If you’ve ever considered transitioning to voice acting from another career, you’ve probably heard the same line: “It used to be easier.” It’s something you’ll hear from many people who have been in the game for years, but here’s the truth—while the landscape may be more competitive today, it’s still possible to become a successful, full-time voice actor. The key is strategic planning and a realistic approach to managing both your time and income during the transition.
Transitioning to Voice Acting: Start While You Still Have Another Job
Breaking into voice acting, like any freelance career, requires time to build momentum and a steady stream of clients. That’s why the best approach is to start while you’re still employed elsewhere. Keeping a day job allows you to subsidize your voice acting career for the first one or two years. This reduces the financial stress and gives you the space to hone your skills, build your portfolio, and develop a client base without the immediate pressure of making a full-time income from voice work.
A good rule of thumb is to aim for your voice acting revenue to cover at least two-thirds of your financial needs before making the leap to full-time. Once your business reaches this point, you can transition to full-time voice acting and allow that last one-third of income to grow as you focus all your energy on your craft.
Leveraging Past Careers in Your Transition to Voice Acting
I began my career in radio back in the early 2000s, working at a local station in Turnhout, Belgium, as a volunteer. After years of dedication, I worked my way up to Qmusic, one of Belgium’s largest commercial and national radio stations. This background in broadcasting made my transition to voice acting smoother. The connections I made in radio helped open doors in the voiceover industry, and my experience behind the mic provided a strong foundation for my voice work.
While not everyone may have a radio background, you can still leverage skills and connections from your previous career. Whether it’s the ability to communicate clearly, manage clients, or market yourself, your past experiences can help you stand out as you transition to voice acting.
Diversify Your Language Skills to Expand Your Opportunities
If you’re transitioning to voice acting in a smaller market, like Flemish (spoken in the northern part of Belgium), you may face limitations in available work. I found that expanding my services to include another language—international English—significantly increased my opportunities. This allowed me to reach a broader audience and boosted my career.
If you’re fluent in multiple languages or can develop proficiency in another one, this could be a game-changer for your voice acting career. It widens your client base and opens the door to international projects.
Taking the Leap into Full-Time Voice Acting
Transitioning from one career to voice acting requires taking calculated risks. Once you’ve built up your income stream and established your skills, it’s time to make the leap. Voice acting is not only about technical skills; it’s also about confidence and belief in yourself.
Take the time to invest in your growth—whether through voice acting classes, new equipment, or networking with others in the industry. Build relationships and stay patient. With determination and the right strategy, you can transition to voice acting and turn it into a fulfilling and profitable career.
Comments