Is there life after being a Voice Actor?

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Retirement sign for VO

Just how close are you to desiring to retire or semi-retire? Yes, there is life after being a voice actor, just as there is life after most other careers. Voice acting can be a fulfilling and enjoyable profession for those who have a passion for it, but like any career, it may not be a lifelong endeavor for everyone. Here are some things to consider:

  • Career Transition: Voice actors, like other professionals, may choose to transition to a different career or pursue other interests at some point in their lives. This could be for personal or financial reasons, or simply because they want a change.
  • Focus: If you do semi-retire, this is the perfect opportunity to super-serve your foundational clients that have been with you for consistent work to keep them pleased. You can scale back your marketing if your base clients can satisfy your budget.
  • Skill Transferability: Many skills acquired in voice acting can be transferable to other fields. For example, strong vocal and communication skills can be valuable in public speaking, teaching, sales, and other professions that require effective communication. what a great reason to join ToastMasters, Chamber of Commerce or other public speaking engagements to “stay in tune”.
  • Personal Interests: People often have a variety of interests and talents. After a career in voice acting, they may explore other creative pursuits, start a business, engage in community service, or delve into a completely different field based on their passions.
  • Retirement: Like any profession, voice actors may eventually retire from their career when they feel it’s the right time to do so. They can enjoy their retirement years and pursue leisure activities, travel, or spend more time with family and friends. The time to save for your retirement is NOW. Hopefully, you planned for this day to come. Check your budget and get that savings in gear for your later years. Check into your Social Security benefits if you haven’t already reached the age entitlement. (This Blog is dated in Winter 2023)
  • Side Projects and Entrepreneurship: Many voice talents may use their experience and skills to start their own businesses, such as voiceover agencies, recording studios, or training and coaching services for aspiring voice actors. But check around with other talents you trust to observe from their perspective and test the waters for this next endeavour before you make any major moves.
  • Teaching and Coaching: Voice actors with experience and expertise can transition into teaching or coaching aspiring voice actors, helping to pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation. Again, are you qualified to coach or produce demos? Know your audience before hanging out your shingle. If qualified, you may consider becoming a Mentor. More on that on World-Voices.org.
  • Writing and Content Creation: Voice talents may explore writing, content creation, and other creative endeavors that align with their interests and talents.
  • Diversification: Many voice actors already have diverse careers, such as acting on screen, working as broadcasters, or engaging in various entertainment and media-related activities. They can continue to pursue these other avenues alongside or after their voice acting career.

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In summary… life after being a voice over talent can take many forms, and it largely depends on the your goals, interests, and circumstances. Just like any other profession, it’s so very important to plan for the future and consider what comes next when transitioning out of voice acting or adding a side interest as the years progress.

Audio Books – To voice or not to voice

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Recording an audiobook can be a rewarding endeavor, but it’s essential to consider the pros and cons before deciding if it’s the right choice for you. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a voice-over career for audiobooks:

Audiobooks

Pros of Recording an Audiobook:

  1. Passive Income: Once your audiobook is published, it can generate passive income for years to come, as long as it continues to sell or get borrowed from platforms like Audible.
  2. Creative Expression: Audiobook narration allows you to express your creativity and bring a story to life through your voice, tone, and pacing.
  3. Flexibility: You can often work from a home studio or a recording booth, offering flexibility in your work schedule and location.
  4. Career Growth: If you establish yourself as a successful audiobook narrator, you may have the opportunity for more significant and lucrative projects.
  5. Intellectual Stimulation: Recording audiobooks can be intellectually stimulating, especially if you’re narrating a diverse range of genres and subjects.

Cons of Recording an Audiobook:

  1. Competitive Market: The audiobook industry is highly competitive, with many experienced narrators and professionals. Breaking into the market and finding consistent work can be challenging.
  2. Initial Investment: Setting up a home studio or renting studio time can require a significant initial investment in recording equipment and soundproofing.
  3. Time-Consuming: Recording an audiobook takes a considerable amount of time and effort, from preparation and research to actual narration and editing.
  4. Physical and Vocal Strain: Narrating for extended periods can be physically demanding, and it can strain your voice and body. It’s essential to take care of your vocal health.
  5. Variable Income: While some narrators make a good living, others struggle to earn a steady income. Your earnings can be unpredictable, especially when starting in the industry.
  6. Narration Skills: Not everyone is naturally skilled at narration. It takes practice and training to develop the right vocal techniques and storytelling abilities.
  7. Rights and Royalties: If you are not the author of the book, you’ll need to negotiate rights and royalties with the author or publisher, which can be complex.

Personally, I prefer to focus my voiceover efforts to other genres in our industry. The amount of time required to spend for getting ready and performing the project can be overwhelming. However, there are many of my fellow VO people that absolutely love to record these books and they do it quite well. Frankly, I’d rather spend 30 minutes with a producer online and work together to generate a good rate, than work for weeks, maybe months to achieve the same remittance.

Before deciding to record an audiobook, it’s essential to evaluate your passion for the work, your commitment to honing your skills, and your financial situation. If you have a love for literature and storytelling, are willing to invest in training and equipment, and are prepared for the challenges of a competitive market, recording an audiobook could be a fulfilling and potentially profitable endeavor. It’s also a good idea to start with shorter projects to gain experience before taking on larger audiobook productions.

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