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.

This episode is a little different.

It’s the story of how I found my way into filmmaking. And how, for a long time, I wasn’t sure I ever would.

It’s about false starts, forgotten scripts, strange jobs, and a three-day rainstorm in a New Zealand forest.

It’s about the long, winding road to doing work that matters. And the moments that almost stopped me.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, off track, or unsure of where you’re headed… this might speak to you.

Thanks for listening, and for coming on the journey.

You probably already know what you need to do in your video business. But you’re not doing it. Why?

In this episode, I explore one of the biggest barriers to progress in a production company: the gap between knowing and doing. Because to know, and not to do… is not to know.

It’s not a knowledge problem. It’s an implementation problem. You don’t need more information. You need more action. In this episode, I reflect on the nature of resistance, and challenge you to stop sitting on tasks that matter.

This episode is a wake-up call. Pick the one thing that will move your business forward. Then go do it.

What you’ll learn:

• Why knowing isn’t enough

• The hidden cost of inaction

• How to overcome resistance and start taking action

• A simple way to move your business forward today

Resources:
Coaching for video production business owners: https://www.ryanspanger.com

You’ve got the tools. The systems. The strategy.
So why does it still feel like something’s missing?

In this episode, we explore Pillar 5 of the Iron Man Model: Personal Transformation: the inner work that powers everything else in your video business. Because no amount of automation, delegation or AI will help if you're still stuck in old habits, limiting beliefs, or fear of discomfort.

We’ll talk about:

• Why your business reflects who you are

• The identity shifts required to grow

• Why discomfort is necessary, and how to train for it

• Practical strategies to evolve as a leader and creator

This is one of the most personal and powerful episodes I’ve recorded.
If you’ve ever felt stuck even when the path is clear, this one’s for you.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
ryanspanger.com — coaching for video business owners ready to grow and evolve.

Follow the show for more episodes on sales, strategy, mindset and building a resilient video production business.

Ever feel like marketing has become one big magic trick?

In this episode, we talk about a surprisingly effective, and often overlooked, approach to business: telling the truth.

No fake scarcity. No “only two spots left.” Just clear, honest communication that actually builds trust instead of eroding it.

It might not sound flashy, but it works. And it might just make your life (and business) a whole lot easier.

In this episode of The Business of Video Production, I continue breaking down The Iron Man Model. This is my framework for building a lean, efficient, and future-ready video production business.

Today, we’re diving into Pillar 4: Automation.

If you’re ambitious and want to grow your business without burning out, automation can help you save time, reduce stress, and stay consistent. It’s not about being a tech nerd or loving gadgets. It’s about using simple tools to get better results.

In this episode, I’ll share:

✅ Why so many video business owners stay stuck in manual mode

✅ A practical definition of automation and why it matters

✅ How to automate your marketing with tools like HubSpot

✅ How to streamline your sales process without losing the personal touch

✅ How to automate parts of production and client delivery

✅ Common mistakes to avoid when setting up automation

This week’s action step:

Pick one part of your business – marketing, sales, production or delivery. Then ask, “What do I keep doing over and over that a system could handle for me?”

Start with one task. Build one system. But make a start.

If you want help creating a smarter, leaner, more resilient video business, visit ryanspanger.com.

#VideoProduction #Automation #BusinessSystems #IronManModel #MarketingTools #VideoBusinessGrowth #RyanSpanger