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CAREER
For Voice Over Business & Life: 10 Random
Thoughts On What I Learned Last Year
January 25, 2023

By Natasha Marchewka
Voice Actor

The New Year doesn't magically bring about many changes once the clock strikes midnight, but it does have a way of compelling you to carry out a mental "year-in-review" and to take stock of all that the previous year brought about.

Some years are more difficult than others, and there are events that we'd rather forget, but reflecting and reminiscing are part of life…and growth.

Though it often seems I have a lot on my plate, and there's always another task to add to my to-do list, I'm honestly very grateful for that. Looking back on 2022, it's gratifying to re-examine all the new discoveries I've made about myself, my work, and the fascinating world we live in.

I have my own system of recording these exploits, through my regular client newsletters. It's my first hope that the newsletters are helpful to my clients – that's why I write them – but I'm thrilled that I have these documents for my own perusal and as a reminder of all the Random Things I Learned in 2022.

Here they are, in random order!

1. Collaborating

Working with clients, colleagues, and creative partners strengthened my sense of community. I've learned how to delegate. Not an easy task for a control freak. So grateful for my virtual assistants and editors!!

2.The Power of Intention

I've put "intention" into practice and it has been a powerful tool for me. People have all kinds of ideas about intentions!
  • "All that counts in life is intention." – Andrea Bocelli
  • "Set intentions before you take action. Blind action is sometimes worse than no action at all." – Akiroq Brost
Want to know more about the quote, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"? Read here.

3. Mindset Revelations

"Leaning in" is a secret to getting out of your own way. Focusing on others, listening to them, and actually hearing them helped me get over myself when I felt overwhelmed and thought I couldn't handle all I needed to accomplish.

4. Being forthright is the best way to communicate

After an hour hammering out the subtleties of the direction of a script read with a new client, I/we found a vocal delivery style that was not only what he heard in his head and wanted to hear for his product video, but it taught me the subtlety of what any given client might want to hear.

I was grateful for the opportunity to learn what he was looking for and what he thought was off base for his brand. I was able to deliver once I clearly understood what his direction meant.

5. Attitude and confidence are everything

A strong sense of self – that is, knowing who you are without the veil of insecurity or an overblown ego – is helping me navigate life and my business more effectively.

6. Happiness is a choice

My wish is that everyone feels the freedom that comes from knowing we have the power to feel positive, confident, grounded, and content. The only one holding us back is ourselves.

7. Business Insights

Keep your head down when it comes to staying focused, but keep your head up for everything else. No matter how much of a control freak I am (c'mon, who isn't?!), I'm managing to let life flow a little each day to reveal my priorities and my heart… and put that into my work.

8. Always ask brief, direct questions!

This gave me grace time and time again when playing a very small part of a very big production… and with raising teens.

9. 1099 Tip

As a new U.S. business, I learned a small business nugget! Companies are not required to provide freelancers with 1099's if the payment was made through a 3rd party platform, i.e. Paypal, Quickbooks, Venmo (!)

10. Health Tidbit

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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.

Voice Over Web: www.natashamarchewka.com
V123Pros.com web: https://www.v123pros.com
Speechless VO webcast: https://www.speechlessvo.com


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Comments (1)
Memo Sauceda
1/25/2023 at 1:28 PM
Great, wise and practical Random Thought, thank you!
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