Should a freelance contract's non-compete clause be reasonable?

[VioletFD]

I just had a potential client ask me to sign a contract that includes a non-compete clause, and I'm not sure if it's reasonable for a freelance project. It says I can't work with any other company in their industry for a full year after the project ends, which feels very broad.

[Amelia98]

That non-compete clause feels really broad for a freelance project. I’ve run into something similar where it barred any work in the same field for a full year after the project, and it stalled my other gigs.

[JamesB]

I asked them to narrow it: carve out pre existing opportunities, limit to the project scope, or drop the duration to 3 or 6 months, and to include a clear carve out for passive leads.

[William44]

Is this really the problem, or is there something else going on in the deal that’s more likely to bite me later?

[Daniel83]

I’m not sure yet, I started drafting a reply with some asks and then paused, hoping to talk to a friend who’s done this, but I haven’t scheduled the call.