Understanding Non-Competes and Conflicts in Voiceover Work

Non-Competes and Commercial Licensing

How restrictive are non-compete agreements? What if you don't have one in writing? What if the client tries to sneak a non-compete that is over restrictive? This is what you need to know.

Watch out for this voiceover trick - what you need to know about non-compete agreements. -6:41

Hey guys, thanks for joining me on another edition of The Gift of Gab!

Today, we’re diving into a really interesting topic that comes from one of our channel viewers — it’s about non-compete clauses and conflicts of interest in the voiceover industry. So, stick around because this one’s going to clear up a lot of confusion!

💬 Viewer Question: Non-Competes and Commercial Licensing

One of my viewers, Joya, wrote in with a great question. She said:

“I have an issue that’s been holding me back. A VO coach told me that doing commercials and offering open-ended or forever licensing can hurt my career — because I might not be able to work for that company’s competitors again. They said that new voice actors are starting off wrong by limiting and cutting their income through open-ended usage instead of restricting campaign licensing. So how do I deal with the legality of non-compete clauses floating over my head?”

Great question, Joya — and I’m so glad you asked. I’m going to answer this for you right now, and then I challenge you: you’ve got to start today!

🧾 What Are Non-Compete Clauses in Voiceover?

What you’re talking about are non-compete clauses and competitive licensing within a market.

Here’s the thing: a lot of voiceover work, especially in the non-union sector, doesn’t come with formal contracts or licensing agreements. That’s because these projects are often short-term — think quick-use ads, explainer videos, or short campaigns.

However, for big-budget projects, union productions, or long-term commercial campaigns, the situation changes. When a client plans to use your voice as part of an ongoing campaign, you’re essentially entering into a non-compete agreement — whether it’s in writing or just a mutual understanding.

🍟 Example: The McDonald’s Scenario

Let’s say you voice a national commercial for McDonald’s. By doing that, you’re agreeing not to do voice work for any other fast food brand (like Burger King or Wendy’s) while that McDonald’s spot is still running.

That’s because it would create a conflict of interest — your voice could appear in competing ads, which confuses audiences and undermines the brand’s exclusivity.

On a smaller scale, if you voice a spot for a local car dealership, you’re agreeing not to voice ads for other dealerships or automotive brands within that same market.

So, a non-compete clause doesn’t block you from all future work — it’s limited to the industry sector and geographic area of the project.

💼 How Long Do Non-Compete Clauses Last?

Sometimes, clients include longer non-compete periods in their contracts. For instance, you might record something that’s only running for a few months, but the client asks you not to work for competitors in that category for a year.

That’s where things can get tricky — and where you, as a professional voice actor, should scrutinize your contracts carefully. A long non-compete period can limit your future opportunities, so always make sure the terms make sense for the scope of the project.

🔑 The Bottom Line: It’s About Professional Courtesy

Non-competes are standard in voiceover work — they’re really just about professional courtesy. It’s saying to your client, “If I’m working for you, I won’t immediately go work for one of your direct competitors.”

Sometimes it’s a formal contract, and other times, it’s just a verbal understanding.

And if a competitor reaches out to you and you’re unsure, it’s perfectly fine to call your current client and ask, “Hey, is this a problem for you?” You’d be surprised how often they’ll say, “No big deal!”

📺 On-Camera vs. Voiceover Non-Competes

Non-compete restrictions are much tighter in on-camera advertising. Think about Flo from Progressive or Jake from State Farm — those actors are locked in exclusively to their brands. It would be almost impossible for them to appear in another commercial without being immediately recognized.

But that exclusivity comes with a higher paycheck, because the brand is literally buying their exclusivity.

In voiceover, it’s much more flexible. I record commercials every day for all kinds of industries and clients across the country. Non-competes only become an issue in very specific cases — usually high-profile or national campaigns.

💡 Final Thoughts

So, Joya, I hope that clears things up! Non-compete clauses aren’t something to fear — they’re just part of doing business in the professional voiceover world.

Keep the questions coming! I love hearing from you and helping you navigate your voice acting career. If you’ve got more questions about contracts, licensing, or VO business tips, send me a message through my website or email me anytime.

Thanks so much for joining me on The Gift of Gab! Talk soon. 🎧

704-674-8294 / GabrielleNistico.com / gabby@voiceovervixen.com

Gabrielle Nistico, Gabby Nistico, The Voiceover Vixen, The Business First VO Coach, #VoiceoverVixen #VoiceOnFire #BusinessFirstVOCoach Voiceover, Charlotte, North Carolina, performance, reader questions, listener questions, viewer questions, Q and A, non-compete, commercial voiceover, noncompete, contracts