Exclusivity · Writing
Exclusivity in writing: what is normal
Writers should watch for exclusivity that blocks whole topics or industries; healthy versions are narrow and short.
Typical range
No topic exclusivity on standard assignments. Where a client needs it, a narrow bar on directly competing pieces for a short window (often 30-90 days), or a defined non-compete on a specific named competitor.
Off-market
A clause preventing the writer from covering an entire subject area or industry for any other client, with no time limit and no added compensation.
One-line fix
"Writer will not produce substantially similar content for [named competitor] for [60 days] after publication. Writer remains free to cover the general subject for others."
What we see
A writer's expertise is topical: a fintech writer covers fintech, a health writer covers health. An exclusivity clause that bars covering a subject area for others is not protecting a trade secret; it is removing the writer's specialism from the market, which is the opposite of what makes them valuable to hire.
The healthy version, where any exists, is narrow and short: no substantially similar piece for a specifically named competitor for a defined window. That protects the client's actual interest (not having their commissioned angle handed straight to a rival) without claiming ownership of the writer's entire field.
Broad topic exclusivity is often in a contract by accident, copied from a template meant for employees rather than freelancers. Asking to narrow it to a named competitor and a short window is usually accepted immediately, because the client rarely needed the broad version in the first place.
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