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.