@robpeck

I run into the same thing. I live/work in Maine, so it’s almost impossible to only have one client per industry. (Pickings can be slim.)

I had run into a few situations where clients let me know that they didn’t want me to work w/their competition. Sometimes it made sense (personal injury lawyers), other times, less sense (psychologists.) At least to me.

I now write into every contract that this is not a non-compete agreement, and they are allowed to work with other web developers and we’re allowed to work with other dog trainers/personal trainers/lion tamers. If they need a non-compete that’s extra.

Haven’t had a problem since.

Some companies actually WANT you to work with others in their industry b/c it gives you better insight.

I posed a similar question at LinkedIn a while back and got some great answers…hope you can access this link.

@joanmuschampfagnani

I’ve found the same: people are concerned that you don’t have industry-specific knowledge, but don’t want you working with their competition!

In a related vein, I had a client who knew we had worked w/one of his big competitors ask to see they keyword research we had done for her to save him money.

Um, no. That’s not how we roll.

@robpeck 

Before I take on a new client who I know to be a competitor of someone I already represent, I inform both parties — and I let them know that I am informing their competitor(s). I certainly do not want to lose the business of an existing client by taking on one of their competitors.

So far, this has worked out well, particularly since I’ve done different types of work for each competing client.