Busy with client work, but never getting around to improving your own business? In this episode, I share how a month of focused work helped me tackle the changes I’d been putting off, and how you could make time for yours.

After a short break from the podcast, I’m back to talk about going into “monk mode”: setting aside a defined period to cut distractions and give important projects your full attention.

Over the past month, I’ve made substantial changes to my production and marketing systems, addressed weaknesses in my business and completed work that had been sitting on my list for too long. With the help of AI, I feel like I’ve done a year’s worth of work in a month.

I talk through:

• How I balance small, consistent daily actions with occasional focused sprints.
• How I make room for uninterrupted work around the demands of running a production company.
• What travelling through Laos taught me about the rhythm of work.
• How AI helped me tackle projects that previously felt too complex or time-consuming.
• How to identify the changes that would make the biggest difference in your business.

If there’s something you know your business needs, whether it’s a better website, updated proposals or a more consistent way to bring in work, this episode will help you think about how to give it the attention it deserves.

Join me for Monk Mode:

I’m supporting video business owners through a month of focused work on their businesses. We start with a one-to-one call to identify your priorities, which I turn into a written action plan. You then work through it with weekly group calls and support from me through Slack between sessions. Ask for all the details at ryanspanger.com/contact.

Your personal brand is essentially what you stand for as an individual, and the value that you bring. It’s basically the public identity that you create for yourself. It’s a way of showing that you’re trustworthy and credible.

In my opinion, it’s something that’s often neglected by video production owners. Who often prefer to invest more time and energy in crafting a company brand. One that’s often painted as being unrealistically larger than it actually is. And missing out on the benefits that building their personal brand could bring. So this is an opportunity to check in with yourself and see where you’re at with personal branding.

If you'd like to learn more about me and what I do, check out my website.

Whether you realise it or not, you're always being coached—by someone else or by yourself. Coaching is the key to unlocking higher performance, overcoming blind spots, and pushing beyond your limits. But what if you don’t have a coach? How do you guide yourself to success, stay accountable, and consistently improve?

In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, we break down the art of self-coaching. You’ll learn:

✔ How to remove negative judgment and build a strong inner dialogue

✔ How to tap into ambition, motivation, and even "dark side" energy to push forward

✔ The difference between setting goals vs. making non-negotiable commitments

✔ How to implement relentlessly and reflect like a seasoned coach

Whether you’re navigating your business alone or looking to strengthen your self-discipline, this episode will give you the tools to lead yourself to success.

Your challenge: By the end of this episode, set one clear, non-negotiable goal for this week.

If you’re interested in how I help video production business owners grow and scale, visit ⁠ryanspanger.com

Do you have the production company that you want yet, and if not, do you know what's standing in the way of you getting it? What are the things that you need to work on to help you get the results that you need?

I've worked with many production companies over the years, and what I've found is that there's often a few very particular things standing in their way. So as you're listening to the podcast, I wonder if these six things resonate with you and are helpful for you to work on, or at least think about on this episode of the Business of Video Production podcast.

Your business could be spending money unnecessarily, while overlooking opportunities to invest those funds more effectively.

In this episode from the archives, I explain how to audit your business expenses using the process I follow in my own video production company. You’ll learn how to identify unnecessary costs and redirect that money into areas that can support growth and generate a stronger return.

If you don’t review your expenses regularly, you may be surprised by how much you can save and how much better that money could be working for your business.

Let’s talk about optimising your company’s expenses on The Business of Video Production Podcast.

Visit Ryan Spanger

Some contractors leave you feeling exhausted before the job has even started. Others make you want to hire them within minutes.

The difference isn’t necessarily skill or experience. It’s how they make the problem feel.

In this episode, I share two very different experiences I had while hiring contractors, and what they revealed about the quality clients value most. I also explain how one video business owner changed his approach to a major opportunity, stepped into a leadership role and won the biggest project he had ever quoted.

Clients don’t just want expertise. They want to feel that you understand the problem, know what to do and can make it go away.

Find out more about my video business coaching at https://ryanspanger.com

Does managing sales in your video production business feel scattered or overwhelming? Enquiries get buried in your inbox, follow-ups are forgotten and promising opportunities slip through the cracks. All while you are juggling shoots, edits, invoices and everything else the business demands.

In this episode, I explore how a simple CRM can help you feel more organised, confident and in control of your sales process. You'll learn how to capture enquiries, qualify leads, track proposals and follow up consistently without adding unnecessary complexity to your day.

I also cover:

• How to create a clear, practical sales pipeline

• Which CRM features are genuinely useful for a video business

• How templates and integrations can reduce repetitive admin

• Why personal follow-ups often outperform excessive automation

• Which sales metrics are worth tracking

• How to avoid feature bloat, AI distractions and the temptation to build your own CRM

The software you choose matters less than finding something intuitive and using it consistently. With the right habits, a CRM can help you stop feeling reactive and start approaching sales like a confident, professional video production business owner.

If you would like support creating a more organised and effective video business, learn more about my coaching at ryanspanger.com/coaching.

This is Part Two of a series called How Much Should You Charge?

In this episode, I look at the difference between charging fairly and nickel-and-diming your clients. What should be included in your core price? When is an additional charge reasonable? And when might a small extra help you build a stronger relationship?

I also share a recent experience with a camera operator who made the whole process easy, added value without being asked and immediately made me want to work with him again.

Because pricing isn’t only about what you earn from the job in front of you. It can also shape the client experience, repeat business and the relationships you build over time.

For more practical advice on growing your video production business, visit ryanspanger.com.

If you’d like support with pricing, clients and building a stronger business, learn more about my coaching program at ryanspanger.com/coaching.

One of the biggest questions facing video business owners is: how much should I charge?

It’s tempting to think there’s a going rate you can discover, or a simple formula that will give you the right answer. But two companies can produce a similar video and charge completely different amounts, depending on the market they serve, how they’re positioned and the type of business they’re building.

In this episode, I look at pricing as a broader business strategy. I talk about how your marketing and positioning support what you charge, the difference between high-volume packages and custom high-end work, and why revenue alone doesn’t tell you whether a project is worthwhile.

I use a simple project example to show how costs such as freelancers, equipment, overheads and your own time affect the amount you’re actually left with. The aim is to give you a clearer way to think about pricing and identify what might need to change in your business.

Find out more about my video business coaching at ryanspanger.com

Feast or famine is one of the most common cycles experienced by video production business owners. You get busy, marketing stops, the project ends, and suddenly there’s nothing else in the pipeline.

But is a lack of time really what causes this pattern?

In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, I explore why sales and marketing often stop as soon as work arrives, how panic-driven marketing keeps you trapped in the cycle, and the difference between running a hunter-style and farmer-style business.

You’ll learn how to build your sales and marketing muscle through small, consistent habits that can lead to a more reliable pipeline and less uncertainty in your business.

Learn more about how I help video business owners