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 still needs to change.

You’ll hear:

• Practical strategies for freeing up your time

• Ideas for building better systems

• How to shift your role from operator to business builder

If you want to stop being so busy in the business and start working on it, this one’s for you.

Want to work with me directly? Learn more about The20 Mastermind at ryanspanger.com/the20

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.

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 confidence.

We break down what changed. From letting go of the “videographer” label, to learning how to follow up, sell without pressure, and build systems that actually work. Nick shares openly about the mindset shifts, the small wins that built momentum, and what it means to back yourself fully.

Nick is a member of The20 : my mastermind for video production business owners who are ready to go pro, focus on what matters, and surround themselves with others doing the same.

See if it's for you 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.

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 advantage
• How to escape the trap of doing everything yourself
• The mindset and systems that support consistent momentum
• A practical way to stop drifting and start building with focus

I also introduce The20, a new mastermind for those who are ready to stop winging it and start leading their business with intention.

Apply at ryanspanger.com/the20

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

Are you working harder than ever, but still not getting the results you want?

You’re editing, quoting, filming, following up... replying to client emails at 10pm. You’re grinding. But it still feels like something’s off.

In this episode, I want to show you a different way of thinking. One that’s helped me ,and many of my coaching clients, escape the cycle of overwork and under-earning.

It’s called the 80/20 Rule.

We’ll unpack the surprising origin of the Pareto Principle, why most video producers stay stuck in the 80%, and what it actually means to be in the 20: the group of businesses that earn more, stress less, and operate with clarity and calm.

You’ll learn how to:

• Focus on the right clients, and drop the ones draining your energy

• Offer services that are profitable and easy to deliver

• Cut through the noise in your marketing

• And reclaim your time for the work that really moves the needle

This isn’t about working more. It’s about working better.

So if you’re ready to stop chasing and start building, hit play.

For coaching and support to build a calm, profitable video business, visit ryanspanger.com

If you're trying to grow a video production business, land better clients, or trust yourself more, this is the principle everything rests on.

Be impeccable with your word.

It sounds simple, but most people slip. They make casual promises. They overcommit. They speak vaguely. And it quietly erodes trust. With others and with themselves.

In this episode, I unpack what it really means to keep your word. To speak clearly. To follow through. And how this one habit can separate the top 20% from other production company owners.

If you want a reputation that opens doors and earns respect, this is where it begins.

This week, I’m continuing the story I started in the last episode about how I came to start my production company.

Rather than being a set of tips or tactics, it's what happened along the journey, with all its twists, turns, false starts and watershed moments that shaped the path forward.

And near the end, a simple idea that’s stuck with me ever since: choose to be chosen.

If you’re building something of your own or curious how others find their way in this industry, I think you’ll relate.

This episode is about something that happens all too often in the video production industry. It starts with a friendly email. Maybe the client says they love your work, but there’s no budget right now. Or they ask for a few creative ideas “just to get started.” Or they tell you it’s a really simple job and ask you to drop your rate.

These are red flags. And if you keep saying yes to them, you’re not just giving away your time. You’re teaching people how to treat you.

In this episode, I talk about why it’s important to protect your value, how to spot these situations early, and how to set clear boundaries. I’ll share strategies for communicating your rates with confidence, dealing with late payments, and building a business that gives you the power to walk away from the wrong clients.

If you’ve ever felt pressured to say yes when you wanted to say no, this one is for you.