It’s Never Too Late to Start Voiceover (Even in Your 70s)

Is It Too Late to Start Voice Acting? Why Age Can Actually Be an Advantage

If you've ever thought about becoming a voice actor but stopped yourself because you figured you were too old to start, I want you to reconsider that.

Maybe you're in your 40s or 50s and looking for something new. Maybe you're approaching retirement and want to supplement your income. Or perhaps you've been retired for years and you're finally ready to pursue something you've always wanted to try.

Here's the important part:

There is no expiration date on becoming a voice actor.

I've seen people successfully pursue voiceover at almost every stage of life. In the Voiceover Blueprint, we've had people ranging from their teens and 20s all the way into their 70s and 80s.

And voiceover is somewhat unique because getting older doesn't necessarily work against you.

In some cases, it can actually work in your favor.

Am I Too Old to Become a Voice Actor?

One of the misconceptions about voice acting is that you need to have started young or already have years of entertainment experience behind you.

You don't.

There are opportunities for voices of practically every age because advertisers, corporations and content producers need voices that connect with different audiences.

Think about the commercials you hear every day.

A pharmaceutical company targeting people in their 60s probably doesn't always want a 22-year-old voice representing its message.

The same can apply to commercials and narration involving:

• Healthcare and hospitals

• Pharmaceutical products

• Retirement and financial services

• Insurance

• Travel

• Corporate training

• E-learning

• Products and services aimed at older demographics

There is plenty of demand for mature voices in voiceover.

Your age isn't automatically something you need to overcome.

It may be part of what makes your voice marketable.

A Mature Voice Brings Something You Can't Fake

There's another advantage that comes with age: life experience.

Listen carefully the next time you hear an older voice actor in a commercial.

There can be a natural sense of experience, confidence, authority or wisdom in the performance. Those qualities aren't necessarily something you can manufacture simply by changing the pitch of your voice.

They're baked into how you communicate.

You've spent decades having conversations, dealing with people, working, raising families, solving problems and experiencing life.

All of that can influence how you communicate a message.

Instead of thinking:

"I'm too old for voiceover."

Try asking:

"What does my voice offer now that it couldn't have offered 20 or 30 years ago?"

That can completely change the way you look at getting started.

Voiceover Can Be a Great Option in Retirement

I've worked with a number of people who started pursuing voice acting when they were retired or semi-retired.

Their goals weren't necessarily the same.

Some wanted to build a serious voiceover business.

Others wanted a flexible part-time income stream to supplement their retirement.

And some simply wanted something interesting and creative to pursue while potentially earning money from it.

One potential advantage retirees have is time.

If you're working a full-time job and trying to build a voiceover business during evenings and weekends, your progress may naturally take longer.

If you're retired or semi-retired and can dedicate several solid hours a day to training, practicing, auditioning and marketing, you may be able to move through that process much faster.

The more consistently you're able to work on the right things, the more quickly you can develop.

"But I'm Not Very Technical"

This is another concern I hear from people who are considering voiceover later in life.

They worry about microphones, recording software, editing audio, computers and home studios.

Yes, there are technical skills you'll need to learn.

But don't make them more intimidating than they actually are.

If you can operate a computer, send an email and search the web, you already have many of the basic skills necessary to learn the technical side of voiceover.

You'll need to learn things like how to:

• Record your voice properly

• Edit your recordings

• Process and export audio

• Submit auditions

• Communicate with clients

• Send finished audio files

None of those skills are beyond your reach simply because you're 50, 60, 70 or older.

You don't need to become an audio engineer.

You need to learn the tools necessary to do your job well.

With the right instruction and enough repetition, the process becomes routine.

It's Not Too Late to Start Something New

This idea goes well beyond voice acting.

There was something I'd wanted to do since I was around 15 years old: stand-up comedy.

I thought about it for decades.

But I never had the guts to actually get on stage and do it.

Finally, at 54 years old, I decided to stop thinking about it and actually take the step.

And I did it.

Was 54 the traditional age to start pursuing stand-up comedy?

Probably not.

Did that matter?

No.

I wanted to do it, so I did it.

That experience reinforced something I've come to believe strongly:

Sometimes the biggest thing preventing you from starting isn't your age. It's the belief that your age has already made the decision for you.

It hasn't.

Start Listening for Mature Voices

Here's something you can do today.

The next time you're watching television, YouTube or streaming content, pay attention to the commercials.

Don't watch them.

Listen to them.

Listen specifically for mature voices.

You'll start noticing them everywhere.

Ask yourself why that particular voice was chosen.

Does the person sound trustworthy?

Experienced?

Knowledgeable?

Comforting?

Authoritative?

Relatable?

Those characteristics may be exactly what the client was looking for.

And they're qualities that can become stronger with age rather than weaker.

You Still Need to Learn the Craft

Of course, being older doesn't automatically make you a voice actor.

You still need to learn how to perform.

You'll need to understand recording and editing. You'll need a proper recording environment. Eventually, you'll need to learn about demos, auditions, marketing and finding clients.

And you'll need to practice.

But those are skills.

Skills can be learned.

Age doesn't eliminate your ability to learn them.

Whether you're 25 or 65, the basic process remains the same: learn the craft, develop your skills, practice consistently and start building your business.

So, Are You Too Old for Voiceover?

No.

If you've been interested in becoming a voice actor but you've been telling yourself that you missed your chance, stop letting that assumption make the decision for you.

Maybe you didn't start 20 years ago.

You can't change that.

But you can decide whether you're going to look back five years from now and realize you could have started today.

Whether it's voiceover or something else you've wanted to pursue for decades, there comes a point when you have to stop asking whether you should have started earlier.

The better question is:

Why not start now?

Unless your dream is becoming a starting linebacker in the NFL.

That one might require a backup plan.

Want to Learn How to Get Started in Voiceover?

If you've always wanted to become a voice actor but don't know where to begin, I host a free Voiceover Blueprint webinar every Tuesday at 6:00 PM Pacific / 9:00 PM Eastern.

I'll walk you through some of the steps involved in starting a voiceover career, and you'll have an opportunity to ask your questions live.

Just for attending, you'll also receive a copy of The Voiceover Blueprint in both digital PDF and audiobook formats, plus four additional free training resources.

Register for the free Voiceover Blueprint webinar

Whether you're 25, 55 or 75, don't let the number on your driver's license decide what you're capable of pursuing.

It's not too late to start.

Ready to take the next step? I'm hosting a free 1-hour webinar this Tuesday night at 6:00 PM Pacific / 9:00 PM Eastern where I'll go deeper into everything it takes to start a voice acting career from home—including how to land your first gigs with little to no upfront cost. Plus, everyone who shows up gets a free copy of my book, The Voiceover Blueprint (audiobook and ebook). Sign up using this link.

Download My Latest Beginner Mistakes in Voice Over - Quick Start! https://thevoiceoverblueprint.com/beginner-mistakes

Discover the Voice Over Blueprint™: https://thevoiceoverblueprint.com/vobp

The content on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only. While I share tips, strategies, and guidance based on my experience as a professional voice actor, there is no guarantee of earning income or securing voiceover work by using the information provided. Results vary depending on individual effort, skill level, market conditions, and other factors. Viewers should use their own judgment and take personal responsibility for their voiceover career decisions.