The Code of Conduct requires that we “act in the best interests of our clients at all times” and “maintain confidentiality regarding client information, strategies and proprietary data.”
A conflict of interest arises when these duties to one client could be compromised by your relationship with another client, employer, or your own interests. Managing conflicts well is essential to maintaining professional trust.
Conflicts of interest can take several forms:
Working for two businesses in the same market who compete for the same customers. This is the most common scenario copywriters face.
When you’re writing about products or services where you have a financial interest — for example, reviewing software from a company that pays you affiliate commissions.
When your personal views, investments, or relationships could influence your professional judgement — for example, writing for a company owned by a friend or family member.
When knowledge gained from one client could unfairly benefit another — even if you’re not consciously sharing it.
Many copywriters work with multiple clients in the same industry. This isn’t inherently problematic — it’s often a sign of valuable specialist expertise.
The key question isn’t “do these clients compete?” but “can I serve both clients’ interests without compromising either?”
The information barrier test
Ask yourself: could knowledge from Client A influence my work for Client B, even subconsciously? If yes, you have a potential conflict to manage.
When you identify a potential conflict, you have several options:
Tell affected clients about the situation and let them decide. Many clients will be comfortable if you explain how you’ll manage the conflict. Be specific about what you will and won’t do.
Keep each client’s information completely separate. Don’t use insights from one to benefit another. This requires discipline but is often workable for non-strategic projects.
Accept only non-conflicting work from one or both clients. For example, you might write blog content for both but decline strategic messaging work for the newer client.
Sometimes the cleanest solution is to turn down a new project that would create an unmanageable conflict. Protecting your existing client relationship is usually the right priority.
Document your decisions
Keep a record of how you identified and managed conflicts. If questions arise later, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you acted thoughtfully and professionally.
Disclosure should happen early — ideally before you accept a project that could create a conflict.
The goal is to give your client enough information to make an informed decision, not to breach another client’s confidentiality in the process.
Some clients include non-compete or exclusivity clauses in their contracts. Before signing:
If you’ve agreed to exclusivity with one client, honour that commitment. Breaking an exclusivity agreement isn’t just a contract breach — it’s a breach of trust that damages the profession.
Check existing commitments
Before taking on a new client, review your existing contracts. You may already have exclusivity commitments that prevent you from accepting certain work.
Conflicts of interest are a normal part of professional life, especially for specialists who build expertise in specific industries. The key is to identify them early, manage them transparently, and always prioritise your clients’ interests over your own convenience.
When you’re unsure, disclose. Clients generally appreciate honesty about potential conflicts far more than they appreciate finding out later that you didn’t mention one.