The Business of Video Production

You’re about to hear the final part of a short series I’ve been doing on what’s actually working in my business right now. Last month was the best month I’ve ever had. I’ve been looking hard at why. What changed. What I finally stopped doing, and what I doubled down on.

In the first two episodes I talked about long-term clients and building a predictable flow of leads. Today goes somewhere different. A bit more personal. A bit uncomfortable to say out loud. But probably the most useful thing I can offer you if you’re trying to build a real video business.

If sometimes feel like you’re only using half of what you’ve got, or you’re holding back without meaning to, this one will hit close to home.

If you want a clearer sense of what it really takes to grow a video business, keep listening.

All of that in this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast.

If this episode hits home, and you want support while you build the business you’re capable of, you can find everything at ryanspanger.com/coaching.

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/

This is part two in a short series on what’s working in my video business right now. Last month was our best month in over twenty years, and I’ve been breaking down the actual reasons behind it so you can apply the same ideas to your own business.

In the last episode, we looked at the importance of long term client relationships and the role that repeat business plays in stability and momentum.

In this episode, we shift to the other side of the equation: new leads. Not luck. Not waiting. A reliable and consistent lead source that you can depend on.

We cover:

• Why referrals are not a strategy

• The feeling of business “uncertainty” when you rely on chance

• The mindset shift that comes with building a dependable lead flow

• How to choose one lead channel that suits your personality and strengths

• Why focus matters more than experimenting across every platform

If you can build one strong, repeatable source of leads, your entire business feels different. Calmer. More predictable. More in your control.

Looking to build your own dependable source of leads for your business?

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/

Last month was our best month ever in my video business. More projects, more revenue, more momentum than in twenty years of running Dream Engine.

When someone in my mastermind asked why it happened, I realised I didn’t have a clear answer. It wasn’t luck or timing. There were deeper reasons.

In this episode, I break down what really worked, starting with the single biggest factor behind our best month yet.

It’s part one of a short series on what’s working right now in my video production business, and how you can use the same principles to create steady, repeatable success in yours.

For more on building a steady, profitable video business, visit 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.

Most video producers know they should be posting more on LinkedIn. They’ve got great work, smart ideas, and interesting stories from the field, but for some reason, they hold back. Maybe it feels awkward. Maybe they don’t know what to say. Or maybe they’ve posted before and nothing happened.

In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, Ryan Spanger breaks down how to build a content strategy for LinkedIn that feels natural, human, and effective.

He shares five simple types of posts that video producers can rotate through, and explains how to make each one engaging and real. You’ll learn how to stay top-of-mind with clients, build authority, and show up consistently without overthinking it.

Ryan also talks about how to think about LinkedIn as part of your business infrastructure, why your personal page matters more than your company page, and how the rise of AI has made authentic human voice more valuable than ever.

If you’ve been overthinking what to post, or worrying about sounding “salesy” or fake, this episode will help you find your rhythm.

You’ll learn how to:

• Post with confidence, without over-polishing

• Build awareness instead of chasing likes

• Use the “five content buckets” to create variety

• Stay consistent so clients remember you when it matters

To see examples of Ryan’s behind-the-scenes content or learn more about his coaching for video production business owners, visit ryanspanger.com/coaching. Or connect on LinkedIn.

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.

In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, Ryan shares how he learned to sell video production services in a natural, authentic way that actually feels good.

He explains how selling isn’t about persuasion or pressure. It’s about listening and responding. Through stories, examples, and real coaching experiences, you’ll learn how to:

• Lead client conversations with confidence and empathy

• Use curiosity to uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight

• Reframe sales calls as diagnostic conversations: “diagnose and prescribe”

• Build trust and influence by listening reflectively

• Create a framework for authentic, repeatable sales conversations

Ryan also shares insights from two decades of experience running⁠ Dream Engine⁠ and coaching other video business owners on how to sell without feeling salesy.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to make sales conversations calm, confident, and effective without ever needing to fake it.

Listen now to learn how to sell video production by understanding your clients better than anyone else.

Learn more about Ryan’s coaching for video business owners at ⁠ryanspanger.com/coaching⁠.

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.

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Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn