From Cardboard Booth to $10K: How I’m Turning a Voice-Over Side Hustle into Freedom

Three weeks into my voice-over journey, I was recording in a cardboard box stuffed with memory foam and egg cartons that I built myself, held together with tape that kept falling off. It looked like a cross between a science fair volcano and a panic room for microphones. Then my phone buzzed with a Fiverr notification that would change everything.

"I need 110 TikTok videos in Norwegian," the message read. "Can you do it for $550?"

I stared at the screen. In that moment, sitting in my DIY booth with tape literally falling around me, I realized this wasn't just a side hustle—this was the beginning of something real.

I’m Daniel Fjord (yes, the fjord is theatrical; Daniel isn’t). Marine-biologist-turned-substitute-teacher-turned-voice-actor who finally found his niche behind a mic. In the last 8 months, I’ve earned over $10,000 reading scripts in both Norwegian and English—mostly nights and weekends—while juggling two day jobs. I never imagined I’d be sitting in a blanket-covered box, getting paid to say words into a mic. But hey, life’s weird sometimes.

Why This Publication Exists

I want this publication to be something you can actually learn from. I want to keep you from making the same mistakes, so you know exactly what roads you can take to make it in this exciting world of voice acting.

Glad you’re here—my goal is to help you replace the 9-to-5 with paid voice work you actually enjoy.

I am not claiming to be a 20-year veteran in the world of voice acting. Far from it, so I know the struggles you are facing RIGHT NOW. I know what it feels like to be where you are because I have either been there very recently, or I might still be there.

So my promise to you is that as soon as I figure something out, you will be the first to know. And we can walk through this jungle together.

Who Am I?

I was born and raised in Norway, and I still live here. I have a background in biology and a master's in marine biology. But after finding out that landing a job was harder than I thought, I decided to build something of my own in the meantime.

I juggle substitute teaching, online language tutoring, and an after-hours VO business.

I love going to the gym and lifting weights, nature, photography, reading, gaming, Dungeons and Dragons, and always learning.

This combination of experiences—the scientific background, the teaching, the love of storytelling—all feeds into how I approach voice-over as both an art and a business.

The Path That Led Me Here

I think, like many others, I heard the "you have a nice voice" comments before, and it did make me a bit proud.

I originally bought a microphone many years ago—an Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, which ironically became my starter microphone for voice-over. I wanted to be a YouTuber after watching the likes of PewDiePie, Markiplier, Jacksepticeye, SeaNanners, VanossGaming, and more. But I never did. I was too afraid to start.

Then a good friend recommended I start watching a certain bunch of "nerdy-ass voice actors sitting around playing Dungeons and Dragons"—Critical Role.

Watching these incredible actors work their craft—seeing their genuine friendship and storytelling mastery—made me fall in love with the medium. Being a D&D nerd myself just made it better. That show planted the seed that voice acting could be something real, something I could actually pursue.

The final push came from someone very important to me. She was doing voice acting in her own country and was able to both inspire me and push me to start doing it myself. I don't think I would ever have started if it weren't for her. I will forever be grateful to her.

Why Listen to a Rookie?

Because I’m only one hill ahead of you. I remember Googling “how much should I charge?” at 2 a.m. I still flinch when a client ghosts. I’ll share wins and face-plants as they happen so you can skip the potholes.

With a USB microphone, Audacity, no sound isolation, and big hopes of becoming something great, I opened a Fiverr account and started working. Now, about eight months later, I have made over $10,000 from voice acting. I'm on multiple pay-to-play sites, using high-end gear, have professional demos, my own website, a coach, and my own clients that I found outside of the normal voice-over websites.

This is the journey I want to share with you. My successes and my failures. I will not hold back on anything, and I will not only show the good sides. I will show you exactly how I messed up, so that perhaps you don't have to do the same.

The Moment Everything Changed

I was still using that USB microphone, and Fiverr was my only platform. But I'd figured out that sound treating my room was a good idea. So I went the cost-effective route: I took a cardboard box, stuffed it with a memory foam pillow, egg cartons I'd saved from grocery trips, and a bunch of tape (that kept falling off), plus a blanket draped over the top. It was the most DIY thing I'd ever seen, but it worked.

I had only completed two jobs on Fiverr, making about $50 total after my first week. Which isn't terrible, I guess. My advantage was being a native Norwegian speaker, so I could do both English and Norwegian voice-over work.

After about three weeks, I got that life-changing message on Fiverr. The notification sound—that little ping—still gives me chills when I think about it.

This client needed Norwegian voice-over for TikTok videos promoting the samurai swords he makes. I thought this was insanely cool, and after some discussion, he needed 110 videos.

Total price: $550.

I remember staring at that number on my phone screen, then looking around at my ridiculous cardboard booth setup.

Recording those 110 videos took several hours spread over a few days. But they were hours of work that I actually enjoyed doing. Each video was short, but I found myself getting into character. I was literally building my future one recording at a time.

That's when it hit me—this wasn't just about having a decent voice. This was about building something that could actually change my life. The freedom I'd been chasing wasn't some distant dream. It was happening, one project at a time.

But here's what nobody tells you: figuring out how to make that happen consistently is where most people get lost.

Let Me Be Straight With You

I'm not here to sell you the dream of quitting your job tomorrow and making six figures with your voice.

I know how it is to send 300 auditions, and land zero.

I know what it's like to see all this advice about all the stuff and gear you need, that it's an oversaturated market, that AI will take over, that you need $2,000 demos, a pro website, etc., and being utterly confused.

I know what it's like to invest $1,000 in equipment and wonder if you've just made the most expensive mistake of your life.

I also know what it feels like when that investment starts paying off. When you book your first big gig. When a client comes back for more work. When you realize you're actually building something real—not just a side hustle, but a real business.

What You'll Actually Get Here

This is practical, honest, real-world information from someone living in the world of voice acting right now.

The Business Reality

You'll get the real story behind building voice-over income—what different types of jobs actually pay (with ranges, not fantasies), realistic timelines for growth, and the unglamorous math behind those inspiring success stories.

I'll share my pricing evolution journey: how I went from terrified undercharging to confident quoting, including the strategy behind quotes that surprised me by getting accepted and the mindset shifts that changed everything. You'll see the real cost breakdown of building this business, the types of projects that actually move the needle, and the pricing mistakes that cost me thousands—so you don't repeat them.

The Technical Truth

I'll tell you what equipment actually matters versus the expensive toys that just sit on your shelf. You'll get technique improvements that make a real difference in bookings, not just in how you sound to yourself.

The Mental Game

This might be the most important part. I'll share how to handle rejection when you're still building confidence, how to deal with imposter syndrome while you're actually making money, and how to build sustainable habits instead of just riding motivation waves. Because the technical stuff is learnable—the mental game is what separates the people who make it from the people who quit.

The Life Integration

Voice-over isn't just about your voice—it's about building a business that fits your life. We'll talk about managing irregular income, creating boundaries when you work from home, taking care of your physical and mental health as a voice actor, and what "freedom" actually looks like when you're your own boss.

Building This Together

Here's what makes this different: I'm not teaching from a mountaintop. I'm sharing from the trenches.

When I mess up a client relationship, you'll hear about it and what I learned. When I figure out a better way to organize my workflow, I'll share the exact system.

This isn't me talking at you—this is us figuring it out together. Your questions will shape what I write about. Your challenges will help me remember what's actually important versus what sounds impressive.

I promise to be transparent about both the wins and the losses, the money coming in and the money going out, the confidence and the doubt. Because that's the real story of building something meaningful.

What's Coming Next

In the following weeks, I will share something few others will: the complete breakdown of my earnings so far. Where I made my money, every mistake that cost me money, and every win that surprised me. You'll see the actual numbers behind the $10K+ claim, including the months where I made almost nothing and the months that changed everything. I will tell you what jobs are the hardest, and why a $20 gig is harder than a $2,000 gig, and the best strategies for starting out.

After that, we'll dive into the equipment I have now versus when I started out, and exactly what you actually need to start booking paid work. I will also talk about the business skills that matter more than your vocal range. I will share with you what actually makes a good voice actor, and it's not a "nice voice." The difference between voice-over and voice acting, and also what resources I recommend for improving your craft.

Ready to Build Something Real?

If you're serious about making money with your voice—not just dreaming about it, but actually doing the work—then subscribe below. I publish every week with actionable insights, real numbers, and honest experiences from someone who's walking this path right alongside you.

No fluff. No false promises. Just real information from real experience that you can use to build your own voice-over business.

And here's my commitment: I'll respond to every comment. I want to know where you are in your voice-over journey and what your biggest challenge is right now. Drop a comment below and let's start this conversation.

Because here's what I've learned in my first year: the voice-over community is supposed to lift each other up. There's enough work for all of us if we're willing to share what actually works. And building others up does not mean reducing your own opportunities. It just means creating a better environment for all of us.

Your voice is unique. Your story is unique. Your path will be unique too.

But you don't have to walk it alone...