January can feel like a dead zone. The inbox slows down, clients disappear, and it’s tempting to cruise.
But January is also your best window all year to work on the business, not just in it.
This is an archive episode I’m re-sharing because the idea is simple and it works: treat January like the off-season. Rest properly, recover from the year, then use that quieter space to lock in a few foundational moves that make the rest of the year easier.
In this episode, I walk through how I approach January in my own production company, and what I get coaching clients to focus on so they can hit February with momentum instead of starting from scratch.
You’ll learn:
How to use the “off-season” concept without switching off completely
Why “locking in the gain” matters more than obsessing over the gap
The marketing proof elements to tighten up in January so selling feels simpler
What to update on your website without doing a full rebuild
How to think about showreels (and why niche or industry reels can be a big advantage)
Why your proposal template is worth fixing when things are quiet
How to stack proof with testimonials and Google reviews
How to choose one main outreach channel and set it up properly for February
If you’re heading into January with less client work on the books than you’d like, or you just want to start the year feeling sharper and more confident, this one will help.
If you want support, you can work with me.
Learn more at ryanspanger.com.
Before the year wraps up, I wanted to leave you with one final conversation.
This is the last episode of The Business of Video Production podcast for 2026. There’s no teaching in this one. No strategies. Just a moment to pause and take stock before the break.
In this episode, I reflect on:
What this year has actually felt like behind the scenes
Why this end-of-year holiday looks very different to last year
The idea of seasons in business, and why timing matters more than rules
When it makes sense to keep working through December and January
When switching off is not avoidance, but the right call
If you’ve had a big year and you’re feeling tired, this episode gives you permission to stop for a moment.
If you’re planning to keep working while others slow down, it may help you feel clearer about that decision.
And if you’re not quite sure where you sit, it’s a chance to think about what your business needs from you right now.
I also wanted to say thank you. To everyone who’s listened this year, reached out, or shared how the podcast has helped you in practical ways. Knowing this has meant a lot to me.
I’ll be back in 2026.
In this episode, I walk through the full structure of the 90-day program I’ve built for videographers who want to move into being business owners.
Think of this episode as a mirror. A way to see which parts of your business are actually supporting you, and which parts you’ve been avoiding, postponing, or hoping will sort themselves out.
You can use this as a thinking tool.
Or as a line in the sand for the start of 2026.
Or as a way to decide whether you want help doing this properly, instead of alone.
If you’re a video production business owner who’s tired of inconsistent income, unclear positioning, and feeling stuck in the daily grind, this is your chance to make a real change.
If you want to see how this work looks with support, you can find the full program outline at:
ryanspanger.com/transformation
If not, listen anyway. It should still make you think.
Thanks for listening.
If you run a video production business, chances are you’re thinking about next year already.
Better clients. Better projects. Better pricing.
Maybe a new service. Maybe more consistent work. Maybe fewer compromises.
Most people respond to that by hunting for strategies. New offers. New funnels. New tactics.
In this episode, I want to talk about something that sits underneath all of that.
Because in my experience, the biggest changes in a video business rarely come from a clever strategy. They come from one decision most people never consciously make.
The decision about what is now acceptable.
I share an insight from a recent coaching conversation where a client realised that his biggest progress this year did not come from learning something new. It came from raising the standards he holds himself to. How he shows up. How he delivers. How he markets. How he follows through.
This episode is especially for you if:
• You feel capable of more than your business is currently producing
• You know you sometimes tolerate things you shouldn’t, with clients or with yourself
• You’re tired of tweaking tactics without seeing the change you want
• You want 2026 to feel different, not just busier
This is not a tactical episode.
There are no hacks.
No step-by-step plan.
It’s a reframing that could change how you operate your business next year.
It can influence how you make decisions next year.
If you’re at a point where you know something needs to change, and you don’t want to figure it out alone, you can explore my coaching offer at ryanspanger.com/coaching and see if it makes sense for you.
As we get close to the end of the year, there’s a moment every videographer reaches.
You look back at the last twelve months and either feel proud of the direction things are heading… or you feel that familiar tug that says you expected more from your business than what actually happened.
If that second feeling rings true, this episode will speak to you.
Because today we’re talking about the point where things finally start to change. The moment when you stop operating like a one-person band and begin building something real.
And I’ll walk you through the model that has helped other filmmakers move out of the cycle of random leads, low budgets, and constant pressure… and into a business where people actually notice you, respect your expertise, and want to work with you.
Plus, I’ll share something special I’m running in January for those who are ready to make next year look very different to this one.
As the year winds down, it’s normal to feel tired and think about easing off. This Short Cuts episode is a reminder that the final couple of weeks can make a real difference.
I share why this period often creates unexpected opportunities, how one of my clients landed a significant project right at the end of the year, and what to focus on so you head into January in the right way.
If you’ve been tempted to coast into the holidays, this will help you stay steady, finish well, and then enjoy a proper break.
There was a time when I loved being a one-person band. Shooting, editing, doing everything myself. It felt simple. It felt pure. Until it didn’t. The late nights in the edit suite, the low budgets, the scramble for the next job… and that creeping feeling that the whole thing was resting on me.
If you’re a videographer who knows you’re capable of more than just getting through the next project, this episode is for you. I walk through the messy middle between “gun for hire” and genuine business owner, talk honestly about the traps that keep talented filmmakers stuck, and share the turning points that helped me grow beyond a one-person operation.
We also start unpacking a simple structure you can use to move from invisible and underpaid to being seen as the go-to video business in your market. If you’ve ever wondered what it would take to build something bigger than you, hit play on this one.
There’s a lot of big talk about AI right now. Some people pretending it’s no threat at all. Others convinced it’s going to wipe out every job in the industry. I’m not in either camp.
In this episode I talk through something that happened on a recent shoot that really brought the whole question into focus. Not in a theoretical way. In a very real, very practical way.
And from there, we get into the part nobody seems to be talking about. The part that actually decides whether your business survives the changes ahead.
If you’re running a video business, or you want to move beyond being the person who does all the labour, this is worth a listen.
Most video producers love the creative work… but tense up the moment money enters the conversation. Invoices. Payment terms. Chasing. Awkward follow-ups.
It’s the side of the business no one talks about, even though it affects everything.
In this episode, we get into the real-world process of getting paid: how to set the tone early, how to avoid late payments, and how to deal with the uncomfortable moments without damaging relationships or losing your cool.
We also look at why late payments happen more than ever, when to be flexible, when to stand firm, and how to build the kind of buffer that gives you confidence instead of anxiety.
If you’ve ever delivered great work and then waited… and waited… this one will land.
Coaching info: ryanspanger.com/coaching
A lot of filmmakers wrestle with the idea of being commercial. They want the business to grow, but something inside them still clings to the image of the artist who shouldn’t have to ask for attention.
This Short Cut digs into that tension. The part of you that wants to look like a “real filmmaker.” The part that tells you the work should be enough. And the part that quietly holds you back every time you avoid doing the things that actually bring clients in.
There’s a simple idea in this episode that can loosen that grip and make the commercial side feel a lot more honest. A lot more doable.
You’re about to hear the final part of a short series I’ve been doing on what’s actually working in my business right now. Last month was the best month I’ve ever had. I’ve been looking hard at why. What changed. What I finally stopped doing, and what I doubled down on.
In the first two episodes I talked about long-term clients and building a predictable flow of leads. Today goes somewhere different. A bit more personal. A bit uncomfortable to say out loud. But probably the most useful thing I can offer you if you’re trying to build a real video business.
If sometimes feel like you’re only using half of what you’ve got, or you’re holding back without meaning to, this one will hit close to home.
If you want a clearer sense of what it really takes to grow a video business, keep listening.
All of that in this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast.
If this episode hits home, and you want support while you build the business you’re capable of, you can find everything at ryanspanger.com/coaching.
Making the transition from videographer to business owner is one of the biggest challenges in our industry.
Most videographers don’t actually run businesses. They run an endless list of interruptions. Messages, calls, favours, content requests, random problems, gear distractions, last-minute edits, and everyone wanting access to them all the time. It keeps them busy, but it doesn’t move anything forward.
In today’s Short Cuts episode, I’m sharing something a mentor once said to me years ago. A simple idea that completely changed how I work. And it goes right to the heart of why so many videographers stay stuck as operators and never make the jump to being business owners.
If you’ve been feeling too available, too reactive, or too close to other people’s noise, this episode will land for you.
This is part two in a short series on what’s working in my video business right now. Last month was our best month in over twenty years, and I’ve been breaking down the actual reasons behind it so you can apply the same ideas to your own business.
In the last episode, we looked at the importance of long term client relationships and the role that repeat business plays in stability and momentum.
In this episode, we shift to the other side of the equation: new leads. Not luck. Not waiting. A reliable and consistent lead source that you can depend on.
We cover:
Why referrals are not a strategy
The feeling of business “uncertainty” when you rely on chance
The mindset shift that comes with building a dependable lead flow
How to choose one lead channel that suits your personality and strengths
Why focus matters more than experimenting across every platform
If you can build one strong, repeatable source of leads, your entire business feels different. Calmer. More predictable. More in your control.
Looking to build your own dependable source of leads for your business?
In this Short Cuts episode, I share a simple way to get clarity when you’re feeling pulled in different directions in your business.
It’s a way to understand what actually matters today. And what can wait.
This might sound unusual at first, but it’s something I’ve used for years. It has helped me make better decisions, stay focused, and keep my business moving forward, even during busy or uncertain periods.
In the episode, I walk you through how it works and how you can use it yourself.
Take a listen. Then try it for a day or a week. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Last month was our best month ever in my video business. More projects, more revenue, more momentum than in twenty years of running Dream Engine.
When someone in my mastermind asked why it happened, I realised I didn’t have a clear answer. It wasn’t luck or timing. There were deeper reasons.
In this episode, I break down what really worked, starting with the single biggest factor behind our best month yet.
It’s part one of a short series on what’s working right now in my video production business, and how you can use the same principles to create steady, repeatable success in yours.
For more on building a steady, profitable video business, visit ryanspanger.com.
This is one of those questions that sparks endless debate in video production circles.
Should you give clients their raw footage?
In this Short Cuts episode, I share how my thinking has changed over the years. From the early days of feeling protective about footage to running a more open, client-centred business that builds trust and long-term partnerships.
You’ll hear a story about a car company job that taught me a valuable lesson, and how a simple mindset shift can change the way you handle these requests.
If you’ve ever hesitated to hand over files or wondered how to set clear boundaries without damaging relationships, this one’s worth a listen.
Most video producers know they should be posting more on LinkedIn. They’ve got great work, smart ideas, and interesting stories from the field, but for some reason, they hold back. Maybe it feels awkward. Maybe they don’t know what to say. Or maybe they’ve posted before and nothing happened.
In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, Ryan Spanger breaks down how to build a content strategy for LinkedIn that feels natural, human, and effective.
He shares five simple types of posts that video producers can rotate through, and explains how to make each one engaging and real. You’ll learn how to stay top-of-mind with clients, build authority, and show up consistently without overthinking it.
Ryan also talks about how to think about LinkedIn as part of your business infrastructure, why your personal page matters more than your company page, and how the rise of AI has made authentic human voice more valuable than ever.
If you’ve been overthinking what to post, or worrying about sounding “salesy” or fake, this episode will help you find your rhythm.
You’ll learn how to:
Post with confidence, without over-polishing
Build awareness instead of chasing likes
Use the “five content buckets” to create variety
Stay consistent so clients remember you when it matters
To see examples of Ryan’s behind-the-scenes content or learn more about his coaching for video production business owners, visit ryanspanger.com/coaching. Or connect on LinkedIn.
Sony added a feature called the “Big 6” to their cinema cameras. Six key settings you use all the time, all on one screen.
It got me thinking about what my own version of that would look like in business.
In this episode, I walk through the six daily non-negotiables that keep Dream Engine running smoothly.
The small habits that, done consistently, make the biggest difference.
We talk about process versus outcome, how to stay in control of what really matters, and why results always follow when you focus on the right things.
Listen now and start designing your own Big 6. The daily habits that will keep your video business healthy and moving forward.
In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, Ryan shares how he learned to sell video production services in a natural, authentic way that actually feels good.
He explains how selling isn’t about persuasion or pressure. It’s about listening and responding. Through stories, examples, and real coaching experiences, you’ll learn how to:
Lead client conversations with confidence and empathy
Use curiosity to uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight
Reframe sales calls as diagnostic conversations: “diagnose and prescribe”
Build trust and influence by listening reflectively
Create a framework for authentic, repeatable sales conversations
Ryan also shares insights from two decades of experience running Dream Engine and coaching other video business owners on how to sell without feeling salesy.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to make sales conversations calm, confident, and effective without ever needing to fake it.
Listen now to learn how to sell video production by understanding your clients better than anyone else.
Learn more about Ryan’s coaching for video business owners at ryanspanger.com/coaching.
On this week's Shortcuts episode, I want to talk about something that comes up all the time when I’m coaching video business owners: the sales rollercoaster.
You know how it goes. You’re busy with production, buried in edits, and weeks go by without doing any sales. Then things go quiet, and suddenly you’re scrambling again.
In this episode, I’ll share a simple way to get off that rollercoaster. It’s not about motivation or big plans. It’s about rhythm. One small, repeatable habit that builds momentum over time.
If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent with sales, this one’s for you.
Ambitious to scale your video production business? Click here
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn