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 pricing advice or following blanket advice from “experts” will get you nowhere. I explain why the key to charging more is delivering more value, both tangible and intangible, and how to tell that story to your market.

We’ll talk about:

• Why copying other people’s rates is a dead end

• The difference between tangible and intangible value, and how to improve both

• How your delivery process and attention to detail can justify higher prices

• Why certain industries can bear higher rates than others

• The role your own beliefs about money and self-worth play in pricing

• How to position yourself in the market to attract higher-paying clients

Whether you are just starting out or you’ve been in the business for years, this episode will help you think more strategically about pricing. You’ll learn how to raise your rates with confidence, without burning bridges or pricing yourself out of work.

If you’re ready to go deeper and want my help to refine your pricing strategy, improve your marketing, and build the confidence to charge more, visit ryanspanger.com/coaching.

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 want to do, the lifestyle I value, and the clients I enjoy working with.

This episode of the Business of Video Production Podcast covers:

• Who I choose to work with and why

• How I approach budgets and pricing

• What types of videos make sense for long-term client relationships

• Why $10k projects can create better margins than big-budget campaigns

• How a small, highly skilled team keeps things efficient and profitable

• My decision to leave traditional office setups behind

• Where I store gear, how I manage workspace, and how I stay flexible

• What I’ve learned about income goals, simplicity, and sustainable growth

This episode is about stepping back and thinking through how your business is set up, and whether the structure you have now is actually supporting the life and work you want.

To learn more about how I help production company owners design businesses that support their goals, head to www.ryanspanger.com.

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.

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