From Radio to Voiceover: Finding Work When You’re Starting Fresh

Years ago, and after a couple of decades in radio, I knew sound, story, and deadlines inside out. What I didn’t know, at least not right away, was how to find voiceover work when I was suddenly the one responsible for finding it.

Not an unusual moment for a lot of folks who’ve spent years in broadcasting or production. The mic, the studio, the clients, all of that is familiar. What’s new is the part where you have to build your own pipeline and start marketing yourself like a small business instead of just doing the work.

The good news: it’s all doable. You already have the skills that matter most. You just need a new way to reach the people who need them.

Where Do You Even Start?

After years in radio, it can feel strange to realize that no one’s handing you scripts anymore. But once you shift from “Who’s hiring me?” to “Who do I want to work with?”, things start to click.

Every voice talent, especially early on, benefits from narrowing their focus. Maybe you want to work with ad agencies and production houses. Maybe you love long-form e-learning narration or corporate training. Either way, pick a direction. It’s much easier to promote yourself when you know what you’re promoting.

Silence is Surprisingly Normal

Silence after sending out demos is normal. Agencies and production houses receive more submissions than they can respond to. So very often. They don't. Until they do.

Their inboxes are packed, and timing plays a big role. A creative director might like your sound but not have a project that fits right now. The goal isn’t just to get your demo heard, it’s to get remembered when a need comes up.

That happens through connection, not cold submissions. Demos introduce your voice. Real messages introduce you.

Where Clients Actually Come From

Ask most full-time voice talent where their work comes from, and you’ll hear the same three answers: referrals, repeat clients, and direct relationships. Agents and casting sites can help, but they’re not usually the foundation, especially if you want a sustainable career.

Most production companies, agencies, and content teams hire people they already know. They don’t always post projects publicly, and they don’t always audition. They reach out to voices they trust. The challenge, then, isn’t finding work, it’s making sure that you’re one of the people they think of when work shows up.

Why Direct Email Works So Well

Direct email marketing puts you in control. Instead of waiting for auditions or algorithms, you decide who to reach and how to introduce yourself. You choose the kinds of projects you want to attract and the people you want to build relationships with.

It’s also one of the few marketing approaches that scales naturally without losing that human touch. A short, thoughtful email sent to a creative director or producer does more than a hundred anonymous auditions ever could.

The key is consistency. Not every message leads to a booking, and that’s fine. Each one plants a seed.

Getting Started with Direct Email Outreach

Here’s a simple, manageable plan to start:

1. Identify your ideal clients. Think of ad agencies, production companies, video teams, or marketing departments that regularly use voiceovers.

2. Find specific contacts. Creative directors, producers, or content managers are often the right people to reach out to.

3. Write short, personal emails. Mention something you like about their work and show how your sound might fit their projects. Keep it human, not hype.

4. Follow up politely. Give it a few weeks, then check back in.

5. Track your efforts. Keep a simple spreadsheet or list of who you’ve contacted and when.

The goal isn’t to fire off hundreds of emails, it’s to build genuine connections over time.

Mistakes to Avoid

A few easy pitfalls to skip:

• Sending one generic “I’m available for work” message to a huge list.

• Overloading your email with links, attachments, or long bios.

• Forgetting to follow up or following up too soon.

• Giving up after a few weeks because no one replied yet.

“If it sounds like a form letter, it’ll be treated like one.”

Redefining What Success Looks Like

Success isn’t always about instant bookings. It’s about awareness. Every time you send a thoughtful, well-constructed email, you’re helping someone learn your name and associate it with professionalism and credibility.

Even when there’s no immediate response, that awareness is vital. Months later, that same producer might be scrolling through their contacts and think, “Who was that voice talent who emailed me? They'd be a good fit for this spot.”

The Freedom of Direct Connection

When I left radio, I had to relearn what “marketing” meant. It wasn’t about advertising myself, it was about communicating. The same skills that made me effective on air or in production helped me connect directly with new clients.

Direct outreach gave me back a sense of control. It turned the waiting game into something active and measurable. And it reminded me that this business still runs on relationships, not algorithms.

You already know how to communicate. The only difference now is who’s on the other end of the conversation.

“You already know how to communicate—now just aim that skill at the right people.”

If you’d like help getting started, you’ll find templates, tools, and guidance designed specifically for voice talent at VoiceoverResources.com.

Start small, stay consistent, and keep showing up. The next great client relationship might be one email away.