The Business of Video Production

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 scenesWhy this end-of-year holiday looks very different to last yearThe idea of seasons in business, and why timing matters more than rulesWhen it makes sense to keep working through December and JanuaryWhen switching off is not avoidance, but the right callIf you’ve had a big year and you’re feeling tired, this episode gives you permission to stop for a moment.If you’re planning to keep working while others slow down, it may help you feel clearer about that decision.And if you’re not quite sure where you sit, it’s a chance to think about what your business needs from you right now.I also wanted to say thank you. To everyone who’s listened this year, reached out, or shared how the podcast has helped you in practical ways. Knowing this has meant a lot to me.I’ll be back in 2026.

If you run a video production business, chances are you’re thinking about next year already.Better clients. Better projects. Better pricing.Maybe a new service. Maybe more consistent work. Maybe fewer compromises.Most people respond to that by hunting for strategies. New offers. New funnels. New tactics.In this episode, I want to talk about something that sits underneath all of that.Because in my experience, the biggest changes in a video business rarely come from a clever strategy. They come from one decision most people never consciously make.The decision about what is now acceptable.I share an insight from a recent coaching conversation where a client realised that his biggest progress this year did not come from learning something new. It came from raising the standards he holds himself to. How he shows up. How he delivers. How he markets. How he follows through.This episode is especially for you if: • You feel capable of more than your business is currently producing • You know you sometimes tolerate things you shouldn’t, with clients or with yourself • You’re tired of tweaking tactics without seeing the change you want • You want 2026 to feel different, not just busierThis is not a tactical episode.There are no hacks.No step-by-step plan.It’s a reframing that could change how you operate your business next year.It can influence how you make decisions next year.If you’re at a point where you know something needs to change, and you don’t want to figure it out alone, you can explore my coaching offer at ryanspanger.com/coaching and see if it makes sense for you.

There’s a lot of big talk about AI right now. Some people pretending it’s no threat at all. Others convinced it’s going to wipe out every job in the industry. I’m not in either camp.In this episode I talk through something that happened on a recent shoot that really brought the whole question into focus. Not in a theoretical way. In a very real, very practical way.And from there, we get into the part nobody seems to be talking about. The part that actually decides whether your business survives the changes ahead.If you’re running a video business, or you want to move beyond being the person who does all the labour, this is worth a listen.

A lot of filmmakers wrestle with the idea of being commercial. They want the business to grow, but something inside them still clings to the image of the artist who shouldn’t have to ask for attention.This Short Cut digs into that tension. The part of you that wants to look like a “real filmmaker.” The part that tells you the work should be enough. And the part that quietly holds you back every time you avoid doing the things that actually bring clients in.There’s a simple idea in this episode that can loosen that grip and make the commercial side feel a lot more honest. A lot more doable.

Making the transition from videographer to business owner is one of the biggest challenges in our industry.Most videographers don’t actually run businesses. They run an endless list of interruptions. Messages, calls, favours, content requests, random problems, gear distractions, last-minute edits, and everyone wanting access to them all the time. It keeps them busy, but it doesn’t move anything forward.In today’s Short Cuts episode, I’m sharing something a mentor once said to me years ago. A simple idea that completely changed how I work. And it goes right to the heart of why so many videographers stay stuck as operators and never make the jump to being business owners.If you’ve been feeling too available, too reactive, or too close to other people’s noise, this episode will land for you.⁠https://www.ryanspanger.com/

In this Short Cuts episode, I share a simple way to get clarity when you’re feeling pulled in different directions in your business.It’s a way to understand what actually matters today. And what can wait.This might sound unusual at first, but it’s something I’ve used for years. It has helped me make better decisions, stay focused, and keep my business moving forward, even during busy or uncertain periods.In the episode, I walk you through how it works and how you can use it yourself.Take a listen. Then try it for a day or a week. You might be surprised by what you learn.https://www.ryanspanger.com/

This is one of those questions that sparks endless debate in video production circles.Should you give clients their raw footage?In this Short Cuts episode, I share how my thinking has changed over the years. From the early days of feeling protective about footage to running a more open, client-centred business that builds trust and long-term partnerships.You’ll hear a story about a car company job that taught me a valuable lesson, and how a simple mindset shift can change the way you handle these requests.If you’ve ever hesitated to hand over files or wondered how to set clear boundaries without damaging relationships, this one’s worth a listen.

Sony added a feature called the “Big 6” to their cinema cameras. Six key settings you use all the time, all on one screen.It got me thinking about what my own version of that would look like in business.In this episode, I walk through the six daily non-negotiables that keep Dream Engine running smoothly.The small habits that, done consistently, make the biggest difference.We talk about process versus outcome, how to stay in control of what really matters, and why results always follow when you focus on the right things.Listen now and start designing your own Big 6. The daily habits that will keep your video business healthy and moving forward.

On this week's Shortcuts episode, I want to talk about something that comes up all the time when I’m coaching video business owners: the sales rollercoaster.You know how it goes. You’re busy with production, buried in edits, and weeks go by without doing any sales. Then things go quiet, and suddenly you’re scrambling again.In this episode, I’ll share a simple way to get off that rollercoaster. It’s not about motivation or big plans. It’s about rhythm. One small, repeatable habit that builds momentum over time.If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent with sales, this one’s for you.Ambitious to scale your video production business? Click hereConnect with Ryan on LinkedIn

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

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

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?

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 it all themselves, and build a real business

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 stuck with the wrong clients, clung to old ways of working, or hesitated to back yourself when it mattered, this episode is for you.

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 holding you back more than you realise? And what if there’s a better story to tell yourself instead?

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 jobsThe simple mindset shift that can turn first-time clients into loyal, long-term partnersWhy “earning trust” beats chasing big budgets straight awayPractical ways to make it easy for prospects to say yes to working with youHow to treat new clients so they will want to stick around for yearsThis is not theory. These are lessons from over a decade of working with clients who became my best and most profitable relationships.🎧 Listen now and discover how a single small project could change your business for years to come.

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 reality of being human.I share what I’ve been noticing in the lives of my coaching clients, and reflect on my own journey of learning how to be a good friend to myself. While still showing up, doing the work, and building something meaningful.If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling short because you can’t keep up with a punishing routine, or wondered if self-compassion might just be the fuel you need to keep going, this one’s for you.Thank you for listening this season. I’ll be taking a short break, and then I’ll be back. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing a few favourite episodes from the archive.

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 gives you the confidence to hold your rates. And how it lets you work from a place of contribution, not desperation.We talk about the difference between faking confidence and building the conditions for it to emerge naturally. About moving from neediness to sufficiency. About sales without pressure. About building a business where you don’t have to chase every opportunity, because you know you’ll be fine either way.This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing work, compromising too much, or stuck in feast or famine mode. Let’s talk about creating a business where opportunities flow and you stay steady, no matter what.To go deeper and build this kind of system in your own video production business, learn more about my coaching program, The20, at ryanspanger.com/The20.

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 that actually move the needle?You’ll hear why obsessing over the newest AI tool is often just a distraction. And how to train yourself to recognise the difference between progress and procrastination in disguise.The smartest operators aren’t doing more. They’re doing less, better.Before you chase the next shortcut, pause.Listen to this.Then ask yourself two questions:What are you giving time to that isn’t earning it?And what really deserves your focus right now?This is the kind of thinking I’m helping my coaching clients build every week. Now it’s your turn.Hit play.

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 walk you through some simple questions to ask yourself across four key areas: clients, projects, marketing, and workflow.The goal is to help you notice the patterns, see what matters most, and start taking action.Even half an hour of focused reflection can create serious momentum.You can find the full list of reflection questions on the blog at https://www.ryanspanger.com/blog/apply-8020-rule-to-your-video-business.And if you want support applying this with guidance, accountability, and a clear plan, you can learn more about coaching here:ryanspanger.com/coaching