The Business of Video Production

In this powerful episode of The Business of Video Production podcast, I dive into the critical topic of ambition: a driving force often misunderstood and undervalued in creative industries. Ambition isn't just about seeking status or wealth. It's the healthy drive to master your craft, achieve your goals, and push your business further. Yet, many creative business owners struggle with self...

Today, we’re shaking things up with a live coaching call. I’ll work with a young entrepreneur preparing to launch his video production company. He’s facing some critical decisions about how to get started, and I’ll be guiding him to clarify his vision, set clear goals, and map out the essential steps to build a strong foundation for his business. No matter where you are in your video production jo...

It's the end of the year, and this is a moment that naturally invites reflection: an honest look at who you want to be in the year ahead. In this episode, I share the personal reflection process I go through every year around this time. It’s a way of stepping back from the noise, creating some space, and listening to what’s actually going on beneath the surface. This is about getting clear on...

January can feel like a dead zone. The inbox slows down, clients disappear, and it’s tempting to cruise. But January is also your best window all year to work on the business, not just in it. This is an archive episode I’m re-sharing because the idea is simple and it works: treat January like the off-season. Rest properly, recover from the year, then use that quieter space to lock in a few foundat...

Before the year wraps up, I wanted to leave you with one final conversation. This is the last episode of The Business of Video Production podcast for 2026. There’s no teaching in this one. No strategies. Just a moment to pause and take stock before the break. In this episode, I reflect on: What this year has actually felt like behind the scenes Why this end-of-year holiday looks very different to...

In this episode, I walk through the full structure of the 90-day program I’ve built for videographers who want to move into being business owners. Think of this episode as a mirror. A way to see which parts of your business are actually supporting you, and which parts you’ve been avoiding, postponing, or hoping will sort themselves out. You can use this as a thinking tool. Or as a line in the sand...

If you run a video production business, chances are you’re thinking about next year already. Better clients. Better projects. Better pricing. Maybe a new service. Maybe more consistent work. Maybe fewer compromises. Most people respond to that by hunting for strategies. New offers. New funnels. New tactics. In this episode, I want to talk about something that sits underneath all of that. Because i...

As we get close to the end of the year, there’s a moment every videographer reaches. You look back at the last twelve months and either feel proud of the direction things are heading… or you feel that familiar tug that says you expected more from your business than what actually happened. If that second feeling rings true, this episode will speak to you. Because today we’re talking about the point...

As the year winds down, it’s normal to feel tired and think about easing off. This Short Cuts episode is a reminder that the final couple of weeks can make a real difference. I share why this period often creates unexpected opportunities, how one of my clients landed a significant project right at the end of the year, and what to focus on so you head into January in the right way. If you’ve been t...

There was a time when I loved being a one-person band. Shooting, editing, doing everything myself. It felt simple. It felt pure. Until it didn’t. The late nights in the edit suite, the low budgets, the scramble for the next job… and that creeping feeling that the whole thing was resting on me. If you’re a videographer who knows you’re capable of more than just getting through the next project, thi...

There’s a lot of big talk about AI right now. Some people pretending it’s no threat at all. Others convinced it’s going to wipe out every job in the industry. I’m not in either camp. In this episode I talk through something that happened on a recent shoot that really brought the whole question into focus. Not in a theoretical way. In a very real, very practical way. And from there, we get into the...

Most video producers love the creative work… but tense up the moment money enters the conversation. Invoices. Payment terms. Chasing. Awkward follow-ups. It’s the side of the business no one talks about, even though it affects everything. In this episode, we get into the real-world process of getting paid: how to set the tone early, how to avoid late payments, and how to deal with the uncomfortabl...

A lot of filmmakers wrestle with the idea of being commercial. They want the business to grow, but something inside them still clings to the image of the artist who shouldn’t have to ask for attention. This Short Cut digs into that tension. The part of you that wants to look like a “real filmmaker.” The part that tells you the work should be enough. And the part that quietly holds you back every t...

You’re about to hear the final part of a short series I’ve been doing on what’s actually working in my business right now. Last month was the best month I’ve ever had. I’ve been looking hard at why. What changed. What I finally stopped doing, and what I doubled down on. In the first two episodes I talked about long-term clients and building a predictable flow of leads. Today goes somewhere differe...

Making the transition from videographer to business owner is one of the biggest challenges in our industry. Most videographers don’t actually run businesses. They run an endless list of interruptions. Messages, calls, favours, content requests, random problems, gear distractions, last-minute edits, and everyone wanting access to them all the time. It keeps them busy, but it doesn’t move anything f...

This is part two in a short series on what’s working in my video business right now. Last month was our best month in over twenty years, and I’ve been breaking down the actual reasons behind it so you can apply the same ideas to your own business. In the last episode, we looked at the importance of long term client relationships and the role that repeat business plays in stability and momentum. In...

In this Short Cuts episode, I share a simple way to get clarity when you’re feeling pulled in different directions in your business. It’s a way to understand what actually matters today. And what can wait. This might sound unusual at first, but it’s something I’ve used for years. It has helped me make better decisions, stay focused, and keep my business moving forward, even during busy or uncertai...

Last month was our best month ever in my video business. More projects, more revenue, more momentum than in twenty years of running Dream Engine. When someone in my mastermind asked why it happened, I realised I didn’t have a clear answer. It wasn’t luck or timing. There were deeper reasons. In this episode, I break down what really worked, starting with the single biggest factor behind our best m...

This is one of those questions that sparks endless debate in video production circles. Should you give clients their raw footage? In this Short Cuts episode, I share how my thinking has changed over the years. From the early days of feeling protective about footage to running a more open, client-centred business that builds trust and long-term partnerships. You’ll hear a story about a car company...

Most video producers know they should be posting more on LinkedIn. They’ve got great work, smart ideas, and interesting stories from the field, but for some reason, they hold back. Maybe it feels awkward. Maybe they don’t know what to say. Or maybe they’ve posted before and nothing happened. In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast , Ryan Spanger breaks down how to build a conte...

Sony added a feature called the “Big 6” to their cinema cameras. Six key settings you use all the time, all on one screen. It got me thinking about what my own version of that would look like in business. In this episode, I walk through the six daily non-negotiables that keep Dream Engine running smoothly. The small habits that, done consistently, make the biggest difference. We talk about process...

In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast , Ryan shares how he learned to sell video production services in a natural, authentic way that actually feels good. He explains how selling isn’t about persuasion or pressure. It’s about listening and responding. Through stories, examples, and real coaching experiences, you’ll learn how to: Lead client conversations with confidence and e...

On this week's Shortcuts episode, I want to talk about something that comes up all the time when I’m coaching video business owners: the sales rollercoaster. You know how it goes. You’re busy with production, buried in edits, and weeks go by without doing any sales. Then things go quiet, and suddenly you’re scrambling again. In this episode, I’ll share a simple way to get off that rollercoaster. I...

Should you sell your video services as packages, or create customised proposals for every client? In this episode, Ryan Spanger breaks down the pros and cons of both approaches. You’ll learn when packages make sense, when they can actually hold you back, and how customised proposals can help you position yourself as a trusted expert rather than just another vendor. Ryan also shares how he uses bot...

A clip from Chris Do sparked a discussion inside my mastermind group. His advice: “Never justify. Never ever.” It’s bold, but is it the right move? In this episode, I dig into where this idea helps and where it can hurt. Especially if clients keep asking you to explain your pricing. https://www.ryanspanger.com/video-business-mastermind