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25 Oct 2021
252: Why Setting Expectations is Essential to Your Business' Success w/ Guy Giaimo-McClung
00:41:08
Have you ever fallen into the trap of taking any job that pays? While it’s healthy to try a bunch of different stuff to see what you enjoy, you also don’t want to spread yourself too thin. Today’s guest explains all these considerations and what he learned while building his video business.
Key Takeaways
Setting expirations for proposals and bids will push clients to act faster and allow you to get more work done in a shorter time frame.
If you have a partnership between multiple people, make sure that one person is a majority owner. That way hard decisions will ultimately fall to just one person and impasses can be more easily avoided.
About Guy Giaimo-McClung
Guy has been filming since 2012 in one avenue or another. Today, he is the owner and operator ofSkinikid Productions. From wedding videography to political and industrial work, he has experienced many different facets of the freelance world. He is currently working on the challenge of building a business while balancing the demands of family life and parenting.
Being Clear with Clients From the Start
In this episode, Guy and I discuss the importance of setting proper expectations for clients. In order to eliminate unnecessary work for both you and them, be clear on your process from the very beginning. For instance, communicating your revision process and timeline will ensure that you’re not working endlessly on a project.
One way to do this is to set expiration dates for proposals. You don’t want clients sitting endlessly on a bid. Let them know from the start that they need to act by a certain date if they want the price you quoted. It also gives an extra incentive for them to work with you now rather than later.
Considerations When Forming Partnerships
Guy also explains the structure of his business, which is a partnership between him and one other person. These arrangements have a lot of benefits. But they can also be fraught with potential strife. I share my advice that one person should be the majority owner. That way, bickering, and standoffs can more easily be avoided when tough decisions arise.
I also urge anyone entering into a partnership to prepare for its possible end. No matter how awesome working together may seem at the start, it’s best to have all eventualities covered. Having contingencies planned for and expectations set from the start will prevent possible complications and strife further down the road.
What do you always communicate to clients to set proper expectations? Do you provide statements of work? How do they help you avoid issues with clients later on? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Balancing work and family life while starting and building your business [6:00]
Learning what type of work fulfills you the most [9:00]
Our responsibility to communicate the process and set expectations for clients [11:50]
Building partnerships as you grow your business [17:00]
The importance of segmenting and having specific language around your niche [23:20]
Doing extra freelancing work that you’re passionate about [28:30]
Learning how to learn from your mistakes as your business grows [33:00]
Quotes
“It’s been super beneficial to narrow down the type of work that I like to do, and probably more importantly, the type of work that I don’t like to do.” [10:04]
“If clients have a timeline that they’re trying to get this done by, we have this bit of time open for now. It’s not yours until you sign the contract.” [15:45]
“In retrospect, I feel that I really would have appreciated if I’d made the effort and invested in myself and went out and figured out how to make it happen and learned on the business end what I didn’t know.” [33:45]
324. Creating a Thriving Culture in Your Business with Joey Mathews
00:46:32
Building a healthy team where each member flourishes individually while also having a strong team-oriented mindset is not an easy task, nor does it happen on its own. My guest today, Joey Mathews, has built his video production businesses to feel like family. From immense empowerment and trust in each individual to creative profit sharing, Joey has built a business that is focused on creating absolutely stunning work all while fostering individual and business health.
Joey’s insights on leading a creative business are so refreshing and inspiring. Don’t fall for the lie that you can’t have beautiful work, a healthy team, and a profitable business; it’s how we should all operate!
Key Takeaways
Create a culture for your team that is built on mutual trust, an attitude of helping others, and wholeness of health.
You limit yourself and your business if you don’t find a way to tap into healthy collaboration.
Be creative to make sure that your business is efficient and profitable.
Charge what your work is worth, but make sure you are adding so much value that your client feels like they underpaid.
About Joey Mathews
Joey is an Emmy award winning filmmaker, business owner, husband and father based out of Houston, Texas. He founded 31Films in the early 2000’s, capturing luxury weddings around the world, and launched Filmlab in the early 2010’s, producing story-driven commercial films for brands including: Disney, CBS Sports, Four Seasons and Microsoft.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:45] Meet Joey Mathews
[06:47] Balancing creativity of your product with business success
[13:18] Building a culture in your business that feels like a family
[27:56] Joey’s greatest business milestones
[34:22] Making your business profitable
[42:10] Passion projects
[45:15] Outro
Quotes
“Being able to say no to some opportunities is hard but I think for the betterment of everyone to not be burnt out, you know, I think it's really important.” [15:18] - Joey Mathews
“I think when you're growing a team there has to be, I mean, you have to treat it almost like a marriage, you know, where you're working together towards a common goal and you're helping each other and it's a give and take.” [18:43] - Joey Mathews
“I think it's important for people to find ways to scratch that itch and to be able to do that creative work.” [43:57] - Joey Mathews
179: Why Now Is A Great Opportunity For You w/ Tucker Max
00:44:25
Limitations are a benefit to creativity. In the reality of COVID 19, business owners are facing significant limitations. But with crisis there comes opportunity. In this episode, I talk with someone who is full of brilliant actionable ideas that we can all harness to grow our businesses right now.
Tucker Max is the co-founder ofScribe Media, a company that helps people write, publish, and market their books. He is himself the author of four New York Times best-sellers. In 2009, he was nominated to the Time Magazine 100 most influential people list.
Today, Tucker helps us reframe the current crisis. In fact, he thinks there has seldom been a better time for video. For one thing, more people are building their at-home studios. Everyone making videos at home needs editing help. You’re already the expert in this. Marketing and monetizing your knowledge of this will only lead to growth.
What new opportunities can your business take advantage of right now? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode
Using an unforeseen challenge to shift what your business does
Why now is a great opportunity for video experts
Recognizing that you are more of an expert than you may think
How to talk a client out of a bad idea
Reconciling your personal identity with your success as a business owner
Differentiating between what clients say and what they want
Quotes
“If anything, there is now a bigger demand for video right now. It just looks different.” [12:15]
“You have to think about what baggage your medium carries, the expectations people are coming in with, and how you unpack that to make sure you understand what the client actually wants.” [38:46]
“Videos are kingmakers. You can see yourself as sheep if you want, but you’re actually shepherds. It’s just a mindset shift.” [39:58]
In this episode, Ryan discusses the often-overlooked importance of taking breaks as a video business owner. He shares personal anecdotes about his own struggles with work-life balance and offers practical advice on how stepping away from work can lead to greater productivity and fulfillment. From handling emails more efficiently to the benefits of taking Fridays off, Ryan emphasizes that rest is not just beneficial but essential for long-term success. He also touches on how surrounding yourself with supportive people can make a significant difference in managing your business and personal life effectively.
Key Takeaways
Taking regular breaks can significantly improve your overall productivity and mental well-being.
Prioritize important relationships and personal time to avoid burnout and regret.
Effective time management, like taking Fridays off, can lead to a healthier work-life balance.
Surrounding yourself with supportive individuals can enhance both your personal and professional growth.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:21] The Best Version of You
[03:56] Free AI Resource
[05:34] Resting
[12:02] Parkinson's Law
[13:50] Don’t Let Work Consume You
[17:02] Worst Comes To Worst
[21:41] Find Your Tribe
[22:27] Mastermind
[25:57] Outro
Quotes
"Taking a break isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for sustainable success."
"What’s the worst that’s going to happen if you step away? Your business will still be there."
"Effective time management, like taking Fridays off, can lead to a healthier work-life balance."
"Surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind and want the best for you."
"You need to take a break, and the worst thing that’s going to happen probably isn’t as bad as you think."
151: Being Intentional In How You Want Your Business To Grow w/ Ian Murray
00:43:32
I often look at my business and wonder how it exists beyond myself. If we can build our businesses in a way that leaves a legacy for our children to benefit from, then I feel they will reach their most pure and ultimate goal. Today’s guest has a business that has done exactly that.
Ian Murray is the president ofSpotOn Productionsand the second generation in a family-owned video production company celebrating 21 years in business. As he puts it, they help businesses solve business problems using video.
Today, we talk about recognizing the most important product or service you can offer and not taking your business off-track by pursuing too much. Sometimes we want to offer our clients all sorts of things that really aren’t our specialty. Ian shares how he came to the realization that this wasn’t good for business and how he refocused.
Ian is no stranger to hiring employees. Knowing when to start building out your team and hiring someone to do your sales is tricky. It’s very important to have a good project-flow system in place for this. Ultimately, having a dedicated sales staff allows the production team to focus on what they do and make your business more efficient overall.
Ian is passionate about the importance of managing finances and cash-flow. Experience has taught him many lessons about making sure that you have the money to properly run your business without accumulating runaway debt. The key to this is getting good financial advisors and a business line of credit.
Recognizing the importance of not offering too many different services
Using a dedicated sales staff to facilitate growth
The undeniable importance of having a process in business
Why it’s imperative to get finances in order early on
The importance of being intentional in how you want your business to grow
Using the power of your business to make the world a better place
Quotes
“Sales is like fire. If you pour gas on it for growth, the same problems you had when you were small are going to get exponentially worse when you get bigger.” [10:31]
“We got to that point where we could actually take a week’s vacation and the place isn’t going to burn to the ground. Stuff is going to get handled. It’s an awesome place to get to as a business.” [16:31]
“If you’re just in business to make money, I think you’re missing the mark. We all have bills to pay, but how are you making the world a better place with what you’re doing.” [28:19]
“Follow your passion. It’s cliché, but it’s what drives you forward.” [37:04]
178: How to Make Recurring Revenue With Course Creator Partnerships w/ Ryan Koral
00:35:53
Imagine going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning with more money. Stick with me on this one, because this is something that’s within your grasp as a filmmaker and producer. For the past three years, my studio has been doing it. Today, I’m sharing our strategy for you to use too!
Creating content for course creators opens up some great opportunities for passive income. There’s a lot of upfront work to be sure. Finding the right partners, collaborating, and creating content and marketing it takes time. But once that’s done, we get to sit back and let our share of the revenue come in.
What you offer can go far beyond just creating the content. Helping your partners with services like building out a website, managing ads, creating marketing emails, and more lets you add value that will pay you back many times over. In fact, this has been so successful that it’s become the major focus of my business.
Are there roadblocks stopping you from being a course creator? Let’s work through them together in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode
What to look for in a course creator partner
Using your expertise to complement those of your partner
Strategies for analyzing and minimizing the risk you take on
Knowing what jobs you can do yourself and what you can delegate to others
How big a cut of the profits you should take considering what you offer
The value of creating free content versus paid ads
Quotes
“You don’t need a massive audience to make an impact. You don’t need a massive audience to make a lot of money.” [7:07]
“Take on some risk. Give them something. If you have some buy-in they’ll feel that there’s a better chance that it will go further.” [26:40]
“You need to be coming up with new ideas, new things, new products…. There’s lots of different strategies. The important thing is to pick one and start doing it and do it for a while.” [29:00]
Today on the show we demystify the confusing world of video advertising with entrepreneur and advertising expert Brice Gump! With so much noise on the internet you need a solid plan if you want your work to be seen. The work you provide for clients is no exception to this. How your clients present your work not only affects their business, but it also affects yours. This is why it is so important to consider video advertising not only for your business but for your clients as well.
In this conversation we dive into some of the big picture and granular wisdom that Brice has gained over years of effective advertising. We also brainstorm some ways that you can get involved in the video ad marketing of your clients without it becoming a burden to your business. Don’t let your work get lost in the abyss, be creative and make it stand out!
Key Takeaways
Create a solid distribution plan for your content so it doesn’t get lost in the noise.
Use multiple hooks to promote the same content.
Explore different revenue streams that can greatly impact your business with little effort.
Partner with ad agencies to help your client succeed and utilize your product to it’s fullest potential.
About Brice Gump
Brice is an entrepreneur and advertising expert born and raised in Texas, although these days you can actually find him living aboard in Barcelona
Over the last 10 years he’s worked with dozens of businesses in all different industries to generate tens of thousands of leads and millions of dollars in sales online.
Today he runs a marketing agency that helps online experts leverage video marketing to grow their business.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[06:45] Meet Brice Gump
[11:20] Basic formula for video ad success
[13:55] Creatively hooking an audience
[19:49] Offering video ad distribution as a video production business
[25:35] Turning brand films into effective video ads
[30:02] Structuring a business to be ad friendly
[32:18] Helping your client succeed beyond your product
[35:24] Targeting ads for specific platforms
[38:19] Best practices when partnering with ad agencies
[41:04] Final thoughts
[47:44] Connect with Brice
[48:41] Outro
Quotes
“We would all have incredibly successful businesses if the videos that we created for our clients got the exposure that they deserved.” [10:55] - Ryan Koral
“There's so much noise out there that if you don't have a really solid distribution plan, there's a very good chance you could invest a lot of time and resources and energy into making something, and it just doesn't go anywhere.” [12:56] - Brice Gump
“So just a word of caution. Just because there is an opportunity for money doesn't mean that it's best suited for how your business is set up.” [24:27] - Ryan Koral
SSP 069: Burnt Out & Uninspired? This Is How To Optimize Yourself w/ Zack Arnold
00:57:28
Do you find yourself dreading doing something that you’re supposed to love, something that you originally got into because of passion that’s now faded? As Zack Arnold explains on today’s episode, there’s more to leading a successful life, putting out great, original work, and just plain feeling good than the work itself. Today he’s going to share with us how to optimize our lives and cultivate our creativity.
Zack is an award-winning Hollywood film editor, working on shows such as Empire, Burn Notice and Glee, and has also created Optimize Yourself, a program to help people maximize their creativity, output and well-being.
He shows us how by examining our current behaviors, and pinpointing the habits in our lives that lead to destructive thoughts which can inhibit our ability to maximize our creativity, we can start to turn the ship around. Things we as creatives often don’t consider, or think of as non-important like diet, exercise and sleep can have a drastic impact on the quality of the work we’re putting out, and ultimately our ability to put outanywork at all.
By analyzing your habits and tendencies, Zack believes that you can have a life measured by your own version of success. Zack has a ton of energy, great stories, as well as tips and tricks of ways to develop your creativity and positively impact your business and your life.
Have you ever struggled with burnout, creative fatigue, unhealthy lifestyle, or any of the other symptoms Zack mentioned? If you got through them, what did it take to turn it around? If you’re there now, what resonated most with you from this episode? Let us know in the comments yo!
In This Episode:
The importance of moving and staying in motion to increase your creativity
How to ignore the toxic culture of deprivation-praising in the film industry
The disease of multitasking and how it is killing your productivity and focus
Learn the magic formula to help you time block
Quotes:
“The first warning sign is, are you still enjoying what you are doing? For me, there is nothing more magical than sitting in front of an empty timeline and having a bunch of random stuff that I have to put together with colored blocks. I essentially get to play a game of Tetris all day with people’s emotions.” (17:40)
“The key is to define your version of success. People say, ‘success for me is high profile stuff and making a lot of money’ and that’s great. But do you realize the process you have to go through every single day to get to that point and are you willing to adjust your lifestyle to that?” (21:01)
“Success isn’t a destination, success is a series of habitual actions every single day. Success is a habit.” (26:12)
“Think about how you can optimize your creativity. Because my creativity is the number one investment I have in myself.” (35:15)
423. Why Your Creative Business Should Evolve with You with Mike Brennan
00:46:25
Artist and creative strategist Mike Brennan opens up about the journey of building a business that aligns with who you are, even as that changes over time. He shares powerful insights about avoiding creative burnout, finding fulfillment outside of client work, and giving yourself permission to evolve.
Key Takeaways
Give yourself permission to evolve - what worked for you years ago might not be what's right for you now
Have creative outlets separate from your paid work to avoid burnout and keep your passion alive
Focus on building a business that aligns with who you are today, not who you used to be
About Mike Brennan
Mike Brennan, author of Make Fun a Habit: The Creative PLAYbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again, isn't your typical Creative Consultant and Communicator; he's a passionate advocate for reigniting the lost art of fun and creativity.
Mike's expertise goes beyond the pages of his book. He's helped renowned clients like Heineken and Chase Bank infuse creativity, innovation, and fun into their work. His art graces prestigious spaces like the Ronald McDonald House and the I.D.E.A. Museum in Mesa, Arizona.
What sets Mike apart is his commitment to helping individuals and organizations harness the transformative power of creativity. With a unique Daily Creative Habit process honed over a decade, he empowers people to seamlessly integrate innovation into their routines, making life and work more vibrant and fulfilling. Through his words, art, actions, and unwavering dedication to the cause, Mike inspires us all to make fun not just a habit but a way of life.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[07:10] Meet Mike Brennan
[14:31] Creativity in Entrepreneurship
[16:03] Listening To Yourself
[23:11] Having a Creative Balance
[44:05] Connect with Mike
[45:45] Outro
Quotes
"We're not these segmented beings like we like to say - I'm at work and I'm at home, I'm playing and I'm doing client work. Recognizing that and embracing that is key for having a healthier creative balance in our lives." - Mike Brennan
"Don't try to emulate somebody else's journey... do the best with what you have before you. That's why I come back to listening to yourself, getting alignment, getting clarity because you're the only one who's responsible for you." - Mike Brennan
Guest Links
Find Mike Brennan online to take the Creative Archetype quiz & listen to the Creative Chats podcast
259. Why Your Contract Is So Important with Paige Hulse Law
00:59:29
Contracts, contracts, contracts…for most of us as small business owners they can be confusing, complicated, and scary. This week on the Grow Your Video Podcast, Paige Hulse chats with Ryan about all the basics you need to know from contracts, revisions, NDAs, and what you should do if you’re using a contract, you found online. Paige Hulse is an attorney and entrepreneur based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After practicing as a contract/business litigator, she formed her law firm in 2017, where she practices trademark law and advises entrepreneurs/startups, as well as the Creative Law Shop, where she has converted every contract, she's written for clients in the wedding industry into templates.
Check out her contracts at https://shopcreativelaw.com and use promo code STUDIOSHERPAS10 to receive 10% off your purchase!
Has your contract ever saved you? What type of changes can you make to your contract that will offer more protection for your business? Leave a comment on the episode page and let us know!
396. Prioritizing Rest to Avoid Burnout with Saundra Dalton-Smith
00:36:17
In this episode, Ryan welcomes Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, the founding physician and CEO of Restoracists, to discuss the crucial topic of rest and well-being. Dr. Saundra, a board-certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author, shares insights from her bestselling book "Sacred Rest." They delve into the seven types of rest necessary for optimizing productivity, increasing overall happiness, and overcoming burnout. Dr. Saundra explains how incorporating small, intentional restorative activities can make a significant difference in one's life. Listeners will learn practical strategies to incorporate rest into their daily routines and understand the importance of balancing work and personal life for long-term success.
Key Takeaways
Rest is essential for productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.
There are seven types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative.
Small, intentional restorative practices can make a significant difference in combating burnout.
Incorporating rest into daily routines is more effective than waiting for big breaks or vacations.
About Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is an international well-being thought-leader featured in numerous media outlets including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, INC, CNN Health, and TED.com. She is the author of numerous books including her bestseller Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, including insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:58] Meet Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith
[07:51] Dr. Saundra's Burnout Story
[10:41] Rest Deficit
[13:05] The 7 Types of Rest
[20:20] Ways to Achieve Mental Rest
[27:52] Physical Rest
[32:20] Creative Rest
[34:23] Connect with Dr. Saundra
[35:13] Outro
Quotes
"I had a fantastic work ethic. I had zero rest ethic."
"Rest isn't just about stopping. Sometimes it's a restorative process to pour back into the place of depletion."
"It's horrible to have passion for something, but not have the energy to do it."
"You don't actually have to physically be in it; you just have to be reminded of it."
"Rest is how productive people stay productive, and how innovative people stay highly creative."
Guest Links
Discover your personal rest deficits using Saundra’s free assessment at RestQuiz.com
Those that know me, know that I am passionate about being all-in on whatever it is that I do. When I know what it is that I’m after, I go for it. This is true in how I do business and also with how I interact with my family and a key part of living my best life.
This is a bit of a personal episode. I want to share with all of you a little about me and what motivates me every day. A lot of it became clear during a recent trip I took with my son. During our time together I was very intentional about making that time meaningful, and that got me thinking about what it means to live our best life.
Asking yourself if you are living your best life should apply both to your personal and professional life. It involves asking yourself the serious question of what’s going well and what’s not. Defining what your best life looks like, knowing how to achieve it, and understanding who shares your goals are essential parts of this process.
What can you do today to start building your best life? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode
Bringing intention to all that we do and never being satisfied with the status quo
Why we need to stop and ask ourselves if we’re truly living our best life
The questions you should be asking yourself about your business and life
Understanding the power of community to support you in achieving your goals
Quotes
“I don’t want a moment to go by where I’m not intentional. When I see in my life that I’m not having the kind of impact that I want to have, whether that’s in my personal life or my business life, I want to do something about it.” [5:21]
“Sometimes we’re not living our best life because we haven’t really defined what it even means to live your best life. What would that look like?” [11:29]
“If you’re all by yourself, if you’re doing all of this work on your own, if you’re not asking other people if it’s a good idea … then you are in a vacuum and you’re going to struggle. You are better with other people.” [24:57]
367. How to Transition from a Conventional Career to a Fulfilling Film Business with Lauren and Mitch McClure
00:49:37
Ever wondered what it takes to leave a secure job and chase your dream? This week's episode features Lauren and Mitch McClure from Full Send, who share their exhilarating journey into entrepreneurship. Their story is more than just about business - it's about passion, family, and the courage to embrace change. You'll find inspiration, practical tips, and relatable experiences that will motivate you in your own journey.
Key Takeaways
Learn how to transition from a conventional career to fulfilling entrepreneurship.
Discover the power of community and relationship-building in business growth.
Get insights into balancing creative passion with business logistics in a family-run enterprise.
About Lauren & Mitch McClure
Mitch and Lauren are a husband/wife duo that quit their jobs (RN and Videographer for a local church) to start their own video production business called Full Send in 2022.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:10] Meet Lauren & Mitch McClure
[05:54] Taking the leap into entrepreneurship
[15:53] Working with your spouse
[20:56] Dealing with constructive feedback
[25:46] Defining clear roles
[37:18] Tips for growth
[44:24] Studio Sherpas Mastermind
[46:45] Connect with Lauren and Mitch
[48:08] Outro
Quotes
"We just decided to make everything as awesome as we can." - Mitch McClure on their approach to client projects.
"You have to learn how to fight... this constant opportunity for conflict gives you the opportunity to come together and get closer." - Mitch on working with a spouse.
"I've failed so many times...but now I've learned and we're going to do it differently." - Lauren on learning through failure.
"Everything we're doing is new...there's a lot of insecurity in that." - Lauren on the challenges of starting a business.
"Make or break your marriage... We try to keep marriage first." - Mitch on prioritizing their relationship.
SSP 071: The Top 3 Ways To Re-Energize Your Business
00:27:42
If you’re anything like me, there are times where you get tired, worn out, and uninspired by the direction of your creative business. Yup, I’ve been there, many, many times. Life is constantly changing, and it is easy to find yourself burying your passion underneath frustration and all the mundane tasks associated with running a profitable business. It is not until you put your foot down and re-evaluate why you are doing what you are doing and how you are doing it, that you can rediscover your passion. Today, I want to share my top 3 ways to re-energize your business and take back control.
Here at Studio Sherpas, our number one goal is to help you grow your business. I want to make sure you are getting the right kind of clients and doing the right kind of work that inspires you, while also being able to pay the bills. We didn’t start making videos and creating movies because we thought it would be a lucrative career, we do it because we are moved by the work we create, and to keep putting out creative, moving, fulfilling work, we need to be engaged and excited by the projects we’re working on.
I just got back from an amazing conference put on by past Sherpas guest Mike Kim, and aside from some amazing new personal connections, I took away a ton of new knowledge and inspiration that I want to share with the rest of the Sherpas community.
Let me know in the comments on the episode page which of these 3 strategies resonated with you the most and why!
In This Episode
How to put your foot down in the name of creativity
The importance of finding your tribe and being part of a community
Why you should force yourself to practice in public and how to get started
How intentionally choosing to slow down can actually help your business
The necessity of understanding what it is you are chasing and why
Quotes
“I want to keep the world the same – said no entrepreneur ever” (4:40)
“We have all gotten into this line of work because we wanted to impact and influence the world, even if just in a teeny tiny way” (5:21)
“There is something that happens when a group of like-minded people get together for the common purpose of wanting to become better and wanting to help others become better” (9:03)
“What’s more important than me trying to prove to the world that I’ve got what it takes or that I can do this than providing for my family. And creating a business where I can help these incredible people that work for me provide for their families and create their own legacies” (24:17)
SSP 047: How to Start and Scale a Profitable Wedding Film Business From Scratch w/ Matt Johnson
00:48:02
Many of us started our careers focussing on the wedding film industry. And while many filmmakers eventually expand their businesses to include corporate and commercial films, getting established in the wedding in the first place is something that often gets glossed over. If you’re looking to make the leap into the world of wedding filmmaking, maybe leaving your day job in the process (woot!) Matt Johnson has some great tips on how to grow a wedding film-based business.
Matt Johnson is a filmmaker/storyteller and owner of FilmStrong, who specializes in stunning wedding videos. He also gives out a ton of free advice, and tips & tricks on his extremely popular Youtube channel which is a must watch for anyone wanting to break into the biz.
We also talk about how getting the right people into the proper roles can be the thing that takes you from being in the hole financially to being profitable. Plus, Matt gives us actionable steps for all the people starting out and I mean genuinely just beginning. This is the perfect episode for newbies and for people who are looking to scale their business.
In this episode:
How to take your business from scraping by to profitable
The extreme importance of having the right people in the right roles
Should you ever work for free?
Tips and tricks for scaling your business beyond yourself
Quotes:
“By pushing at a higher luxury market and getting a very good vision and direction of where you are heading in your business, you can make more money by doing fewer weddings.” (26:46)
“If you are not on the math side, like I am not, hire someone.” (30:28)
“Be very selective with weddings and with the work that you put on your website. Don’t just have it be everything.” (42:46)
350. How to Navigate the Challenges of Video Production | Tips for Commercial Filmmakers
00:42:06
In this milestone episode of the podcast, Ryan discusses the unpredictable nature of the video business, the challenges of prospecting, and the importance of adaptability. He shares personal experiences, insights from his journey, and the evolution of his production company, Tell Studios. Ryan also touches on the significance of niching down in the industry and the transformative power of documentary storytelling.
Key Takeaways
You'll discover the importance of predictability in the video business and how to navigate the feast or famine cycles.
You'll understand the transformative power of documentary storytelling and its impact on brand connection.
You'll gain insights into the challenges and rewards of niching down in the video production industry.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:22] Facing a tough economy
[05:19] Lead generation
[07:50] Niching to Enroll Films
[10:46] An evolving team
[14:35] Creating processes
[21:03] Enroll Films!
[24:13] Meet The Difference Makers Podcast
[31:04] Hiring an executive producer
[32:55] The future of this show
[39:23] Evaluating your time
Quotes
"Without predictability in business, you go through feast or famine."
"I want to have a conversation with people that understand the value of video."
"I've known forever, YouTube is the place to be."
"I've been doing this work inside of Studio Sherpas and educating filmmakers."
"This basketball coach was the person who was responsible for me ending up at the university."
422. Going From Solo Filmmaker to Studio Owner with Ryan Blaske
00:35:13
Freelance filmmaker Ryan Blaske opens up about his journey from one-man-band to building a production studio, sharing his passion for documentary storytelling and desire to scale without sacrificing quality. He talks candidly about dealing with burnout and his exciting plans to grow Blaske Studio while staying true to the work he loves.
Key Takeaways
You don't need employees to start operating like a studio - begin by building a reliable network of contractors and freelancers
Focus on what you do best and delegate the rest - whether that's editing, project management, or admin work
When scaling up, prioritize working with people who are reliable and have good attitudes - being on time and having a positive mindset are half the battle
About Ryan Blaske
Creativity has always been important to Ryan. A passion for creating something beautiful, combined with naturally occurring incredible moments, led him to a fascination with videography and photography. He wanted to tell a story with his work that connects with people in a special way—a way that will be remembered for years to come. He specializes in documentaries, music videos, and commercial work nationwide.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:53] Meet Ryan Blaske
[04:38] Freelance Filmmaking
[08:31] Ryan's Journey To Filmmaking
[16:41] Freelancer To Studio Owner
[24:10] Freeing Up Your Time
[28:29] Attitude Is Everything
[32:46] Connect with Ryan
[33:47] Outro
Quotes
"I don't want to be in a position where I'm constantly burning out, then kind of catching back up and then burning out again. I think I would want some kind of system where I can take on all these requests but I'm not just being flooded." - Ryan Blaske
"If you're in this freelance world, you are your own boss, so there's not a lot of rules. So try things out, take chances, and believe in yourself that you can take on these big projects and pitch really fun, creative ideas." - Ryan Blaske
SSP 091: How To Turn Small Wins Into Big Budget Projects w/ Mike Schmidt
00:53:39
Have you ever worked hard to create an amazing video for a client and then nobody sees it? Maybe it’s not placed well on the client’s website or the client just doesn’t follow through effectively with their campaign. When this happens to me, I know my job isn’t over, but just how can we help?
In today’s episode, I speak with Mike Schmidt, CEO, and founder of the digital marketing agencyAnchor Wavebased in Tucson. He and his 20 person team build websites, run Facebook ad campaigns, handle SEO, and all sorts of online promotions for many small, local companies. Mike has always enjoyed helping other businesses achieve their goals using technology. In this sense, what he does is not dissimilar to video production.
We discuss how to build those important early client relationships that are so crucial when getting your business up and running. Once those trusted connections are established you can go back to the client time and again to offer them your services - a much easier prospect than hustling for new work. The key to keeping these relationships going is not just making great videos for your clients but helping them get results from that video. That way they’ll come back to you again and again.
What do you do to get your clients small wins? Let me know in the comments on the episode page yo!
In this episode
Why hiring a team of employees will make you more money instead of costing you more
Deciding if joining a chamber of commerce is a good idea for you
How helping businesses get 5-star reviews is the perfect opener for introducing your services to clients
The impact of reviews on a client’s business and how you can help them
Why you need to help your videos produce results for your clients so they come back to you again and again
The benefits of sharing your knowledge and expertise with others in your field
Quotes
“In order for someone to do business with you they’ve got to know you, they’ve got to like you, and they’ve got to trust you, and going to a chamber of commerce is a way to potentially build those three things.” [36:21]
“Most every local business has a problem with reviews that’s easy to spot, easy to point out, and then when you can show up to the party with a solution, at a bare minimum they’ll be willing to listen to you.” [54:24]
“That’s really the economy we live in today. There are no trade secrets. There’s nothing that someone can’t do the research to figure out, so I challenge everyone to be on the side of being open, on being giving.” [1:07:24]
247: How to Best Use YouTube to Generate Leads w/ Tim Schmoyer
01:01:19
YouTube is huge and a bit overwhelming. Many videomakers wonder if it’s even worth getting into. But if approached the right way, it can be a huge boon for your business. If you want ideas on how to use YouTube to win clients and grow your influence, then this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
The most important part of your YouTube strategy is knowing your target audience. These are your ideal clients. Once you identify what they want and how you fill that need, you’re ready to move forward.
YouTube is a great platform for generating leads. But it shouldn’t be your only one. Get to know potential clients through as many different channels and methods as you can.
About Tim Schmoyer
Since 2011, Tim Schmoyer has been one of the leading YouTube strategists in the online video industry. His company, Video Creators, has been featured by FOX, Forbes, BBC even YouTube themselves as his team trains creators and brands to master YouTube and use it as a place to spread messages that change lives. Their clients have grown organically by over 18 billion views and 81 million subscribers under their guidance. Today he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and seven children.
Get to Know Your Audience and Put Them First
Tim explains how any growth strategy on YouTube begins with the viewer. Before you do anything else, identify your target audience. You need to know what they want and what their story is. Then you can figure out the value that you’ll provide for them. Each video you make must deliver that value.
You might be excited about your equipment or your filming process. However, your clients probably aren’t. They’re concerned with how the video makes them feel. When you know your ideal client, you can focus on making them feel good about their business and getting results for their clients. That’s what will keep them coming back to you.
Understanding Your Ideal Client
There’s a lot to consider when coming up with your content strategy. Tim recommends starting by honing in on what your ideal clients ultimately want. So do some research. Talk with your clients and identify their needs, wants, and pain points. Get familiar with the language that they use when describing their perfect video. You’ll want to use the same language when you describe the problem you solve for them.
How can you connect with clients to learn their stories? Have you used YouTube to generate leads? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Managing the work-life balance when growing both your business and family [6:10]
How Tim became a YouTube expert [12:40]
The importance of understanding your clients [24:20]
Why you’re not really in the business of selling videos [33:10]
Resources to help keep your business current with the changing times [36:00]
How to start your channel when you need more clients [43:10]
Quotes
“Remember, each view represents an actual person who’s giving one of our clients an opportunity to speak into their life.” [19:49]
“Starting with the person is where any content strategy should start. Who am I going after, what do they want, and how can I serve them?” [32:08]
“Your customer most likely is not buying a video from you. What they’re actually buying is a communication tool that’s going to help them or their customers feel something.” [34:36]
“I want to tell good stories, but I want to live a good story. Living a good story means venturing into the unknown, saying yes to the inciting incident, and facing obstacles, and overcome the challenges in order to have a lived experience that most people will only dream of.” [41:31]
“This isn’t about making fancy videos. It’s about making an asset that can reach people and change their lives.” [57:40]
125: What It Truly Means To Be Profitable w/ Mike Michalowicz
00:52:06
Do you get stressed out at tax time? What about budgeting for retirement? Does bookkeeping give you migraines? All these are essential parts of being a business owner but I doubt they’re anyone’s favorite parts. Today, I have Mike Michalowicz here who understands these topics and also understands how to help business owners like you and me take control of these daunting parts of your business.
Mike is the author of one of my favorite books,Profit First. He is a popular speaker on topics surrounding entrepreneurial innovation. Years ago, Mike lost nearly everything, but today he’s running his third million dollar business. Mike’s mission is to share his life’s lessons and his “Profit First Formula” to help businesses ensure profitability starting with their very next deposit.
In this interview, Mike and I talk about what it truly means to be profitable. This goes beyond just measuring your bottom line but being able to reward yourself as the business owner. Mike lays down some truth about understanding just what sustainable profitability is and why many business owners fail to see it.
If you’re like me, you might want to keep a tissue handy for this interview as Mike gets real and emotional about his own struggles with profitability. It’s a powerful story that many entrepreneurs will resonate with and a great reminder that no one is alone in this struggle.
You’re going to get some great actionable tips for how to get started or go further in creating a new kind of legacy for you, your family, and your business. As Mike tells us, it all starts with profit.
What can you do right away to start putting your profits first? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode:
What profitability really means for entrepreneurs and how it should result in rewards for you
The important differences between revenue and profitability and why understanding the difference is key to long-term success
Sound and actionable advice for entrepreneurs facing financial struggles
How to escape from the limitations of traditional accounting
The different types of accounts your business should have to ensure that you are prioritizing profitability
Quotes:
“When it comes to our definition, the entrepreneurial definition of profit, it is cold hard cash available for the withdrawal and for distribution to the shareholder - the owners - of the business.” [9:23]
“We need to change the formula for putting profit last to putting profit first. And we got to put our profit first so that it becomes habitual.” [15:58]
“Every time a sale occurs, when money flows into your business, you’re going to take a predetermined percentage of that money, allocate it towards profit in a literal account, store that money away and the remaining cash is going to be available to run your business. It’s the pay yourself first principle simply applied to business.” [32:48]
“I think as owners we’re naturally givers. We want to give employment. We want to give our clients service. But the greatest giving is where we have financial freedom and the ability to give in the moment without having to worry about the financial stress.” [43:41]
416. Transform Your Website from Portfolio to Profit Machine with Delia Monk
00:31:42
Positioning strategist Delia Monk shares practical strategies for transforming video portfolios into client-converting websites. She reveals common mistakes creatives make with their web copy and provides actionable tips for showcasing work in a way that resonates with potential clients.
Key Takeaways
Your videos need compelling copy above them to give viewers a reason to click play
Use client testimonials and results to build credibility and overcome sales resistance
Focus copy on the client ("you") rather than yourself ("I/we")
Include clear pricing information or frameworks to encourage contact form submissions
About Delia Monk
Delia Monk helps online business owners who want to sell out their online programs, services, and digital products using the power of conversion copywriting. If she was cool enough to have a street name, hers would be The Story-Seller because she’s mastered the art of non-sleazy sales through the power of storytelling and personality-fueled writing. But alas, most people just call her Delia.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:21] Meet Delia Monk
[03:47] Handling Videos On Your Website
[08:46] Taking Advantage of Testimonials
[15:31] Building Trust and Credibility
[19:05] Sending a Survey
[21:22] Having Contact Forms Filled
[28:49] Connect with Delia
[30:15] Outro
Quotes
"The more creative you are and the more talented you are, the more you think you don't need to write about it. And I am really sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn't work like that." - Delia Monk
"If you're not confident in talking about the results that you can get and showcasing the kind of clients that you work with, how can potential clients be confident in you?" - Delia
"Copy is so much easier than you think it is when you can just get out of your head and just think about the person you're writing to." - Delia
192: Finding Work in the Right Budget for You and Your Business
01:15:05
Having bigger budget clients and making more money sure seems like the thing to do. In reality, it’s not always the best thing for your business. That’s just one of the topics that came up during a recent coaching call with Kenny Morg. In fact, there were so many great nuggets of wisdom in this call that I want to share some of it with you.
Deciding if it’s Best to Do a Big Budget Project
It might seem logical to assume that bigger budget projects mean making higher quality films and more profit. I’ve found that that’s not always the case. It turns out that there are a lot of other factors to consider here such as the speed of production and the relationships you’ve cultivated. In reality, the quality of human interaction is much more important than the quality of the video. Additionally, you can often make more from a few small jobs with less overhead than a single big-budget project.
Setting Expectations with Workshops
We go over why I always workshop with clients at the start of any project. It helps establish a budget. It also allows the client to clarify and communicate their vision. I can then guide them to the type of video that will serve them best. With this information, I can be confident that I can deliver what they want, when they want it, for what they’ll pay for it.
Building Connections and Staying Happy at Work
We also discuss how to leverage existing clients to find new ones. You can’t passively wait for them to make referrals for you. You need to be proactive about it. Once you have a good relationship with a client, ask them to refer business your way. Furthermore, actually get out there and meet the people you’d like to work with.
Video often sells an emotional idea. Consequently, the success of this is difficult to measure. It takes a lot of work to successfully stay in this business. In order to maintain my love of the job, I’m careful to outsource the parts that don’t bring me joy. With that out of the way, I can seek out the parts of the jobs that excite me. This is the key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
What can you do to focus on the parts of your business that bring you the most joy? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Important considerations to have when looking for high budget work [6:00]
Workshopping with clients before the start of a project to clarify visions and plans [17:56]
How to ask clients to make referrals and bring in more business [27:51]
Understanding how your videos do the marketing for you [33:38]
The differences between working with agencies versus directly with businesses [35:22]
Using social media and YouTube to fuel growth [41:00]
Getting expert advice to build a great website [47:27]
Maintaining a love of your craft by avoiding burnout [53:40]
The key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance [55:25]
How to avoid over-checking your inbox [1:01:22]
Quotes:
“The right partner is going to pay you when you’re obviously going above and beyond.” [8:07]
“We can’t just sit back and wait for the referrals to come in. We’ll ask our clients for referrals.” [32:58]
“We’re storytellers first. We believe that if we can create some kind of emotive connection with the person watching the film, then we have a better chance of getting them to do the thing that we want them to do.” [34:50]
“We are typically selling emotion. We’re selling a brand video or story and it’s really hard to measure what the emotional connection is.” [44:02]
123: How To Convey Your Worth To Potential Clients w/ Chris Odom
00:56:39
Knowing what your talents are worth is perhaps the most important part of finding success. It can be very easy to undersell yourself, especially when you’re just starting out. But you’re not going to get very far if you don’t hold yourself to your value.
Chris Odom has learned this important lesson over his long and successful career. He is an incredibly talented business owner, drone pilot, filmmaker, and a student of the Studio SherpasVideo Business Academy. As the founder ofFirefly Media, which specializes in amazing aerial video, Chris spends a lot of time (virtually) in the air filming for feature films and commercials.
We talk a lot about the importance of understanding your value on this show. That’s because it’s perhaps the most important thing you can do as a business owner and therefore bears repeating. In this interview, Chris and I go deep into this topic as we explore what you can do to better know what you and your company are worth.
Since Chris is also part of the Studio Sherpas community, we discuss what it means to be part of a group that truly understands the challenges and rewards of the work that you do. Chris also shares his top pieces of advice for any studio or filmmaker interested in creating drone footage.
The early days of drone video and what it took to become a pioneer in that field
Leveraging your personal network to find your next client
Why having a positive attitude and a smile on set is key to creating an amazing collaborative project
The importance of knowing what you’re worth so that you can offer your clients and yourself the best value possible
The value of being part of a community that is doing the same work as you
Why you absolutely must have liability insurance as a business owner
Expert advice for filmmakers interested in getting into drone video
Quotes:
“You may be good, but if you’re not fun to work with, nobody wants to deal with that for twelve hours a day for months on end. That’s just not how it goes.” [18:20]
“Recognize your value. Understand that these people are talking to you for a reason so don't be afraid to speak up. Don’t be afraid to recognize a good opportunity and a bad opportunity and that the value is not always equated to money.” [30:27]
“You invest some money and it’s because you believe in yourself. You go, yeah, I’m worth this. And it shows.” [40:45]
“Get liability insurance! Is something going to happen? Probably not, but that’s not why you have insurance. You have insurance when things do go wrong, and it does happen.” [41:53]
158: How To Live With Intention & In Alignment With Your True Goals w/ Cliff Ravenscraft
00:54:15
I’m sure that there are goals you want to accomplish in your life and business. Actually visualizing what your life would be like once those goals have been accomplished is a powerful, but not that intuitive, exercise. Today, you’re going to hear from someone whose expertise is helping people identify and realize their most important goals.
Cliff Ravenscraftis a business mentor, life coach, and motivational speaker. He mentors coaches, consultants, and thought leaders through the transition from their unfulfilling day job to their own responsible and profitable online business so that they can live the life of their dreams and do the work they feel most called to do.
Today, Cliff delves into what happens when we find work that truly fulfills us and brings us joy as well as a reliable income. This is often called your “zone of genius” and working within it adds more value than any other work you could ever do.
Cliff shares his insight into what you can start doing right now to get on the path to working full-time in your zone of genius. In fact, avoiding this path, which is ingrained in our very culture, is both unhealthy and a huge waste of your limited time. To get you on track, Cliff tells us what we can do to live more intentionally aligned with our true life goals.
What happens when you work within your zone of genius
Techniques for determining what you truly want out of life
Getting over the fear of charging more for your work
The unsung benefits of failure
How to bring more clarity to what’s most important to you and your business
Quotes
“This is that thing that you do where time does not exist for you. You literally are on an existence of reality that is without time.” [12:38]
“Don’t quit your daydream my friends. Life is all about asking yourself what it is you want.” [21:29]
“Stop going after the low hanging fruit. You’re talking about leaving your day job to go do what your zone of genius is, that thing that you’re most gifted at. Go and find the path of least resistance to get what you want sooner rather than later.” [36:46]
“I want to encourage you to fail and fail often and keep changing your approach each time you fail until you get what you want.” [49:19]
119: Why Using Youtube Is The Best Way To Grow Your Business w/ Kelsey Brannan
00:46:03
Who doesn’t want a massive YouTube following? It will help you connect to other filmmakers, find clients, and showcase your skills all in one place. Garnering a huge number of subscribers may seem like the Holy Grail of video on social media, but with the right approach and dedication, it’s totally possible! And today's guest, Kelsey Brannan is the go-to person for growing your following and creating an epic Youtube channel that will work to showcase and grow your business.
Kelsey is the creator ofPremiere Gal, a YouTube community of over 117,000 subscribers which is focused on video, photo, and audio production. After getting a Masters degree in documentary filmmaking from Georgetown, Kelsey worked as a filmmaker with the State Department. She’s since moved on to helping others learn the ins and outs of her craft and is the head of creative growth atWipster, a video feedback and collaboration platform for creators, teams, and businesses.
In this interview, Kelsey talks about what it’s like to grow a YouTube channel to over 100,000 subscribers and why as video makers we should be striving for this as well. Kelsey also discusses the difficulties that many freelancers face by not being part of the companies that they want to work for as well as some great advice on how to surmount this challenge.
Kelsey goes on to talk about the challenges of communicating with clients and how platforms like Wipster can make this infinitely easier. Before our talk comes to an end, Kelsey shares what she knows about affiliate marketing in relation to YouTube video marketing and how it can expand your passive income stream.
Do you use a tool like Wipster to that helps you be more efficient or creative? Tell me what it is in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode:
Why your business shouldn’t rely on a single source of income
The biggest challenge that freelancers experience and how to overcome it
What Wipster is and how it can streamline your communication with clients
What to consider when deciding whether or not to create a YouTube channel for your business
The kind of YouTube channel that will attract the most potential clients
Useful and actionable tips for growing your YouTube channel
How to make extra passive income with affiliate marketing on YouTube
Quotes:
“Whether you decide to go to college or not, just surround yourself with people who inspire you and just start getting your hands dirty.” [9:20]
“If you present yourself as an expert on YouTube and you grow that following and that expertise, you can really bring in more business for yourself.” [25:20]
“It’s kind of like the power of the network too, because you may get a lot of solo entrepreneurs and freelancers watching you, but then they talk about you and refer you.” [29:25]
“You can’t expect instant results. It takes time, persistence, and patience. But if you can impact just one person, that’s a win for me.” [35:20]
293. How to Increase the Speed of Your Post-production Workflow by 5X with Scott Markowitz
00:37:00
Remember when your mother used to tell you that just because everyone’s doing it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do? Well, today’s show is all about that.
Scott Markowitz has been working in post-production as an editor for decades and he is on a mission to inform people that a simple switch he did (away from the industry standard software he’d been using for years) has increased his efficiencies drastically and helped him deliver in record time.
Key Takeaways
How to pitch yourself outside of your niche audience
Changing your software might speed up your post-production workflows
About Scott Markowitz
After decades of working in the TV and Film industries as a top session editor, Scott Markowitz discovered that trading his happiness for money was no longer acceptable.
That's when he decided to open his video studio. Now, that path has led him to discover another passion: teaching.
In This Episode
How Scott markets to his niche but still gets work outside of it [08:33]
Why does the post-production industry keep things so complex [17:43]
The best software to use to streamline the process [21:03]
Why you should start out with Final Cut Pro and the learning curve with switching platforms [27:25]
What is Reinvention Studio Lab and how can you find out more about Scott [31:42]
Quotes
“I get stuff away from people‘s heads down to their heart… They’re more malleable that way. They’re more, you know, gushy, and they’re ready to get sold.” [16:18]
“It’s not the technical aspects of what you’re doing that makes you special; it’s the creative and artistic aspect of what you do.” [21:03]
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
320. Taking the Leap Into Original Content Creation with Doug Joseph
00:48:01
Have you ever wondered how to take the leap from creating client work to producing original content that you are passionate about? Today on the show I talk with D.C. Joseph, founder of Serif Creative, about how he is breaking out into the realm of creating original content with his video production business. Doug has found a way to produce original content while simultaneously maintaining a healthy commercial production business and shares how he was able to make this a reality. Sometimes you have to step out and do what it takes to make your dream happen, regardless of if you feel like the timing is perfect. Focus on the things that you can control and make it happen!
Key Takeaways
Don’t neglect thinking like an ad agency even if you are a company of one.
Use the 7 story archetypes to build strong foundations for the stories that you produce.
How to shift your business to be capable of producing the original content that you want to make.
Learn to control what you can and lean into effective preparation in order to succeed.
About D.C. (Doug) Joseph
D.C. Joseph is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Serif Creative. They help brands achieve creative greatness.
Over the years, he’s become an award-winning, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, a producer of international campaigns, a strategic advisor to C-suite executives, and the Executive Director of the Columbus International Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the U.S.
His journey through entrepreneurship has been anything but easy or ordinary. It encompasses learning the art of storytelling in his grandmother's biker bar to competing in mixed martial arts and international grappling tournaments to filming music videos in Iceland. These collective experiences helped him develop his craft of bringing stories to life through film. As brands began to request his work, he saw how he could impact their broader marketing needs, ultimately setting the foundation for Serif Creative.
Today, his passion is rooted in Serif—community, team building, and establishing a company that can provide for creatives—continue to grow. They motivate his team and him to seek new experiences to sink their teeth into and eagerly raise the bar when it comes to storytelling and creating meaningful connections.
In This Episode
[0:00] Welcome to the show!
[3:03] Meet D.C. Joseph
[6:09] Client direct work vs agency work
[13:05] The 7 story archetypes
[18:27] Creating original content
[22:27] Setting up your business for successful, original content creation
[33:38] Presenting original content to buyers
[43:50] Connect with D.C.
[44:47] D.C.’s closing thoughts
[46:18] Outro
Quotes
“The grass is never greener on the other side, It's where you're watering it. So, the same struggles that you have with client work also exist in producing your own.” [23:53] - D.C. Joseph
“Ultimately, the timing will never be right, you just have to make it happen.” [25:48] - D.C. Joseph
“I had to decide, do I want to improve my filmmaking or do I really want to improve as an entrepreneur, as a business owner?” [41:40] - Ryan Koral
“Control the controllable. There's only so many things you can control. It doesn't do any good to think and get distracted by the things you can't control. So if you want to have a level of control, it all starts with preparation.” [44:59] - D.C. Joseph
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
110: How To Know Your Worth & Charge It w/ Chris Do
00:47:04
How do you handle a call from an interested client if you know that they’re also looking at other companies? What price do you quote them? How you handle this call might determine the entire future of your business. No pressure, right? Today, I’ve got an amazing guest who will put your fears and worry to ease.
If you haven't heard of Chris Do, he started doing motion design back in the 90s before it was even a real thing. Chris is the CEO and chief strategist ofBlindand the founder ofThe Futur. He has immeasurable amounts of experience in the world of video and works with some really amazing clients. Chris’ work has even won him an Emmy in Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.
This not to be missed interview is about challenging the way that you approach new work. We talk about how you can create competitive estimates and how you should communicate the value of the work that you do. Essentially, this chat is about how to close that deal over the phone, and it’s probably not by doing what you think.
Chris illuminates so many important aspects of closing the deal. From proper mindsets and faith in yourself to recognizing and communicating exactly what your value is. We go over why you should steer clear of hour-based billing in favor of value-based pricing and even why it's a good idea to send your prospective client to the competition first.
The three most common struggles that creatives face and how to overcome them
Why it’s crazy to use hourly billing rather than basing your price on the value of your work
How you can sell your client on a fixed rate when they would prefer an hourly based package
The three questions that you should always be asking when closing with a potential client
The most valuable mistake that Chris has ever made in his career and what you can learn from it
Unrealized opportunities that creatives like you have that you may not be taking advantage of
Quotes:
“For some people doing the work is super easy. So they think, that was relatively easy, so I should charge relatively little; if it was really hard I would charge more. I think a lot of creatives suffer from creative guilt.” [13:06]
“If you’re in that phase right now where you’re charging based on hours, you're going to realize something really quick - it puts an artificial limit in terms of how much money you can earn. There’s only so many hours in the year that you can sell.” [24:05]
“If you can get the project done and delivered and perfect in two days versus two weeks, that should be more valuable to the client. So the incentive to work faster, more efficiently is not there if you’re doing it by the hour.” [29:53]
“Believe it or not, the more you try to convince the client not to hire you, the faster they want to hire you.” [33:05]
“Maybe the most valuable mistake that I seem to still struggle at and make consistently is that I partner up with people. I’ve learned over time that I’m not a good partner. I don’t take direction well. I want to do things my way, and when I start to compromise I start to lose that fire, that spark that gets me up in the morning.” [38:40]
“One day you’re going to realize that you have a lot more gifts to offer the world than to exchange your time for money.” [40:25]
272. Building Processes To Scale Your Business with Ken Okazaki
00:52:16
Have you ever heard the expression…’ Trust the Process’? It turns out it’s really hard to trust the process if you don’t have a process. This week we’re joined by Ken Okazaki,Video Marketing Strategist of Oz Media Global and he shares how he helps businesses plan, optimize, and launch their video campaigns. Today he shares all his wisdom about his business and how you should build processes for your business. He shares his experience in the field, how he built his brand, how to be consistent, how to market yourself and your brand, and much more.
Remember we are here to work smarter not harder, and that's exactly what Ken brings to the showtoday. Enjoy!
About Ken Okazaki
Ken Okazaki heads up Oz Media Global and loves helping businesses plan, optimize and launch their video campaigns.
He offers both done-for-you video agency services and specializes in helping promote and market personal brands.
Through working with him, his clients have generated millions of dollars in extra profit from video marketing.
As a side benefit of having worked with world-class clients who are household names, he’s been able to take what’s working for them, systematize the process to help businesses of all sizes.
Ken enjoys working from home and traveling the world to meet face-to-face with business leaders – from first-time entrepreneurs to the biggest speakers globally – to guide them towards growth.
Key Takeaways
Learning how to build a process for your business is necessary to get to the next level.
Creating a process for your brand demands strategy.
In this Episode
Intro [ 03:38]
Meet Ken Okazaki [03:55]
How he got introduced to the world of Studio Sherpas [05:32]
How’s his team [10:25]
Where he spends his time in his business [11:16]
Who is running the show for his business? [12:17]
One of the biggest mistakes he regrets [15:13]
Where he wants to take his business [19:28]
The second and third most important position in his company [21:08]
How to have consistent income [22:40]
How is he marketing his business [27:57]
If video isn’t a thing what would he be doing? [30:03]
What gives him more fulfillment in his job [32:33]
Who’s his favorite presenter that he has worked with [33:19]
246: How to Tell Contractors and Employees Apart and Why it Matters w/ Jeremy Doorn
00:40:59
You want to make videos. Yet, to be a video business, you need to manage a lot of other aspects, particularly taxes. I know you didn’t get into this work because of the taxes. So why are you pulling out your hair over it? Today’s guest on this special Facebook Live recording explains how to make sense of it all.
Key Takeaways
Generally speaking, an employee is someone who works for you long-term whereas contractors tend to be temporary. You have more control over how employees do their work than you do with contractors.
About Jeremy Doorn
As a ten-year-plus employee of Core Wealth Management, Jeremy Doorn helps small businesses do a better job of tax planning. In addition to firm administration, he handles business advisory services and business succession planning for his clients.
The Subtle and Not So Subtle Distinctions Between W-2s and 1099s
Jeremy explains why it’s crucial to classify people who work for you correctly. Understanding the difference between a contractor and an employee is essential. If you get caught misclassifying them, it will come back to bite you.
While there are subtle differences, generally speaking, an employee is someone who works for you on a permanent basis doing a variety of tasks. A contractor is someone who is hired on to do a specific, often temporary, job. Jeremy describes what to consider when classifying these people so that you don’t end up paying hefty penalties that could threaten your business.
Just Do the Right Thing
Jeremy stresses that it’s always best to just do the right thing. Don’t misclassify the people who work for you just to save some money. Not only is this dishonest, but it could land you in a whole heap of trouble.
When things look fishy to the IRS, an audit will likely follow. Although the risk on an audit is generally low, the risk just isn’t worth it. Jeremy repeatedly emphasizes that trying to save a little money now, could end up being very expensive in the end.
Have you had trouble classifying people who work for you? Do you prefer to work with employees or contractors? Why? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Why it will save you money to pay for a tax expert [4:00]
The most important differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees [9:15]
How and why to transition from a contractor to an employee [17:20]
Why people and businesses get audited [25:20]
Calculating payroll costs for productions that can be billed to clients [33:20]
Quotes
“It’s really about getting close with your taxes. I don’t want you to be super overpaid or super underpaid because both are costing you money.” [6:55]
“If the person who you’re hiring is controlling what they do, how they’re doing it, the level of their work, they’re probably a contractor. If you’re controlling it - their hours, where, how, when they work, giving them tools to work with - then they’re probably employees.” [12:42]
“There’s not a whole lot of risk, but if you do get caught, you’re going to get penalized and it’s going to hurt.” [28:19]
360. Mastering the Business Behind Your Videos: Strategies for Success with Alyssa Houseknecht
00:47:34
In this episode, we talk with Alyssa Houseknecht, a seasoned commercial filmmaker, to explore the delicate balance between creativity and business acumen in the world of commercial filmmaking. Join us as we delve into effective strategies for pricing, client acquisition, and enhancing your business's overall impact.
Key Takeaways
You'll learn effective strategies for appropriately pricing your work, ensuring you're compensated for your skills and effort.
Discover the secrets to attracting and securing better clients, elevating the quality of your portfolio.
Gain insights on broadening the impact of your video business, making a mark in the industry, and fostering meaningful connections.
About Alyssa Houseknecht
Lyss is CEO and Creative Director of her boutique agency, Confidante Co. where she specializes in brand strategy. She helps influential entrepreneurs design Confident Brands–because design is more than things just looking “pretty.” Using her 7-step framework, Alyssa has proven that a Confident Brand will create impact and income. Lyss is used to being on stage or in front of a microphone as she is a trained vocalist and actress. These days, she uses those skills to present practical information dynamically.
She has been featured on global summits like Monetize Your Genius, top-rated podcasts like Real Personal Branding Podcast, and featured as a guest masterclass teacher for Pinegate Road, Forever Friday, among others.
For years, Lyss was a brand designer at a successful multi-million dollar company in New York. Feeling stifled, she left the corporate agency world in pursuit of freedom. Nowadays you’ll find her consulting with top entrepreneurs, speaking at summits, and looking for the next great place to travel. As she enjoys living and working nomadically... and trying out a negroni in every new place she visits.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[05:35] Meet Alyssa Houseknecht
[08:04] Working with agencies
[11:46] Conquering cold outreach
[21:40] Staying consistent
[25:34] Marketing case study
[29:36] Marketing with video
[34:29] Freelance vs Business Owner
[43:13] The importance of mindset
[45:36] Connect with Alyssa
[46:20] Outro
Quotes
"It's not just about shooting videos; it's about crafting a narrative that aligns with your business vision."
"When you understand your worth, you set a standard in the industry."
"The right clients don't just bring you business; they bring you joy and a sense of achievement."
"Your impact extends beyond the screen; it's the value you bring into every project."
264. Finding Your Zone of Genius with Kat Schmoyer
00:42:55
Do you have a business dream? If your answer is yes, the next question should be: Are you being realistic about your business goals and strategies to help you reach those dreams? If you don’t know the answer to either of those questions, this episode is for you. This week, Kat Schmoyer breaks down the system she uses to help her clients achieve their goals. We have an honest conversation with someone who specializes in the back-end operations of creative businesses. Kat shows us how to create strategies that actually work and her exclusive 90 days goals strategy. She shares her tips on how to stay focused when deciding your goals and how to finally stop leaving money on the table.
Kat is a business coach & integrator for creatives! She helps small business owners achieve their dreams through coaching, affordable templates and products! She lives in a 2 stoplight town with her husband and her two kids. She loves the color pink and has a knack for organizing just about ANYTHING.
Don't forget to buy Kat's Calendar Shop Product: https://katschmoyer.com/printable-calendar-ultimate-2022
And her free Trello Templates: https://katschmoyer.com/trello-my-week-template-freebie
Be sure to check out Kat Schmoyer: @katschmoyer https://www.facebook.com/katschmoyer https://www.instagram.com/katschmoyer/ https://twitter.com/katschmoyer https://katschmoyer.com
400. From Awkward Intros to Epic Milestones: 400 Episodes of Growing Together
00:32:22
In this special 400th episode of the Grow Your Video Business show, host Ryan Koral reflects on the journey since launching the podcast in early 2016. Originally started with co-founder Matt Davis, Ryan shares memorable moments, the evolution of the show, and the importance of community and support in overcoming struggles. He expresses gratitude to listeners, team members, and supporters who have made the show possible. Tune in for a heartfelt look back at eight years of podcasting, personal growth, and the powerful impact of community.
Key Takeaways
The journey up to, and what it means to celebrate the 400th episode.
Expressions of gratitude to loyal listeners.
Reflection on the show’s origins and growth.
Community highlights and a transformative 2016.
Thankful to key contributors and the global audience.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[00:48] Celebrating 400 Episodes
[01:25] How It All Started
[03:12] The First Episode Ever
[10:58] Community
[22:21] Thank yous
[31:39] Outro
Quotes
“My heart is just so thankful for you for being with me.”
“We both (me and Matt Davis) were speaking at events for filmmakers and we both loved education and we both like a microphone, so we just thought it would be really fun. And we did it. And that's where Studio Sherpas was launched.”
“As I reflect on all 400 episodes, all of the ups and downs and, you know, so many highs and so many lows, the thing that still rings true today as what I think is the most important is community.”
“It’s amazing the opportunities I’ve gotten just by having a show. The people that have said yes to be on this show… these people wouldn’t have a conversation with me if I didn't have a podcast.”
391. Using Short Form Video to Attract Video Clients with Austin Falter
00:41:11
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan sits down with Austin Falter, the dynamic founder and CEO of Falter Media. Austin shares his inspiring journey from starting as a freelance videographer in college to establishing a niche video business that serves entrepreneurial doctors. They discuss the importance of niching down, the challenges and benefits of focusing on a specific market, and the impact of social media and organic content on business growth. Austin also gives a glimpse into his personal life and interests, adding a fun and relatable touch to the conversation. Whether you're a seasoned video professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.
Key Takeaways
Niching down can significantly enhance your expertise and the quality of service you provide.
Organic content is crucial for long-term growth, especially in niche markets.
Balancing personal interests with professional goals can create a more relatable and engaging brand.
Understanding your audience deeply can lead to more effective and tailored content strategies.
About Austin Falter
Austin is a GenZ business owner, a TEDx Speaker, a content creator and video agency owner. He helps Doctors and Health coaches grow using shortform video and video podcasts... His own social media has been the greatest marketing channel for his agency next to word of mouth!
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:20] Meet Austin Falter
[06:40] Developing A Niche
[13:40] Marketing In A Video Business
[27:14] Tactics For New Clients
[32:36] How Having a Niche Helps
[39:08] Connect with Austin
[40:03] Outro
Quotes
"I realized how unproductive having a general audience is... I need to really figure out who I want to serve."
"If you're frustrated in your video business, it's probably because you aren't an expert."
"When you present your offer to a specific group, it becomes easier to create packages that really serve them."
"Organic content is a long-term game, but it's worth it when you start seeing consistent engagement and leads."
"The more I've leaned into my niche, the more confidence I'm gaining in the choice to go niche."
124: Why You Don't Need A Distribution Company w/ Rob Hardy
00:58:38
So you’ve made an awesome film and now it’s time to launch it. Sure you could go through a distribution company, but what if you could cut out the middleman and do it yourself? It’s a good thing that I have a guest today who lays out the blueprint on just how you can do this while maximizing your profits!
Today we welcome Rob Hardy back to the podcast. He is a filmmaker and entrepreneur who runsFilmmaker Freedom, a blog and growing community of indie filmmakers where he guides readers on how to redefine success for themselves, according to their own circumstances, talents, and values. He is passionate about helping indie filmmakers build their online audiences so they can cut out the middleman in this process and truly support themselves doing what they love.
Today we are having a raw and honest conversation about finding your audience and figuring out how to best serve them. This might involve getting your work directly to your audience without going through an expensive distribution company. Throughout this interview, Tom shares some great ideas on how you can start building your audience right away and launch your film yourself so that you can best serve your audience all the while making more money for yourself.
Have you launched a film yourself? Tell me what you learned through this process in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode:
The role of filmmakers indirectly serving their audiences
Red flags to look out for if you’re going to work with a distribution company
How to build an enthusiastic audience long before your work is even finished
The importance of building an audience and how your email list can become the lifeblood of your business
How to launch your work yourself all while driving up its value and increasing the excitement around it
Harnessing the identity feedback loop of your niche to create profitable and meaningful connections with your audience
Quotes:
“It really is about finding that group of people, ideally people who are like you and who you care about helping, get something in their lives. Obviously, if you’re making films, you’re not going to solve some burning problem they have in their life, but you can serve their identity. You can give them something that uplifting, that makes them think.” [7:46]
“Who are the people or companies who hold your set of values, who share some piece of your own identity, who you would want to grab a beer with at the end of the day? Who are those people and what do they need in their lives? What do they need in their businesses? It’s sort of like a grand human principle.” [12:37]
“You just have to be creative and come up with bonuses that people in this niche will love. Just by nature of being in this niche and serving this niche, you should know them inside and out. You should have a clear psychographic profile for who these people are, what their day-to-day lives look like, what they want, what their fears and dreams and desires are. That’s what marketing is.” [31:23]
“Not only do you have to take responsibility for your work and the things that you make, but you have to take responsibility for what happens once the work is finished. The world does not take care of that work for you.” [46:19]
295. Why Being Self-Aware Is Crucial to Ongoing Success with Nick Nanton
00:29:02
On this week’s episode, Nick Nanton, 22-Time Emmy Award winning Director and Producer, tells us how important it is to have those big dreams and goals but also why you need to be realistic with your next step.
He drops some wisdom on how to be more self-aware and how that will help you connect with more people both through the lens and with clients and colleagues. He also talks about the importance of having a solid team around you so you can focus on the things that you are uniquely gifted at.
Key Takeaways
Building momentum is the key to getting things done
Have big dreams but also set smaller goals that will make you happy
Stay in your lane and build a team around you to do the rest
Everyone has a unique story to tell
About Nick Nanton
From the slums of Port au Prince Haiti with special forces raiding a sex trafficking ring and freeing children to the Virgin Galactic Space Port in Mojave with Sir Richard Branson, 22-Time Emmy Award Winning Director/Producer, Nick Nanton, has become known for telling stories that connect. Why? Because he focuses on the most fascinating subject in the world: PEOPLE.
As a storyteller and Best-Selling Author, Nick has shared his message with millions of people through his documentaries, speeches, blogs, lectures, and best-selling books. Nick’s book StorySelling hit the Wall Street Journal Best-Seller list and is available on Audible as an audio book. Nick has directed more than 60 documentaries and a sold out Broadway Show (garnering 43 Emmy nominations in multiple regions and 22 wins), including:
DREAM BIG: Rudy Ruettiger LIVE on Broadway
Visioneer: The Peter Diamandis Story
Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On
Operation Toussaint
The Rebound
Nick has shared the stage, co-authored books, and made films featuring:
Larry King
Dick Vitale
Kenny Chesney
Charles Barkley
Coach Mike Krzyzewksi
Jack Nicklaus
Tony Robbins
Steve Forbes
will.i.am
Sir Richard Branson
Dean Kamen
Ray Kurzweil
Lisa Nichols
Peter Diamandis
And many more
Nick specializes in bringing the element of human connection to every viewer, no matter the subject. He is currently directing and hosting the series “In Case You Didn’t Know” (Season 1 Executive produced by Larry King), featuring legends in the worlds of business, entrepreneurship, personal development, technology, and sports.
In This Episode
Creatives need to make a good living so they can make bigger and better things [3:11]
It’s important to have big dreams but you need to have realistic expectations [5:46]
Momentum is hard to build but it’s crucial in getting to your dreams [12:17]
Nicks greatest superpower [14:46]
Branding is nothing more than good storytelling [17:01]
When you realize your message is more important than yourself, that’s when breakthrough happens [20:52]
Quotes
“You were probably born into this world with innate gifts that were probably beaten out of you for 13 to 15 to 17 years, in college, or undergrad, or grad school. l and all we really need to do is look to what are those things that were beaten out of us that we are really gifted at when we were 0-5 like how do we get back to just doing those things.” [8:19]
“Literally all we get is this journey, so like try to find a way to enjoy it and try to set milestones and goals that will make you happy when you achieve them because you haven’t placed yourself outside the realm of possibility.” [13:59]
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
431. The Communication Mistake That Could Be Costing You $100K with Jason Raitz
00:48:50
Jason Raitz shares his journey from public speaker to communication coach and reveals how seemingly small changes in how we speak with (not at) people can dramatically impact trust, relationships, and revenue. Through powerful stories and practical advice, Jason shows how better communication isn't just nice to have - it's essential for business growth and client retention.
Key Takeaways:
Most leaders communicate out of fear, manipulation, or force for short-term results - but this approach eventually drives away team members and clients
Effective communication follows the 20/80 principle: be fully present (10%), ask exceptional questions (10%), and genuinely listen (80%)
Your listening skills and communication effectiveness could be costing you $80,000-$100,000 a year and 8 hours of productivity every week
When you speak "with" people rather than "at" them, you'll build trust that naturally generates referrals and increases revenue
About Jason Raitz
Jason Raitz is on a mission to help leaders speak with people, not at them. As President of Speak with People, he equips leaders with communication skills that build trust, foster loyalty, and drive growth.
Since 1996, Jason has spoken at over 700 events, reaching more than 200,000 people. He also hosts the Speak with People Podcast, inspiring Leaders to refine their communication and deepen relationships.
He and his wife have been married for 28 years and have 5 kids. They're huge advocates for adoption the rare disease community.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[04:22] Meet Jason Raitz
[11:44] Being a Better Communicator
[13:43] Words and Actions
[23:06] Tips for Better Communication
[28:04] Be A Story Collector
[34:54] Why Communicate Better?
[44:47] Connect with Jason
[46:24] Outro
Quotes
"Real influence isn't demanded, it's earned one meaningful conversation at a time." - Jason Raitz
"People will listen to you for a season if you communicate out of force. They will listen to you if you communicate out of fear, if you come down hard on them. But that only works for a short time." - Jason Raitz
"When you speak with people, you speak from a place of health. You speak from a place of trust, joy and collaboration. Like you want to get the absolute best." - Jason Raitz
"Healthy communication is oxygen for our relationships. And you just breathe life into people. The difference is astounding." - Jason Raitz
420. Why Hustle Culture is Killing Your Business with Terry Weaver
00:57:39
Author and speaker Terry Weaver challenges conventional hustle culture wisdom and shares a more sustainable approach to building a successful business. He discusses why true success means defining it on your own terms and building intentional rest into your business model.
Key Takeaways
Success looks different for everyone - define it based on the life you actually want
Build intentional seasons of rest into your business model
Focus on creating genuine value and relationships instead of just moving money around
Take at least one week off per quarter to truly disengage from work
About Terry Weaver
Terry Weaver is a speaker, author, event producer, podcaster, and ideapreneur whose passion is to see others live life alive; whether through helping others see their dreams become reality, traveling around the world challenging students to change the world, leading teams of people to do more together than they could alone, or hanging out with Mickey Mouse.
With a background in the music business, Terry has helped creatives navigate the journey from the garage to the biggest stages in the world. Whether it’s getting to the stage of Grammys®, helping entrepreneurs with a six-figure product launch, or leading conversations with key thought leaders his mission is always the same to help leaders take what they are doing to the next level.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[06:02] Meet Terry Weaver
[15:33] Balancing AI In Your Business
[21:58] Utilizing Riverside
[23:29] Idea Generation
[36:54] The Unhealthy Hustle
[44:08] The Season For Hustle
[55:22] Connect with Terry
[56:08] Outro
Quotes
"Hustle's a season. Even through several of the things when a lot of people thought Gary Vaynerchuk was trying to convince us to be all hustle... there has to be balance." - Terry Weaver
"When you know what you really care about, you also know who you care about helping. And when you start to know who you care about helping, you start to ask yourself, how can what I know help answer the question that's keeping them up all night?" - Terry Weaver
"When I've been the most effective, I followed my rule of taking a week off, around a week off every quarter." - Terry Weaver
219: Why Small Offerings Are the Key to Landing Big Projects w/ Jacob Snowden
00:48:06
Who doesn’t want to land a high-budget project for a big brand? That may be the goal of many of us, but seldom can you start there. Before you get booked to make something big, you often have to do something much smaller. Today’s guest is an expert in video marketing who’s going to tell you how to introduce yourself to big clients by offering smaller projects.
Key Takeaways
When talking to clients, focus on how to best use the videos you create rather than the video itself. Your videos are a means to an end for them and you can help them reach their goals. That’s what they’re truly interested in.
Have something to offer a potential client on the cheap (or even free) to help you establish a relationship early on. This will not only possibly lead to more lucrative work later on, but it will also help you decide if you’re a good fit for each other.
If you ever do free work for somebody, be very clear from the start about your expectations of what you’re doing for them and what they should expect from you.
About Jacob Snowden
Jacob Snowden has worked in video and marketing for the past eight years. Starting out with Kickstarters and music videos, Jacob now leads a team of nine video creators for one of America's fastest-growing companies; Marketing 360.
Focusing on Strategy to Help Your Clients
More important than making a great video, is putting it to use in the best way you can. Jacob describes the process for selling clients on the importance of the videos you create for them rather than the video itself. It takes remembering that they have a goal in mind and focusing on how you can help them achieve that goal with your creation.
By focusing on strategy, you’ll not only sound more professional, but you’ll help your clients even more. Knowing what they want the videos to achieve will guide your creations towards a more narrow focus and make them more effective.
Starting Small Before You Can Go Big
We all want to create big-budget projects. But sometimes it pays to make something with a tiny budget or even for free when just starting your relationship with a brand. Jacob and I have both found that this is a helpful way to get your foot in the door and find out whether or not you’re actually a good fit for each other.
Templatized projects can also fill this role. They are cheap, fast, and easy to make while still serving your client’s needs. Sometimes the most memorable video is just a few seconds long and quickly made. Although they don’t make you much money upfront, Jacob knows that they often lead to much bigger projects down the road.
What low barrier to entry project can you offer a prospective client? Can you offer templatized projects? How do you think they could help you serve your clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Why implementing a video correctly is more important than creating it [8:10]
How to introduce yourself to a big agency as a small company [17:00]
Important considerations when it comes to doing work for free [20:05]
Using inexpensive templatized projects to grow your business [32:35]
Quotes
“You can talk to a client about video until you’re blue in the face, but if they don’t understand how it’s going to benefit their business and how it’s going to be used, you already lost them.” [9:14]
“If you can get somebody to say yes once, you’re more likely to get them to say yes again.” [28:49]
“Just keep creating videos and just keep learning. That’s all you can do.” [42:03]
143: How To Find The Right Niche In A Crowded Market w/ Jon Morgan
00:55:30
If we didn’t have to do sales in this work then everything would be so much easier, right? There are ways to make sales easier, more natural, and ultimately more profitable. Today’s guest has only been in the video business for a short time, but his dedication to sales has led him to success after success.
Jon Morgan’s passion is selling. He is the owner and founder ofJM Films, one of the top production companies in St. Louis. Jon has worked with such clients as Microsoft, Mastercard, and the NHL. He and his studio are passionate about producing engaging cinematic quality videos for companies and businesses that not only tell their stories but also get results.
Jon takes us through the humble beginnings of his marketing business as he forged his own path in an already crowded market. Recognizing that an opportunity existed in making videos, Jon shifted gears and has been finding success ever since. Jon explains how he found the right sort of clients for him and how to assess the profitability of potential work.
We talk a lot about how we learn and grow as entrepreneurs. Succeeding for Jon and me both came from learning from others and being open to receiving advice. It also involves putting yourself out there for others so that we can be of help to an entire community.
Finally, Jon lays out some great advice for managing all your potential customers and using a CRM platform. This allows you to keep track of the customers who may not be ready to buy right now but will be in the future.
How do you followup with clients who are not ready to buy from you at the moment but might be later on? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In this episode
Finding the right niche for your business in a crowded field
What it means to be “front of mind” in your work
The value of finding community and mentors to learn from
How to stop wasting time and energy selling to the wrong audience
Why it’s important to have a clear plan for your business from the beginning
What CRM is and why it’s crucially important for your business’s growth
Quotes
“I realized early on that selling video services to someone who’s a lot more expensive than you are is a lot easier of a conversation than selling to someone whose product or services are a lot less expensive than yours.” [14:42]
“If I know that it’s easier to sell a video to an industry that we’ve already worked in, then why don’t I just focus on these industries more instead of trying to pioneer new paths in every possible industry out there?” [17:12]
“Really try to soak up as much information, learning, and wisdom as you can from other people. You’re going to learn a lot, not only from your mistakes and what you do well and maybe didn’t do well but also from asking others.” [30:51]
“Whether or not you have a plan, you’re still going to make a lot of mistakes…. Things are going to evolve. You’re going to have to be able and willing to adapt.” [40:09]
“Only 3% of the market is ready to buy right now. That means the other 97% is not now. A lot of people make the mistake of only looking for that 3%.” [43:10]
190: Why It's Not As Urgent As You Think w/ Jason Fried
00:41:32
Just because you have a great idea, it doesn’t mean that your customers are going to love it too. They have their own projects and are working on their own schedule. Understanding that your priorities are not the same as your customers’ is key to creating long-term relationships with them.
As someone who has always loved creating and designing things, Jason started making websites right out of college. Realizing that he preferred working for himself, Jason refocused his career path on creating businesses. He quickly discovered that organization is central to productivity and success, but the tools to make it happen didn’t exist. It was this realization that gave birth to Basecamp.
Today, Jason shares some of his revelations from the workplace. A big one was coming to the understanding that not everything is as urgent as we often think it is. This allows us to slow down and get perspective on where our energy should really be going. Basically, we should all be getting a good night’s sleep before acting on anything big.
Furthermore, as a leader, you need to create the space for honest and open communication with the people you work with. This means asking the right questions and being open to any answer.
How necessity can give birth to brilliant business ideas [5:30]
The advantages that come from listening to customers instead of making assumptions [9:30]
What it really means to treat your customers with care and respect [13:10]
The realization that few things are as urgent as we think [17:00]
Where to cultivate joy and purpose in the work that you do [23:03]
The importance of always asking questions of your team and company [25:10]
Why you should look for inspiration outside of your industry [33:30]
Quotes
“Constant iteration is the only way to make anything better.” [8:51]
“Just because we have something new to offer and we think it’s better, that doesn’t necessarily mean that for other people better is what they’re looking for. A lot of people are looking for consistency and predictability.” [9:58]
“A lot of things can wait and they can wait their turn. It’s actually better for things to have to wait their turn because sometimes when you get to them you realize it wasn't that good of an idea anyway.” [18:35]
“False urgency is a really dangerous thing. I think a lot of companies suffer from it.” [22:58]
“The fundamental thing is that if you want answers you have to ask questions. People don’t bring you answers if you don’t ask questions first.” [27:00]
239: How to Take Control of Your Time as a Business Owner w/ Blake Pollino
00:56:44
What is the most valuable non-renewable asset in your life and business? It’s time. Your time is limited, so why not use it doing what brings you the most satisfaction and joy? Today’s guest designed his businesses to let him do just that.
Key Takeaways
You’re not alone in your work. By being part of a community of people in the same profession, you can help and support each other and foster mutual success.
As soon as you can, start creating systems to automate as much of your job as possible.
Branching out in the type of services you offer is often an inexpensive way to create more security.
AboutBlake Pollino
Blake spent ten years doing business development and marketing in the corporate/start-up world. He shot his first wedding for free in December 2017 and filmed his first paid wedding the following March.
Blake worked 80+ hours a week building his video business while still working a full-time 9-5. He went full-time almost one year to the day after his first paid wedding. Blake launchedBP Media Groupin 2019. Since then, he has worked with companies/brands like ConocoPhillips, Shell, the Philadelphia 76ers, Junior Olympics, Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin University, and more. In late 2019, he spun his real estate photo/video work into its own company, BP Real Estate Photo & Video.
Becoming the Boss of Your Own Schedule with Systems
As someone who runs multiple businesses, Blake could be constantly at odds with time. However, he learned that money that buys you more time is money well spent. Blake explains how establishing and using automated systems has freed up more time in his business.
By having employees and systems in place, Blake is able to own his schedule. Having previously worked over eighty hours a week, you better believe he appreciates his ability to take quality time off for his family and his own passions.
Building the Relationships that Pay You Back Over and Over Again
One aspect of Blake’s success has come from relationships with clients. There are some companies, particularly marketing agencies, that will need video for many different projects and clients. These, in turn, can lead to new work opportunities. We discuss how seeking out and cultivating relationships with just a few companies can greatly multiply your work.
A lot has to do with the effort you put into securing clients. By putting your energy into going after big clients, you’re being more efficient with your resources. These are often the clients that you can reliably count on for multiple work opportunities.
What systems do you have in your business that allow you to own your own time?How do you go antelope hunting instead of mouse hunting? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
The benefits of being part of a shared experience [6:00]
How Blake transitioned out of corporate work and into entrepreneurship [12:10]
Taking advantage of automation to buy you more time [17:33]
Taking control of your time and schedule to be able to focus on your true priorities [24:40]
Why it can be tough to be both a creative and an entrepreneur [33:40]
Finding clients who lead you to even more opportunities [35:45]
Whether to hunt for field mice or antelopes [41:50]
Diversifying your business without buying new gear [43:37]
What to do after your success [52:00]
Quotes
“Some of the moments that have led to the most success in this business have come from going to workshops. It’s not necessarily the content that is taught at those workshops, which is normally great; it’s the relationships that I’ve made.” [10:31]
“We’re in a really cool place where people are starting to see that the ocean is plenty big for everyone. We can really help each other and lift each other up.” [11:19]
“There’s a big struggle in the creative industry. We’re artists. We want to create something and show our art. But, whether we like it or not, we’re also business-people. We have to run these businesses. Many struggle to do both these things.” [33:43]
353. Driving Growth Through Authentic Connection with Crystal Tosh
00:46:24
In this enlightening episode of podcast, Ryan engages in a candid conversation with Crystal Tosh. They explore the evolving landscape of video production, emphasizing the importance of authentic communication, understanding client needs, and leveraging technology like ChatGPT.
Key topics covered include:
The significance of face-to-face interactions in building trust.
The challenges and benefits of using AI tools like ChatGPT.
The essence of simplifying communication for better understanding.
The humorous side of AI-generated content.
Key Takeaways
You'll grasp the importance of authentic, face-to-face communication in building trust and understanding client needs.
You'll discover the potential and pitfalls of using AI tools like chat GPT in video production.
You'll appreciate the value of simplifying messages and the unexpected humor AI can bring.
About Crystal Tosh
Crystal Tosh is a marketer, SoTrue co-founder, and advocate for animal welfare and the environment. With degrees in psychology and public health, she crafts effective marketing strategies by understanding human behavior and empathy. Her love for nature and animals drives her nonprofit work, while her dedication to ethical marketing ensures a compassionate connection with audiences. Get ready to be inspired for a sustainable and compassionate world with Crystal as your speaker.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[04:12] Meet Crystal Tosh
[06:15] Crystal’s marketing agency
[07:58] Authentic connection
[10:30] AI’s influence on social media
[12:13] Using video content for a video business
[16:12] Be true to yourself
[25:23] Finding your ideal clients
[33:59] Becoming a people-person
[40:21] Listen to the right voices
[44:04] Connect with Crystal
[45:20] Outro
Quotes
"When you are, like, literally within hugging distance of me, look out, because here I come." - Ryan
"Tell it to me like I'm in third grade. And I'm like, oh my gosh, yeah, this sounds so much more like me." - Ryan
"You just get all of the non-verbals and you get an opportunity to really listen on a whole other level." - Ryan
"If people don't trust you, if potential clients don't trust you, you're going to be... it doesn't have to be hard." - Ryan
285. How To Build the Right Team with Cassie Daniels
01:00:59
Look…we all know that building a team is difficult. It’s time-consuming, mistakes are easy to make, and when you do make them they tend to be expensive. This week on theGrow Your Video Business Podcast we deep dive into the team-building process with our guest Cassie Daniels. Cassie is the owner of Brisbane-based video production company Builds by Captive Media. Their mission is to help construction industry businesses to build trust and be remembered by improving the quality of their content. Captive Media is also a huge fan of doing good and a proud member of 1% for the planet donating 1% of gross revenue to environmental not for profits. Cassie built the business after leaving her job of over a decade in corporate management and pursuing her goals of building a successful business in the creative industry.
SSP 075: How To Boost Your Creativity, Efficiency & Sales With Processes w/ Doug Darling
00:55:36
Are you a creative with a process, or do you worry that systems would detract from or even destroy your ability to be spontaneous and creative? Doug Darling makes a case for us today about how having a process and method will help empower your creativity and create better projects for your clients.
Doug is the Founder and Executive Director of Tripwire Media Group, a media company focused on using storytelling to get their clients the results they need. Today he talks to us about how he’s seen storytelling improve everything from his emails to his client projects, and on the flip side, the importance of having a process and structure in order to make that creativity and storytelling flourish. He also talks about how to get client buy-in on creative ideas, as well as how he approached hiring to grow his agency.
What processes or methods do you use to help give structure to your creativity? How do you get your clients on board? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode:
How having a process helps improve your creativity, not squash it
How to get your clients to buy into the creative storytelling ideas
The pros and cons of having a small operation versus hiring a team
How to get started with that first hire
Quotes:
“It doesn’t cheapen it to have process or structure to how you approach both the relationship side, the creative side, and also the sales side.” 7:25
“Continuously reinventing yourself, after 9 years, is what keeps me excited.” 24:03
“It was one of the first times we realized, Hold on, we can do better than what they’re asking us to do.” 34:25
What does success mean to you? How do you define it? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast we want you to challenge your thinking when it comes to success. Ryan digs into work-life balance with Mike Myers, the real nitty-gritty of being an entrepreneur, how to create a business that gives you the freedom you want and much, much more.
Mike is a full-time video producer, wedding filmmaker, photographer and has recently added podcaster to his resumé; owner of May Morning Studios and Caret Film Company…getting his feet wet in the wedding industry, Mike started filming videos in 2011 and hasn't looked back since. He still thoroughly enjoys filming weddings through his wedding brand, May Morning Studios, and has expanded his passion toward commercial and corporate work with Caret Film Co.
197: How to Grow Your Business by Leading Virtual Events w/ Ryan Koral
00:35:00
This year has not gone as expected. That’s true for my business as much as anything else. The mechanisms that used to bring clients and projects my way don’t work like they used to. However, virtual summits and meetups have exploded. Today, I’m sharing how I’ve been harnessing the potential of these virtual events to grow my business.
Key Takeaways
In times of COVID, we need to shift how we build networks. Online summits, virtual meetups, and webinars are a great way to fill the gaps left by in-person events. Hosting one of these summits will even show you to be an authority in your field.
Lessons of Running a Virtual Summit
Over the last few months, I’ve been putting together a virtual summit for digital marketers. I’ve learned a lot in the process. Not only do I think this event will provide great value for those who attend, but it will also help grow and maintain a network of people who may become clients someday.
Growing Your Network
I’ve found that hosting these events I’ve positioned myself as an authority in my niche. As a result, more people in my expanding network are going to think of me when they need video or something else that I offer. It will naturally build connections that wouldn’t otherwise exist.
Finding and Serving Your Niche
You can’t just create an event for everyone though. You need to get very focussed on a specific niche. The narrower, the better. If you’re not sure, reach out to your network and ask what topics they most resonate with at the moment. With that information, you’ll have a great start to building a successful virtual event.
Would you ever consider creating a webinar or an online summit? What would it be about? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
How virtual summits are filling the gap left by in-person events [3:25]
Growing your network with online events [9:27]
How shifting to a bigger online presence changes how we think about business [16:37]
Why focusing on a specific niche is the best way to succeed with a webinar or summit [19:14]
Why few things are more important than your email list [25:00]
Quotes
“We’re getting exposure to a ton of people who we wouldn’t normally be…. And as the hosts, we are the ones who look like we’re friends with all of the presenters.” [13:16]
“When you take leadership, when you take action, when you decide to do this, people will take notice because not everybody is getting in the ring.” [15:25]
“As you do webinars and summits, your email list will grow. It is so important to grow your email list.” [25:01]
370. Ryan Koral Unplugged: A Candid Look at 20 Years in Video Business
00:17:59
In this introspective solo episode, Ryan Koral shares his personal journey and the lessons learned in almost 20 years of running a video production business. He discusses the importance of reflection, setting goals, and the power of focusing on the 'gains' rather than the 'gaps' in personal and professional life.
Key Takeaways
Discover the importance of intentional reflection and learning from past experiences to grow your video business.
Understand the power of setting clear, ambitious goals and focusing on achievements to drive business success.
Learn how to balance personal and professional growth in the ever-evolving landscape of video production.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[01:23] Planning and vision for 2024
[07:12] The Gap and The Gain
[10:30] The Roadmap for Optimism
[11:12] Why are we doing this?
[12:07] Celebrate your progress
[14:36] Setting goals
[16:33] Outro
Quotes
"Last year, I absorbed three books that really impacted me. 'The Gap and The Gain' was particularly powerful for me. I made some very proactive decisions about my health, both physical and mental, that have been really beneficial.”
"I believe 10x is easier than 2x. I'm setting my goals and priorities for 2024, focusing on what I'm really wired to do and cutting out the rest.”
"2024 is not waiting for me. It's important to find time away from day-to-day work to reflect and plan.”
"What if you took some time for a brain dump? Think about what consumes your time, what impacts your revenue, and what brings you joy.”
“At the end of the day, I reflect on the three best moments, whether personal or professional. This practice of recognizing daily achievements is really helping me.”
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week"
322. When Is It Time to Bring in a Second in Command? with Cameron Herold
00:39:57
Today on the show I talk with my friend Cameron Herold about the frightening, but extremely profitable, step for your business of hiring a second in command. As entrepreneurs, we are often bogged down by the menial tasks of running the business that we never get to spend time growing the business or doing the parts of it that we love. Cameron’s perspective is so valuable in helping us see the importance of hiring a second in command, understanding who to hire for this role, and knowing the right steps to accomplish this game-changing goal. Take back your life and structure your business from the top down in a way that serves you and gives you the bandwidth to create the fulfilled life that you desire!
Key Takeaways
Know when it’s time to bring in administrative help, and then eventually a second in command.
Building your business to have a solid second in command will free you up to do the things that you love.
Reframe the way you think about hiring. You shouldn’t view it as an expense but as gaining an asset that will generate more revenue.
It’s your business, you get to make the rules. You are the only reason you are still doing the work that you hate.
About Cameron Herold
Cameron is the mastermind behind hundreds of company's exponential growth and has earned his reputation as the business growth guru. He has built a dynamic consultancy with clients that include a monarchy and a Big 4 wireless company. The author of 6 books, Cameron is also a top rated international speaker, having spoken on all 7 continents. The founder of the COO Alliance, the World's Leading Network for Seconds in Command, he’s also the host of the Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief podcast, where he interviews COOs and other seconds to share their insights with his listeners.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:55] Meet Cameron Herold
[06:01] Why do you need a second in command?
[10:49] Finding a second in command that fits your business
[17:31] When to take the step of hiring a Number 2
[18:55] The results of a good second in command
[21:02] Overcoming the mental roadblocks
[23:40] Dealing with the fear of paying someone
[29:23] Fractional employees
[33:41] The COO Alliance
[36:36] Rethinking the Org Chart
[37:13] Connect with Cameron Herold
[38:24] Outro
Quotes
“The opportunity is to find a second in command who loves to do the stuff that you don't and who is great at the stuff that you're not and who doesn't want to work on the stuff that you want to work on.” [9:30] - Cameron Herold
“You need to hire for attitude and proven skill” [14:31] - Cameron Herold
“Here's what's interesting about the entrepreneur: we get to make the rules because it's our business.” [21:44] - Cameron Herold
“You don't hold people accountable, you hire accountable people. You don’t manage people, you grow them.” [37:02] - Cameron Herold
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
319. Exploring the Power of Personal Brands with Lisa McGuire
00:39:51
Today on the show I explore Lisa McGuire’s unique perspective on personal brands. Everyone has a personal brand, whether they realize it or not. We can all benefit from exploring the different stories that we tell ourselves to better understand who we really are and strengthen our personal brands.
A strong personal brand can help propel your business forward by giving it greater clarity and vision. Leverage this clarity of who you are to find clients that you can develop healthy, thriving relationships with. It’s time to really and honestly show up for your business, your clients, your friends, and your family!
Key Takeaways
You can benefit from your personal brand even if you don’t want to be the face of your business.
Ask the difficult questions to better understand who you are and develop your unique personal brand.
Use story to express your strengths, and your weaknesses.
Embrace who you are to show up for your business in a powerful way.
About Lisa McGuire
Lisa McGuire is a certified business storyteller, personal brand strategist, and founder of Your Passion, Purpose and Personal Brand podcast. Her love for knowledge led her to start her career in education and she went on to become one of the founders of a $20M startup.
When Lisa realized her gifts no longer fit into someone else’s script, she took the leap to launch her own business in 2018.
She is a strong believer in spending as much time as you can working in your zone of genius. Today, Lisa helps consultants and professional service providers do just that using her signature framework, The Difference Is You. They learn to build a personal brand of integrity by leveraging science-based concepts to create a compelling story.
Lisa is married with two children and two grandchildren and lives in Atlanta, Georgia where she’s never too far from a grove of trees or the beach.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:25] Meet Lisa McGuire
[03:17] Lisa's passion for business storytelling
[05:05] Lisa's unique approach
[08:46] Embrace the size of your company
[12:37] Why personal branding
[13:37] What is a personal brand
[20:16] Finding your unique personal brand
[36:10] Connect with Lisa
[37:45] Outro
Quotes
“But when you can get down to the core of who people are, that's when they come alive.” [4:54] - Lisa McGuire
“Your people are looking for you, and if you don't show up, how are they going to find you?” [24:26] - Lisa McGuire
“The thing that I have to offer is more important than the way that I feel about what I look like or sound.” [29:24] - Ryan Koral
“You don't have to follow the script you've been given or the role you were told to play. You will truly stand out and attract the right people when you show up as that personal brand of integrity.” [37:03] - Lisa McGuire
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
276. The Secret Power of Networking with Jeff Hamm
00:58:52
What type of return do you think you would get if you spent $12,000 on Facebook ads? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Jeff Hamm of Red Plaid Films joins Ryan to talk about how he spent $12,000 on Facebook ads and had ZERO dollars in return. In this episode we’re talking all about the power of networking and how you can use it to grow your video business without spending a ton of money to do so. Find Jeff Hamm online Connect with Jeff onLinkedIn Follow Jeff onInstagram|Facebook|YouTube
376. Discipline Meets Strategy: Behind the Scenes Coaching Call with Frank Farrell
00:32:23
Episode 376
Overview
In this insightful episode of "Grow Your Video Business," Ryan Koral dives deep into the importance of having discipline in both personal and professional life, drawing parallels from his own experiences in high school football to the video production business. He emphasizes the significance of having a vision, a plan, and how these elements fuel discipline, leading to success. The episode also explores the impact of strategic growth through effective client attraction strategies, sharing firsthand experiences of securing projects by establishing genuine connections and showcasing expertise.
Key Takeaways
Discover the foundational role of discipline in achieving success and how to cultivate it in your business.
Learn how having a clear vision and plan can streamline your path to growth and prosperity in video production.
Gain insights into attracting clients by leveraging genuine connections, showcasing expertise, and providing unparalleled value.
About Frank Farrell
Frank Farrell stumbled into the world of video production as a child when he discovered old film equipment in his attic. Ignoring his father's warnings, he delved into filmmaking, showcasing his creativity early on by producing short 8mm films. Recognized for his ingenuity in grade school, he quickly mastered the latest technology, leading him to establish Custom Video Productions in 1978 during his junior year of high school. His journey continued through college, where he secured a summer internship and later became the go-to video expert for major corporations like Bell Laboratories, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies, showcasing his enduring passion and dedication to sharing his creative vision.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:33] Developing discipline
[11:10] Attracting clients
[13:31] Successful client communication
[19:43] Ensuring profitability
[26:18] Learning from others
[31:36] Outro
Quotes
“My journey from high school football to running a successful video production business taught me the invaluable role of discipline."
"Without a vision or a plan, it's nearly impossible to maintain discipline and achieve success."
"Our most unique client engagements and how we attracted them through genuine connections and showcasing our expertise."
"The significance of strategic planning in video business growth and client satisfaction."
201: How to Become an Essentialist & Change Your Life for the Better w/ Greg McKeown
00:52:11
Seventeen years of running my own video business have taught me that success is not about getting the best shot, or having the best demo reel or the best gear. There’s so much more to it. It boils down to your priorities and how you choose to focus your energy and time. In short, you need to become an essentialist.
Key Takeaways
Not everything is equally important. Start your day with the question of what is most important today and focus on that. That will set your priorities in order and help assure that you focus only on what is most essential to you.
Set boundaries. It is up to you to decide what to do with your time. Stay in control of it and let others know when you are available and when you are not. This leads to efficiency and more overall satisfaction.
About Greg McKeown
Greg McKeownis the author of the amazing book and New York Times bestseller,Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. He is also the founder of McKeown Inc., a company with a mission to teach essentialism to millions of people around the world. Their clients include Adobe, Apple, Airbnb, Cisco, Google, Facebook, and Pixar.
Creating boundaries and clarity for success
If you’ve ever felt busy without being productive (and who hasn’t?), Greg has some advice for you. You need to create the right boundaries around your priorities and stick to them. If you ask yourself every morning what the most important thing to do today, you will be well on the path to becoming an essentialist.
Being an essentialist certainly has its challenges. Even for Greg, it’s an ongoing journey. Over time, he’s developed a planning system that he continues to revise. Consciously and continuously developing clarity on goals and priorities takes effort. Without it though, necessary clarity will remain out of reach.
Identifying what is essential to you
Greg wants us all to identify essential parts of our lives that we are underinvesting in. When we realize why these things matter to us, and truly visualize what achieving it would be, we can start to reprioritize our daily lives and be one big step closer to essentialism. Becoming an essentialist is tough. It takes vulnerability. However, striving to build your life around only what is essential to you is the key to everything.
What is something essential to you that you are currently under-investing in? How do you create boundaries to protect your priorities? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!
In This Episode:
The role of community in implementing essentialism [7:20]
Retaking control over your life through proper prioritizing [10:50]
The struggles that come with being an essentialist [18:40]
Strategies to get more done by doing less [22:02]
Concrete ways to set boundaries to regain control over your time [26:45]
Questions and actions to identify what is most essential in your life [33:00]
Quotes
“If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” [11:52]
“You have to create space to prioritize, plan, think, and reflect so that you can actually make thoughtful decisions. You become strategic.” [22:52]
“It’s so vulnerable. It’s so personal. Also, I think we think people know - but they can’t know.” [44:22]
372. Personal Branding Secrets for Videographers with Christine Gritmon
00:40:51
Ryan engages in a captivating discussion with Christine Gritmon about the power and importance of personal branding for video professionals. Christine shares insights on how personal branding can significantly impact client relationships, business growth, and self-representation in the digital world. This episode is packed with practical tips for those looking to enhance their presence and influence in the video industry.
Key Takeaways
Learn how to harness the power of personal branding to attract and retain your ideal clients.
Discover strategies for presenting your unique voice and story through your brand.
Understand the importance of authenticity and consistency in building a trusted personal brand.
About Christine Gritmon
Christine Gritmon empowers professionals to step into their personal brands in a bigger, bolder way on social media. You CAN do it—she’ll teach you how! She’s spoken on stages worldwide and is a frequent expert guest on podcasts, live streams, Twitter chats, and blog posts, as well as hosting her own weekly podcast, Let’s Talk About Brand.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[04:00] Meet Christine Gritmon
[04:26] Why personal branding?
[10:35] Staying true to who you are
[17:39] Sometimes “no” is good
[19:00] You never know who’s watching
[21:12] Creating the market you want
[26:41] Getting started
[32:15] Invite people into the mess
[38:04] Connect with Christine
[39:45] Outro
Quotes
"Personal branding is more than just a buzzword; it's a game-changer for your business."
"Christine Gritmon reveals how personal branding can open doors to new opportunities."
"Explore the intersection of creativity and branding with expert insights."
"Find out why your personal brand is your most valuable asset in the video industry."
"Learn how to stand out in a crowded market by embracing your unique brand identity."
383. The Art of Business and Creativity: Insights from Pat Taggart
00:38:07
In this episode, we delved into the fascinating world of storytelling and entrepreneurship with Pat Taggart, a seasoned creative professional. Pat shared insights into his journey as a storyteller and entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of creativity, passion, and resilience in achieving success. We explored the intersection of business and storytelling, uncovering how effective narratives can drive engagement and connect with audiences on a deeper level. From discussing the evolution of storytelling in the digital age to sharing practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode offered a rich tapestry of wisdom and inspiration for anyone looking to harness the power of storytelling in their endeavors.
Key Takeaways
Storytelling is a Powerful Business Tool: Pat Taggart emphasized the significance of storytelling in entrepreneurship, showcasing how compelling narratives can captivate audiences, build brand identity, and drive business success.
Authenticity Matters: One key takeaway was the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Pat highlighted the value of genuine, heartfelt narratives that resonate with audiences on a personal level, fostering trust and connection.
Adaptability is Essential: As the digital landscape continues to evolve, entrepreneurs must stay adaptable and innovative in their storytelling approaches. Pat discussed the need to embrace change, experiment with new mediums, and tailor narratives to suit diverse platforms and audiences.
Passion Fuels Success: Finally, passion emerged as a driving force behind entrepreneurial endeavors. Pat's journey underscored the importance of pursuing projects that align with one's passions and values, as genuine enthusiasm can fuel creativity, resilience, and long-term success.
About Pat Taggart
Pat Taggart is the Founder & Chief Creative of SkyBlue Creative, a video storytelling team based in Philadelphia PA. Pat is allergic to traditional corporate videos with their stiff scripts and choreographed handshakes. Trusting that the story already exists and doesn’t need to be created, Pat’s sole focus on production day is making his clients comfortable to share their story with authenticity. He’s a husband, a father of two, loves hockey, hates coffee and is currently working on a documentary about the greatest (and craziest) annual radio contest of all time.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[05:36] Meet Pat Taggart
[10:55] What is a mastermind group?
[13:24] The Abundance Mindset
[19:47] Don’t be afraid to step out
[21:40] Building a business vs building a job
[23:33] Telling the story that already exists
[27:23] Freedom through delegation
[31:07] The secret to getting raving reviews
[35:42] Connect with Pat
[36:47] Outro
Quotes
"Success isn't just about reaching the destination; it's about enjoying the journey along the way."
"Innovation thrives on the edge of discomfort."
"Challenges are just opportunities in disguise."
"The most valuable lessons often come from unexpected sources."
"True leadership is not about being in control; it's about empowering others to reach their full potential."
262. The Exponential Growth of Mastermind Groups with Cliff Ravenscraft
00:55:52
This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast Cliff Ravenscraft joins Ryan to share his experience with mastermind groups. This episode is a must-download for any small business owner that wants to grow their business using the exponential resources of mastermind groups. Ryan shares his history with Cliff and their combined successes from mastermind programs.
About Cliff
Cliff Ravenscraft is a business mentor, professional coach, and motivational speaker. His focus is to help you break free from any beliefs and/or behaviors that are holding you back from living the life of your dreams and doing the work you feel most called to do in this world.
Key Takeaways
Joining a mastermind group allows you to tap into the resources beyond what you are capable of alone. Masterminds offer opportunities for exponential growth through networking.
You are the average of what your peer group expects of you.
351. The Art of Being a Solution: How to Grow Your Video Business with Walid Azami
00:47:34
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Walid Azami to discuss the business of video production. They dive into the importance of positioning oneself as a solution to clients' problems, understanding clients' needs, and how to approach pricing and sales. Key topics include:
The importance of being a solution to a problem clients have or will have.
How to stand out in a crowded market.
The power of reaching out to people and building relationships.
The impact of surrounding yourself with positive, idea-driven people.
Key Takeaways
You should walk away knowing how to position yourself as a solution to clients' problems and stand out in a crowded market - and a little strategy you can use to compound the opportunities for new work that can have HUGE dividends.
You'll discover the importance of reaching out to people, building relationships, and surrounding yourself with positive, idea-driven individuals.
You'll gain insights into the power of being human, connecting with others, and making a positive impact in the video production industry.
About Walid Azami
Walid Azami is a photographer/director based in Los Angeles. Walid is a refugee from Afghanistan, he had always had a major interest in the creative/entertainment business and in photography. He started his photography career with singer Usher. Some of his work is the cover of RollingStone Magazine Italia with Tiziano Ferro. He has worked with people like Bob Proctor, Bernie Sanders, Perry Farrel, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, and Madonna.
Walid has invested the last 7 years in helping thousands of photographers/videographers, teaching them how to build a business from scratch.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:55] Meet Walid
[06:25] Walid’s story
[15:22] Race to the bottom
[18:32] Starting from the ground up
[19:13] Solution focused
[19:40] Break trends
[20:44] Reaching out
[21:58] Serving people
[29:16] Curate your circle
[38:38] Overcoming self-doubt
[44:10] Connect with Walid
[45:42] Outro
Quotes
"Every time I post, every single time I write a blog, every single time I pick up the phone or I text or email a client, I have to answer one question. How am I going to be a solution to a problem they have?" - Walid Azami
"Anyone that does that today is gonna stand out. I would not follow trends." - Walid Azami
"I reached out to three people every single day. I'm an intense guy. So I wasn't allowed to go to bed until I learned, I learned one thing and I reached out to three people." - Walid Azami
"The amount of money that will come your way is astronomical, astronomical. Good karma, good relationships." - Walid Azami
"We have to reach for humanity. And man, there's something about people that feels good when someone asks about you and notices you and all that." - Walid Azami
334. Secrets to Building a Successful Agency with Billy Sticker
00:48:54
This week on the show we look at some key scaling and marketing techniques for your business! Billy Sticker has built a thriving business that is a blessing to his life and the lives of others. The only way to achieve this is by building a talented team that can function without you. It takes laying down some pride to be able to let go of the reins and train your team so that they can trust them to carry the business forward.
Billy shares some secrets on highly effective niche marketing for your business. Getting inside the thought processes of your ideal clients and taking steps to be the solution for their problems. Implementing the keys shared in this episode can help skyrocket your business to the financial stability and freedom that you have always dreamed of.
Key Takeaways
Understand the mind of your ideal clients and position yourself to be the solution to their needs.
Develop a narrow niche that will help you pinpoint your marketing and make it more effective.
Create free lead magnets to build relationships with potential clients.
Effective delegation is key to scaling your business that isn’t limited by your own bandwidth.
About Billy Sticker
Billy Sticker is a speaker and business advisor who helps business coaches, consultants, agency owners, and authors who want to launch and scale a multiple 6-to-7 figure business. He is the author of several titles, including The Blessed Entrepreneur: 5 Steps to Launch & Scale a Business With Impact.
He is a multiple winner of the coveted Two-Comma Club Award presented by ClickFunnels, recognizing entrepreneurs who have generated over $1M in revenue through online sales. He is also the winner of the Multiple 7-Figure Agency award for his company, ChiroCandy, given to entrepreneurs who have built a multiple seven-figure agency.
Billy has been interviewed on industry-leadings podcasts including Internet Business Mastery, Seven-Figure Agency, and The Christian Entrepreneur. Billy has also been featured in Forbes, ABC, CBS, and Fox, and has spoken at global industry events across the USA, London, and Paris.
He believes no one is lying in bed at night thinking of ways to give you their money. They are thinking of their problems. If you can help them solve those problems they will gladly pay you a fair exchange. He also believes that the church has done a great job of teaching us how to give, but not how to earn.
Billy’s refreshing approach to business has made him a sought after speaker and consultant. Nowadays you’ll find Billy looking for the next great vacation spot for his family — all while coaching, serving clients, and recording his top-ranked podcast, The Blessed Entrepreneur.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:27] Meet Billy Sticker
[04:14] Billy’s business journey
[07:27] Building a thriving business, not just a job
[10:35] Targeted marketing
[18:17] The power of niching
[31:29] The Traffic Light Formula
[35:50] Delegating well
[39:33] Teaching your creative process to your team
[45:10] Connect with Billy
[46:29] Outro
Quotes
“When it comes to marketing, you want to fish in the pond where the fish are.” [23:13] - Billy Sticker
“We’re married to a mission, not a method.” [38:54] - Billy Sticker
“If you’re the main creative genius in the business, you can start to train people to step into your altar ego.” [43:07] - Billy Sticker
305. Persuasion Communication and the Science of Selling with Dr. Eugene Choi
00:55:30
Today on the show we get a little scientific…
My guest and good friend, Dr. Eugene Choi, gives some unique perspective into visual storytelling from his background in clinical pharmacy and neuroscience. He breaks down his process for creating wildly successful content that people can’t help but share. You’ll also learn Dr. Choi’s secret to pitch to potential clients in a way that becomes a service to them and compels them to ask YOU about what you have to offer. All of this comes along with Dr. Choi’s dream for you to truly understand and achieve personal mastery over your own mind, which makes all the difference in your business and in your life.
Key Takeaways
Tap into the recipe of success for creating insanely sharable content.
Always consider the 4 steps of awareness to meet your viewer, or client, where they are and lead them to their emotional “aha” moment.
Personal mastery is one of the most important things that you can develop in your personal and professional life.
About Dr. Eugene Choi
Dr. Eugene K. Choi, Pharm. D, is a Certified Transformational Mindset coach and Board-certified Clinical Pharmacist that helps talented heart-driven leaders operate at their highest levels of clarity, energy and focus. Utilizing his expertise in clinical pharmacy, neuroscience, and business coaching, his unique science-backed process along with the use of groundbreaking technology helps entrepreneurs figure out how to dramatically improve performance, innovate dynamic solutions, and achieve their goals. His articles have reached over 9 million people and he has helped hundreds of leaders significantly transform their results at both a professional and personal level.
In This Episode
[0:00] Welcome to the show
[6:18] Meet Dr. Eugene Choi
[8:52] Dr. Choi’s early career and intro into filmmaking
[12:41] Breaking down viral success for content
[14:31] Getting to the emotional “a-ha” moment
[18:17] The 4 phases of awareness
[22:49] Using these techniques to pitch a brand story
[29:54] Developing a niche to better understand your clients and guide them to awareness
[38:03] Utilizing the pitch technique for any type of video
[42:11] Achieving self mastery to remain at your highest level of creativity
[48:40] Connect with Dr. Choi
[49:38] Prioritize your relationship with yourself
[53:59] Outro
Quotes
“How can you create a piece of content that makes the viewer sit there and go, ‘Do I want to share this?’” [13:31]
“It’s that question of, like, are you trying bring the person to where you’re at, are you willing to go where they’re at and be the Sherpa that brings them to where they want to go?” [24:22]
“That’s what we’ve been doing over the past 15 years. We’ve been crafting these powerful stories that influence people’s behaviors to help them do for themselves what’s best for themselves.” [26:38]
“If I don’t take good care of myself and I allow myself to get burnt out, all of those things I’m doing for other people were for me anyway. It’s to try to relieve my insecurity that I carry.” [52:03]
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week"
SSP 065: Are You Clear On The Core Values Of Your Business? Here's Why You Need To Be w/ Chad Brown
00:51:33
Most of us think we know what marketing is, and are all too familiar with the not-so-great feelings many of us as creatives feel in the pits of our stomach when thinking about how to “market” ourselves. But what if we have it all wrong? Today’s guest flips the notions we have of what marketing means and what it entails on their face, and boils it down to two very simple but powerful words. Human Connection.
Chad Brown is owner and creator of Shade Tree Films but still prefers the moniker storyteller to filmmaker even after over a decade in the business. Another title that he should have is marketing maven and boy does he deliver today. We get into it right off the bat where when he redefined marketing and what it should really be for creatives, gives us tips on what we should jump into right away when it comes to marketing, and even breaks down exactly what it takes to connect with people and how you can redefine your business and yourself through that practice.
We also dive deep into core values, how you define them, why they need defining, how they can be crucial to your growth professionally and personally, and what you can expect when you go against them. This is an episode that we ALL really need to hear because it is insanely valuable and can have immediate positive results within your business and life.
What are your core values as a person and as a business? How did you come up with them and how have they helped you both personally and professionally? Have you noticed what happens when you don’t honor them? Leave us a comment!
In this episode:
How creatives should be marketing themselves
One simple thing you should be doing at the end of every project to improve your business and get more of the clients you want
Why marketing and branding may be more important than your work itself
A few things you should jump into right away when it comes to marketing
How can you truly connect with people and why that’s important
How defining your core values, both professionally and personally, is crucial to your growth
The importance of clear, defined, and respected boundaries with your clients
Quotes:
“It’s been a journey learning what marketing is, and it seemed like every time I thought I’d figure out what marketing was, the next couple of days, next couple of months, or the next year, I’d figure out that that’s not actually what it is and there is something so much deeper with marketing.” (9:04)
“Connection only happens through transparency and vulnerability, if there is anything else in the mix, there are going to be stumbling blocks to that connection.” (15:00)
“What these core values became was actually a measuring stick. So, what happens is when the potential of a job comes in or a new client, new project, something like that, we have the opportunity to take that job, or opportunity, or that project and measure it against these five core values and as long as a project is aligned with these five core values it’s a great fit.” (26:59)
“It’s often hard to identify the places in which you can improve and the only way you can find out how you can improve for your future clients, in my opinion, is finding out from your current or past clients where you can improve.” (44:37)
211: What Happens When You Embrace Rejection w/ Den Lennie
00:46:53
Rejection hurts. Nobody likes the feeling of it. But we need to take risks in our lives and businesses for progress to happen. Today’s guest shares some great advice for how to get over rejection and even turn it into an asset.
Key Takeaways
All your communication to clients should center on getting them what they want. Be clear on what the problem is that you can solve for them and how you are going to do that. Everything else is just details.
Your business needs systems in place if you are going to have any freedom. The consistency that these systems provide will give you the time and space you need to free up your time.
About Den Lennie
Den Lennieis a true veteran of video broadcast and production having worked in this industry for two and a half decades. He is a business coach and marketing strategist who partners with video professionals to grow their video business.
Making Connections Without Fear
Den explains why it’s easier than many think to make the connections needed to grow their business. In a world where most people rely on texts and emails, an old-fashioned phone call gets overlooked. Actually picking up the phone and making that call sets you apart immediately. Den describes what you can start doing right away to build the confidence needed to make these important calls.
This means moving past the fear of rejection. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to take risks. When you think about it though, reaching out to prospective clients doesn’t actually risk much. They may say no. That’s okay. As Den explains, each rejection gets you that much closer to someone ready to say yes.
What Your Clients Really Want From You
Remember that your clients don’t care about your gadgets and equipment. All those little details that help you make amazing videos are not what is going to land clients. What they care about is certainty. Be consistent with your systems and how you present your business. Interestingly, Den has found that the more consistent and disciplined you are in your business, the more creative you can be. It’s this structure that allows you to find the time you need to enjoy doing what you want to do.
Having the guts to make the right connections [4:40]
Overcoming the fear of rejection by building confidence [9:10]
Why your clients don’t care about what you care about [20:50]
How discipline brings freedom [25:00]
Building resilience through failure and setbacks [34:00]
Quotes
“Get to no as quickly as possible. You want to be calling people, connecting with people, and then saying no, because the more nos you get, the closer you are to a yes.” [8:45]
“If you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to solve problems. And the more problems you solve, the more money you will make. The more people who you help, the more money you will make.” [10:25]
“If you want to run a video business, you have to step back from editing, and then shooting, and then become a producer. But you can still have creative input because your creativity shifts to creating a business and opportunity for your team and providing a future for families.” [28:03]
183: The #1 Financial Mistake You May Be Making w/ Andy Hill
00:36:25
Every entrepreneur understands the challenge of managing their finances. Meeting financial goals, avoiding debt, and just keeping your head above water can be a struggle. Honestly, this is one of my least favorite topics, but it’s incredibly important.
Andy Hill is the award-winning podcaster and blogger behind
It used to be that crises were hypothetical to plan for. With COVID, it’s become a reality for most of us. Andy explains that the number one mistake that entrepreneurs make is not having funds set aside for times like these. With business for many at a standstill, the need for having financial reserves is as apparent as ever.
That’s easier said than done, right? Andy recommends automating your process of creating your financial safety net from the start. If you put whatever you can spare aside each month, you’ll be much better positioned to weather another period of poor business. It’s these small deliberate actions that will get your finances where they need to be.
But sometimes we end up in a situation that we haven't prepared for. Strategically cutting unneeded business expenses will relieve the burden. Adaptability is also a necessity of survival. As the business landscape changes, being able to pivot what your company does will ensure its longevity.
The mistake that entrepreneurs make by not having emergency savings
Automating your systems to save money
Trimming the unnecessary expenses from your business
Bringing in people to help you with save money for the long-run
Tools for staying focused on your business goals
Quotes
“It’s a great idea to have three to six months of business expenses in savings.” [6:15]
“If you can make small incremental increases on a daily or monthly basis to get where you want to go, that’s what you gotta do.” [9:15]
“That’s the whole point of starting these businesses in the first place. If we’re not working on the stuff that we really like, then why are we doing this? We might as well go back to the corporate nine to five.” [25:48]
“It’s a lot easier to save money than it is to get new clients.” [34:11]
199: How to Respond to Requests for Free Work w/ Ryan Koral
00:32:21
Have you ever had a friend or family member ask you for a big discount or to make a free video? If it hasn’t happened yet, it’s only a matter of time. As a giving person, it’s tough for me to turn them down. However, as a business owner, it’s really hard to do the work that I do for free and bad for my business in the long-run.
Key Takeaways
It’s okay to say no to any project, even if that means turning down family or friends. Your priority is running your business. Once its needs are met, you can decide how and when you truly want to give back.
You can turn down a request for discounts by saying you don’t have the time, or that you simply don’t do discounts. Adding value by providing more and going the extra mile will always be more rewarding than not charging enough for your work.
The Great Power of Video
Having met hundreds of people in this industry I know one thing to be true: we’ve got big hearts. We want to do good in the world by telling stories. Video is perhaps the most powerful medium for doing good through storytelling. I bet a lot of us don’t even charge what we should be because we’re so passionate about this work.
The Importance of ‘No’
When it’s your passion that also pays the bills, it’s hard to draw boundaries that prevent people from feeling awkward or hurt. But you can’t stay in business if you keep giving away your talents. There will still be times when it does make sense to do something pro bono. However, you need to be intentional about those projects that you choose to do for less.
Taking Care of Business So You Can Take Care of Others
In the end, it comes down to being able to pay your bills, your people, and yourself. Beyond that, you want your business to thrive. When those needs are taken care of, you can decide where, when, and how to give back. It shouldn't be based on guilt or obligation. Instead, when you have all your business’ basic needs taken care of, you can truly give back in meaningful ways.
How do you give back while still taking care of your business? Have you been asked to give away your work? Tell me how you responded in the comments on the episode page!
In This Episode:
The true costs of not getting paid for your work [5:00]
How to respond when someone you know asks you to make a video for them [9:00]
Times when it might make sense to do free or discounted work [16:06]
Saying ‘no’ without guilt [21:12]
What happens when you add value to your work [23:33]
Quotes
“The medium that we have at our disposal is the very tool, probably the most influential powerful tools in the last century, to be able to create moving pictures that evoke emotion.” [6:46]
“The worst thing that you could say if I ask you for a discount is ‘no’. That’s fine. I can move along and I will do my best to not take offense at that.” [17:34]
“I want to be more open-handed. I want to be gentler with the people who approach me with those questions. But at the same time, I want to be wise.” [20:57]
“I would much rather add value than feel that we’re not valued enough.” [23:46]
172: Why Perfectionism Is A Roadblock To Success w/ Ryan Koral
00:27:04
If you’re anything me, you have tons of great ideas that just never get off the ground. This is a common affliction of the entrepreneurial type. The source of this lack of action isn’t that it’s unfeasible or that you lack the skills to make it happen. It’s perfectionism.
For me, I’ve had this idea for a webinar for two years. The reason why it hasn’t happened yet is that I’ve wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it to have the best graphics, the perfect font, etc. By getting caught up in wanting every detail to be perfect, I became the architect of my own roadblocks.
I’ve discovered that clients are often far more impressed with my work than I am. By striving for what is perfect for you, you may be overlooking what your client actually wants. That quest for perfection can lead to lost time and profits. Instead, identify what your clients needs and wants, and shoot for that.
Try sharing your ideas, plans, and deadlines. I’ve found that this builds a sense of accountability. That, in turn, leads to action and helps me overcome perfection paralysis.
Why you are not defined by the quality of your work
What to say when you catch yourself getting bogged down in perfectionism
How failure leads to growth
Why sharing your ideas and deadlines leads to action
Quotes
“I wanted the videos that I made to be perfect. The problem with that is the longer you spend on a project, the less profitable you become.” [9:04]
“Creating something, doing something, and putting yourself out there is better than not.” [14:45]
“Every great story involves conflict. My favorite stories are the ones where people fail, but they rise up out of the ashes. They don’t stop. They keep moving forward.” [20:49]
411. From Inbox to Income - Cold Email Strategies with Adam Rosen
00:38:38
In this episode, Adam Rosen shares his expertise on effective cold email strategies for video business owners. He breaks down the key components of a successful outreach campaign, including proper email infrastructure, personalization techniques, and the importance of patience. Adam also reveals a clever approach to offering mini video audits that can significantly boost response rates and lead to more qualified prospects.
Key Takeaways
Set up separate domains for cold email outreach to protect your main business email reputation
Structure your initial email with a clear purpose, problem you solve, solution, social proof, and call-to-action
Offer a personalized video audit as a lead magnet to increase engagement and qualify prospects
Aim for 1 positive reply per 1000 emails sent, and remember that patience combined with persistence is key to success
About Adam Rosen
Adam Rosen, a world-traveling entrepreneur, sold his first tech startup in 2019. He now leads eocworks.com, helping companies get sales through cold email, and thenomadcloud.com (200k subscribers), supporting entrepreneurs who want to explore the world.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[06:14] Meet Adam Rosen
[06:39] Cold Email Outreach
[13:05] Where to Start
[18:08] Best Practices
[21:25] Email Framework
[22:24] Avoiding The Spam Folder
[27:50] Getting Set Up
[34:54] Connect with Adam
[36:29] Outro
Quotes
"If you move the industry forward, then you did something good with your startup." - Adam Rosen
"The biggest mistake people make is not about email copy. It's not even about getting quality lists. It starts at the front, which is the foundation." - Adam Rosen
"Patience is a virtue as long as we are growing step by step by step trying to get to where our goals are and we're working hard to get there and doing the right things along the way." - Adam Rosen
256: Why Failure is Part of the Formula for Success w/ Joe Harris
00:54:27
I know what makes your video business like no other. It’s you. Each of us is unique and that’s what sets our businesses apart. Today’s guest shares how he uses this to connect with his perfect clients and how the formula for success involves a healthy dose of failure.
Key Takeaways
Establishing habits and processes that lead to good results are just as important as your goals themselves.
Saving time will make you more money. Identify and leverage the efficiencies inside your business to make your processes as streamlined as possible.
Your personality is what sets you apart. Use it to build relationships with the clients who are perfect for you.
About Joe Harris
Dallas based Comedy-DirectorJoe Harrisgot his start in Post-Production at Reel FX Creative Studios. A desire to tell stories and direct was nurtured in his time there and beyond while he honed his skills for directing.
With 15 years in the industry, Joe started directing spots with local creatives and agencies, building a network of relationships. With a strong love for advertising and absurdly wild visual style, he uses his skills to help brands and agencies solve problems and entertain viewers. Joe is currently on the Southern Sky Films roster.
Following Your Gut and Learning From Failure
Comedy is at the core of Joe’s work. He explains how that didn’t come the easy way. In fact, Joe credits much of what he knows from the times that he’s failed.
Joe is the type of guy who follows his gut instincts. This leads to all sorts of opportunities, but also to some mishaps. No matter what happens, there’s a lesson to be learned for next time. You just need to be open to learning from everything you do.
You Are The Key to Your Own Branding
Anyone who spends any time with Joe knows that he’s one of a kind. His personality is a central part of his brand. We discuss how when it comes to branding, being yourself is the best way to create, lead your team, and connect with clients.
Joe understands the power that comes with embracing your identity in business. By being who he is, quirks and all, Joe taps into his innate confidence. Clients pick up on this and are all the more eager to work with him.
There are a million video companies, but there’s only one you. That’s your strength. Use it!
Building Processes to Increase Efficiency
Efficiency is also a key part of earning more. Joe talks about what it means to have systems in place that save you time. When you are more efficient with your time, you can actually start earning more without needing to raise your rates.
To do this, look at what runs smoothly already in your business while identifying the bottlenecks. Maybe there’s something you can outsource to help free up your schedule. Having clear communication with clients from the very start also helps everything run smoothly. Think of all the time you could save!
What lessons have you learned from failure? What can you do to free up time in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Recognizing the lessons that come from failure [7:50]
Why the best branding highlights your authentic self [11:40]
Managing a diverse team when working on big projects [18:00]
Lining up the pieces that will eventually lead you to a larger goal [24:20]
Establishing processes to strengthen and grow your business [30:00]
Where to start if you want to direct [43:30]
Quotes
“Some of my biggest educational moments are from my failures. Most are from my failures.” [8:43]
“I’m not even thinking about charging more. I’m trying not to focus on goals. I’m focusing on the processes that get me the results.” [31:25]
“Create something. If you’re an artist, start creating some art. If you want to DP, just go shoot something. Be everything and do it yourself until you can find some people to help you.” [45:33]
“Just be yourself. There is no one who can do you better than you.” [48:21]
SSP 048: Everything You Need To Know About Big Time Sports Filmmaking w/ Amy Johnson
00:45:19
We all have those evil little fears that roll around in our heads and try to get us to give up, or worse, not even try in the first place. These gremlins of doubt and uncertainty will keep us from achieving or even reaching for some of our biggest goals and dreams, often things weknowwe have the talent to achieve. Well in today’s podcast we explore these fears and get actionable steps to conquer them.
Amy Johnson is an Emmy winning filmmaker who specializes in both weddings with One Fine Day Productions and big sporting & corporate events including a ton of work with Fox Sports, the Milwaukee Brewers and others with Captivate Film Company. She was highly requested by our Studio Sherpas community, and we are so excited that she was able to sit down and talk to us.
Amy is super honest about her journey, and we dig deep into how building your team with subcontractors according to each job’s needs can open up your business to big jobs you might never have considered, why checking your ego can help you maintain healthy relationships with your clients, and why her favorite celebrity moments included Martha Stewart. If you want real insights into the world of filmmaking and sports, then this is the podcast for you!
What fears have you allowed to hold you back? What fears have you conquered and kicked to the curb? Leave a comment below!
In this episode:
Tips & tricks on taking risks and getting over fears
How making an investment in one job can lead to a ton of future opportunities
How the competition mindset can destroy your momentum, and some of the practical reasons to consider other film companies as your allies
How the heck you’re supposed to budget for a job like working with Fox Sports. Amy breaks it down!
Quotes:
“You try to do everything and you can’t. There is no physical way you can, and if that was all I was doing, I would never have any time to do anything else.” [8:38]
“It’s the challenge of I am going to figure out how to do this and not be scared.” [18:45]
“It’s okay to hire someone who is smarter than you that knows something more about this, and that’s the only way you are going to be able to grow. Otherwise, you just limit yourself to what your capabilities are. There is so much more you can do if you can get past that.” [26:41]
“It’s okay to get rejected, sometimes it [doesn’t feel] the best, but you never know until you try.” [40:08]
SSP 083: Why You Need To Understand The Science Of Storytelling w/ Patrick Moreau
00:51:31
One of the biggest mistakes filmmakers tend to make nowadays is forgetting the importance of storytelling. Storytelling has a rich human history and it is something that today’s returning guest, Patrick Moreau, is passionate about helping other filmmakers discover. In this episode, Patrick walks us through why we need to understand the science of storytelling and how that knowledge will help us land bigger and better jobs.
Patrick is the founder of Stillmotion and Muse Storytelling, and has recently launched a free course for filmmaking walking through the effects story has on the human mind. The ‘Expert of Storytelling’, Patrick has a highly esteemed portfolio including work for Canon, the United Nations and the NFL and is a master of delivering results-based content to his clients.
Patrick takes storytelling to the next level, explaining the concept of narrative transportation and backs it up with hard scientific facts behind the reason storytelling works (when its done right, of course). By strategically planning how to achieve an objective and become a storytelling expert, you can increase the amount you make per job, open up new revenue streams through consulting, and instill more confidence in your clients.
He also digs into why we need to challenge ourselves to become more than ‘pixel pushers’ and to truly connect with our client's message and in turn, connect deeply with the human emotion in your consumer. Patrick believes it's more important to go beyond the filters and the drones of today's filmmaking scene to actually emotionally connect with a specific story.
How do you connect with your client's stories and help them make ‘more than just a video’? Let us know in the comments!
In This Episode
Going beyond being a filmmaker to become a storyteller
The science behind how and why storytelling works
How to properly communicate your goals with your clients
Adding value to the way you tell stories
Positioning yourself as an expert in the industry
Quotes
“That's where you want to be with your clients, a trusted expert who can execute and deliver results, and you’re just giving them clarity on how you're going to do it.” (6:32)
“We are making videos for humans to watch so we kind of have a responsibility to understand how humans work. What actually creates connection? Why would somebody actually watch this? Why wouldn't they watch this? And that's really the premise of all of it. If you are making videos for humans understand what gets their attention, what drives them to action, what would get them to actually watch your content? And once you understand that you unlock a whole new world of how you can create and how you can interact with your clients.” (13:24)
“They want a video, they aren't sure how they want to get there, they don't even necessarily communicate why they want to do it, but by us positioning ourselves as the expert and walking them through a different way, all of a sudden they're like ‘yeah I get why we would pay you way more, because the guy down the street is just making a video” (32:32)
“[The training videos] go through in detail how to actually apply these ideas to your business right now so that it's like tangible value that you can walk away with.” (43:53)
“All of a sudden, you're the expert. And you get the rooms and the budgets and the time, and you just fall in love with it. You just get excited to get back out and get on the field and create things that you believe in. Things that you want to see made. And that's powerful. (47:02)
429. Turning Your Expertise Into a Thriving Practice with Matt Church
01:04:53
Matt Church shares his revolutionary approach to building a fulfilling business centered around your unique expertise and preferences rather than chasing market opportunities. He explains why the "third choice" of running a practice (not just a job or business) creates more freedom, impact, and alignment with who you truly are.
Key Takeaways
You have three choices: get a job, start a business, or run a practice – and running a practice around what you know gives you more control and fulfillment
Your differentiation comes from preference and selection, not trying to broadcast how special you are to everyone • Work from your essence, expertise, and experience to create something unique without the pressure of being completely different from everyone else
The "vacation test" is brilliant: would you go on vacation with your clients? If not, they're probably not your ideal clients
About Matt Church
Matt Church is one of the world's leading strategic thinkers and speakers, known for helping people prepare for tomorrow by taking action today. As the founder of Thought Leaders™, he's dedicated to developing leaders who make a real difference. From his early days as Australian Fitness Leader of the Year to being inducted into the Professional Speaker Hall of Fame, Matt has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible.
He's a bestselling author whose work has been published in 5 countries, and he's recognized as one of the top 21 most influential people in the speaking industry globally. When he's not helping clever people be commercially smart, you'll find him on Sydney's northern beaches restoring his 1962 trawler, Sweet Potato.
In This Episode
[00:00:00] Welcome to the show!
[00:05:56] Meet Matt Church
[00:06:39] Thought Leaders Practice Book
[00:11:06] Experience and Technical Competency
[00:14:43] Imposter Syndrome
[00:16:59] Ways of Knowing
[00:27:20] “Comparisonitis”
[00:48:30] Being Yourself for Others
[00:55:11] Scarcity Mindset
[01:01:12] Connect with Matt
[01:04:03] Outro
Quotes
"You do the world no service by playing it small. It's a form of false humility and it's not what you were born to do. It is a privilege to be self-expressed and it's a privilege to do so in service to others." - Matt Church
"Action precedes confidence. It's much better to launch, to ship, to put yourself on the other side of a declaration and then figure it out. Because we can spend a lot of time on this side getting it right, going ta-da! And it falls flat on its face." - Matt Church
"The times we've been most successful is when we've been the most focused – on the audience, the product, the offer, the goal. It's easier to market. It's easier to know where to network." - Ryan Koral
173: Cultivating Helpful Habits For Long Term Success w/ Dr. Sherry Walling
00:51:53
Are you wasting precious time in your work as a business owner? Sometimes, even often, we get tired, distracted, or disconnected. Not taking care of our mental health as creatives often lead to wasted time, as well as many other issues. Today’s guest helps people like you and I find a place of tranquility and perspective so that their personal and professional life can thrive.
Dr. Sherry Wallinghelps smart people do hard things. She works with leaders and entrepreneurs to tackle the common and uncommon challenges that go along with the pursuit of an extraordinary life. As a clinical psychologist, speaker, yoga teacher, podcaster, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, she draws from her professional expertise as well as her personal experience. Her best-selling book,The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together, combines the insight and warmth of a therapist with the truth-telling mirth of someone who has been there.
Today, we’re talking about cultivating helpful habits. Sherry tells us why we can’t compare ourselves to the extraordinary outliers. Some super successful business-owners achieved their success through methods that would destroy the mental health of most people. For most of us, establishing a healthy work-life balance leads to better fulfillment.
Sherry recommends taking a step back so that you can get a comprehensive view of your life and business. This means not getting bogged down in minutia and details. Giving yourself time and space to reflect is one of the most important habits to build for long-term success. Sherry explains why a better-rested and joy-filled mind can be your best asset.
How comparing yourself to extraordinary outliers will ruin your productivity
What happens when we are calm enough to reflect on our lives
Whether more is better than less when it comes to the work you do
Why deep work is super important for creatives
The undeniable importance of cultivating joyfulness
Quotes:
“When you diversify yourself -- where you’re raising children, have a significant other, have a hobby -- it means that you are not 100 percent in any of those things. Nobody likes that, but it’s the honest truth and it is generally good enough.” [14:25]
“The more that we can show up as really present and not frenetic, the better decisions that we’re going to make, the better work we’re going to do, the fewer mistakes, the fewer ill-thought-through comments that we’ll make.” [22:38]
“Be thought-focused rather than task-focused. Prioritize the well-being of your mind over crossing things off the list.” [38:56]
“I train in the circus, so I have this whole other part of life that brings me a ton of joy. It’s really different than my day job. I have this part of life that is mine.” [42:23]
325. How to Turn Word of Mouth Into Effective Strategy with Joana Galvão
00:57:45
Having your schedule completely booked with your dream clients sounds pretty amazing, right? Today’s guest, Joana Galvão, is an expert in teaching entrepreneurs just how to achieve this dream goal. Her three part system is a gold mine for transforming word of mouth from passive hopefulness into an effective and targeted strategy… and it works.
Aside from this invaluable framework for generating consistent work, Joana also gives us a peek into her story; mistakes included. Her inspiring journey holds some valuable lessons on everything from doing what it takes to land a dream client to creating a culture of open communication and health within your business.
Key Takeaways
Transform word of mouth into an active strategy to land better clients more consistently.
Create a culture of open communication within your business to grow a strong team while preventing issues.
Orient your business so that it can connect with the clients that you align with.
About Joana Galvão
Joana Galvão is the co-founder of the award-winning design agency Gif Design Studios.Based in Porto, Portugal, and with a team of 7, her agency specializes in brand identities and conversion-obsessed design and serves industry leaders in 17 countries on five continents.
Her coaching program, Ambitious Creatives Booked Solid, helps freelancers get booked solid with dream projects, to 6-figures and beyond, without burnout.Joana speaks internationally on entrepreneurship, the power of design, and creativity, and her work has been featured in the Guardian, Brand Brilliance, and Digital Arts magazine.But the thing Joana is most proud of is having recently taken a 4-month maternity leave without ever checking email, and having her agency not only survive but see its most profitable months to date.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:29] Meet Joana Galvão
[11:41] Making the transition into hiring help
[15:20] Remote vs in-person work
[20:56] Mistakes to avoid in your business culture
[32:13] Constant evaluation
[37:27] Transforming word of mouth into strategy
[46:55] Focus on this when starting out
[54:52] Connect with Joana
[56:05] Outro
Quotes
“I like to turn word of mouth into a strategy” [39:48] - Joana Galvão
“It’s quite simple: the more people know about who you are, what you do, and for whom, the more likely it is that they’ll send work your way.” [40:09] - Joana Galvão
“I think the best thing to do is get very clear on the type of client that you would love to land.” [47:21] - Joana Galvão
171: Conquer Your Limiting Beliefs Starting Now w/ Megan Rafuse
00:55:09
It’s times like these that cause us to question everything. Anxiety and uncertainty are creativity and self-esteem killers. But it’s important to remember that you’re more than these fears. Today’s guest has some great advice on maintaining a good mindset and creating clarity even as nothing around you makes sense anymore.
Megan Rafuse is a co-founder atShift Collab. She is a mental health innovator focused on helping ambitious leaders believe they are enough as they are. As a therapist and entrepreneur, she works with executives, creatives, athletes, and young leaders to examine their limiting beliefs, challenge their inner imposter voice, and help them build confidence to share their struggles openly.
It’s actually very common for leaders to think that they aren’t good enough. Megan discusses the source of these limiting beliefs. It often comes from a gap in how you view yourself and how others see you. Megan gives some great advice for overcoming this gap in perception. Mostly it comes from recognizing that we’ll never reach a point where we know it all.
Many of us do a lot of our work in isolation. If this is the case, Megan stresses the importance of having a healthy routine. Building moments of validation into the process will do wonders. Megan recommends setting up markers throughout your workday to signify the progress that you make.
Lastly, Megan addresses what I imagine most of us are feeling right now. The stress and anxiety that this global pandemic is causing is widespread. It has affected all of us in many ways. Megan lets us know how to make the best of our feelings to cope with the stress and anxiety in and around us.
What happens when we realize that there is no “finish line” to becoming a leader
How to challenge your own thought patterns to deal with your limiting beliefs
Why you shouldn’t automatically believe everything you think
The importance of cultivating a healthy routine that promotes validation of your work
Coping strategies for feelings of stress and anxiety
Quotes
“As leaders, we’re constantly learning, growing, building, and developing new skills. So we never hit a point where we feel like we’re done.” [12:19]
“The best buffer to challenging unhelpful thoughts is the ability to actually start questioning your own thought pattern.” [22:16]
“Shame is made smaller by speaking up when we feel small.” [28:38]
“If we are isolated and working on this incredible piece of work, our goal is to say ‘what do I do before and after work to help me take care of me’." [33:05]
“We are in an unprecedented time. It is safe to say most people are feeling it. We’re feeling the uncertainty. Our anxiety is higher. Our stress is high. We know stress and anxiety can kill our creativity. What I want to normalize is that if you weren’t feeling stressed or anxious, then your body’s mechanism to keep you safe might not be functioning well.” [48:16]
415. From Bankruptcy to 7-Figures Through Smart Packaging with Brandi Mowles
00:50:32
Brandi Mowles shares her journey from bankruptcy to building a 7-figure business by moving away from hourly rates to strategic packaging of services. She provides practical insights on pricing psychology, creating valuable packages, and adding consulting services to increase revenue while better serving clients.
Key Takeaways
Moving from hourly to package pricing allows you to charge based on value rather than time
Niching down helps streamline your business and makes it easier to create effective packages
Adding consulting services can help you leverage your expertise and create recurring revenue
When people pay for your expertise, they're more likely to implement and value your advice
About Brandi Mowles
Brandi Mowles, founder of Conversions For Clients™ and Strategist Society™ is a wife, mom, taco snob, podcast host, and online marketing expert. She transformed her family's life by building a 7-figure business in just two years, giving them more choices and freedom than she could have ever imagined.
Now she’s obsessed with helping freelancers achieve success on their own terms while living a life they could have only dreamed about. Brandi lives in Georgia with her husband and two kids. They live for morning Peloton rides, taco Tuesdays, spontaneous vacations, and Fridays off.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[06:08] Meet Brandi Mowles
[08:19] Social Media Management
[12:35] How To Price Yourself
[18:32] Hourly Verses Packages
[24:52] Creating Packages
[34:26] Consulting
[47:17] Connect with Brandi
[48:57] Outro
Quotes
"What you find so simple and so easy that comes naturally to you, does not come naturally to other people." - Brandi
"When you niche down, it's not just so people love to work with specialty... people want to work with people who specialize, cause it makes them feel special." - Brandi
"Our best clients, our best projects have been the ones where clients have gone through a workshop... They're invested here and they're gonna appreciate it more because we've paid for this." - Ryan
SSP 084: Do You Have A Reliable, Repeatable Storytelling Process? w/ Clover Carroll
00:42:51
Sometimes your clients just don’t know what story they have to tell. They might know what their brand is, but not how to get their values and ideas across beyond a simple list of keywords. Of course, it’s your job to find that story and tell it for them.
Clover Carroll, founder ofNew Story Media, has built a company that does just that. He helps his customers define their brand through authentic video storytelling. Not only does he have a lot to say about ways to help and nurture relationships with clients, he also shares how he has grown as a successful entrepreneur.
Clover started off shooting videos for luxury farms and ranches (hear why he hates drones), and today he helps his clients tell their stories with strategic video marketing campaigns. He’s not afraid to ask deep questions about their company’s core values in order to get the message across.
In this episode, we discuss successful marketing practices to grow as a company and how to create a system that weathers the high and low seasons of business. We also discuss the power of community. Clover reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and the best way we grow and succeed as entrepreneurs is to learn from each other.
Have you learned any valuable lessons from a community? How do you dispel a potential client’s fears with the authenticity of your brand? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode:
How the power of community can help us learn and cope with our struggles.
Why it’s critical to generate leads well in advance of when you need them through a nurturing campaign.
How to put potential customers’ fears to rest by being our own awesome and authentic self.
Ways in which a video production business can transform into engaging marketing strategy company.
Quotes
“From an entrepreneur's standpoint, I’m always analyzing success. What you have done, whether you realize it or not...you have created a lead generator of value where you don’t even put in all the content entirely yourself. The group is generating the content for you, and that’s incredible.” [9:33]
“There’s the business system that has to happen. Whether you’re selling video or marketing or cheese, you have to have business systems in place. That is why it is imperative that you read all the time. You've got to be learning. You got to have new processes. You got to have new ideas.” [28:36]
“People say ‘I need a video to explain my business.’ But what they really need is strategy.” [35:25]
433. From Financial Disaster to Thriving Video Business with Johnny Mendez
00:50:09
Johnny Mendez shares the raw story of how his successful video production company hit rock bottom financially in December 2017, and the seven-year journey of rebuilding with better systems, mindset, and business foundations. He reveals how this painful experience transformed not just his company but his entire approach to life, work, and personal growth.
Key Takeaways
The shift from being "filmmakers who had a business" to "business owners who provide filmmaking services" is crucial for long-term sustainability
Managing your finances properly isn't optional - even successful companies with great clients can collapse without proper cash flow management
Personal growth and development are just as important as business skills - "you don't achieve your goals, you grow into them"
Joining communities of like-minded professionals provides both support during difficult times and accelerates your learning and growth
About Johnny Mendez
Johnny is the co-owner of Hen House Media, an award-winning video production company serving clients for the last 22 years. Before launching his business, Johnny worked in film production and broadcast television. He's had the honor to film nationally and internationally working alongside truly remarkable clients.
He has experienced his share of lows in both his personal life and business endeavors. These challenges led him to embrace personal growth and continued learning, which has profoundly impacted his life, helping him navigate through tough times, especially as the industry changes. Now, Johnny is rewriting his story and code, and wants to share that story in hopes of helping others.
Above all, Johnny enjoys long walks on the beach with his family, and is planning a tell-all book on his love of sandwiches.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the Show!
[04:54] Meet Johnny Mendez
[05:44] Hen House Media[14:15] Financial Wake-Up Call
[26:21] Managing Your Assets
[29:06] Financial Tips
[36:28] Investing In Yourself
[43:52] The Great Reframe Podcast
[45:49] Connect with Johnny
[48:07] Outro
Quotes
"We used to be filmmakers who had a business, and now I think we're business owners who provide filmmaking services." - Johnny Mendez
"There's a great quote. There's a guy Jim Rome who has a quote that says you don't achieve your goals, you grow into them. And that like is something that I want to just like half printed on my wall because it's so true." - Johnny Mendez
"The money that comes in is not the money that you have. You have to put it through all of its filters to see what's at the bottom that you actually are. And then you can control that number by controlling everything that happens in the middle." - Johnny Mendez
"For me, what's really important is family, right? My family is like the center of my universe and everything I'm doing now is in service of them. I want to spend more time with them. I want to be present." - Johnny Mendez
414. Videographers Can Sell This One Service to Build $10K/Month Income with Zephan Moses Blaxberg
00:47:49
Video production expert Zephan Moses Blaxburg shares his journey from running a traditional studio to creating a more efficient and profitable business model through remote editing and strategic partnerships. He discusses practical strategies for scaling a video production business while maintaining work-life balance.
Key Takeaways
Building strong referral partnerships with photographers, IT companies, and web designers can lead to consistent high-value projects
Effective delegation of editing work can free up time and increase productivity
Creating detailed standard operating procedures is crucial for successful remote team management
About Zephan Moses Blaxberg
Zephan Moses Blaxberg is a live streamer, video content creator and best-selling author. He founded his video production company, ZMB Media in 2014 and grew it to a multi-six-figure business as a one man band. Having worked with Fortune-500 company executives to celebrities, NBA stars and even the White House, Zephan has extensive knowledge in building a video production business from scratch and growing it to thrive.
More recently, a pivot to live streaming has allowed him to offer a unique service to the market reducing his editing time and increasing his ability to sell services for higher prices. In his spare time, you'll find Zephan as the admin of a 13,000 member Facebook group of videographers worldwide and releasing tutorials about live streaming on his YouTube channel.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[05:39] Meet Zephan
[06:24] Zephan's Journey to Videography
[07:48] What Does "Story" Mean?
[14:14] Studios and Video Editors
[23:48] Training a Video Editor
[29:55] Explain Your Why
[33:50] Riverside
[35:09] Referral Partners
[40:34] Content Creation
[43:53] Connect with Zephan
[46:12] Outro
Quotes
"When you get that space, you're going to find ways to fill it. So you're going to make excuses to buy more stuff. And when you don't always need it." - Zephan
"Other times it's because they don't necessarily see the value in what you're giving to them... once they see that value, the sky's the limit." - Zephan
"If you're stuck, frustrated, if things aren't going, you know how you desire them to go, it's like you have the option, you have the opportunity and are you going to take it?" - Ryan
355. The Value Equation: Mastering Success in Corporate Video
00:20:28
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan shares a powerful message about recognizing your true worth in the world of video business. Discover how understanding your value can transform your approach to pricing, client acquisition, and business confidence.
Key Takeaway
Learn the importance of valuing your unique perspective and expertise in the video industry.
Understand how setting the right prices aligns with your worth and attracts ideal clients.
Gain insights into building a thriving video business while staying true to your passion.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[01:26] AI filmmaking resources
[03:29] Tapping into creative expression
[07:57] It’s ok to charge your worth
[09:13] Your unique perspective
[10:36] The value of video
[11:54] Value yourself
[14:22] Ask better questions
[16:24] Finding the right audience
[17:43] Niching workshop
[19:07] Outro
Quotes
“Understanding your worth is the first step to building a successful video business."
"Setting the right prices isn't just about numbers; it's about valuing what you bring to the table."
"Your unique perspective is your biggest asset in the competitive video industry."
SSP 067: What You Need To Know To Stay Ahead Of The Shifting Video Industry w/ Jem Schofield
00:58:35
Today we sit down with someone I’ve looked up to in the production world for a long time, Jem Schofield. Jem created TheC47,a full-service production company and educational resource focused on teaching the craft of video production and filmmaking. He has a 22-year long career, beginning by creating brand focused web content and eventually finding his passion in video production. Jem has a wide range of knowledge of everything production related, and shares this information with his YouTube viewers, clients, and with us here today!
The long-term success of TheC47 is due to the fact that Jem has always had a clear vision for his brand and what he wants to produce, starting as an educational platform, and growing to focus on filmmaking, production, consulting and education. By combining his unique teaching style with consistency and passion, he creates memorable content and shares his expertise with other small-to-no crew production teams. He believes that you must be passionate about what you are creating for it to translate to your audience, and shares his advice on how to turn that passion into a career.
Listen in as Jem discusses the pros and cons of working in-house and out of house, how to create lasting relationships with clients, and which red flags to look out for as an independent content creator. Find out why working smarter is better than working harder, and how to make informed decisions about why you are using specific equipment, on today's episode.
In This Episode:
Where the video industry is heading and how you fit into it
Why corporate doesn’t always mean boring
Discover the gear “must haves” for on the go production
How to weed through the companies who just aren’t ready to commit and find clients who are ready to have you produce and pay up
Quotes:
“As time went on, I realized that there was a sort of black hole surround production based education, and C47 seemed like a natural progression.” [4:14]
“It is not an all hope is lost situation, there will never be less screens in the world, and someone has go to create content for those screens.” [13:43]
“We are not the solution to a marketing department, but we need to understand what a company’s brand stands for, who their target audience is, and help them strategize to create content that is appropriate and going to elicit a response from whomever that audience is.” [16:03]
“We are here to create brand-specific content that fits within a marketing strategy and it is absolutely our job to create a dialogue which could bring things in a different direction” [21:25]
206: What Happens When You Build Trust to Grow Your Business w/ Chris Ray
00:21:33
Your business will be made or broken on relationships. Building trust and being passionate is central to this. Whether it’s your team, your clients, or your competition, these relationships are crucial. Today’s guest has not only built an amazing business based on relationships but clearly loves what he does every day.
Key Takeaways
Finding opportunities to take on side-gigs will keep your skills sharp and allow you to do exciting work you otherwise couldn’t. There’s a lot of learning and inspiration that comes from branching out and trying new things that will help you constantly level-up as a filmmaker.
When building a team, start with trust and passion. Knowing that your people will faithfully and enthusiastically get the job done whether you’re there or not is central to a well-functioning business.
About Chris Ray
Chris is a filmmaker who got his start in action sports filming skateboarding videos. Since then, he has done a wide range of work with companies such as DC Shoes, NFL Films, Ford, GoPro, ESPN, and many more.
Imbuing Your Work With Passion
Chris has a great perspective on everything that he does. For one thing, he doesn’t view other filmmakers as competition. Instead, they’re an inspiration and possible collaborators. Chris loves his work so much that he seldom passes up an opportunity to make videos. When he doesn’t have a project, he makes one for himself. This passion to keep working on many different projects has allowed Chris to keep his skills well-honed as a filmmaker.
Building an Amazing Team
Chris doesn’t do it all alone. He has built up a solid team of filmmakers to help make and produce their videos. I know many of us are hesitant to hire people, but it is an essential part of growing your video business. Chris knows that the most important place to start when taking on new people is trust. You need to be able to trust your people to get the job done without you. That’s why you brought them on to begin with. When you find the right people who are passionate about the work, you’re well on your way to building a winning team.
Have you hired team members? What qualities do you look for in them? How do you build trust in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
The many sources of inspiration in filmmaking [4:45]
Taking on side-gigs to refine your craft [7:30]
The characteristics to look for when building a team [12:35]
Learning to manage the work-life balance [13:40]
The power of respect to make jobs run smoothly [17:30]
Quotes
“I get inspired by others. I’m inspired by other filmmakers. I’m inspired by my team. Those are the people I want to work with. I’ve definitely learned that you can't do everything by yourself. I try to surround myself with other filmmakers that are great because it makes me better.” [5:30]
“I still get scared every single time I get hit up for a freelance job. It’s still scary every time and I think that’s because I think I’m scared of failure. I just say yes and we go for it and we figure it out. That’s always been my advice to people: just say yes. Just do it.” [10:10]
“Being respectful to people no matter what the role is, no matter what their level is, treating everybody with respect is a huge thing.” [17:39]
SSP 053: Why You Need To Be Budgeting For Sound Design On Your Next Production w/ Dallas Taylor of Defacto Sound
01:08:57
There are certain discoveries we all make in our filmmaking process that stand out as milestones, and mark a new level of quality in our films. There are few level ups as drastic and impactful however, as incorporating professional-level sound design and music placement in our productions. As today’s guest explains, this an area of film production that truly separates the pros from the amateurs, and yet most of us (I’m guilty here too) put off making this investment forway too long.
Dallas Taylor is the founder and lead sound designer of Defacto Sound, and is a respected thought leader on the narrative power of sound. He is also a sought-after speaker, a contributor to many industry publications and the host of the massively popular podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz.
While Dallas is the guru of all things sound, he also gave us a lot of insight into the mindset behind running a successful business, the power of sound design within any project, and why giving yourself a break when it comes to your goals is imperative to finding balance. If you have ever felt stumped by how to start experimenting with sound design into your projects, Dallas has you covered.
Do you currently utilize sound design in your projects? If not, what is the main thing holding you back? If so, what have you noticed about your productions? Leave a comment below!
In this episode:
How to start thinking about and experimenting with sound design
The importance of time management and hiring accordingly
What to look for when hiring a sound designer
What types of projects should you be budgeting sound design for, and how should you budget for it?
Why you need to be ruthless in the curation of your portfolio
Quotes:
“Thinking about sound, in and of itself, outside of a music perspective, makes a huge difference in the way that you approach and the way that you tell a story.” (19:50)
“There is a big problem with people who expect that they’re going to put that camera up to their eye and that their masterpiece is going to come out. You have to make a bunch of garbage before you get anywhere close to anything that is even respectable, no matter how talented you are.” (32:45)
“You can’t control the result, all you can control is the process. All you can control is how you treat other people. And, the older I get the more I really try to cherish the people who are around me through that process and just be thankful for that. Then we put out the work and let the rest of the world decide all that stuff, but it doesn’t matter.” (34:41)
238: Why Diversification Will Make Your Business Stronger w/ Jeffrey Johnson
00:35:49
Diversification in your business is essential to its survival. I think that’s something we all learned recently. Yet, you can’t always do everything yourself. Today’s guest explains how he learned to use outside expertise in order to keep his business agile and profitable.
Key Takeaways
Bringing in outside experts allows you to take on a wide variety of projects. While this is an extra expense, it will likely lead to higher quality work which you can charge more for.
Always be looking for more and different opportunities. Complacency will not help you when situations unexpectedly change.
About Jeffrey Johnson
Jeffrey Johnsonhas been around cameras all his life. His dad managed a camera shop, and he helped him develop photos in a makeshift darkroom at home. He grew to be passionate about art and music and studied design. But Jeffrey lost his drive to be creative for years, working in sales and management. After a life-changing event and a cross-country move, he decided to take photography classes, which reignited his creative passion and propelled him to quit his proverbial day job and start freelancing in 2012.
Jeffrey slowly niched down to commercial work, specializing in architecture, interiors, and tabletop. A few clients wanted video, and he decided to dip his toes in the water. Bam! He was pulled in by the opportunity to be a visual storyteller on a whole other level. When the pandemic presented an opportunity to rebrand and relaunch, he joined theVBAto optimize his business so he could offer a full suite of creative services under one roof.
Flexibility as the Key to Survival and Success
In this episode, Jeffrey explains how he gradually transitioned into video. One central aspect of freelancing is being open to new opportunities. Say yes and figure it out later. Jeffery certainly got his start in video this way.
A key part of this process is being open to all sorts of new opportunities. Since you may be new to what you’re doing, having a trusted network of people who you can rely on is crucial. By bringing in experienced experts when needed, you’ll improve your own craft. You’ll also create mutually beneficial opportunities that might come back to help you out later on.
Getting Outside Help in Order to Achieve More
Jeffrey knows that he wouldn’t have survived as a business owner on his own. While it’s natural to want to be protective of your ideas and creations, sometimes you need to share them with others to bring your work to fruition. If not calling in outside help means your work won’t go anywhere, what do you have to lose through collaboration?
Is it worth it to create a passive income opportunity for your business? How has bringing in outside help improved the way that you do business? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
How Jeffrey got his start in photography and transitioned to video [4:40]
The power of your network to expand the type of work you do [9:45]
Having a vision for your business that remains flexible when circumstances change [12:55]
Passive income opportunities that can see you through hard times [15:44]
Why being protective of your work is the wrong mindset [21:45]
Recognizing your achievements that took time to materialize [28:45]
Quotes
“Maybe life is too short to be doing something that I’m not super excited and passionate about. I wanted a creative outlet.” [5:42]
“The work really needs to come first. Buying the gear is not going to make the work come to me. I need to seek out the work that will justify acquiring the gear.” [9:33]
“If you’re doing really great at something and you get too comfortable, then the world is going to up and change and you’ll become outdated, obsolete, and left in the dust.” [21:08]
413. Unlocking Business Success Through Strategic Branding with Jacob Cass
00:44:43
In this episode, brand designer and strategist Jacob Cass shares his expertise on how video business owners can leverage strategic branding to stand out in a crowded market. Jacob discusses the importance of brand clarity, positioning, and the value of investing in professional branding services to attract ideal clients and boost business success.
Key Takeaways
Understanding your brand's core value, target audience, and market position is crucial for business growth
A well-defined brand strategy can boost confidence and make marketing efforts more effective
Investing in professional branding services can lead to long-term business success and higher-quality clients
About Jacob Cass
Jacob Cass is a brand designer, strategist, educator, podcaster, business coach, community builder and the founder of JUST Creative, a branding & design consultancy that doubles as an industry-leading blog and community. Jacob helps grow brands strategically and has worked for clients such as Disney, Nintendo and Jerry Seinfeld however he is now focused on bringing this global brand experience to smaller businesses. Jacob co-hosts the JUST Branding Podcast which helps designers & entrepreneurs grow brands.
For Jacob, design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as empowering other fellow designers & entrepreneurs to build on theirs, which has allowed him to build a large and loyal following, including his JUST Creative website which has been viewed over 70 million times. Jacob has spoken at TEDx and been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, and a number of high-profile design books including The Best of Logo Lounge Master Series. He also coaches creatives in his coaching community, Exponential Creatives, either 1:1 or in a group mastermind setting. Yahoo! recently declared him as the “Best Brand Coach”. Jacob also runs the membership community Exponential Creatives which helps creatives grow exponentially.
Jacob is a digital nomad and travels the world now isolated in Sydney with his family of five, while running JUST Creative. He has visited 88 countries thus far with travel guides on most of them available at his travel blog, JUST Globetrotting.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[06:28] Meet Jacob Cass
[10:11] Brand Identity
[12:36] Branding Through Your Value
[20:52] Positioning
[28:46] Framing of Your Brand
[39:13] Getting Yourself Established
[41:05] Connect with Jacob
[42:46] Outro
Quotes
"Brand runs deep. It really does. It's a deep rabbit hole. And the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know." - Jacob Cass
"You have to understand what you specialize in, what work you want to be doing. If you're early in your career, you can create mock projects to put in your portfolio to show and communicate what you do." - Jacob Cass
"If you don't have testimonials and then make sure that if you're getting testimonies, you're getting the right kind of testimonies, not just ones where people are just like, "Ryan's awesome or Jacob. He's he's great. He's just, you know, fun to work with.' It's like, OK, that that stuff is nice. But did I help you get any results? Did you have any transformation?" - Ryan Koral
115: Why Your Mindset Can Be Your Biggest Struggle w/ Dallin Nead
00:39:23
Perhaps the biggest difference between an entrepreneur that makes it and one who doesn’t is their mindset. Being intentional on how you overcome your internal conflicts makes all the difference. Few know this better than my guest today, Dallin Nead.
Dallin, with Content Supply, has been working in corporate, travel, film and broadcast video production for over ten years. His work has taken him all over the globe as he makes outstanding content to help people and businesses share their stories. Dallin is a filmmaking entrepreneur focused on helping other entrepreneurs take their business to the next level by providing strategy, production, and distribution service.
Today, you’re going to hear about how Dallin got into helping other entrepreneurs through video. He’s learned a lot along the way and he shares some key concepts about the importance of mindset and how it differentiates you as a freelancer or business owner.
Dallin also tells us about his sales process that he uses to connect with potential clients who may not have realized that they want video services. Dallin is a big fan of getting retainer clients and he tells us why you should be too. He also tells us how he takes existing models from other businesses and adapts it to serve his clients and himself.
How do you approach your internal conflicts with a mindset that leads to success? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In this episode:
How following your passions will lead to more fulfillment than just doing what society asks of you
Why mindset can be your biggest struggle as a business owner and how you can take control of it
Following a simple sales process to land clients who may not otherwise have wanted your services
How to get high paying retainer clients and what to offer them
How you can shoot over six months of content in just two days
Quotes:
“To actually make a career that I have full autonomy with and I can have deeper connections and be more creative I needed to be an entrepreneur by way of filmmaking.” [16:05]
“A remarkable story involves conflict and the hardest conflict to overcome is internal.” [18:23]
“It’s taking existing models and adapting it to a way that you can serve who you want to serve. That’s where I think innovation and revolution may come in and really benefit people by bringing in new eyes to tried and true principles that have always been around.” [34:14]
316. Get Referrals Naturally with Stacey Brown Randall
00:51:45
Today on the show we take a bit of a scientific look at one of the most valuable tools for generating new clients - referrals. Stacey Brown Randall has developed a system for building your business into one that thrives by using client referrals, all without ever having to awkwardly ask for them. Once you are able to capitalize on good, quality referrals you will realize just how much impact they can have for your business while investing very little time. This healthy system of referrals can be your key to developing a more sustainable business than you have ever had before. Your clients are human beings, if you treat them with the care and respect that they deserve and be intentional with your relationship with them, then you will develop sincerely loyal referral sources that feel good about referring you.
Key Takeaways
Referrals can be your most valuable and time-efficient source of new clients.
Develop a referable client experience that goes beyond the work that you provide to make people want to refer you.
Focus on impacting how your referral sources feel about you.
Create reasonable and effective touch points to foster healthy relationships with your referral sources.
About Stacey Brown Randall
Stacey Brown Randall is the multiple award-winning author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, host of the Roadmap to Grow Your Business podcast, and national speaker.
Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally… without manipulating, incentivizing or even asking.
She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master’s in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids.
In This Episode
[0:00] Welcome to the show!
[4:03] Meet Stacey Brown Randall
[5:06] Stacey’s business background
[16:32] The value of a successful referral system
[24:26] Making the referral process feel genuine and natural
[27:17] The science of referrals
[31:15] Setting up your business for referrals
[35:41] Key referral tactics
[42:55] How to start a healthy relationship with your referral sources
[47:29] Connect with Stacey Brown Randall
[49:23] Outro
Quotes
“I know everybody can do anything for a short amount of time. But I needed something for longevity.” [9:59] - Stacey Brown Randall
“To get to a point where a client would actually want to refer you, it's not just the work you produced, because if it were just the work you produced, every single client you've ever had that you've done great work for would be referring you.” [32:45] - Stacey Brown Randall
“When we can impact how our referral source feels about us, we've then earned the opportunity to direct how they think about us.” [39:40] - Stacey Brown Randall
“Here's the number one question people need to ask themselves. Do I believe that I should take care of the people who take care of my business? And if your answer to that is yes, then you probably need a plan in place to actually show them that gratitude.” [41:12] - Stacey Brown Randall
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
133: How To Create Passive Income Strategies For Filmmakers w/ Sean Cannell
00:58:00
One of the biggest struggles for filmmakers is that we are in the business of trading time for money. But if we can create some passive income streams, then that naturally frees up more time for us while still helping us put bread on the table. Today, I have Sean Cannell on the podcast, someone who has had just a phenomenal amount of success in doing just that.
In case you didn’t know,Sean Cannellis a bestselling author, Youtuber, international speaker, and business coach who built a seven-figure media company helping entrepreneurs and creatives increase their influence and income with online video. With over one million YouTube subscribers, it’s obvious Sean knows what he’s talking about.
In this interview, Sean shares his story of how he went from filming videos for his church to becoming one of the biggest names on YouTube. This includes some great lessons on where and how to find fulfillment in the trajectory of your career. This is a messy process as Sean makes clear, but nothing is going to happen if you don’t take consistent and meaningful action.
We also dive into how you can make more money on the side using your already existing areas of expertise. Sean shares a ton of ideas that any of us can start doing to make more passive income on the side. He also answers several questions from listeners on topics ranging from getting a better ROI to tactics for building subscribers.
The indispensable lessons that are learned through trial and error
Finding joy in new aspects of your career as it evolves
Pressing onward through feelings of self-doubt to discover what you and your business are capable of
The most important thing you can do to get better as a communicator
YouTube’s power to help build your business from the very start
The best side-income earning strategies for filmmakers
How highly ranked videos will pay dividends in the long run
Quotes
“All of us would do better to be more business minded. A lot of us already are, but sometimes as creatives, we actually are weak from a business-minded standpoint. It was hard for me to let go of creative controls.” [8:21]
“What you learned because of taking actions and hustling now, will be the skills you need actually to jump in and kill it in the next thing.” [14:41]
“Before even creating additional income streams, I love YouTube just to build your filmmaking business.” [23:30]
“A ranked video is like an employee you pay once that works for you for free for weeks, months, and years to come.” [49:31]
198: What You Need to Consider as You Grow Your Video Business w/ Ariel Martinez
00:53:17
There’s a lot to consider as your business grows. When I started my studio, I was my only employee. It wasn’t too long before I realized I needed to hire some people on to keep things running. I was hesitant. It costs a lot to take on employees. But what I soon realized was that a larger team led to more and better work in the long run.
Key Takeaways
There’s a cost in hiring employees. However, having a team allows you to focus on the work you need to. When done thoughtfully and intentionally, growing your team leads to more clients, higher quality work, and more overall satisfaction in the end.
It’s important that clients understand how you build your budget. Itemizing the gear you use will help convey the value of the work they receive. It may be useful to ask them their budget from the start and let them know what you can realistically offer within that.
Attitude is everything when working with clients. You’re there to help your clients achieve their goals. Staying positive and supportive while offering your expertise will lead to high levels of satisfaction and repeat business.
About Ariel Martinez
Ariel Martinez is a Miami-Based documentary filmmaker specializing in storytelling, cinematography, commercial video production, and conference videography. With over 10 years as a freelancer, he has specialized in operating as a one-man-band without compromise.
Considerations About Growing Your Team
As someone who handles all aspects of production, Ariel strives to offer his clients quality work at a lower cost. With the right vision and gear, he is able to get clients, shoot video, edit, and deliver outstanding films. But it’s a lot of work, not all of it what he’d prefer to do. We discuss what growing a team looks like as a business expands and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so.
Presenting Your Gear and Attitude to Clients
Ariel owns a lot of his own gear. Of course, there are quite a bit of upfront costs in acquiring it. We talk about building those costs into your pricing models. Ariel has found that by itemizing the gear used and presenting that to clients in a budget, they’ll better understand the value of what they pay for.
Perhaps the most important asset to growth and longevity is a positive attitude. Ariel and I have seen this in action. Remember, you are there to serve your clients and their vision. While you should still offer your expert opinion, it’s crucial that you do so in a positive manner. People will remember your attitude as much as they remember the work itself.
How Ariel got into freelance video production [6:00]
The challenges and advantages that come with working by yourself versus building a team [13:52]
How to charge for jobs while serving clients at a high level [25:30]
What happens when you own your own gear [35:10]
The importance of positivity to grow your business [42:38]
Quotes
“It’s really a dream come true for me that I can do what I love, enjoy it so much, and have flexibility.” [13:16]
“I don’t think there’s a wrong or right way to do things. There’s what you enjoy. There’s what makes more money. There’s what makes less money. There’s different tactics that you can take on every avenue that you consider.” [24:20]
“You might be the professional that they’re looking for. But at the same time, you have to serve them for what they’re looking for. They might want to go in a certain direction. Whether you agree with it or not, you’re there to serve them and their vision, not your own.” [43:46]
“Just keep pushing. Love the passion. Love the work. Love the process. Just never stop learning.” [49:53]
327. Eliminating the One Thing That's Holding You Back with Brian Hood
00:51:39
Today’s episode is absolutely full of remarkable content from my friend, Brian Hood - a serial entrepreneur. We talk about pinpointing what the one bottleneck is in your business so that you know what to focus on in order to stop inhibiting your own growth. We look into the proper way to build your business to be able to handle quality leads, rather than just blinding grabbing for them. And finally we talk about how to break out of “butt in the seat” work and position your business to tap into value based pricing. This will allow you to charge more than you ever thought possible while becoming free of the rat race of competitive pricing. There’s so much more in this episode… so I hope you’re ready to tap into a killer resource that can give you the tools to grow your business!
Key Takeaways
Focus on fixing the ONE bottleneck that is holding your business back
Your mindset of how you view yourself is absolutely fundamental in the structure of your business
Avoid the trap of “copycat” services
Trust is the most important factor to getting big ticket sales
About Brian Hood
Brian is the founder of The Six Figure Home Studio, co-founder of Filepass.com, and owner 456 Recordings. He’s built 7 different six-figure income streams throughout his careers in live music, recording, real estate, vacation rentals, software, and education. He’s spent over a quarter of a million dollars on paid advertising, which has forced him to become an expert on marketing funnels.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[02:39] Meet Brian Hood
[06:26] Finding Fulfillment
[09:51] Your Mindset
[13:34] Copycat services
[26:21] Why people spend money - Trust
[36:41] Eliminating bottlenecks
[40:57] Generating quality leads
[46:36] Connect with Brian
[47:40] Outro
Quotes
“The closer you are to the money as a service provider, the more you can typically charge and the more you can make.” [24:12] - Brian Hood
“Trust is the number one factor. And if you don't have the trust, you don't have the client.” [29:30] - Brian Hood
“With every client I work with, the first place we start is what are you offering and who are you offering it to? That's the number one thing I look at. What are you offering?” [41:24] - Brian Hood
245: The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers to Protect Your Business w/ Braden Drake
00:40:03
I hate the topic of this episode. Just the mention of taxes and numbers sends shivers down my spine. But just because I wish I could ignore the issue doesn’t mean it isn’t important. If you’re serious about your business, you need to be taking these things seriously too. Fortunately, today’s guest is here to make the numbers less intimidating for small business owners like you and me.
Key Takeaways
The essentials for all business owners boil down to being able to track income and expenses and having the proper legal protections in place.
The two most important insurances to have for your business are general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance.
Having a contract between you and clients will set proper expectations and show that you’re a true professional in your field.
About Braden Drake
Braden is a California licensed attorney and tax professional. His tagline is your gay best friend here to help you get your legal and tax sh*t legit. Braden works primarily with service-based, creative small business owners through his courses where he educates on contracts, business entities, cash flow, systems, and taxes.
Knowing Your Numbers
Braden starts off by explaining what many business-owners get wrong. To run efficiently, we need to be implementing the right tracking systems. When you accurately know your income and expenses, not only will you be better at tax time, but you’ll be better informed to make strategic business decisions.
While it’s often best to get professional help, there are certain steps that you can take on your own. Braden talks about how to go about forming an LLC, doing your own bookkeeping, and even how to file some of your taxes.
Protecting Your Business with Insurance and Contracts
Life is unpredictable and so is business. Braden talks about important types of insurance to have to protect yourself and your livelihood. General liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance will protect you and your business from many mishaps. With all the many possibilities out there, Braden urges all of us to find an insurance agent who really understands your industry.
Contracts are another thing to pay attention to. Although many of us make deals with just a handshake, putting the important parts in writing is in everyone’s best interest. A well-written contract sets expectations and can protect you if things go awry.
What do you dread most at tax time? Has insurance saved you from an expensive mistake? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Why your numbers matter for more than just taxes [4:50]
The most important insurance considerations [11:00]
What every contract needs to include [14:50]
How a contract will improve your reputation [23:38]
Setting expectations forpro bonoprojects [25:25]
How to move forward in your business when you’re feeling stuck [28:10]
Quotes
“You never want to get hate mail from the IRS. So if that’s not incentive enough to be on top of your numbers, then I don’t know what will be.” [4:44]
“The idea of insurance is that we hope that we never need it. A lot of people say that they don’t want to pay for it because they hope to never use it. Well, we hope they won’t have to, but if they do, they’ll be really happy they have it.” [14:37]
“If I, as a client, am hiring you and I’m ready to pay you money and you don’t send me a contract, I’m going to be questioning your professionalism.” [25:00]
“If you’re feeling stuck and challenged, first of all, you got to strip it back and ask yourself why you’re feeling stuck and what’s challenging you.” [29:00]
208: Saying No as a Way to Build a Better Video Business w/ Joshua Martin Studios
00:42:06
Turning down opportunities can sometimes be a good thing for you and your business. It’s not easy to say no to jobs and money. Yet, strategically doing so opens up doors to what you actually want to do. Today’s guests have successfully built their studio around this idea.
Key Takeaways
It’s natural to want to branch out your business into many fields. However, this will dilute your talent and energy. Instead, create a narrow focus on where your skills and passions intersect.
About Joshua Martin Studios
Joshua Martin Studiosis a small production company based in the United States. It is co-run by founder Joshua Martin and business partner Cody Wales who focus on telling stories of the human condition.
Lessons of Starting a New Studio
From the very start, Joshua and Cody knew what type of studio they wanted to run. However, like any new small business, they had debts to pay. They tell how they learned very quickly to leave their egos behind and take the work they needed to get their business off the ground. While they feel driven as creatives to keep doing more and more, they realize that success in business means narrowing your focus and skills to excel at something in particular.
Asking For the Impossible
Now that they are working towards a clear vision for their studio, Joshua and Cody are able to take just the jobs they want. As a result, both they and their clients truly appreciate the videos that they make. A large part of their strategy involves asking for what they want and seeing what they can get from brands they want to work with. When the worst that can happen is getting no for an answer, these low-risk high-reward ventures have the potential to lead to great opportunities that otherwise would not happen.
How have you narrowed your focus as you grow your business? What impossibilities would you like to ask for? Leave a comment on the episode page!
In This Episode:
Building a studio around your interests with brand support [5:40]
The challenge of ambition and how to overcome it [14:40]
The unique advantage of knowing what you do and don’t want to do [19:45]
What happens when you leave your ego at the door when growing your business [28:00]
Why you should ask other companies for things that seem impossible [30:46]
Quotes
“There’s this constant desire to explore and do something new and if you’re taking on too much of that and managing it yourself, there’s a strong possibility that you’re going to burn yourself out creatively and in life.” [15:38]
“I reach out to people where it might seem impossible because they’re a big brand or company. I think people might be surprised. You should not have an expectation that they’re going to say yes. That’s the key.” [32:28]
“Whatever it is you’re going to go do, make sure you’re in the position to be very appealing to them. It’s not like always throwing a ‘hey, can we do this?’ out of nowhere. It’s more of like ‘this will be beneficial to you because it’s what we’re already doing.’” [35:58]
157: What I've Learned From A Year Of Studio Sherpas Podcasts w/ Ryan Koral
00:34:39
As the decade winds down, I want to speak to you, by myself this time, to highlight some of my favorite episodes from this year and what I’ve learned from them. I love to spend time reflecting by considering highs and lows and what has changed. This year was a year of growth for me in many ways, and I want to share with you some parts of it that I feel we can all benefit from.
Recently, I realized that my company has finally met my goal where I can truly pick and choose the work that I do. This sense of freedom is hard-won, but it is truly worth it in so many ways. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned along this journey and how I believe you can achieve it too.
Many of the lessons I learned came straight from the interviews that I’ve done for this podcast. Today, I go over just a small part of what has stood out for me over the past year. Whether it’s perfecting your storytelling, developing passive income, getting more leads, and winning the best clients for you, I learned a ton of great stuff about growing your business.
Another amazing part of 2019 was the Onward Summit that we hosted here in Detroit. It drew in Studio Sherpas members from near and far. I loved every minute of it as people connected, grew, and got inspired. I’m already really excited to do it again in 2020.
What are you going to do to share your story and serve others in the new year? Share it with me in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode
The freedom that comes with delegation and understanding the work that fulfills you the most
Recognizing your strengths and making it your focus
Top lessons learned and highlights from a year of podcast interviews
Key takeaways from the Onward Summit
The power of developing personal habits to stay healthy and properly focussed
Some of the tools and software that we use to manage aspects of our business
Quotes
“The power of delegation and seeing and understanding what doesn’t bring me life [allows me to] hand them off.” [7:44]
“It’s not just me. I’m not in a silo. I’ve met people who are learning things. I’ve been able to interview so many different people who’ve been able to speak into the Studio Sherpas community. It’s incredible!” [12:07]
“If you don’t have habits in the morning if you’re hopping on your phone and doing your email first thing, please just stop doing that. Your heart, your head, your body needs different food as you start your day.” [25:14]
373. Revolutionizing Your Online Presence: Social Media Strategies with Katie Brinkley
00:46:46
In this episode, Ryan talks with social media expert Katie Brinkley about effective strategies for using social media to grow your video business. Katie shares insights on the importance of intentional content creation, the value of community building, and the benefits of diversifying content types to align with various platforms and audience preferences.
Key Takeaways
Discover how intentional content creation can significantly boost your social media presence.
Learn the importance of community building and how it can reduce the need for frequent posting.
Understand the value of diversifying content types to cater to different platform algorithms and audience preferences.
About Katie Brinkey
Katie Brinkley has been leveraging social media to grow audiences and income for over 19 years. Since the time of MySpace, she's helped her clients build a strategy to attract the right followers and generate consistent inbound leads in as little as an hour a week.
From building corporate-level growth strategies for AT&T and DirecTV to implementing done-for-you social media for entrepreneurs, tech startups, and consultants, Katie has been at the forefront of the changes in how buyers engage on social media. Utilizing her platform-agnostic strategies, Katie's clients have been able to see bottom-line results at every stage of the sales process.
Katie's history of radio journalism mixed with her social aptitude allows her to bring a unique insight and leverage her client stories to the forefront of their social strategy.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:22] Meet Katie Brinkley
[04:15] The Social Shift
[09:43] Knowing your audience
[17:39] Getting started
[25:52] Building the audience that you want
[31:29] Take back your time
[34:38] The 4 post strategy
[43:52] Connect with Katie
[45:00] Outro
Quotes
"Social media wasn't intended for overwhelming content creation. Being more intentional with our time and content leads to building a stronger community around our businesses and brands.”
"Consistency is key. Whether you post every day or four times a week, success comes from showing up.”
"This is an excellent opportunity to share your story, client testimonials, and showcase some of your best work. Tailor your messaging based on who your audience is.”
"It's crucial to create content in the way that the platform and your audience prefer. Not everyone consumes only video content, so diversifying your content type is essential.”
184: Why You Should Be Failing Forward w/ Nate Bailey
00:43:53
No one likes failing. But every failure hides an opportunity. In fact, what sets you above your competition may have been borne out of a failure. Combined with perspective, failure provides lessons for learning and growing.
Nate Baileyis a leader and a speaker who knows how to impact and reach an audience. He recently fulfilled his long-time dream of selling his insurance agency to follow his dream of being a full-time coach. As a best-selling author of three books, Nate adheres to the simple philosophy of living what you teach.
With the business landscape thoroughly impacted by COVID, Nate is busy supplying large doses of perspective. This is a time to focus on what you can control. We can’t predict how and when the situation might change, but we can be strategic in how we position our companies to respond.
Just because you may be stuck at home and conferences are canceled doesn’t mean you can afford to stop networking. There are still authentic ways to reach out to potential clients and partners. Nate explains how the details of connecting have shifted, but not the underlying principles.
These times are a good reminder that there will never be a perfect time for anything. Waiting for perfection will only lead to paralysis. It’s important to recognize when something is good enough, give it a shot, and learn from the experience.
What have you been avoiding because you might fail? What could get you to do it? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode
Remembering what you still have control over in your business
How to reach out without going out
Focussing on progress, not perfection
Recognizing the opportunities that accompany failure
Quotes
“If they can tell that you’re really coming from the right place and you know what you’re doing, and you do create something of need that creates value, you’re going to be fine. It’s going to come back to you for sure.” [24:17]
“If I'm going to show or tell somebody that they should do this or that in their life, but I’m not doing it, that would be super out of integrity for me. I don’t ever want that to happen.” [31:05]
“It’s all about progress, not perfection. If you wait to be perfect, that’s what keeps people from launching the business.” [35:15]
“Flipping the perspective on failure is great. It’s how we learn. It’s how we grow.” [38:27]
291. The Secret to Getting Things Done in Your Video Business with Rachael Mueller
00:41:08
Are you overwhelmed with all the things that have to get done in your business? Need more time to think big picture, set goals, and cast vision? Then you need to listen to today’s episode.
Rachael Mueller is a systems expert who helps entrepreneurs and business owners identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in their businesses. She recently helped Ryan streamline his business systems and because she did such a great job he got her on the podcast to share some of her wisdom with you.
Key Takeaways
Time auditing is a key way to identify where you can be more efficient
The best project management software to use is whichever one you’ll actually use
Don’t think of projects as one big job break them down into smaller tasks
You need to give yourself space to come up with ideas and set the vision
About Rachael Mueller
Rachael Mueller is a real estate investor, turned Virtual COO + Systems Expert. When she’s not helping visionary entrepreneurs banish overwhelm, fuel their productivity, and streamline their businesses, you can find her in the kitchen whipping up a new recipe or traveling the globe.
In This Episode
Finding your specific niche [5:24]
The benefit of having an outsider look at your systems [8:33]
The importance of time auditing in your business [12:50]
Why you need to get your thoughts out of your head and what to do with them once they’re out [18:37]
You need to give your mind the freedom and the space to think and dream [30:06]
How to achieve those big overwhelming projects and stop putting them off [33:29]
Quotes
"You don’t know what you don’t know right, and when you’re so used to what you’re doing and how you’re running things it can also be very easy to say well this is how we’ve done it, it works fine let’s just keep going because that’s comfortable it’s easier. When you actually take that step back and you have someone else come in, you switch things up, there’s a lot of potential to make things really work in a really powerful way for your business.” [12:14]
“The simplest fix no matter where you are in business, is get used to not keeping things in your head” [18:57]
“We actually get dopamine when we complete things on our to-do list and so that momentum continues to build and you actually will end up getting more done in a faster amount of time, versus just having that big thing sitting there looming over you and being paralyzed on how to actually accomplish it” [34:54]
Links
FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production
On this week's episode of the Grow Your Video Business Podcast we’re getting vulnerable…really vulnerable. Mark Ostach joins the show this week to dive deep with Ryan and share their emotional experiences and how helping others win can help make you a winner in return. Ostach’s goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection. He’s done this with organizations that include Universal Studios, Detroit Pistons, Rocket Mortgage, Comerica Bank, Detroit Regional Partnership, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, Michigan Economic Development Corp, Honigman, LLP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BASF, Allstate, Hitachi, and others.
432. Automating Your Way to More Freedom and Profit with Carter Hogan
00:49:35
Carter Hogan shares his journey from filmmaker to software founder and reveals why most video professionals don't actually have a lead generation problem - they have a lead nurturing problem. He breaks down practical ways to automate the "low-value activities" in your business so you can focus on the creative work that matters most.
Key Takeaways
Your leads need 7-8 touchpoints before they'll trust you enough to hire you - if you're not consistently staying in touch, you're leaving money on the table
A simple monthly newsletter highlighting recent projects and how they solved client problems is the easiest way to nurture leads effectively
Automating payment processes and follow-ups not only saves time but prevents thousands in unpaid invoices from slipping through the cracks
Presenting a professional front through automated reminders and follow-ups makes clients feel like you have a full team, even if you're a solo operator
About Carter Hogan
Carter Hocan is the Co-founder and Owner of Vidlead, a video production company. With 10 years of experience as a videographer and producer, Carter gained recognition through his YouTube channel DevinSuperTramp.
He also spent five years with Fulltime Filmmaker Online Film School. Carter's expertise in creative storytelling and video production drives Vidlead’s mission to deliver innovative content solutions for businesses and creators alike.
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the Show!
[06:30] Meet Carter Hogan
[11:24] VidLead
[14:14] Lead Nurturing
[17:59] Monthly Newsletter
[22:30] Automated Messaging for Socials
[30:54] VidLead Financial and Time Benefits
[32:21] Invoicing
[47:56] Outro
Quotes
"People ask me like, what's going to help me? And it's like, well, if you haven't signed up yet, one, you're going to save money because you're going to cancel at least three or four softwares... And then two, you're going to free up a lot of your time so that you can work on your business." - Carter Hogan
"If you can automate the low value activities in your business and focus on the higher value activities, you're going to get a lot more bang for your buck. You're going to make a lot more money that way. Cause you're focusing on where your time really should be spent." - Carter Hogan
"Even if I'm selling like a $50 broomstick on Amazon, I still have to hit like at least five or six touch points to have somebody trust me enough to buy my $50 broomstick. Now we're talking about thousands of dollars in video production." - Carter Hogan
SSP 046: How To Create Your Own Dream Job w/ Whitney Powell
00:57:04
What do you do when the struggles get to be too much? How do you deal with the fears and frustrations of being an entrepreneur? We have all been there, and they will happen throughout your career, but today’s guest Whitney Powell has some insight and inspiration to share that will help you break free.
Whitney began her career in LA after graduating from film school but soon realized that the Hollywood life was just not for her. So she changed everything. Her love of travel, storytelling, and endurance racing lead her to create her own company that fuses those passions together with social media branding for clients.
She opens up about how while her life might look amazing on Instagram and Facebook (and believe me, it does), that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been filled with struggles, frustrations, and fear. She gets brutally honest about all of this, including what she does to pick herself up and continue moving forward even in the darkest times.
If you have ever felt like taking your business in another direction more in line with your deepest passions, then this is a podcast that you cannot miss. I learned a ton from this conversation, and I strongly suggest you listen to it twice because it is just that good.
Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? How did you get yourself past that point? Let us know in the comments!
In this episode:
What does entrepreneurial life really look like, and how does it differ from what we see on social media?
Tips on how to recover when you are feeling like giving up
Why it’s so important to be honest and upfront on social media
How to think outside the box when it comes to making a career in the film and video industry
Quotes:
“You need to know what you are worth and say no, ‘I am going to stick to my guns and follow the path that I envisioned & not accommodate what other people’s visions are.” (34:13)
“Get mad and get proactive.” (35:29)
“What do I want? Nobody else is living my life. I have to live my life, so what do I want to be doing with that time. We only have so many hours in a day to make those choices so what are you going to do with it?” (36:46)
06 Aug 2018
SSP 085: How To Balance Creativity And Business Success w/ Kristine & Calen Rhome of White In Revery
01:01:49
Striking a balance between your creative side and developing your business is tough. How do you stay true to your artistic talents while also growing a successful business? Videographer power-couple Kristine and Calen Rhome join us today to talk about how they’ve built up a successful videography business without compromising their artistic visions.
Kristine and Calen run White in Revery which they started six years ago. While they specialize in wedding videos, they do a lot more as well. Ask them what they do and they might just answer “millennial jobs.” Traveling around the world to shoot in some amazing locations, these super-entrepreneurs have found the sweet spot in running a successful business that showcases their talents but still leaves them the time and energy to focus on their family.
Not wanting to keep all their knowledge to themselves, Kristine and Caleb now share what they know with one-on-one workshops and have created a comprehensive masterclass on video editing.
In this podcast, we also talk about the importance of establishing an efficient workflow, how to cultivate personal relationships in different sectors of the industry, and how to let your work sell itself. Perhaps most importantly, we discuss why investing in yourself is essential. If you feel that your business is stagnating because you’ve reached the limits of your skill-set or are taking on too much yourself, then get prepared for an illuminating episode.
How do you build your business while maintaining your artistic mindset? How have you built beneficial relationships with others? Leave us a comment on the episode page!
In this episode:
Why it’s important to hire an employee even if you don’t think you need one yet
Why building relationships and nurturing connections with all sorts of people will get you more work
How prioritizing family and your personal life will be reflected positively in your business
The importance of always learning and improving your game, even though it may seem too expensive and time-consuming
Quotes:
“It has always been really difficult to let go and have someone else in place of you that represents your team, who can film your style well. The biggest part is having really good character, so they connect with the couple on a great level.”
“It’s really important, for me personally, to be spending money on myself, on the knowledge I have.”
“Love what you do … Enjoy the process, do your best, but put out things that you’re proud of.”
SSP 092: How To Find & Hire A Virtual Assistant That Will Change Your Life w/ Trivinia Barber
00:47:10
As creatives, we often think we have to do everything ourselves. But there’s usually too much to do without losing your sanity. I feel ya! I know I’d have so much trouble running Studio Sherpas without my own awesome VA. (Shout out to Tina!) What VAs give us is freedom, peace of mind, and the opportunity to slow down and remember what’s important to us.
Trivinia Barber is the founder and CEO of the boutique virtual assistant agency,Priority VA. Her company matches entrepreneurs with highly-skilled assistants who help them make the space to run only the parts of their business that they want to.
Today we talk about why hiring a VA is going to free up so much more room in your life and business. There are things that you might not know how to do, don’t want to do, or just don’t have time for that a VA can get off your plate.
There are a lot of reasons why you might be hesitant to bring on an assistant. Trivinia shares her advice on how to work well with assistants so you don’t have to worry about having someone else doing the work you normally have done. A lot of this requires setting up repeatable systems. When it comes to managing your team, Trivinia always makes sure to encourage, equip, empower, and engage with them. That way they can get it done so you don’t have to.
How to identify your needs when it comes to delegating tasks to a VA
Trivinia’s tips for using a VA so you’ll get the outcomes you need
How to know when you’re ready to hire a VA
What to look for in a potential VA you are thinking of hiring
The tasks that you are likely doing yourself that would be much better done by a VA
Quotes
“Delegation is like exercise. You have to flex that muscle. You’ll get better at it and it’s going to hurt initially because you’re going to do it wrong and you’re not going to give enough direction and somebody is going to mess up. But once you find it, magic is going to happen.” [21:38]
“You’re ready for a virtual assistant when you realize that your time is better spent doing the highest leveraged activities in your business.” [33:03]
“Be open to defining what success looks like instead of being like ‘go fly little birdie!’ and then being pissed off by what comes back. You have to set expectations.”[44:59]
“What you’re building is bigger than you. But if you don’t take it back to the whole reason why you started this in the first place, you kind of lose sight of it and you only chase that status and significance and it just messes it all up.” [53:32]
SSP 063: Your Work Won't Sell Itself, But This Is How You Can w/ Jason Wallis
00:41:39
It’s safe to say that as creatives, most of us absolutely we love what we do. But how much time to do we set aside to workonour businesses and not just solely focus on the workinsideof our business. We would all love it if our work sold itself, but the fact of the matter is that we need to put just as much work into promotion, marketing, and maybe most importantly relationship building, as we do producing amazing work.
Jason Wallis is the owner of Central Standard Productions which showcases his compelling still and motion images and his commercial films. He began his career as a commercial photographer but he fell in love with filmmaking when he was forced to make a pivot in his business. These days, his diverse skill set allows him to offer both services, often to the same clients, on the same projects.
Jason gets real with us about the need to be authentic in your work and relationships with people, the importance of always to bettering yourself and your portfolio with spec work, and how to attract the agencies and clients that you really want to work with. Jason has some great insights into how you can cultivate your relationships to make them referral magnets for you, and shares with us some tips on how he’s built up his incredible network.
While relationship building and selling yourself and your skills can seem daunting and often overwhelming, Jason breaks it down so that you know how to come at it with professionalism and authenticity.
How do you go about building your relationships in the industry? What do you find works the best and what has utterly failed? Let us know in the comments below!
In this episode:
The importance of professionalism on and off the set and why how you present yourself matters
Jason’s process to attract the right agencies and clients for you and your brand
How to cultivating great relationships that lead to more and better work
How to use your network to make connections that will lead to opportunities
How to choose spec work projects strategically to get the work you want down the road
Quotes:
“We knew, #1, we wanted to take care of our crew, we wanted to take care of our client, and take care of our talent that is on set. So, there is a general way of treating people with respect and dignity and honor, and we want to take care of you, that was our #1 goal, always. And, with that mindset we always were successful.” (10:56)
“The local and regional stuff, it does become completely about trust. Most of my work was hired because someone knew me and trusted me versus, ‘Hey this is an awesome piece of work that you have done.’ In fact, a lot of people don’t hire based on my work; they hire me based on me.” (21:32)
“I have learned from creative geniuses and some really bold clients that did some things that I just had a lot of fun doing and I was kinda along for the ride. So, now I want to take all that experience and say okay, who do I want to present myself as on a national stage.” (32:49)
359. Understanding Your Worth: A Guide for Filmmakers with Andrew Mason
00:40:33
In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Mason and discuss the art of understanding your value as a filmmaker. As we chat, we'll get real about why it's so important to set those boundaries with your clients and how to do it like a pro. You won't want to miss the practical advice Andrew shares on confidently approaching clients.
Key Takeaways
You'll discover the importance of truly understanding your worth in the filmmaking industry.
You'll gain insights into setting clear boundaries with clients, ensuring mutual respect.
You'll learn how to approach potential clients with confidence, professionalism, and clarity.
About Andrew Mason
Andrew has over 14 years in producing podcasts and hosting 100s of conversations. He has hosted/produced the GTD Podcast for 5 years (to iTunes Biz #5).
Everyone has a voice and a message to share, and Andrew is passionate about "Amplifying Messages that Matter."
In This Episode
[00:00] Welcome to the show!
[03:05] Meet Andrew Mason
[07:12] Joining the Studio Sherpas Masterclass
[13:05] Hosting a successful interview
[18:20] Staying mentally present in an interview
[21:27] Finding the perfect interview question
[24:08] Why host a podcast
[25:41] Starting a podcast
[32:08] What’s next?
[34:21] Facing imposter syndrome
[36:17] It doesn’t hurt to ask
[38:50] Connect with Andrew
[39:34] Outro
Quotes
"It's not just about the camera; it's about understanding your value."
"When you set boundaries, you set the stage for success."
"Every filmmaker has a unique voice; find yours and let it shine."
"Confidence isn't arrogance; it's understanding your worth."
"The right client will respect your boundaries and value your work."
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