CONFERENCES: How To Get The Most From Voice Over Conferences: Part 2 – Conference Tactics, by Natasha Marchewka
CONFERENCE GUIDE SERIES
How To Get The Most From Voice Over
Conferences: Part 2 – Conference Tactics
By Natasha Marchewka
Voice Actor
Good for you: You’ve arrived at the voice over conference with a goal and a plan to get the most out of your experience.
Now what?
In Part 2 of our series, let’s explore conference tactics.
1. Follow Your Own Path
Avoid choosing sessions simply
because your friends are going. We are all in different places in our
career and will benefit from different information.
because your friends are going. We are all in different places in our
career and will benefit from different information.
Further, with so much happening at the same time, it’s easy to become distracted.
So stay focused on your plan to achieve your objectives. Be “present” enough to take in all the information.
Despite the hundreds of attendees, flying solo can be very effective.
2. Choose The “Right” Sessions
My rule of thumb is to choose sessions that are unique to the
conference, and which I can’t pay for one-on-one after the conference.
conference, and which I can’t pay for one-on-one after the conference.
Also, breakout sessions are great for personally meeting coaches who will be a good fit for
you later on.
you later on.
Finally, if there are weaknesses in my craft or my
business that I know require further study, I’ll attend those sessions
that fill in some holes.
business that I know require further study, I’ll attend those sessions
that fill in some holes.
3. Use One Journal, And Separate Page And Title For Each Session
In order to make sense of your notes
when you get home, outlining your takeaways helps to remember all that
you learned.
when you get home, outlining your takeaways helps to remember all that
you learned.
I personally find my notes a great reference when looking
back. I include the session title, date, and presenter at the top
of each page to find information easily.
back. I include the session title, date, and presenter at the top
of each page to find information easily.
4. Photograph Notes For Sharing
You’ll often want to go to several
sessions at the same time. It’s very effective to agree with another
participant that you’ll share notes, given you are respecting the
guidelines of the conference and the presenter’s ownership of the
content.
sessions at the same time. It’s very effective to agree with another
participant that you’ll share notes, given you are respecting the
guidelines of the conference and the presenter’s ownership of the
content.
I take a quick pic of my session notes as soon as each session
is done, so I can share them easily, if appropriate. For instance, if you’ve paid
extra for a special session, you should not do this for people who did not also pay for that session.
is done, so I can share them easily, if appropriate. For instance, if you’ve paid
extra for a special session, you should not do this for people who did not also pay for that session.
5. Be On Time For Meals
Don’t forget to eat! A conference keeps you busy from the moment you wake until the moment you
hit the pillow at night. And when it is an extremely large conference,
navigating the line ups for food is a “thing.”
hit the pillow at night. And when it is an extremely large conference,
navigating the line ups for food is a “thing.”
In order to cope with
crowds and avoid not eating at all, make it a priority to know where and
when your meals are, to not miss out.
crowds and avoid not eating at all, make it a priority to know where and
when your meals are, to not miss out.
6. Keep Alcohol Consumption To A Minimum
Decompressing with several cocktails
can be very appealing. However, it’s not good for our vocal health.
can be very appealing. However, it’s not good for our vocal health.
Further, a conference is a marathon, and in order to be in great shape
all the way through (including when you arrive home and need to hit the
ground running), you’ll want to do everything in your power to stay
energized and healthy. This does not include having a hangover.
all the way through (including when you arrive home and need to hit the
ground running), you’ll want to do everything in your power to stay
energized and healthy. This does not include having a hangover.
7. Stay On Site When Possible
When you’ve allotted three or so days
to participate in a conference, you’ll want to maximize every moment –
attending sessions, yes – but also connecting with new people and
reconnecting with friends you only see at conferences.
to participate in a conference, you’ll want to maximize every moment –
attending sessions, yes – but also connecting with new people and
reconnecting with friends you only see at conferences.
I love dining in
groups, but I highly recommend not straying too far from the hotel
sites. You don’t want to waste valuable time outside of the conference venue.
groups, but I highly recommend not straying too far from the hotel
sites. You don’t want to waste valuable time outside of the conference venue.
However, one caveat: do make time for fresh
air at least once a day.
air at least once a day.
8. Stay Focused And Intentional
You’ve planned your objectives, so stay focused on your goals.
A conference is an investment of time and money in yourself.
If you stay focused you’ll reap more rewards by maximizing your
experience.
If you stay focused you’ll reap more rewards by maximizing your
experience.
9. Sacrifice Attending A Session Or Two For Quiet Time
Sometimes it’s all too much. There’s
no shame in having a siesta!
no shame in having a siesta!
If you don’t want to melt into a puddle at
the end of the conference, I highly recommend taking a few moments to
re-calibrate in your room. While you may miss a session or two, a rest
in a quiet place will provide you the energy you need to carry on your
conference tactics with intensity!
the end of the conference, I highly recommend taking a few moments to
re-calibrate in your room. While you may miss a session or two, a rest
in a quiet place will provide you the energy you need to carry on your
conference tactics with intensity!
10. Networking Tips For Conferences
Networking at any time takes skill
and courage. At a conference, it definitely takes strategizing,
planning, and executing with confidence.
and courage. At a conference, it definitely takes strategizing,
planning, and executing with confidence.
Thankfully, networking at
voice over conferences really couldn’t be easier. You have A LOT in
common with everyone in attendance. Introverted extroverts, extroverted
introverts& we’re all quite a crew. But we have so much in common that
striking up a conversation is extremely easy and so rewarding.
voice over conferences really couldn’t be easier. You have A LOT in
common with everyone in attendance. Introverted extroverts, extroverted
introverts& we’re all quite a crew. But we have so much in common that
striking up a conversation is extremely easy and so rewarding.
Following are
five networking tips for a VO conference …
five networking tips for a VO conference …
11. Welcome meeting lots of random strangers
Sitting with people you haven’t met,
random seating at meals for example, will always provide an opportunity
to network& and with a captive audience at that.
random seating at meals for example, will always provide an opportunity
to network& and with a captive audience at that.
Don’t be shy about
mixing in with anyone you don’t know in the voice over world. Most people
are very good at welcoming you in immediately, including you in
conversation, and introducing you to people you’ve never met.
mixing in with anyone you don’t know in the voice over world. Most people
are very good at welcoming you in immediately, including you in
conversation, and introducing you to people you’ve never met.
12. Introduce Yourself To Everyone
&even in the elevator and at every
meal.
meal.
Don’t wait for others to introduce themselves. You’ve got one to
four days to meet a bunch of new friends, and many could become your very
best friends and/or your support network.
four days to meet a bunch of new friends, and many could become your very
best friends and/or your support network.
Whether in an elevator when
you first arrive, early in the morning, or at any random time, put out
your hand and be confident about saying hello. (You may already be
friends on Facebook!)
you first arrive, early in the morning, or at any random time, put out
your hand and be confident about saying hello. (You may already be
friends on Facebook!)
13. Be Judicious And Deliberate About Handing Out Your Business Card
Don’t just hand your card out
indiscriminately. You’re wasting your time and money.
indiscriminately. You’re wasting your time and money.
Don’t hand out
your card upon introducing yourself. It’s presumptuous. Ask for cards
from those whom you are truly interested in – potential friends and
clients, industry leaders, coaches.
your card upon introducing yourself. It’s presumptuous. Ask for cards
from those whom you are truly interested in – potential friends and
clients, industry leaders, coaches.
It’s much more graceful to ask for
someone’s card with sincere interest and then to elegantly share your
card at the same time.
someone’s card with sincere interest and then to elegantly share your
card at the same time.
Be sure to have enough cards on hand for when you
really want them, but don’t be too concerned if you don’t hand them all
out.
really want them, but don’t be too concerned if you don’t hand them all
out.
14. Don’t Ask People To Listen To Your Demo
&unless you have a really good
reason.
reason.
We all have demos. Lots of them. If someone is interested in
listening to your stuff, they will. If you want advice, ask for their
business card and connect with them after the fact.
listening to your stuff, they will. If you want advice, ask for their
business card and connect with them after the fact.
15. Reach Out To Each Person
I try to reach out within a week
after meeting those whose cards I’ve collected.
after meeting those whose cards I’ve collected.
I send a personal,
individual email. It continues the thread of conversation and helps
remind you of each other after the tsunami of introductions and
conference excitement.
individual email. It continues the thread of conversation and helps
remind you of each other after the tsunami of introductions and
conference excitement.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what to say. A
simple, “great to meet you&hope you arrived home safely” will do.
simple, “great to meet you&hope you arrived home safely” will do.
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ABOUT NATASHA
Natasha Marchewka is& only human – a fact she
fully embraces in her voice over work. She’s authentic, down-to-earth and connects
with her audiences on a personal level. With a full-time VO business since
2006, Natasha has experience and business acumen to accompany her warm voice
excellence. She’s worked with clients such as First Horizon Bank, Universal
Studios, Florida Tourism, and more. Natasha is a co-producer and co-host of the
“Speechless VO” webcast (@SpeechlessVO) and co-creator of V123Pros.com. Before
VO, Natasha earned a BAA in Radio and Television Arts from The Creative School
at the Toronto Metropolitan University. She spent several years singing in
clubs in New York City and paying her dues in many different media and
entertainment jobs. She has two teens, a rescue Dane, a miniature Poodle, and a
love of Yoga and meditation.
fully embraces in her voice over work. She’s authentic, down-to-earth and connects
with her audiences on a personal level. With a full-time VO business since
2006, Natasha has experience and business acumen to accompany her warm voice
excellence. She’s worked with clients such as First Horizon Bank, Universal
Studios, Florida Tourism, and more. Natasha is a co-producer and co-host of the
“Speechless VO” webcast (@SpeechlessVO) and co-creator of V123Pros.com. Before
VO, Natasha earned a BAA in Radio and Television Arts from The Creative School
at the Toronto Metropolitan University. She spent several years singing in
clubs in New York City and paying her dues in many different media and
entertainment jobs. She has two teens, a rescue Dane, a miniature Poodle, and a
love of Yoga and meditation.
Email: natasha@natashamarchewka.com
Voice Over Web: www.natashamarchewka.com
V123Pros.com web: https://www.v123pros.com
Speechless VO webcast: https://www.speechlessvo.com
Instagram: https://linktr.ee/natashamarchewka