The Business of Video Production

A listener asked me a question that many video production business owners have quietly wondered about. Is it really possible to build a $500K-a-year business? In this episode, I share my honest take on what it takes to reach that level, what holds people back, and what actually matters more than turnover. We’ll look at why profit is the real measure of success, what happens when you rely too much...

We’re in the final stretch of the year. The championship quarter. In sport, this is when the game is won or lost. In business, it’s the window that decides how you finish, and how you start next year. In this episode, I’ll share why Q4 is your chance to finish stronger than you started, avoid the wrong kind of regret, and set yourself up to win in 2026. The year’s almost over. The window is open n...

A lot of video production business owners tell me they’re working harder than ever, yet not always moving forward the way they want. Over the years, I’ve noticed a set of patterns that often seem to hold people back. I’ve seen them in my own work, in colleagues, and in the clients I coach. In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast , I’ll share what these patterns are, what they l...

Some clients look like trouble. The kind you want to avoid. But what if the messiest situations are actually the most valuable? In this episode, I explore what it really means to be The Wolf. Cool under pressure. Useful when it counts. The person people turn to when everything is on the line. RyanSpanger.com

Hiring help is one thing. Learning how to lead them is another. In this episode, I share what it really takes to lead a team in a video production business. From creating a clear vision, to setting people up with simple systems, to giving feedback in a way that builds trust instead of resentment. You’ll hear about the mistakes I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned, and the practical steps you can ta...

Life has a way of showing you when it’s time to change. At first it whispers. Ignore it for long enough and the message gets louder. In this episode, I share a story from my own video business about what happens when you hold on to something that’s lost its shine, and the surprising strength that can come from letting go. So what is your business trying to tell you right now?

What happens when your video business grows beyond what you can handle alone? In this episode, I share my journey of moving from a one-person operator to leading a team: from hiring freelancers and interns to building an in-house crew. You’ll hear the fears I had about bringing in help, the mistakes I made, and the lessons that reshaped my video production company. Whether you’re running a solo vi...

A new prospect approached me this week with an interesting request. On the surface, it sounded flattering. But when I thought about it, I realised what he was really asking for was something I’ve learned to say no to. In this episode, I’ll share how I handled it, why I have a firm rule about it, and where I put that energy instead. The20 - A mastermind for video business owners ready to stop doing...

Running a video business solo means you’re wearing every hat: shooting, editing, sending proposals, chasing invoices, posting on LinkedIn, taking client calls. Some days it feels manageable. Other days, it’s chaos. And when it’s just you, it’s tempting to think: “I don’t need systems. I know how I do things.” I used to believe that too. But here’s what I’ve learned: systems matter just as much for...

What do a pair of too-small boots and an expensive winter jacket have to do with running a video production business? In this episode, I share two personal stories that reveal a hidden cost many business owners pay without even realising it. We’ll explore how to recognise when it’s time to let go, when it’s time to invest, and how those choices can shape the future of your business. If you’ve ever...

Every successful video production company has one thing in common: systems. Without them, you stay stuck doing everything yourself, quality slips when you’re busy, and growth stalls. In this episode, Ryan Spanger shows how systems give you consistency, control, and the freedom to build a business that works beyond you. What You’ll Learn: The hidden risks of running without systems How to capture y...

This is a throwback to the very first Short Cuts episode: a quick weekly idea to get you thinking, questioning, or acting as you head into the weekend. In this one, we tackle a story that many video producers tell themselves: “The kid with the gimbal is undercutting me and stealing my work.” That story can quietly shape how you see your business, and your place in the industry. But what if it’s ho...

Running a video production business is not only about creativity. It is about building systems that make your business easier to run, deliver a better client experience, and help you grow. In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast , Ryan Spanger shares two of the most valuable systems he has developed in his own company: Client Onboarding : how to set expectations, frame the clie...

In this Business of Video Production Shortcuts episode, I explore how to make prospects feel “half sold” before you even speak to them. You’ll learn: How to create marketing content that builds trust and credibility in advance Why case studies, testimonials, and social proof shape buying decisions How to enter the conversation already happening in your prospect’s mind The key to making a compellin...

If the idea of selling makes you feel awkward or fake, this episode will change how you see the whole process. You don’t need scripts, pressure tactics, or slick lines to win work. In fact, the most effective salespeople are often the ones who never thought they had what it takes. In this episode, I’ll share how to sell video production services in a way that feels authentic, honest, and aligned w...

What if your smallest job this year turned into your biggest client over the next decade? In this Shortcuts episode, I share real stories of clients who started with tiny, almost throwaway projects and grew into long-term partnerships worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. By listening, you’ll learn: How to spot opportunities hidden inside small jobs The simple mindset shift that can turn first-t...

Pricing is one of the most talked about topics in video production. Everyone wants to know what to charge, whether their rates are too high or too low, and what the so-called “going rate” is. Raising your rates can be one of the fastest ways to grow your profits. But there is a right way to do it, and a lot of wrong ways. In this episode, I break down why asking strangers in Facebook groups for pr...

There are many ways to set up a video production company. Some people want to build large teams. Others prefer to work solo. You might focus on agencies or work directly with businesses. You can rent a studio or work from a garden shed. After 25 years in the industry, I’ve tested a range of approaches. In this episode, I share the model that I’ve shaped over time: one that suits the kind of work I...

We’ve all heard the voices that preach relentless discipline, extreme routines, and suffering as the only path to success. Think Goggins, Jocko, Hormozi. Powerful figures. But what happens when you try to follow their lead and end up burnt out or disappointed? In this episode, I unpack the tension between willpower and sustainability. Between ambition and kindness. Between high standards and the r...

You probably already know what you should be doing to grow your business: Chasing leads. Improving your offer. Building relationships. But the day-to-day keeps getting in the way. In this episode of the Business of Video Production podcast, I talk with a video business owner who's working through this exact challenge. We unpack what’s keeping him stuck in delivery, what’s working, and what sti...

There’s a deep sense of calm that comes from knowing your sales funnel is full. Not just full of noise, but full of real opportunities at every stage: early inquiries, discovery calls, proposals in motion, and new leads arriving predictably from a solid marketing system. In this short episode, we explore what that does to your mindset. How it frees you up to say no to the wrong clients. How it giv...

What does it really take to go pro with your video production business? In this episode, I sit down with Nick Mongillo, a client of mine from Toronto, Canada, who’s made the leap from part-time freelancer to full-time business owner. Over the past six months, he’s doubled his income, quit his job, landed retainer clients, and stepped fully into running a production company with clarity and confide...

You’ve got more tools, tips, and tactics coming at you than ever. AI bots. Growth hacks. “Must-have” systems. But most of it’s noise. In this short episode, we’re going deeper into the 80/20 Rule: not as a theory, but as a lens for how you run your business. What if you made decisions like a ruthless operator? What if you stopped chasing shiny solutions and started doubling down on the few things...

This episode builds on the last two by going deeper into what it really means to operate like the top 20% of video production business owners. Not just in theory, but in practice. You’ll get a clearer picture of what those businesses do differently, and how you can start applying those principles now. We cover: • The quiet habits that set the 20% apart • Why doing less, better, is a competitive ad...

In this short and practical episode, we’re following up on the recent conversation about the 80/20 Rule. If you haven’t heard that one yet, it’s worth going back. But today, I want to give you something you can actually do with the idea. This episode is designed to help you reflect on your business, identify what’s really driving results, and make smarter decisions with your time and energy. I’ll...