A duty that exists without a document

01

Where does the duty come from?

Often from the relationship rather than from a signed agreement. Many professional relationships carry an implied duty of confidence, and several professions carry a formal one enforced by a regulator. A client who never signed anything can still reasonably expect that what they said stays between you.

02

What can usually be published instead

Recording teaching sessions separately is far easier than retrofitting permission onto material that was never meant to leave the room.

03

Turning client work into shareable content

The insight from a client call can often be shared without the call itself. Record yourself explaining the principle you applied, the common mistake you spotted or the question that unlocked the problem. Viewers get the value, and the client stays private.

Composite examples, built from patterns across several clients with details changed, are another way to illustrate a point without exposing anyone.

Ask yourself whether the client would recognise their own situation in the example. If they would, and they did not agree to it, change more of the details or choose a different example altogether.

04

Asking clients for permission properly

If a client might be willing to be featured, ask in writing, describe exactly which part of the call you would like to use, where it will appear and for how long. Offer them the chance to review the clip before it goes out. Many clients agree when they feel in control.

Keep their written consent with the recording.

05

Recording new material for publishing

Instead of clipping private calls, invite willing clients to a separate recorded conversation intended for publication. Both of you know from the start that it will be public, which removes the confidentiality question entirely.

These conversations often produce better clips, because both people speak with an audience in mind.

06

Protecting recordings you keep

Client calls stored on your devices are sensitive. Keep them in secure, access-controlled storage, delete them when they are no longer needed and avoid sharing raw recordings with editors unless there is an agreement covering confidentiality.

Check your professional body's guidance on keeping recordings.

07

When in doubt

If you are unsure whether a particular clip would breach confidence, do not publish it. The value of one clip is small compared with the damage to a client relationship or a professional reputation.

Seek advice specific to your profession if you plan to use client material regularly.

08

Publish the method, not the client

• Assume confidence unless told otherwise. It is the safer default and usually the correct one.
• Record teaching sessions separately. Material made to be published is easier than material retrofitted.
• Ask specifically, per clip, if you must. General permission rarely covers a particular sentence.

Record something made to be shared.

Questions people ask

Can I clip a call if the client agrees?

Agreement helps and it may not be sufficient where a professional body imposes its own rules.

Does removing the name solve it?

Rarely. Clients are often identifiable from the situation described, which is what makes anonymising harder than it looks.

What can I publish instead?

The method rather than the case. Explaining how you approach a problem carries the value without carrying the client.

Does it vary by profession?

Considerably. Regulated professions carry duties well beyond what general practice implies.

Is this legal advice?

No. Anyone with a professional duty of confidence should be guided by their own regulator.