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
Should you sell your video services as packages, or create customised proposals for every client?
In this episode, Ryan Spanger breaks down the pros and cons of both approaches. You’ll learn when packages make sense, when they can actually hold you back, and how customised proposals can help you position yourself as a trusted expert rather than just another vendor.
Ryan also shares how he uses both models in his own production company, and how to find the balance between simplicity and strategy.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your sales process more effective, easier for clients, and better aligned with the kind of business you want to build, this episode will give you plenty to think about.
Learn more about Ryan’s coaching for video business owners at ryanspanger.com/coaching
A clip from Chris Do sparked a discussion inside my mastermind group.
His advice: “Never justify. Never ever.”
It’s bold, but is it the right move?
In this episode, I dig into where this idea helps and where it can hurt.
Especially if clients keep asking you to explain your pricing.
A listener asked me a question that many video production business owners have quietly wondered about.
Is it really possible to build a $500K-a-year business?
In this episode, I share my honest take on what it takes to reach that level, what holds people back, and what actually matters more than turnover.
We’ll look at why profit is the real measure of success, what happens when you rely too much on word of mouth, and why building a predictable lead system is essential if you want to grow.
I’ll also share what I’ve seen with clients who were already turning over strong numbers but still felt stuck, and what helped them finally break through.
If you’ve ever wondered how far you can take your business and what it would take to get there, this episode is for you.
Find out more at ryanspanger.com.
We’re in the final stretch of the year. The championship quarter.
In sport, this is when the game is won or lost. In business, it’s the window that decides how you finish, and how you start next year.
In this episode, I’ll share why Q4 is your chance to finish stronger than you started, avoid the wrong kind of regret, and set yourself up to win in 2026.
The year’s almost over. The window is open now. Use it. And if you’d like to do this with guidance and support, join me.
A lot of video production business owners tell me they’re working harder than ever, yet not always moving forward the way they want.
Over the years, I’ve noticed a set of patterns that often seem to hold people back. I’ve seen them in my own work, in colleagues, and in the clients I coach.
In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, I’ll share what these patterns are, what they look like, and why they matter. See if they sound familiar, and more importantly, think about what might change for you if you could get on top of them.
And if you’re serious about taking your video business further, check out my coaching at ryanspanger.com. It’s where we go deeper into these ideas and put them into action.
Some clients look like trouble. The kind you want to avoid.
But what if the messiest situations are actually the most valuable?
In this episode, I explore what it really means to be The Wolf. Cool under pressure. Useful when it counts. The person people turn to when everything is on the line.
Hiring help is one thing. Learning how to lead them is another.
In this episode, I share what it really takes to lead a team in a video production business. From creating a clear vision, to setting people up with simple systems, to giving feedback in a way that builds trust instead of resentment.
You’ll hear about the mistakes I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned, and the practical steps you can take to get the best out of your team. Whether that’s freelancers, contractors, or staff.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your video business, I can help you put the right systems in place, hire the right people, and grow into the role of a leader. Find all the details at www.ryanspanger.com.
Life has a way of showing you when it’s time to change. At first it whispers. Ignore it for long enough and the message gets louder.
In this episode, I share a story from my own video business about what happens when you hold on to something that’s lost its shine, and the surprising strength that can come from letting go.
So what is your business trying to tell you right now?
What happens when your video business grows beyond what you can handle alone?
In this episode, I share my journey of moving from a one-person operator to leading a team: from hiring freelancers and interns to building an in-house crew. You’ll hear the fears I had about bringing in help, the mistakes I made, and the lessons that reshaped my video production company.
Whether you’re running a solo video business, occasionally bringing in freelancers, or already thinking about your first hire, this conversation will help you decide where to take things next.
If you’re ready to start thinking about growing your video business beyond yourself, this episode will show you where to start.
A new prospect approached me this week with an interesting request. On the surface, it sounded flattering. But when I thought about it, I realised what he was really asking for was something I’ve learned to say no to.
In this episode, I’ll share how I handled it, why I have a firm rule about it, and where I put that energy instead.