If you are working with a freelancer and have a project in progress, you want things to go smoothly until the project is complete. However, sometimes things go wrong and this creates a very stressful situation for all parties. How can you proceed when problems arise with your online project?

Start the project off right. If you feel the information used for your project is confidential, be sure to get an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) signed BEFORE you start working with a freelancer. Have a verbal conversation, not just a text chat regarding what is expected and any timelines and milestones that should be put in place.

Stop work immediately. If you notice a problem with any project, ask the freelancer to halt until there is clarity on both sides. You don’t want to be stuck with a bill for something that you’re dissatisfied with. Tell the freelancer that you’ve more than happy to continue the project when you both come to a consensus or find a solution to the problem.

Document everything. One of the main reasons I love email, is that it serves to put everything in writing. Make sure your communication is not just by phone; follow-up phone calls with a written email to re-cap the conversation. This way there is no ambiguity regarding what was asked and what was required.

This is Shilonda Downing, signing out for Virtual Work Team LLC!