer advocates. They should be able to collaborate with various internal teams and help represent the customer’s needs and interests.

CSM skills and qualifications

A freelance customer success manager contributes a blend of qualifications and skills to help your business effectively manage client relationships, customer satisfaction, and retention. These may include:

  • Effective communication skills. Being a good communicator means being able to tailor tactics to connect with each distinct group of customers or stakeholders.
  • Previous industry experience. Industry-specific knowledge can be a shortcut to understanding both customer needs and how your solution fits.
  • Active listening skills. Being a strategic partner for clients and advocating on their behalf require deep knowledge of a customer’s goals, challenges, and interests.
  • Technical proficiency. A degree of technical expertise can help a CSM get up-to-speed on both your product or service and the customer relationship management (CRM) tools you already have.
  • Data analysis. The ability to gather and interpret customer data can provide meaningful insights to inform business strategies and decisions.

What you should know before you hire a customer success manager

Staying on top of trends in the field of customer success can help you adjust your talent strategy and build a bench of talent with skills that can help your business stay resilient and competitive.

The role of a customer success manager

Customer success managers have a multifaceted role that combines interpersonal, technical, and strategic skills to keep customers satisfied while also growing your business. While achieving these objectives can take a wide range of activities, CSMs take a proactive approach to:

  • Get customers up and running. Customer success professionals provide hands-on assistance to onboard new users and support them through a successful implementation.
  • Be a strategic partner. By tapping into their own insights and experience, CSMs help customers become avid users of your product or service and maximize their return on investment (ROI).
  • Build a link between customers and the company. As someone hyper focused on customer experience, a customer success professional can provide valuable perspective to sales, marketing, product, and other internal teams.

Hiring demand for customer success managers

According to the TSIA (Technology & Services Industry Association), 76% of all tech companies have a dedicated customer success function—but other sectors are also learning to leverage their expertise. Customer success is rooted in customer frustration and the inevitable churn it can cause. By helping customers extract the value they expect from the tools they invest in, companies can use customer success programs to hold onto customers for the long term.

CSM intersects as much with customer support as with the sales organization. So it isn’t too surprising that McKinsey&Company described customer success as “the new growth engine,” citing the tremendous opportunity to increase revenue: “Existing customers account for between a third to half of total revenue growth, even at start-ups. Costs for revenue expansion from existing customers are also a fraction of those for acquiring new business.” 

Common projects for freelance customer success professionals

As independent contractors, freelance CSMs work autonomously on projects that can deliver a meaningful impact for their clients. Here are a few examples:

  • Customer onboarding. Engage a CSM to develop an onboarding program for new users of a particular product or service. This might include the creation of onboarding materials, hosting initial training sessions, or establishing feedback mechanisms to help measure impact after the onboarding process. 
  • Customer retention strategy. A CSM can analyze your current engagement and retention metrics, then use that information to develop a comprehensive retention strategy that’s tailored to a specific buyer persona. This might include a detailed retention plan, targeted communication templates, loyalty programs, personalized offers, or even a pilot project.
  • Customer feedback and resolution. With help from a CSM, you can establish a structured system to collect, analyze, and respond to customer feedback and overall sentiment. This project might include choosing and setting up feedback collection tools, automating a monthly report of data trends, or making recommendations for improvement.
  • CRM system. Bring in a CSM to audit and optimize your existing CRM system so you can more effectively track and manage customer interactions. This might include analyzing your current system, recommending alternate tools, implementing new features, or internal training on optimized processes.

Industries look for freelance customer success professionals

A customer success manager is a newer customer service role that’s particularly popular among technology and subscription-based companies. Customer success expertise is vital in industries that are moving away from one-time transactions toward more relationship-focused models that depend on customer satisfaction, usage, and loyalty.

Industries where CSM’s are most in demand include:

  • Technology and software. Companies that offer complex products use customer success management to help drive adoption and customer lifetime value (CLV). This can be a particularly effective approach for Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud services, and scalable enterprise solutions.
  • Education and e-learning. With the rise of online learning among consumer and business groups, companies such as education platforms and corporate training providers work with customer success professionals to help their users navigate platforms, maximize learning outcomes, and create engagement within online communities.
  • Real estate. For companies that provide services such as property management software and real estate investment platforms, customer success is key to helping users understand how to use the tools effectively.
  • Financial services. Financial products from banks, insurance companies, investment firms and fintech companies can be intricate and highly personalized. Customer success can play a critical role in educating customers on product benefits and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

The average cost of hiring a freelance customer success manager

Rates for freelance customer success managers can vary depending on a number of factors including their location, years of experience, level of expertise, a project’s scope of work, and the project timeline. 

Here’s a look at typical hourly rates:

  • Entry-level: $6-10
  • Intermediate: $7-15
  • Expert: $13-25

Find your ideal customer success manager now

Customer success is an important part of a company’s growth strategy. Understanding what a freelance CSM can contribute can help you identify the types of projects that will have the greatest impact on your company.

Whether you’re starting a new customer success program or are committed to improving retention rates, the world-class professionals on Upwork can ensure you get high-quality, personalized work. Grow your business with a top-rated customer success manager today.