In this enlightening episode, Ryan is joined by entrepreneur coach Bri Seeley to discuss the critical shift from time-based to value-based work for videographers and business owners. They explore the importance of recognizing the true value of one's work, moving beyond hourly rates, and the impact of this approach on business growth and personal freedom. This episode is a must-listen for those seeking to transform their business mindset and practices. Key Takeaways Learn how to transition from time-based billing to value-based pricing to maximize your business potential. Understand the importance of recognizing and charging for the true value of your work. Discover strategies for enhancing business growth and personal freedom by shifting your pricing model. About Bri Seeley TEDx Speaker and award winning entrepreneur Bri Seeley is The Entrepreneur Coach. She works with ambitious entrepreneurs to evolve the business they have into the freedom-based business they dream of. You know it’s time to work with Bri when you have gone as far as you can with what you know, and it’s time to bring in an expert with 17-years of experience who can take you further than you currently imagine. You may have seen her winning awards for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023 and Business Coach of the Year in 2020 or on any number of press outlets such as Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Women’s Health and more. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:17] Meet Bri Seeley [07:13] The right mindset for running a business - healthily [19:56] Stop trading time for money [25:52] Breaking out of the cycle [29:49] Working in vs on your business [33:52] Value based pricing [38:38] Communicating your value [44:26] Connect with Bri [45:16] Choosing a different perspective [46:46] Outro Quotes "Exploring the shift from hourly rates to value-based pricing with entrepreneur coach Bri Seeley." "Bri Seeley shares insights on why your time is worth more than you think." "Understanding the real impact of your work: A new perspective on business pricing." "Learn how to calculate the true value of your services and charge accordingly." "Embrace the mindset change that can lead to greater business success and personal freedom." Guest Links Free Training for Entrepreneurs: The Reset Follow Bri Seeley on Instagram | Facebook Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode, Ryan talks with social media expert Katie Brinkley about effective strategies for using social media to grow your video business. Katie shares insights on the importance of intentional content creation, the value of community building, and the benefits of diversifying content types to align with various platforms and audience preferences. Key Takeaways Discover how intentional content creation can significantly boost your social media presence. Learn the importance of community building and how it can reduce the need for frequent posting. Understand the value of diversifying content types to cater to different platform algorithms and audience preferences. About Katie Brinkey Katie Brinkley has been leveraging social media to grow audiences and income for over 19 years. Since the time of MySpace, she's helped her clients build a strategy to attract the right followers and generate consistent inbound leads in as little as an hour a week. From building corporate-level growth strategies for AT&T and DirecTV to implementing done-for-you social media for entrepreneurs, tech startups, and consultants, Katie has been at the forefront of the changes in how buyers engage on social media. Utilizing her platform-agnostic strategies, Katie's clients have been able to see bottom-line results at every stage of the sales process. Katie's history of radio journalism mixed with her social aptitude allows her to bring a unique insight and leverage her client stories to the forefront of their social strategy. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:22] Meet Katie Brinkley [04:15] The Social Shift [09:43] Knowing your audience [17:39] Getting started [25:52] Building the audience that you want [31:29] Take back your time [34:38] The 4 post strategy [43:52] Connect with Katie [45:00] Outro Quotes "Social media wasn't intended for overwhelming content creation. Being more intentional with our time and content leads to building a stronger community around our businesses and brands.” "Consistency is key. Whether you post every day or four times a week, success comes from showing up.” "This is an excellent opportunity to share your story, client testimonials, and showcase some of your best work. Tailor your messaging based on who your audience is.” "It's crucial to create content in the way that the platform and your audience prefer. Not everyone consumes only video content, so diversifying your content type is essential.” Guest Links Follow Katie Brinkley on Instagram | Facebook The Social Shift, by Katie Brinkley Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Ryan engages in a captivating discussion with Christine Gritmon about the power and importance of personal branding for video professionals. Christine shares insights on how personal branding can significantly impact client relationships, business growth, and self-representation in the digital world. This episode is packed with practical tips for those looking to enhance their presence and influence in the video industry. Key Takeaways Learn how to harness the power of personal branding to attract and retain your ideal clients. Discover strategies for presenting your unique voice and story through your brand. Understand the importance of authenticity and consistency in building a trusted personal brand. About Christine Gritmon Christine Gritmon empowers professionals to step into their personal brands in a bigger, bolder way on social media. You CAN do it—she’ll teach you how! She’s spoken on stages worldwide and is a frequent expert guest on podcasts, live streams, Twitter chats, and blog posts, as well as hosting her own weekly podcast, Let’s Talk About Brand.  In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:00] Meet Christine Gritmon [04:26] Why personal branding? [10:35] Staying true to who you are [17:39] Sometimes “no” is good [19:00] You never know who’s watching [21:12] Creating the market you want [26:41] Getting started [32:15] Invite people into the mess [38:04] Connect with Christine [39:45] Outro Quotes "Personal branding is more than just a buzzword; it's a game-changer for your business." "Christine Gritmon reveals how personal branding can open doors to new opportunities." "Explore the intersection of creativity and branding with expert insights." "Find out why your personal brand is your most valuable asset in the video industry." "Learn how to stand out in a crowded market by embracing your unique brand identity." Guest Links Get the Social Media Branding Guide Find Christine Gritmon online Follow Chrsitine Gritmon on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Connect with Christine Gritmon on LinkedIn Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this insightful episode, Ryan chats with David Masters about the transformative power of effective branding in video business. They delve into the importance of authenticity, building a legacy through branding, and the impact of strategic positioning. Whether you're a solo videographer or run a full-scale production company, this episode offers invaluable insights into elevating your business through thoughtful branding. Key Takeaways Discover the profound impact of authentic branding on your video business. Learn how to align your brand with your evolving business goals and values. Gain insights on the importance of strategic positioning and relationship-building in the video industry. About David Masters Davis is a fine artist, designer, and creative strategist with a passion for building brands that step up and stand out. He’s worked in the world of professional design for 16 years and has partnered with both national and international clients to build brands, product lines, and more. He is a visionary, big-picture type of creative, constantly exploring new creative outlets. He also has a passion for inspiring and mentoring the next generation and enjoys teaching Art and Design at the Collegiate level. When he’s not creating, he will most likely be found throwing a football or building Lego with their son, playing guitar and dancing with our daughters, or working outside cultivating our garden, fruit trees, and bamboo oasis.   In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:53] Meet David Masters [11:15] Why brand matters [18:57] Your personal brand [26:55] Using video in your brand [28:29] Your target audience [33:55] The value gap [43:31] Create your market [49:42] Where to start [56:10] Connect with David [57:30] Outro Quotes "Branding is not just about visuals; it’s about the promise and emotional connection of your business." "Understanding your brand can change everything – from your client interactions to your business strategy." "The journey of rebranding involves humility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to evolve." "Effective branding goes beyond the surface, impacting every aspect of your business, including client perception and service quality." "Authenticity in branding can create lasting relationships and open up new business opportunities." Guest Links Download the Remarkable Brand Audit Workbook Follow David Masters Group on Instagram Connect with David Masters on LinkedIn Connect with Masters Design on LinkedIn Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Check out the Store (including the Budget Maximizer 2.0) Fill out the form to Subscribe to the Studio Sherpas Community Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes page

In this introspective solo episode, Ryan Koral shares his personal journey and the lessons learned in almost 20 years of running a video production business. He discusses the importance of reflection, setting goals, and the power of focusing on the 'gains' rather than the 'gaps' in personal and professional life. Key Takeaways Discover the importance of intentional reflection and learning from past experiences to grow your video business. Understand the power of setting clear, ambitious goals and focusing on achievements to drive business success. Learn how to balance personal and professional growth in the ever-evolving landscape of video production. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [01:23] Planning and vision for 2024 [07:12] The Gap and The Gain [10:30] The Roadmap for Optimism [11:12] Why are we doing this? [12:07] Celebrate your progress [14:36] Setting goals [16:33] Outro Quotes "Last year, I absorbed three books that really impacted me. 'The Gap and The Gain' was particularly powerful for me. I made some very proactive decisions about my health, both physical and mental, that have been really beneficial.” "I believe 10x is easier than 2x. I'm setting my goals and priorities for 2024, focusing on what I'm really wired to do and cutting out the rest.” "2024 is not waiting for me. It's important to find time away from day-to-day work to reflect and plan.” "What if you took some time for a brain dump? Think about what consumes your time, what impacts your revenue, and what brings you joy.” “At the end of the day, I reflect on the three best moments, whether personal or professional. This practice of recognizing daily achievements is really helping me.”​ Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Join us in an exciting episode where Steve Govel shares his remarkable journey from New Jersey to Sydney, and how he founded Rising Tide Film. Discover the challenges and triumphs of changing careers, finding a niche, and turning a passion for the ocean into a successful business. Steve's story is a testament to the power of adaptability, vision, and passion in entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways Learn how to pivot careers and thrive in a new industry. Discover the power of niche specialization in video production. Gain insights into leveraging personal passions for professional success. About Steve Govel Steve Govel owns Rising Tide Film, a content production business based in Sydney that creates story-driven films and photographs for marine businesses. Steve started his career as a wedding and portrait photographer in New Jersey and now spends his days on the water, telling stories for boat brands and cleaning his gear from saltwater daily. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:14] Meet Steve Govel [07:07] Learn while you earn [14:00] Caring about client success [19:09] Niching [21:37] Starting a podcast [37:59] Aligning with others [39:52] Connect with Steve [42:13] Outro Quotes "I always search for something I love - that led me to Rising Tide Film." - Steve Govel "The marine industry was a perfect blend of my passion and profession." - Steve "Embracing change and adapting to new environments was key to my success." - Steve "It's about finding the right people and business that align with your vision." - Steve Guest Links  Find Steve Govel online Follow Rising Tide on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Ever thought about leaving a stable job to pursue your dream? This week, we're joined by Tyler Hays, who shares his incredible journey from engineering to founding Vessel Creative, a successful video production company. Tyler's story is a masterclass in taking risks, building relationships, and turning a creative passion into a thriving business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways Gain insights into transitioning from a traditional job to starting your own business. Learn the essentials of building a strong client base in the creative industry. Discover how to turn a passion for video into a thriving entrepreneurial venture. About Tyler Hays When Tyler founded his company, he was a full-time process engineer at one of Forbes fastest growing companies. But he always had a passion for media. A year later, he was able to work himself out of the job and run Vessul as his career. They are built upon a unique approach of problem-solving through creative content. They only take on a small amount of partners at any given time to create something beautifully effective and meaningful for their clients. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:49] Meet Tyler Hays [15:26] Transitioning into entrepreneurship [26:20] Invest in being in small rooms [34:10] Clients pay for your process [35:43] Connect with Tyler [37:04] Outro Quotes “I was making about a little over 70,000 as an engineer... Is this it? Have I reached the pinnacle of my career?" - Tyler on career transition. "Every two or three projects, I just increase every two or three projects increase." - Tyler on growing his business. "The reason they're going to hire you is because of your approach and your process." - Tyler on the importance of client relationships. "Invest to get into small rooms... Those small rooms are really where I've found good client projects." - Tyler on networking. Guest Links Find Tyler Hays online Follow Tyler Hays on Instagram Links Resources for Your Business (including the Full Focus Planner) FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Ever wondered what it takes to leave a secure job and chase your dream? This week's episode features Lauren and Mitch McClure from Full Send, who share their exhilarating journey into entrepreneurship. Their story is more than just about business - it's about passion, family, and the courage to embrace change. You'll find inspiration, practical tips, and relatable experiences that will motivate you in your own journey. Key Takeaways Learn how to transition from a conventional career to fulfilling entrepreneurship. Discover the power of community and relationship-building in business growth. Get insights into balancing creative passion with business logistics in a family-run enterprise. About Lauren & Mitch McClure Mitch and Lauren are a husband/wife duo that quit their jobs (RN and Videographer for a local church) to start their own video production business called Full Send in 2022.  In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:10] Meet Lauren & Mitch McClure [05:54] Taking the leap into entrepreneurship [15:53] Working with your spouse [20:56] Dealing with constructive feedback [25:46] Defining clear roles [37:18] Tips for growth [44:24] Studio Sherpas Mastermind [46:45] Connect with Lauren and Mitch [48:08] Outro Quotes "We just decided to make everything as awesome as we can." - Mitch McClure on their approach to client projects. "You have to learn how to fight... this constant opportunity for conflict gives you the opportunity to come together and get closer." - Mitch on working with a spouse. "I've failed so many times...but now I've learned and we're going to do it differently." - Lauren on learning through failure. "Everything we're doing is new...there's a lot of insecurity in that." - Lauren on the challenges of starting a business. "Make or break your marriage... We try to keep marriage first." - Mitch on prioritizing their relationship. Guest Links Find Lauren & Mitch McClure online Follow Full Send on TikTok | Instagram | Facebook Follow Mitch McClure on TikTok Follow Lauren McClure on Instagram Connect with Lauren McClure on LinkedIn Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram check out the full show notes

This episode of the Grow Your Video Business show dives into the world of ambitious goal-setting and strategies for scaling a video business in 2024. We also explore the significance of Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAGs), drawing insights from Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan's book, 10X Is Easier Than 2X. Reflecting on past business strategies, we discuss the transformative power of focusing efforts and resources to maximize business growth. Key Takeaways Learn the art of setting and achieving big, hairy, audacious goals for your video business. Discover how focusing on a single, impactful action can significantly scale your business. Understand the importance of aligning daily activities with your long-term business vision. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:13] Setting and meeting big goals [09:59] 10x vs 2x [15:08] What are your goals? [16:49] Full Focus Planner [19:36] Homework [22:12] 10xFilmmaker [23:10] Outro Quotes "The journey from setting a million-dollar revenue goal to achieving it – a tale of perseverance and strategy." "The transformative power of BHAGs in shaping the future of your video business." "Why focusing on fewer, larger goals can be more effective than spreading efforts thin." "Insights from 10X Is Easier Than 2X: A new perspective on scaling your business." "Reflections on past business strategies and their lessons for future growth." Links Find out more about the 10xFILMMAKER community Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes Books Mentioned 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Full Focus Planner, by Michael Hyatt The EOS Life: How to Live Your Ideal Entrepreneurial Life, by Gino Wickman

In this final episode of 2023, Ryan reflects on the valuable lessons learned in the video business throughout the year. Emphasizing the significance of having a niche and resonating with one's work, Ryan discusses the challenges of project management faced by even seasoned professionals and highlights the importance of learning and evolving from those experiences. Looking forward to 2024, the focus is on refining processes, leveraging strengths, and connecting with ideal clients, with a strong recommendation for joining communities and seeking coaching to enhance personal and professional growth in the video industry.  Key Takeaways Understand the power and importance of niche specialization in the video business. Learn from a real project management mishap to better handle future challenges. Gain insights into personal and professional growth as a video business owner. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:06] Facing a difficult year [04:57] Niching to overcome hard times [09:04] Biggest win in years [11:19] Finding what you really want [17:05] Biggest mistake in years [32:18] Key takeaways [37:51] Outro Quotes "This year taught me the importance of having a niche in the video business. It's not just about the work, but about finding what truly resonates with you." "One major takeaway: even seasoned professionals can encounter project management hurdles. It's all about how we learn and evolve from these experiences." "Looking ahead, 2024 is about refining our processes, focusing on our strengths, and really connecting with our ideal clients in the video industry." "Joining communities and seeking coaching can dramatically change the trajectory of your video business. It's about learning from others and growing together." "Reflecting on the past year, it's clear that personal growth is just as important as professional growth in the video business." Links Find out more about the 10xFILMMAKER community Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this insightful episode, host Ryan talks with Dr. Emily Anhalt, a psychologist and emotional fitness consultant. They explore the intricacies of emotional health in the creative industry. Dr. Anhalt offers profound insights into the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs and creatives, discussing how emotional fitness can profoundly impact personal and professional lives. This episode is a deep dive into understanding the balance between mental well-being and creative productivity. Key Takeaways Insights into how mental health and emotional fitness can enhance creativity and productivity. Understanding the unique emotional challenges faced by creatives and entrepreneurs, and how to address them. Practical tips and exercises for improving emotional well-being while pursuing creative passions. About Emily Anhalt Dr. Emily Anhalt is a psychologist, emotional fitness consultant, and the Cofounder and Chief Clinical Officer of Coa, your gym for mental health. She studied psychology at the University of Michigan and attained Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology in Berkeley, California.  For the past thirteen years, Dr. Anhalt has been working clinically with executives, founders, and tech employees, and has conducted extensive research with prominent psychologists and entrepreneurs about how leaders can improve their emotional fitness. Dr. Anhalt has matched more than 800 people into therapy, and has collaborated with some of the fastest-growing technology companies in the world including Google, Asana, TEDx, GitHub, NASDAQ, Unilever, Bloomberg, and Salesforce. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:51] Meet Emily Anhalt [03:23] Relationships drive the world [04:12] Create space to be creative [05:40] Find your fit [08:26] Agency over your own life [12:39] Starting your emotional fitness journey [16:07] Live emotional pushups [28:03] Emotional fitness and business success [33:54] Finding community [37:48] Connect with Emily [39:34] Outro Quotes "Creativity needs emotional health as its foundation." "Understanding your mental well-being is key to unlocking your creative potential." "Emotional fitness can be your greatest asset as a creative professional." "Navigating emotional challenges is essential for a successful creative journey." "Simple exercises can make a profound difference in your creative output." Guest Links Find Dr. Emily Anhalt online COA: Your Gym for Mental Health Follow Dr. Emily Anhalt on Instagram | Twitter Listen to the podcast: Emotionally Fit with Dr. Emily Anhalt Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this insightful episode, host Ryan talks with Dr. Emily Anhalt, a psychologist and emotional fitness consultant. They explore the intricacies of emotional health in the creative industry. Dr. Anhalt offers profound insights into the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs and creatives, discussing how emotional fitness can profoundly impact personal and professional lives. This episode is a deep dive into understanding the balance between mental well-being and creative productivity. Key Takeaways Insights into how mental health and emotional fitness can enhance creativity and productivity. Understanding the unique emotional challenges faced by creatives and entrepreneurs, and how to address them. Practical tips and exercises for improving emotional well-being while pursuing creative passions. About Emily Anhalt Dr. Emily Anhalt is a psychologist, emotional fitness consultant, and the Cofounder and Chief Clinical Officer of Coa, your gym for mental health. She studied psychology at the University of Michigan and attained Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology in Berkeley, California.  For the past thirteen years, Dr. Anhalt has been working clinically with executives, founders, and tech employees, and has conducted extensive research with prominent psychologists and entrepreneurs about how leaders can improve their emotional fitness. Dr. Anhalt has matched more than 800 people into therapy, and has collaborated with some of the fastest-growing technology companies in the world including Google, Asana, TEDx, GitHub, NASDAQ, Unilever, Bloomberg, and Salesforce. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:51] Meet Emily Anhalt [03:23] Relationships drive the world [04:12] Create space to be creative [05:40] Find your fit [08:26] Agency over your own life [12:39] Starting your emotional fitness journey [16:07] Live emotional pushups [28:03] Emotional fitness and business success [33:54] Finding community [37:48] Connect with Emily [39:34] Outro Quotes "Creativity needs emotional health as its foundation." "Understanding your mental well-being is key to unlocking your creative potential." "Emotional fitness can be your greatest asset as a creative professional." "Navigating emotional challenges is essential for a successful creative journey." "Simple exercises can make a profound difference in your creative output." Guest Links Find Dr. Emily Anhalt online COA: Your Gym for Mental Health Follow Dr. Emily Anhalt on Instagram | Twitter Listen to the podcast: Emotionally Fit with Dr. Emily Anhalt Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode of "Grow Your Video Business," we dive deep into the world of video production with special guest Josh Emerick, an Ohio-based filmmaker and DP. Together, we explore the crucial role of confidence in pricing video services effectively and ensuring you're valued appropriately in the industry. Discover actionable strategies for attracting and collaborating with high-value clients who share your vision, as Josh shares his wealth of experiences in client relationship building. Furthermore, we delve into the mindset shift needed to cultivate unwavering confidence in your video business, offering tips on thinking differently and embracing your unique journey.  Plus, we address listener questions about overcoming challenges and maintaining confidence in the competitive realm of video production. Tune in to gain valuable insights and actionable takeaways to elevate your video business to new heights. Key Takeaways Discover the key to pricing your video services effectively and charging what you're worth. Learn actionable strategies for working with better clients and making a greater impact in the production industry. Gain insights into building confidence in your video business and thinking differently to achieve success. About Josh Emerick Josh is an Ohio-based video producer and DP who intensely loves organizing. He loves to demystify the video production process so art and teams can thrive and make it a fun, low-stress setting. He runs a handful of video production companies and coach creatives. Their music video company is JECP, Corporate is Myelin, weddings are PRSRVE, and coaching is housed under Theal. Their core values and process unify all three, serving a consistent experience across the board. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:31] Meet Josh Emerick [06:33] You have value to share [13:02] Navigating the year [15:10] Mastering proposals [21:40] Why music videos? [26:29] Marketing yourself [38:41] Growth through curiosity [42:41] Connect with Josh [43:28] Outro Quotes "Confidence is the key to pricing yourself effectively and getting what you're worth in the video production industry." "Working with top-tier clients can change the game for your video business, and we'll show you how." "Success in the video business is all about thinking differently and building unwavering confidence." Guest Links Follow Josh Emerick on Instagram | Facebook Get your FREE 3 Layers to Storytelling Starter Kit Get the Discovery Call Starter Kit Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes Books Mentioned Company of One, by Paul Jarvis 

In this empowering episode, Ryan converses with Marissa Nielsen, a successful money and business strategist. Marissa shares her journey from humble beginnings to establishing seven multi-figure organizations. The episode dives deep into the mindset of creative filmmakers and entrepreneurs, discussing strategies to enhance their financial and personal growth. Listeners will gain invaluable insights on self-belief, overcoming challenges, and the power of positive thinking in business and life. Key Takeaways Learn the power of mindset in shaping your financial and creative journey as a filmmaker. Discover strategies to build wealth and establish successful, multi-figure organizations. Gain insights into overcoming personal and professional challenges for growth and success. About Marissa Nehlsen Since 1993 she has helped thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide, learn the systems, structures and strategies that teach, not just the "what and why", but the "how to", to minimize their taxes and maximize their profits. She specializes in helping agriculture families and businesses master 5 key areas. Tax, Legal, Risk, Wealth and Communication. As certified speaker and coach she teaches how to build a plan and execute that plan for the results they want. As a money and business strategist, Marissa has been recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on building wealth, minimizing taxes and repositioning profits. She has built multiple multi-million dollar companies for herself and thousands of her clients. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:59] Meet Marissa Nehlsen [04:46] The mindset of a creative filmmaker [18:24] Developing a strategy [21:16] Serving over selling [24:15] Building a freedom plan [27:52] Belief is the foundation [34:39] Connect with Marissa [36:55] Outro Quotes "Your mindset shapes your financial journey - change it, change your game." "From a trailer to a multi-figure CEO - my story is proof that anything is possible." "Solving bigger problems in filmmaking leads to bigger paychecks." "Don't just think about success. Think, and then do something about it." "Turn your challenges into your biggest strengths." Guest Links Find Marissa Nehlsen online Follow Marissa Nelsen Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Marissa Nelsen on LinkedIn Listen to the Live Life Rich podcast Download the 90-day Roadmap Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of blending artistry and entrepreneurship. Ethan de Aguiar explains the concept of being an "artrepreneur," where artistic passion meets the entrepreneurial spirit, and gain insights into the complex dynamics of business relationships within the creative industry. Ethan shares his personal journey in the film industry, operating as a one-man film crew, and emphasizes the significance of mentorship and giving back to the community through initiatives like film festivals. Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of creativity and business with Ethan de Aguiar. Key Takeaways Discover the art of 'artrepreneurship' and how to balance creative passion with business savvy. Learn the secrets of managing a successful one-man film crew. Explore the power of mentorship in the filmmaking community. About Ethan de Aguiar A self-proclaimed “artrepreneur” & New Bedford, MA native, Ethan de Aguiar is an experienced filmmaker, focusing on the art of storytelling. Ethan brings the essence of the subject matter to life with cinematic visuals that create an immersive experience for audiences. Ethan has built long-term working relationships with notable local organizations such as New Bedford Creative, Destination NB, DATMA (Design Art & Technology Massachusetts), the Southcoast Community Foundation, YMCA Southcoast, Viva! Fall River and Fabric Festival just to name a few. His short documentary “Love Letters for New Bedford” is a film that highlights the arts & culture scene in his beloved hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The film has gone on to be selected into 13 film festivals (and counting!) and has also received 2 international awards for Best Documentary. He is currently working as a Director of Photography on a Pickleball “mockumentary” comedy pilot episode that he hopes will find investors that will take it to series. He is also working with a team of creative individuals to bring a permanent film festival to his hometown. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:53] Meet Ethan de Aguiar [14:17] Future for Ethan’s business [21:21] Partnership vs Employee [26:06] Clearly defining partnership roles [32:06] Quarterly check-ins within your team [33:10] Managing a partnership business structure [35:41] Don’t give up [36:52] There’s room for everyone [40:03] Connect with Ethan [40:49] Outro Quotes "I see myself as an artrepreneur; it's not just about the art, it's about building a sustainable career." "In this industry, you wear many hats. It's about being multifaceted and adaptable." "Mentorship can shape careers. I want to give back, maybe through organizing film festivals or workshops." "Clear roles and open communication are the backbones of any successful creative project." "It's not just shooting a film; it's managing a business, understanding your audience, and marketing your vision." Guest Links Check out Ethan’s new comedy miniseries “Pickleball is Life: Dill With It!” Follow Ethan de Aguiar on Instagram | YouTube Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode, we talk with Alyssa Houseknecht, a seasoned commercial filmmaker, to explore the delicate balance between creativity and business acumen in the world of commercial filmmaking. Join us as we delve into effective strategies for pricing, client acquisition, and enhancing your business's overall impact. Key Takeaways  You'll learn effective strategies for appropriately pricing your work, ensuring you're compensated for your skills and effort.  Discover the secrets to attracting and securing better clients, elevating the quality of your portfolio. Gain insights on broadening the impact of your video business, making a mark in the industry, and fostering meaningful connections. About Alyssa Houseknecht Lyss is CEO and Creative Director of her boutique agency, Confidante Co. where she specializes in brand strategy. She helps influential entrepreneurs design Confident Brands–because design is more than things just looking “pretty.” Using her 7-step framework, Alyssa has proven that a Confident Brand will create impact and income. Lyss is used to being on stage or in front of a microphone as she is a trained vocalist and actress. These days, she uses those skills to present practical information dynamically. She has been featured on global summits like Monetize Your Genius, top-rated podcasts like Real Personal Branding Podcast, and featured as a guest masterclass teacher for Pinegate Road, Forever Friday, among others. For years, Lyss was a brand designer at a successful multi-million dollar company in New York. Feeling stifled, she left the corporate agency world in pursuit of freedom. Nowadays you’ll find her consulting with top entrepreneurs, speaking at summits, and looking for the next great place to travel. As she enjoys living and working nomadically... and trying out a negroni in every new place she visits. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:35] Meet Alyssa Houseknecht [08:04] Working with agencies [11:46] Conquering cold outreach [21:40] Staying consistent [25:34] Marketing case study [29:36] Marketing with video [34:29] Freelance vs Business Owner [43:13] The importance of mindset [45:36] Connect with Alyssa [46:20] Outro Quotes  "It's not just about shooting videos; it's about crafting a narrative that aligns with your business vision." "When you understand your worth, you set a standard in the industry." "The right clients don't just bring you business; they bring you joy and a sense of achievement." "Your impact extends beyond the screen; it's the value you bring into every project." Guest Links Find Alyssa Houseknecht online Follow Alyssa Houseknecht on Instagram Follow Confident Company on Instagram Grab your free copy of the Confident Brand Guide Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Mason and discuss the art of understanding your value as a filmmaker. As we chat, we'll get real about why it's so important to set those boundaries with your clients and how to do it like a pro. You won't want to miss the practical advice Andrew shares on confidently approaching clients. Key Takeaways You'll discover the importance of truly understanding your worth in the filmmaking industry. You'll gain insights into setting clear boundaries with clients, ensuring mutual respect. You'll learn how to approach potential clients with confidence, professionalism, and clarity. About Andrew Mason Andrew has over 14 years in producing podcasts and hosting 100s of conversations. He has hosted/produced the GTD Podcast for 5 years (to iTunes Biz #5). Everyone has a voice and a message to share, and Andrew is passionate about "Amplifying Messages that Matter."  In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:05] Meet Andrew Mason [07:12] Joining the Studio Sherpas Masterclass [13:05] Hosting a successful interview [18:20] Staying mentally present in an interview [21:27] Finding the perfect interview question [24:08] Why host a podcast [25:41] Starting a podcast [32:08] What’s next? [34:21] Facing imposter syndrome [36:17] It doesn’t hurt to ask [38:50] Connect with Andrew [39:34] Outro Quotes "It's not just about the camera; it's about understanding your value." "When you set boundaries, you set the stage for success." "Every filmmaker has a unique voice; find yours and let it shine." "Confidence isn't arrogance; it's understanding your worth." "The right client will respect your boundaries and value your work." Guest Links Find Andrew Mason online Follow Andrew Mason on Twitter Grab your comprehensive checklist: Podcasting Made Simple Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes Books Mentioned Getting Things Done, by David Allen The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, by Jon Acuff

In this episode, Ryan is joined by Jason Fladlien to explore the transformative power of webinars in video marketing. They delve into the evolution of video marketing in the post-2020 landscape, emphasizing the enduring significance of live interactions in webinars. The discussion also highlights the importance of addressing client needs in their language and underscores the value of adopting a service-oriented mindset in the world of business. Tune in to gain valuable insights into harnessing webinars for marketing success! Key Takeaways  You’ll discover the power of live webinars how to tailor your content to resonate with your target audience. You'll understand the importance of adopting a service mindset in business About Jason Fladlien Jason has sold over $250 million worth of products to over 150,000 customers in 131 countries. Based on his strategic initiatives, his company (Rapid Crush) holds the record for all time biggest launch in the Internet Marketing space ($57.9 million) as well as the record for most commissions generated as an affiliate in a product launch ($9.8 million in 8 days). Jason is the only marketer Zoom brought in to teach its user base how to create high converting webinars. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:56] Meet Jason Fladlien [04:51] What are webinars [10:41] Live vs evergreen webinars [16:20] Using webinars in your business [27:51] When are you ready to host a webinar? [36:45] Taking the first step [47:12] Getting people to join your webinar [49:21] Outro Quotes "Understanding your client's needs is paramount." "Live interactions can position you as an industry expert." "Video marketing has evolved, especially post-2020." "Webinars are more than just content; they're about connection." Guest Links  Find Jason Fladlien online Follow Jason Fladlien on Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Download The Quarter Billion Dollar Webinar One Sheet Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode, Ryan and Joel Cordero delve into the world of video and photography, tracing Joel's journey from his early days with mentor Ben to his specialization in real estate, the marine industry, and cannabis photography. Joel shares insights into his team dynamics and the importance of clear client expectations and structured processes in creative work. This conversation provides valuable insights for aspiring visual artists and offers a glimpse into the intricacies of visual storytelling. Key Takeaways  Discover the importance of specialization in the video and photo industry. Learn the value of setting clear boundaries and expectations with clients. Understand the dynamics of a successful video and photo team. About Joel Cordero Joel Cordero is a Video Producer and Photographer with a Federal Drone Pilot License. He works closely with clientele to develop advertising concepts and content distribution strategies. He produces engaging videos designed to enhance brand awareness and messaging. His ability to capture Hi-Res images of products, food, corporate events, marine vessels and real estate serve to amplify his clients’ advertising and marketing. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:38] Meet Joel [10:06] Joel’s team [12:38] Striving for growth [15:51] Balancing work and family [17:04] Landing your dream clients [20:37] Learning to say “No” [23:38] Creating clear expectations for your clients [26:05] Cut out what you don’t want to do [30:03] Connect with Joel [31:43] Outro Quotes "I've always been a creative, grew drawing, painting, just naturally had a knack for it." "I shoot some products too, like their vape product, vape lines and things that have to be done in the studio with controlled lighting." "It's one thing to be creative. It's one thing to actually live off of it." "I'm creating a lot of social media content, primarily marketing and advertising video and photography for the real estate industry, the marine industry, and cannabis." "I try to stick with houses, boats, and bud." Guest Links Find Cordero Video & Photo online Follow Cordero Video & Photo on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Follow Joel Cordero on Instagram Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode of the podcast, Ryan reflects on his recent in-person event, the Onward Summit. He shares insights on the importance of community for filmmakers and entrepreneurs, especially during challenging times. Ryan encourages listeners to assess their business goals, seek out supportive communities, and embrace personal and professional growth. Key Takeaways Discover the value of building a supportive community in the filmmaking and entrepreneurial world. Learn how to adapt and thrive in challenging times by reflecting on your business goals. Gain insights into the importance of personal growth and embracing change in your creative journey. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [01:24] The importance of community [04:02] The roller coaster of business [05:59] Pushing forward [08:11] The most important aspect of the Onward Summit [09:59] Change in order to grow [14:28] Staying balanced in life [17:56] Outro Quotes "Having a healthy marriage is incredibly important in running a successful business." "Your success in what you can do on your own is limited; seek out and build a supportive community." "In challenging times, it's crucial to reflect on your business goals and adapt to changing circumstances." Links Find out more about the Onward Summit Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

In this episode of the podcast, Ryan shares a powerful message about recognizing your true worth in the world of video business. Discover how understanding your value can transform your approach to pricing, client acquisition, and business confidence. Key Takeaway Learn the importance of valuing your unique perspective and expertise in the video industry. Understand how setting the right prices aligns with your worth and attracts ideal clients. Gain insights into building a thriving video business while staying true to your passion. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [01:26] AI filmmaking resources [03:29] Tapping into creative expression [07:57] It’s ok to charge your worth [09:13] Your unique perspective [10:36] The value of video [11:54] Value yourself [14:22] Ask better questions [16:24] Finding the right audience [17:43] Niching workshop [19:07] Outro Quotes  “Understanding your worth is the first step to building a successful video business." "Setting the right prices isn't just about numbers; it's about valuing what you bring to the table." "Your unique perspective is your biggest asset in the competitive video industry." Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week"  Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

In this episode, Ryan interviews Jeremy Thibodeau. They explore the enduring theme of passion and purpose in the world of work. Jeremy emphasizes the significance of passion in attracting clients who value that enthusiasm and highlights the importance of having a "guiding star" to stay motivated and on track. The conversation also delves into the globalized nature of remote work and its impact on collaborations with clients worldwide. Tune in to gain valuable insights into succeeding in today's professional landscape. Key Takeaways Discover the importance of passion in your filmmaking journey. Learn how to stay motivated by focusing on your 'guiding star'. Understand the globalized nature of today's video production industry. About Jeremy Thibodeau In 2014, Jeremy started a creative agency which has to date delivered on over 700 mandates, many for clients like Louis Vuitton Americas, EssilorLuxottica North America, Sephora Canada, BMW Canada, P&G Canada, Air Miles, Canadian Tire, TD, Cadillac Fairview, and more. Building off their success, they developed Comparascope.com to help video professionals like them to easily manage client expectations and align on vision & scope. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:40] Meet Jeremy Thibodeau [10:37] The four pillars of creative work [11:53] Living off of your true passion [14:35] Pushing passion projects [17:15] Niching [18:54] Passions and profits [24:38] Leveraging a side hustle [30:30] Comparascope [36:16] Monetizing Comparascope [42:37] Connect with Jeremy [43:36] Outro Quotes "If you're passionate about everything, then you're not investing really in anything." "Know what your guiding star is." "Don't forget why you got into it." "If you're going to make money doing something that you're passionate about, chances are a lot of other people are passionate about that kind of work too." Guest Links Find Comparascope online Connect with Jeremy Thibeadeau on LinkedIn Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this enlightening episode of podcast, Ryan engages in a candid conversation with Crystal Tosh. They explore the evolving landscape of video production, emphasizing the importance of authentic communication, understanding client needs, and leveraging technology like ChatGPT.  Key topics covered include: The significance of face-to-face interactions in building trust. The challenges and benefits of using AI tools like ChatGPT. The essence of simplifying communication for better understanding. The humorous side of AI-generated content. Key Takeaways You'll grasp the importance of authentic, face-to-face communication in building trust and understanding client needs. You'll discover the potential and pitfalls of using AI tools like chat GPT in video production. You'll appreciate the value of simplifying messages and the unexpected humor AI can bring. About Crystal Tosh Crystal Tosh is a marketer, SoTrue co-founder, and advocate for animal welfare and the environment. With degrees in psychology and public health, she crafts effective marketing strategies by understanding human behavior and empathy. Her love for nature and animals drives her nonprofit work, while her dedication to ethical marketing ensures a compassionate connection with audiences. Get ready to be inspired for a sustainable and compassionate world with Crystal as your speaker. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:12] Meet Crystal Tosh [06:15] Crystal’s marketing agency [07:58] Authentic connection [10:30] AI’s influence on social media [12:13] Using video content for a video business [16:12] Be true to yourself [25:23] Finding your ideal clients [33:59] Becoming a people-person [40:21] Listen to the right voices [44:04] Connect with Crystal [45:20] Outro Quotes "When you are, like, literally within hugging distance of me, look out, because here I come." - Ryan "Tell it to me like I'm in third grade. And I'm like, oh my gosh, yeah, this sounds so much more like me." - Ryan "You just get all of the non-verbals and you get an opportunity to really listen on a whole other level." - Ryan "If people don't trust you, if potential clients don't trust you, you're going to be... it doesn't have to be hard." - Ryan Guest Links Find Crystal Tosh online Follow Crystal Tosh on Instagram | Facebook Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode of the podcast, Ryan sits down with Kevin Rapp, a seasoned professional with over 15 years in the video production industry. They delve into the intricacies of the video business, from understanding client needs to the strategic role of video in achieving business goals.  Key topics covered include: The transition from motion design to leading a consulting company. The growth journey of Root Insurance with Kevin's involvement. The importance of being a strategic partner rather than just a videographer. The art of understanding and addressing client pain points. Key Takeaways  You'll discover the importance of being more than just a videographer — becoming a strategic partner for your clients. You'll gain insights into the challenges and rewards of transitioning roles within the video industry. You'll understand the significance of addressing client pain points and delivering tailored video solutions. About Kevin Rapp Kevin Rapp has spent over 15 years in the video production industry, starting as a motion designer and now leading his own consulting company as Chief Creative Officer. He's spent time both at studios and in-house, helping Root Insurance grow from a 100 employee startup to an 1,800 person public company in 3 years. He also loves writing bios about himself in the third person. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:11] Meet Kevin Rapp [07:34] A new take on video investment [14:33] The “meal prep” view of video campaigns [20:36] Direction of content trends [22:11] System approach to making multiple use asset campaign [26:53] Guiding your clients [30:49] Video creators’ intuition [35:36] Building creative trust [40:56] Navigating how AI is changing the video landscape [43:30] Adding actual value to your customers [46:30] Connect with Kevin [50:25] Outro Quotes "You are the expert. That's what people get wrong. You need to be in control, position yourself as the expert." "You realize that they don't want to buy video, they want to buy a result." "You need to flip the script. This is Sales 101, having great rapport, asking good questions, digging deep on what the actual struggles are." "Clients love taking control. That's where the whole like Studio Sherpas, like this, we want to be able to guide our clients." Guest Links Connect with Kevin Rapp on LinkedIn Links Download the PDF resource guide to Unlock the Power of AI  Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Walid Azami to discuss the business of video production. They dive into the importance of positioning oneself as a solution to clients' problems, understanding clients' needs, and how to approach pricing and sales. Key topics include: The importance of being a solution to a problem clients have or will have. How to stand out in a crowded market. The power of reaching out to people and building relationships. The impact of surrounding yourself with positive, idea-driven people. Key Takeaways  You should walk away knowing how to position yourself as a solution to clients' problems and stand out in a crowded market - and a little strategy you can use to compound the opportunities for new work that can have HUGE dividends. You'll discover the importance of reaching out to people, building relationships, and surrounding yourself with positive, idea-driven individuals. You'll gain insights into the power of being human, connecting with others, and making a positive impact in the video production industry. About Walid Azami Walid Azami is a photographer/director based in Los Angeles. Walid is a refugee from Afghanistan, he had always had a major interest in the creative/entertainment business and in photography. He started his photography career with singer Usher. Some of his work is the cover of RollingStone Magazine Italia with Tiziano Ferro. He has worked with people like Bob Proctor, Bernie Sanders, Perry Farrel, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, and Madonna. Walid has invested the last 7 years in helping thousands of photographers/videographers, teaching them how to build a business from scratch. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:55] Meet Walid [06:25] Walid’s story [15:22] Race to the bottom [18:32] Starting from the ground up [19:13] Solution focused [19:40] Break trends [20:44] Reaching out [21:58] Serving people [29:16] Curate your circle [38:38] Overcoming self-doubt [44:10] Connect with Walid [45:42] Outro Quotes "Every time I post, every single time I write a blog, every single time I pick up the phone or I text or email a client, I have to answer one question. How am I going to be a solution to a problem they have?" - Walid Azami "Anyone that does that today is gonna stand out. I would not follow trends." - Walid Azami "I reached out to three people every single day. I'm an intense guy. So I wasn't allowed to go to bed until I learned, I learned one thing and I reached out to three people." - Walid Azami "The amount of money that will come your way is astronomical, astronomical. Good karma, good relationships." - Walid Azami "We have to reach for humanity. And man, there's something about people that feels good when someone asks about you and notices you and all that." - Walid Azami Guest Links Find Walid Azami online  Find out more about "S.T.E.P. Pricing" (the course for photographers) Follow Walid Azami on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Links Learn more about the Onward Summit FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this milestone episode of the podcast, Ryan discusses the unpredictable nature of the video business, the challenges of prospecting, and the importance of adaptability. He shares personal experiences, insights from his journey, and the evolution of his production company, Tell Studios. Ryan also touches on the significance of niching down in the industry and the transformative power of documentary storytelling. Key Takeaways You'll discover the importance of predictability in the video business and how to navigate the feast or famine cycles. You'll understand the transformative power of documentary storytelling and its impact on brand connection. You'll gain insights into the challenges and rewards of niching down in the video production industry. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:22] Facing a tough economy [05:19] Lead generation [07:50] Niching to Enroll Films [10:46] An evolving team [14:35] Creating processes [21:03] Enroll Films! [24:13] Meet The Difference Makers Podcast [31:04] Hiring an executive producer [32:55] The future of this show [39:23] Evaluating your time Quotes "Without predictability in business, you go through feast or famine." "I want to have a conversation with people that understand the value of video." "I've known forever, YouTube is the place to be." "I've been doing this work inside of Studio Sherpas and educating filmmakers." "This basketball coach was the person who was responsible for me ending up at the university." Links Learn more about the Onward Summit FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the show notes page

On today’s show I talk with Jim Fuhs about something he has loads of experience with - creating connections through your brand by leveraging video content. This is a particularly important episode for video businesses. We talk not only of the value you can add to your own business through using video, but also how you can extend this knowledge to your video clients when creating content for them. We also cover a bit of how AI is affecting video and storytelling. The truth is that we will always have a need for the human element in storytelling. You can leverage AI as a tool for creating, but at the end of the day, the person behind the brand is what truly moves potential clients. There is no better way to showcase this than to use video to convey a personal and authentic story. Be encouraged, the importance of video in our world is just begging and there is so much room for growth in your video business! Key Takeaways Leverage AI and human creativity to create effective and efficient video content Video is the best way to emotionally connect with your audience online Repurpose video content to increase your impact About Jim Fuhs Jim Fuhs is the President of Fuhsion Marketing, a seasoned digital marketing consultant, and a retired Marine LtCol with over 30 years of business and social media experience. Jim has a unique approach to marketing that fuses Marine Corps Leadership with next-level digital marketing, offering his clients a perspective that sets him apart from the rest. As a highly successful Marine Corps Officer, Jim's leadership experience and expertise enable him to navigate the ever-changing marketing and technology landscape. He is a sought-after speaker, live streamer, podcaster, remote live stream, and virtual event producer, with a passion for excellence that shines through in everything he does. Jim's mission is to revolutionize the marketing industry with his innovative strategies and unparalleled insights. His commitment to excellence and dedication to his client's success has earned him a reputation as an innovator in the industry. Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, Jim is here to help you unlock your brand's full potential and take your business to the next level.  In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:33] Meet Jim Fuhs [08:01] Jim’s marketing positioning [09:43] Tell your story [12:57] AI in filmmaking and branding [21:07] Importance of video content [28:18] Creating a live show [32:49] Repurposing content [42:15] Being on camera [45:13] Connect with Jim [46:01] Outro Quotes “People connect with you, I think, through video much more than they do through other mediums, short of being in person.” [10:45] - Jim Fuhs “You’re creating this legacy that people can go out and watch 10 years from now.” [10:58] - Jim Fuhs “How can you simplify things as opposed to feeling like you got to complicate them?” [45:00] - Jim Fuhs Guest Links Find Jim Fuhs online  Follow Jim Fuhs on Instagram | Twitter Links Learn more about the Onward Summit FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Today on the show Matt Johnston and I have a compelling conversation that will change the way you think about pricing and selling your work. The most important thing to keep in mind when working with your potential clients is that you are the expert who can provide something to help them achieve their goals. You aren’t selling video, you are selling solutions. This understanding paired with the mindset to commit to your business and believe in yourself will help you grow your business into something that is successful and fulfilling! Key Takeaways Price your offerings based on the problems that you solve for your clients Position yourself as the expert to lead the sales process to a successful outcome Use empathy to create real connection and communicate value About Matt Johnston  Guide Social Founder, Matt Johnston, is a social video pioneer - helping invent the format, system, and science of viral videos in the publishing world at Business Insider, NowThis, New York Magazine, Men’s Health, and others. He is also the author of Producing Empathy: The Secret Method I Use to Get 100 Million Views on Videos Online. He has produced and overseen over 2,000+ pieces of video content (both branded and editorial) that have generated well over 10 billion video views, and millions of dollars in sales across platforms. He’s also worked on viral video campaigns with brands such as Toyota, the National Football League, Campbell’s, Chase Bank, Verizon, Adobe, Tidal, Fresh Direct, and many others. He is the creator of the HERO system for viral video and the 3PP methodology for predictable, scalable video sales. These systems have driven millions in sales - for a wide array of Shark Tank clients, numerous members of Ezra Firestone's Blue Ribbon Mastermind, and countless others. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:41] Meet Matt Johnston [07:08] Creating empathy [09:27] Be specific with your target audience [12:22] Rethinking sales as a video creative [24:50] Don’t compete [26:37] Take control of the sales process [35:10] Mindset for success [40:38] Outro Quotes “You can’t sell anything to someone until you understand what their struggle is.” [14:42] - Matt Johnston “You’re not selling video, you’re selling solutions to problems.” [15:12] - Matt Johnston “Your mind will make you way more money than any tactic.” [39:01] - Matt Johnston Guest Links Find Matt Johnston online Follow Guide Social Global on Instagram Follow Matt Johnston on Instagram Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

On the show this week I talk with Peter Grano about one of the biggest keys in business - building strong relationships. Sometimes we get so focused on making money that we lose sight of what really matters. The relationships that you build are what will contribute more enjoyment than anything else in your business. We also talk about some different strategies for effective video marketing for your business and for your clients. It’s important to use a style of video that fits your target audience and works in line with your brand. Most importantly, spend time creating quality content and investing heavily into your relationships in your business. This combination will lead to consistent fulfillment and growth in your business. Key Takeaways The road to success is long and takes steadfast consistency. Investing in relationships will make your work more meaningful and enjoyable. At the end of the day people and relationships are what matter more than work and money. Use a consistent and intentional social media presence to build trust and authority. About Peter Grano Having spent the last 5 years as the lead video producer at Business Builders, a small but mighty marketing agency in sunny St. Augustine, FL, Peter Grano has developed his skills as a DP, Director and Editor to better serve the clients that the agency serves day in and day out. With a huge appetite (in more ways than one) for excellence and a unique eye for lighting, Peter believes that people are everything in this business. Through intentional relationships and investing in himself through communities like this one, Peter constantly seeks to provide value to others and believes that without intentional friendships, you're not going to last, much less get to produce the kind of work that you've always wanted to. Stumbling into the world of Studio Sherpas has been one of the greatest blessings in his life and he considers himself lucky to be talking to the very handsome and skilled cinematographer, Ryan Koral.  In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:47] Meet Peter Grano [13:31] Current successful trends in business marketing [18:48] Produced vs user-created content [23:24] Create the wow factor [27:18] Don’t create, document [31:24] Build trust and authority through social media [35:16] Relationships and consistency [43:41] Enjoy the journey [47:59] Delegation [55:43] Connect with Peter [57:45] Outro Quotes "It always starts out on a personal level with some of the best clients.” [29:46] - Peter Grano “You don’t just do stuff for money, there is a personal side to everything.” [37:36] - Peter Grano “It’s a long road to success and being consistent is the most important thing.” [37:57] - Peter Grano Quest Links Find Peter Grano online  Follow Peter Grano on Facebook Follow Business Builders on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Links Learn more about the Onward Summit FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

On the show today I have a wonderful conversation with Robby Fowler about just how important it is to get crystal clear on who you serve and what problems you solve for them. This will help you turn a blanket brand strategy that connects with no one into a clear and compelling call that will show your target audience that you know and understand them. By getting clear on who you serve, what problem you solve, and how you can accomplish this for them; you will be able to pull in more leads, build trust, and convert those leads into sales that are supported by a healthy and genuine relationship. It’s time to clear things up and move forward into greater success for your business! Key Takeaways Find a common denominator that links your target clients. Use the 3 P’s of Positioning to communicate with clarity who you serve and how you help them. When marketing, lead with the problem that you solve for your client. Use the ABCs of business to diagnose the health of your business and identify what is holding you back. About Robby Fowler Robby Fowler is a branding and marketing strategist who helps high-integrity consultants, coaches, and trainers build, brand, and market personal brands that make more (than) money. Robby believes too many personal brand businesses are trapped on a treadmill of activity because they’re not crystal clear on what specific business they want to build. While every personal brand wants more money, Robby helps them get there by building a business worth giving their lives to. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [01:50] Meet Robby Fowler [06:06] Turning setback into success [12:30] The Three P’s of Positioning [16:22] Niching [25:13] How to develop a successful hook [31:04] Growing through experience [34:54] The ABCs of Business [41:44] Connect with Robby [43:31] Outro Quotes “Fog slows down even the fastest Ferrari” [14:00] - Robby Fowler “Get busy then get picky” [20:37] - Robby Fowler “Use what you might consider as your weaknesses as your strengths. [24:09] - Robby Fowler Guest Links Follow Robby Fowler on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Robby Fowler on LinkedIn Get your free copy of THE 7 SIMPLE SECRETS BEHIND PERSONAL BRAND WEBSITES THAT GET RESULTS Get the 4 Freaky Fast Friday Wins emails Get more insights on his podcast, The Brand ED Podcast Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Today on the show, I talk with Dorien Morin-van Dam, an expert in organic social media and content marketing, about the slippery subject of social media marketing for your business. In the conversation, we break down some simple ways that you can get started with social media marketing for your business that is meaningful and effective for you. We also discuss the importance of targeting your marketing so that it is not a waste of time and how to repurpose content to maximize your exposure and impact with the least amount of effort. This show will disrupt any fears or hesitations that you have about getting into the world of social media marketing for your business and provide you with some practical steps to make your social media game more easy and effective than ever before!  Key Takeaways Use authenticity, storytelling, and behind the scenes content to create engaging and compelling social media content that grips your target audience. Repurpose content in many forms for maximum exposure and impact. In order to create content you must consume and learn from content that speaks to you. Leverage the simple steps of mastering LinkedIn to build your authority in your field and grow your network. About Dorien Morin-van Dam Dorien Morin-van Dam is a leading expert in organic social media and content marketing with over 12 years of experience. As a Certified Social Media Manager and Agile Marketer, she is well-versed in the latest techniques and best practices for driving engagement and results through organic social media. Dorien is an international speaker, and hosts her own livestream show and podcast, "Strategy Talks." You’ll recognize her on stage and online by her always-present orange glasses, a nod to her Dutch heritage. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:16] Meet Dorien Morin-van Dam [08:51] What is effective in the social media world today [13:56] Adopting the voice of your client [15:50] The power of blogging today [22:46] Niche your marketing [25:16] Incorporating video into blogs [27:39] Baby steps for getting started [35:02] Content marketing from a live show [42:16] Consume to create [45:45] Connect with Dorien [46:46] Outro Quotes  “They’re telling me the stories, and the passion of their business shines through when the business owner talks to me.” [08:28] Dorien Morin-van Dam “Make sure you stay true to who you are and the kind of video that you like.” [41:23] - Dorien Morin-van Dam “In order to create content you have to consume content, I am a firm believer in that.” [42:55] - Dorien Morin-van Dam Guest Links  Find Dorien Morin-van Dam online  Follow Dorien Morin-van Dam on Instagram | Twitter #strategytalks Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

No one wants to be the annoying person who simply pesters people until the agree to buy. That approach to marketing will only take you so far, and is not the way to create fulfilling relationships. On today’s show I talk to Duane Zingale about his journey of breaking away from that style of pressure marketing and instead leveraging genuine relationships. Stop viewing yourself as a salesperson and start viewing yourself as a leader. Once you have built a healthy relationship with someone, you can then lead them into the best option to solve their specific problem. This leadership style of marketing will lead you to so much more success and a network of fulfilling relationships. Key Takeaways Stop focusing on getting a sale and start focusing on guiding your potential clients into what is best for them Capture their heart and then they will trust you with their minds Use The LISTEN Framework to connect truly with others and lead them into a sale About Duane Zingale  When Duane Zingale is not lost in a Lego Fairytale with his two amazing daughters, he is likely to be found geeking out on crafting relationship-based marketing ecosystems with his LISTEN Framework™. And it’s not just about building a funnel for the sake of it. Duane is emphatic about creating a connection through digital empathy. He is a Marketing Connection Consultant & Founder of the digital marketing group Legacy Catalyst. This guy loves tech so that you and I don’t have to! His Mission with Legacy Catalyst is to get behind more than just a business… but to champion movements that will change the world one life at a time leaving a lasting Legacy. He likes to say when you leave your digital footprint today you start leaving your legacy for tomorrow. And that’s why he believes starting a movement is the most powerful way to market and monetize your personal brand! That’s why he launched the “Marketing Your Movement™ Show“ to help personal brands such as coaches & consultants lead a transformational community and earn a return on their influence. Duane helps his clients leverage automated marketing systems to create conversations in context …. Using his LISTEN Framework™ to build a relationship with potential clients through their customer journey. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome the show [04:25] Meet Duane Zingale [07:20] Humanity in business [11:22] Journey into leadership-based marketing [19:13] The LISTEN Framework [31:49] Finding your zone of genius [44:36] Creating the life you want to live [47:28] Building a self-sustaining sales funnel [52:52] Importance of an email list [55:14] Connect with Duane [55:50] Outro Quotes "Let’s make marketing human again” [08:08] - Duane Zingale “People don’t care about your solution until they know that you care.” [10:32] - Duane Zingale “The best way to help somebody move forward is actually to be able to listen.” [17:16] - Duane Zingale “I have to stop giving out of my excellence to step into my genius.” [30:50] - Duane Zingale Guest Links Find Duane Zingale online  Download The LISTEN Framework Today Receive a FREE PDF of “Wonderfully Different, Wonderfully Me” coloring book Follow Duane Zingale on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow Our Wonderful Family on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Links Register now for the Onward Summit FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Check out the full show notes Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

In the digital landscape that we live and do business in, the human-centered connection has been stripped away from many of our relationships. On today’s show I talk with Ethan Beute about how to overcome this hurdle and excel in all of your relationships through embracing human-centered communication. We focus on one of the simplest and most effective ways to break down this digital isolation - video messaging. Sending video messages allows you to interact with others like no other form of digital communication. By leaning into human vulnerability and accessing all of the forms of verbal and verbal communication, video messages communicate your message and leave no room for misinterpretation. They also make the viewer feel heard and understood. All of these aspects combined with a genuine care for your clients will build healthy, long-lasting relationships that evolve into the backbone of your entire business!  Key Takeaways Digital communication strips the humanity from our business relationships Use video messaging to build genuine connection and make your clients feel valued Never try to solve conflict over text-only messaging About Ethan Beute Ethan Beute is Chief Evangelist at BombBomb, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of "Human-Centered Communication" and "Rehumanize Your Business," and host of Chief Evangelist and The Customer Experience Podcast. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:46] Meet Ethan Beute [05:28] Why video communication? [17:47] Personal growth through responding well [22:56] Impactful examples [32:05] Specific use cases [37:52] What is BombBomb? [40:25] Bonus use cases [44:26] Outro Quotes “The sincerity matters above all.” [12:10] - Ethan Beute “All anyone that we’re working with wants out of life is to be seen as the unique individual human being that they are; that they matter.” [14:30] - Ethan Beute “Our single biggest impediment to growth is human vulnerability: fear of judgment, fear of rejection…” [28:05] - Ethan Beute Guest Links Find Ethan Beute online  Follow Ethan Beute on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow BombBomb on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get your free, enhanced, digital copy of the book Human-Centered Communication Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

In this episode, we delve into the power of content-driven conversations and Morgan's innovative approach to generating traction online. We talk about how Morgan creates captivating shows that not only engage audiences but also deliver tangible results. Also we explore the concept of embracing authenticity and vulnerability, revealing how sharing failures and challenges can deepen connections with our audience and in turn foster greater support and engagement. Don’t get stuck in the trap of perfection, instead start creating engaging content for your business and your clients! Key Takeaways Intentionality is more important that production quality Create content for your business that can be multi-purpose Taking your audience into the vulnerable process is more engaging than simply showing them the polished final product About Morgan J. Ingram  Morgan J Ingram is a dynamic leader, innovator, and entrepreneur who has significantly impacted the world of B2B sales and marketing. As the CEO and founder of Ascension Media Productions, he is leading the charge to transform traditional outbound sales and marketing methods by creating content-driven conversations that generate revenue. Morgan's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge solutions has led him to pioneer a new approach to growth called narrative-led growth. This strategy enables employees to produce and share content that aligns with the brand narrative, creating a revenue marketer journey that drives sales conversations. He was recognized for his content creation and strategy work in 2016 on The SDR Chronicles, where he did over 100 videos focused on the profession of sales development while he was in the role on YouTube. Recognized as one of the Top 50 Sales Leaders to follow by LinkedIn and a Top 25 Sales Development Thought Leader by Inside Sales, Morgan is a highly sought-after speaker and trainer. At JB Sales, he helped some of the world's top companies, including Salesforce, Zoom, and Snowflake, improve their top-of-the-funnel prospecting efforts. Morgan's work has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, the HubSpot blog, and the Harvard Business Review. He has also been named a 4x LinkedIn Top Sales Voice. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:45] Meet Morgan Ingram [08:07] Getting started in “Edutainment” [15:30] Structuring content creation [18:52] Morgan’s most interesting projects [24:04] Marketing for video businesses [27:30] Why are people fascinated with the process? [30:32] Vulnerability in marketing [40:19] Practical content creation [46:18] Connect with Morgan [47:10] Outro Quotes “Looking at the systems that you already have built to have good productions and that’s the content that you should be sharing.” [25:30] - Morgan Ingram “It feels like a connective tissue for me to like something that I aspire to do.” [28:14] - Morgan Ingram “At the end of the day, we as ourselves, have to live with ourselves 100% of the time.” [33:24] - Morgan Ingram Guest Links Sign up for the Commish Media newsletter  Follow Morgan Ingram on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

At the deepest level, we are in the business of helping people. In order to succeed in the business of helping people, the most important thing is for your business to be others-oriented. On today's show, our guest Nathan Cheuvront has built a wildly successful commercial video business by putting special attention on how his business interacts with people. From the very beginning, Nathan and his business partner have focused significantly on serving others, taking personal responsibility, building relational bridges, and creating top-notch experiences for each other, their clients, and their team members. If you want to take your video business to the next level, make sure you go out of your way to serve the people around you! Key Takeaways A business partner relationship is much like a marriage Serve others at every opportunity Create the right team that works for your goals Create experiences that clients and team members love About Nathan Cheuvront  Nathan is a self taught commercial film producer that loves creative work and has been figuring this commercial video thing out for the last 10+ years. Now working on $200k + commercial productions and have been running my own production company Southend Films with my business partner since 2017 here in Atlanta Georgia. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:02] Meet Nathan Cheuvront [07:23] Being relational minded [12:18] Serving others [16:11] Personal responsibility and self reflection [19:06] Challenges of partnerships [23:29] Benefits of partnerships [27:49] When to lean on others [31:08] Choosing the right people [37:26] Do what is best for your business in this season [41:12] Creating good experiences on set [46:05] Connect with Nathan [46:55] Outro Quotes “You want to build bridges, not burn them.“ [11:41] - Ryan Koral “We are in this business of helping people. When you filter it down all the way. It’s like, ‘How can I help you?” [12:24] - Nathan Cheuvront "You’re wearing too many hats and you’re doing too many things. There is a lot of power in delegating.” [27:19] - Ryan Koral Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Nathan Cheuvront online  Follow Nathan Cheuvront on Instagram | Facebook Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On today’s show I take some time to reflect and share with you some changes that I am walking through in this season. For me it’s a time of reevaluating and it has produced a passion and a drive within me that I haven’t experienced in years. I want you to feel this way about your business too. Many times we get so caught up in all of the things that we have to do that we miss the heart of why we do what we do. I believe this is the quickest way to suck the life out of your business. I want to encourage you to take some time to reflect and evaluate what you truly are called to do, and make the needed adjustments to align your business with that mission. When you do, you will experience an excitement and passion for your work like never before! Key Takeaways Take time to reflect on what you are truly passionate about. Build your business to reach the dreams that are within you. Always keep your “why” in mind to maintain the fire for what you do! In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:35] Momentum is messy [05:54] Our new direction [13:20] Leading from your passion [19:45] What gets you fired up? [24:43] Knowing your why [26:30] The power of niching [32:14] Outro Quotes  “Momentum is messy.” [02:45] “I feel like nothing can stop me because I know what my purpose is.” [25:07] “I want you to be able to do this work, and I want it to mean something to the people you are doing it for, and I want it to mean something to you.” [31:33] Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show, I am joined by two students from my mastermind group to explore what type of impact being in a powerful community mastermind has had on us and our businesses. A thriving community that you can trust and can keep you accountable is one of the most effective and efficient ways to grow your business, help avoid pitfalls, and overcome internal hurdles keeping you back from success. The value of these groups cannot be overstated. Do whatever it takes to find some close community that can help keep you accountable and steer you into the direction of success on this wild journey of being a business owner!  Key Takeaways  Mastermind groups provide accountability to push you past what may be holding you back. By learning from the challenges of others you set yourself up for success in overcoming a wide variety of issues. Within a mastermind group you can gain the clarity that you are looking for at an exponentially fast rate. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:57] Meet guests [08:44] What makes the mastermind setting different? [12:37] Why join a mastermind? [18:59] Learning from others’ experiences [21:12] Layout of a mastermind session [36:02] When to join a mastermind [38:03] The importance of commitment [43:10] Creating time to invest in your business [57:13] How to join! Quotes “If you can’t carve out an hour and a half every other week for your business, then what are you really doing? You really don’t have a business, you just have a job.” [47:15] - Jon “That’s what it’s about for me: having a business that makes money, makes people happy, makes me happy, makes me money.” [48:32] - Geoff “The whole point of the mastermind is so that we can learn faster, we can make smarter decisions quicker, we can make our businesses more efficient so that we are more profitable… it’s the fastest way, I think, to be able to grow.” [50:16] - Ryan Koral Links Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Learn more and apply to be a member of the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Learn more about the Onward Summit Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

The entrepreneurial journey is one that is filled with challenges and obstacles to overcome in order to succeed. Today on the show, my guest Kelly Baader is someone who has faced many personal and business challenges and had what it takes to overcome them all. When you are called into this journey, it’s your character that will help carry you through the difficulties and into massive success. Kelly explains how she found strength in facing her struggles and how to take intentional time to structure your business through focused and creative thinking.  Key Takeaways Overcoming personal struggles to achieve what you believe in can be one of your greatest sources of strength. Take advantage of The Power of One framework to bring clarity to what you offer, who you serve, how you communicate it, and who you are. Don’t expect your business to fit perfectly into someone else’s cookie cutter plan - you are a unique individual. About Kelly Baader Kelly is the CEO of Influential Entrepreneurs, LLC, a Kingdom-Advancing Leadership Development Company that empowers you, the Christ-Centered Entrepreneurs to Grow & Scale Your Business Elegantly with Identity-Aligned Positioning, Compassion-Driven Marketing, and Confidence-Fueled Selling. Kelly’s approach to individual identity aligned success has made her a sought after-speaker on renowned stages like TEDx Basel, Youpreneur Summit, Agency Transformation, and John C Maxwell Certification event.  She also hosts a top-ranked podcast - Christian CEO Podcast since 2016.  Kelly is a certified business and leadership coach by ICF, John C Maxwell Team, and Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs. She has coached and mentored entrepreneurs and organization leaders in 4 continents since 2008.  She has been featured in the industry-leading publication and podcasts like The Huffington Post, Youpreneur FM, Eternal Leadership, Stewarding Your Influence, Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs, and many more.  Kelly’s book: A Little Girl Called Grace was Amazon Bestseller in 2012.  Kelly is happily married, has two lovely adult children, and after traveling the globe, she and her family have now settled in Switzerland. In this Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:45] Meet Kelly Baader [05:33] Finding fulfillment [08:09] Overcoming the valley of disappointment [16:34] The background of The Power of One Framework [21:11] Overview of The Power of One Framework [28:33] Applying The Power of One Framework [33:20] Finding your purpose in the now [35:47] Getting started with The Power of One Framework [41:12] The fastest way to transform your business [44:15] Connect with Kelly [44:57] Outro Quotes  “The deeper self awareness you are willing to accept, the faster you will grow.” [27:16] - Kelly Baader “The only thing for sure in the business world is change.” [35:36] - Kelly Baader “Everything has to be people based. I don’t care if you are ‘B to B’ or ‘B to C’, for me there is only ‘P to P’.” [39:06] - Kelly Baader Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Kelly Baader online  Learn the 4 Cornerstones to Build Your Profitable & Identity-Aligned Business Follow Kelly Baader on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Connect with Kelly Baader on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you want to revolutionize the way that your business interacts with clients? It’s time to put some serious attention on how your clients experience your brand. Shannon Williams is a truly creative soul who knows how to infuse his business with the power of story and connection. Tap into your secret weapons of clear communication, vulnerability, and emotional appeal to create a client experience that is genuine and puts your client in the center.  If you develop your client experience well, your clients can walk away from interactions with you feeling that they are the hero of a grand adventure. That is how you develop clients that are so satisfied they keep coming back!  Key Takeaways  The essence of your brand is how people feel about who you are and what you do. Your brand should tell a story that makes your client feel like they are the hero. Build connections with your audience through authentic vulnerability in your messaging. Sometimes it is hard for us to see our business clearly because of how close we are. Look for outside help in gaining clarity for your brand story. About Shannon Williams Shannon is a multi-hyphenate creative based in Columbus, OH. He's passionate about the music of language, the power of story, the intelligence of good design, the compelling still image, and building community amongst creatives. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:59] Meet Shannon Williams [12:57] The power of the story brand mindset [22:58] Actively creating connections [26:11] Telling your story [30:12] Tapping into vulnerability [40:07] Where to start with personal branding [48:13] Connect with Shannon [53:05] Outro Quotes  “Brand is how people feel about what you do.” [17:23] - Shannon Williams “Feeling creates connection, connection inspires loyalty, and loyalty informs action.” [24:00] - Shannon Williams “If the only thing that we’re doing is relying on the work that we’re doing for clients, it could be a lot more powerful when we add the soul of our own brand.” [27:32] - Ryan Koral Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Find Shannon Williams online Find Shannon Williams online at 10 Speed Studios Follow Shannon Williams on Instagram | Twitter Follow 10 Speed Studios on Instagram | Twitter Connect with Shannon Williams on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever wanted the superpower to be able to tell what people really think and feel about you? Facial Coding is the next best thing! People lie with their words all of the time and will often tell you what they think you want to hear. But on today’s episode, Dan Hill shares some of the tricks that he has learned over years of working as a facial coding expert that will help you cut through these lies and get to the truth. Being able to understand what people really think by understanding their facial expressions can give you insight that will help you land more clients, preserve good business relationships, build a healthy team, and so much more. It’s more than just about reading facial cues, it’s about having the emotional intelligence to truly understand the people around you and how they feel! Key Takeaways Being able to read how people truly feel is essential to all aspects of running a business - the key to this is understanding facial cues. Listen with your eyes to how people are responding to what you are saying and/or doing. Make the necessary adjustments to get the response that you desire from them. People don’t make decisions without proper emotional engagement. Use faces properly in your films to provoke the emotional reaction that you aim to achieve. About Dan Hill Dan Hill is an internationally-recognized expert on the role of emotions in business, politics and sports among other realms. In 1998 he founded Sensory Logic, a market research firm that specializes in the use of facial coding to capture and quantify people's emotional responses to sundry stimuli. The company has done work for over 50% of the world's top 100 B2C advertisers. Dan is the author of 10 books, has spoken to audiences in over 25 countries and has been a pundit for CNN, Fox, MSNBC, et cetera on presidential candidates. His work for pro and Division 1 NCAA teams led to a front-page profile in The New York Times. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:09] Meet Dan Hill [04:56] What does Dan do? [10:50] Baseball cards [11:44] Cracking the code of smiles [22:34] Hacking a pitch meeting [28:04] Keeping audience engagement [32:31] Understanding faces in filmmaking [36:53] The element of fear [38:26] Final thoughts [39:42] Connect with Dan [40:46] Outro Quotes “Ultimately in business you sell hope and happiness, and the hope is about the prospect of happiness.” [23:47] - Dan Hill “Actions speak louder than words, and in your face you show behavior, you show action.” [25:54] - Dan Hill “Listening with your eyes at what are they doing, how are they responding with their face?” [38:55] - Ryan Koral Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Dan Hill online Follow Dan Hill on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Dan Hill on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re just itching to find a way to turn your passion projects into profitable and sustainable sources of income, then today’s show with Cody Dulock is certainly for you! Through his work with Musicbed, Filmsupply, and other brands, Cody has developed a process for how to approach creating work that is not only fulfilling for you, but also profitable. Stop just dreaming about having the creative freedom to create the films that you want, take some real steps to make them a reality! Key Takeaways Look into creative funding avenues to get your passion project funded. Take stock of the assets that you own to see if there is any potential for passive income through film licensing. Work with the end in mind when creating passion projects so that you can continue making them in a sustainable way. About Cody Dulock  Cody helped start Filmsupply 8 years ago and is now helping start the new highly curated photo licensing brand Stills. He leads the artist representation teams for the FM brands Filmsupply and Stills and also leads FM's film funding company Trust. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:33] Meet Cody Dulock [03:32] Cody’s film background [07:54] Finding funding through “Trust” [13:40] The impact of Musicbed [19:36] Selling your film [27:49] Income through licensing [30:34] How to go about licensing [33:14] Connect with Cody [35:13] Outro Quotes  “If that’s what you love, you should do that. Like, don’t worry about what we like. You need to be pursuing the things that you’re passionate about because they will keep you fired up.” [26:02] - Cody Dulock “Curating your portfolio is critical.” [26:48] - Cody Dulock Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Cody Dulock on Instagram Follow Stills on Instagram Follow With Trust on Instagram | Twitter Follow Musicbed on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow Filmsupply on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Use this code to get 25% off at Filmsupply: STUDIOSHERPAS2023 Take your projects to the next level with Musicbed. Hear the difference for yourself and sign up for a free account. Use my code RYAN at checkout to receive 1 month free when you purchase an annual subscription. Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the show we look at some key scaling and marketing techniques for your business! Billy Sticker has built a thriving business that is a blessing to his life and the lives of others. The only way to achieve this is by building a talented team that can function without you. It takes laying down some pride to be able to let go of the reins and train your team so that they can trust them to carry the business forward. Billy shares some secrets on highly effective niche marketing for your business. Getting inside the thought processes of your ideal clients and taking steps to be the solution for their problems. Implementing the keys shared in this episode can help skyrocket your business to the financial stability and freedom that you have always dreamed of. Key Takeaways Understand the mind of your ideal clients and position yourself to be the solution to their needs. Develop a narrow niche that will help you pinpoint your marketing and make it more effective. Create free lead magnets to build relationships with potential clients. Effective delegation is key to scaling your business that isn’t limited by your own bandwidth. About Billy Sticker Billy Sticker is a speaker and business advisor who helps business coaches, consultants, agency owners, and authors who want to launch and scale a multiple 6-to-7 figure business. He is the author of several titles, including The Blessed Entrepreneur: 5 Steps to Launch & Scale a Business With Impact. He is a multiple winner of the coveted Two-Comma Club Award presented by ClickFunnels, recognizing entrepreneurs who have generated over $1M in revenue through online sales. He is also the winner of the Multiple 7-Figure Agency award for his company, ChiroCandy, given to entrepreneurs who have built a multiple seven-figure agency. Billy has been interviewed on industry-leadings podcasts including Internet Business Mastery, Seven-Figure Agency, and The Christian Entrepreneur. Billy has also been featured in Forbes, ABC, CBS, and Fox, and has spoken at global industry events across the USA, London, and Paris. He believes no one is lying in bed at night thinking of ways to give you their money. They are thinking of their problems. If you can help them solve those problems they will gladly pay you a fair exchange. He also believes that the church has done a great job of teaching us how to give, but not how to earn. Billy’s refreshing approach to business has made him a sought after speaker and consultant. Nowadays you’ll find Billy looking for the next great vacation spot for his family — all while coaching, serving clients, and recording his top-ranked podcast, The Blessed Entrepreneur. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:27] Meet Billy Sticker [04:14] Billy’s business journey [07:27] Building a thriving business, not just a job [10:35] Targeted marketing [18:17] The power of niching [31:29] The Traffic Light Formula [35:50] Delegating well [39:33] Teaching your creative process to your team [45:10] Connect with Billy [46:29] Outro Quotes  “When it comes to marketing, you want to fish in the pond where the fish are.” [23:13] - Billy Sticker “We’re married to a mission, not a method.” [38:54] - Billy Sticker “If you’re the main creative genius in the business, you can start to train people to step into your altar ego.” [43:07] - Billy Sticker Links   Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Billy Sticker online  Free training from Billy Sticker Follow Billy Sticker on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Connect with Billy Sticker on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Books Mentioned Blessed Entrepreneur, by Billy Sticker The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life, by Todd Herman

Today on the show with Dan Tyre, we talk about how infusing your business with a human centered outlook at every level can help you achieve exponential growth while maintaining healthy relationships. Dan is a rapid growth expert and has many tips from years of developing several massively successful startups. We talk about some of the most important keys to growth such as niching, effective websites, human centered sales, and the “freemium” business model. This conversation is a much needed reminder to treat each other like humans and do our best to help others. When you strive for this, your business, and the world, will become a much better place! Key Takeaways  The best way to grow in 2023 is to have a very narrow niche. Embrace the “freemium” model by using free stuff to hook potential clients, build trust, and create raving fans. For serious growth, your customers are more important than your sales team. Utilize your website to get a conversation started with potential clients, don’t try to sell to them immediately. About Dan Tyre Dan is a 14-year-veteran of HubSpot, hired as employee number six. While initially the first salesperson, Dan has since helped expand the sales team through management, recruiting, and training. He is also a frequent contributor to the HubSpot Sales Blog and coined the term "Schmarketing" to describe the necessary alignment between sales and marketing. Outside of HubSpot, Dan leverages his 42 years of multidisciplinary business experience in sales, marketing, and service to help scale fast-growing companies and coach those that want to harness the power of Inbound Marketing to improve their bottom line. In April 2018, he published a book with Wiley Business Press with Todd Hockenberry called Inbound Organization: How to Build and Strengthen Your Company's Future Using Inbound Principles, and he regularly shares his knowledge through guest appearances on podcasts and as a speaker at worldwide events. In his local Arizona community, Dan puts pen to paper with his life motto of “always be helping” and spends time advising startups and mentoring executives and young people with ambitions with the Arizona Commerce Authority and Galvanize location in Phoenix. He also demonstrates his commitment to social responsibility with mentorship at Seed Spot. Most proudly, Dan has been married to the beautiful, smart, and thoughtful Amy Tyre for 33 years, and they share two children, Eli and Sally, and a rescue pup named Stinson. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:28] Meet Dan Tyre [04:17] Dan’s interesting career background [22:55] Dan’s books [25:55] Principles of an Allbound business [30:12] The riches are in the niches [34:29] The HubSpot Flywheel [38:55] Inbound marketing for your website [40:56] Using a CRM [41:50] Free resources [46:16] Connect with Dan [46:52] Outro Quotes  “Number 1 - treat people like human beings.” [26:07] - Dan Tyre “You help before you sell.” [27:00] - Dan Tyre “Never before has it been so easy for me to say, ‘here’s exactly, not just what we do, but who we do it for.’” [31:48] - Ryan Koral “You can actually grow quicker in 2023 if you have a smaller focus, a niche focus.” [32:42] - Dan Tyre “Your customers are more important for new business than your sales team.” [34:42] - Dan Tyre Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Dan Tyre online HubSpot’s Free Website Grader HubSpot’s Growth Grader Follow Dan Tyre on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Dan Tyre on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

The quality of the customer service experience that you provide is equally as important as the quality of the work that you produce. On the show today I talk with customer service expert Shep Hyken about how to create a truly remarkable customer service experience in your business.  Customer service is not simply a department within your business, it’s a philosophy that should permeate every step of your customer service journey. Every single interaction between your business and your client speaks to the level at which you care for your client. Be intentional to meet client expectations in all of these interactions to show that you care. This type of customer service will lead to more loyal customers than you would ever imagine! Key Takeaways  The quality of what you produce means nothing if you have no clients to pay for what you produce. Care more about the client rather than making the sale. This will lead to healthy, loyal relationships and also to more closed deals. Become service aware and evaluate every client touchpoint in your business to make sure you are meeting client expectations. Meeting expectations every time will create a truly remarkable experience for your client. About Shep Hyken  Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert and the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of eight books and has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the speaking profession. His articles have been published in hundreds of publications, including Forbes, and he has been quoted in the New York Times, Inc, Real Simple, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. Shep works with companies and organizations that want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:09] Meet Shep Hyken [05:47] Where to start with customer service [10:24] Great customer service within healthy boundaries [14:34] How to stand out [19:28] Importance of a CRM [21:23] Be aware of opportunities [25:47] Using video to create amazing customer service experiences [28:21] Human centered communication [37:53] Connect with Shep Hyken [38:16] Outro Quotes  “Being intentional means you're aware of the opportunities you have to create that experience.” [07:39] - Shep Hyken “Customer service is not a department, it's a philosophy.” [15:16] - Shep Hyken “Nobody ever became truly successful by being mediocre and average” [16:51] - Shep Hyken “It's not about being over the top. It's about doing and meeting the expectation” [17:29] - Shep Hyken Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Shep Hyken online  Read The 2023 ACA Study Connect with Shep Hyken on LinkedIn Follow Shep Hyken on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

We all want to tell stories that we care about and will influence the world. Patrick Moreau has found a way to do just that with his video business. Muse storytelling has transitioned from producing commercial work to crafting creative original content. Today on the show Patrick and I talk about this journey and what it takes to start telling the stories that you really want to tell.  It takes intentional planning to make this transition and handle everything that comes along with it. We talk about everything from how to choose what stories you should tell to how to find and handle investors. If you have a story burning within you, maybe it’s time to start developing your business to be able to produce this content that you dream about. Buckle down and “do the thing”! The world needs the story that you have to tell. Key Takeaways Narrow down your scope to do less, yet larger, projects than what you usually handle. This can help you have the bandwidth to really hone in on your creativity. Build trust with your investors and give them a remarkable experience that they can’t get anywhere else. Test your ideas for original content to make sure that they are actually good ideas and that will make money. Build a thriving team that can excel in the 5 key areas of a successful film production team. About Patrick Moreau  Patrick Moreau is an Emmy-Award winning Director and Cinematographer. The focus of Patrick’s work is to bridge ways of thinking and being in the world by sharing the experiences of individuals. He believes that there are so many ways to be alive in this world, and through storytelling, we can gift somebody with the experience of another. All of Patrick’s work is built on a foundation of the science of storytelling. He leverages the fundamental principles from academic journals, distills them, and shapes everything he creates within a story framework, which has been tested and proven again and again. Patrick believes that a cornerstone of creating a world of remarkable stories is to share insights and education with others to tell their own stories. He has built educational courses that have reached over 25,000 filmmakers, taught at the United Nations and educated creatives in over 30 countries. Patrick is tireless in the pursuit of finding and telling remarkable stories, because he believes they have the power to create a more connected and compassionate world. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:42] Meet Patrick Moreau [06:50] Building sustainability while creating original content [11:14] Sourcing ideas for original content [14:20] Securing investments for your original content [19:33] Managing creative input from investors [26:05] Testing your content ideas [29:46] Building your core team [36:34] Patrick’s education classes [39:32] Do The Thing! [41:34] Connect with Patrick [42:15] Outro Quotes “We got into this to do stuff we care about. We got into this to have some kind of influence on the world. And if we're finding ourselves in a place where we're stuck in endless revisions and we feel like a tripod and we're doubting that our work matters, to remember that we own our own outcomes, we own our choices.” [39:50] - Patrick Moreau “And then also having the humility to know you don't have all the ideas that like being open to, like you said, you know, somebody else has a great idea and not just shutting it.” [23:29] - Patrick Moreau Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Patrick Moreau online Register for the World-Changing Filmmaker Follow Muse Storytelling on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Life doesn’t have a one size fits all solution, and neither does your business! Join me for today’s show with my friend Michael Gebben as we explore his massive success, and some failures as well, in his business journey. Michael breaks down the invisible brick wall that we all face - procrastination. There are some shifts in your mindset that can greatly help you overcome the things that continuously nag at your effectiveness.  Michael also dives into some interesting brain science that can help you find out how your brain works so that you can leverage your brain-activating activities and stop making yourself miserable by doing things that you hate. Truly understanding yourself can be the key to making the most out of this life and lead to true fulfillment!  Key Takeaways Find the right path forward that works for YOU. Don’t fight to make yourself fit into someone else’s formula. Taking action that is quick, but sometimes imperfect, will help you overcome procrastination and achieve actual results. Don’t focus on avoiding what you don’t want, focus on pursuing what you do want and you will find more of it. Sometimes you need to slow down and reevaluate in order to speed up. About Michael Gebben, a.k.a. Gebbs  From "Paper Boy" to "Breakage Boy" at a local beer distributor to the "Video Guy" to "Same Day Edit Guy" to the MIND Mechanic, Michael's had quite the journey... Since the mid-2000’s he's been building a career as a Creative, Coach, and Speaker. Michaels Video Clients range from mom and pop shops to 300+ Wedding Couples to Netflix, Oprah Network OWN, Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, Tim Ferriss, the Number ONE Doubles Players in Tennis The Brian Brothers, he has worked with a full gamut of clients. He loves to share the good, bad and ugly experiences from growing his video production company in high school to making millions traveling the world and almost going bankrupt. His lessons learned from millions made, millions lost, and millions in the making inspires people that TRULY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! He now works with clients in his coaching practice ranging from ADHDERS, CREATORS, DREAMERS, DOERS, ENTREPRENEURS & NEURODIVERGENT THINKERS...to TEACH THEM TO BECOME THE MECHANICS OF THEIR MIND, SO THEIR DREAMS DON'T DIE IN THEIR HEARTS, HEADS, OR HARD DRIVES! In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:31] Meet Michael Gebben [05:05] Michael’s background [08:24] Finding the right solution for you [11:16] Overcoming procrastination [20:26] Defining your fulfillment [23:01] Becoming a mechanic of your own mind [25:17] Achieving in spite of your brain [36:14] Slow down to speed up [40:41] Focus forward on what you want [42:15] Connect with Michael Gebben [42:55] Outro Quotes  “Action creates clarity. There's things you think you'll love, you'll love. There’s things you think you'll hate, you’ll hate. There’s the things you think you'll love, you'll hate. There’s things you think you’ll hate, you'll love. And so we've got to do to know. [21:28] - Michael Gebben “One of the hardest things to do at times, but it was the greatest thing that I did, is slow down the speed up.” [36:33] - Michael Gebben “What you’re focused on you’ll get more of.” [41:01] - Michael Gebben Links  Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Michael Gebben online  Follow Michael Gebben on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Get Michael Gebben’s two audio books for free and see the brain scans! Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show we demystify the confusing world of video advertising with entrepreneur and advertising expert Brice Gump! With so much noise on the internet you need a solid plan if you want your work to be seen. The work you provide for clients is no exception to this. How your clients present your work not only affects their business, but it also affects yours. This is why it is so important to consider video advertising not only for your business but for your clients as well.  In this conversation we dive into some of the big picture and granular wisdom that Brice has gained over years of effective advertising. We also brainstorm some ways that you can get involved in the video ad marketing of your clients without it becoming a burden to your business. Don’t let your work get lost in the abyss, be creative and make it stand out! Key Takeaways Create a solid distribution plan for your content so it doesn’t get lost in the noise. Use multiple hooks to promote the same content. Explore different revenue streams that can greatly impact your business with little effort. Partner with ad agencies to help your client succeed and utilize your product to it’s fullest potential. About Brice Gump Brice is an entrepreneur and advertising expert born and raised in Texas, although these days you can actually find him living aboard in Barcelona Over the last 10 years he’s worked with dozens of businesses in all different industries to generate tens of thousands of leads and millions of dollars in sales online. Today he runs a marketing agency that helps online experts leverage video marketing to grow their business. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:45] Meet Brice Gump [11:20] Basic formula for video ad success [13:55] Creatively hooking an audience [19:49] Offering video ad distribution as a video production business [25:35] Turning brand films into effective video ads [30:02] Structuring a business to be ad friendly [32:18] Helping your client succeed beyond your product [35:24] Targeting ads for specific platforms [38:19] Best practices when partnering with ad agencies [41:04] Final thoughts [47:44] Connect with Brice [48:41] Outro Quotes “We would all have incredibly successful businesses if the videos that we created for our clients got the exposure that they deserved.” [10:55] - Ryan Koral “There's so much noise out there that if you don't have a really solid distribution plan, there's a very good chance you could invest a lot of time and resources and energy into making something, and it just doesn't go anywhere.” [12:56] - Brice Gump “So just a word of caution. Just because there is an opportunity for money doesn't mean that it's best suited for how your business is set up.” [24:27] - Ryan Koral Links  Sign up for the Profit Accelerator live workshop Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Brice Gump online Get the free tool: Webinar Conversion Rate Calculator  Follow Brice Gump on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Are you tired of feeling alone in your business? Today on the show I talk with Caitlin Wall about some issues that we ALL face as business owners. Too often we are plagued with the feeling of being alone and the trap of endless comparison with others. If we aren’t careful this will develop into self-limiting mindsets that will ruin our businesses. The truth is that we aren’t alone. We all face the same struggles and can all learn from each other. Success can be contagious so it’s time to surround yourself with people who can help inspire you and pull you out of this destructive thought pattern. You’re not alone and if others are able to do this, so are you!! Key Takeaways Find a community that can help you not feel alone in your business Tap into the data behind your lead generation to know where to put your focus Solid branding can give you the confidence and presence to take your business further than you ever thought The mindset of success is contagious About Caitlin Wall  Caitlin is the owner of Caitlin Wall Photography & Films based out of New Boston, NH, which specializes in website and social media video content for local artists and creators as well as national brands. In the Episode [00:00] - Welcome to the show! [05:56] - Meet Caitlin Wall [15:24] - How to approach niching [20:32] - Lead generation [31:45] - The trap of comparison [34:17] - The true value of branding [45:45] - Inspiration of success [50:55] - Connect with Caitlin [51:48] - Outro Quotes  “And to feel like you're not alone really is pretty empowering because it's like: Oh, okay, if that person did that, got to the other side of that, I think I can do it, too.” [31:33] - Ryan Koral “A lot of times you have just these struggles that are the same and you don't think that we're all feeling it, but you know, we are.” [31:30] - Caitlin Wall Links Sign up for the Profit Accelerator live workshop Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Caitlin Wall online  Follow Caitlin Wall on Instagram | Facebook Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today’s episode is absolutely full of remarkable content from my friend, Brian Hood - a serial entrepreneur. We talk about pinpointing what the one bottleneck is in your business so that you know what to focus on in order to stop inhibiting your own growth. We look into the proper way to build your business to be able to handle quality leads, rather than just blinding grabbing for them. And finally we talk about how to break out of “butt in the seat” work and position your business to tap into value based pricing. This will allow you to charge more than you ever thought possible while becoming free of the rat race of competitive pricing. There’s so much more in this episode… so I hope you’re ready to tap into a killer resource that can give you the tools to grow your business!  Key Takeaways Focus on fixing the ONE bottleneck that is holding your business back Your mindset of how you view yourself is absolutely fundamental in the structure of your business Avoid the trap of “copycat” services Trust is the most important factor to getting big ticket sales About Brian Hood Brian is the founder of The Six Figure Home Studio, co-founder of Filepass.com, and owner 456 Recordings. He’s built 7 different six-figure income streams throughout his careers in live music, recording, real estate, vacation rentals, software, and education. He’s spent over a quarter of a million dollars on paid advertising, which has forced him to become an expert on marketing funnels. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:39] Meet Brian Hood [06:26] Finding Fulfillment [09:51] Your Mindset [13:34] Copycat services [26:21] Why people spend money - Trust [36:41] Eliminating bottlenecks [40:57] Generating quality leads [46:36] Connect with Brian [47:40] Outro Quotes  “The closer you are to the money as a service provider, the more you can typically charge and the more you can make.” [24:12] - Brian Hood “Trust is the number one factor. And if you don't have the trust, you don't have the client.” [29:30] - Brian Hood “With every client I work with, the first place we start is what are you offering and who are you offering it to? That's the number one thing I look at. What are you offering?” [41:24] - Brian Hood Links Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Brian Hood online  Get the two free resources from Brian Hood Sign up for the 6 Figure Creative Freelancer’s Toolkit Follow Brian Hood on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Listen to Ryan and Brian talk on Episode 206 of the 6 Figure Creative podcast Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What really matters and what do you really want? On today’s show Dan Nicholson and I talk about this question and what it means for your business. Too often “more” is equated with “better.” However, this is far from true sometimes. Using concepts from his book, Rigging the Game, like optimization over maximization and closer over more, Dan Nicholson flips some conventional perspectives to help us get to the bottom of what we really want. Once we have a firm grasp on this, we can take control of our lives and actually make decisions that will actively lead us into the life that we truly desire. Key Takeaways Be intentional to discover what you really want in life. Then build your business to support that. Focus on eliminating downsides to your business more than increasing work. Prioritize optimization over maximization. Work to get close to what you want rather that just doing more. About Dan Nicholson A serial entrepreneur since birth, Dan Nicholson took a detour through the “conventional” model of graduating summa cum laude with degrees in accounting and information systems, completing a fellowship at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, working at Deloitte and various Fortune 500 companies, and being named to the 40 Under 40 list of global accountants four times. One day, Dan woke from his cloud of dissonance, tired of the corporate drudgery of meetings about meetings and future meetings. Now, he takes the conventional and applies it to the non-conventional by helping purpose-driven  entrepreneurs achieve financial certainty.  Dan is the founder of multiple companies across finance, accounting, and software, but  his real passion is teaching entrepreneurs and small business owners. He is the founder  of CertaintyU and creator of a 20-week entrepreneurial education course and certification, Certified Certainty Advisor. The course teaches the concepts, principles  and action steps to becoming an extraordinary leader and reach the top 1% of your  industry. He is also author the USA Today and WSJ Best Seller, Rigging The Game:  How To Achieve Financial Certainty, Navigate Risk and Make Money on Your Terms,  and the host of the popular podcast, Rigging the Game, and lives in Seattle with his wife  and two daughters. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:01] Meet Dan Nicholson [05:39] Optimize over maximize [18:19] Optimizing what’s important [23:38] Sustainable middle ground to fight feast/famine cycle [26:20] Using the principle of compound interest [34:45] Closer vs more [35:45] Preference vs binary [40:54] Figuring out what you really want [48:23] Connect with Dan [50:18] Outro Quotes “But as a small business owner, you have to optimize what's the most efficient path forward towards your main priority.” [07:34] - Dan Nicholson “At the end of the day, if you're not clear on what it's going to take to get you to where you want to be, then geez, good luck getting there.” [21:51] - Ryan Koral “Discipline is answering the question: would I be a disciple of myself?” [30:05] - Dan Nicholson Links Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Dan Nicholson online: Rigging the Game | CertaintyU Follow Dan Nicholson on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Dan Nicholson on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Having your schedule completely booked with your dream clients sounds pretty amazing, right? Today’s guest, Joana Galvão, is an expert in teaching entrepreneurs just how to achieve this dream goal. Her three part system is a gold mine for transforming word of mouth from passive hopefulness into an effective and targeted strategy… and it works. Aside from this invaluable framework for generating consistent work, Joana also gives us a peek into her story; mistakes included. Her inspiring journey holds some valuable lessons on everything from doing what it takes to land a dream client to creating a culture of open communication and health within your business. Key Takeaways  Transform word of mouth into an active strategy to land better clients more consistently. Create a culture of open communication within your business to grow a strong team while preventing issues. Orient your business so that it can connect with the clients that you align with. About Joana Galvão Joana Galvão is the co-founder of the award-winning design agency Gif Design Studios. Based in Porto, Portugal, and with a team of 7, her agency specializes in brand identities and conversion-obsessed design and serves industry leaders in 17 countries on five continents. Her coaching program, Ambitious Creatives Booked Solid, helps freelancers get booked solid with dream projects, to 6-figures and beyond, without burnout. Joana speaks internationally on entrepreneurship, the power of design, and creativity, and her work has been featured in the Guardian, Brand Brilliance, and Digital Arts magazine. But the thing Joana is most proud of is having recently taken a 4-month maternity leave without ever checking email, and having her agency not only survive but see its most profitable months to date. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:29] Meet Joana Galvão [11:41] Making the transition into hiring help [15:20] Remote vs in-person work [20:56] Mistakes to avoid in your business culture [32:13] Constant evaluation [37:27] Transforming word of mouth into strategy [46:55] Focus on this when starting out [54:52] Connect with Joana [56:05] Outro Quotes “I like to turn word of mouth into a strategy” [39:48] - Joana Galvão “It’s quite simple: the more people know about who you are, what you do, and for whom, the more likely it is that they’ll send work your way.” [40:09] - Joana Galvão “I think the best thing to do is get very clear on the type of client that you would love to land.” [47:21] - Joana Galvão Links Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Joana Galvao online  Find Gif Design Studios online Follow Joana Galvao on Instagram Get the Secret Stash of email templates from Joana for free Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Book Mentioned Rework, by Jason Fried

Building a healthy team where each member flourishes individually while also having a strong team-oriented mindset is not an easy task, nor does it happen on its own. My guest today, Joey Mathews, has built his video production businesses to feel like family. From immense empowerment and trust in each individual to creative profit sharing, Joey has built a business that is focused on creating absolutely stunning work all while fostering individual and business health.  Joey’s insights on leading a creative business are so refreshing and inspiring. Don’t fall for the lie that you can’t have beautiful work, a healthy team, and a profitable business; it’s how we should all operate! Key Takeaways Create a culture for your team that is built on mutual trust, an attitude of helping others, and wholeness of health. You limit yourself and your business if you don’t find a way to tap into healthy collaboration. Be creative to make sure that your business is efficient and profitable. Charge what your work is worth, but make sure you are adding so much value that your client feels like they underpaid. About Joey Mathews Joey is an Emmy award winning filmmaker, business owner, husband and father based out of Houston, Texas. He founded 31Films in the early 2000’s, capturing luxury weddings around the world, and launched Filmlab in the early 2010’s, producing story-driven commercial films for brands including: Disney, CBS Sports, Four Seasons and Microsoft. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:45] Meet Joey Mathews [06:47] Balancing creativity of your product with business success [13:18] Building a culture in your business that feels like a family [27:56] Joey’s greatest business milestones [34:22] Making your business profitable [42:10] Passion projects [45:15] Outro Quotes “Being able to say no to some opportunities is hard but I think for the betterment of everyone to not be burnt out, you know, I think it's really important.” [15:18] - Joey Mathews “I think when you're growing a team there has to be, I mean, you have to treat it almost like a marriage, you know, where you're working together towards a common goal and you're helping each other and it's a give and take.” [18:43] - Joey Mathews “I think it's important for people to find ways to scratch that itch and to be able to do that creative work.” [43:57] - Joey Mathews Links Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Joey Mathews online  Follow Joey Mathews on Instagram Follow Film Lab on Instagram Follow 31 Films on Instagram | Facebook Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Book Mentioned Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz

Early in my career I was repulsed by the idea of sales. However, over the years, I have learned just how crucial it is to building a sustainable business. Today on the show I dive into this with my guest, Mario Martinez Jr., who is an absolute sales machine. We focus on leaning into the prospecting side of the sales process to help destroy the feast or famine cycle and set up your business for consistent and reliable revenue! Following Mario’s PVC method will not only make reaching out to new clients so easy, it will make you more effective than ever before at landing these new clients. Don’t settle for simply hoping that prospective clients find their way into your sales pipeline. Use this method with confidence and understanding to actively bring them in! Key Takeaways Focus on actually helping your clients and, in return, your sales will soar. Reverse engineer your client’s desires to find their true motivation. Then capitalize on helping them with that goal. Learn how to prospect successfully to avoid the feast or famine cycle. Master the P.V.C. Method to build connections with potential clients that will eventually lead to sales. About Mario Martinez Jr. Mario is the CEO and Founder of Vengreso. He spent 105 consecutive quarters in B2B Sales, Marketing and Executive Leadership. In 2021, he earned the #1 spot in the Top 10 Most Influential Business Leaders by Beyond Magazine. He is one of 20 sales influencers invited to appear in the Salesforce.com documentary film “The Story of Sales”. He was also named among the Top 10 Sales Influencers by The Modern Sales Magazine and Top 25 Most Influential Inside Sales Professionals. Mario is also the host of the popular The Modern Selling Podcast. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:17] Meet Mario Martinez Jr. [13:34] How to “Help” clients through corporate video [17:41] Reverse engineer what clients really want [21:48] The two sides of sales [25:01] The PVC method of prospecting [27:37] Hyper-personalization [31:40] Adding value [33:13] Call to action [35:49] The most effective way to add value [39:38] Connect with Mario [42:49] Outro Quotes "The greatest salespeople in the world are called business owners, or entrepreneurs. They work off of 100% commission to feed themselves and the company.” [05:18] - Mario Martinez Jr. “Sales is the art of helping.” [10:50] - Mario Martinez Jr. “My best advice to a business owner is; this is the life we choose and make the best of it because it's a great life if you can focus in on the most important things that you need to get done, today.” [42:28] - Mario Martinez Jr. Links Get the The Lead Machine: Website Checklist for Filmmakers FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Connect with Mario Martinez Jr. on LinkedIn Follow Vengreso on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Use Mario's coupon code: 50PERCENTOFF4LIFE  Test out FlyMSG Now and use Mario's coupon code: 50PERCENTOFF4LIFE  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show I talk with my friend Cameron Herold about the frightening, but extremely profitable, step for your business of hiring a second in command. As entrepreneurs, we are often bogged down by the menial tasks of running the business that we never get to spend time growing the business or doing the parts of it that we love. Cameron’s perspective is so valuable in helping us see the importance of hiring a second in command, understanding who to hire for this role, and knowing the right steps to accomplish this game-changing goal. Take back your life and structure your business from the top down in a way that serves you and gives you the bandwidth to create the fulfilled life that you desire!  Key Takeaways Know when it’s time to bring in administrative help, and then eventually a second in command. Building your business to have a solid second in command will free you up to do the things that you love. Reframe the way you think about hiring. You shouldn’t view it as an expense but as gaining an asset that will generate more revenue. It’s your business, you get to make the rules. You are the only reason you are still doing the work that you hate. About Cameron Herold Cameron is the mastermind behind hundreds of company's exponential growth and has earned his reputation as the business growth guru. He has built a dynamic consultancy with clients that include a monarchy and a Big 4 wireless company. The author of 6 books, Cameron is also a top rated international speaker, having spoken on all 7 continents. The founder of the COO Alliance, the World's Leading Network for Seconds in Command, he’s also the host of the Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief podcast, where he interviews COOs and other seconds to share their insights with his listeners. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:55] Meet Cameron Herold [06:01] Why do you need a second in command? [10:49] Finding a second in command that fits your business [17:31] When to take the step of hiring a Number 2 [18:55] The results of a good second in command [21:02] Overcoming the mental roadblocks [23:40] Dealing with the fear of paying someone [29:23] Fractional employees [33:41] The COO Alliance [36:36] Rethinking the Org Chart [37:13] Connect with Cameron Herold [38:24] Outro Quotes “The opportunity is to find a second in command who loves to do the stuff that you don't and who is great at the stuff that you're not and who doesn't want to work on the stuff that you want to work on.” [9:30] - Cameron Herold “You need to hire for attitude and proven skill” [14:31] - Cameron Herold “Here's what's interesting about the entrepreneur: we get to make the rules because it's our business.” [21:44] - Cameron Herold “You don't hold people accountable, you hire accountable people. You don’t manage people, you grow them.” [37:02] - Cameron Herold Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Cameron Herold online Check out the course, Invest In Your Leaders  Follow Cameron Herold on Facebook Connect with Cameron Herold on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Books Mentioned The Second In Command, by Cameron Herold The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs, by Cameron Herold and Hal Elrod

On today’s show I talk about prioritizing health and happiness with Dr. Ellen Wong. Happiness is one of the most fundamental human desires, yet how to truly achieve it is so seldom talked about. Your happiness is not a result of your success, but instead a defining factor of it. Dr. Ellen Wong has studied mental health and happiness for years and is passionate about helping others become truly whole, healthy, and happy. She shares with us some ideas on controlling your time - the one resource that you truly have. She also breaks down her 9 pillars of living a fulfilled and happy life. Start taking steps to live a meaningful life that is full of true happiness and complete inner peace. Key Takeaways  Take control of your time. Define what level of success is required in your business for you to live the life you want. Consistently evaluate the 9 pillars of Happiness in your life and make adjustments as needed. Take the authenticity challenge. About D. Ellen Wong Dr. Ellen Wong is a naturopathic doctor, speaker and Chief Happiness Officer for entrepreneurs and executives. With over a decade of experience, she helps her clients identify the roadblocks that prevent them from living healthy, happy lives. Her signature Pillars of Happiness™ framework guides her clients to build successful businesses while elevating their health, finding more inner peace and taking back control of their time. Ellen’s ultimate goal is to give everyone practical tools to prioritize their happiness as much as their success. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show [2:39] Meet Dr. Ellen Wong [4:05] Becoming a Chief Happiness Officer [12:24] Take control of your time [19:32] Managing time for health as an entrepreneur [27:14] The 9 Pillars of Happiness [31:33] Daily reflection [33:41] Environmental elements that affect mental health and happiness [37:23] The Authenticity Challenge [43:42] Connect with Dr. Ellen Wong [44:48] Outro Quotes  “Health and well-being is not simply the absence of disease.” [5:08] - Dr. Ellen Wong “I think one of the biggest misconceptions about happiness is that we always assume that it's like at the end of some arbitrary goal.” [6:29] - Dr. Ellen Wong “When you think about it, time is literally the only nonrenewable resource you have and so how we spend it is actually crucial.” [14:49] - Dr. Ellen Wong “I really want to turn happiness into the most utilized tool of positive impact in the world.” [25:15] - Dr. Ellen Wong Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Dr. Ellen Wong online  Free Guide: 9 Essential Questions to Ask for a Happier Life Connect with Dr. Ellen Wong on LinkedIn Follow Dr. Ellen Wong on Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

Have you ever wondered how to take the leap from creating client work to producing original content that you are passionate about? Today on the show I talk with D.C. Joseph, founder of Serif Creative, about how he is breaking out into the realm of creating original content with his video production business. Doug has found a way to produce original content while simultaneously maintaining a healthy commercial production business and shares how he was able to make this a reality. Sometimes you have to step out and do what it takes to make your dream happen, regardless of if you feel like the timing is perfect. Focus on the things that you can control and make it happen! Key Takeaways  Don’t neglect thinking like an ad agency even if you are a company of one. Use the 7 story archetypes to build strong foundations for the stories that you produce. How to shift your business to be capable of producing the original content that you want to make. Learn to control what you can and lean into effective preparation in order to succeed. About D.C. (Doug) Joseph D.C. Joseph is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Serif Creative. They help brands achieve creative greatness.  Over the years, he’s become an award-winning, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, a producer of international campaigns, a strategic advisor to C-suite executives, and the Executive Director of the Columbus International Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the U.S. His journey through entrepreneurship has been anything but easy or ordinary. It encompasses learning the art of storytelling in his grandmother's biker bar to competing in mixed martial arts and international grappling tournaments to filming music videos in Iceland. These collective experiences helped him develop his craft of bringing stories to life through film. As brands began to request his work, he saw how he could impact their broader marketing needs, ultimately setting the foundation for Serif Creative. Today, his passion is rooted in Serif—community, team building, and establishing a company that can provide for creatives—continue to grow. They motivate his team and him to seek new experiences to sink their teeth into and eagerly raise the bar when it comes to storytelling and creating meaningful connections.  In This Episode  [0:00] Welcome to the show! [3:03] Meet D.C. Joseph [6:09] Client direct work vs agency work [13:05] The 7 story archetypes [18:27] Creating original content [22:27] Setting up your business for successful, original content creation [33:38] Presenting original content to buyers [43:50] Connect with D.C. [44:47] D.C.’s closing thoughts [46:18] Outro Quotes  “The grass is never greener on the other side, It's where you're watering it. So, the same struggles that you have with client work also exist in producing your own.” [23:53] - D.C. Joseph “Ultimately, the timing will never be right, you just have to make it happen.” [25:48] - D.C. Joseph “I had to decide, do I want to improve my filmmaking or do I really want to improve as an entrepreneur, as a business owner?” [41:40] - Ryan Koral “Control the controllable. There's only so many things you can control. It doesn't do any good to think and get distracted by the things you can't control. So if you want to have a level of control, it all starts with preparation.” [44:59] - D.C. Joseph Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Josh Emerick online Find Doug Joseph online  Follow Serif Creative on Instagram | Facebook Connect with Doug Joseph on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show I explore Lisa McGuire’s unique perspective on personal brands. Everyone has a personal brand, whether they realize it or not. We can all benefit from exploring the different stories that we tell ourselves to better understand who we really are and strengthen our personal brands. A strong personal brand can help propel your business forward by giving it greater clarity and vision. Leverage this clarity of who you are to find clients that you can develop healthy, thriving relationships with. It’s time to really and honestly show up for your business, your clients, your friends, and your family! Key Takeaways  You can benefit from your personal brand even if you don’t want to be the face of your business. Ask the difficult questions to better understand who you are and develop your unique personal brand. Use story to express your strengths, and your weaknesses. Embrace who you are to show up for your business in a powerful way. About Lisa McGuire  Lisa McGuire is a certified business storyteller, personal brand strategist, and founder of Your Passion, Purpose and Personal Brand podcast. Her love for knowledge led her to start her career in education and she went on to become one of the founders of a $20M startup. When Lisa realized her gifts no longer fit into someone else’s script, she took the leap to launch her own business in 2018. She is a strong believer in spending as much time as you can working in your zone of genius. Today, Lisa helps consultants and professional service providers do just that using her signature framework, The Difference Is You. They learn to build a personal brand of integrity by leveraging science-based concepts to create a compelling story. Lisa is married with two children and two grandchildren and lives in Atlanta, Georgia where she’s never too far from a grove of trees or the beach. In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:25] Meet Lisa McGuire [03:17] Lisa's passion for business storytelling [05:05] Lisa's unique approach [08:46] Embrace the size of your company [12:37] Why personal branding [13:37] What is a personal brand [20:16] Finding your unique personal brand [36:10] Connect with Lisa [37:45] Outro Quotes  “But when you can get down to the core of who people are, that's when they come alive.” [4:54] - Lisa McGuire “Your people are looking for you, and if you don't show up, how are they going to find you?” [24:26] - Lisa McGuire “The thing that I have to offer is more important than the way that I feel about what I look like or sound.” [29:24] - Ryan Koral “You don't have to follow the script you've been given or the role you were told to play. You will truly stand out and attract the right people when you show up as that personal brand of integrity.” [37:03] - Lisa McGuire Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Lisa McGuire online  Connect with Lisa McGuire on LinkedIn Follow Lisa McGuire on Instagram | Facebook Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show I talk media exposure with Stephanie Lee! Stephanie is an expert media strategist and shares so much wisdom on getting compelling stories into the media. Most of us think that high profile media coverage is something outside of our reach and is reserved for celebrities or billionaire business owners. In reality, top-tier media coverage is a serious possibility for you and can be an absolute game changer for your business. The media is always hungry for a compelling story. All you have to do is tell your story in the right way and to the right people!  Key Takeaways  Use Stephanie’s “Pitch Like a Pro” framework to develop a popular, relevant, and original story from your life that people will want to share. Media attention has a snowball effect for your business. It continually leads to bigger and better opportunities which then compound into even bigger and better ones in the future. Start gaining traction in the media by telling the right story to the right people. About Stephanie Lee  Stephanie Lee is a media strategist and founder of Clout Monster, where we teach entrepreneurs, creatives, and businesses how to get top-tier media attention and exposure. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show! [4:29] Meet Stephanie Lee [7:27] Finding your voice [15:04] The importance of media attention [22:49] The nature of visibility and the press [29:17] Getting noticed and being confident in your value [37:18] “Pitch Like a Pro” Framework [47:11] Practical next step [48:48] Connect with Stephanie [50:57] Outro Quotes “This is an industry of credibility, right? People like to work with people they know, like, and trust.” - Stephanie Lee [18:49] “The nature of visibility and press, you know, the more press you get, the more visible you get and naturally the more opportunities open up.” - Stephanie Lee [22:59] “you can't deny the network effect that having press and being so visible gives you because all of a sudden people want to talk to you and when you know more people, that opens up more opportunities. That just leads to growth.” - Stephanie Lee [25:07] “The easiest way that I tell everybody to make your story original is to make it a personal story, right? When you talk about yourself, you talk about your own backstory, your own unique circumstances and lessons that automatically makes it original, even if, like, the takeaways are, you know, not entirely original, but there's so many universal, applicable lessons that the reader will still be able to find valuable.” - Stephanie Lee [44:18] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Stephanie Lee on Instagram | Twitter Read Cloutmonster’s Newsletter Stephanie’s exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a REAL pitch Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes page What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On today’s show I want to share from my heart something that is deeply important to me - community. This is one of the major factors that drives what we do here at Studio Sherpas. We all need healthy, thriving community in our lives. It’s the reason I’m where I am now. Community is where you can be yourself, celebrate your wins, and most importantly have people who care about you to carry you when times get too difficult to keep going alone. We all reach those times in our lives and businesses where we just don’t know what to do or how to move forward. In those moments we need strong and loving people around us to help carry us to the other side. Find your people, it will change your life for the better and you won’t regret it.  Key Takeaways  Find your people - this is how we are wired to thrive. By yourself you won’t go as far as you can when in a strong community. Don’t allow the scarcity mindset to limit you or affect the way you view others. The work you do is important. You can’t do it sustainably without a strong business and a healthy community. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show [3:59] The importance of community in Ryan’s life [17:05] Launching Studio Sherpas [23:38] About the Studio Sherpas community [27:32] 10X Filmmaker [36:41] Outro Quotes “When I think about what I do today and what brings me life today, it's this, it's this word community.” [7:52] “In my heart of hearts, I really think that we were designed for community.” [24:56] “Because here's the thing. Like if you don't have a good business, you can't do this work for for a long time. And I just believe so much that the stories we're telling, the stories that we want to tell, the way that we're helping our clients, the way that we're doing that through video, it's so important. It's like some of the most important work that exists.” [25:42] “Content, coaching, and community, I think those things can propel your business into the next stage and honestly make it more enjoyable.” [30:12] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Sign up for 10xFILMMAKER Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show we take a bit of a scientific look at one of the most valuable tools for generating new clients - referrals. Stacey Brown Randall has developed a system for building your business into one that thrives by using client referrals, all without ever having to awkwardly ask for them. Once you are able to capitalize on good, quality referrals you will realize just how much impact they can have for your business while investing very little time. This healthy system of referrals can be your key to developing a more sustainable business than you have ever had before. Your clients are human beings, if you treat them with the care and respect that they deserve and be intentional with your relationship with them, then you will develop sincerely loyal referral sources that feel good about referring you.  Key Takeaways  Referrals can be your most valuable and time-efficient source of new clients. Develop a referable client experience that goes beyond the work that you provide to make people want to refer you. Focus on impacting how your referral sources feel about you. Create reasonable and effective touch points to foster healthy relationships with your referral sources. About Stacey Brown Randall Stacey Brown Randall is the multiple award-winning author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, host of the Roadmap to Grow Your Business podcast, and national speaker.  Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally… without manipulating, incentivizing or even asking.  She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master’s in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids. In This Episode  [0:00] Welcome to the show! [4:03] Meet Stacey Brown Randall [5:06] Stacey’s business background [16:32] The value of a successful referral system [24:26] Making the referral process feel genuine and natural [27:17] The science of referrals [31:15] Setting up your business for referrals [35:41] Key referral tactics [42:55] How to start a healthy relationship with your referral sources [47:29] Connect with Stacey Brown Randall [49:23] Outro Quotes “I know everybody can do anything for a short amount of time. But I needed something for longevity.” [9:59] - Stacey Brown Randall “To get to a point where a client would actually want to refer you, it's not just the work you produced, because if it were just the work you produced, every single client you've ever had that you've done great work for would be referring you.” [32:45] - Stacey Brown Randall “When we can impact how our referral source feels about us, we've then earned the opportunity to direct how they think about us.” [39:40] - Stacey Brown Randall “Here's the number one question people need to ask themselves. Do I believe that I should take care of the people who take care of my business? And if your answer to that is yes, then you probably need a plan in place to actually show them that gratitude.” [41:12] - Stacey Brown Randall Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Stacey Brown Randall online Stacey Brown Randall’s Podcast Connect with Stacey on LinkedIn Follow Stacey on Instagram | Facebook Free, On-Demand Webinar: Referral Ninja Roadmap Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On today’s show I talk with my good friend Linda Fogg-Phillips about effectively creating habits. Leveraging habits in your life, the correct way, can be so valuable to building the business and life that you truly want. Linda has developed a super simple system for creating habits that stick and have lasting impact while exerting almost no willpower. It all starts with small intentional decisions that act as seeds which naturally grow into life-changing habits. With this system you can maintain a positive mindset in almost any situation and become an unstoppable force in this world! Key Takeaways Use the ABCs of the tiny habits system to establish an anchor moment, attach a tiny behavior to that anchor, and then celebrate every successful step. Rewards do not create habits. The positive emotions connected to instant celebration builds habits. Embrace the Maui Habit into your everyday life. Through specificity engineer routines that are built on habits and will grow your business into what you want it to be. About Linda Fogg-Phillips Linda’s work focuses on behavior change and habit design. She is the Director of Tiny Habits® Academy, which offers courses that teach individuals and professionals how to create habits quickly and easily… without relying on willpower.  As the mother of eight children, Linda has had her own behavior change and habit design laboratory for 37 years. She has a master’s degree in Health Promotion and Exercise Physiology. Linda is the host of the soon to be launched podcast, Pearl Habits; Creating beauty and positivity from life’s challenges.  Linda has spent over 33 years studying health behaviors, including nutrition, fitness, and mental health.  Her mission in life is to help others live a happier and healthier life by creating sustainable lifestyle behavior changes and habits that positively impact health. She has virtually coached over 15,000 people worldwide.  She is recognized by the American Council on Exercise as an expert in virtual coaching, habit formation and behavior change. She is a contributing author and expert for the ACE Behavior Change Certification Program. Linda is an international author, public speaker, and consultant. She is the author of two books about understanding the online behavior of adolescents; Facebook for Parents and Facebook for Educators. Linda is a featured social media and family health expert in the media and in publications such as the New York Times, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. During 2009 - 2013, Linda was the adolescent behavior expert and online safety consultant for Facebook, Inc. Linda was commissioned by Facebook to write their first Facebook Online Safety Guide for Educators. Linda is a regular guest lecturer at Stanford University. In 2015, Linda was crowned Ms. United States of America Woman of Achievement. In 2018 she was awarded the title Women of Achievement Legacy Queen, which is a lifetime designation. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show [4:26] Meet Linda Fogg-Phillips [7:59] Linda’s story [11:40] The ABCs of the Tiny Habit system [24:52] Overcoming the awkwardness of celebration [29:12] Myths regarding habit creation [34:56] Applying habits and routine to your business [40:07] Living with a positive mindset [43:58] The human behavior behind the Tiny Habits system [52:24] The habit every business leader should create [55:22] Connect with Linda [57:16] Outro Quotes “Rewards do not create habits. Rewards are great, but it's the instant attachment of a positive motion that creates a habit.” - Linda Fogg-Phillips [15:15] “The behavior needs to be so tiny that there's no resistance to doing that behavior and there's no willpower or motivation needed.” - Linda Fogg-Phillips [21:51] “The reality is it's our emotions that create habits and so tapping into those emotions to use them positively to create the life that we want is really key.” - Linda Fogg-Phillips [34:39] "The number one thing that's most important about habit formation is confidence. The confidence that you have the ability to make changes in your life and you have a systematic approach that actually works.- Linda Fogg-Phillips [39:17] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Linda Fogg-Phillips online  Free 5-Day Tiny Habits program Tiny Habits Coach Certification training program Pearl Habits with Linda Fogg-Phillips  Follow Linda Fogg-Phillips on Instagram | Facebook Connect with Linda Fogg-Phillips on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today on the show I have a wonderful conversation with my good friend Cliff Ravenscraft. Cliff has been able to build a very successful and fulfilling life and is passionate about helping you do the same. One of the most important aspects in order to thrive is your beliefs. Every belief has a consequence and collectively they dictate everything about your life, yet so often we pay very little attention to them. In this episode, Cliff explains how to become aware of these beliefs and empower yourself to be intentional with what you believe. Dream big, and never stop dreaming. You are able to live a life that is far more than you can imagine. Standing on the correct beliefs will be what propels you into living that dream life. Cliff also shares his secret 10 step process to achieve ANY goal, guaranteed. Don’t let anything hold you back from living your life to the fullest! Key Takeaways  Every belief has a consequence. Discover your beliefs and manage them properly to serve you well. Never stop dreaming and growing. Diligently follow Cliff’s 10 step formula to achieve any goal. About Cliff Ravenscraft Cliff Ravenscraft is a Life Transformation Expert available as a business mentor, a professional coach and a motivational speaker. He has learned what is necessary to create change that lasts in mindset and human behavior and applied it to every area of his life. He built an online business where he became the world's leading authority on podcasting. He is personally responsible for training more than 40,000 people on the successful launch of their podcast. In September 2017, he made a decision to shut down 100% of all income streams from a half a million dollar per year business, so that he could focus all of his work time, effort and energy on what he felt most passionate about doing in the world. Today, he is now experiencing greater fulfillment and profitability than he ever dreamed imaginable.   Professionally, Cliff coaches others where he has the incredible honor of going on a journey with his clients, as they CREATE the life of their dreams. In This Episode  [0:00] Welcome to the show! [3:54] Meet Cliff Ravenscraft [5:37] Cilff’s journey to where he is now [10:11] The mental challenges of stepping into something new [18:27] Overcoming financial hurdles to reach your dreams [22:36] Managing your beliefs [36:23] Setting the right goals [46:09] The 10 steps to achieve any goal [1:01:38] Finding true joy in life [1:03:48] Connect with Cliff [1:11:16] Outro Quotes "The reason why people get stuck inside of the cage that they’re in is because they can’t see their life, they can’t imagine, they can’t dream about what life would be like.” Cliff Ravenscraft [25:15] "If you’re already dreaming, don’t quit your daydream. And also don’t quit your day job just yet.” Cliff Ravenscraft [26:26] "What you believe unequivocally determines how you will think and feel about any topic.” Cliff Ravenscraft [27:16] “There is no joy in the achievement of goals. The true joy is the pursuit of something worthwhile.” Cliff Ravenscraft [1:02:01] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Sign up for the 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Find Cliff Ravenscraft online  Get your free session from Cliff’s Free The Dream Online Course titled "All Beliefs Have Consequences" Follow Cliff Ravenscraft on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Cliff Ravenscraft on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

The show today is a very special show where I take some time to reflect on all that has gone on in my business journey in 2022. We talk about it all: the wins, the losses, things that I have learned, and things that I’m excited about for this upcoming year! I love to sit down like this to evaluate all that is going on and find clarity on how to move forward. My hope for you is that you would take what is happening in my journey and learn from both my mistakes and my successes. I want to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to build the thriving business of your dreams. You have what it takes to build the business that will support the life that you want to live and bring true fulfillment to you!  Key Takeaways Build the business of your dreams, not one that you become a slave of. Learn from hard times and take advantage of them as opportunities to propel you to greater heights than ever before. Create a strategy for growth and a specific plan to execute that strategy well. Fewer, yet more impactful, goals are far better than many scattered goals.  In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show [2:55] Wins from 2022 [14:12] The biggest challenge of 2022 [27:08] More wins [33:47] What I learned in 2022 [48:52] What I am most excited about moving forward [56:40] Outro Quotes "If I've been able to build this kind of a business over the last 18 years, there is hope for you." [05:15] "Number one: Don't just rely on social media... The other part of the strategy, at least right now (for you) probably, you need to be out meeting people."  [22:30] "The best way, the fastest way for you to get momentums is to be in the presence of other people." [23:24] "Having a strategy to reach out to past clients and to say, "Hey, let's have conversations around what your strategy is for next year," again stay top of mind, add value, that was one of the best things that we did." [25:10] "I think it's great to have really big goals - big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs). I think it's good to have those, to dream about that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day, when I look at the end of this year, without me having to work 60 hours a week, what can I get done? [35:37]  Links Add guest links they shared in the interview form as well as any pertinent links shared during the interview FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On today’s show we talk with Matt Clark about overcoming mental and emotional roadblocks that are hindering both yourself and your business from being all that they can be. Matt shares personal stories from his heart, and his research in psychology, to walk through overcoming the imposter syndrome that will sabotage your success and fulfillment. Overcoming this and fixing the lens through which you view the world will change everything in your life and business. Don’t let these things hold you back any longer. You have what it takes to reach higher than your highest goals and close the biggest deal of your video production career.  Key Takeaways  Be honest with yourself to come to a point of clarity in your mindset. Do what it takes to fix your perspective of yourself and the world. Value and honor yourself so that you can confidently charge what you are truly worth. Follow Matt’s framework to believe in yourself and see your business succeed. About Matt Clark Matt Clark is a Speaker and expert Team Strategist. His focus on the neuroscience of belief formation and core belief transformation, coupled with  his experience as a NASCAR championship Pit Crew Coach for drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, gives him a unique perspective on mindset and performance. Matt understands the challenges of imposter syndrome, developing leaders, building teams and achieving results in an extremely competitive environment. His passion is to help high performers build a championship mindset as well as helping business leaders develop teams that drive performance. Along with doing time as an on air analyst for FOX Sports1, Matt has presented at conferences for AIRGAS International, CORNING USA, S&D Coffee, Grand Canyon University. He’s also appeared on numerous podcasts including Fireprenuers, the 80/20 Podcast, Indie Pods Unite, the Joe Soto Show and Tenaciously Human. His personal and professional journey has given him valuable insights and experience on life and business. In This Episode  [0:00] Welcome to the show [2:47] Meet Matt Clark [4:45] A quick fun story [6:44] Matt’s personal journey [13:45] The moment of realization that changed everything [21:58] The importance of recognizing the imposter syndrome [25:13] Keys to unlocking your potential and overcoming the imposter syndrome [37:57] The power of the subconscious [43:39] Monitoring the inputs of your mind [57:33] Connect with Matt Clark [58:31] Outro Quotes "What I consider success nowadays is building strong relationships and empowering people to unlock the potential.” - Matt Clark [4:16] “If you have experienced trauma, and it’s not your fault, you have to forgive yourself” - Matt Clark [34:32] “I want people to be released from, hey, I’m not enough to like, you know what, I am enough.” - Matt Clark [37:45] “Let’s start with the things that people see in us that are good.” - Ryan Koral [54:48] “The stories we tell ourselves are the lives we live out and our beliefs drive our destiny.” - Matt Clark [57:09] Quotes "What I consider success nowadays is building strong relationships and empowering people to unlock the potential.” - Matt Clark [4:16] “If you have experienced trauma, and it’s not your fault, you have to forgive yourself” - Matt Clark [34:32] “I want people to be released from, hey, I’m not enough to like, you know what, I am enough.” - Matt Clark [37:45] “Let’s start with the things that people see in us that are good.” - Ryan Koral [54:48] “The stories we tell ourselves are the lives we live out and our beliefs drive our destiny.” - Matt Clark [57:09] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Matt Clark online  Follow Matt Clark on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Matt Clark on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Podcasts are the name of the game today! We sit down with Danny Ozment to have a conversation about using podcasts to promote your video business. You’ll even get a little insight into why this podcast exists.  A podcast has the potential to be a complete game changer for your business, but it needs to be done right. Danny explains just how to structure and market your podcast so that it will be found, build trust between you and future clients, and act as a launching pad for loads of social media content. A podcast can be your door into creating the lasting, long term client base that you want and help you impact the world more than you ever dreamed possible.  Key Takeaways  Podcasting is the long form version of content marketing. Utilize this and repurpose it to create other forms of social content with little extra effort. Use your podcast to build trust with prospective clients and set your business apart from the competition. Structure your podcast for the specific goal that you have for it. Market your podcast effectively so that the correct people find it. About Danny Ozment  Danny Ozment is a business strategist and podcast consultant for busy professionals and solopreneurs who want to create podcasts that build brand loyalty and make their marketing efforts more effective. His goal is to help you clarify your message and publish engaging content that creates customers who trust you before they buy and can’t wait to tell the world about you. Danny’s refreshing approach as the owner of Emerald City Productions has made him a sought-after speaker, online educator, and consultant for major corporations and thought leaders. His clients include Salesforce, LinkedIn, the John Maxwell Team, Mike Kim, and The Dijulius Group. He is the host of the highly-rated podcast, Podcast Strategies for Growing Your Business, Community, and Influence. He has spoken at industry-leading events including Podcast Movement and Mediavine. Right now, Danny is wearing out his Walt Disney World annual pass with his wife and 2 kids. When he’s not on Pirates of the Caribbean, he spends his days on a mission helping podcasters change the world one download at a time. The free tips he provides at dannyozment.com, guarantee you’ll launch and grow a podcast that will impact the world. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show! [3:01] Meet Danny Ozment [5:10] Danny’s most rewarding experiences with podcasting [12:08] Using a podcast to market your video business [20:38] How to efficiently and successfully produce a podcast [35:29] How a podcast influences future clients to trust you [38:12] Structuring your podcast to meet your specific goals [44:58] Marketing your podcast [48:06] Connect with Dan [51:00] Outro Quotes “By helping people get these stories out, get these conversations out, that I was reaching now thousands, tens of thousands, millions of people.” - Danny Ozment [7:03] “Often the listeners to a podcast build a relationship that is similar to a friendship with the host.” - Danny Ozment [18:38] “It is the disease that entrepreneurs all have, it would just be quicker if I do it myself. That’s a lie.” - Ryan Koral [31:50] “That is the way: being an expert, borrowing audiences and bringing them back to your podcast, and then also working with your current audience.” - Danny Ozment [47:00] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Danny Ozment online  Danny’s Company: Emerald City Productions Download “Your podcast Roadmap” Follow Danny Ozment on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Connect with Danny Ozment on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On her journey from actress to film producer, Madelaine Anderson has learned some tricks to balancing creative expression and business leadership. Today we talk about this balance and look into retaining lasting revenue for your business by marketing with the present AND the future in mind. Setting smart goals that lead to success is key for getting your business and life to the place that you dream of. We also get a special sneak peek into Madelaine’s specific and well-defined goals for the upcoming year!  Key Takeaways  Utilize passion projects to develop a community and gain traction. Thoughtfully consider a two-fold marketing strategy that plans for both the present and the future. Get in the “reps” in your field to gain expertise and influence. Build a creative community and healthy network for long-term success. Craft a specific, well-defined, and achievable plan for your business. About Madelaine Anderson Madelaine is the co-founder & creative director of Talus Films, a full-service production company that specializes on video & film rooted in storytelling & adventure for mission/purpose-driven brands, organizations, and individuals. We're passionate about leaving the world a little better than we found it and donate to have trees planted to aid reforestation efforts for every project we work on and produce. Madelaine is passionate about using video to tell stories, amplify voices and messages, and help others build awareness of their work. Madelaine wears many hats in the film world including producer, creative director, production designer, and actor. When she's not in front of or behind the camera, she can be found hiking, camping, or backpacking her way through a National Park, traveling the US or internationally, hanging out with her husband, young daughter, and pup, or training as an aerialist on silks. In This Episode  [0:00] Intro [2:55] Meet Madelaine Anderson [3:43] Madelaine’s background [6:48] Managing creativity and business [13:23] Game changers for Talus Films [17:53] Developing a passion project to build community [21:04] Landing jobs consistently [31:56] Why story matters [39:19] Preparing for potential future challenges [42:01] Future-casting and setting smart goals [48:16] Connect with Madelaine [49:24] Outro Quotes "So much of how we approach people and talk to people is very much, you know, just grounded in humanity so it doesn’t become about the sale.” - Madelaine Anderson [21:30] “It feels like a long game sometimes but all of those different relationships start to build up into something that then becomes a pipeline that you can rely on.” - Madelaine Anderson [22:13] “Don’t let them try to guess what you are, right? Craft the story, take control of the narrative as you’re leading them in your website, or your social, or your Vimeo account, or wherever. Let them know what it is that you care about the most. - Ryan Koral [38:08] “Your passion doesn’t mean that other people aren’t passionate about telling that same story.” - Madelaine Anderson [40:37] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Find Madelaine Anderson online  Connect with Talus Films on LinkedIn Follow Talus Films on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Books Mentioned Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman

Today on the show we look at the value of incorporating the human touch when dealing with clients. Your relationship with a client starts far before most think it does and should last far longer than the duration of your project with them. We talk with Katrina Scarlett about what this relationship should look like and how to capitalize on referral marketing to leverage this infinite cyclical loop and ensure future business with your clients while also turning them into a customer generating system that lands new clients! Key Takeaways  The customer service journey is not simply about the purchase, it is an infinite loop that is full of opportunity and potential. Find ways to add value to your clients through what you offer rather than resorting to discounts. Leverage your current customer base to not only strengthen your relationship with them, but also to generate new clients. Shift the heart of your business to be about the service that you are able to provide for people and the value that you add to their lives, the revenue is just a means to achieve that goal. About Katrina Scarlett Katrina Scarlett is the founder and CEO of Scarlett & Co. — a company that helps businesses create lasting legacies of raving, loyal fans through their mind-blowing customer experience. With a background in the luxury hospitality industry and years of providing tech and integration support to high-level business owners, Katrina has a unique ability to view digital business from a customer-centric lens. Knowing how automated and impersonal the digital business world can be, she is on a mission to bring customer experience and the human element to the forefront of online businesses.   In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show [06:09] Meet Katrina Scarlett [07:42] What Katrina is all about [10:11] Avoid this purchase-centric mindset [12:46] The customer service loop [18:08] Practical ways to keep the cycle moving [23:09] Leveraging your current customer base [38:09] Dealing with difficult client interactions [55:54] How to connect with Katrina [58:11] Outro Quotes  “I’m on a mission to help people bring the human element back into, or into, online business.” [7:43] “You have to think about your customer journey and the customer experience that you’re offering in your business as an infinite loop.” [13:31] “I have one rule for myself every single day and it’s doing at least one thing as an act of service for somebody else that’s not on my to-do list. [35:03] “We don’t get better as human beings when we just avoid conflict.” [42:54] “Once you can get really clear on who you serve, but as well who you don’t serve, you will save yourself a lot of heartache. [46:35] Links Add guest links they shared in the interview form as well as any pertinent links shared during the interview FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Dive into the Mastermind Group Check out the all new Coaching Community Find Katrina Scarlett online  Follow Katrina Scarlett on Facebook Get the complimentary guide: "5 Customer-Centric Emails Every Business Needs In Its Arsenal to Create Raving, Loyal Fans" Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Books Mentioned The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman The Five Languages of Apology, by Gary Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas

Today we crack open the box with Krista Miller and learn how to leverage virtual summits to grow your business. A virtual summit is an amazing way to propel your business forward drastically by creating connections, developing trust, and setting yourself up as an expert in the field that you work. Don’t let the feeling of being overwhelmed stop you from the explosive connections and long-lasting sustainability that is possible when you open your business to the world of virtual summits.  Key Takeaways Create great online events that people want to engage with and helps them to reach their specific goals. Grow a solid email list to start relationships that turn into jobs. Break things down into practical steps to prevent becoming overwhelmed with starting a summit. Lean into summits for long-term growth for your business that will lead to sustainability. About Krista Miller At Summit in a Box®, Krista helps you replace slow-growth and costly marketing strategies with a high-converting virtual summit that will multiply your revenue and lead to your biggest course, membership, or group program launch yet. Her method incorporates highly-targeted positioning and feel-good, engagement based strategies that lead to  higher than average conversion rates, true connections, and making a difference through your summit in a way that creates ongoing benefits for months after the event wraps up. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show! [4:37] Meet Krista Miller [5:31] What is a summit? [9:00] Making an online event GREAT [11:57] Krista’s first summit [14:48] How video businesses can use summits [20:18] The importance of a strong email list [25:47] Structuring a summit [30:11] Paid versus free summits [40:35] Overcoming the feeling of being overwhelmed [43:19] Krista's tools for hosting great summits [48:49] Outro Quotes “There has to be a point. It has to be for a specific group of people and actually help them move close to a goal they have.” [9:52] “The sustainability is what I want you to have… I want you five years from now, ten years from now for this thing to just build like a snowball.” [23:27] “Go ugly early, you don’t learn until you launch, done is better than perfect.” [47:27] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Dive into the Mastermind Group Check out the all new Coaching Community Get the Virtual Summit Funnel Roadmap  Follow Krista Miller on Instagram | Pinterest Join the Summit Host Hangout on Facebook Check out The Summit Host Hangout Podcast Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It can be challenging to understand how to navigate handling your personal and business brands. On today’s episode Mike Kim is able to shed some light on the relationship between these two and help us realize just how much who you are can benefit your business brand. This personal touch to your business will be what equips you to shift your marketing into developing a relationship with your client, not about closing a sale. Mike Kim also shares some of his experience with the importance of having a strong support community in order for your business to succeed.   Key Takeaways Join a community that will develop you and your business while helping you achieve success. Integrate changes to your business with consistency. For impactful change consistency is far more important than intensity. Your personal brand is the single most valuable defining factor of your business brand, so take advantage of it. When marketing strive to open a relationship with the client, not simply focus on making a sale.   About Mike Kim Mike Kim is a brand strategist for business thought leaders, coaches, and authors who want to create impact with their ideas and get their message heard. Mike’s refreshing approach has made him a sought-after speaker, online educator, and consultant for top thought leaders. Mike’s clients include New York Times bestselling authors and other experts featured on PBS, TED, CNN, and Fox. Mike has been featured in and written for Inc., Entrepreneur, and The Huffington Post. Mike is the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book, You Are the Brand: The 8-Step Blueprint to Showcase Your Unique Expertise and Build a Highly Profitable, Personally Fulfilling Business. He has spoken at industry leading events including Social Media Marketing World, Tribe Conference, and Podcast Movement. He has been a guest on leading podcasts like Smart Passive Income, Entrepreneurs on Fire, and Read to Lead. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show! [2:18] Meet Mike Kim [9:01] The importance of Mastermind communities [21:58] You are the brand [29:11] Marketing to build relationship, not close sales [32:20] Building a client relationship from nothing [37:44] Do I have to be a personal brand? [49:16] Outro Quotes “I believe you have to stay close to the fire of growing people, that’s it.” [10:10] “If you aren’t taking care of yourself and you’re not continually pushing yourself to grow, neither will your business.” [10:47] “Consistency is often greater than intensity.” [16:36] “But in this day and age, especially with all of the stuff on social media that we do, a brand is what people say about you before you even get in the room.” [23:15] “Marketing isn’t about closing a sale, it’s about opening a relationship.” [29:25]   Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Mike Kim online Connect with Mike Kim on LinkedIn Get your copy of The 5-Step Formula to Write Your “About Me” Page Follow Mike Kim on Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Join Mike Kim’s Mailing List Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the show we give you a peek behind the curtain into something that has made our business what it is today. We look at the 5 things that we use to structure our quarterly rhythm meetings and determine the direction of the business. These things help you understand the state of your business, define a clear vision for where you want it to go, and discover what to do daily to actually see the results you want. Take advantage of these 5 things to grow your business into the business of your dreams.  Key Takeaways  It takes intentionality to control your business instead of being controlled by your business. Start with the end in mind to set long-term goals and then break them down into achievable steps. Marketing without a clear strategy is a waste of time. Implement these 5 things to see massive growth and clarity in your business. in This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [11:43] Breaking down long-term goals into achievable steps [15:40] Step #1 - review the previous 90 days [20:14] Step #2 - revisit long-term goals [24:45] Step #3 - core values, focus, and market strategy [30:31] Step #4 - set new goals [34:56] Step #5 - IDS (Issue - Discuss - Solve) [41:53] Practical resources to help your business thrive [44:58] Outro Quotes  “I can create videos for a living and people will pay me for that. That is amazing, but at the same time also I was like I want to have flexibility in my schedule and be able to do the stuff that I want to do when I want to do it. That sounds amazing too.” [2:45] “That’s the whole point, so that we can be better in the future. So we can show up for ourselves, our team, our clients and be better.” [19:47] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Dive into the Mastermind Group Check out the all new Coaching Community Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Books Mentioned Traction, by Gino Wickman The EOS Life: How to Live Your Ideal Entrepreneurial Life, by Gino Wickman

Today on the show we get a little scientific…  My guest and good friend, Dr. Eugene Choi, gives some unique perspective into visual storytelling from his background in clinical pharmacy and neuroscience. He breaks down his process for creating wildly successful content that people can’t help but share. You’ll also learn Dr. Choi’s secret to pitch to potential clients in a way that becomes a service to them and compels them to ask YOU about what you have to offer. All of this comes along with Dr. Choi’s dream for you to truly understand and achieve personal mastery over your own mind, which makes all the difference in your business and in your life. Key Takeaways Tap into the recipe of success for creating insanely sharable content. Always consider the 4 steps of awareness to meet your viewer, or client, where they are and lead them to their emotional “aha” moment. Personal mastery is one of the most important things that you can develop in your personal and professional life. About Dr. Eugene Choi Dr. Eugene K. Choi, Pharm. D, is a Certified Transformational Mindset coach and Board-certified Clinical Pharmacist that helps talented heart-driven leaders operate at their highest levels of clarity, energy and focus. Utilizing his expertise in clinical pharmacy, neuroscience, and business coaching, his unique science-backed process along with the use of groundbreaking technology helps entrepreneurs figure out how to dramatically improve performance, innovate dynamic solutions, and achieve their goals. His articles have reached over 9 million people and he has helped hundreds of leaders significantly transform their results at both a professional and personal level. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show [6:18] Meet Dr. Eugene Choi [8:52] Dr. Choi’s early career and intro into filmmaking [12:41] Breaking down viral success for content [14:31] Getting to the emotional “a-ha” moment [18:17] The 4 phases of awareness [22:49] Using these techniques to pitch a brand story [29:54] Developing a niche to better understand your clients and guide them to awareness [38:03] Utilizing the pitch technique for any type of video [42:11] Achieving self mastery to remain at your highest level of creativity [48:40] Connect with Dr. Choi [49:38] Prioritize your relationship with yourself [53:59] Outro Quotes  “How can you create a piece of content that makes the viewer sit there and go, ‘Do I want to share this?’” [13:31] “It’s that question of, like, are you trying bring the person to where you’re at, are you willing to go where they’re at and be the Sherpa that brings them to where they want to go?” [24:22] “That’s what we’ve been doing over the past 15 years. We’ve been crafting these powerful stories that influence people’s behaviors to help them do for themselves what’s best for themselves.” [26:38] “If I don’t take good care of myself and I allow myself to get burnt out, all of those things I’m doing for other people were for me anyway. It’s to try to relieve my insecurity that I carry.” [52:03] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Studio Sherpas Mastermind Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Find Dr. Eugene Choi online and access free training Follow Dr. Eugene Choi on Instagram Dr. Eugene Choi’s podcast The Neurohacking Podcast Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week is a blast as we explore some very creative business strategies with Tony Gnau. Content marketing is a tool that Tony relies on heavily to add value to his customers while also building his credibility and drawing in new clients. We look into taking the time to audition your clients to find ones that align with your core values and then working those clients into a retainer system that creates consistent income and a mutually beneficial relationship between you and your client! Key Takeaways Use quality content marketing to set yourself up as an expert in your field and draw in quality clients. Be proactive to think about both the short term AND the long term strategy or your life and business. Use the retainer business model to create consistent income with clients you want to work with. Make sure you are clear on your core values and audition clients to find ones who mesh with those values.  About Tony Gnau Tony Gnau is the Founder and Chief Storytelling Officer at T60 Productions. He’s a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, has led T60 Productions to winning 17 Telly Awards for its corporate videos, and is the author of the book Lights, Camera, Impact: storytelling, branding, and production tips for engaging corporate videos. He has created videos for the likes of CommonSpirit Health, Walgreen’s, Catholic Health Initiatives, United Airlines, US Bank, Goose Island Beer Company, as well as NBA legend Dwyane Wade. Tony has written over 700 blog posts on video marketing and also speaks on the subject to communications professionals at conferences such as Content Marketing World. Finally, Tony is a former USC Trojan football player, Star Wars geek, and a devoted husband and father. In This Episode [0:00] Welcome to the show [5:14] Meet Tony [7:32] Finding fulfillment in visual storytelling [9:34] The immense value of Content Marketing [19:27] Video production client retainer model [25:06] Auditioning for clients that align with your core values [31:26] Details of Tony’s retainer system [35:17] How to bring out your client’s story [39:59] Best practices for interviewing [44:23] Tony’s book [49:48] Outro Quotes "Do both. Don’t just think short term, play the long game. In all of the things that you are doing. In investing with your money, investing in relationships, investing in your business.” [17:07] “When you have this retainer thing setup and someone signs up for it, it’s like holy cow, we just get a check every single month!” [21:44] “We want to tell stories and we want to do the job that we enjoy doing but at the end of the day we are doing it for money so let’s set ourselves up for as much success in that area that we can.” [24:43] “Instead of just out of desperation taking on any client, it’s like hey let’s just dig in a little bit here and let’s make sure that we both are going to benefit from this relationship. If we do, then we’re both winning.” [26:24] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Tony Gnau online  Follow Tony Gnau on Facebook | Twitter Connect with Tony Gnau on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On the show this week we sit down with the wildly successful video business mastermind, Kevin Anson. We take a bit of a dive into his journey into the video ad space. Kevin shares some important key ingredients to make killer video ads while building up a video business that supports and fits your lifestyle.   We also talk about some keys to gathering a clientele that you love to work with and build an impressive portfolio that will be your best marketing tool.  Key Takeaways Get out there and learn what it takes to make video ads that WORK. Be persistent, clever, and targeted when searching for new clients.  Build a portfolio of work that you love for clients that you want to work with, and who pay what you are worth.  About Kevin Anson  Kevin has taught over 2,000 students how to create high performing marketing videos online. He has produced over 10,000 marketing videos over the past 18 years. He has also worked with world famous marketers like Russell Brunson, Tai Lopez, Brendon Burchard, Grant Cardone, Frank Kern, Dean Graziosi & Tony Robbins, Mike Tyson, Daymond John, and numerous Fortune 500 brands.  In This Episode [0:00] Introduction  [3:17] Meet Kevin Anson!  [4:55] Building amazing clientele  [14:15] Kevin’s journey into producing video ads  [18:07] Developing the video formula  [18:57] Kevin's process for developing ads with a client  [24:07] Tips for getting new clients [29:31] Pitching credibility for your business  [35:19] Best practices for creating video ads  [41:11] How to start producing successful video ads for clients  [48:44] How to get in touch with Kevin  [52:01] Outro  Quotes “When clients reach back out to you and say, ‘Yeah! That video got me more signups on my website’ or you know, it helped us fill the seats at an event, or whatever it is. That’s what this is all about and that’s the exciting part of it” [17:39]  “You have to think in the viewer mindset of ‘what’s in it for me’. The more success you’ll have with creating video ads like that for your potential clients.” [43:59]  “Yeah you might upset a client or two along the way but don’t let that stop you and don’t tell yourself that you’re not cut out for this because it happens to all of us.” [48:29]  Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Kevin Anson online  Download the Video Formula Cheatsheet 7 Figure Ads - Broadcast Channel  VidTao - YouTube Ads Made Easy Follow Kevin Anson on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

We're talking about the negatives of the hustle culture and how Jill has achieved working less while making more by going from working 5 days a week to only 12 hours a week. We're also unpacking the creative and scientific formulas. We also talk about strategy versus tactics in marketing and why it's very important for you to know the difference.  Key Takeaways You need space to grow your business Hire someone else to do the busy work so you can focus on generating more money Be authentic online so as to attract the right clients About Jill Wise Not quite fitting into a single title, Jill Wise is a business and marketing problem solver. She pushes through the noise of the online world and the "rules" of what you're supposed to do, instead guiding her clients to show up authentically as they build, grow, and scale businesses that feel good to them. In This Episode  How Jill makes money and what it looks like today compared to early in her career [4:48] Thinking differently about the hours you work [8:36] What Jill removed from her workload and how she manages her time [12:25] Your team needs to be thinking about their time and how they fit in your business  [18:59] How to stop pitching yourself and have people come to you [26:13] You need to attract the clients you want to work with [31:56] Build your authority in order to charge more [34:01] How to improve your sales calls [37:02] Where to find Jill and some of her freebies on offer [42:27] Quotes “If you can really look at what it is that you’re doing today and where you’re wasting time, I can bet that you can cut time out… That’s how I got down to taking Fridays off because I realized I don’t need to do certain things.” [10:26] “All of my clients I would invite over to my house for a party, and we’d have a great time. Like, that’s important to me. I figured out who they were. And then, by figuring out who they are, then I know what parts of me they’ll like, and then you can start to strategically curate this character of you. So, it’s you, it’s authentic to you, but it’s just the parts of you that they need to see.” [33:09] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group   Find Jill Wise online  Follow Jill Wise on Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest Learn the 4 Steps to Profit with Jill Wise Snag Jill's 6 Figure Schedule Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today I talked with Jude Charles on the value of road mapping, or blueprints (as we call it at Studio Sherpas) and the win-win this method is for both you and your client. Jude walks through how he went from charging $400 for one of these road mapping sessions to a massive $17,000. We also talk about how Jude combats imposter syndrome and gives himself the confidence to charge $17K by using his previous clients' feedback. Key Takeaways  Road mapping gives the client confidence in your work before you start Road mapping also helps you see if the client is a good fit for you Remind yourself of the value you have created for others Put your mind to it and you can’t be stopped About Jude Charles For over 15 years, Jude Charles has been producing documentaries for entrepreneurs. He has produced stories for Google, Steve Harvey, and dozens of visionary CEOs. Jude is the author of Dramatic Demonstration. This book is a roadmap that teaches you how to dig deep to find compelling stories that no one else knows, and then leverage those stories to grow your business. Jude’s mission is to lead and empower entrepreneurs to have relentless, unwavering courage. In This Episode  How Jude’s high school teacher changed the course of his life [4:29] Jude's business model of charging to roadmap a project first [10:04] How Jude increased his rate from $400 to $17K [14:32] It’s a win-win when you charge for road mapping or blueprints [18:54] The Video Blueprint Method [27:32] Jude’s new mission at the end of the year [29:09] Courage in your business [34:38] How Jude has the confidence to charge what he does [37:08] You can’t be stopped [42:59] Where you can find Jude online [47:02] Quotes “Your clients aren’t paying you to do video production. They’re paying you to lead them through the process.” [25:16] “For those of you who are probably thinking, “Should I really be charging for a plan of some sort?” it's also important for you to interview the client. They may not be the right fit for your business.” [25:43] “You can operate out of a place of fear or a place of courage. The reason I’ve gotten to $17,000 for road mapping or 6 figures for a project is constantly stepping into courage even when I don’t believe.” [36:56] “People like to ask, “What if it fails?” What if it doesn’t? Instead of, “What’s the worst that could happen?” What’s the best that could happen? [39:59] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Video Blueprint Method Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Find Jude Charles online  Follow Jude Charles on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Roadmapping Strategy Session Dramatic Demonstration, by Jude Charles Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today I celebrate 300 episodes with a look back at 5key things I’ve learned over the last few years doing this podcast. These 5 principles have got me through some of the toughest times in my life and have taken my business from 5 figures to 7 figures. I know they’ll help you too, no matter where you find yourself on the journey. Thank you to all who have been listening. Whether you’ve heard 300 episodes or 3, I hope this podcast has helped you grow your business in some small yet significant way. Key Takeaways Don’t wait until you know everything to start; just start and you’ll learn as you go. Being honest and vulnerable in your business will pay off in the end. You can’t go wrong if your mission is to help people. In This Episode Five things I’ve learned over 300 episodes [6:41) Getting clear on your mission will help you stay focused (8:50] Authenticity is life-giving [14:25] The best way to build a business is to give [21:03] Community is everything [27:52] You need to launch in order to learn [33:19] Quotes “Without knowing who you really want to serve, who you find fulfillment in, and then understanding what is it that they need – how can video help them (or whatever line of work that you might be in) – when you can know those things then you have a mission.” [12:47] “Newsflash! The only secret sauce is you. Everybody can find all the things that they want on YouTube… for free.” [26:15] “Go ugly early. Don’t wait until your website is done. Don’t wait until you’ve got the perfect email funnel. Don’t wait until you’ve got your favorite logo. Don’t wait until your demo reel is finished and perfect. Ship it, stop holding back, stop not doing the thing that you feel really called to do because you want it to be perfect.” [36:31] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Today we learn how to tell great stories with author and film & TV writer Margot Leitman. Margot tells us what needs to be in every story for it to be engaging and relatable. Knowledge that will help you not only when marketing your own brand but also when creating projects for your clients too.  Key Takeaways Your story should have a beginning, middle, and end. Don’t ignore the process; the process is where the story is. Universal themes help your target audience engage better.  About Margot Leitman Margot Leitman is the author of the best-selling book LongStory Short: The Only Storytelling Guide You’ll Ever Need, What’s Your Story? & Gawky: Tales of an Extra Long Awkward Phase. She has written for DreamWorks TV, the Hallmark Channel, and the Pixl Network and worked for "This American Life" as the West Coast story scout.  She is the founder of the storytelling program at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre and is a five-time winner of the Moth Storyslam and a winner of the Moth Grandslam, receiving the first ever score of a perfect 10. She travels all over the world teaching people to tell their stories.  In This Episode When Margot realized she was a storyteller and how she manages her time [7:11] The bonus of writing non-fiction over fiction [9:58] Components of telling a great story [12:11] The best way to structure your stories [24:01] How Margot helps businesses tell better stories [26:13] How Margot created the job of storyteller for herself [28:23] What every story must have so people can relate to it [31:09] People like to hear the results, but the process is where the story is [36:45]  Quotes “How can you get the most amount of information out but in a short amount of time, so a big thing is to not over explain.” [13:02]   “Have you gotten an emotional response from your audience? Then you win. If you’ve left no room for a response, then that’s not effective storytelling at all.” [17:15] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Margot Leitman online  Follow Margot Leitman on Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today Rich Brooks from Flyte New Media joins me to discuss how to separate yourself from your competition by looking at your business through four lenses… Find, Focus, Forge, and Frame. We dig deeper into forging new ways to stand out by doing things outside your normal services while still staying in line with your mission. We also discuss when is the right time to grow your business and how to make it an attractive place for people to want to work there. If you want to grow your business and stand out amongst the noise then this episode is for you!   Key Takeaways Offering services outside your normal scope is a great way to get noticed. Becoming a thought leader will help you get found. You want to attract the right type of client and not everyone is the right client. Reframing your business offering can help you stand out. About Rich Brooks Rich Brooks is founder and president of Flyte New Media, a digital agency in Portland, Maine, that’s been in business for nearly 25 years. He is a nationally recognized speaker on entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and social media.  He founded The Agents of Change, an annual conference and weekly podcast that focuses on search, social & mobile marketing. Rich is the author of The Lead Machine: The Small Business Guide to Digital Marketing, a popular and well-received book that helps entrepreneurs and marketers reach more of their ideal customers online. He appears regularly as the “tech guru” on the evening news show, 207, which airs on the NBC affiliates in Maine. He has also appeared in Inc. Magazine, The Huffington Post, FastCompany.com, CNN.com, the Social Media Examiner, and many other news sources for stories on digital marketing. In This Episode How social media has evolved over time [06:31] Reasons for growing your business and how to make attract the right people [08:18] Growth can mean many different things [11:36] The remarkability formula and the four lenses to examine your business [12:20] What is an extrinsic offering [15:49] How to find an extrinsic offering that stays in line with your mission and goals [18:18] Reframing your business to stand out [31:20] Investing in your brand is a worthwhile investment [35:00] What does Flyte New Media offer and how to get in touch [37:31] Quotes “What makes you unique? I feel that when you go through this process what you end up with is a very clear understanding of who your ideal customer is and how to create high barriers to competition, and then also when you’ve done this work and makes your marketing so much easier and more effective.” [14:01] “Sometimes doing something novel only lasts a little bit. Like you only have the front runner status for only so long and then everybody’s doing it. But other times, because you are the first, that actually lasts a long time.” [29:49] “Start inside, but don’t be afraid to collaborate, and don’t be afraid to hire a professional that’s within your budget.” [37:21] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Rich Brooks online  Follow [guest name] on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Looking after your health is an integral part of being an entrepreneur because if you’re not healthy enough to operate the business, especially in the early days, then who will? Dr. Samuel Shay's mission is to give busy entrepreneurs health freedom so they can get back more time, more money, and more years of life. Using genetic testing, Dr. Shay can help you find that unique diet that’s suited specifically for your particular genetic composition, meaning you’ll know exactly what diet is the best for keeping you healthy and making the most of living the entrepreneur lifestyle. Key Takeaways A resilience budget is just as important as a marketing budget There is a cost to poor health You need to know your genetic predisposition toward certain diets  About Dr. Samuel Shay Dr. Samuel Shay, DC, IFMCP helps busy, health-conscious entrepreneurs, moms, and mom-preneurs add an extra 5 healthy years of life, liberate $50,000, and add 50 extra quality minutes a day so that they create more freedom for themselves and others. Dr. Shay walked his own health journey from being chronically unwell from age 6-18, including severe fatigue, anxiety, digestive problems, chronic pain, severe insomnia, and poor nutrition. He dedicated his life to natural medicine to get himself and others well, which led him to genetics testing. Dr. Shay has recently authored a new free eGuide that explains the 5 layers to determine your optimal diet, including the foundational genetic layer which determines if you are keto, paleo, mediterranean, or high-carb, as well as your genetic reactivity to gluten, lactose, caffeine, alcohol, histamine, and other food allergens. In This Episode Dr. Shay’s motivation for helping entrepreneurs, especially single parents [3:55] As an entrepreneur, you need a resilience budget so you can increase your capacity [8:46] Drinking coffee is a red flag to resistance building [11:38] The traps entrepreneurs fall into [15:19] How to prevent burnout and get back 5 extra years of life [17:48] Identifying your optimal diet using genetics [22:42] Why this model is so widely accepted [35:06] Where to get the genetic testing [37:19] Quotes “You are an integral part of the entire business. Therefore, your resilience determines a huge part of the success of the business. And why entrepreneurs do not budget for– Just like to have a marketing budget, they don’t have a resilience budget. That’s craziness to me.” [10:41] “What is the point of being an entrepreneur? It is to create and do what other people are not willing to do in order to have a life other people don’t have while creating positive meaningful changes in society. So, you want to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.” [18:20] “We can recommend the best diet in the world but if someone is not willing to do it and they’re not willing to work through whatever that thing is to get past it, then we have to adapt and we have to take that seriously.” [31:36] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Dr. Sam Shay online  Follow Dr. Sam Shay on Instagram | Facebook Download the free e-guide: 5 layers to determine your optimal diet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As creative business owners, sometimes it’s hard to balance our artistic side with our business side. Kambria Evans, a teaching and learning consultant, will help you figure this out as she shares some great mindset changes and techniques that will help you grow your business while keeping your mental health in check. Key Takeaways Most creatives have both a creative side and a business side; you need to use each side appropriately Stop comparing yourself to others Your business should grow to serve the stage of your life you are currently in About Kambria Evans Kambria Evans, The Teaching & Learning EMDR Consultant, has 18 years of expertise developing impactful learning experiences for healthcare providers. Known for teaching with chops and getting evidence-based results, her innovative ideas and trainings have been published (14 times) in peer-reviewed medical, psychology, and education journals such as Academic Psychiatry and Academic Medicine. Kambria is the former Director of Education & Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, has two Masters Degrees in Psychology and Education, and has extensively trained in EMDR and relational complex trauma. After teaching and leading research at Vanderbilt University and Stanford School of Medicine for 20 years, the standard of excellence that she's practiced is paramount in supporting therapists creating a practice that serves them. Sharing all that she knows with therapists, so that they may share their own voices with the world, is her life’s work. In This Episode Finding your inner child and how accessing different parts of your personality can help you accomplish what’s important [5:18] How to make the creative part of you work with the business part of you [10:34] Creating stuff is hard work, take the pressure off from getting people to see what you create [16:29] How to overcome impostor syndrome [22:53] How to be content with where your at and make it more fun [31:33] Your business growth should be on your terms [33:40]  Quotes “As creative business owners we almost feel this pressure that we’re supposed to have all of these parts as developed as our creative part and I don’t know that’s realistic.” [16:17] “If you’re gonna survive you’re gonna have to accept that you’re learning all the time and you’re always growing” [24:33] “The brain doesn’t care what time it is, your brain does not actually care if it is the present, the past, or the future because what your brain is always trying to do is it’s trying to take any limited experience you’ve had to inform the narrative of what’s gonna happen in an hour, and what’s gonna happen ten years from now” [27:34] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) The Alter Ego Effect, by Todd Herman Find Kambria Evans online  Subscribe to get The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle Follow Kambria Evans on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On this week’s episode, Nick Nanton, 22-Time Emmy Award winning Director and Producer, tells us how important it is to have those big dreams and goals but also why you need to be realistic with your next step. He drops some wisdom on how to be more self-aware and how that will help you connect with more people both through the lens and with clients and colleagues. He also talks about the importance of having a solid team around you so you can focus on the things that you are uniquely gifted at. Key Takeaways Building momentum is the key to getting things done Have big dreams but also set smaller goals that will make you happy Stay in your lane and build a team around you to do the rest Everyone has a unique story to tell  About Nick Nanton From the slums of Port au Prince Haiti with special forces raiding a sex trafficking ring and freeing children to the Virgin Galactic Space Port in Mojave with Sir Richard Branson, 22-Time Emmy Award Winning Director/Producer, Nick Nanton, has become known for telling stories that connect. Why? Because he focuses on the most fascinating subject in the world: PEOPLE.  As a storyteller and Best-Selling Author, Nick has shared his message with millions of people through his documentaries, speeches, blogs, lectures, and best-selling books. Nick’s book StorySelling hit the Wall Street Journal Best-Seller list and is available on Audible as an audio book. Nick has directed more than 60 documentaries and a sold out Broadway Show (garnering 43 Emmy nominations in multiple regions and 22 wins), including: DREAM BIG: Rudy Ruettiger LIVE on Broadway Visioneer: The Peter Diamandis Story Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On Operation Toussaint The Rebound Nick has shared the stage, co-authored books, and made films featuring: Larry King Dick Vitale Kenny Chesney Charles Barkley Coach Mike Krzyzewksi Jack Nicklaus Tony Robbins Steve Forbes will.i.am Sir Richard Branson Dean Kamen Ray Kurzweil Lisa Nichols Peter Diamandis And many more Nick specializes in bringing the element of human connection to every viewer, no matter the subject. He is currently directing and hosting the series “In Case You Didn’t Know” (Season 1 Executive produced by Larry King), featuring legends in the worlds of business, entrepreneurship, personal development, technology, and sports. In This Episode Creatives need to make a good living so they can make bigger and better things [3:11] It’s important to have big dreams but you need to have realistic expectations [5:46] Momentum is hard to build but it’s crucial in getting to your dreams [12:17] Nicks greatest superpower [14:46] Branding is nothing more than good storytelling [17:01] When you realize your message is more important than yourself, that’s when breakthrough happens [20:52] Quotes “You were probably born into this world with innate gifts that were probably beaten out of you for 13 to 15 to 17 years, in college, or undergrad, or grad school. l and all we really need to do is look to what are those things that were beaten out of us that we are really gifted at when we were 0-5 like how do we get back to just doing those things.” [8:19] “Literally all we get is this journey, so like try to find a way to enjoy it and try to set milestones and goals that will make you happy when you achieve them because you haven’t placed yourself outside the realm of possibility.” [13:59] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Nick Nanton online Follow Nick on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today Ryan fanboys out and sits down for a conversation with the founder of a product he has been using for years, Chris Savage from Wistia. They talk about how Wistia can help you offer an additional service to your clients that will keep them coming back. Chris gives some tips on how to separate yourself from the competition and some great marketing strategies that he has implemented at Wistia that has helped him stand out and cement Wistia as experts in the field of video marketing. Chris also shares a unique campaign he runs each year for Wistia employees that has garnered some unbelievable results for improving both features & systems, and company morale. Key Takeaways Seeing real people from your business helps your clients better connect with you Making great content actually promotes yourself as a company that does what it says Embrace the small size of your business as lots of businesses are looking for that About Chris Savage  Chris Savage is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wistia, a leading video hosting platform that gives marketers everything they need to get bigger results from their videos and podcasts. As CEO, he finds himself getting loud (in a good way) about what matters most to him—like his love of innovation, pushing past fear, and working to create a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive company. Leaving the traditional tech playbook behind, Wistia took on $17.3M in debt to buy out their investors, gain full control of the business, and take the path less traveled to grow sustainably. Today, more than 375,000 businesses across 50 countries depend on Wistia's products to build their brands and grow their businesses, including HubSpot, Mailchimp, Sephora, Starbucks, and Tiffany & Co. In This Episode  What is Wistia and how can it help you add valuable data analysis for your clients that will make them come back again and again [6:45] Do people want to see more human videos rather than graphs and graphics [20:01] The power of putting people from your business in your videos [23:50] Why compelling content is more important than good looking content [31:48] Don’t be afraid to reveal that your a small business [33:26] How small teams can make engaging content that also markets themselves [35:16] How Wistia budgets their marketing and gives their team space to create [39:35] Quotes "You're missing a huge opportunity if you’re not using human beings to build that connection directly.” [22:33] “We are afraid that people are gonna judge us based on how we look and it’s actually, they’re gonna judge us because they have no idea what we’re capable of and what we care about. It’s not about how we look, that’s not it, but that’s the normal human instinct.” [31:48] “If you don’t have a video that markets yourself, then maybe you don’t really believe in it, and if you do, you get the meta benefits instantly. It’s like, oh, look at the clever thing this company’s doing to market themselves, doing the thing they say that they do.” [37:55] “You know the old adage of the cobbler's kids get no shoes. I think flip it around and say if the cobbler's kids have sick shoes then everyone wants those shoes, like, "Where do you get those shoes, buddy? I want those shoes." I think it’s just that; if you make sweet stuff promoting yourself, you get the benefit of it actually promotes yourself and it proves to people that you can make that kind of content.” [39:10] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Chris Savage online  Follow Chris Savage on Twitter Connect with Chris Savage on LinkedIn Follow Wistia on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter One, Ten, One Hundred Series Gear Squad vs Dr. Boring Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Remember when your mother used to tell you that just because everyone’s doing it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do? Well, today’s show is all about that. Scott Markowitz has been working in post-production as an editor for decades and he is on a mission to inform people that a simple switch he did (away from the industry standard software he’d been using for years) has increased his efficiencies drastically and helped him deliver in record time.  Key Takeaways How to pitch yourself outside of your niche audience Changing your software might speed up your post-production workflows About Scott Markowitz After decades of working in the TV and Film industries as a top session editor, Scott Markowitz discovered that trading his happiness for money was no longer acceptable. That's when he decided to open his video studio. Now, that path has led him to discover another passion: teaching. In This Episode  How Scott markets to his niche but still gets work outside of it [08:33] Why does the post-production industry keep things so complex [17:43] The best software to use to streamline the process [21:03] Why you should start out with Final Cut Pro and the learning curve with switching platforms [27:25] What is Reinvention Studio Lab and how can you find out more about Scott [31:42] Quotes “I get stuff away from people‘s heads down to their heart… They’re more malleable that way. They’re more, you know, gushy, and they’re ready to get sold.” [16:18] “It’s not the technical aspects of what you’re doing that makes you special; it’s the creative and artistic aspect of what you do.” [21:03] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Reinvention Studio Lab Find Scott Markowitz online Follow Scott on Facebook | Instagram Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you don't have time to listen to today’s episode because you are too busy responding to emails and Slack messages, then you need to make time because today Ryan is going to help you get that time back… and more! Jordan Raynor is a bestselling author and his latest book “Redeeming Your Time” is full of great wisdom and tips to help dynamic business owners and CEOs create systems and hacks that help them focus on what’s important in their businesses, growing it! Key Takeaways  Having a system in place will help you scale your business Budgeting your time is crucial to being more productive Your clients want ideas and creativity and you can’t deliver on that if you’re tied up with emails all the time About Jordan Raynor Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for eternity. He does this through his bestselling books (The Creator in You, Redeeming Your Time, Master of One, and Called to Create), podcast (The Call to Mastery), and weekly devotional (The Word Before Work)—content that has served millions of Christ-followers in every country on earth. In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup that Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own. Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa. In This Episode Why you need a system to scale your business [8:42] The mission behind Jordan’s message [13:56] The most productive person who ever walked the earth [18:23] Open loops explained and how closing them relieves stress [22:44] Why you need a budget for your time [30:43] 3 steps to help you not get distracted by your inbox [36:05] What your clients want the most [39:57] Why you don’t need to answer your emails immediately, and some great email hacks [41:24] Quotes “The work we do in this world, especially as creators, is not just a means of earning a paycheck. It is a means of doing the thing the creator God made us to do.” [15:08] “Creation is not a product, it's a project, and I’m drafting you into service to take this world and fill it with great things that make this world more beautiful and more useful for your fellow humans.” [16:04] “You don’t actually have to do the actions, you don’t actually have to close the open loops in order for your brain to let them go you just have to externalize them in a single system, outside of your brain, that you know you’re gonna come back to you within a reasonable period of time.” [25:20] “What your clients want most is not instant responses from you. What they want are results, and creativity, and new ideas that move their businesses forward, and you can’t produce your best ideas and your best work if you’re constantly playing ping-pong with emails and Slack messages” [40:30] Links Redeeming Your Time, by Jordan Raynor The Creator in You, by Jordan Raynor FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Jordan online Follow Jordan on Instagram Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Are you overwhelmed with all the things that have to get done in your business? Need more time to think big picture, set goals, and cast vision? Then you need to listen to today’s episode. Rachael Mueller is a systems expert who helps entrepreneurs and business owners identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in their businesses. She recently helped Ryan streamline his business systems and because she did such a great job he got her on the podcast to share some of her wisdom with you. Key Takeaways  Time auditing is a key way to identify where you can be more efficient The best project management software to use is whichever one you’ll actually use  Don’t think of projects as one big job break them down into smaller tasks You need to give yourself space to come up with ideas and set the vision About Rachael Mueller Rachael Mueller is a real estate investor, turned Virtual COO + Systems Expert. When she’s not helping visionary entrepreneurs banish overwhelm, fuel their productivity, and streamline their businesses, you can find her in the kitchen whipping up a new recipe or traveling the globe. In This Episode  Finding your specific niche [5:24] The benefit of having an outsider look at your systems [8:33] The importance of time auditing in your business [12:50] Why you need to get your thoughts out of your head and what to do with them once they’re out [18:37] You need to give your mind the freedom and the space to think and dream [30:06] How to achieve those big overwhelming projects and stop putting them off [33:29] Quotes "You don’t know what you don’t know right, and when you’re so used to what you’re doing and how you’re running things it can also be very easy to say well this is how we’ve done it, it works fine let’s just keep going because that’s comfortable it’s easier. When you actually take that step back and you have someone else come in, you switch things up, there’s a lot of potential to make things really work in a really powerful way for your business.” [12:14] “The simplest fix no matter where you are in business, is get used to not keeping things in your head” [18:57] “We actually get dopamine when we complete things on our to-do list and so that momentum continues to build and you actually will end up getting more done in a faster amount of time, versus just having that big thing sitting there looming over you and being paralyzed on how to actually accomplish it” [34:54] Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Rachael Mueller online Follow Rachael on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

A Social Media Marketer is a full-time job in many businesses but, if you’re small, you probably find that you're doing it yourself. In this episode, Ryan talks through how better to use that time you spend crafting the perfect post for Instagram and then then re-formatting it for Facebook and TikTok. Stick around because, at the end of the episode, Ryan gives you some of his own tips and tricks to make social media work for you, including giving you permission to not have to use every platform around. Key Takeaways  You don’t need to market your business on every social media platform. Pick the ones where your clients are. Building relationships might have a better return on investment than social media marketing. In this changing climate of social media rules and algorithms, it’s crucial to have your own email distribution list. In This Episode  How Ryan initially built his business on social media [5:26] Why you need to find your niche and your ideal place to invest in marketing your business [8:48] The cost of social media and how to get the best ROI [13:58] The importance of investing in relationships and the long term investment it can reap [17:57] Why you need to have a strategy and a goal for your social media posts [21:56] Tips and tricks to make social media work for you [24:19] Why you need to build your own email list [36:06] Quotes "If you realize that by spending one hour a week with somebody, by taking somebody out to lunch once a week and spending $50 on a nice lunch, that’s probably going to have a bigger impact than posting on social media every day.” [13:12] “Another freedom that I want to give you is to not use all the platforms. Focus on one, pick one, and let that one be a home. And pick the one that you’re not going to have to work the hardest on, so don’t just pick Twitter because everybody’s on Twitter. Pick the one where your specific audience is spending time.” [30:53] "Show your face, show your team. The best sales and marketing is where you are building trust with your ideal clients, and the best way to build trust is to show up and let them see you.” [32:47] Links  FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

Today Ryan talks with Jeff Sieh, host of Social Media News Live. Jeff has been in the content creation game for many years now and, on the show, we discuss how to use your current relationships to co-create content and potentially score some free gear in the process. Jeff shares some great advice on marketing your business on social media platforms and why you don’t need to be on every platform to make an impact. Jeff also shares his thoughts on what’s currently going on in the podcasting world and answers that question every podcaster is asking, should I record both audio and video when I create a podcast? KEY TAKEAWAYS Don’t wait until you have a huge following to start; start now! Look for opportunities to use what you already have in your hands or at your disposal.  Recording both audio and video with your podcast allow you to repurpose our content. Don’t compare your business with other companies who are doing everything on every platform.  ABOUT JEFF SIEH Jeff is an international speaker and visual marketing consultant. He hosts the Social Media News Live show and podcast and is also “Head Beard” at Manly Pinterest Tips. Jeff has worked with and produced a wide range of content for various companies, including Guy Kawasaki, Kim Garst, Social Media Examiner, and Tailwind. IN THIS EPISODE Creative ways for video producers and filmmakers that they may not have thought of to use their skills to make money [10:10] How you can use your current setup to become an influencer [19:30] What’s happening in the world of podcasting, should you have video and audio? [25:11] How to use social media to advertise your business [28:45] Jeff shares a great reason for going live and how he builds his audience [33:45] Jeff shares his process after going live and how he repurposes his content in multiple places [39:45] QUOTES “Most companies now are seeing the value of repurposing and splitting up those events, and they're going to need editors and people who understand the skillset of how to tell a story in video in a concise way. They're going to need that, for people to take that content that's been produced and repurpose it” [16:21] You have to look at your audience and who you're trying to serve, because number one, you're not going to get any clients probably from Tik Tok. Nobody there has the budget to probably buy your services. The same thing, you know, Facebook, you know, probably not Instagram reels even, are they really there to buy a corporate video? Now LinkedIn, that's where I think that I would double down because LinkedIn live has done really, really well for me” [30:52] The longer I've been in this business, the more I've found that almost everybody I know has struggled with imposter syndrome, almost everybody. And if they say they haven't, they're lying” [44:59] LINKS FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Register for the Onward Summit (October 2022) Find Jeff Sieh online Follow Jeff Sieh on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Tom Webster’s Newsletter Jeff’s Volley Chat Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

We all know there can be a lot of struggle in leveling up your business to get that successful, well-balanced lifestyle you dream of—booking bigger jobs and reaching better clients, right? Today I’m joined by Daren Smith, author and founder of Craftsman Creative, who discusses his career arc from owning his first business doing post-production sound, then becoming a producer for both film and TV, to his role now as an author and educator for other business owners, helping to initiate the mindset shift that will get you there. Daren talks about transforming your mindset from one that limits growth to one that will empower you to achieve your highest goals, and how that mental shift will make ALL the difference in where your business can go. We compare some of our early career experiences and the ways we were unknowingly holding ourselves back—and how we each were able to make the necessary changes to course-correct and begin booking the jobs we always wanted. After hearing Daren talk about the things he’s learned along the way, and how a five-figure creative can become a six-figure business owner, you’ll be motivated to examine both your mindset and your business practices to see how you can do the same. Today Daren gives some great tips for creators who want to change their mindset and help them understand their value in the marketplace. What do you think? Could a mindset shift be a game changer for your business? Key Takeaways  If you don't have the right mindset, it doesn't matter what you try, you’ll get frustrated and end up jumping from one thing to another. Examine ways we were unknowingly holding ourselves back.  Making necessary changes to course-correct and begin booking the jobs we always wanted. Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Find Daren Smith online and get a free, five-day email series on how to take your creative business to the next level. Follow Daren on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

On this week's episode of the Grow Your Video Business Podcast we’re getting vulnerable…really vulnerable. Mark Ostach joins the show this week to dive deep with Ryan and share their emotional experiences and how helping others win can help make you a winner in return. Ostach’s goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection. He’s done this with organizations that include Universal Studios, Detroit Pistons, Rocket Mortgage, Comerica Bank, Detroit Regional Partnership, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, Michigan Economic Development Corp, Honigman, LLP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BASF, Allstate, Hitachi, and others. Listen to the Courage to Connect podcast Follow Mark on InstagramHow has being vulnerable helped you in your life and your business? Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

How do you react when you get a call, text, or email from a client or a potential client that has a last-minute urgent request? Do you drop everything you’re doing to help your client? Does it de-rail your plans and stress you out? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast Ryan goes solo to break down this all too often occurrence in the video industry and gives some incredibly helpful insight on how to deal with the dreaded last-minute request. We all love getting new clients, but this episode will help you to understand that sometimes the answer needs to be no. Ryan shares the importance of having boundaries, the top 5 things to consider before jumping into a new project, the importance of building a community, getting clear on deadlines, budgeting, and much more!  Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Look…we all know that building a team is difficult. It’s time-consuming, mistakes are easy to make, and when you do make them they tend to be expensive. This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast we deep dive into the team-building process with our guest Cassie Daniels. Cassie is the owner of Brisbane-based video production company Builds by Captive Media. Their mission is to help construction industry businesses to build trust and be remembered by improving the quality of their content. Captive Media is also a huge fan of doing good and a proud member of 1% for the planet donating 1% of gross revenue to environmental not for profits. Cassie built the business after leaving her job of over a decade in corporate management and pursuing her goals of building a successful business in the creative industry. Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

Think back to your favorite commercial that you’ve ever seen…there’s a good chance that it was a funny commercial wasn’t it? There’s something about funny videos that connect a potential product or service to their intended audience. This week on the Grow Your Video business podcast, things get funny when Joseph Wilkins of FunnySalesVideos.com joins the show. He breaks down his entire process to create his funny videos, how to work with writers, how much time and money you should expect to spend in the process, and much more. He also shares about his life and career, why massive corporations might not be your ideal client, and the importance of creativity if you want to succeed in this business.Joseph Wilkins founded ProCreative almost 20 years ago, a marketing agency focused on infomercials, TV commercials, and online video. Joseph has directed thousands of ad campaigns for clients including Google, Linkedin, McDonalds, Goldman Sachs, Chevrolet, Home Depot, and other mega brands. As habits shifted from broadcast to online, Joseph launched FunnySalesVideos.com where his team now creates attention-grabbing viral style sales videos that entertain viewers into buying. Find Joseph onlineFollow Joseph on Facebook | TwitterConnect with Joseph on LinkedIn Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast we’re uncovering all the secrets to leveling up your social media game, without having to learn any dance trends. Elise Darma, is one of the greatest at helping not-so Insta famous business people make real revenue directly from social media in a manageable and sustainable way. She shares her step-by-step process on how to build an effective social media plan to reach your ideal audience, the different kinds of videos that attract the most traffic, and how to avoid the trap of perfectionism. Elisa has helped over 30,000 people truly grow their businesses, sell more programs and make more money. Enjoy! Find Elise Darma online Follow Elise on Instagram | TikTok | YouTube Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Welcome back to the show! This week we’re jumping in with John Owens of Frame Voyager to uncover some tried and true tips to help you diversify your income and have more fun while you’re doing it! John Owens is the director of Frame Voyager and he's an avid black magic design user. John drops so many gems about how he does his Youtube editing, the best editing software, and the importance of connections and being authentic to yourself when growing your business. How are you creatively diversifying your business? Follow John on YouTube | Facebook | Instagram Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever thought about using the content that you create in your video business to generate revenue on social media? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Amanda Vernaci joins Ryan to share her journey creating a DIY social media following of over half a million on Instagram and over 1.2 Million on TikTok. Amanda shares the tools, tips, and tricks that she uses to viral worthy content, how to be authentic, and how to train your audience to be consistent.    Amanda is a fearless, self-taught, DIY-er helping people transform their homes with their own two hands on her Instagram and Tik Tok accounts @comestayawhile! She shares real projects, real mistakes & real life. In the last 3 years, Amanda has grown her Instagram following to over 579k and recently hit the 1 million mark on Tik Tok! Amanda has 10 years of professional experience in website development and social media marketing. With her experience as a content creator, paired with her professional experience, Amanda has a wealth of knowledge and strategy to share with you. She has worked with over 100 brands and was able to turn her side hustle into a six-figure business and wants to help you do the same! Follow Amanda on Instagram | TikTok Take the course for Instagram Growth Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What does success mean to you? How do you define it? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast we want you to challenge your thinking when it comes to success. Ryan digs into work-life balance with Mike Myers, the real nitty-gritty of being an entrepreneur, how to create a business that gives you the freedom you want and much, much more.    Mike is a full-time video producer, wedding filmmaker, photographer and has recently added podcaster to his resumé; owner of May Morning Studios and Caret Film Company…getting his feet wet in the wedding industry, Mike started filming videos in 2011 and hasn't looked back since. He still thoroughly enjoys filming weddings through his wedding brand, May Morning Studios, and has expanded his passion toward commercial and corporate work with Caret Film Co. Find Mike onlineFollow Mike on Instagram | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook  Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan sits down with Lauren Johnson, to  learn  about the power of mindset. If you find yourself struggling to cultivate a successful mindset, having difficulties meeting your goals or feeling stuck in your business, then get ready to take some notes because this episode is for you.   When you say yes to your client, who are you saying no to?   Lauren shares the concept of inverted thinking, identity shift, the importance of your mindset, creating and meeting goals, and why sometimes, saying no to some clients might be one of the best sentences that you can start implementing into your business   Lauren is a mental performance coach and speaker. Prior to opening her own consulting practice, Lauren served as the Mental Conditioning Coordinator for the New York Yankees. She received her Master's Degree in Performance Psychology from National University. Lauren helps elite individuals develop mental toughness so they can perform their best regardless of circumstance. Find Lauren Johnson online Follow Lauren on Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast Ryan sits down with Josh Usheroff to uncover some of the greatest growth hacks in the industry, how to find your niche, building a team, and much more. Josh Usheroff is a producer and cinematographer based in Montreal, Canada. Since 2008, he has been running Black Box Productions with his business partner Ben Goloff. Josh primarily works with brands and agencies to produce commercials and branded content. Past clients include Air Canada, Samsung, Budweiser, IBM, BMW, Mattel, and many more. Over the years, he's filmed videos with countless celebrities, 3 prime ministers and the Dalai Lama. He's directed music videos for Broken Social Scene and Martha Wainwright, as well as DP'd projects with Sam Roberts Band and Azealia Banks. Whether working with brands or musicians, Josh always strives to insert craft and creativity into his work. He's currently launching a new video agency called The Fun Machine focusing on the toy and gaming industry. Today, he's going to share with us his lessons from the field after operating a production company for over a dozen years... Find Josh Usheroff online at BlackBox Productions & The Fun MachineFollow Josh on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

How inspired do you feel about your business? If you’re not feeling fulfilled then get ready to take some notes, because this episode of the Grow Your Video Business Podcast is for you.  This week Ryan sits down with Jeff Branch to uncover some wisdom, support, and inspiration for your business. We talk about how to spot a bad client from the first conversation, and whether or not you should move forward with a client that doesn’t pass the gut check.  Jeff Branch is the Founder of Workshop Media in Raleigh, North Carolina. They provide commercial and documentary style video strategy and content to businesses that want to build better brand awareness, stand out among their competition, and generate leads. He started out as an indie filmmaker and realized that he could use his skillset to help businesses make more money, essentially - more over, he didn't have to be a “starving artist.” He could still flex his creative muscle and fulfill my filmmaking dreams by being a video producer for brands and helping them achieve whatever their goals are. Find Jeff Branch onlineFollow Jeff on Instagram | Facebook Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What type of return do you think you would get if you spent $12,000 on Facebook ads? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Jeff Hamm of Red Plaid Films joins Ryan to talk about how he spent $12,000 on Facebook ads and had ZERO dollars in return. In this episode we’re talking all about the power of networking and how you can use it to grow your video business without spending a ton of money to do so. Find Jeff Hamm onlineConnect with Jeff on LinkedInFollow Jeff on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan interviews Tim Lapointe to uncover some “ninja” strategies to help grow your business. Tim is working full-time creating video content for his church and has experience in the creative startup world, freelance, and documentary filmmaking. Tim shares his experience growing through the ups and downs of the filmmaking industry, how to create perspective, how to surround yourself with people you can trust, and why you need a like-minded community to thrive in this industry.  Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

Are you spending your time working ON your business, or working IN your business? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast Ryan chats with John Rodriguez of 1UP Creative to talk about building a successful business using the Video Blueprint Method to guide his clients and position himself as a trusted advisor that has led to growth for not only his clients but his business as well. John also shares some of his goals and roadblocks that he has run into as a small business owner and different ways to overcome them.  Find John Rodriguez onlineFollow John on Facebook | YouTube | YouTube Key Takeaways Providing value to your clients is the best way to keep them coming back to your business Creating a roadmap is important to save time and money Networking is key to developing your career   In This Episode Meet John Rodriguez and his business [04:46]What are John's goals [07:32] How to provide value to your clients [09:01]How much energy does he put into his roadmap? [17:33]2 big roadblocks in his business [24:03] How many business conversations does he have with a client? [29:41] The video blueprint method [ 36:07]How to get in touch with John [48:42] Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today's guest on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast is no stranger to the show. Graham Cochrane is one of the most talented and successful business owners that I know. He’s a business coach, a musician, and the founder of the Recording Revolution, one of the world’s largest and most loved online resources for audio recording and music production. Graham’s journey as an online entrepreneur began about ten years ago at the height of the recession. Thanks to his determination and resourcefulness, Graham was able to beat the odds and has become well-respected in the audio world.    Graham gets real in explaining how he built his business from scratch while trying to make ends meet during the financial crisis. He talks about the importance of not waiting for everything to be perfect and just launching and getting started. Graham shares his wisdom on what to do if you’re feeling insecure about launching your business or a new service. Sure, there are going to be haters out there, but Graham tells us how to easily move past them. Key Takeaways Accepting the right guidance can lead you to create passive income stream You are more likely to take actions when you pay for a course. You should focus on guidance not an expert. In this Episode Meet Graham Cochrane [03:46] Let's talk about his book [07:29] Some actual steps to create passive income stream [17:02] Why pay for a course? [20:33] Are you looking for an expert? [37:27] Graham Cochrane best sales pitch [51:35] How to get his book [54:01] Links Find Graham Cochrane online Follow Graham on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Recording Revolution Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever heard the expression…’ Trust the Process’? It turns out it’s really hard to trust the process if you don’t have a process. This week we’re joined by Ken Okazaki, Video Marketing Strategist of Oz Media Global and he shares how he helps businesses plan, optimize, and launch their video campaigns. Today he shares all his wisdom about his business and how you should build processes for your business. He shares his experience in the field, how he built his brand, how to be consistent, how to market yourself and your brand, and much more. Remember we are here to work smarter not harder, and that's exactly what Ken brings to the show today. Enjoy! About Ken Okazaki Ken Okazaki heads up Oz Media Global and loves helping businesses plan, optimize and launch their video campaigns. He offers both done-for-you video agency services and specializes in helping promote and market personal brands. Through working with him, his clients have generated millions of dollars in extra profit from video marketing. As a side benefit of having worked with world-class clients who are household names, he’s been able to take what’s working for them, systematize the process to help businesses of all sizes. Ken enjoys working from home and traveling the world to meet face-to-face with business leaders – from first-time entrepreneurs to the biggest speakers globally – to guide them towards growth. Key Takeaways Learning how to build a process for your business is necessary to get to the next level. Creating a process for your brand demands strategy. In this Episode Intro [ 03:38]  Meet Ken Okazaki [03:55]  How he got introduced to the world of Studio Sherpas [05:32] How’s his team [10:25]  Where he spends his time in his business [11:16]  Who is running the show for his business? [12:17]  One of the biggest mistakes he regrets [15:13]  Where he wants to take his business [19:28]  The second and third most important position in his company [21:08]  How to have consistent income [22:40]  How is he marketing his business [27:57]  If video isn’t a thing what would he be doing? [30:03]  What gives him more fulfillment in his job [32:33]  Who’s his favorite presenter that he has worked with [33:19]  A book that impacted his journey [35:51]  Another game-changing tip [45:04]  How to get in touch with Ken Okazaki [49:14] Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Onward Summit 2022 Grant Cardone Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You, by John Warrillow Join Ken’s Video Marketing Community on Facebook Get your free gift: The 7 Figure Video Funnel Follow Ken on Instagram | Facebook Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Should you trademark your brand? This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan interviews award-winning documentary filmmaker, turned intellectual property attorney Trevor Ward. He’s answering all the questions you’ve ever had about trademarks, and some you probably didn’t even know to ask. Trevor shares his journey from filmmaking to law and if there's still a documentary filmmaker in his soul. If you are a small, medium, or large filmmaking company you should grab your pen and paper and listen to today's episode because we are diving deep into the trademark world. We’re talking about whether or not you should trademark your brand, the step-by-step process, how much it costs, and the risks that your brand is facing when you don't trademark it. About Trevor Ward Prior to becoming a lawyer, Trevor was an award winning documentary filmmaker and operated a small video production company for about 12 years (Red Eye Film Co.). He left the business because the last three feature docs that he attempted died in the water. On one, he spent about 1000 hours, his and other peoples’ money, and 2 years trying to make happen. After that experience, he did some soul searching and decided it was time for something new. He went to law school and now practice intellectual property law. Disclaimer Anything said in this podcast episode should not be construed as legal advice. This is purely for entertainment or educational purposes only. If you have specific legal questions, please consult an attorney in your state. Key Takeaways The importance of a trademark is to avoid consumer confusion.  Registering your trademark gives you stronger legal protection.  If you are not familiar with trademarks, you should hire an attorney to assist you.  In this Episode Meet Trevor [02:30]  A quick disclaimer [03:27]  How he switched from filmmaker to a whole different business [04:10]  Is there still a documentarist in the back of Trevor’s head? [06:32]  What’s intellectual property and why you should care about it [07:46]  What does intellectual property means to a small corporate filmmaker? [09:55] Should you trademark your brand? [12:47]  How to trademark your business [19:42]  A trademark funny story [23:41]  Can you still sell domains for a ton of money? [24:40]  Can you be sued by a big company? [27:20]  How much does it cost to trademark your brand? [28:25]  Is it really worth spending on a trademark? [29:29]  Trevor shares a “horror story” [30:10] Can Legal Zoom help you? [31:33] Why hiring an attorney is better than doing it yourself [32:16] What to do before you trademark your brand? [37:20]  How to stop someone from using your trademark? [38:20]  Trademark and tv shows [41:10]  How to get in touch with Trevor [42:47]  Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Find Trevor Ward online Connect with Trevor Ward on LinkedIn Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What’s really going to happen if you fail? Is it as bad as you’re thinking? What if the things you’re afraid of aren’t real? We’re keeping the vulnerability train rolling this week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan shares 3 ways to identify fear as a video business owner, how to eliminate the scarcity mindset, and how you can grow your community by offering to serve your competitors, that’s right…your competitors. Buckle up and get ready to confront your fears and grow your video business. Key Takeaways We often have an irrational fear of what will happen to us if we fail. It’s probably not as bad as we really think it is.   There is so much work out there. We don’t need to try to “crush our competition.” If we genuinely try to serve our clients, there will be enough work for everyone.   Offering to serve even your competitors opens up way more opportunities for growth than trying to go it alone.   In this Episode Scarcity Mindset [3:26]  Is there enough work?  [12:36]  Name that fear [14:00]  Affirmations [18:12] A servant’s attitude [31:50] Links Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, by Jon Acuff Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg Grabbin’ the Bag: A few thoughts on money, by Rob Bell Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week things get real…and real vulnerable on this week's episode of the Grow Your Video Business Podcast.  If you’re a creative, a business owner, or just a human being, you’ve probably experienced the beast we all know and loathe…imposter syndrome. Ryan shares his best practices for overcoming imposter syndrome and finding success over the last two decades. Ryan also shares 3 takeaways that he has learned from mastermind groups that will help you move the needle in your business and get where you want to be. Key Takeaways There’s no right moment to start your business, you should focus on creating a solid foundation and get things going from there. Create a mindset where you are focused on being the most helpful person you can be. You only achieve success by surrounding yourself with people that want you to succeed as much as you do. In this Episode Intro [00:05] My mastermind [02:28] When I first started in the business [05:46] My experience with The Video Business Academy [13:48] My experience with podcasting [16:08] How’s the foundation of your business? [17:03] My 1st big takeaway [23:52] Don’t be afraid to share your success [27:09] Don’t wait for your demo reel [30:37] My biggest takeaway [31:54] A takeaway recap [35:16] Links Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet The Graham Cochrane Show Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

One of the hardest parts of growing your business is handing off the work that you've mastered and hiring an employee that will allow you to grow and scale your business. This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan breaks down 9 mistakes everyone should avoid when it comes to hiring employees. When should you hire? What is their role? What are their goals? Ryan uncovers some tips and tricks from almost two decades of experience to help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls when it comes to growing your business.   Key Takeaways There are different ways of hiring, and maybe hiring someone full-time and overwhelming this person with a lot of tasks is not the best idea. Creating processes and procedures early in your business is extremely important before thinking about hiring someone. Staying true to your core values should be the main idea behind your hiring process. You don’t need to hire full-time right away, you can always bring someone on part-time at first. In this Episode How to define roles [07:57] Being clear on what success means [15:50]  The importance of daily check-ins [22:49]  Weekly/Monthly Strategy Meetings [29:27]  Hiring out of Desperation [31:30]  Creating Processes & Procedures [38:18]  Feast or Famine [39:40]    Links Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t, by Jim Collins The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable…About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business, by Patrick Lencioni Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman Get the ASCEND Method Cheat Sheet Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional LInks: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

One of the greats in the motion design industry, Cameron Pierron, joins Ryan on this episode of the grow your video business podcast to share his journey in the industry, and how he got started on his career back in 1999. For all those that think motion design is too complicated or maybe you struggle finding success with motion design in your videos, then this episode is for you. Cameron breaks down the ins and outs of motion design, how to create an impactful demo reel, and why you should have fun. Cameron has been a motion designer for over 20 years. He is a self-taught designer and animator who started off as a remote freelancer and has had the opportunity to build projects for studios like Prologue Films, Digital Kitchen, worked with agencies like Publicis and Ogilvy & Mather, and clients like 343 Industries, Amazon, American Express, Disney, Microsoft, MTV, RCA, Sony, and many more. About Cameron Pierron Cameron has been a motion designer for over 20 years. He is a self-taught designer and animator who started off as a remote freelancer and has had the opportunity to build projects for studios like Prologue Films, Digital Kitchen, worked with agencies like Publicis and Ogilvy & Mather, and clients like 343 Industries, Amazon, American Express, Disney, Microsoft, MTV, RCA, Sony, and many more.   Key Takeaways Keeping it simple and being transparent about your capabilities is the key to succeed in the motion design industry.  Developing an impactful demo reel is necessary to create a career in motion graphics and video production.  Why you should over-deliver if you want your clients to come back.  In this Episode Meet Cameron [10:23]  How we met each other [11:22]  How he started in After Effects [13;23]  How to develop your skills in motion designing [14:56]  How he feels about demo reels [19:17]  The important things you should consider to become successful [27:01]  Cameron’s thoughts about the “fake it until you make it” mentality [29:08]  How to price yourself [35:11]  What are agencies looking for in your demo reel [39:36]  Where Cameron gets his inspiration [43:47]  Does Cameron use incognito mode? [48:11]  Cameron’s number 1 habit that helped him achieve success [48:29]  What’s an example of over-delivering [49:02]  What’s next for Cameron [52:24]  How to get in touch with Cameron [54:32]  Cameron’s last piece of advice [55:17] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

3 Ways you can guide your clients and become a valuable asset to their business. It’s time to stop selling and start guiding! This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan flies solo so he can break down 3 ways to start guiding your clients instead of selling to them. Tired of being tried as just the person with the camera? This episode will break down how you can become the brain behind the camera instead and set yourself up as a trusted advisor to your client that will ultimately create a system that brings in more money and saves you time. Key Takeaways The salesman mentality is overwhelming and outdated, you should focus on understanding the needs of your clients instead of bragging about yourself and your equipment. You should be the hero of your craft, and you only achieve that by letting your clients talk and express themselves. Understanding the foundations of sales in the video business allows you to save your time and money, be more productive and focus on things that are more fit for you. In this Episode 3 ways that you can guide your clients [00:00]  My journey in the video business [02:53]  The 3 Sales mistake [04:55]  How I overcame a scarcity mind [06:43]  My mentality when I started my business [08:28]  Understanding the scarcity mindset [10:46]  How the Video business works [11:20]  The correct mindset to become successful in the video business [14:23]  How to guide well [17:38]  Why you should highlight your client’s success [20:36]  My third tip to help you [22:20]  The importance of having a plan for your sales [25:58]  Get in touch [29:15]  Links: Listen to “Business Made Simple” podcast with Donald Miller Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Learn the ASCEND Method Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast, Ryan flies solo to break down 8 things you absolutely need to have on your website if you want to have a successful business. We’re talking calls to action, secondary calls to action, lead magnets, social proofs, and so much more. Your website needs to be the hub that your workflow revolves around and this episode is going to show you exactly how to do that. Buckle up, get ready to take some notes, and schedule yourself some time to work on your website. After you listen let us know which of the 8 things resonated with you the most and how they can help improve your process. Key Takeaways Your website should reflect the kind of clients you want to hire you. Having your own website in addition to social media allows you to control the narrative. Your website should be a representation of your process AND your personality. In this Episode Why your website is important [5:34]  How your client views your website [13:00]  Create a Call to Action [17:25]  Create a secondary call to action/lead magnet [19:30]  Only show work you want to be hired for [21:00]  Social Proof [27:00]  Talk about your process [29:00]  Contact Information [34:16]  Brand Authenticity [35:20]  Go Ugly Early [41:00] Links Building StoryBrand, by Don Miller Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you have a business dream? If your answer is yes, the next question should be: Are you being realistic about your business goals and strategies to help you reach those dreams? If you don’t know the answer to either of those questions, this episode is for you. This week, Kat Schmoyer breaks down the system she uses to help her clients achieve their goals. We have an honest conversation with someone who specializes in the back-end operations of creative businesses. Kat shows us how to create strategies that actually work and her exclusive 90 days goals strategy. She shares her tips on how to stay focused when deciding your goals and how to finally stop leaving money on the table. Kat is a business coach & integrator for creatives! She helps small business owners achieve their dreams through coaching, affordable templates and products! She lives in a 2 stoplight town with her husband and her two kids. She loves the color pink and has a knack for organizing just about ANYTHING. Don't forget to buy Kat's Calendar Shop Product: https://katschmoyer.com/printable-calendar-ultimate-2022 And her free Trello Templates: https://katschmoyer.com/trello-my-week-template-freebie Be sure to check out Kat Schmoyer: @katschmoyer https://www.facebook.com/katschmoyer https://www.instagram.com/katschmoyer/ https://twitter.com/katschmoyer https://katschmoyer.com Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Business Podcast, Tyler Lessard joins Ryan to share their common love for marketing and how positioning yourself correctly can help you grow your sales in your business. This episode is a must for any business owner that wants to grow their business and pitch better ideas to clients. Key Takeaways Understanding the true potential of video production allows you to increase your sales without spending too much money.   Video production is just another way of delivering your business message to your client.  There are hidden video production skills that can be used to grow your business. About Tyler Lessard  Tyler is the VP Marketing and Chief Video Strategist at Vidyard, co-author of The Visual Sale,  host of the annual Video-in-Business Awards, and frequent content producer for all things video in marketing and  sales. In this Episode Inspiration for Tyler’s book [04:45] The public reaction to Tyler’s book [07:01] The impact of video in business [13:23] Where and how video can be used on businesses [21:51] How to immediately impact sales and closing rates with only 6 videos [24:39] The 100 new clients video you should make [32:03] Where to get inspiration for your business videos [40:25] How StreamYard works [43:11] How to get in touch with Tyler [50:03] Links Sign up for the 5 Day Challenge The Visual Sale, by Tyler Lessard Find Tyler Lessard on LinkedIn Check out Vidyard Follow Vidyard on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast Cliff Ravenscraft joins Ryan to share his experience with mastermind groups. This episode is a must-download for any small business owner that wants to grow their business using the exponential resources of mastermind groups. Ryan shares his history with Cliff and their combined successes from mastermind programs. About Cliff  Cliff Ravenscraft is a business mentor, professional coach, and motivational speaker. His focus is to help you break free from any beliefs and/or behaviors that are holding you back from living the life of your dreams and doing the work you feel most called to do in this world. Key Takeaways  Joining a mastermind group allows you to tap into the resources beyond what you are capable of alone. Masterminds offer opportunities for exponential growth through networking. You are the average of what your peer group expects of you. In this Episode Cliff’s Background [5:09] What are masterminds? [9:46] The Mastermind Principle [12:01] The Mastermind Group [14:46] Perfect Harmony [18:14] Benefits of the Mastermind [27:14] Join A Mastermind Group [52:02] Links Sign up for the 5 Day Challenge Weekly Studio Sherpas Mastermind Episode 158 w/ Cliff: How to Live with Intention & In Alignment with Your True Goals Find Cliff Ravenscraft online Upgrade Your Peer Group Podcast Follow Cliff on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group What’s your question for the podcast? Share a video or audio response! Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week on the Grow Your Video Podcast, Ryan Koral tells the origin story of Tell Studios and talks in detail about the processes they’ve used to help create a successful business. No business or entrepreneurial endeavor would be complete without making some mistakes, and in this episode, Ryan gets vulnerable and breaks down the three biggest mistakes he made in 2021 and gives some advice on how to avoid making the same mistakes in your business. Get ready to set some goals for 2022 and buckle up for an episode that will absolutely help you grow your business and live a happier life. Crush 2022 with the FREE 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge…This is a free 5 Day Challenge for action takers ONLY. If you're ready to level up your video business this year, You NEED to Implement These Crucial Steps… that will accelerate the growth of your business. Sign up at studiosherpas.com/challenge Key Takeaways  It’s important to set goals for your business, so you know where you’re going and where you’ve come  from.   As business owners we often get stuck in a phase of doing everything ourselves, the power of delegation is one of the most effective ways to grow your business and create a sustainable lifestyle. In this Episode Tell studios history [4:50]  Getting into corporate work [12:30]  Making Mistakes [18:00]  Project Management Software [21:00]  Video Blueprint Method [23:00]  Mastermind [29:00]  Onward Summit [30:00]  3 Mistakes I made this year [31:35]  Goal Setting [46:00]  Hiring an assistant [49:30]  5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge [56:14] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Things get really vulnerable this week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast when Matt Davis, founder of Harvest Filmworks, Lifestage Films, AND co-founder of Studio Sherpas joins Ryan to talk about his journey since leaving the podcast, overcoming adversity, dealing with addiction, and more. We’ve all dealt with imposter syndrome at some point in our careers, in this episode Matt and Ryan talk actionable tips to deal with imposter syndrome, jealousy, and how to create a business that matches the life that you want to live. Matt Davis is a 16 year seasoned video storyteller for luxury weddings and compelling brand films for large businesses and corporations based in Wilmington, NC. Wife, dogs, 4 kids, ups and downs, booming economies and multiple recessions, Matt has been able to consistency evolve and grow his brands while making a profit, but also focusing on what matters most….what his businesses provide…freedom. As a co-founder of Studio Sherpas, the passion to speak on podcasts, at conferences and video retreats has always allowed Matt to speak truth into the good, and not so good aspects of running a profitable video business. You can follow Matt here: https://www.facebook.com/lifestagefilms/ https://www.facebook.com/harvestfilmworks https://www.instagram.com/lifestagefilms/ https://www.instagram.com/harvestfilmworks/ https://twitter.com/LifeStageFilms Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Contracts, contracts, contracts…for most of us as small business owners they can be confusing, complicated, and scary. This week on the Grow Your Video Podcast, Paige Hulse chats with Ryan about all the basics you need to know from contracts, revisions, NDAs, and what you should do if you’re using a contract, you found online. Paige Hulse is an attorney and entrepreneur based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After practicing as a contract/business litigator, she formed her law firm in 2017, where she practices trademark law and advises entrepreneurs/startups, as well as the Creative Law Shop, where she has converted every contract, she's written for clients in the wedding industry into templates. Check out her contracts at https://shopcreativelaw.com and use promo code STUDIOSHERPAS10 to receive 10% off your purchase! Has your contract ever saved you? What type of changes can you make to your contract that will offer more protection for your business? Leave a comment on the episode page and let us know! Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What’s your favorite part of running your business? For most small business owners, it’s probably not running payroll and keeping up with the books. This week Jeremy Doorn of Core Financial returns to the podcast to answer tax and accounting questions from our listeners. How do I pay myself? How much should I pay myself? Should I be an LLC or S-Corp? We get answers to all these questions and more this week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast. Key Takeaways Setting up the correct business structure can save you tons of money in taxes if you’re business is ready for it. There are systems that you can use to pay yourself correctly to make accounting and bookkeeping easier and to make sure you're maximizing your tax deductions. Forming an S-Corp offers multiple benefits for most small business owners. About Jeremy Doorn As a ten-year-plus employee of Core Wealth Management, Jeremy Doorn helps small businesses do a better job of tax planning. In addition to firm administration, he handles business advisory services and business succession planning for his clients.  LLC vs. S-Corp If you’ve been in business very long you’ve probably heard people argue about whether or not you should file as an LLC or an S-Corp, Jeremy breaks down the main differences between the two, what type of business benefit for each category, and when you should consider changing your status. In This Episode Sole Proprietorship vs S-Corp/LLC [6:45] How do I pay myself? [12:00] How much should I pay myself? [22:30] How to pay yourself if you have multiple DBAs [25:45] How to pay yourself in a partnership [27:00] How to pay yourself when you’re just getting started [31:00] Why Ryan uses Core Financial [34:20] How to set up a discovery call with Core Financial [36:30] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you remember the first time you saw people react to your videos? That feeling of seeing people’s emotional response to your work is so motivating. Today’s guests, having only started their studio a few years ago, are still riding that feeling. In this episode, they share the joys and the tribulations that come with building a business from scratch as partners. Key Takeaways A partnership helps you play to your individual strengths. Identify where each person is strongest and assign clear roles as early as you can. There is probably a production studio in your area that isn’t getting used. Connecting and networking with other creatives can create opportunities that can get you into these spaces. About Glory Visuals Glory Visuals is a video production company based out of Omaha, NE. Austin Hall and Darren Clausen started it as a 50/50 partnership and have hired a full-time employee as well as some part-time contractors. Their goal is to raise the standard of quality content and creativity in the Midwest. Navigating the Complexities of Working as Partners Not everyone is cut out to be in a partnership like Austin and Darren. It comes with its challenges and special considerations, such as tax prep, budgeting, and goal setting. However, if you can agree on priorities and practices, you can be each other’s greatest assets. Austin and Darren learned to set clear roles for themselves to make the most of their partnership. When you each operate within your respective strengths, the team will be much greater than the sum of its parts. Getting Creative with Studio Spaces Having recently moved into their own studio space, Darren and Austin are enjoying a new sense of freedom. By being masters of their own space, their creative juices are flowing like never before.  With this investment, they have given themselves time and flexibility to shoot whenever they want. They now have a space that they can set up just the way they want and are proud to bring clients to. I bet there are underutilized studio spaces in your area. Reach out to other creatives, you may be able to find and go in on one of these places together. Just think of all the opportunities this could create! Do you have a business partner? How do you make it work? What would you do with your very own studio space? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Building a partnership and business from the ground up [8:00] The benefits and challenges of partnerships [16:20] Asking the questions that help you pinpoint your areas of strength [28:00] Finding freedom inside your own studio space [33:00] What happens when you approach everything with an abundance mindset [43:35] Quotes “The more we do this, the more powerful we realize video is.” [15:30] “We have both found out our strengths. I would rather he operate in his strength and I operate in mine so that we can win as a team.” [21:59] “You cannot have a lack mindset at all. It will literally be the worst thing for you.” [45:33] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Glory Visuals online Follow Glory Visuals on Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo | YouTube | Twitter Traction by Gino Wickman Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark C. Winters Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I know what makes your video business like no other. It’s you. Each of us is unique and that’s what sets our businesses apart. Today’s guest shares how he uses this to connect with his perfect clients and how the formula for success involves a healthy dose of failure. Key Takeaways Establishing habits and processes that lead to good results are just as important as your goals themselves. Saving time will make you more money. Identify and leverage the efficiencies inside your business to make your processes as streamlined as possible. Your personality is what sets you apart. Use it to build relationships with the clients who are perfect for you. About Joe Harris Dallas based Comedy-Director Joe Harris got his start in Post-Production at Reel FX Creative Studios. A desire to tell stories and direct was nurtured in his time there and beyond while he honed his skills for directing.  With 15 years in the industry, Joe started directing spots with local creatives and agencies, building a network of relationships. With a strong love for advertising and absurdly wild visual style, he uses his skills to help brands and agencies solve problems and entertain viewers. Joe is currently on the Southern Sky Films roster. Following Your Gut and Learning From Failure Comedy is at the core of Joe’s work. He explains how that didn’t come the easy way. In fact, Joe credits much of what he knows from the times that he’s failed. Joe is the type of guy who follows his gut instincts. This leads to all sorts of opportunities, but also to some mishaps. No matter what happens, there’s a lesson to be learned for next time. You just need to be open to learning from everything you do. You Are The Key to Your Own Branding Anyone who spends any time with Joe knows that he’s one of a kind. His personality is a central part of his brand. We discuss how when it comes to branding, being yourself is the best way to create, lead your team, and connect with clients. Joe understands the power that comes with embracing your identity in business. By being who he is, quirks and all, Joe taps into his innate confidence. Clients pick up on this and are all the more eager to work with him. There are a million video companies, but there’s only one you. That’s your strength. Use it! Building Processes to Increase Efficiency Efficiency is also a key part of earning more. Joe talks about what it means to have systems in place that save you time. When you are more efficient with your time, you can actually start earning more without needing to raise your rates. To do this, look at what runs smoothly already in your business while identifying the bottlenecks. Maybe there’s something you can outsource to help free up your schedule. Having clear communication with clients from the very start also helps everything run smoothly. Think of all the time you could save! What lessons have you learned from failure? What can you do to free up time in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Recognizing the lessons that come from failure [7:50] Why the best branding highlights your authentic self [11:40] Managing a diverse team when working on big projects [18:00] Lining up the pieces that will eventually lead you to a larger goal [24:20] Establishing processes to strengthen and grow your business [30:00] Where to start if you want to direct [43:30] Quotes “Some of my biggest educational moments are from my failures. Most are from my failures.” [8:43] “I’m not even thinking about charging more. I’m trying not to focus on goals. I’m focusing on the processes that get me the results.” [31:25] “Create something. If you’re an artist, start creating some art. If you want to DP, just go shoot something. Be everything and do it yourself until you can find some people to help you.” [45:33] “Just be yourself. There is no one who can do you better than you.” [48:21] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Joe Harris online Follow Joe on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Basecamp Asana Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes Episode 243: Why Creating Systems Will Let You Work In Your Zone of Genius with Austin Netzley

Do you think you know what your clients want? Maybe you do, but you won’t know for sure until you ask. Today’s guest has seen the amazing results of simply surveying his clients to discover what he can sell them that he had never considered before. Key Takeaways Don’t assume that you know exactly what your clients will pay for. Ask them. You might be surprised by their answers. There are an infinite amount of opportunities for your business to give back to the community. Not only will this lead to increased satisfaction in your work, but when done with genuine intentions, it can lead to more opportunities. About Griffin Stewart Griffin is a husband, father, and lover of people. He is a serial entrepreneur and Intrapreneur who has started multiple small businesses and worked for Apple, Hyundai, and many more. Griffin is the co-founder and CEO of 5DayDeal. He loves photography and travel and is an advocate for lifelong learning. Griffin and his wife have visited more than 60 countries. Letting Your Clients Guide Your Marketing Griffin wants us all to remember the value of effective marketing. Making the best videos isn’t enough to sustain your business. You have to be able to extend your reach. Griffin explains how you can incentivize your customers to help expand your reach by leveraging their own social impact. It helps to find out as much as you can from your clients. Griffin sends his customers surveys to gauge their satisfaction, wants, and needs. What they might be willing to pay for could be something you wouldn’t expect. With this information he has expanded his offers, allowing him to sell more without needing to find more customers. Doing Good is Good for You and Your Business Beyond making a living for himself, Griffin sees the power of business to do good in the world. He donates ten percent of his revenue to charity. While his motives are rooted in altruism, he’s found that this also helps him stand apart from the crowd. Clients have told him that they chose to work with him precisely because of his philanthropic mission.  There’s a lot of ways you can give to the community. It doesn’t have to be just money. We discuss how you can donate all sorts of things, from your time, to equipment, to knowledge, to projects. When done sincerely, I’m pretty sure that this will lead to more opportunities for your business as well as the knowledge that you’re doing something to make the world a better place. How can you use your business to start giving back? What have you been surprised to learn that your clients want? How can you provide it for them? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Finding joy and making the world a better place while doing the work you love [5:00] Why effective marketing makes everything else in your business possible [8:40] Creating channel partners to increase your client base [17:15] How charitable giving actually benefits your bottom line [20:15] How to efficiently onboard your clients with a systematic approach [27:15] Where to place your upsell effectively [32:40] Quotes “Marketing is so important. You may be the best videographer. You may be able to edit better than anyone in Hollywood. But if nobody knows about you and you don’t have reviews to prove that, then you’re not going to get business.” [9:59] “Just because you wouldn't pay for it, doesn’t mean your clients wouldn’t gladly pay for it.” [12:37] “Consider, if you haven't already, ways that you can give back, as long as your business is sustaining you.” [41:11] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Griffin Stewart Online Follow Griffin on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Audio Ninja - Lifetime Account Dubsado SamCart Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

With everything on your plate, how can you grow your video business without burning out? How do you find the right clients and projects that you love? Today’s guest wears many hats and explains how he creates a successful and sustainable balance between them all. Key Takeaways Be intentional with how you spend your time. By being efficient, you’ll save time and be able to focus on what really moves your business forward. Confidence is crucial to landing new work. Be open to opportunities and ready to take them when they arrive. About Jordan Berns Jordan Berns is a video producer/DP/editor and founder of JSB Video located in Seattle, WA. In Jordan’s 5+ years of experience, he has won multiple awards for his student short films including the Vincentian Award for social impact.  After graduating college at the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in journalism and entrepreneurship, he was hired to start an African sports television show where he traveled the world interviewing the likes of Victor Oladipo, Seyi Olofinjana, Izu Ugonoh, and many more. After 2.5 years and 5 seasons, he left to start his own production company in Seattle. Creating Balance So You Can Focus on Your Clients With all his many roles in his business, Jordan is very intentional with his time. Sometimes, he even has to step back and take time away, even if just for a few hours. This gives him room to get his creative juices flowing and rest his mind and body. When it’s so easy to get caught up in the minutiae of business, these little breaks become essential to staying focused on the bigger picture. Within this headspace, Jordan is able to focus on creating solid relationships with his clients. Building a comfortable connection is an essential part of putting clients at ease. By emphasizing the experience of the filming process, he finds that clients are eager to come back again and again. Where to Find Retainer Clients I imagine that we all want retainer clients. But many clients just want one video. Jordan intentionally seeks out clients who will need a lot of work overtime. Media companies are a good place to look. So is Upwork. In fact, that’s where Jordan finds the majority of his clients. Sites like this are where you’ll find potential clients just starting their video process who need an expert like you. What do you do to put your clients at ease? How do you manage your time to leave room for creative space? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How Jordan creates a balance between his many roles at work [5:30] The importance of focusing on client experience [11:15] Investing in your business to fuel its growth [15:55] How to secure retainer clients [20:00] Finding great opportunities when you lack experience in the industry [24:45] Quotes “Sometimes you gotta step away to find inspiration.” [11:11] “It’s being able to find clients that you can get on retainer. It comes back to that personal aspect of the business. If you’re able to create a comfortable environment for somebody and they like you, they’ll come back for more.” [18:58] “I want to be doing work that changes people’s lives, that can inspire people to either change their minds or change policy.” [27:14] “You have to invest the time into the craft. You have to invest time into creating that portfolio - putting yourself into a position to get opportunities.” [31:02] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Jordan Berns online Follow Jordan on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden Upwork Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

A long time ago, I realized just how powerful branding is. Sure, you and your clients can do it alone. But there’s a lot to be said about having an outside expert come alongside you and take it to the next level. On today’s episode, I have just such an expert here to tell you how to make branding stand out and bring you and your clients more business. Key Takeaways Proper branding will help your clients see that you offer so much more than what they’re initially looking for. It puts you in control and allows you to provide more value. Don’t just offer your services to clients. Become their guide to identifying and overcoming the issues that affect their business. About Justin Keller Justin Keller is first and foremost a dad. Justin founded Circlefifty, and he is the author of two business books: Human Always and Rebel Brands. Justin has also written one kid’s book, The Red Giraffe That Wanted To Dance. He uses his books, podcasts, business, and the life he lives to help brands and individuals fight for brilliance in everything they do. Justin’s methods have helped nonprofits and businesses alike, increase engagement, launch new momentum, and experience massive growth. Become the Expert Guide for Your Clients Throughout this episode, Justin explains how branding is about much more than just saying what you do. It’s about creating a perception around the problems that you solve. Communicating this instantly increases your value in a saturated market.  Remember that you’re in a service that exists to solve your clients’ issues. Justin wants you to think of yourself as more than just someone who completes tasks. You’re not just providing a commodity. Instead, become a guide who identifies issues and successfully overcomes them. Building Patience and Empathy to Help Others Succeed In both his personal and professional life, Justin prioritizes addressing the needs of other people. This doesn’t mean that you should neglect yourself. Rather, it means being patient enough to empathize with others and being able to respond.  This outlook allows you to build all sorts of genuine relationships. Justin finds that being there for others not only feeds your soul and improves your community, but it also provides the motivation to continue doing all sorts of good work with less struggle. How are you a guide for your clients instead of just a tripod? What do you do to build genuine relationships in your life and business? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: The power of branding to establish a clear message [11:00] How to be a guide, not a commodity [16:00] The most common branding mistake that small businesses make [26:25] The value of patience and doing good for others [35:00] Why you should always be your authentic self in your business [43:10] Quotes “The brand is the impression that you make. When you think about it like that, brand has probably never been more important than now.” [15:15] “Design does still matter. But ultimately what you’re paying for when you charge more is expertise. You’re paying for a guide.” [19:15] “We all exist first to make someone else’s life better and, in return, ours is made better.” [35:48] “You can’t underestimate the idea of having courage and believing in yourself. That determines what you charge, who you work with, and every aspect of what you build.” [56:03] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Justin Keller online Follow Justin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Get your free PDF of Rebel Brands: 10 New Rules For Building Brilliant Brands® Circlefifty One Day to Better Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden Originals by Adam Grant Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever fallen into the trap of taking any job that pays? While it’s healthy to try a bunch of different stuff to see what you enjoy, you also don’t want to spread yourself too thin. Today’s guest explains all these considerations and what he learned while building his video business. Key Takeaways Setting expirations for proposals and bids will push clients to act faster and allow you to get more work done in a shorter time frame. If you have a partnership between multiple people, make sure that one person is a majority owner. That way hard decisions will ultimately fall to just one person and impasses can be more easily avoided. About Guy Giaimo-McClung Guy has been filming since 2012 in one avenue or another. Today, he is the owner and operator of Skinikid Productions. From wedding videography to political and industrial work, he has experienced many different facets of the freelance world. He is currently working on the challenge of building a business while balancing the demands of family life and parenting. Being Clear with Clients From the Start In this episode, Guy and I discuss the importance of setting proper expectations for clients. In order to eliminate unnecessary work for both you and them, be clear on your process from the very beginning. For instance, communicating your revision process and timeline will ensure that you’re not working endlessly on a project. One way to do this is to set expiration dates for proposals. You don’t want clients sitting endlessly on a bid. Let them know from the start that they need to act by a certain date if they want the price you quoted. It also gives an extra incentive for them to work with you now rather than later. Considerations When Forming Partnerships Guy also explains the structure of his business, which is a partnership between him and one other person. These arrangements have a lot of benefits. But they can also be fraught with potential strife. I share my advice that one person should be the majority owner. That way, bickering, and standoffs can more easily be avoided when tough decisions arise. I also urge anyone entering into a partnership to prepare for its possible end. No matter how awesome working together may seem at the start, it’s best to have all eventualities covered. Having contingencies planned for and expectations set from the start will prevent possible complications and strife further down the road. What do you always communicate to clients to set proper expectations? Do you provide statements of work? How do they help you avoid issues with clients later on? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Balancing work and family life while starting and building your business [6:00] Learning what type of work fulfills you the most [9:00] Our responsibility to communicate the process and set expectations for clients [11:50] Building partnerships as you grow your business [17:00] The importance of segmenting and having specific language around your niche [23:20] Doing extra freelancing work that you’re passionate about [28:30] Learning how to learn from your mistakes as your business grows [33:00] Quotes “It’s been super beneficial to narrow down the type of work that I like to do, and probably more importantly, the type of work that I don’t like to do.” [10:04] “If clients have a timeline that they’re trying to get this done by, we have this bit of time open for now. It’s not yours until you sign the contract.” [15:45] “In retrospect, I feel that I really would have appreciated if I’d made the effort and invested in myself and went out and figured out how to make it happen and learned on the business end what I didn’t know.” [33:45] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Guy Giamo-McClung online Follow Guy on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 250: The Biggest Takeaways from 5 Years of This Podcast

As video makers, YouTube seems like a natural fit. You can use it to grow a channel and connect with an audience and clients. But many people struggle to do so. It’s just not as intuitive or straight-forwards as it might seem. Today’s guest is on a mission to help people like you and me find success on YouTube. Key Takeaways Creating a specialized channel on YouTube will present you as an expert in your field. This will attract the type of customer you want and allow you to charge a premium for your work. Value needs to be the main focus of your videos. Instead of making them advertisements for your business, make them about what value your viewers and clients will receive from you. About Scott Simson As a YouTube content creator with almost 400,000 followers and CEO of Video Marketing World, Scott is recognized as an expert at video marketing and creating online communities with video. His creative and viral style videos have racked up over 120 million views personally, and he is responsible for helping generate hundreds of millions of views and millions of dollars in revenue for his clients. Scott has worked with big brands, such as Amazon, HEB, Mattel, VTech, and many others. He has been featured in CBS Money Watch, San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Daily News, and the Boston Globe. Overcoming the Challenges of YouTube In this episode, Scott describes some of the biggest challenges that creators have when making content for YouTube. Too often, content creators find themselves stuck in a rut. They’ve been making great videos but nobody engages with them.  Fortunately, the solutions are often pretty simple if you know what to look for. Scott explains that your reach on YouTube can often be improved with better titles, formatting, and thumbnails. Using YouTube to Become an Expert in Your Field As a service-based video business, YouTube is a great tool for finding leads and promoting your work. YouTube helps you connect with an audience that’s interested in your offers. Once you’ve established a following, you’ll be able to charge a premium for your work based on the reputation you’ve built. Scott wants you to think about what you’re most passionate about. What topic, no matter how small, do you know a lot about. If you can go deep into a niche, you’ll attract more of the clients you want and have a topic cornered on YouTube. What niche could you be an expert on with your YouTube channel? What role does YouTube play in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How giving will end up paying you back in the end [5:00] Discovering that there is money to be made creating for YouTube [9:00] Simple fixes for when you’re just treading water with YouTube [18:10] The special role of YouTube for service-based video businesses [19:40] How to know if it’s time to start a YouTube channel [24:00] Why your channel should not be a portfolio of your work [27:10] What happens if YouTube disappears [30:40] The factors behind creating a viral video [35:40] Quotes “I realized, especially on YouTube, that I can give away my most valuable content and people still want to pay to work with me.” [6:50] “YouTube is a search engine and your content is evergreen. So people can find your stuff forever and you can continue to get leads to your business forever.” [24:41] “Pick a very specific niche. Focus on that. Grow your business on that and then go broad as that niche becomes populated with people.” [27:55] “If you’re going to start creating content for yourself, start today because there’s always a tomorrow and you’ll end up pushing it off. But the people who succeed are the ones who start right now and don’t stop until they make it.” [42:45]   Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Scott Simson online Follow Scott of Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Video Marketing World Conference 2021 Giftology by John Ruhlin The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann The Slow Mo Guys Harmon Brothers Chamber Media Sandwich Video Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 119: Why Using YouTube is the Best Way to Grow Your Business with Kelsey Brannan Episode 153: The Importance of the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success with Bob Burg

Holy cow! This is episode 250 of the Grow Your Video Business podcast. Five years ago, my buddy Matt and I started this show to help video makers succeed as business owners. It’s been an amazing journey. For today’s special episode, I want to share the three biggest takeaways I’ve learned from hosting five years of this podcast. Key Takeaways Your core values are what give your business direction. They’re how you structure your company and must be at the center of how you build your team. Having systems and structures in place for your business will allow you to stay on mission when the unexpected occurs. Why You and Your Business Need Core Values Identifying what you want to drive your business is critical. At my studio, knowing our core values has given me clarity on who I want on my team and what we are ultimately striving for.  Your core values should be at the center of how you build your team. When you begin hiring and firing according to our core values, it will find its way into your company culture. It will influence how you interact with clients and complete projects. It will make your job easier by giving you something to measure success against. Have a Vision and the Structure to Put it into Action Having core values is just the start. Part of success is being focused and clear on what you want as a business. Build a plan around that clarity that includes the accountability to get you there. But if you’re the business’ visionary, you’ll likely have more ideas than can be practically put into action. I describe the EOS model and how it provides a framework for applying your business’ ideas in practical and productive ways. Becoming the Master of Your Time One thing I’ve noticed since starting my business is that time moves quickly. The longer I’ve been a business owner, the more time I’ve wanted to free up for myself. I want more time with my family and to pursue the things I love.  To this end, I’ve done my best to make myself redundant at work. I want my business to run efficiently without me. That’s why we’ve created packages and automated systems that allow me to step away from a lot of the responsibility of day-to-day operations. What have you learned by listening to this podcast? How do your core values impact your company? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How this podcast and Studio Sherpas got their start [2:00] The importance of having core values [13:20] Having the structures in place to implement your vision [24:00] The importance of time management to create more freedom for yourself [29:00] Quotes “This has transformed my life and business. I’ve been able to interview people - to sit at the feet of so many incredibly smart and talented people.” [10:39] “Nail down some core values that you would be able to say are requirements for working here. Hire and fire by these core values.” [23:47] “You don’t have to be the bottleneck in your business. There are other ways to build a business. Granted, you might be the most amazing, creative director that there is. That’s awesome. And you can build on that and not always be the one on call.” [32:05] “I’m getting more used to this idea of delegating and hiring other people to do what they are an expert at. That is allowing me to stay in my zone of genius.” [40:47] Links: Core The E-Myth The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni Traction by Gino Wickman Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Once you get into marketing, there are countless things you can do. As entrepreneurs, this gives us many opportunities to try different strategies and apply them. But strategy without vision won’t get you anywhere. Today’s guest describes how staying focused on what’s most important will lead to more business. Key Takeaways The secret to getting repeat clients is to follow up with them after the project. Get in touch a month after you’re done. There’s likely something else you can do for them. About Ryan Snaadt Ryan is a videographer, marketing strategist, and owner/operator of Snaadt Media Group. Snaadt (it rhymes with odd) discovered his interest in video during his sophomore year of college while shooting weight lifting videos or his YouTube channel. Since 2015, Ryan has had the pleasure of working with a variety of clients ranging from national brands including Schutt Sports and Primo Chalk to social media influencers, taking him across the country creating content. He truly loves the process of learning new areas of video and connecting passionate people with their target audience. In addition to shooting, Ryan also consults and speaks on topics surrounding online marketing and using video to grow brands. Apart from creating videos, he also teaches other videographers how to build businesses of their own via his YouTube channel, Facebook Group, and online course, Solo Video Pro. Winning Strategies to Get Repeat Clients Throughout this episode, Ryan shares some of his most successful sales strategies. His favorite method doesn’t even happen until the initial project is over. Ryan always follows up with a client several weeks after delivering the project. Many times, this reminds the client that there is more work they’d like him to do for them. We want our videos to help clients find success. With that in mind, ask them at the start what success looks like to them. Then you can work backward from that goal. If you help them get success on one video, they’ll be that much more eager to work with you again. Your Filming Process as Marketing Potential clients are often interested in your process as much as they are in your product. Ryan uses this to his advantage by creating behind-the-scenes videos of his shoots. In fact, both of us have seen social media posts of our processes garner lots of attention. This helps clients better connect with you when they consider you for their project. Clarity is the Key to Progress More than anything, Ryan credits having clarity to leading to sustained success. You need to know what it is you want out of your business. For some, it may be the opportunity to shoot videos all day. For others, it could be connecting with different brands. Whatever the case, knowing what you want from your work will give you something to work towards and a measurement for your success. So, imagine what your perfect job would look like. Be specific. If you can become clear on that, you can move towards it. You’ll be more motivated because you can easily see your progress. What does your perfect job look like? How is that vision a motivator for you? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: What it means to be in charge of marketing strategy [7:45] The number 1 way to secure repeat business from a client [11:25] How to use behind-the-scenes footage for marketing [19:10] What happens when your vision and goals are clear to you [22:20] Resources to help achieve financial clarity [32:00] Quotes “I want to put recurring revenue in your business for having marketing clients that pay on an ongoing basis. We have people who help with their marketing so they don’t have to hire on a whole internal team.” [8:16] “It’s proactively solving problems and the money just comes that way. And it’s not even sales at that point; it’s just helping people out with your skillset.” [15:00] “If you want to go full-time as a freelancer, that’s cool. Just have a really clear reason why.” [40:41] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Find Ryan Snaadt online Follow Ryan on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Solo Video Pro Facebook Group Hacks Meaning Over Money Dave Ramsey High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Every business is about making relationships. This is true when building your teams or landing clients. We might be tempted to be someone we’re not when working with other people. Today’s guest would urge us not to do this. Instead, being your genuine self is the key to having the best team and finding your ideal clients. Key Takeaways Building the right team takes time and patience. Put the effort in to get to know each other and how to support one another. This creates bonds that go deeper than simple work relationships. About Juan Ortiz Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, Juan is a self-taught filmmaker. He started his company Redd Pen Media in 2011. Juan is passionate about motivating and helping others find their purpose. His company was founded with a mission to give back and connect people through storytelling. Business is About Giving Back Juan wants to do more than simply make videos. He wants to empower others with them. His company works with all sorts of clients, from major brands to small businesses. With small businesses, in particular, Juan enjoys being part of their growing process. He discusses how helping them succeed not only leaves you with good feelings but will help your own business grow as well. For Juan, just earning money is an empty pursuit. There’s only so much that money can get you. For him, and I believe for many of us, video has a larger purpose. It draws people together. It shows us our common humanity through storytelling. There’s no price that you can put on that. Building Your Best Team Juan credits much of his success with the team he’s built. More than just a gathering of filmmakers, Juan’s team is a close-knit group that really knows and understands one another. It’s not just about making videos. It’s also about helping each other succeed in all aspects of life.  When this level of camaraderie is achieved, people go above and beyond for each other. You’ll find people who are genuinely eager to help out. Juan never needs to scramble to find help. Instead, his community is right there when he calls. How can you build strong bonds with your team and with clients? How do you reach out and connect with others? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: The value that comes with connecting and sharing information [5:30] Fostering relationships with other small businesses [9:20] Building a team that’s centered on character and shared values [15:35] How being genuine and transparent creates bonds and fuels growth [31:30] Making relationships that lead to landing big clients [36:25] Resources to help you grow your business [46:20] Quotes “It’s been a big life-changing thing for me to get the mindset of scarcity out of my system and just try to help as many people as possible because when you take care of people, people take care of you.” [6:20] “There’s just something you can’t put a price on with helping people grow and winning together.” [15:05] “When you’re in a position to help other people, that’s a big part of our purpose to being here on Earth.” [33:54] “Success, to me, is when preparedness meets opportunity. If you’re prepared for the opportunity, you can’t lose.” [36:49] “You can be as creative as you want and do the things that you want to do  as long as you do it with the right intentions.” [49:47] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Get access to the FREE Client Budget Workshop Core Find Juan Ortiz online Follow Juan on Facebook | Instagram Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath How to Win Friends and Influence People By Dale Carnegie Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 125: What it Truly Means to Be Profitable with Mike Michalowicz  

YouTube is huge and a bit overwhelming. Many videomakers wonder if it’s even worth getting into. But if approached the right way, it can be a huge boon for your business. If you want ideas on how to use YouTube to win clients and grow your influence, then this episode is for you. Key Takeaways The most important part of your YouTube strategy is knowing your target audience. These are your ideal clients. Once you identify what they want and how you fill that need, you’re ready to move forward. YouTube is a great platform for generating leads. But it shouldn’t be your only one. Get to know potential clients through as many different channels and methods as you can. About Tim Schmoyer Since 2011, Tim Schmoyer has been one of the leading YouTube strategists in the online video industry. His company, Video Creators, has been featured by FOX, Forbes, BBC even YouTube themselves as his team trains creators and brands to master YouTube and use it as a place to spread messages that change lives. Their clients have grown organically by over 18 billion views and 81 million subscribers under their guidance. Today he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and seven children. Get to Know Your Audience and Put Them First Tim explains how any growth strategy on YouTube begins with the viewer. Before you do anything else, identify your target audience. You need to know what they want and what their story is. Then you can figure out the value that you’ll provide for them. Each video you make must deliver that value. You might be excited about your equipment or your filming process. However, your clients probably aren’t. They’re concerned with how the video makes them feel. When you know your ideal client, you can focus on making them feel good about their business and getting results for their clients. That’s what will keep them coming back to you. Understanding Your Ideal Client There’s a lot to consider when coming up with your content strategy. Tim recommends starting by honing in on what your ideal clients ultimately want. So do some research. Talk with your clients and identify their needs, wants, and pain points. Get familiar with the language that they use when describing their perfect video. You’ll want to use the same language when you describe the problem you solve for them. How can you connect with clients to learn their stories? Have you used YouTube to generate leads? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page! In This Episode: Managing the work-life balance when growing both your business and family [6:10] How Tim became a YouTube expert [12:40] The importance of understanding your clients [24:20] Why you’re not really in the business of selling videos [33:10] Resources to help keep your business current with the changing times [36:00] How to start your channel when you need more clients [43:10] Quotes “Remember, each view represents an actual person who’s giving one of our clients an opportunity to speak into their life.” [19:49] “Starting with the person is where any content strategy should start. Who am I going after, what do they want, and how can I serve them?” [32:08] “Your customer most likely is not buying a video from you. What they’re actually buying is a communication tool that’s going to help them or their customers feel something.” [34:36] “I want to tell good stories, but I want to live a good story. Living a good story means venturing into the unknown, saying yes to the inciting incident, and facing obstacles, and overcome the challenges in order to have a lived experience that most people will only dream of.” [41:31] “This isn’t about making fancy videos. It’s about making an asset that can reach people and change their lives.” [57:40] Links: Join the Onward Summit! Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Group Find Tim Schmoyer online Follow Tim on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Grow Your Channel with Tim The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowitz Primalbranding by Patrick Hanlon Profit First by Mike Michalowitz Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson A Million Miles in A Thousand Years by Donald Miller Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 119: Why YouTube is the Best Way to Grow Your Business Episode 121: How to Create a YouTube Channel That Will Enhance Your Business  

You want to make videos. Yet, to be a video business, you need to manage a lot of other aspects, particularly taxes. I know you didn’t get into this work because of the taxes. So why are you pulling out your hair over it? Today’s guest on this special Facebook Live recording explains how to make sense of it all. Key Takeaways Generally speaking, an employee is someone who works for you long-term whereas contractors tend to be temporary. You have more control over how employees do their work than you do with contractors. About Jeremy Doorn As a ten-year-plus employee of Core Wealth Management, Jeremy Doorn helps small businesses do a better job of tax planning. In addition to firm administration, he handles business advisory services and business succession planning for his clients. The Subtle and Not So Subtle Distinctions Between W-2s and 1099s Jeremy explains why it’s crucial to classify people who work for you correctly. Understanding the difference between a contractor and an employee is essential. If you get caught misclassifying them, it will come back to bite you.  While there are subtle differences, generally speaking, an employee is someone who works for you on a permanent basis doing a variety of tasks. A contractor is someone who is hired on to do a specific, often temporary, job. Jeremy describes what to consider when classifying these people so that you don’t end up paying hefty penalties that could threaten your business. Just Do the Right Thing Jeremy stresses that it’s always best to just do the right thing. Don’t misclassify the people who work for you just to save some money. Not only is this dishonest, but it could land you in a whole heap of trouble.  When things look fishy to the IRS, an audit will likely follow. Although the risk on an audit is generally low, the risk just isn’t worth it. Jeremy repeatedly emphasizes that trying to save a little money now, could end up being very expensive in the end. Have you had trouble classifying people who work for you? Do you prefer to work with employees or contractors? Why? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Why it will save you money to pay for a tax expert [4:00] The most important differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees [9:15] How and why to transition from a contractor to an employee [17:20] Why people and businesses get audited [25:20] Calculating payroll costs for productions that can be billed to clients [33:20] Quotes “It’s really about getting close with your taxes. I don’t want you to be super overpaid or super underpaid because both are costing you money.” [6:55] “If the person who you’re hiring is controlling what they do, how they’re doing it, the level of their work, they’re probably a contractor. If you’re controlling it - their hours, where, how, when they work, giving them tools to work with - then they’re probably employees.” [12:42] “There’s not a whole lot of risk, but if you do get caught, you’re going to get penalized and it’s going to hurt.” [28:19] Links: Join the Onward Summit! Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group The Budget Maximizer 2.0 Core Group Follow Core on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 203: The Importance of Proper Bookkeeping to Save Your Business Episode 236: How to Become an Authority within Your Niche Episode 245: The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers to Protect Your Business

I hate the topic of this episode. Just the mention of taxes and numbers sends shivers down my spine. But just because I wish I could ignore the issue doesn’t mean it isn’t important. If you’re serious about your business, you need to be taking these things seriously too. Fortunately, today’s guest is here to make the numbers less intimidating for small business owners like you and me.   Key Takeaways The essentials for all business owners boil down to being able to track income and expenses and having the proper legal protections in place. The two most important insurances to have for your business are general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance. Having a contract between you and clients will set proper expectations and show that you’re a true professional in your field. About Braden Drake Braden is a California licensed attorney and tax professional. His tagline is your gay best friend here to help you get your legal and tax sh*t legit. Braden works primarily with service-based, creative small business owners through his courses where he educates on contracts, business entities, cash flow, systems, and taxes.   Knowing Your Numbers Braden starts off by explaining what many business-owners get wrong. To run efficiently, we need to be implementing the right tracking systems. When you accurately know your income and expenses, not only will you be better at tax time, but you’ll be better informed to make strategic business decisions. While it’s often best to get professional help, there are certain steps that you can take on your own. Braden talks about how to go about forming an LLC, doing your own bookkeeping, and even how to file some of your taxes.   Protecting Your Business with Insurance and Contracts Life is unpredictable and so is business. Braden talks about important types of insurance to have to protect yourself and your livelihood. General liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance will protect you and your business from many mishaps. With all the many possibilities out there, Braden urges all of us to find an insurance agent who really understands your industry. Contracts are another thing to pay attention to. Although many of us make deals with just a handshake, putting the important parts in writing is in everyone’s best interest. A well-written contract sets expectations and can protect you if things go awry. What do you dread most at tax time? Has insurance saved you from an expensive mistake? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: Why your numbers matter for more than just taxes [4:50] The most important insurance considerations [11:00] What every contract needs to include [14:50] How a contract will improve your reputation [23:38] Setting expectations for pro bono projects [25:25] How to move forward in your business when you’re feeling stuck [28:10] Quotes “You never want to get hate mail from the IRS. So if that’s not incentive enough to be on top of your numbers, then I don’t know what will be.” [4:44] “The idea of insurance is that we hope that we never need it. A lot of people say that they don’t want to pay for it because they hope to never use it. Well, we hope they won’t have to, but if they do, they’ll be really happy they have it.” [14:37] “If I, as a client, am hiring you and I’m ready to pay you money and you don’t send me a contract, I’m going to be questioning your professionalism.” [25:00] “If you’re feeling stuck and challenged, first of all, you got to strip it back and ask yourself why you’re feeling stuck and what’s challenging you.”  [29:00]   Links: Sign up for the Onward Summit! Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group The Studio Sherpas Store Core Find Braden Drake online Follow Braden on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Unf*ck Your Biz Podcast  Find Braden Drake online Follow Braden on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Unf*ck Your Biz Podcast  Unf*ck Your Biz by Braden Drake   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Just because you can do everything in your business, doesn’t mean you should. It’s an easy trap to fall into. This is particularly the case when it comes to marketing. Today’s guest explains why you’ll be best served by defining what your position is. Key Takeaways Position your business as one that makes a specific kind of video rather than one that serves a specific kind of client. Having a clear position on this will become a large part of your marketing. It’s okay if you don’t like to do marketing. However, you won’t grow unless you bring aboard someone who does. About Kevin Elliott Kevin Elliott is co-founder and lead producer for Wewa Films. He has produced videos all over the country for clients including McDonald's, Gulf County, Florida Tourism, The Children's Advocacy Center, and Florida's Great Northwest. He lives in Panama City, Florida, with his wife, daughter, and 15 chickens. Building Your Ideal Business When you’re first starting out, just getting clients is your priority. Yet, it will help you if you start thinking about who your ideal client is. What kind of work would bring you joy every day? Kevin describes the process for building your company with this in mind.  When figuring out your niche, Kevin recommends focusing on what kind of films you want to make rather than what industries you want to work with. Boil this down to just a few words. Making that the focus of your marketing will attract businesses to you. Your Role As A Marketer It’s fine if you want to stick to simply making videos. A lot of clients are after just that. Yet, there are also opportunities in helping your clients market their own businesses. Kevin describes the opportunities for growth in helping clients market the videos you make for them. This is an excellent way for video businesses to expand their services. By working with clients on their marketing strategy, you offer a service that continues to pay you back. You’ll be a trusted partner in their strategy and they’ll continue to work with you over and over again. What kind of videos do you make? How do you communicate this to potential clients? Who is your ideal client? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How producers provide clients with an exceptional experience [6:15] How to attract your ideal client through positioning [10:50] Kevin’s process for creating heartfelt cinematic videos [23:00] Building a business with a marketing strategy in mind [26:35] Helping clients discover what they actually want [35:50] The importance of having a top-notch website [45:40] Quotes “Flip the script and stop asking who will pay you to do video. Instead, ask who do you want to pay you to do video.” [15:14] “If you try to be everything, you will be nothing. I guarantee you will not grow.” [15:25] “If you want to make money and be a business, you have to think like every other business. You have to focus. You have to nail down exactly what your business stands for.” [19:33] Links: Sign up for the Onward Summit! The Video Blueprint Method Core Find Kevin Elliott online Follow Kevin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Reis and Jack Trout The E-Myth by Michael Gerber Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Are you hustling and grinding nonstop? Are you trying to do everything in your business? There are so many things that we do in our business that are a waste of time. Today’s guest is here to tell you how to stop wasting energy on the minutiae of business and start focusing on the parts you love the most. Key Takeaways The first step to implementing systems is to examine your business strategy. You need to be clear on what you're selling and who you’re selling it to. Delegating small tasks in your business adds up quickly. This will free up significant time for you to focus on the work that truly matters to you. About Austin Netzley Austin is an author, investor, and business growth advisor. He is the Founder and CEO of 2X, helping 6 and 7-figure entrepreneurs get free from the day-to-day grind and start scaling faster than ever. In less than three years, 2X has helped private clients generate over $211 Million and counting while in the 2X one-on-one coaching programs. Austin has outlined their methodology in his book From 6 to 7 Figures that authority Dan Martell calls “the playbook entrepreneurs NEED.” Free Yourself From Your Business As entrepreneurs, we get into this business to make an impact and have freedom and flexibility as we do it. Yet, too often we get bogged down with the details of running a business. Austin explains why implementing the right systems will free you from this trap. By systemizing and mechanizing all the non-creative aspects of your business, you’ll free yourself up to do the work that you actually feel called to do. The first thing to do is get really clear on who you serve. By streamlining your business so that you serve a particular type of client, you’ll eliminate many possible complications. You’ll then be ready to easily replicate what you do. Mindset and Mission Austin explains how much of this comes down to mindset. You need to be clear on what your mission is. The better you understand this, the better you’ll understand how to get there. This will help you realize what you can actually do to move your business forward.  It’s important not to try to change everything at once. Austin emphasizes the importance of small incremental change. By systematizing one thing at a time, you’ll make incremental improvements that will add up. Over a short amount of time, you’ll transform your business and your role in it. What small task in your business can you start delegating today? What parts of your business align with your zone of genius? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Getting out of the day to day grind [5:15] Creating systems that support your creative side [9:00] What to prioritize as your business grows [16:15] Why it’s crucial to start by reframing your mindset around time and its value [22:00] Getting the financial side of your business in order [30:35] The best kind of marketing for you and your business [34:50] Quotes “Systems provide the structure to have all the freedom that we want.” [9:19] “If we’re getting stuff off our plate every single day, you’re going to be in a whole new reality within a matter of weeks.” [20:51] “Growth begins with fulfillment and don’t forget the best leads you can get are the customers you already got.” [35:39] Links: Sign up for the Onward Summit! Core Find Austin Netzley online Follow Austin on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter From 6 to 7 Figures Your World-Class Assistant by Michael Hyatt Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

For so many of us, doing this work is our dream. The fact that we get to pick up a camera and film the important moments in people’s lives and tell incredible stories is what drives many of us. For others, the dream looks different. Today’s guest helps us identify our dreams so that we can start taking meaningful action towards them today. Key Takeaways Don’t compare yourself to others. Their dreams and goals are different from yours. You are after different things, so any comparison will lead to disappointment.  Once you know your dream, it’s time to create action by making a clear and compelling vision, creating tangible goals, having bold faith, and being relentless in your execution. About Ira Davis Ira Davis, a former Marine Corps Drill Instructor, is a skydiver, a dream development coach, and the founder of the transformational coaching company "The DreamDiver Company" and the documentary production company "IV I II Studios" (pronounced Four One Two Studios). Both companies are on a mission to inspire the world to live a life of purpose and to dive for their most audacious dreams. Your Dreams Are Unique Because You Are Unique Ira wants us all to recognize that everyone’s dream is different. This is important to remember when you find yourself drawing comparisons to others. Their dream is different from yours. So why are you comparing where you are to where they are? When you work towards your dream, you immediately become a changemaker. If you follow directly in the paths of others in this industry, you will only maintain what’s already there. However, when you follow your purpose, you strive towards your unique dreams and goals. You will make changes by being authentically you. Do The Work To Discover Your Dream Even knowing what your dream actually is is difficult. Yet, a dream is what motivates us and improves us. It’s what keeps us alive. Throughout this conversation, Ira helps guide us in the process of identifying our purpose.  Once you know your purpose, it's up to you to start imagining the most complete and efficient solution to the problem you want to solve. If you didn’t have any limits to this solution, what would you do? The answer to this question is your dream. What motivates you the most in life and in work? What is your dream? How can you take your business there? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Finding the way to your unique dream [7:35] What it takes to be different in your field [12:50] Taking the first steps towards your dream [20:50] How to put dreams into action [28:33] Why we often fail to take action towards our dreams [33:10] Quotes “You have to understand that your path is your path. There are no two dreams that look alike…. It’s always unfair to compare your day one or your year two to someone else’s year twenty or year fifty.” [10:48] “Dreamers change and shape the world. Maintainers sustain the world.” [11:58] “You will never really know who you are and what you’re truly capable of until you begin to pursue a God-sized dream that’s deeply rooted in your purpose and is massively bigger than you.” [18:37] “Dreams are born when a person gets pregnant with purpose.” [26:29] Links: Sign up for the Onward Summit! Core Find Ira Davis online Follow Ira on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook IV I II Studios: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Free 3 Part Video Series: "Made For Something Greater" (Discover how to see and identify the most audacious possibilities for your life) Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes Episode 187: Aligning Your Dreams With Your Job

Owning a business is a never-ending process. Everything can change in a moment. To stay in it, you have to be constantly growing and adapting. Key Takeaways By changing the status of your business from an LLC to an S Corp you’ll immediately start saving 15% of your distributions. Your goal as a business owner is to make yourself replaceable. When your business can run without you, then you have achieved entrepreneurial freedom. About Evan Van Auken Evan is an entrepreneur, inventor, and educator. He helps people start businesses the proper way. For eight years Evan worked both as a firefighter and a CEO for his businesses. Now he runs them full time and teaches others the things he's learned along the way. Learn to Keep More of the Money You Earn When Evan first got into business he quickly realized that he had a lot to learn. He learned that entrepreneurship is a practice. You have to keep working on it to get better. Many aspects of owning and running a business can only be truly learned by doing them. One of these is getting the best tax rate possible. Evan breaks down some complex tax notions to help us understand how to keep more of the money that we make. He goes through the advantages of being an S Corp versus an LLC and how you can start keeping more of your earnings in your pocket. Becoming Replaceable in Your Business Evan also lays out some truths about what it means to be a business owner and not your own employee. You need to have the systems and people in place that make you redundant. When you are replaceable, you’ll have the freedom that you built your business to achieve.  By making the transition from merely owning your job to owning your business, the business will be able to run with or without you. That’s the goal. That’s what many of us are striving for. Have you saved on taxes by changing the status of your business? How can you become replaceable in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Addressing the knowledge gap that comes with starting a business [5:20] Building the confidence to strike out on your own path [9:30] Setting up your business to take advantage of the best tax breaks [13:45] Why you should outsource your editing overseas [21:50] Building passive income through partnerships [27:04] What it means to own your job [34:40] Quotes “Business and entrepreneurship really is a practice. You start and you keep practicing it and you keep getting better and there are some things you can only learn by doing them.” [8:23] “It’s really about how much money you keep, not how much money you make. How much money are you keeping? How much money are you not paying in taxes? It's about how much money you’re keeping in your pocket.” [15:54] “You need to learn how to replace yourself. It’s the only way to freedom. It’s the only way to have a business and not a job.” [34:43] “If you haven't changed it, you’ve fully accepted it. So make some changes if you don’t like where you’re at.” [42:55] Links: Sign up for the Onward Summit! Core Find Evan Van Auken online Follow Evan on Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Tik Tok | Linkedin | Twitch | Twitter | Discord | Pinterest Take the Intimidation Out of Legal Documents Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki Tax-Free Wealth by Tom Wheelwright Traction by Gino Wickman The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Welcome to a live episode of the Grow Your Video Business Podcast! There are so many topics that I could cover, but I want to leave that up to my community of fellow video makers. I recorded this episode live on Facebook where you’ll hear me coach others in real-time! Key Takeaways Nothing is without its risks, but if you never take any in your business, it will never grow. It’s not worth it to work with a client who drains your energy. It’s better to spend your energy seeking out the clients you’d prefer to work with. Finding Prospects With and Without Facebook Ads We start off this open coaching session with a question about finding prospects with Facebook ads. There are times when Facebook ads make good sense. This is particularly the case when you have a clearly defined market. However, when your potential clientele and their needs are broad, you can’t get your message across with a single video ad. Although it can be hard when you’re first starting out, referrals are an excellent source of prospects. I recommend approaching past clients and asking them who they know that they think would vibe well with you. When to Fire that Problem Client What about high-paying clients that are very demanding of your time? Sure, the money is good, but you have to ask yourself if it’s still worth it. It really comes down to how you feel. If you have clients whose phone call or email you look forward to, then you’re doing something right. If not, then you need to ask yourself why you are putting yourself out there for them. The fact of the matter is, the sooner you can break up with stress-inducing clients, the sooner you can refocus on growing your business the way you want to. Who to Hire First I also discuss hiring your first employee. Every business will have different needs. Every business owner is different as well. Take a good look at what parts of your business you are the best working in and where you could use the most help.  For me, the most valuable first hire would have been an operations and business manager. Now that I have this person on my team, I am able to focus on the parts of my business that I enjoy the most. I also know that everything that needs to be taken care of is being handled. What burning question do you have about running your business? How do you search for new prospects for your business? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Highlights of success from video business owners [5:00] Where to find prospects and how Facebook Ads can be part of it [14:30] Knowing when it’s time to fire a client [26:00] Deciding who to hire first [33:00] How to nudge a prospect who is not responding to your proposal [38:25] How to move someone from contractor to employee [44:05] Quotes “For each of us on our own journey, something that might be small to your eye could make the world of difference for somebody else and be the thing that they need to go to the next level.” [11:02] “The dream is for us to choose our work. The dream is for us to choose our clients. The longer we spend time with people we don’t want to work with…. It’s just not healthy and we only have so much time.” [27:49] “I hope that you are growing your own network of other people in this industry who can help you, support you, encourage you, challenge you in the way that you’re thinking. I think that’s just the best way to grow.” [46:42] Links: Get your spot in the Onward Summit! Client’s Budget Workshop Core Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

What is the most valuable non-renewable asset in your life and business? It’s time. Your time is limited, so why not use it doing what brings you the most satisfaction and joy? Today’s guest designed his businesses to let him do just that. Key Takeaways You’re not alone in your work. By being part of a community of people in the same profession, you can help and support each other and foster mutual success. As soon as you can, start creating systems to automate as much of your job as possible. Branching out in the type of services you offer is often an inexpensive way to create more security. About Blake Pollino Blake spent ten years doing business development and marketing in the corporate/start-up world. He shot his first wedding for free in December 2017 and filmed his first paid wedding the following March.  Blake worked 80+ hours a week building his video business while still working a full-time 9-5. He went full-time almost one year to the day after his first paid wedding. Blake launched BP Media Group in 2019. Since then, he has worked with companies/brands like ConocoPhillips, Shell, the Philadelphia 76ers, Junior Olympics, Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin University, and more. In late 2019, he spun his real estate photo/video work into its own company, BP Real Estate Photo & Video. Becoming the Boss of Your Own Schedule with Systems As someone who runs multiple businesses, Blake could be constantly at odds with time. However, he learned that money that buys you more time is money well spent. Blake explains how establishing and using automated systems has freed up more time in his business. By having employees and systems in place, Blake is able to own his schedule. Having previously worked over eighty hours a week, you better believe he appreciates his ability to take quality time off for his family and his own passions. Building the Relationships that Pay You Back Over and Over Again One aspect of Blake’s success has come from relationships with clients. There are some companies, particularly marketing agencies, that will need video for many different projects and clients. These, in turn, can lead to new work opportunities. We discuss how seeking out and cultivating relationships with just a few companies can greatly multiply your work.  A lot has to do with the effort you put into securing clients. By putting your energy into going after big clients, you’re being more efficient with your resources. These are often the clients that you can reliably count on for multiple work opportunities. What systems do you have in your business that allow you to own your own time? How do you go antelope hunting instead of mouse hunting? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: The benefits of being part of a shared experience [6:00] How Blake transitioned out of corporate work and into entrepreneurship [12:10] Taking advantage of automation to buy you more time [17:33] Taking control of your time and schedule to be able to focus on your true priorities [24:40] Why it can be tough to be both a creative and an entrepreneur [33:40] Finding clients who lead you to even more opportunities [35:45] Whether to hunt for field mice or antelopes [41:50] Diversifying your business without buying new gear [43:37] What to do after your success [52:00] Quotes “Some of the moments that have led to the most success in this business have come from going to workshops. It’s not necessarily the content that is taught at those workshops, which is normally great; it’s the relationships that I’ve made.” [10:31] “We’re in a really cool place where people are starting to see that the ocean is plenty big for everyone. We can really help each other and lift each other up.” [11:19] “There’s a big struggle in the creative industry. We’re artists. We want to create something and show our art. But, whether we like it or not, we’re also business-people. We have to run these businesses. Many struggle to do both these things.” [33:43] Links: Get on the Onward Summit Waitlist! Core Find Blake Pollino online Follow Blake on YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Essentialism by Greg McKeown From 6 to 7 Figures by Austin Netzley Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 201: How to Become an Essentialist and Change Your Life for the Better

Diversification in your business is essential to its survival. I think that’s something we all learned recently. Yet, you can’t always do everything yourself. Today’s guest explains how he learned to use outside expertise in order to keep his business agile and profitable. Key Takeaways Bringing in outside experts allows you to take on a wide variety of projects. While this is an extra expense, it will likely lead to higher quality work which you can charge more for. Always be looking for more and different opportunities. Complacency will not help you when situations unexpectedly change. About Jeffrey Johnson Jeffrey Johnson has been around cameras all his life. His dad managed a camera shop, and he helped him develop photos in a makeshift darkroom at home. He grew to be passionate about art and music and studied design. But Jeffrey lost his drive to be creative for years, working in sales and management. After a life-changing event and a cross-country move, he decided to take photography classes, which reignited his creative passion and propelled him to quit his proverbial day job and start freelancing in 2012.  Jeffrey slowly niched down to commercial work, specializing in architecture, interiors, and tabletop. A few clients wanted video, and he decided to dip his toes in the water. Bam! He was pulled in by the opportunity to be a visual storyteller on a whole other level. When the pandemic presented an opportunity to rebrand and relaunch, he joined the VBA to optimize his business so he could offer a full suite of creative services under one roof. Flexibility as the Key to Survival and Success In this episode, Jeffrey explains how he gradually transitioned into video. One central aspect of freelancing is being open to new opportunities. Say yes and figure it out later. Jeffery certainly got his start in video this way.  A key part of this process is being open to all sorts of new opportunities. Since you may be new to what you’re doing, having a trusted network of people who you can rely on is crucial. By bringing in experienced experts when needed, you’ll improve your own craft. You’ll also create mutually beneficial opportunities that might come back to help you out later on. Getting Outside Help in Order to Achieve More Jeffrey knows that he wouldn’t have survived as a business owner on his own. While it’s natural to want to be protective of your ideas and creations, sometimes you need to share them with others to bring your work to fruition. If not calling in outside help means your work won’t go anywhere, what do you have to lose through collaboration? Is it worth it to create a passive income opportunity for your business? How has bringing in outside help improved the way that you do business? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How Jeffrey got his start in photography and transitioned to video [4:40] The power of your network to expand the type of work you do [9:45] Having a vision for your business that remains flexible when circumstances change [12:55] Passive income opportunities that can see you through hard times [15:44] Why being protective of your work is the wrong mindset [21:45] Recognizing your achievements that took time to materialize [28:45] Quotes “Maybe life is too short to be doing something that I’m not super excited and passionate about. I wanted a creative outlet.” [5:42] “The work really needs to come first. Buying the gear is not going to make the work come to me. I need to seek out the work that will justify acquiring the gear.” [9:33] “If you’re doing really great at something and you get too comfortable, then the world is going to up and change and you’ll become outdated, obsolete, and left in the dust.” [21:08] Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook group Get on the Onward Summit Waitlist! Core Find Jeffrey Johnson online Follow Jeffrey on Instagram | Linkedin | Facebook Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Related Episodes: Episode 133: How To Create Passive Income Strategies For Filmmakers

We all should have a vision of what our company really is. That’s the easy part. What’s harder is sharing that vision in a coherent way with others. Today’s guest has helped hundreds of companies clarify their vision so they can effectively broadcast it to the world and reach their goals. Key Takeaways Having a vivid vision for your company will keep you constantly aligned with your goals and mission. About Cameron Herold Cameron is the mastermind behind the exponential growth of hundreds of companies, making him known as the business growth guru. He has built a dynamic consultancy with clients that include a monarchy and a Big 4 wireless company. The author of five books, Cameron is also a top-rated international speaker and the founder of the COO Alliance, the World's Leading Network for Seconds in Command. Creating The Right Vision for Your Company To come up with a vivid vision of your company, Cameron wants us to ditch our vision statements. They really don’t mean much anyway. You need to dive deeper than that. No matter the size of your business, having and communicating a meaningful vision of your company will help you attract the customers and talent you need.  Cameron explains how to actually write out your vivid vision as you formulate it. This provides the excitement, clarity, and drive to move your business to greater heights. The Amazing Thing That Happens With Your Vision Both Cameron and I discovered something amazing that comes with having a vision. When you are clear on what you want from your company, it provides you with more opportunities to live the life that you want to live.  Sure, making money is a large part of why we do what we do. However, there should be so much more to it. With our visions are leading our businesses, we have the clarity to choose what we want to work on and have the freedom to put our own wants and desires first. How is your company’s vision bigger than a mission statement? How do you communicate your business’ vision to clients? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How to formulate an image of your company [5:28] Why a small business still needs a vivid vision [9:28] The power of defining your core values for your company [11:30] Finding pride in building something that allows you to live on your terms [17:17] Who to hire first in your business [23:50] The future of Cameron’s vivid vision [30:00] Quotes “That one-sentence vision doesn’t align anybody. We all know it’s nonsense. We just mashed up seven words into a sentence and said ‘Go, team!’” [8:16] “When you define your core values and pick customers and suppliers based on them, all of a sudden it starts to supercharge your organization.”  [12:33] “You don’t need to hire somebody. You need to get more stuff done. So take all the stuff and put it into buckets. Who can do this stuff and what would a person doing this stuff be called?” [26:35] Links: Get on the Onward Summit Waitlist! Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook group Core Find Cameron Herold online Follow Cameron on Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin Invest in Your Leaders COO Alliance Vivid Vision The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs Double Double Free PR From Six to Seven Figures Entrepreneurs’ Organization Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Grow Your Video Business survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Grow Your Video Business Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Choosing a focus for your business is scary. There’s a fear that niching down means you might be missing out on other opportunities. That’s why so many of us take a long time to pick a niche or never do. Today’s guest explains how he overcame this and how you can too. Key Takeaways Having a niche automatically raises you to the level of an expert in your field. This builds the trust that your clients are looking for. Keep all your paperwork well-organized. If you are ever faced with an audit, this will help everything go so much smoother than otherwise. About Jake Sturgis Jake Sturgis, the founder, and CEO of Captivate Media, started with video in high school, where he had a public access TV show that never quite caught on like Wayne's World. In college, he was a TV news producer in Duluth, Minnesota. From there, he worked as a videographer and Communications Coordinator for two school districts in Minnesota.  For over a decade Jake worked those jobs while shooting and editing weddings and small corporate gigs on the side. In 2014, Jake took the big leap into the video business full-time. Jake's videos have garnered national attention, leading to multiple awards and public speaking engagements on visual storytelling and authentic student engagement. Finding Your Business’ Perfect Niche Jake’s company has a very narrow niche. He works mostly with schools and educators to produce content that showcases their institutions. Jake explains how he discovered the need this niche has for quality videos and how he fills it. As an expert in creating videos for his niche, Jake can often anticipate his client’s needs before they even know them. Despite these advantages that come with having a niche, many of us are hesitant to be in one. Jake addresses these fears and anxieties. He explains how you need to understand who you are as a person as well as a business. When you have faith in yourself and your mission, you’ll come to understand that you will find and create the opportunities needed for success. Surviving the Dreaded Audit As Jake grew his business, he soon realized that he couldn’t do it all by himself. But taking on employees is not necessarily a straightforward process. In fact, his state ended up auditing his business, looking at how he was employing his team. Jake tells us how he dealt with this stressful time in his business and how he would do it again if he had to. Are you avoiding specializing in a particular niche? What’s holding you back? What niche do you feel best qualified to focus on? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Why cheaper work isn’t always worth the price [3:30] How being an expert in your niche puts you at a special advantage [11:30] Dealing with the fear that comes with niching down [18:15] Finding the faith to grow your business into something bigger [24:55] What Jake learned when his company was audited [33:00] Advice for someone considering starting their own full-time business [42:25] Quotes “When you’ve got a niche, and when you know when things are happening with your clients, you can start to anticipate and build for and predict those things before your clients even know they need them.” [14:57] “The more that you dive into a niche, the more windows of opportunity that will just present themselves.”[19:59] “I saw this opportunity and I didn’t want to look at somebody else who made that leap and made that decision and was super successful and always be looking in the rearview mirror and be like, that could have been me.” [45:08] “When you can pair your passions with what it is that you’re doing and making an impact in the lives of others, it’s incredibly fulfilling and a lot of days it doesn’t even feel like work.” [46:25] Links: Check out the FREE Client Budget Workshop! Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook group Core Find Jake Sturgis Online Follow Jake on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without collaboration. Even if you're the only person in your business, there are times when you’ll need to call in help from elsewhere, even if just to get a different perspective. Today’s guest explains how to do that more efficiently so that you can be more creative in the long run. Key Takeaways Creative partnerships are very important for the success of a business. Identify areas where another perspective would be beneficial and seek that out.  Creative projects often involve a degree of chaos. Project management software is a good tool for organizing and channeling that chaos into order. About Kaitlyn Rossi Kaitlyn Rossi is the senior video producer with Storyblocks. She's behind much of Storyblocks's branded content, including their new original series. Storyblocks helps creators and businesses of every size keep up with the growing demand for video. They provide flexible subscription plans for royalty-free stock video, audio, and images. Connections Lead to Possibilities When people connect, the creative possibilities increase exponentially. To truly flourish as a business, and as a person, you have to approach what you do with honest generosity. Helping and serving each other will lead to satisfied clients and more work for everyone. With this in mind, Kaitlyn and I discuss how fostering community - rather than competition - will result in more fulfilling opportunities for all of us. The Power of an Efficient Workflow Process We also talk about how to be as efficient as possible in your business. Having a tried and trusted workflow process in place is an essential part of this. Kaitlyn explains the framework that she follows during all stages of production. It centers on really getting to know your audience, their frustrations, and their desires. Once the concept has been established, she then coordinates between the various team members using software designed specifically for that purpose. By having the whole process in place from the start, a complicated project becomes exceptionally manageable. How has seeking an outside perspective helped your business? What tools do you use to facilitate your workflow? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: How Storyblocks is fostering creative collaboration with its new original series [4:10] The power of community to facilitate creativity [9:15] The fulfilling effects of getting positive feedback [13:20] Harnessing the efficiency of a well-designed workflow [16:50] Overcoming common struggles in the creative process [22:40] How to be a better partner in your business [24:45] Quotes “No matter what level you are in your career, everyone can benefit from creative partnership.” [8:32] “Don’t discount what other people can bring to your creative process and how they can enhance your work. Even if you’ve been at it for years, you can always learn something new and people will always bring an additional perspective.” [9:00] “To be a better partner to someone, don’t limit yourself to what you think they want to hear. Go into it with an open mind. Tell them honestly how you’re perceiving certain aspects because that could be the differentiator for them.” [25:21] “Go out there and find someone to partner with. Look in unexpected places.” [27:41] Links: Check out the FREE Client Budget Workshop! Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Storyblocks Follow Storyblocks on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Partnered: A Storyblocks Original Series Asana Notion Frame.io Wistia Basecamp Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It takes a certain level of discomfort when starting and running your own business. While it lacks the security and predictability of a “regular” job, it brings with it a degree of freedom that can’t be found anywhere else. Today’s guest shares his stories of successes and setbacks as a new video business owner. Key Takeaways You will likely have more regrets about not following your dreams of running your own business than you would if you don’t. If you feel called to do it, start doing it now. Defeating imposter syndrome requires acknowledging that it’s okay not to know everything and being true to who you are as a person and a business. About Dan Bewley Dan Bewley works with nonprofits to help them grow using the power of video. His passion for storytelling through video stems from his 25 years in TV news, telling a variety of stories from across the country.  Dan’s unique career has given him the insight to find stories that connect with viewers on an emotional level. He lives in Tulsa, OK with his wife, son, and hyperactive dog, Rocket. He’s a big fan of westerns, Sci-Fi movies, and obscure 1990s television shows. Embracing the Risks of Starting a Business In this episode, Dan describes the risks he took when leaving a corporate job to start his own studio. Although he was older than most first-time business owners and had enjoyed the security of corporate work, he felt that the risks of not acting on his desires were just too big to ignore.  Of course, there were mistakes made along the way. Dan explains how entering entrepreneurship with a mindset to embrace mistakes is a key element of succeeding. Everything is a learning experience if you are open to the lessons that they contain. Honesty as the Antidote to Imposter Syndrome Dan also talks about how overcoming imposter syndrome was one of his biggest challenges. Having never been in business before, he often had to deal with feelings of inadequacy. Dan explains how forcing himself to change his perspective allowed him to charge what he’s worth and land the clients he’s after. By being honest with who you are, you’ll recognize that you have something valuable to offer. Are you experiencing imposter syndrome? If so, how can you overcome it? What was your biggest fear when starting your own business? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Embracing the challenges of a career change at any age [4:00] Getting excited by the business aspects of running a company [11:20] Overcoming the effects of imposter syndrome by betting on yourself [17:02] What happens when you are completely honest with new clients [25:15] Hiring others to help you with specific tasks to serve your clients better [29:20] Quotes “It’s been a challenge, but what I like about it is it’s my challenge. I’m doing it for me. If it works, it’s because I made it work. If it doesn’t work, it’s because I didn’t make it work. I want to own that one way or the other.” [7:21] “Don’t make the mistake of not betting on yourself. Take that chance and take that risk!” [17:41] “Yes, bet on yourself. Yes, take chances. But also be realistic. Be honest with yourself.” [29:12] Links: Sign up for the Live Videography Interview Series  Sign up for the Onward Summit Waitlist Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Storyblocks Find Dan Bewley online Follow Dan on Facebook | Instagram Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Why are you working? It’s a simple question with a complex answer. It needs to be more than just making money or you won’t last long in this business. Today’s guest explains how to find the motivation to do great work by recognizing your power to create positive impacts. Key Takeaways Instead of asking customers what they want you to create for them, ask them how they want people to feel after seeing their videos. The work that you do should have purpose not just for your client, but for yourself. This is what is needed to keep you motivated to continue to produce great work. To identify your purpose in your work, think about who inspired you to do this work and why. Then look at your unique abilities, gifts, and talents and how you use those to serve others. About Davin Salvagno Davin Salvagno is the Founder & CEO of PurposePoint, the author of Finding Purpose at Work, and co-founder of The Purpose Summit. He is an inspirational thought leader and speaker known for connecting purpose, people, and performance. Having spent nearly two decades serving in various leadership roles in finance, human resources, operations, and marketing with Fortune 500 companies, his insights and talks have helped hundreds of organizations across the world engage their purpose and inspire their people. The Impact You Have in the Work You Do Everything that you do has an impact. Whether it’s big or small, you have an effect on other people. Davin talks about how we should be reflecting on what type of impact that is and learn to recognize it when it happens. He explains how following the “impact trail” shows you just how much bigger your influence is than you might have imagined. Approaching Experience as a Commodity Davin also explains how you can provide more for your clients by focusing on the experience that you provide and how you can transform what they do. Rather than relying purely on your products and services, emphasizing how you make them feel will often be enough to create loyal repeat clients. This type of approach will not only help your clients make a bigger impact, but it will also give you and your work more purpose. It will motivate you to keep working as you create positive impacts. As you utilize your talents and abilities to positively transform how other people feel, you’ll find that there is no limit to the impact that you can create. What is a purpose point in your life? What unique power do you have to impact the world? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Recognizing the purpose points in your life [8:35] Why the work that you do is more than just a job [14:48] Why competing at the experience and transformational levels will set you and your business apart [22:30] The power of being true to yourself [30:00] Where to start when you don’t know your work’s purpose [34:14] Quotes “People have been so disengaged with each other that they haven’t been able to see how the work that you do impacts other people.” [13:05] “Whatever it is that you do, how you tell a story has the power to engage someone’s heart and mind to think about something - or even better, to do something - they might otherwise not have done had it not been for your work.” [20:15] “Those tiny little nuances of what is uniquely you that sets you and what you do apart from the next person and how you position that and tie that to how it makes someone think or feel is the game-changer.” [33:34] Links: Sign up for the Live Videography Interview Series  Sign up for the Onward Summit Waitlist Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Storyblocks Find Davin Salvagno online Follow Davin on Linkedin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram The Purpose Summit Finding Purpose at Work by Davin Salvagno Start With Why by Simon Sinek Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Behind every business are actual human beings. Recognizing this is key to running your own business with integrity, caring, and a mission to make a meaningful difference. Today’s guest is a marketing wiz who has mastered the concept of building authentic relationships in the business world. Key Takeaways Customers are going to be more loyal to the brands they have deep connections with. This means building the identity of your company based on who you really are and what is most important to you. Your best customers will be the ones who connect with you as a person. The faster you can authentically put yourself out there, the faster you’ll find each other. About Jessika Phillips Jessika is a social media strategist known for her outspoken dedication to relationship marketing. Her personal mission is to inspire people to love more, give more, and be more through using authentic relationships every day. Jessika founded NOW Marketing Group in 2010 with only a laptop and a vision. The company is now a Forbes recognized Agency Partner and a certified inbound partner with Hubspot. NOW Marketing Group works with more than 100 clients across the United States and beyond, choosing to serve – not sell. Jessika teaches comprehensive relationship marketing, presents in a weekly videocast “Magnet Marketers”, and hosts one of the largest social media midwest conferences, Social Media Week Lima. Named as one of the top global rising stars in social media to watch, Jessika is one who leads genuinely, passionately, and by example in all she does. Your Unique Approach to Marketing In this episode, Jessika dives into how we can increase our impact and be more creative if we just think about our businesses a little differently. By recognizing the link between marketing, sales, and human behavior, you can increase your influence as well as revenue.  At the core of Jessika’s message is the idea of being unique in how you connect with your customers. It’s not what you do, so much as how you do it. Knowing what makes you different requires understanding who you and what your business is at a core level. Jessika explains how to identify what it is that you truly want to do with your business and who you want to serve. Putting Yourself at the Core of Your Business Ultimately, your business will do best when it’s true to who you are. Your brand should be a reflection of you. The sooner you can put your true self out there, the sooner you’ll weed out the people who aren’t a good fit, and the sooner you’ll draw in your ideal clients.  By marketing in a way that is true to your identity, you will naturally add value that others don’t. Jessika explains how the connections that you build this way will result in happier clients. You’ll be happier too since it’s always more satisfying working with people who share your values. They may even do your marketing for you by referring you to other similar customers. How does your brand reflect you as a unique individual? How can you get repeat referrals by creating valued relationships with customers? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Making relationships the centerpiece of your marketing [5:00] Reframing how we think about marketing [12:12] Using a magnet approach to marketing rather than a bullhorn [16:24] The biggest lies in business [23:16] How your customers and mindset define your niche [28:14] Getting repeat referrals through relationship marketing [33:30] Quotes “My MO is just all related to relationship marketing and just being better humans and not having this separation of business and personal in how we show up.” [5:31] “The people who are going to stay loyal to us are the ones who have something more than just a surface-level commitment to that brand.” [9:23] “You went into business for a reason; value that. Value yourself and value your work. Make sure there’s mutual respect with whomever you’re working with.” [26:45] Links: Join the LIVE Videography Interview Series Get on the Onward Summit waitlist Core Storyblocks Find Jessika Phillips Online Follow Jessika on Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube NOW Marketing Group Learn Relationship Marketing Relationships and ROI Masterclass The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Books by Seth Godin Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

When you dream about the future, you have a direction to set off on. There’s a goal to work towards. In this solo episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about setting big goals and how that helps you thrive in this business. Key Takeaways Goals can come in all sizes. Dream big and have a goal that may take years to realize. At the same time, create short-term tangible goals to keep you motivated along the way. It’s Time to Dream Big When you think about your video business, whether you’re new to it or not, I’m sure there’s something you wish were different. Perhaps you want to work fewer hours, make more passion projects, or save more money. It could be anything. But if you dreamed about your future lately, now is the time. Creating A Roadmap Towards Your Dreams It’s the dream and your goals that keep us motivated when life’s distractions get in the way. When you remember your greater purpose it becomes easier to remember why you are passionate about this work. Set yourself some short-term goals that will lead you toward your dream. Doing this will keep you motivated and show you just how close you are to achieving your dream. Dealing With The Unexpected There will be unexpected interruptions along the way. Things will happen that you just can’t plan for. Yet, when you have a plan directing you towards your goals, you won’t lose track of your ultimate destination.  Overcoming obstacles also requires thinking with an abundance mindset. Don’t just strive to meet the bare minimum of survival. Set big goals that lead you to thrive. Then, when things inevitably go wrong, you’ll be better positioned to overcome them. What goal can you set to allow yourself to dream big? What do you need to do to thrive, not just survive? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Finding your direction by examining your goals [2:52] The importance of having big dreams [9:10] Not undervaluing what you have to offer [15:45] How your big dreams will impact other people [22:20] Quotes “When you dream about the future - when you set goals - you have a direction that you want to head into. Then, you can work backward and think about how you want to get there.” [3:07] “I do believe that something very powerful happens when you dream and when you believe in something and work towards it. I think it’s more likely to happen when you start verbalizing and writing down your dreams, goals, hopes, and desires." [9:14] “You gotta believe that you’re worth it. And you gotta believe that it’s okay to dream really big for your life.” [22:26] Links: Sign up for the Onward Summit Waitlist Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Storyblocks Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I used to look at my competition and feel fear and inadequacy. But as I started to grow into my own identity as a business owner, I began looking at it differently. Now I see other similar businesses as sources of motivation. They’ve gone from being my competitors to part of my community. Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing one of them. Key Takeaways Don’t be afraid to get in touch with other similar businesses in your area. This has the possibility of opening up all sorts of new opportunities. It’s not enough to just be good at something. You need to enjoy it as well or else it’s not truly a strength. About Heather Zara Heather Zara is the owner and CEO of Zara Creative, a Detroit-based video production studio that helps forward-thinking brands make meaningful connections with their audiences. As an observer of the human experience, Heather has built her career upon the pillars of creativity and communication while letting her passions and curiosity lead the way. With over 22 years of experience, this award-winning storyteller has interviewed inspiring humans like Martha Stewart, Kobe Bryant, Michael Strahan, John Varvatos, LeBron James, and more. Stories have the power to heal, shape, and transform our lives, and Heather has made it her life’s work to tell those stories. The Transformative Nature of Building Community A lot happens when you stop viewing other video businesses as competition and start to see them as other members of your community. Envy turns into inspiration. You become clearer on what you want from your own business. You also find people to share information, knowledge, and referrals with. Ultimately, the work becomes more fulfilling this way. It’s All About Mindset Heather and I have both found that this is only possible with self-reflection. You need to take the time to look back on your journey, understand where you’ve come from, and evaluate what you’ve learned along the way. This takes a certain amount of humility. It also requires that you be kind to yourself. This is a learning process for everybody. Fortunately, when you have a community that you can turn to, there’s no need to go through it alone. Could your business benefit from having community or competition? How have you learned humility as a business owner? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Finding inspiration from your community [6:00] How to reach out to other video companies [14:20] Understanding growth through transformation [18:50] Finding joy through creating meaningful work [27:45] Lessons learned through refining your hiring process [32:25] The two most important qualities of strength [42:20]   Quotes “It is so much more freeing when you can look at your community as a catalyst to help you grow.” [8:20] “Any time you feel envy, it’s information. It’s information of the direction you actually want to be going.” [13:27] “I think that being a business owner requires a lot of humility.” [42:21] “Be yourself as much as you possibly can. If being yourself means wearing a leather jacket and ripped jeans in a meeting, great! Go be yourself. Don’t change yourself to fit into this role that you’re telling yourself society needs you to show up as.” [46:26]   Links: Sign up for the Client Budget Workshop Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Storyblocks Find Heather Zara online Follow Heather on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr Capri for Girls   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Does conflict have to be a part of doing business? It often seems unavoidable - something to be dealt with. But what if your work could truly be free of conflict? Today’s guest has a huge depth of experience helping people of all backgrounds create situations in which everyone wins. Key Takeaways When you find yourself being drawn into a conflict, stop and examine how you ended up there. Then think about something constructive that you could do differently. About Dr. Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler Dr. Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler is the Founder and CEO of Alignment Strategies Group, the New York-based consulting firm that helps CEOs and their executive teams optimize organizational health and growth. She is the author of OPTIMAL OUTCOMES: Free Yourself from Conflict at Work, at Home, and in Life, which was selected as a Financial Times Book of the Month. Jennifer is a keynote speaker at Fortune 500 companies, public institutions, and leading startups, including Google, Harvard Law School, and the United Nations. A former counterterrorism fellow with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, she earned her Ph.D. in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and has taught conflict freedom at Columbia for a decade. Getting Free From The Conflict Loop I’m sure you've experienced this too; You go to great lengths to resolve a conflict, but it keeps rearing its head again and again. Jennifer says that instead of trying to resolve the unresolvable, we should strive to fully free ourselves from it.  It’s all about removing yourself from the conflict loop. This means examining some of your habits that may be drawing you into these situations. Often we blame other people or ourselves. We may even shut down in an effort to avoid confrontation altogether. Sometimes we even try to collaborate our way out of a conflict. All these lead to wasted time and energy as they seldom actually solve the problem. Cultivating New Habits That Lead to Winning Situations It’s not enough to just identify how you end up in conflict. It takes practice to learn to free yourself from it. Jennifer describes some proven strategies to look at conflict situations from different angles. When you get a better perspective on things, it is possible to build more empathy and discover solutions. When we understand what people need and what they want, what their values - both spoken and unspoken - are, we can serve them best. Understanding this won’t just allow you to free yourself from existing conflict, it will help you avoid it in the first place. What can you do to create win-win situations in your business? Which of the conflict habits do you find yourself in? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The four habits that lead to conflict [4:45] Practices to overcome your conflict-creating habits [15:55] The role of empathy in preventing and resolving conflict [20:42] Finding clients whose values you can best connect with [29:38]   Quotes “We use what I call our conflict habits. Those conflict habits interact with other people’s conflict habits and keep us locked in a pattern of interaction that becomes self-reinforcing and it’s very difficult to break free.” [7:22] “One of the practices in this methodology is about not only how to manage and free yourself from conflict once it’s already occurred, but also how to prevent it from getting worse or even prevent it from happening in the first place.” [31:54] “You can’t know if someone’s values are misaligned with yours unless you know what your own values are.” [33:31]   Links: Sign up to join the FREE 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Core Storyblocks Find Dr. Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler online Follow Jennifer on Linkedin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram OPTIMAL OUTCOMES: Free Yourself from Conflict at Work, at Home, and in Life Dr. Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler Optimal Outcomes Resources Alignment Strategies Group   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

No one, including myself, knows everything there is to know about running a successful video business. Learning from others is what it’s all about. That’s why I make this podcast, and why, I assume, you listen to it. With that in mind, I’m talking with today’s guest who has some unorthodox winning strategies that anyone can try. Key Takeaways Using case studies and testimonials to support your reputation is one way to make contact with prospective clients. If you don’t have these, reach out to people who can speak to your character and your work in general. Every business owner has a story to tell. If you want to work with them, learn their story and use it to tell the world who they are.  Videos are your tool to solve a problem a business has. About Paul Jew Paul started in business in 1983 partnering with his brother to build the largest independently owned photography studio in New Mexico. In 2013, he attended a workshop at the Photo Marketing Tradeshow called Microbudget Filmmaking that was conducted by Patrick from Muse. That workshop hooked him on the Art and Science of Storytelling and prompted him to create a video division for his company, Moji Cinema. In 2019, he sold his photo studio so that he could concentrate on storytelling and video production full time. Partnering With Iconic Businesses in Your Area Paul shares some of his out-of-the-box methods for finding great clients to work with. These include conducting surveys about iconic local businesses and using them to get in touch with their owners. You can then tell their origin stories as part of a package you sell. Most of all, Paul sees what he does as connecting businesses with the community through video. This winning strategy has caused his business to quickly soar. In fact, the more he does, the more credibility his business gains, leading to even more opportunities. Learning From Your Mistakes To Create More Value Paul’s business has experienced some drastic changes over the years. Not all these changes came smoothly. Most didn’t. From bad investments in new technology to searching out the wrong clients, he’s learned a lot. Most importantly, Paul now understands how he can truly help clients.  Talking to clients to understand their problems is central to using video to bring them solutions. When you understand what story you need to tell to help them, you’ll bring them amazing value that will only lead to everyone’s success. How can you use Paul’s strategies to get in touch with new clients? Have you used an unorthodox marketing strategy to land a client? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: How learning about the power of stories got Paul involved in video production [5:30] Using video to effectively tell a business’ story [11:50] Some methods for getting prospective clients to call you back [19:25] The power of origin stories to promote a business [23:51] How adversity and challenges lead to stronger businesses in the end [25:50] Understanding the problems that you can solve for businesses [29:20]   Quotes “The things that these people shared in their origin story would benefit so many other business owners. Why don’t we tell the stories of other business owners who are iconic and get their stories out there so that people can learn from all success principles that they have learned from?” [17:00] “No matter what entrepreneur I talk to, usually they have a very fascinating hero’s journey and it’s a great story to delve into.” [23:56] “I believe as video production people, we have the power to really come alongside business owners with whatever problem they have and make a huge difference in terms of their bottom line.” [32:53] “I just have a natural empathy, an affinity for what business owners go through, so my angle is always about how can we, with what we do, serve them so that it’s going to give them a good return on investment.” [37:41]   Links: Sign up to join the FREE 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Core Storyblocks Find Paul Jew online Follow Paul on Facebook | Instagram Muse Storytelling ABQ’s Most Iconic   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you love making videos but can’t because you spend all your time running your business? As a small business owner, it is too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations of your company and lose sight of the bigger picture. Today, we’re discussing how to get back on track. Key Takeaways Delegation is key to creating a sustainable business. As soon as you start your company, create processes to allow you to delegate work so that your day-to-day operations could continue even without you there. Clients are going to work with people they connect with. This means that you need to regularly put out content that showcases who you are. About Samson Jagoras Samson is the President of Growth Vue Properties and helps successful people passively invest in large commercial apartment complexes across the United States. He is also a commercial real estate broker and the VP of strategic investments for RE/MaX commercial alliance. Over his 12-plus year career in business, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship, he has served as a professional futures and commodities broker, actively invested in real estate, and acted as the Chief Strategy Officer for Madwire (an INC 500 marketing and technology company located in Fort Collins, Colorado) where he aided in taking Madwire's revenue from $7 million to over $100 million and 35 employees to 600 employees in 10 years. You Don’t Need To Do It All No matter what your small business is, you likely spend too much time not doing the parts that bring you joy. Samson urges you to refocus by delegating the work that you don’t need to or want to do. By splitting up the tasks in your business by outsourcing you ensure that your energy is best put to use. It’s never too early to do this. From the very start, begin creating processes that let you hand off certain work to somebody else. Reputation Is Everything So much of a small business’s success relies on its reputation. This is something that you can control, but you have to be intentional about it. Ask satisfied customers to write reviews. Also, put out content that promotes you as a person. Video is a great medium for this. Samson wants video business owners to get in front of the camera and put out consistent content promoting what they do. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just has to communicate who you are. By getting into the minds of potential clients, they will naturally think of you when they want your services. What tasks have you or could you delegate right now? How do you communicate to customers who you are as a business owner?  Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Why entrepreneurs often lose track of their goals [6:15] Why you should be delegating early and often [9:00] What to consider when hiring someone to handle your sales [16:25] The importance of personal branding and controlling your reputation [23:38] What happens when you think horizontally about your income [37:30]   Quotes “I think that it’s really easy to get into business and end up creating a glorified job for yourself. If you wanted to just work a job 40 hours a week, go work for somebody else.” [9:39] “You know how I get 200 hours of work done a week? I leverage other people’s time. It’s not just my time.” [21:36] “You need to control the narrative and you need to be making sure that when people look you up that they can quickly understand who you are, what you do, and why the heck that matters. You ultimately can control your reputation because that’s all you really have in this digital age.” [25:07] “At the end of the day, your money is just a tool. So you don’t really become wealthy until you start thinking about how to put your money to work for you.” [38:17]   Links: Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Get on the waitlist for the 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Core Find Samson Jagoras online Follow Samson on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tik Tok | Linkedin Growth Vue Properties The E-Myth by Michael Gerber Loom Text Samson at +1 970-423-2233 to get instant access to his free webinar on multi-family investing along with his investor guide.   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!   Related Episodes: Ep 219 Why Small Offerings Are The Key To Landing Big Projects with Jacob Snowden

It doesn’t matter how much money your business is bringing in if it isn’t allowing you to live the life you want. Working endlessly is not the point. To become a truly successful video business owner, you need to work on your business, not just inside of it. Today’s guest shares how he learned to work more efficiently so that he could establish the right balance between work and life. Key Takeaways When you try to do everything in your business, you can’t find your proper focus. Step back and really think about where your energy and talents can best be used.  Efficiency is your route to a successful business. Growing your knowledge, your processes, and your experience will allow you to get more done without overworking yourself. About Mark Pasternack Mark believes in humanizing brands by telling purposeful stories of passionate people. For him, storytelling has always been about the people. Over the past decade, he's worked with hundreds of brands from fortune 500s to small businesses telling stories with the result of increased awareness, engagement, and communication. His work currently consists of consulting with brands as well as empowering other filmmakers through his latest venture, The Video Community. Not all growth is good growth Growing your business is the goal. But it’s not worth it if it’s costing you your sanity. Mark describes how his initial successes as a business owner came at too high a cost. He looks back on his mistakes that may have been good for his bottom line but really took a toll on his family and himself.  What helped Mark escape this trap was really getting focused on what he wanted out of his business. Once you have that figured out, you can start hiring other people to take care of everything else. This frees you up to actually run your business how you want to. Knowing what you want your business to be To really identify what you want your business to be, you need to know who you want to serve and how you want to serve them. You can’t serve everybody. By closing the wrong deals with the wrong clients you’re just creating more work and frustration.  More to the point, you have to know what it is that you want out of your business. Really reflect on why you do the work that you do. This may take time to figure out. But once you know why you do what you do, you can make that part your personal priority and implement the necessary systems to make sure that everything else is taken care of. In what ways are you more than a freelancer?  What part of your business truly feeds your soul as a creative? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: How Mark found a rhythm to manage his work-life balance [6:00] The importance of having focus when growing your business [11:03] Identifying what you actually want out of your business [22:02] Working on the parts of your business that give you energy rather than draining it [33:00] Why you are more than just a freelancer [35:45]   Quotes “It’s taken me a long time to realize that I can’t do everything at once. I can’t try to achieve everything at once and I can’t actually defy gravity and natural law even though I want to all the time. So I had to take a step back and realize that my family is a business.” [8:48] “My energy wasn’t focused on anything. It was all just focused on growing everything which leads to a lot of lack of clarity.” [13:23] “There’s not one right way, but it is about figuring out what is the way for you that is going to make you the most happy with what you’re doing.” [20:53]   Links: Get Access to the free Client Budget Workshop Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Find Mark Pasternack online Follow Mark on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube The Video Community   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

When you trade your time for money, it’s hard to stay in control of your schedule. That’s why creating passive income is so desirable. Longtime listeners to this show know that I’ve been able to do this through course creation videos with shared revenue partners. Selling digital products like this is a fantastic way to make more money without having to work more hours. The good news is that there are more opportunities for you to do this now than ever before. Key Takeaways Opportunities to make videos for course creators and other digital products are only going to continue to grow. This is an incredible way to create passive revenue streams that will allow you to retake control of your time. About PJ Taei PJ Taei is the founder of Uscreen, a leading video monetization platform helping over 10,000 businesses and creators stream and monetize videos online. Opportunities for Your Digital Products The online education market just exploded this past year. PJ and I are sure that it’s here to stay. Because it’s still relatively new, there are tons of ways to get involved. PJ describes how Uscreen which is “like Kajabi on steroids but with a Netflix feel” can serve both production companies and content creators monetize their creations. Owning Your Time with On-Demand Video Ultimately, profit-sharing with course creation videos lets you retake control of your time. These types of on-demand videos have only grown in popularity lately and will likely continue to do so. It’s actually not that hard once you learn the basics. Throughout this episode, PJ explains how to set yourself up for continued success with this model. What type of digital product could you make to create recurring passive income? Leave a message on the episode page!   In This Episode: How platforms like Uscreen allow people to monetize their videos [7:00] How content creators can make six figures a month with the help of video hosting platforms [11:53] The limitations of relying on ad revenue [12:40] The benefits of offering on-demand and live content [15:00]   Quotes “It’s an all-in-one platform. We host all the videos, we give you all the paywall, and then it has a lot of marketing tools built-in.” [8:49] “We make our customers, all of them together, about eight million dollars per month. That’s like tripled in the last twelve months. That’s always going up.” [12:04] “It’s really hard to make money with ads unless you’re really a YouTuber and start to gain a lot of subscribers. Also, you don’t own your audience. With something like Uscreen or Kajabi, you own your audience. You know who they are. You have their emails. You can upsell to them, add additional products.” [13:12] “It’s scalable. You create it one time. It sells. It’s evergreen. That’s the beauty of video on demand.” [15:18]   Links: The Course Creator Agency Workshop Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Find PJ Taei online Follow PJ on Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram Kajabi   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!   Related Episodes Episode 178: How to Make Recurring Revenue With Course Creator Partnerships

There are countless ways to create a successful video business. Often it comes to thinking outside the box. Today’s guest created a phenomenal business model by taking a unique approach to subscription services. In this episode, he’ll tell you how he did it and what to look for in your business to set it apart. Key Takeaways To create authentic and interesting testimonial videos, ditch the script and ask unexpected questions. This will lead to authentic answers and compelling videos. Don’t charge your clients extra fees for extra services. Build those into your budget from the start. Keeping your rates simple leads to more satisfied clients. About Trevor Rappleye Trevor Rappleye started his first business at age 13 and started filming weddings at age 15. Today, he is the CEO of CorporateFilming & FranchiseFilming where he creates monthly videos on their VIP Subscription model for their clients. He has worked with clients such as CVS, Home Depot, Neighborly, and more. A Different Kind of Subscription Service Trevor goes about making corporate videos a little differently. Instead of doing one-offs, he creates monthly videos. Trevor describes how this leads to more repeat business and satisfied clients. This subscription model actually creates less work overall because it lets Trevor and his team use more of the footage that they take.  Mostly, Trevor focuses on testimonial videos. To make these interesting and authentic, Trevor and his team never use a script or give the customer the questions in advance. This creates a genuine response that translates perfectly to video. Ditch Those Extra Fees Trevor also never charges fees for extras. In an effort to make his costs as simple, predictable, and transparent as possible, everything is included in the package price. He recommends simply raising your overall price to cover extra costs. That way the customer will know from the start what they’re going to pay. This will even lead to more satisfaction when they see how much they actually get for the flat fee that they pay. What makes your video business different? Have you been thinking about adding a subscription model to your business? What could it be? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: How Trevor’s subscription model creates less work and more satisfied clients [4:40] Making testimonial videos that come across as authentic and genuine [9:34] Creating a range of pricing models [12:10] Why charging fees for extras is not the best practice [16:30] How much flexibility to build into contracts to create repeat clients [23:10] Making quality videos quickly [27:40]   Quotes “I’ve found that clients and businesses want the most is social proof that their business actually works. What is better to do that than having a customer talk about that.” [9:03] “If you have a product but no one knows it exists, you actually have nothing.” [16:05] “No one cares that the shipping of the hard drive is going to cost you $8. Just include it in the dang amount. Raise your price today by one hundred bucks and never charge anyone another extra fee.” [17:58] “People come back based on how you make them feel, not on what you created, not on what your final price point was.” [21:21]   Links: Get access to the Client Budget Workshop Core Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Find Trevor Rappleye online Follow Trevor on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin 5% off any of Trevor’s packages using coupon code: Podcast2021 If You’re in a Dogfight, Become a Cat! by Leonard Sherman   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Marketing yourself should be fun. Then why does it so often feel hard? I know you didn’t start your business to become a professional marketer, but the best way for you to make the biggest impact in the world is to believe in yourself and believe that what you have to offer the world is good. Today’s guest tells us how to do that to make it so much easier to market what you do. Key Takeaways You can’t do it all if you want your business to run smoothly. Identify your strengths - your zones of genius - and focus on doing those. Everything else can likely be done by others so that you can get out of your own way. The point of social media marketing is to make people feel like they’re missing out. To do this, don’t make the messaging about you. Rather, make it about how others are receiving a huge benefit through your work. About Kim Walsh Phillips “Kim Walsh Phillips is a must-read by those in business” - Forbes Magazine. She is the best-selling author of multiple books including The Ultimate Guide to Instagram for Business and No BS Guide To Direct Response Social Media Marketing. She’s spoken around the world and coached some of the biggest brands and thought leaders, having worked alongside Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, Kevin O’Leary, Dr. Nido Quebin, Dan Kennedy, Bill Glazer, and Gary Vaynerchuk. Kim resides just outside of Atlanta, GA with her very tall husband and glitter-obsessed girls and is fueled by faith, love, laughter, and lots and lots (and lots) of coffee. Growing a Successful Business by Doing Less Kim has structured her company so that she only has to do the work that brings her joy. Often, when we try to do everything, we create bottlenecks and get in our own way. Kim describes what to look for when building a team to streamline your processes and ensure that everyone is working within their zones of genius.  This can be a tough move to make. Usually, when you’re starting your business, you do all the things and get all the earnings. Hiring somebody means parting with some of that money. However, if you think about it as making the business more efficient so that you can make even more money, you’ll be ready to accept even more opportunities for growth and profit. The Formula for Successful Social Media Marketing Kim certainly knows how to make the best of social media in marketing. For those of us who don’t know where to start, Kim has a pretty elegant formula for success. It starts with creating super valuable content to attract clients. Kim explains how to make sure what you make resonates by speaking to their needs. The next step is getting them to join your list with regular content and offers. Finally, Kim shares her secret for getting them to book an appointment with you. Most of all, you need to show potential clients that they’re missing out by not working with you. To do this, Kim loves making an interview series to showcase how you have helped others. This lets you feature client success stories, but also to interview people you’d like as clients. How can you market your business in a way that stays true to your brand? How can you show potential clients that they’re missing out by not working with you? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: How Kim structures her company so that she only has to do the parts she loves and you can too [6:20] Why you need to build a team to grow your company [11:45] Where to start when using social media to market B2B [16:42] Subtly creating an offer that potential clients can’t refuse [25:38]   Quotes “There are people waiting for you right now. So if you can get past the fear, past the uncertainty that’s blocking you from reaching them, you can break apart that wall and make it into a door. Then there’s that opportunity that exists for both you and the people you’re created to serve.” [8:48] “If you are doing a bunch of stuff that you hate, there is a better way. You don’t need to do it like that anymore.” [11:32] “It is not meant for you to work harder or to do more, but instead to look, and perhaps there is a cleaner, gentler way to accomplish your big dream so that you can live every day in joy.” [34:08]   Links: Get the Client Budget Workshop Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Core Storyblocks Find Kim Walsh Phillips online Follow Kim on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook The FB Profit System Free Tutorial and Cheat Sheet The Ultimate Guide to Instagram for Business No BS Guide To Direct Response Social Media Marketing Ecamm   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Stories are powerful things. Even your own story can uplift, inspire, and make a change. As a filmmaker, you know the value of stories. What you have the power to do is take what others might see as mundane, and make it compelling and extraordinary. I’m so excited to have a guest who uses his own amazing story to show others how to dig deep into their own potential so that they too can become inspirations. Key Takeaways Life is full of opportunities to improve and reinvent yourself. To do this, you need to seriously consider your strengths, weaknesses, and how you want to grow as a person and as a professional. If done right, this should be a lifelong process. No matter what, we all face challenges. Sharing those struggles and your journey while it’s still happening is one of the greatest gifts you can give to others. Doing so communicates the universal nature of struggle and can inspire perseverance in others who need it the most. About Kevin Brown Kevin L. Brown is native to the City of Detroit, Michigan. He attributes the majority of his success to his rough and violent childhood, which he details in his literary work entitled Chasing Crows: A True Detroit Success Story, which chronicles his life growing up on Detroit’s eastside, one of the city’s roughest areas.  Kevin joined the Impact Network in 2012, where he is a television producer. He is currently working diligently on creating a documentary about his life journey, as well as a movie entitled “Chasing Crows”. Kevin believes that his purpose in life is to be sharing his story of passion, perseverance, and hope with the world so that others may understand what they are able to unlock within themselves. Stories as Vehicles for Positive Change Through the massive reach of the Impact Network, Kevin creates videos aimed at inspiring others. He recognizes that all people are dreamers, but sometimes we need a little inspiration to recognize and act on those dreams. Videos are a way to connect with people on a meaningful level and show them the potential that they have to accomplish great things. Kevin’s own life experience has led him to see this value in storytelling. He gets real and vulnerable in this conversation about his numerous past traumas and triumphs. This is a story that is far from over. It is a  positive one of hope and resilience that we all can identify with, whether we lived it or not. Finding Your Purpose and Using It Throughout it all, Kevin learned countless valuable lessons. He tells us that the only person we should ever compete with is ourselves. We need to understand our strengths and our weaknesses because that allows us to build strong teams and constantly improve.  At the heart of Kevin’s message is that there is purpose in everyone. No matter anybody’s background or current situation, there is still something for us all to accomplish. Kevin describes how to dig deep to discover that purpose so that you can identify it and act on it. How do your past experiences inspire the stories you tell? What challenges have you overcome (big or small) to become the storyteller you are today? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Connecting with amazing people over social media [5:50] The power of video to inspire people [9:15] How Kevin’s difficult childhood continues to be an inspiration [11:55] Why self-discovery and personal improvement are key elements of success [25:25] Why purpose is something everyone has [32:48]   Quotes “I just love the ability to create content - the high of coming up with a concept in your mind, working through it, working through the process, and seeing it actually come to fruition as a picture on the screen and working with like-minded people and creating something that people can benefit from.” [11:02] “Regardless of what you go through, regardless of what people think about you, you have to believe in yourself. You cannot compete with nobody but the person you were yesterday.” [25:44] “I hope everyone here understands that they have a purpose in life, that regardless of where you come from, how much money you have, your economic disposition, social status…there is purpose in you.” [33:55]   Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook group Get Access To The Client Budget Workshop Core Storyblocks Follow Kevin on Instagram | Linkedin Chasing Crows: A True Detroit Success Story Impact Network Clubhouse   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

You already know how to make amazing videos. If only that were enough to sustain your business, you’d be all set. Sadly, outstanding video seldom is enough. To truly get the business you need, you need to market what you do. Today’s guest is here to help us navigate the murky waters of social media marketing so that you can grow your business to the next level. Key Takeaways Don’t get caught up in how many followers you have. What’s more important is promoting the quality of your impact and the value you provide. This will not only help you get discovered but will allow you to charge what you’re worth.   You need to market to a specific need. By trying to market to everybody, you’re marketing to nobody. By specializing in something specific, you’ll be better positioned to market to and find your ideal clients. The more specific you can get, the more powerful and tangible your messaging will be. About Neal Schaffer Neal Schaffer is an authority on helping innovative businesses digitally transform their sales and marketing. Founder of the digital marketing consultancy PDCA Social, Neal also teaches at Rutgers Business School and the Irish Management Institute.  Fluent in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese, Neal is a popular keynote speaker and has spoken on four continents in more than a dozen countries. He is also the author of 4 sales and marketing books, including Maximize Your Social and the recently published The Age of Influence, a ground-breaking book redefining digital influence. The Many Ways Social Media Can Be Used In Marketing We all have to market our businesses. There are countless ways to do this and it will look different for everyone. Neal discusses how to use social media to build your exposure and influence in a way that’s authentic to who you are and your brand.  You need to be specific in your approach. Carefully choose the platform, format, and content that makes the most sense to what you do and who you want to reach. Neal explains how honing in on this will help you differentiate what you do and reach the right clients. This may mean further developing your niche, or even changing it altogether. Being Unique To Leverage Your Connections The thing to remember is that, no matter what, you have a unique experience. That experience is what sets you apart and gives you something worth sharing. Whatever it is, it can be applied to something related to video. Neal reminds us that we are all experts in something. Marketing is merely a way to communicate that you’re an expert to the people who need that expertise. It’s also not that important how many followers you have. What matters more is how connected you are to others. It’s the quality of those relationships that makes the difference. Neal tells us how to use your sphere of influence to get the word out so that more business will start flowing your way.  What could be holding you back from a pivot you need to make? What do you need to do to move forward? How can you use your skills in video to reach out within your sphere of influence? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Developing a love of social media as a way to build and promote businesses [5:45] The dangers of comparing your business to others [9:55] Where to start when developing your social media marketing strategy [13:30] Overcoming the fear of niching down [17:12] The power of having processes in your sales strategy [28:40] How to build and leverage your sphere of influence [37:08]   Quotes “With social media, it’s so misunderstood and done wrong by so many, and I think if we can teach people at the top level how to do it right, it’s so impactful for people, businesses, and society.” [5:34] “The numbers don’t matter. What really matters is the impact that you have in your community and the market where you’re looking for work.” [12:50] “There are influencers out there, in your community and online, who you can begin a relationship with, collaborate with. I think that can become a really powerful way of getting some word of mouth going for you.” [39:44]   Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook group The Client Budget Workshop Core Storyblocks Find Neal Schaffer online Follow Neal on Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook Free Preview of The Age of Influence   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If only you had that one piece of gear you could take your business to the next level, right? Well, more often than not, you’ll just end up spending money on something that won’t truly help move your business. Today’s guest and I talk about the most important factors when considering a new expense so that you can actually focus on what’s best for your business. Key Takeaways When trying to find your niche, think about different areas of expertise that you have that overlap. This will set you apart more from your competition and allow you to play to your strengths.  There are likely parts of your business that are unnecessary. Cut those out not only to save money but to give you enough bandwidth to focus on the truly important parts of your business. About Wesley Dean The founder of InterMotion Media, Wesley Dean has a passion for helping nonprofits, churches, higher education, and development organizations succeed. He loves the work that they are doing to make the world a better place and wants to see them succeed. He has traveled around the world from the Andes mountains in Ecuador to the rice paddies of Cambodia, helping nonprofits communicate the impact of their work. Wesley is also passionate about helping educate people as well as inform, which is why InterMotion Media has produced a large number of online courses in partnership with the US Institute of People, the United Nations, and the World Bank. Focusing on what you and your business really need With a decade of experience as a business owner, Wesley has learned a lot of lessons. He shares how he learned the need to create a refined hiring-process, the importance of proper team management, and the true meaning of success. More than anything, Wesley understands the need to take care of yourself as a business owner. A great way to go about this is to seriously think about the unnecessary parts of your business. What’s sucking up resources and time that you could do without? Once that’s identified, you can get rid of it and focus on the more important things. How your business can do more with less One thing that Wesley understands is how constraints lead to solutions. Instead of buying gear you don’t need or hiring an employee you can’t afford, consider how you can accomplish the same thing with fewer resources.  When you know what your business doesn’t need, you can better focus on your actual vision. Niching down, identifying your ideal client, developing strategy, and so much more can happen once all the unnecessary noise, expenses, and distractions are jettisoned. What unnecessary expense can you cut from your business? How can you utilize overlapping skills to create a new niche?  Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: How a career in video allows you to create the work that excites you the most [5:10] Discovering the unnecessary parts of your business and getting rid of them [12:40] Utilizing the power of community and a mentor to help with big decisions [21:12] Challenges and solutions to niching down [26:30] Leveraging the advantage of warm leads during downturns in business [36:48]   Quotes “Focus on yourself. Focus on making sure you’re profitable and taking care of yourself as a business owner.” [14:40] “Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re paying yourself first versus assuming that buying the latest camera or having a bigger studio is going to automatically lead to more work.” [16:22] “You just have to be exponentially better at one particular thing in order for people to actually want to involve you on the strategy side of things.” [33:10]   Links: Get access to the free Client Budget Workshop Join the Onward Summit Waitlist Core Storyblocks Find Wesley Dean online Follow Wesley on Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin InterMotion Media Your Video Roadmap Profit First By Mike Michalowicz   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Who doesn’t want to land a high-budget project for a big brand? That may be the goal of many of us, but seldom can you start there. Before you get booked to make something big, you often have to do something much smaller. Today’s guest is an expert in video marketing who’s going to tell you how to introduce yourself to big clients by offering smaller projects. Key Takeaways When talking to clients, focus on how to best use the videos you create rather than the video itself. Your videos are a means to an end for them and you can help them reach their goals. That’s what they’re truly interested in. Have something to offer a potential client on the cheap (or even free) to help you establish a relationship early on. This will not only possibly lead to more lucrative work later on, but it will also help you decide if you’re a good fit for each other. If you ever do free work for somebody, be very clear from the start about your expectations of what you’re doing for them and what they should expect from you. About Jacob Snowden Jacob Snowden has worked in video and marketing for the past eight years. Starting out with Kickstarters and music videos, Jacob now leads a team of nine video creators for one of America's fastest-growing companies; Marketing 360. Focusing on Strategy to Help Your Clients More important than making a great video, is putting it to use in the best way you can. Jacob describes the process for selling clients on the importance of the videos you create for them rather than the video itself. It takes remembering that they have a goal in mind and focusing on how you can help them achieve that goal with your creation.  By focusing on strategy, you’ll not only sound more professional, but you’ll help your clients even more. Knowing what they want the videos to achieve will guide your creations towards a more narrow focus and make them more effective. Starting Small Before You Can Go Big We all want to create big-budget projects. But sometimes it pays to make something with a tiny budget or even for free when just starting your relationship with a brand. Jacob and I have both found that this is a helpful way to get your foot in the door and find out whether or not you’re actually a good fit for each other.  Templatized projects can also fill this role. They are cheap, fast, and easy to make while still serving your client’s needs. Sometimes the most memorable video is just a few seconds long and quickly made. Although they don’t make you much money upfront, Jacob knows that they often lead to much bigger projects down the road. What low barrier to entry project can you offer a prospective client? Can you offer templatized projects? How do you think they could help you serve your clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Why implementing a video correctly is more important than creating it [8:10] How to introduce yourself to a big agency as a small company [17:00] Important considerations when it comes to doing work for free [20:05] Using inexpensive templatized projects to grow your business [32:35]   Quotes “You can talk to a client about video until you’re blue in the face, but if they don’t understand how it’s going to benefit their business and how it’s going to be used, you already lost them.” [9:14] “If you can get somebody to say yes once, you’re more likely to get them to say yes again.” [28:49] “Just keep creating videos and just keep learning. That’s all you can do.” [42:03]   Links: Get access to the free Client Budget Workshop Join the Onward Summit Waitlist Core Storyblocks Find Jacob Snowden online Follow Jacob on YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There was a time I tried promoting my studio with Facebook ads. It didn’t end up working out. I suppose there was a lot I didn’t know at the time that would have made the difference. But why would a video studio want to consider Facebook ads or ads of any kind? Today’s guest will answer that question and tell you how to do it the right way. Key Takeaways The best lead magnets will position you as a guide who will serve your clients however you’re able to while also letting them know that you may not be the best fit for everybody. Don’t make ads too early on. First, identify your sales process and how you convert leads into paying customers. Then you can create ads that use the successful process that you’ve already established. About Michele Caruana Michele Caruana is a corporate marketing professional, turned local business owner, turned online entrepreneur. As someone who was stuck on the marketing-hamster-wheel for years in marketing her own business, her passion is now helping other local business owners simplify and streamline their strategies so they can get new sales, bookings, and clients while they spend their time doing what they love in their business. Simple is Best for Your Sales Process Michele explains how simplifying your sales process is crucial to its success. There’s so much to distract you from the work you love to do. That’s why having an established straight-forward process to take people on a journey from a prospective customer to a satisfied paying client will allow you to spend your energy on the parts of your business you enjoy the most.  Creating content that your ideal client wants and needs puts you in the front of their mind when they’re ready to spend money. Your ads will work best when they keep you first in your customer’s thoughts when they think about who they need. But this takes research and preparation. Michele tells us just what to consider when beginning this important process. Making Ads the Right Way Once you find your process to convert calls into sales and put it in place, Facebook ads can be used to further amplify that process. Michele explains why getting into ads too early is a waste of time and money. Before you create and pay for ads, you need to know how you best land paying clients. Once that’s known and established, your ads can streamline this process by steering people to the resources you know work. What’s your experience with Facebook ads? How has your sales process changed over time? Tell me what works and what doesn’t in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: The importance of simplifying your marketing process [6:10] What to do before you ever reach out to clients [11:16] Why making referrals can sometimes be better than the work itself [18:10] Getting clients excited to work with you from the start [27:25] What to avoid when running ads for your business [34:24] Tips for engaging with potential clients through Facebook ads [39:00]   Quotes “As someone who works in a niche business, it’s just as important to attract your ideal customers as it is to repel people who you can’t do your best work for.” [16:02] “When someone first steps into your email list, that’s when they’re hottest. That’s when they’re most interested and most easily moved towards a sale or booking. Having even just a few emails to start with and then adding more as time goes on is so important when it comes to simplifying everything.” [31:43] “What I recommend is finding that perfect way to collect someone’s contact information - really honing in on that nurture-sequence - making sure your process is going to result in bookings. That’s when you need to spend money - when you know that it’s already working.” [35:14] “Even if you feel like you are wasting money with Facebook ads, they really come down to testing, tweaking, and optimizing. It is a learning process.” [42:51]   Links: Get access to the free Client Budget Workshop Join the Onward Summit Waitlist Core Storyblocks Find Michele Caruana online Follow Michele on Instagram | Youtube Get Michele’s Free Facebook & Instagram Ad Guide The Marketing Junkie Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As creatives and entrepreneurs, we sometimes find ourselves up against a wall, unable to make money the way we thought we would. This is where we can put our creativity into action. There are so many options for us in this business. It just may not be obvious what they are right away. Today’s guest has explored numerous creative and non-traditional ways to make a video business profitable and is here to share some of them with you. Key Takeaways There are countless ways to make money in the video business. Sometimes this involves making videos and sometimes it doesn’t. As a creative, explore what you and your business can do that will help you lead the life you want to live. It takes more than shooting video to make a business profitable. You need a clear plan and vision long before you arrive on set. This means knowing your purpose, your audience, and your process in detail. About Holly Gillen Holly Gillen empowers high-performing leading lady entrepreneurs to save time on both sides of the camera. She teaches them the skills they need to create not just video, but Business Cinema. This means not creating content for content’s sake, but creating videos that have a plan, purpose, system, and strategy - videos that move your business forward and have a bigger purpose. Where the Planning Really Begins Anyone who’s been in this work for any period of time knows that just making videos (even the most amazing video) isn’t enough. You need to plan, have a strategy, and processes. These are important things to think about and put in place. Holly explains how she starts with a recognition of where her money is coming from. You can then work backward by reverse-engineering your content based on how you generate income.  Being prepared also relies on Holly’s Four Pillars of Pre Production. This means being clear on the ‘why”, ‘who”, “what”, and “how” of what drives your business. With these in place, you’ll be ready to make the videos that will be most profitable for your business. Building a Business That Works for You Ultimately, your business should work to help you live the life that you want. That’s why you became an entrepreneur in the first place. Holly explains how she structures her business around creating the time she desires to spend with her family. Whatever your goals are, take a hard look at how your business can help you get there. You may have to go an unconventional route, but there is no one right way to do this. By putting your creative talent into action, you can explore these possibilities. How can your business allow you to live the life you want? What’s the most important thing you can do before you start filming? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The power of community to build self-confidence in business [8:08] Where to start when building a business strategy [14:32] Why proper mentorship is a long-term investment [20:40] Using free events as a way to market your business [24:50] Creating healthy boundaries in work and in life [31:00]   Quotes “I teach people how to create Business Cinema which is a video with a plan, a purpose, a system, and a strategy. When I was working professionally in video works, I never ever ever walked onto a set where they were like we’re just gonna see what happens.” [13:38] “You can have videos or you can have excuses. You choose.” [24:30] “Remember, you are someone’s reason to smile, whether that’s your client, your family, or yourself. So don’t give up.”  [35:14]   Links: Get access to the free Client Budget Workshop The 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Core Storyblocks Find Holly Gillen online Follow Holly on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | YouTube | Pinterest   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There’s a lot of excitement for video freelancers when they start out. But often after a point, they realize that things aren’t going as planned. In order to stay in business, you have to be adaptable and clear on your mission. Today’s guest shares lessons learned from recent pivots and how you can keep your business running during tough times. Key Takeaways Basing your success on how others see it will set you up for disappointment. Build your work around what it is that you want out of your business, not what other people think is important.  It’s good to have goals, but focusing on sustainability is what will allow you to reach them. Focus on what you need to do to grow your skill sets and create systems to allow your business to survive for the long haul. Learning about strategies for business success will help set you apart from the competition more than your gear or shooting techniques will. By presenting yourself as someone who will help your clients’ business succeed will make you more desirable than anything else. About Evan Bourcier Evan Bourcier is from northwestern Connecticut and has worked as a director, DP, and photographer for the last nine years. During COVID he pivoted away from DPing commercial jobs and leaned into direct to client relationships as a creative director and producer. Resetting Your Business With a Clear Plan Like many entrepreneurs in this line of work, Evan made some drastic shifts in what he does. He describes how he went “too far too fast” at the start. Since resetting, he has developed a clearer plan for his business and established a healthier work-life balance. These changes were only accelerated with COVID. Evan recounts how his calendar went from packed solid to empty in an instant and how he took this as an opportunity to further adapt. Being Adaptable to Find Truly Joyful Work More than anything, Evan learned that it takes time to get good at what you do. The short-cuts to success that many online personalities peddle are not going to get you there. Evan discusses the importance of process and consistency, as well as adaptability, in achieving sustainability and success.  We also talk about finding work that you actually enjoy doing. Sure, there’s a lot of prestige that comes with making an ad for a big brand. But often, that work is frustrating as the visions and needs of too many other people collide. Evan gives some great advice on how to identify who you really want to work with and the type of video you can make for them. How has your vision for your business changed since the start? What type of work do you find the most joy and fulfillment in? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: When it’s time to reset how you run your business [5:20] What to consider when success feels like a failure [11:13] Why consistency and process is more important than goals [20:40] Finding work that’s actually fun versus work that just sounds fun [29:00] Shifting your requirements to find more enjoyable and diverse work [34:30]   Quotes “I’ve worked with so many agencies that don’t seem to understand basic creative and just hand production companies stuff that doesn’t make any sense and you’re trying to fix it on the day. So I’d rather be ahead of that point on the curve and have that relationship with the client.” [10:07] “You’re not going to go to the Olympics in four years in any sport. So to think that you’re going to be Nike’s go-to production company three years after you get your first DSLR is just stupid. And it’s just stupid that people on Facebook are going to sell you on how to do that.” [25:10] “Do your homework on the ‘boring stuff’ because there are even a lot of big agencies that aren’t good at that. You’d be surprised how many big conversations you can win just by knowing your stuff.” [38:23]   Links: The 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge Core Storyblocks Find Evan Bourcier online Follow Evan on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek Start with Why by Simon Sinek StoryBrand BRAND is a Four Letter Word by Austin McGhie   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’ve ever found yourself poised to create something but unable to actually do it, you’re far from alone. There’s a whole psychology behind this paralysis that afflicts so many creatives. That’s why I’ve brought on an expert to help us understand it better and figure out how to overcome our self-imposed obstacles. Key Takeaways When you notice yourself afraid to move forward with your work, identify the actual source of that fear. Doing so will help you reframe your goals and actions so that you can see opportunities where once there were obstacles. Listen to when your body and brain are more eager to create. Block that time off regularly for your own creative process. This will establish a rhythm for creation that will make previously daunting tasks enjoyable. About Dr. Shannan Crawford Dr. Shannan Crawford is a clinical psychologist, adjunct professor, founder of #7MCulture, and leadership consultant who has invested over 15-years honing optimal performance strategies for those leading in the creative and entrepreneurial spaces. She loves working with creatives because the language of the unconscious is best understood through allegory and story. Dr. Crawford intuitively helps individuals identify and overcome areas of self-sabotage by deepening awareness of their internal world to enrich creative enjoyment. As an innovator of Restoring-Self-Cohesion (RSC) approach, Dr. Crawford helps creatives remove the unconscious blocks that have been limiting the spontaneous free-flowing enjoyment of their craft. Overcoming Your Fears of Creativity Fear is a major impediment to creative action. Dr. Crawford explains that fear is a natural response to risk. But just because it exists, doesn’t mean we should let it stop us. There are many methods for resetting and getting back into a motivated creative mindset. Journaling, meditation, laughter, or even a solid hug from a loved one can help make the shift you need to stop self-sabotaging.  When you actually lean into the thing you are anxious about, you can see it for what it is. Dr. Crawford gets into what actually happens in the brain when this refocus happens. By utilizing certain intentional practices, you can start to think more rationally about your creative process and move forward. This ongoing task requires a dismantling of our own defense mechanisms. Using positive psychology, Dr. Crawford works to help people stop simply pushing their symptoms away so that they can truly address and understand where they come from. Time-blocking for More Freedom and Creativity Being disciplined with your time is an essential part of a sustainable creative process. Blocking your time so that you make the creative process part of a regular rhythm trains your brain to be inspired. By being disciplined with your time and regularly scheduling space for creativity, you’ll find that creativity will come naturally to you.  To better help you block your time, Dr. Crawford describes techniques for listening to what your body is telling you. Your body will let you know when it's the best time to prepare and create. Linking these feelings with a positive association will help train you to be excited to do the work and surmount the hurdles that you had previously placed in your way. What obstacle is standing in your way? What is one step you can take to overcome it? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The power of psychology to overcome inaction [6:30] How to replace false-comforters with truly beneficial ones [12:15] What happens when you associate fear with opportunity [17:07] Time-blocking to create a creative rhythm [32:10] The joy that comes with creating according to your own schedule and rhythm [41:00]   Quotes “Inside, your body is protecting you by pulling you back to what is comfortable and safe. If you understand that, now you can start replacing the false comforters that are sabotaging for the ones that are beneficial.” [12:09] “Failure is the key for most people to actually innovate. But if we live paralyzed to the god of the fear of failure, we’re all just trailing back with what everybody has done ahead of us because it’s safe and familiar.” [18:29] “The problem is you can’t wait for inspiration. You have to discipline yourself and structure your time.” [33:20] “I think it reduces your productivity if you’re not able to give yourself lengthy preparation time to be successful.” [36:40]   Links: Get access to the free Client Budget Workshop Core StoryBlocks Find Dr. Shannan Crawford online Follow Dr. Crawford on Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook The Prosperous Coach by Steve Chandler and Rich Litvin Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What drives your business? I bet it’s not what you think. It’s not your style or your gear. It’s not even the amazing videos that you create. It’s your marketing. When you put marketing first, the business will follow. Today’s guest explains how to market your business while still staying true to your work. Key Takeaways An effective showreel should go way beyond just clips of your videos. It should say more about who you are as a company and what it is you can provide to clients.  Add value for your clients beyond just making the video. Teach them how to use it so that they utilize its full value or even manage it yourself for a fee. This will set you apart and create more business. About Simon Banks Simon Banks is a video coach and producer. He works with businesses to get visible using consistent video content. With over 30 years of experience in the video industry, Simon made documentaries for many of the major broadcasters, such as BBC, ITV, CH4, and National Geographic. This gave him great skill in distilling complex messages into engaging films. Simon now uses this approach to produce videos for small businesses right up to large corporations. With his insights on working with hundreds of businesses and producing thousands of videos, Simon believes it’s not all about the production. In this digital age, unless you have a robust strategy and distribution plan in place, your video will not be effective. So much so Simon has written a book, How to Get Video Right, a video marketing guide for your business. It’s All in Your Presentation It’s easy to get hung up with marketing to new clients. Many of us fall back on a showreel to present our work. Sometimes this is a good way to go, especially when approaching an agency. However, when working directly with a client, this is seldom necessary and often counter-productive. Simon describes how you’d be better off strategically sharing relevant samples and making an introductory video instead. This will speak more directly with what they’re looking for and really highlight how you can be of service. Time to Pivot How You Market More than anything else, Simon urges us to put a focus on marketing. It’s been a difficult time for many businesses. Simon explains how to stand apart from the crowd. He also talks about why it may be time to pivot. With the changing playing-field, what can you do that’s new for your clients? When we don’t know what the future is going to look like, it’s time to think about what you can do right now to be of service beyond creating videos. How can you provide extra value for your clients beyond video creation? How can you present yourself to prospective clients beyond a showreel? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: Teaching clients about the power of your videos [4:10] How to strategically use your showreels [10:00] Identifying who you want to build a business relationship with [17:55] Being the marketing engine of your business [20:50] Why now is the time to pivot [39:05] Simple marketing tips for adding extra value for your clients [43:00]   Quotes “No one really cares how long you’ve really been in business or what cameras you use or where you’re based. They just know that ‘I can make a video. Can you deliver the video that I think I want?’” [10:40] “If you want to be different and stand out from the crowd, don't make a showreel. Make a reel about you.” [15:42] “I’m happy to work, so I’ll do any job. I don’t think that serves you well.” [17:53] “We need to be smarter with our clients. We need to help our clients with strategy and marketing as well as the creative. You can still do the creative, but you need to do more. You need to actually help our clients win with video; to make sure that it works with the goals that they have.” [44:03]   Links: Join the free Client Budget Workshop Core  Storyblocks Find Simon Banks online Follow Simon on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin How to Get Video Right by Simon Banks The Video Blueprint Method   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

The secret to lasting social change is to create compelling content that actually gets results. I’m joined by Ben Gilbarg of Big Picture Anthems to talk about where he spends his money, who he works with, and how he distributes his videos to maximize his client’s return on investment. Key Takeaways It’s more important to spend money on what’ll bring you the biggest return on investment. If that means investing in marketing, sales, branding, invest there rather than upgrading your equipment first. About Ben Gilbarg Ben Gilbarg is the Chief Creative Catalyst for Big Picture Anthems. Ben's been doing professional video at the intersection of youth development, community outreach, and social justice since 1998.  Through community events and video campaigns, Ben’s work has reached 3 million-plus people, and he has directly impacted more than 4,000 young people in his career through teaching, mentoring, and community programming.  Ben’s expertise in producing video campaigns is articulated by impressive results from 2016-2020 in which he produced 4 viral video campaigns, 2 national, and 2 locally in New Bedford, MA. He now resides in the SF Bay Area in Hercules, CA, with his wife, three children, and one grandson. Creating Videos for Social Change Ben Gilbarg joins me to talk about his video production company with a mission for social change and community impact. He explains how niching into this industry was not only the catalyst for creating lasting change but is also a financially viable business venture. He explains some of the best methods for distributing videos that maximize their reach, therefore making the most social impact. Ben’s secret: creating compelling content that gets those results. Ben’s motivated by his upbringing. Being “hood-adjacent” meant that he grew up learning what underfunded neighborhoods need to help bring about positive social change. Where to Invest Your Money Ben explains why it’s not about having the most expensive and high-tech equipment on the market that makes the most impact on a business’s success. If no one knows who you are, that tech investment is not well-spent money.  Instead, we both encourage you to invest in marketing and sales management first. Both Ben and I also invested in growing our team before our equipment. Having someone else in the roles that zap our energy was a game-changer for our business production value. What’s the best investment you’ve made for your business? What’s your unique niche and how has this helped grow your business? Let me know in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode: Methods to increase video distribution and reach [16:00] What really matters when it comes to your equipment specs [24:30] Where you can better spend your money than investing in better gear [26:00] How hiring a person or team can improve your business production [30:00] How your upbringing can create a drive for social change [34:00] Why you should niche your business down [36:45]   Quotes “Essentially we want to bring all of the things we do under one roof because it all revolves around production, design, social impact, and community outreach.” [14:44] “When we’re spending money on gear, if there’s not an obvious return on that investment, then we really need to think twice on all of the things we can spend money on.” [25:48] “We need to present these opportunities to youth better if we want them to achieve. That’s really hopeful. When you have a niche and you can add something that’s missing.” [36:58]   Links: Join Grow Your Video Business on Facebook Storyblocks Core Use #byanymeansvisionary on Instagram and Twitter to engage with Big Picture Anthems Find Big Picture Anthems online Follow Ben Gilbarg on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Follow Big Picture Anthems on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Your time is precious. I’m sure that as you get further and further into the business of video production, more things are competing for your time, especially marketing. It’s so easy to lose countless hours on social media or in your inbox marketing what you do. Don’t get trapped! Today’s guest is here to tell us how to avoid this all while maximizing your outreach and landing repeat customers. Key Takeaways Don’t rely solely on a single social media platform to market your business. Bring potential clients to a platform you have more control over, like your email list. This will give you more direct access and control over your outreach.  Everything you do should tie into your overall brand. This means having consistency in how you present yourself and your business in every way that you present yourself. About Laura Higgins Laura Higgins, founder of Lala Social Club and My Marketing Playbook, is an online marketing expert. Based in Australia, Laura is a recognized marketing consultant and educator with expertise in social media and content strategy. Laura works with small business owners who want to cut through the noise. She is all about giving you practical, proven strategies to take you from confused to confident. Using Your Uniqueness to Market Your Business Today, Laura sheds some light on the mistakes we make when marketing and how to do a better job without overworking. First of all, too many of us just market in one way, often a single social media platform. But you shouldn’t rely solely on social media. Sure, you can meet potential customers there, but then you need to lead them somewhere where you can have direct contact, like your email list. Once you’ve made these connections, it’s up to you to convert them into repeat paying clients. Laura explains how connecting on a personal level is essential to this. Not everyone works well together. But I assure you that there are clients out there who work best with you. Laura explains how to harness the power of your unique personality to make these connections. Why Do You Even Need a Marketing Strategy? If you’ve never come up with a marketing strategy before, Laura urges you to think very clearly about who you want to serve and who you don’t. Your message is central to this. Having great content is wonderful, but if you can’t connect it with an appealing yet succinct message, you’ll never capture people’s attention.  Beyond this, you need to be clear on how your videos will actually help your clients. People can get a video anywhere, but you need to communicate what makes yours different if you want to get their business. You need to make it clear how your video will be a transformation for your client in language that resonates with both of you. What do you do to stand out from the noise with your marketing? What can you do to add more value to your clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The biggest mistake you can make when marketing your business [7:00] Using the power of your personality to find the right clients for you [13:30] Learning how to identify your ideal client [21:05] The first step to building a successful marketing strategy [30:20] How a marketing strategist can level-up your marketing game [37:00] How to easily add the most value for your clients [41:40] How to take advantage of new social media features [48:08]   Quotes “Video is such an important part of your social strategy because it’s so much easier if people have a sense of ‘I know them and I like them and I trust them.’” [13:35] “I think it’s about actually stepping back and going, ‘how do I want people to feel when they encounter my brand? How do I actually want to come across? What types of people do I not want to attract?’” [16:41] “There’s too much noise online to not have a clear plan of attack. If you don’t have ‘this is our goal and this is what our singular focus is,’ - if you don’t have that, you’re not going to cut through the noise.” [31:16] “It’s not about the quality of the video. It’s actually about the transformation that the video brings them. If you can communicate that in a sentence or a phrase, you are going to be on top of cutting through even more.” [36:12]   Links: Get A Client's Video Budget Workshop Core  Storyblocks Find Laura Higgins online Follow Laura on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest My Business Pep Talk sign up (express business tips)   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Rejection hurts. Nobody likes the feeling of it. But we need to take risks in our lives and businesses for progress to happen. Today’s guest shares some great advice for how to get over rejection and even turn it into an asset. Key Takeaways All your communication to clients should center on getting them what they want. Be clear on what the problem is that you can solve for them and how you are going to do that. Everything else is just details. Your business needs systems in place if you are going to have any freedom. The consistency that these systems provide will give you the time and space you need to free up your time. About Den Lennie Den Lennie is a true veteran of video broadcast and production having worked in this industry for two and a half decades. He is a business coach and marketing strategist who partners with video professionals to grow their video business. Making Connections Without Fear Den explains why it’s easier than many think to make the connections needed to grow their business. In a world where most people rely on texts and emails, an old-fashioned phone call gets overlooked. Actually picking up the phone and making that call sets you apart immediately. Den describes what you can start doing right away to build the confidence needed to make these important calls. This means moving past the fear of rejection. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to take risks. When you think about it though, reaching out to prospective clients doesn’t actually risk much. They may say no. That’s okay. As Den explains, each rejection gets you that much closer to someone ready to say yes. What Your Clients Really Want From You Remember that your clients don’t care about your gadgets and equipment. All those little details that help you make amazing videos are not what is going to land clients. What they care about is certainty. Be consistent with your systems and how you present your business. Interestingly, Den has found that the more consistent and disciplined you are in your business, the more creative you can be. It’s this structure that allows you to find the time you need to enjoy doing what you want to do. How do you deal with rejection? What systems give you more freedom? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Having the guts to make the right connections [4:40] Overcoming the fear of rejection by building confidence [9:10] Why your clients don’t care about what you care about [20:50] How discipline brings freedom [25:00] Building resilience through failure and setbacks [34:00]   Quotes “Get to no as quickly as possible. You want to be calling people, connecting with people, and then saying no, because the more nos you get, the closer you are to a yes.” [8:45] “If you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to solve problems. And the more problems you solve, the more money you will make. The more people who you help, the more money you will make.” [10:25] “If you want to run a video business, you have to step back from editing, and then shooting, and then become a producer. But you can still have creative input because your creativity shifts to creating a business and opportunity for your team and providing a future for families.” [28:03]   Links: Join Grow Your Video Business on Facebook Sign up for the free Client Budget Workshop Core Storyblocks Find Den Lennie online Follow Den on Linkedin  Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!   Other Episodes You May Enjoy Episode 209: What Happened This Year and My Goals for the Next

Although the best advice urges us to pick a niche and stick with it, that’s really hard to do. We’re creative people and entrepreneurs. We want to do all the things. It’s in our very nature. That’s why stepping back and taking a more hands-off approach can be a challenge. Today’s guest understands the struggle and has some great advice for any of you going through it. Key Takeaways Having a well-defined process for bringing in employees is essential. Have your workflow structures in place and refine them as needed. Give new hires a trial-run to see if they like what you’re doing. This will let you step back and hand over responsibility as smoothly as possible. Getting work takes a lot more than making a great video. Your personality and the connections you make are just as, if not more, important. Cultivate being the person that others think of when they need video. Be the person who they can always deliver when called on and regularly work on maintaining those relationships. About Anthony Seratelli Anthony started Jersey Filmmaker while playing baseball, mixing his love for sports and storytelling to build a brand synonymous with innovation and creative excellence. With help from teammates, family, and friends, he co-starred in and produced one-of-a-kind content ranging from comedic sketches to short features to documenting historical moments in sports. Gaining experience in cinematography, editing, VFX composition, and sound design, he used his platform to develop a niche in filmmaking and a creative game plan that has taken him all over the world.  Upon retiring from baseball, Anthony shifted his efforts to the other side of the camera and aligned a roster of all-star directors, cinematographers, producers, editors, and audio specialists to take on projects of every scale and genre. He now brings his vision and creativity to a larger audience and a variety of programming opportunities. Being More Hands-off as Your Business Grows As business owners, it’s only natural to become protective of all the aspects of our company. Anthony and I describe how we learned to let go and why it’s an essential part of growing your business. Many of us start these businesses because we want more freedom. Well, that’s something you can’t get if you have your hands in every aspect of it. This is why it’s crucial to bring in more people as you grow. While this takes cultivating a lot of trust on your part, it’s necessary. Anthony highly recommends refining your workflow and using trial-runs to make onboarding as smooth as possible.  Marketing by Personality Also, the key to growing and maintaining your business is being reliable. Anthony and I discuss what it takes to be the person who others think of when they need a project. This goes way beyond the videos that you make. Rather, it is centered on consistency and just being likable and good to work with. Often, people will remember what it’s like to work with you as much, or maybe even more, than your videos themselves. Being humble, kind, and ready to serve is the best marketing you can do. It’s that which will bring you to the front of their mind when they need a project. What is one thing in your business that you can change or improve this year? How would building a bigger team change what you do inside your business? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The importance of not doing all the things and how to not do them [4:00] The most crucial step when hiring someone [12:35] Overcoming the challenges of remote work [21:30] Why building relationships result in the best ROI [28:30] Tips and tricks for better package pricing [36:05]   Quotes “Getting your hands off of anything as you grow is really difficult ‘cause you ingrain yourself in it; you know every aspect of it. That’s what I love about that - that I know everything and it’s really hard to let it go and not know everything that’s going on. But it’s also really cool when you get the right people in place who you trust and want to work with.” [6:01] “People can create what I’m creating with $100,000 worth of gear with an iPhone. It’s scary if you think of it that way but I’m not scared because at the same time we provide a service with not just the quality of the content but obviously our minds are creative. It’s something different that we bring to the table.” [31:45] “I got into this because of a love of creating. But then I started building a business and I love that just as much. One of the things I didn’t realize would intrigue me so much or make me so happy and excited to be in the business world is building the team and paying people.” [47:59]   Links: Join Grow Your Video Business on Facebook Sign up for the free Client Budget Workshop Core Storyblocks Find Anthony Seratelli online Follow Anthony on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter I Am Athlete Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It’s that time of the year again. Well, it’s the end of the year. That’s why I want to take some time to talk about how it went. There have been wins and there have been losses. Some goals were met and others weren’t. I hope that this will help you get some perspective on how 2020 went for you and set you up for an amazing year ahead. Key Takeaways The business and video landscape changed drastically this year. This meant that I had to shift my goals in real-time. Although there were many shortcomings, there were also many successes both expected and unforeseen. A Rocky Year Indeed As I imagine it was for you, this past year was a challenge. Plans went out the window pretty fast and we had to adapt very quickly. It’s no surprise that we fell short of our revenue goals. There was even a point when I wasn’t sure if my video production business would even survive. A Year of Pivots I’d spent years building my business on meeting and connecting new people. When everything went into lockdown, we had to get creative. That’s when we pivoted to webinars and virtual summits. This became a success that exponentially expanded my email list. Upon reflection, I've come to understand that while the pandemic and shutdowns have certainly been negative, there are still many aspects for which I am grateful.  While I enjoy the work that I do, I know I won’t do it forever. One of my goals for this year was to become superfluous in the sales aspect of my video production company. That’s why, from the start of the year, I worked to put all the pieces together so that my potential replacement could seamlessly come in and find new clients. This involved bringing on another virtual assistant to streamline the process and it has been totally worth it. New Goals for a New Year I’ve set some exciting goals going into the new year. We’re going to do more consulting and build out our own marketing strategy. I want to create a digital course to help people make their own videos according to our process. I also want to create a paid online community for my studio where clients can get the guidance they need concerning all things video. These are passive income ideas that have me really excited. So stay tuned over the coming year to find out how it goes. What are some of your goals for 2021? What pivots did you need to make this year? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Why popularity is overrated [2:50] Getting creative with webinars, virtual summits, and course creation during the shutdown [9:00] How offering video blueprint workshops have led to greater customer satisfaction [19:00] Building a company where you can be replaceable [24:50] Adapting a schedule for greater satisfaction [34:10] New and exciting goals for 2021 [37:40]   Quotes “Who cares if you’re popular? If you’re a business, you can be popular if that leads to more business. But if it doesn’t lead to more business, then who the heck cares? Then it’s all about ego.” [8:25] “My goal and hope is not to be required to run our production business. I want our video production business to be able to run without me.” [25:09] “If you’re not blocking off your schedule, I would challenge you to do that. Look at your schedule. Look at all the things that you need to be doing and heavily consider blocking off your days. You could be more efficient if you’re just thinking about one thing versus moving all over the place and trying to do all the things every single day.”[37:22]   Links: Join Grow Your Video Business on Facebook Get the free Budget Workshop Storyblocks Core The Video Blueprint Method SlingStudio   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Turning down opportunities can sometimes be a good thing for you and your business. It’s not easy to say no to jobs and money. Yet, strategically doing so opens up doors to what you actually want to do. Today’s guests have successfully built their studio around this idea. Key Takeaways It’s natural to want to branch out your business into many fields. However, this will dilute your talent and energy. Instead, create a narrow focus on where your skills and passions intersect. About Joshua Martin Studios Joshua Martin Studios is a small production company based in the United States. It is co-run by founder Joshua Martin and business partner Cody Wales who focus on telling stories of the human condition. Lessons of Starting a New Studio From the very start, Joshua and Cody knew what type of studio they wanted to run. However, like any new small business, they had debts to pay. They tell how they learned very quickly to leave their egos behind and take the work they needed to get their business off the ground. While they feel driven as creatives to keep doing more and more, they realize that success in business means narrowing your focus and skills to excel at something in particular. Asking For the Impossible Now that they are working towards a clear vision for their studio, Joshua and Cody are able to take just the jobs they want. As a result, both they and their clients truly appreciate the videos that they make. A large part of their strategy involves asking for what they want and seeing what they can get from brands they want to work with. When the worst that can happen is getting no for an answer, these low-risk high-reward ventures have the potential to lead to great opportunities that otherwise would not happen. How have you narrowed your focus as you grow your business? What impossibilities would you like to ask for? Leave a comment on the episode page! In This Episode: Building a studio around your interests with brand support [5:40] The challenge of ambition and how to overcome it [14:40] The unique advantage of knowing what you do and don’t want to do [19:45] What happens when you leave your ego at the door when growing your business [28:00] Why you should ask other companies for things that seem impossible [30:46]   Quotes “There’s this constant desire to explore and do something new and if you’re taking on too much of that and managing it yourself, there’s a strong possibility that you’re going to burn yourself out creatively and in life.” [15:38] “I reach out to people where it might seem impossible because they’re a big brand or company. I think people might be surprised. You should not have an expectation that they’re going to say yes. That’s the key.” [32:28] “Whatever it is you’re going to go do, make sure you’re in the position to be very appealing to them. It’s not like always throwing a ‘hey, can we do this?’ out of nowhere. It’s more of like ‘this will be beneficial to you because it’s what we’re already doing.’” [35:58]   Links: Join Grow Your Video Business on Facebook Get the free Budget Workshop Storyblocks Core Find Joshua Martin Studios Online Follow Joshua Martin Studios on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Many of us get into this work to feed our creativity. We love to create and see our visions become reality. But we still have clients who have their own visions and ideas. It can be a tricky balance creating a business with the structure to satisfy both your clients and your own creative needs. Today’s guest explains how he manages to do just that. Key Takeaways Your business is built on relationships. Getting them right from the start leads to better work down the road. Take the time to suss out the good relationships from the bad first thing in order to assure that you’ll have a good working relationship as the project progresses. About Josh Emerick Josh is a DP and Producer from Zanesville, Ohio who leans on structure and planning to manifest what people perceive as creativity. He is mostly known for his work in music videos, but still actively shoots a lot of commercial work, weddings, and recently narrative films. Creating Systems for Efficiency and Creativity Systematized efficiency is a large part of how Josh structures his business. By automating as much as he can and preparing in advance when possible, Josh is able to maximize his efficiency while meeting or exceeding everyone’s expectations.  Josh also explains how his personal work fits into his business. By making his own work where he has complete creative control, Josh hopes to show potential future clients what he is capable of. Doing this not only feeds his own creative needs, it will attract exactly the types of clients he hopes to work with. Harnessing the Power of Referrals The challenge will always be finding new clients. Josh describes how referrals have been the boon of his business. There’s no magic formula to getting referrals. Being easy and fun to work with while serving your client’s needs is what it all comes down to. This can be done by setting the right expectations from the start and not backing down from them. Throughout this interview, Josh describes all the ways that he does just that. How do you manage client expectations? Do you have a lead magnet? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: Building a business that feeds your creativity while pleasing clients [10:04] How to get referrals by doing the right work and setting expectations [17:00] The power of an email list to grow interest in your work [22:30] Using blog posts to position yourself as an expert [28:30] Whether or not to post packages and pricing on your website [33:40]   Quotes “Whether we’re doing a personal project, whether we’re doing a project for a client, I’m always trying to look at how we’re using our time and how do we break that down and automate as many things as possible.” [12:33] “I think it’s easy as creators to be like let’s make the most beautiful thing with the coolest lighting and the coolest camera. That plays a role, but how does that make your client feel? If I make someone feel good, they’re going to want to come back to me and they’re going to want to actually have a referral.” [17:38] “I have no problem educating on how we make something possible. But I don’t want to spend time educating you on what cinematography really costs and what a real production actually costs. Either you value it and you want to work with us or you don’t and that’s okay.” [36:34]   Links: Join Grow Your Video Business on Facebook Get the free Budget Workshop Storyblocks Core Find Josh Emerick online Follow Josh on Instagram | Facebook   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Your business will be made or broken on relationships. Building trust and being passionate is central to this. Whether it’s your team, your clients, or your competition, these relationships are crucial. Today’s guest has not only built an amazing business based on relationships but clearly loves what he does every day. Key Takeaways Finding opportunities to take on side-gigs will keep your skills sharp and allow you to do exciting work you otherwise couldn’t. There’s a lot of learning and inspiration that comes from branching out and trying new things that will help you constantly level-up as a filmmaker.  When building a team, start with trust and passion. Knowing that your people will faithfully and enthusiastically get the job done whether you’re there or not is central to a well-functioning business. About Chris Ray Chris is a filmmaker who got his start in action sports filming skateboarding videos. Since then, he has done a wide range of work with companies such as DC Shoes, NFL Films, Ford, GoPro, ESPN, and many more. Imbuing Your Work With Passion Chris has a great perspective on everything that he does. For one thing, he doesn’t view other filmmakers as competition. Instead, they’re an inspiration and possible collaborators. Chris loves his work so much that he seldom passes up an opportunity to make videos. When he doesn’t have a project, he makes one for himself. This passion to keep working on many different projects has allowed Chris to keep his skills well-honed as a filmmaker. Building an Amazing Team Chris doesn’t do it all alone. He has built up a solid team of filmmakers to help make and produce their videos. I know many of us are hesitant to hire people, but it is an essential part of growing your video business. Chris knows that the most important place to start when taking on new people is trust. You need to be able to trust your people to get the job done without you. That’s why you brought them on to begin with. When you find the right people who are passionate about the work, you’re well on your way to building a winning team. Have you hired team members? What qualities do you look for in them? How do you build trust in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The many sources of inspiration in filmmaking [4:45] Taking on side-gigs to refine your craft [7:30] The characteristics to look for when building a team [12:35] Learning to manage the work-life balance [13:40] The power of respect to make jobs run smoothly [17:30]   Quotes “I get inspired by others. I’m inspired by other filmmakers. I’m inspired by my team. Those are the people I want to work with. I’ve definitely learned that you can't do everything by yourself. I try to surround myself with other filmmakers that are great because it makes me better.” [5:30] “I still get scared every single time I get hit up for a freelance job. It’s still scary every time and I think that’s because I think I’m scared of failure. I just say yes and we go for it and we figure it out. That’s always been my advice to people: just say yes. Just do it.” [10:10] “Being respectful to people no matter what the role is, no matter what their level is, treating everybody with respect is a huge thing.” [17:39]   Links: Get free access to the Budget Workshop Storyblocks Core Find Chris Ray online Follow Chris on Instagram | Facebook Inovativ 10% discount code   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As a freelancer or small business owner, buying gifts for your clients may feel frivolous and wasteful. The truth is, it can be a small investment with a huge reward. However, we often get it wrong when it comes to determining the best gifts to give. If you are hesitant to spend a little extra to treat your clients, this is the perfect episode to change your mind. Key Takeaways Showing up and giving with no strings attached attracts genuine reciprocity. Give these gifts at unexpected times. It leads to growth in relationships that may take time but will be stronger in the end. A world-class gift should focus on the recipient, not the giver. Thinking from the other person’s perspective and trying to understand what they really want forms strong and lasting bonds. About John Ruhlin John is the world’s leading authority in maximizing customer loyalty through radical generosity. He is the founder of and author of Giftology. John has been featured in Fox News, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and The New York Times. The True Power of a Proper Gift We all have the power to make other people’s lives better. John explains how going all-in on generosity creates the relationships to improve not only the recipient’s life but your own too. People remember when you go out of the way to be generous. When generosity is genuine, people are eager to reciprocate. It may not happen right away, but eventually what you give others will come back to benefit you. During that time, relationships will grow in depth to last for a lifetime. A Story as a Gift As filmmakers, we are uniquely positioned to give the most meaningful gifts of all: stories. John says that a thing you give is just a token. But, if it has a story behind it, something that explains its meaning, then it becomes a cherished artifact. Use your power as a storyteller to imbue gifts with personal meaning. Give people gifts that are not only meaningful but that keep you top of mind. This is the stuff that forges bonds between you and clients that are valuable beyond words. How can you create moments for your clients that make a difference for them? What meaningful and memorable gifts have you given or received? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: The power of radical generosity to change everything [4:30] What it means to invest in giftology [9:30] Why we need to make gifts about the people we give the gift to and not about ourselves [18:40] Why promotional products are not gifts [26:24] How to invest in something that makes you truly memorable [32:00] What you should do instead of wasting money on holiday gifts for your clients [36:03]   Quotes “Every business, and really every life, rises and falls on relationships…. When you show up powerfully for people and are radically generous, no matter who they are, if they’re human beings, relationships flourish if they show up powerfully and go all-in on things.” [4:41] “Language and word choice matter….. Based upon how it’s presented, it matters and makes somebody value it.” [17:50] “A gift showing up just out of the blue says I was thinking of you, versus it’s Christmas and I made money this year and feel like I should probably say thank you. Saying thank you the other ten months out of the year is way more effective. As a small business owner, that’s how you can spend less money than your competition and have 100 times more impact.“ [38:41]   Links: Join the Free Budget Workshop! Storyblocks Core Find John Ruhlin online Giftology System Giftology by John Ruhlin   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Those of us with a YouTube channel know this frustration. You put in a ton of work into creating amazing content, but no one sees it. It may be because of your naming strategy, scheduling, title, image, or something else entirely. With so much to keep in mind, wouldn’t it be nice to have the right information on your side? Key Takeaways Even if you’re busy with client work, find the time to shoot your own content. By showing people the behind-the-scenes of what you do, you are naturally and easily promoting your business. For best live streaming results, focus on having good audio by investing in a quality mic. Have a plan in place in case things go wrong, like losing a signal or connection. Investing in the right equipment will help ensure that everything goes smoothly once you go live. About Rob Balasabas Rob is a partnership growth manager at TubeBuddy. He is an active content creator on his own Linkedin, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook channels. Rob works hard sharing a lot of video and content creation strategies, live streaming tips, as well as software and tool reviews. Getting Noticed to Promote Your Business on YouTube This week, Rob explains many of the ins and outs of getting seen on YouTube and other platforms.  Even if it doesn’t feel like it, there are countless opportunities to make content to promote your business. It doesn't have to be much. Even a short explainer video or live stream goes a long way. By putting a little time away each week to make your own content and do your own marketing you’ll stay relevant and discover new leads. The Power of Livestreaming Rob and I dive deep into the new role of live streaming in today’s world of video. Just about every social media platform has this feature and it presents many opportunities to promote your business. Rob describes how live streaming is allowing creators to stay regularly engaged with their audiences. From weekly live shows to course creation, live streaming can build communities and grow an audience. As such a simple yet effective tool, live streaming is something any content creator should consider. What could you live stream on video today? How can that help you engage with an audience? How can you use YouTube to regularly engage with your audience? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: Best practices for starting and growing your own YouTube channel [4:10] How collaboration with experts leads to more opportunities [13:10] Advice for the new role of live streaming [17:57] The best gear for live streaming [27:10] How to effectively schedule your uploads to YouTube [30:56] The most underrated feature on YouTube [34:00] Building a community rather than digging for clients [37:51]   Quotes “As creatives, you need to treat your business as your best client.” [7:43] “The main thing is your audio when it comes to live streaming. If you’re limited on budget, I always suggest investing in a mic first because people need to hear you even if they can’t see you very well.” [27:56] “You want to put out as much content as you can so that you can build up your portfolio so that YouTube has some things to share and suggest to potential viewers.” [31:59] “Don’t use it as a commercial….People don’t want to be sold. They want to be taught. Answer their questions. That’s what people are searching for on YouTube; they’re searching questions.” [36:00]   Links: Get Access to the Free Budget Workshop Storyblocks Core Follow Rob Balasabas on YouTube | Instagram | Linkedin | Facebook   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Tax planning. Just those words make me shudder. Over the last 17 years, I’ve learned some hard lessons on this subject. I really wish I knew what I know now when I got started. It would have saved a lot of worry and frustration. While this is not the most glamorous topic, this is the kind of stuff that makes or breaks a business. Key Takeaways It’s well worth the upfront costs of having an expert do your books. Not only can they save you money at tax time, but they will help you avoid making costly mistakes in the first place. About Jeremy Doorn As a ten-year-plus employee of Core Wealth Management, Jeremy Doorn helps small businesses do a better job of tax planning. In addition to firm administration, he handles business advisory services and business succession planning for his clients. The Importance of Expert Help Jeremy tells us that you don’t need to be a tax or accounting expert to run a successful business. But you might want to find one to help you out. Getting at least a basic education on how to run your numbers will save a lot of trouble further down the road. Furthermore, having an accountant or other tax expert on your side will help identify tax benefits that you may have otherwise missed and avoid costly mistakes. Bookkeeping as Business Strategy In some ways, proper bookkeeping is aligned with the strategy of your business. When your revenue and expenses are truly known, you can identify your profit. You can’t make the best decisions for your company without this knowledge. This is your business that you’ve created. It’s your responsibility to make the most informed decisions that you can to make it profitable. That doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on all things. But you do need to find the right advice to make it a success. What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about taxes or bookkeeping since you started your business? Has a tax expert saved you money and helped you grow your business? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: The peace of mind that comes with having an expert look over your business’ numbers [5:00] What a tax expert can offer that software can’t [10:10] How to avoid tax planning mistakes before they become a problem [16:00] Common mistakes in overlooked tax savings opportunities [20:45] Software and apps to make your bookkeeping easier [26:32] The most important financial metrics to pay attention to [32:40]   Quotes “It’s about knowing where your business is at and not having to put all the work in yourself. It’s this whole peace of mind that you have somebody looking at your numbers.” [6:34] “A tax return is just a scoreboard for last year’s score. That’s fine, but you can’t do anything with a tax return this year that’s for last year. You gotta do it currently while you’re going through it.” [12:18] “You need to go do creative stuff. Go tell stories. Go do all that stuff. You don’t need to be doing bookkeeping. Once you get to a certain point, you got to start looking into unloading that onto somebody else.” [17:22] “Every business is different. You need to pick out what is most important for your business depending on what you’re actually doing… and track those.” [33:30]   Links: Storyblocks Core Profit First by Mike Michalowicz QBO   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Making smart gear purchases can help grow your video business. It can also be an expensive distraction. With such a large variety of choices and features, it’s easy to get lost down a rabbit hole of gear. To help shed light on this, I’ve brought on a true expert to this episode. If you are new to live streaming, make sure to test it out thoroughly before you go live. Get the right gear, but don’t go overboard. Once you are comfortable with what you have, try it out and get familiar with all the settings. When it’s time to do the real thing, you’ll know what to expect and come off as a pro. Key Takeaways Be proactive with your customer service. Being quick to respond and communicate reduces anxieties and makes customers feel heard and valued. This is what ultimately leads to repeat business and referrals. About Chris Monlux Chris is the multimedia editor for Videomaker and their magazine. He conducts and writes all of their reviews and produces all of their learning videos content. This guy knows his gear! The Essential Gear for the Modern Videomaker Get ready to nerd out on a lot of gear in this episode. Chris describes why many different cameras are in his collection and why he enjoys them for their different features. However, just because a camera has all the bells and whistles doesn’t mean it's a good investment. Before you get your hands on an expensive piece of equipment, you should consider whether or not your clients would actually benefit from it. For obvious reasons, live-streaming has become more popular than ever this year. There’s a lot of tech to consider if you do live streaming and having the right stuff can really make a difference. Overall, Chris recommends keeping it simple. Just a couple of cameras and the right software should get the job done. Where you succeed or fail will hinge a lot more on your content and marketing than it will on the tech that you use. The Best Approach to Customer Service Of course, gear is only one part of being a successful filmmaker. Customer service is a huge part of the rest of it. Chris describes how being quick to respond to your customer’s needs is central to this. Overall, your ability to anticipate their needs, communicate promptly and clearly and exceed expectations will keep them coming back for more. What is the most essential piece of gear in your collection? Have you ever regretted buying a piece of equipment?  Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: Why Chris doesn’t have a favorite camera [4:28] Finding creative fulfillment in your work [8:40] How gear can both help grow or sidetrack your business [15:20] The best gear and strategies for live streaming [29:10] Anticipating the unpredictabilities when shooting live events [42:00] How good customer service can save the day when problems arise [43:45]   Quotes “I’m getting my creative juices out at work. I’m getting paid to have fulfillment creatively and that was always so valuable to me.” [9:22] “I like to get inspired by my equipment, but to covet those new features when there isn’t a need is unfortunate” [17:27] “We want those things that look really neat, but if someone didn’t tell you what it was shot in and it did the job, how much are you really going to care?” [26:46] “If you underpromise and overperform, your client is going to be so excited about what they get because it’s more than they expected. All it is is setting expectations.” [51:19]   Links: Download the 30-day guide to jumpstart your video business! Storyblocks Core Find Videomaker online Follow Videomaker on Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube The Videomaker Podcast Fuji X-T4 Review Cheapest live streaming setup for home professionals Liveview Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Seventeen years of running my own video business have taught me that success is not about getting the best shot, or having the best demo reel or the best gear. There’s so much more to it. It boils down to your priorities and how you choose to focus your energy and time. In short, you need to become an essentialist. Key Takeaways Not everything is equally important. Start your day with the question of what is most important today and focus on that. That will set your priorities in order and help assure that you focus only on what is most essential to you. Set boundaries. It is up to you to decide what to do with your time. Stay in control of it and let others know when you are available and when you are not. This leads to efficiency and more overall satisfaction. About Greg McKeown Greg McKeown is the author of the amazing book and New York Times bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. He is also the founder of McKeown Inc., a company with a mission to teach essentialism to millions of people around the world. Their clients include Adobe, Apple, Airbnb, Cisco, Google, Facebook, and Pixar. Creating boundaries and clarity for success If you’ve ever felt busy without being productive (and who hasn’t?), Greg has some advice for you. You need to create the right boundaries around your priorities and stick to them. If you ask yourself every morning what the most important thing to do today, you will be well on the path to becoming an essentialist.  Being an essentialist certainly has its challenges. Even for Greg, it’s an ongoing journey. Over time, he’s developed a planning system that he continues to revise. Consciously and continuously developing clarity on goals and priorities takes effort. Without it though, necessary clarity will remain out of reach. Identifying what is essential to you Greg wants us all to identify essential parts of our lives that we are underinvesting in. When we realize why these things matter to us, and truly visualize what achieving it would be, we can start to reprioritize our daily lives and be one big step closer to essentialism. Becoming an essentialist is tough. It takes vulnerability. However, striving to build your life around only what is essential to you is the key to everything. What is something essential to you that you are currently under-investing in? How do you create boundaries to protect your priorities? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: The role of community in implementing essentialism [7:20] Retaking control over your life through proper prioritizing [10:50] The struggles that come with being an essentialist [18:40] Strategies to get more done by doing less [22:02] Concrete ways to set boundaries to regain control over your time [26:45] Questions and actions to identify what is most essential in your life [33:00]   Quotes “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” [11:52] “You have to create space to prioritize, plan, think, and reflect so that you can actually make thoughtful decisions. You become strategic.” [22:52] “It’s so vulnerable. It’s so personal. Also, I think we think people know - but they can’t know.” [44:22]   Links: Storyblocks Core Find Greg McKeown online Follow Greg on Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | YouTube Essentialism by Greg McKeown   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It’s hard to believe it - 200 episodes! When I started this podcast, I never imagined that I’d make it to 200 episodes. But here we are. I know I’m here today because of you. I do this show on a weekly basis for you. Your countless messages of gratitude keep me going. This episode is going to be different. I have a bunch of really amazing and fun messages from listeners like you. It really is both a joy and honor to make this show and get to know so many of you. Some of you have been there from the beginning. Others have recently started listening. Either way, I really appreciate you coming along with me on this amazing journey. With that in mind, I’m turning the mic over to you. This episode is full of messages from my many listeners who share some takeaways from the show over the years. We’ve learned a lot together and I want to hear how you all have benefited over the last 200 episodes. If you weren’t able to send in a message for the episode but want to share how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business and/or life, I’d love it if you left a comment on the episode page! What are some of your biggest takeaways from this show? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: My expressions of gratitude for the people who make this show possible [4:10] Key takeaways and messages of thanks from listeners [10:55] What’s coming next on this podcast [46:18]   Quotes “The biggest takeaway has been to really think about our business much more; to not just see ourselves as creatives but as business owners.” - Matt [11:25] “I’m an informed entrepreneur who can still make art and having both of those is what’s made me so successful.” - Shyah [17:54] “Ryan is as raw and human as it gets which is awesome because it inspires everyone else to be the same way.” - Maxwell [19:47] “We learn very quickly that clients have needs. Once you address your client’s needs, the money will follow.” - Jeff [33:07] “There are times when I’ve gone through difficulties. During those times it was really helpful to have Ryan’s raw authenticity about struggles that he had gone through and how he’s overcome them. It gave me hope that it was possible to get out of these things.” [44:17]   Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Jumpstart Your Video Business Storyblocks Core   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever had a friend or family member ask you for a big discount or to make a free video? If it hasn’t happened yet, it’s only a matter of time. As a giving person, it’s tough for me to turn them down. However, as a business owner, it’s really hard to do the work that I do for free and bad for my business in the long-run. Key Takeaways It’s okay to say no to any project, even if that means turning down family or friends. Your priority is running your business. Once its needs are met, you can decide how and when you truly want to give back. You can turn down a request for discounts by saying you don’t have the time, or that you simply don’t do discounts. Adding value by providing more and going the extra mile will always be more rewarding than not charging enough for your work. The Great Power of Video Having met hundreds of people in this industry I know one thing to be true: we’ve got big hearts. We want to do good in the world by telling stories. Video is perhaps the most powerful medium for doing good through storytelling. I bet a lot of us don’t even charge what we should be because we’re so passionate about this work. The Importance of ‘No’ When it’s your passion that also pays the bills, it’s hard to draw boundaries that prevent people from feeling awkward or hurt. But you can’t stay in business if you keep giving away your talents. There will still be times when it does make sense to do something pro bono. However, you need to be intentional about those projects that you choose to do for less. Taking Care of Business So You Can Take Care of Others In the end, it comes down to being able to pay your bills, your people, and yourself. Beyond that, you want your business to thrive. When those needs are taken care of, you can decide where, when, and how to give back. It shouldn't be based on guilt or obligation. Instead, when you have all your business’ basic needs taken care of, you can truly give back in meaningful ways. How do you give back while still taking care of your business?  Have you been asked to give away your work? Tell me how you responded in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: The true costs of not getting paid for your work [5:00] How to respond when someone you know asks you to make a video for them [9:00] Times when it might make sense to do free or discounted work [16:06] Saying ‘no’ without guilt [21:12] What happens when you add value to your work [23:33]   Quotes “The medium that we have at our disposal is the very tool, probably the most influential powerful tools in the last century, to be able to create moving pictures that evoke emotion.” [6:46] “The worst thing that you could say if I ask you for a discount is ‘no’. That’s fine. I can move along and I will do my best to not take offense at that.” [17:34] “I want to be more open-handed. I want to be gentler with the people who approach me with those questions. But at the same time, I want to be wise.” [20:57] “I would much rather add value than feel that we’re not valued enough.” [23:46]   Links: Storyblocks Core Join the Studio Sherpas Party! Max Profit Workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There’s a lot to consider as your business grows. When I started my studio, I was my only employee. It wasn’t too long before I realized I needed to hire some people on to keep things running. I was hesitant. It costs a lot to take on employees. But what I soon realized was that a larger team led to more and better work in the long run. Key Takeaways There’s a cost in hiring employees. However, having a team allows you to focus on the work you need to. When done thoughtfully and intentionally, growing your team leads to more clients, higher quality work, and more overall satisfaction in the end. It’s important that clients understand how you build your budget. Itemizing the gear you use will help convey the value of the work they receive. It may be useful to ask them their budget from the start and let them know what you can realistically offer within that. Attitude is everything when working with clients. You’re there to help your clients achieve their goals. Staying positive and supportive while offering your expertise will lead to high levels of satisfaction and repeat business. About Ariel Martinez Ariel Martinez is a Miami-Based documentary filmmaker specializing in storytelling, cinematography, commercial video production, and conference videography. With over 10 years as a freelancer, he has specialized in operating as a one-man-band without compromise. Considerations About Growing Your Team As someone who handles all aspects of production, Ariel strives to offer his clients quality work at a lower cost. With the right vision and gear, he is able to get clients, shoot video, edit, and deliver outstanding films. But it’s a lot of work, not all of it what he’d prefer to do. We discuss what growing a team looks like as a business expands and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. Presenting Your Gear and Attitude to Clients Ariel owns a lot of his own gear. Of course, there are quite a bit of upfront costs in acquiring it. We talk about building those costs into your pricing models. Ariel has found that by itemizing the gear used and presenting that to clients in a budget, they’ll better understand the value of what they pay for. Perhaps the most important asset to growth and longevity is a positive attitude. Ariel and I have seen this in action. Remember, you are there to serve your clients and their vision. While you should still offer your expert opinion, it’s crucial that you do so in a positive manner. People will remember your attitude as much as they remember the work itself. Have you grown a team? Let me know how it has paid off in the comments on the episode page! How do you bring a positive attitude to the set every day? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: How Ariel got into freelance video production [6:00] The challenges and advantages that come with working by yourself versus building a team [13:52] How to charge for jobs while serving clients at a high level [25:30] What happens when you own your own gear [35:10] The importance of positivity to grow your business [42:38]   Quotes “It’s really a dream come true for me that I can do what I love, enjoy it so much, and have flexibility.” [13:16] “I don’t think there’s a wrong or right way to do things. There’s what you enjoy. There’s what makes more money. There’s what makes less money. There’s different tactics that you can take on every avenue that you consider.” [24:20] “You might be the professional that they’re looking for. But at the same time, you have to serve them for what they’re looking for. They might want to go in a certain direction. Whether you agree with it or not, you’re there to serve them and their vision, not your own.” [43:46] “Just keep pushing. Love the passion. Love the work. Love the process. Just never stop learning.” [49:53]   Links: Download the 30-day guide to jumpstart your video business Find Ariel Martinez online Follow Ariel on Instagram | Vimeo | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube iFilmmaker Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This year has not gone as expected. That’s true for my business as much as anything else. The mechanisms that used to bring clients and projects my way don’t work like they used to. However, virtual summits and meetups have exploded. Today, I’m sharing how I’ve been harnessing the potential of these virtual events to grow my business. Key Takeaways In times of COVID, we need to shift how we build networks. Online summits, virtual meetups, and webinars are a great way to fill the gaps left by in-person events. Hosting one of these summits will even show you to be an authority in your field. Lessons of Running a Virtual Summit Over the last few months, I’ve been putting together a virtual summit for digital marketers. I’ve learned a lot in the process. Not only do I think this event will provide great value for those who attend, but it will also help grow and maintain a network of people who may become clients someday. Growing Your Network I’ve found that hosting these events I’ve positioned myself as an authority in my niche. As a result, more people in my expanding network are going to think of me when they need video or something else that I offer. It will naturally build connections that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Finding and Serving Your Niche You can’t just create an event for everyone though. You need to get very focussed on a specific niche. The narrower, the better. If you’re not sure, reach out to your network and ask what topics they most resonate with at the moment. With that information, you’ll have a great start to building a successful virtual event. Would you ever consider creating a webinar or an online summit? What would it be about? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: How virtual summits are filling the gap left by in-person events [3:25] Growing your network with online events [9:27] How shifting to a bigger online presence changes how we think about business [16:37] Why focusing on a specific niche is the best way to succeed with a webinar or summit [19:14] Why few things are more important than your email list [25:00]   Quotes “We’re getting exposure to a ton of people who we wouldn’t normally be…. And as the hosts, we are the ones who look like we’re friends with all of the presenters.” [13:16] “When you take leadership, when you take action, when you decide to do this, people will take notice because not everybody is getting in the ring.” [15:25] “As you do webinars and summits, your email list will grow. It is so important to grow your email list.” [25:01]   Links: Share your story to get on the 200th episode! Download the 30-day guide to jumpstart your video business   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As a small business owner, you actually have a lot of flexibility. You can pivot what you do and make offers that big companies can’t. Especially during tough times like these, you can find opportunities that may not have existed before. As today’s guest is going to tell you, there’s a gift that lies in scarcity. Key Takeaways It’s important to keep priorities in mind when running a small business. Especially when times are tough, it’s a good idea to ask yourself what your goals are. By looking at what gives you the best return on investment, you can prioritize the most important parts of your business. Even if a client doesn’t want to move forward on a project quite yet, there is probably still something that you can do for them. Look back at past projects and share your ideas with them. Maintaining helpful lines of communication now will pay off later when the situation improves. No matter how amazing your work is, if you don’t market it, you won’t sell it. Marketing, when done with integrity, is not a sleazy thing. You have something to offer that other people need. When you reach out there, you will find that there is more abundance than you may have thought. About Prof Kelly Goldsmith Professor Kelly Goldsmith is an award-winning, Yale-educated behavioral scientist who also appeared on Survivor Africa. She examines consumers’ responses to uncertainty and scarcity, uncovering, and explaining seemingly paradoxical effects. Looking to Scarcity for Good Ideas It’s common to question what you’re doing in business during tough times. Kelly recognizes that it is actually during times like these that some of the best ideas are born. Maybe you’ve been sitting on a particularly innovative idea but haven’t acted on it yet. It’s also a time to reassess how you’re marketing your services. Getting Cozy with Marketing Even if you have something great to offer, you need to market it appropriately. Marketing to everyone will only lead to disappointment. Even though it may feel like you’re excluding potential customers, you need to find your niche. This will differentiate yourself from the competition and also lead to more referrals at the same time. Do you have a business idea that you haven't tried yet? Tell me what’s holding you back in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: How and why to reassess what you do in the current economy [8:40] New ways to market your services when the market is down [13:30] How to get inspired by scarcity [20:28] Becoming better friends with the idea of selling [22:10] The dangers of marketing to everyone [26:10] Leveraging the agility of your small business [30:40]   Quotes Everybody here is a creative person. Creative people are the best at coming up with new ways to make money.” [11:04] “Fundamentally, any goal is associated with a sense of scarcity. Anything you want to get, be, or do means you have to recognize what you don’t have.” [21:52] “The benefit of being in a small business is that you can be agile and you can adapt. If you feel like you can’t, then you have a misperception about what’s great about your industry.” [31:28]   Links: Tell me about your transformation for a chance to get featured in Episode 200! Sign up for the Studio Sherpas Webclass Storyblocks Find Prof. Kelly Goldsmith online Follow Kelly on Linkedin | Twitter | Instagram| Goodreads To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink Influence by Robert Cialdini Small is the New Big by Seth Godin The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris Second Life Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

An emotional connection often exists between creatives and our creations. We want to have an influence and an impact with what we do. So it’s easy to take it personally when people either like or dislike our work. Yet there are many ways to stay in control when putting your creations out into the world. Key Takeaways When presenting early drafts to clients, the less you critique, the better. Second-guessing your work to your clients can lead down the wrong path of unnecessary revisions. Instead, focus on what you’re excited and happy about. As creatives, we’re trying to strike a balance between sharing what we do with the world while still turning a profit. To maintain that balance over the long-run, you need to constantly reassess your process. Sometimes it means growing a team. Other times, you’ll need to take on more roles yourself. About Josiah Moore Josiah Moore is a freelance director and editor from upstate New York. Josiah stays busy in all aspects of music video production, be it client communication, shooting, building sets, and late nights editing. Balancing Creativity and Business It can be tough striking a balance as both creatives and entrepreneurs. Josiah knows the experience of creating projects that then become the property of his clients. It’s difficult to create something that is yours only to hand ownership of it to someone else. Josiah finds that making his own behind-the-scenes videos is to share with his followers is a great creative outlet. Passion projects are also a great way to stay motivated to do what you love. The Value of Good Communication As someone who handles so many aspects of a production, Josiah finds that upfront communication with clients is paramount. Letting them know the revision process and what it will cost prevents scope creep. Being clear on the shooting and editing schedule will keep things on track. Most of all, being in clear communication about your process and pricing builds and maintains the relationships that will drive your business in the long run. What’s your long-term plan? Do you have a plan for retirement? Let me know in the comments on the episode page! What’s your revision process like? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: The process of profiting with music videos [5:19] Using behind-the-scene footage to engage with an audience [7:15] The emotional vulnerability that accompanies our creative works [11:30] Harnessing efficiency to maximize profitability [17:15] Different ways to approach the revision process [21:12] [25:16] How to consider the long-term aspects of freelance work [30:00] Why gear lust will stunt your growth [38:56]   Quotes “How can I engage with and grow an audience that is invested in me as a creative rather than the people I work for?” [8:47] “I’ve been finding when I really try to strip back and try to do the bare minimum and grind a little bit harder and take on a couple more roles myself, it’s really not going to hurt the project. We’re going to be able to be that much quicker, more efficient, and profitable.” [18:50] “I think the struggle is that, as a creative person, I often find myself falling into thinking that whatever my latest work is is how I present myself. I don’t think that has to be the case. I still think you can have passion projects.” [37:54]   Links: Sign up for the free Studio Sherpas Webclass Storyblocks Find Josiah Moore online Follow Josiah on Instagram | Twitter | YouTube   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

How do you set yourself apart by impressing your clients? Hopefully, it is something that can land you bigger and better jobs. If you can be remarkable, you’ll find yourself with bigger jobs than you thought possible. Key Takeaways You don’t need to be an expert in everything. Asking for help, building systems, and seeking out the expertise of others is essential for your business to thrive. Build a team if you can. Outsource when needed. True success is a collaborative effort.  Going out of your way to find opportunities to be excellent and unanticipated will set you apart. Being remarkable means doing more than what others expect from you. Going out of your way to build these positive relationships will result in a massive return on your time and effort. About Patrick Moreau and Rebecca Rapple Today, I’m joined by my friends at Muse Storytelling, founder Patrick Moreau and CEO Rebecca Rapple. Their mission is to create well-told stories that lead to positive change. Using the science of storytelling, Muse has told the stories of a diverse collection of brands including Fujifilm and Four Seasons. Getting the Support You Need to Succeed Success rarely occurs without help. Rebecca and Patrick know first-hand that one person can seldom do it all themself. Getting outside help and new perspectives will help move the needle of any business forward. It takes courage to admit that you don’t have all the answers, but the alternative isn’t worth the risk. Being Remarkable in Order to Succeed Success hinges on being noticed and remembered. In other words, you need to be remarkable. Rebecca and Patrick strive to do just that in their business. You may not feel that you are remarkable, but you are. We all are. Storytelling has the power to showcase your remarkability. If you can seize the moment, take a chance, and tell an unforgettable story, you will make your mark.  Once you identify what makes you excellent, find ways to automate it. That frees you up to find ways to do the unexpected. You’ll have extra time and energy to go above and beyond and impress your clients in ways they never expected. What are currently doing to be remarkable? What could you try to stand apart? Share it with us in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: What it means to profit with a purpose [6:49] The power of a team to foster psychological safety at work [12:10] The exponential return of being remarkable [20:45] Building systems of excellence to make a bigger impact [26:48] The ingredients of being remarkable that any solopreneur can harness [30:50] How Muse’s educational programs help filmmakers develop successful systems for their businesses [38:35]   Quotes: “One of the things that we always talk about is profiting with purpose. In other words, identify opportunities for your business to make money so you can get the things that you want.” [6:49] “Being remarkable literally means being worthy of remark. It has to be special enough that someone would actually comment on it proactively. It’s the intersection between being excellent and being unexpected.” [21:29] “There’s just a couple inflection points; moments when we chose to do something remarkable. We went out of our way and it changed everything.” [24:09] “When you have excellence dialed in - when you already know how to do it and it’s a given - it frees you up to use all your brainpower and extra time to really focus on what you can do to be unexpected.” [27:34] “It’s harder now, but that means that it’s more important than ever that you focus on your business. You must really look at how you can be remarkable because if you don’t stand out, you are absolutely going to drown in a sea of supply.” [44:57]   Links: Find Patrick and Rebecca online Sign up for the free Studio Sherpas Webclass Take Muse’s Free Course   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!   Related Episodes: Episode 1: How To Be A Better Storyteller & Why It Matters Episode 83: Why You Need to Understand the Science of Storytelling

If it hasn’t happened already, you’re going to deal with a difficult client. It’s that type of experience that will help you identify your ideal client. Key Takeaways The key to establishing a good working relationship with clients is good communication. Letting them know your process from the start helps avoid disappointment later on.  With the economy the way it is now, look for opportunities that may not have existed otherwise. Be creative. Without lucrative projects out there, work on ones that are enjoyable instead. These opportunities are out there. About The Hamil Bros I’d like to welcome Jacob and Ross Hamil back to the podcast. The Hamil Bros Studio has done incredible work for both small businesses and big brands. They get their creative juices flowing by making promotional video work, short films, and music videos. Serving Your Ideal Clients In this episode, we discuss what an ideal client looks like and how to best serve them. They may already know a thing or two about what they want. However, many clients do not. That’s why education is a large part of the job. It’s taking this extra step to communicate and inform that will set you apart as a business. The Role of Creativity and Perseverance During Tough Times When times seem tough, Ross and Jacob look for value in perseverance and adaptability. When the pandemic hit, they found that just having something to do, even small regular jobs for their church, gave them the purpose they needed to keep going. Staying creatively flexible is the key. As creatives, now can be the time to put those ideas you’ve been sitting on into action. What does your ideal client look like for you? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode: How to best help your ideal client [5:45] How to quote a project to a client who knows nothing about video [10:20] Responding to clients who keep changing the scope of your project [17:00] Finding reasons to work on your business during these uncertain times [24:32]   Quotes: “I can tell you within the first five minutes if they’re going to be a big pain in the butt or if it’s going to be a really great relationship.” [11:50] “Once we decide on a budget, we stick with it no matter what. If we choose to add value to it, we will not charge you because that’s not fair to you.” [14:24] “It’s times like these that you can spend a lot of time working on your business and lose all your momentum.” [26:30] “I think we’re pretty much desperate to do what we can to keep doing this instead of having to go take up a day job that makes us miserable.” [31:13]   Links: Storyblocks Get on the Waitlist for the Studio Sherpas Academy Find the Hamil Bros online Follow the Hamil Bros on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!   Related Episodes: Episode 139: How To Navigate The Uncertainty Of Being An Entrepreneur

Having bigger budget clients and making more money sure seems like the thing to do. In reality, it’s not always the best thing for your business. That’s just one of the topics that came up during a recent coaching call with Kenny Morg. In fact, there were so many great nuggets of wisdom in this call that I want to share some of it with you. Deciding if it’s Best to Do a Big Budget Project It might seem logical to assume that bigger budget projects mean making higher quality films and more profit. I’ve found that that’s not always the case. It turns out that there are a lot of other factors to consider here such as the speed of production and the relationships you’ve cultivated. In reality, the quality of human interaction is much more important than the quality of the video. Additionally, you can often make more from a few small jobs with less overhead than a single big-budget project. Setting Expectations with Workshops We go over why I always workshop with clients at the start of any project. It helps establish a budget. It also allows the client to clarify and communicate their vision. I can then guide them to the type of video that will serve them best. With this information, I can be confident that I can deliver what they want, when they want it, for what they’ll pay for it. Building Connections and Staying Happy at Work We also discuss how to leverage existing clients to find new ones. You can’t passively wait for them to make referrals for you. You need to be proactive about it. Once you have a good relationship with a client, ask them to refer business your way. Furthermore, actually get out there and meet the people you’d like to work with.  Video often sells an emotional idea. Consequently, the success of this is difficult to measure. It takes a lot of work to successfully stay in this business. In order to maintain my love of the job, I’m careful to outsource the parts that don’t bring me joy. With that out of the way, I can seek out the parts of the jobs that excite me. This is the key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. What can you do to focus on the parts of your business that bring you the most joy? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode: Important considerations to have when looking for high budget work [6:00] Workshopping with clients before the start of a project to clarify visions and plans [17:56] How to ask clients to make referrals and bring in more business [27:51] Understanding how your videos do the marketing for you [33:38] The differences between working with agencies versus directly with businesses [35:22] Using social media and YouTube to fuel growth [41:00] Getting expert advice to build a great website [47:27] Maintaining a love of your craft by avoiding burnout [53:40] The key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance [55:25] How to avoid over-checking your inbox [1:01:22]   Quotes:  “The right partner is going to pay you when you’re obviously going above and beyond.” [8:07] “We can’t just sit back and wait for the referrals to come in. We’ll ask our clients for referrals.” [32:58] “We’re storytellers first. We believe that if we can create some kind of emotive connection with the person watching the film, then we have a better chance of getting them to do the thing that we want them to do.” [34:50] “We are typically selling emotion. We’re selling a brand video or story and it’s really hard to measure what the emotional connection is.” [44:02]   Links: Storyblocks 30-day guide to jumpstart your video business The Budget Maximizer The Video Blueprint Method StoryBrand   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you feel like you’re running in place on a life-sized hamster wheel or are you living a life of delight? As a business owner and entrepreneur, it might feel like you have a never-ending to-do list to check off. But that’s not why you do what you do. Today, I’m thrilled to have a guest who will help us reframe why we got into this line of work, to begin with. About Amira Alvarez Amira Alvarez has created an amazing brand that makes a huge impact on people’s lives. She is the founder and CEO of The Unstoppable Woman, a global coaching company helping entrepreneurs, empire builders, and rising stars achieve their dreams and goals in record time. Your Business as a Source of Satisfaction Amira draws a direct connection between building and growing a business with personal satisfaction. While some days will naturally be more difficult than others, the goal of running your own business should be to have a good time. It should empower you to live the life you want. It’s easy to fall into the trap of the daily grind. To combat this, Amira urges fellow entrepreneurs to stay focused on the big picture. Recognizing Your Vision For Your Life and Career The fact of the matter is that there are infinite ways to run a business. Too often, entrepreneurs fall into the old paradigms that they know from former jobs. Yet, if you can identify your vision and how you want to show up for your job, you can actively work to create that reality. Amira urges everyone to recognize that they can operate according to their own rules. When this happens, you’ll be able to actually enjoy what you do for a living. Many find that they’re working themselves into the ground. Making more money can help you escape this. The trick is doing it without creating more work that you don’t want to do. This could mean raising your prices, selling more, or adding a new income channel. Before you can do this, you need to believe in yourself and the value of what you do. How is your business leading you towards a life of delight? How can you shift what you do to create a more fulfilling work experience? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode  How growing your business can lead to joy and fulfillment [4:10] What happens when your goals become your priorities [11:39] Recognizing the signs that it’s time to shift gears on how you operate [14:53] The realization that you don’t need to run your business according to anyone else’s expectations [23:00] How to escape the trap of over-exhausting yourself [28:30] Building your sense of self-worth as insulation against those who would treat you poorly [36:20]   Quotes “Why grow your own business if it’s not for that sense of personal freedom, excitement, enthusiasm?” [4:24] “Doing the hard things - really stepping up and doing those challenging things that move the needle forward - that makes you feel great!” [13:56] “Who decided that the weekend is the weekend? Who decided that working is from nine to five? If I am excited and thrilled and living a delighted life, who cares? Why do I have to play by the rules?” [26:43] “If you don’t value yourself, if you don’t have a sense of personal self-worth, you will attract people who don’t treat you well.” [36:20]  “Go after your dreams. Own what you really want and go for it.” [42:19]   Links Download the 30-day guide to jumpstart your video business Storyblocks Find Amira Alvarez online Follow Amina on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Linkedin The Unstoppable Woman Podcast The Morning Mindset Club The Income Breakthrough Summit Entrepreneurial Operating System IT Cosmetics   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Just because you have a great idea, it doesn’t mean that your customers are going to love it too. They have their own projects and are working on their own schedule. Understanding that your priorities are not the same as your customers’ is key to creating long-term relationships with them.  Jason Fried, a non-serial entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Basecamp. He’s co-authored several books including Getting Real, Rework, Remote, and It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work.  As someone who has always loved creating and designing things, Jason started making websites right out of college. Realizing that he preferred working for himself, Jason refocused his career path on creating businesses. He quickly discovered that organization is central to productivity and success, but the tools to make it happen didn’t exist. It was this realization that gave birth to Basecamp. Today, Jason shares some of his revelations from the workplace. A big one was coming to the understanding that not everything is as urgent as we often think it is. This allows us to slow down and get perspective on where our energy should really be going. Basically, we should all be getting a good night’s sleep before acting on anything big. Furthermore, as a leader, you need to create the space for honest and open communication with the people you work with. This means asking the right questions and being open to any answer.  How do you best listen to your customer’s concerns? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode  How necessity can give birth to brilliant business ideas [5:30] The advantages that come from listening to customers instead of making assumptions [9:30] What it really means to treat your customers with care and respect [13:10] The realization that few things are as urgent as we think [17:00] Where to cultivate joy and purpose in the work that you do [23:03] The importance of always asking questions of your team and company [25:10] Why you should look for inspiration outside of your industry [33:30]   Quotes “Constant iteration is the only way to make anything better.” [8:51] “Just because we have something new to offer and we think it’s better, that doesn’t necessarily mean that for other people better is what they’re looking for. A lot of people are looking for consistency and predictability.” [9:58] “A lot of things can wait and they can wait their turn. It’s actually better for things to have to wait their turn because sometimes when you get to them you realize it wasn't that good of an idea anyway.” [18:35] “False urgency is a really dangerous thing. I think a lot of companies suffer from it.” [22:58] “The fundamental thing is that if you want answers you have to ask questions. People don’t bring you answers if you don’t ask questions first.” [27:00]   Links Find Jason Fried online Follow Jason on Twitter Storyblocks Basecamp It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work Remote Rework Getting Real The Rework Podcast Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni Know Your Team The Drive Podcast Get your free video business jumpstart guide   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re not working with the clients and budgets you’d like, the problem may lie in your website. What does the copywriting on it look like? Is it helping your ideal client find you? If not, it’s time to reassess the story you’re telling. Josh Cantrell is the founder of Signal Brandworks, a messaging and copywriting agency that helps people find the right words to sell more. Josh is also a certified Storybrand guide and a Ray Edwards Certified Direct Response copywriter. Josh and I discuss why you need to care about copywriting if your business is to thrive. Proper copywriting is what gets your message across and sets you apart from the competition. It comes down to having the right framework in place. With that established, the right ideas and words will follow. To achieve this, you need to identify what it is that makes you special. We’re each individuals with unique qualities. Making that your brand will automatically distinguish yourself. That being said, don’t focus on yourself. Instead, make the focus on what your clients receive from you. How can you make your clients the heroes of their own stories? Let’s talk in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why videographers should care about copywriting Establishing the right frameworks for creating successful copy What it takes to make a clear and compelling website How to turn your copy into a compelling story Being clear on what you don’t do as well as what you love to do   Quotes “If you have the right framework, then the ideas come a lot better. And once you have the ideas, then the words can come a lot better.” [8:25] “The harder it is to understand and work through the words on your website, the less likely they’re going to stay and do business with you.” [17:35] “You, yourself, are the brand. You are different from everybody else out there. The way that you talk about what you do is going to be different from the way that other people talk about what they do.” [18:16] “If you get the right words, the right clients will fall through the cracks onto them.” [34:01]   Links Find Josh Cantrell online Storybrand Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller Storyblocks Join the waitlist for the Video Business Academy   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever had a project become bigger than it’s supposed to? I know I have. It’s cost me time, money, and sanity. This is scope creep and it’s incredibly common. Fortunately, I’ve learned (the hard way) to avoid it. It's fine to go that extra mile for your clients. It’s great to give them more than they expect. But if you don’t have healthy boundaries, you risk getting taken advantage of. Your client should be honoring your time and effort by paying you for it, Supposed “small tweaks” and “just a little thing” become time wasters. Most of us can’t work for free. It can be tough to say no to a seemingly small ask. Yet, it’s crucial to respect yourself as well as your clients. Knowing when to do something extra for a client while also prioritizing your own needs is a difficult tightrope to walk.  Over the years, I’ve found ways to avoid scope creep. Being clear on who the project owner is and thoroughly explaining your process will help. Even explaining from the start that scope creep will mean extra charges can help to prevent it from happening.  Has scope creep taken over one of your projects? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What scope creep is and why it happens to everyone What to watch out for when doing work for friends and family Why your own priorities are never to be ignored Simple tips to prevent scope creep before it becomes an issue What to do once the project has grown beyond what it should   Quotes “You should overdeliver. You should be kind to your clients. You should let them experience the huge value that you bring. But what you also should do is have boundaries.” [4:13] “If you want to go the extra mile, do that. But in those cases, make sure you’re letting them know.” [15:19] “I’ve been fortunate enough to hear from a lot of different people who have been using the ASCEND Method over the past few years who have landed huge jobs and have had a lot of success because they have a process now; they have confidence in these meetings.” [20:12]   Links Learn the ASCEND Method here!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What would you choose to do if you had to completely shift your life? Would you focus on your true calling? All too often our jobs get in the way of our dreams. This is a shame because what you do for work has all the potential to align with your higher calling. But it’s up to you to intentionally create this. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Ira Davis, one of the original Studio Sherpas students. As a former Marine Corps drill instructor, the founder and CEO of DreamDiver and IV I II Studios, Ira works to help people discover their stories and inspire others. His companies are designed to help aspiring pioneers, visionaries, and world-changers discover their purpose and dive into their dreams to impact the world.  As filmmakers, we are uniquely positioned to share our vision with the world. At the same time, we often get sidetracked creating for others. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. We all have to earn an income and keep our businesses running. However, ignoring your own visions means that you risk sharing with the world with your own special vision and genius.  Ira passionately explains what happens when you create from the soul, rather than from some material need. If you commit to this, you’ll find that your work resonates deeper with the right audiences. It will lead to more fulfilling opportunities down the road. Throughout this conversation, we reevaluate what success means. Being able to put food on the table is one type. So is fulfilling the mission that you feel called to do. Ira explains how these two don’t need to be exclusive of each other. Turning your dream into a livelihood isn’t easy, but the rewards are beyond priceless What is your dream? How can you take your business there? Let’s chat in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Deciding how you truly want to show up with your lens Balancing the needs of making money with fulfilling your dream vision Having bigger dreams for yourself and your video business Recognizing that income stops your impact Why inspiration is more powerful than motivation What happens when you build your company on a dream that’s bigger than yourself   Quotes “There’s never been a better time in the history of our lives where we have the time to stop moving at one hundred miles an hour to focus on who we have been called to be and what we have been called to do and create.” [3:05] “If you get the opportunity to do this, you are playing the infinite game. The finite game is money. The infinite game is transforming and moving people’s hearts and souls. Now, and even after I’m dead, will this thing live on?” [18:55] “When you dream bigger than yourself, it will attract people who want to join you and push it to the stratosphere.” [23:59] “Just because you have the purpose to create great content, doesn't mean that you’re the content creator.” [40:59] “A person without a dream is a person without direction for their life. If you don’t have a dream, where are you going?” [46:53]   Links Find Ira Davis online Follow Ira on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook IV I II Studios: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Play Bigger Evolved Enterprise by Yanick Silver The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek Get on the waitlist for the Video Business Academy!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

We all want discipline in our lives, but it’s a lot of work. Discipline means doing what you’d rather not do to realize the goals you want to achieve. As a filmmaker who wants to stay in business for the long run, it will be discipline that gets you there.  On today’s solo episode, I want to talk about some of my hard-learned lessons in becoming profitable. It was developing a sense of discipline that allowed me to work smartly, efficiently, and effectively. Over the years, I’ve gained tools that allow me to profit more and keep my business sustainable. Central to this is creating target goals for your year. You need to know what you want to achieve. Then you can work backward from that goal to put in place the necessary actionable steps. I do this every year. It informs what I do every day. During this time, I’ve discovered and honed several other great tools and strategies to foster discipline. This means not looking at my phone until I’ve achieved something. I’ve created a quiet space for contemplation and have a plan for each day. I create a morning routine to get into the daily rhythm and avoid interruptions. I promise that you’ll get more done for your video business once you incorporate these steps into your regular habits. What is the one thing you keep putting off? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The link between profitability and time Creating measurable targets and goals to achieve your business goals My five tools for building discipline What happens when you prioritize difficult tasks   Quotes “We need to be profitable. If we’re not profitable, we’re not going to be in business for long.” [6:10] “If it’s something that could help move your business forward, do it now.” [15:44] “Having a rhythm and committing to that rhythm is going to help you get more things done.” [27:04]   Links Studio Sherpas Episode 160 - How to Build Daily Habits That Will Improve Your Life Studio Sherpas Episode 158 - How To Live With Intention & In Alignment With Your True Goals with Cliff Ravenscraft Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy The Full Focus Planner Get on the waitlist for the Video Business Academy   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

When this year started, no one expected it to turn out the way it has. Sadly, many small businesses have gone under as a result. Those that survive will be the flexible ones. If you can identify the opportunities that exist and pivot to take advantage of them, then this will be a storm you can weather.  Kenny Morgan is an agency owner who transitioned from branding and design to storytelling and video production. He’s worked with some great brands like Vans, Sony, the NFL, and more. His company, Counsel Creative strives to help businesses of all sizes tell their stories through web development, branding, graphic design, and video production.  Niching his business down from a full-service agency to video production allows Kenny to be very strategic in what he does. In the face of the COVID economy, this has allowed Kenny to be adaptable with his business. Unfortunately, he’s had to shrink the size of his workforce. However, he also sees the opportunities for growth that it presents in the end. As people consider niching down their business, there is often a fear that they’ll miss opportunities. However, if your business focuses on something you're passionate about, that will shine through in your work. That’s how customer loyalty is born and businesses excel. Is your business on the ground right now? How can I help you stand back up? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Being adaptable and optimistic in the face of uncertainty Fighting the fear of niching down The importance of building emotional connections Why processes are the key to growth   Quotes “We have a choice. We can adapt and grow. Or we can sit back and unfortunately see our defeat. I hope I can be the one to always keep standing up.” [20:42] “It’s one thing to adapt. But if you’re adapting into something that’s not truly you, then it’s not really the best place.” [22:11] “In order for us to serve people, we have to understand ourselves first.” [34:00]   Links Find Kenny Morgan online Follow Kenny on Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | Vimeo “Bridge of Spies” standing man scene   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

No one likes failing. But every failure hides an opportunity. In fact, what sets you above your competition may have been borne out of a failure. Combined with perspective, failure provides lessons for learning and growing. Nate Bailey is a leader and a speaker who knows how to impact and reach an audience. He recently fulfilled his long-time dream of selling his insurance agency to follow his dream of being a full-time coach. As a best-selling author of three books, Nate adheres to the simple philosophy of living what you teach. With the business landscape thoroughly impacted by COVID, Nate is busy supplying large doses of perspective. This is a time to focus on what you can control. We can’t predict how and when the situation might change, but we can be strategic in how we position our companies to respond.  Just because you may be stuck at home and conferences are canceled doesn’t mean you can afford to stop networking. There are still authentic ways to reach out to potential clients and partners. Nate explains how the details of connecting have shifted, but not the underlying principles. These times are a good reminder that there will never be a perfect time for anything. Waiting for perfection will only lead to paralysis. It’s important to recognize when something is good enough, give it a shot, and learn from the experience. What have you been avoiding because you might fail? What could get you to do it? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Remembering what you still have control over in your business How to reach out without going out Focussing on progress, not perfection Recognizing the opportunities that accompany failure   Quotes “If they can tell that you’re really coming from the right place and you know what you’re doing, and you do create something of need that creates value, you’re going to be fine. It’s going to come back to you for sure.”  [24:17] “If I'm going to show or tell somebody that they should do this or that in their life, but I’m not doing it, that would be super out of integrity for me. I don’t ever want that to happen.” [31:05] “It’s all about progress, not perfection. If you wait to be perfect, that’s what keeps people from launching the business.” [35:15] “Flipping the perspective on failure is great. It’s how we learn. It’s how we grow.” [38:27]   Links Find Nate Bailey online Follow Nate on Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin Download Nate’s free audiobook Sales Navigator   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Every entrepreneur understands the challenge of managing their finances. Meeting financial goals, avoiding debt, and just keeping your head above water can be a struggle. Honestly, this is one of my least favorite topics, but it’s incredibly important. Andy Hill is the award-winning podcaster and blogger behind Marriage, Kids, and Money. He has helped countless young families build wealth so they can thrive. His writing has been featured in USA Today, Business Insider, and NBC News.  It used to be that crises were hypothetical to plan for. With COVID, it’s become a reality for most of us. Andy explains that the number one mistake that entrepreneurs make is not having funds set aside for times like these. With business for many at a standstill, the need for having financial reserves is as apparent as ever. That’s easier said than done, right? Andy recommends automating your process of creating your financial safety net from the start. If you put whatever you can spare aside each month, you’ll be much better positioned to weather another period of poor business. It’s these small deliberate actions that will get your finances where they need to be. But sometimes we end up in a situation that we haven't prepared for. Strategically cutting unneeded business expenses will relieve the burden. Adaptability is also a necessity of survival. As the business landscape changes, being able to pivot what your company does will ensure its longevity. What does your safety net look like? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The mistake that entrepreneurs make by not having emergency savings Automating your systems to save money Trimming the unnecessary expenses from your business Bringing in people to help you with save money for the long-run Tools for staying focused on your business goals   Quotes “It’s a great idea to have three to six months of business expenses in savings.” [6:15] “If you can make small incremental increases on a daily or monthly basis to get where you want to go, that’s what you gotta do.” [9:15] “That’s the whole point of starting these businesses in the first place. If we’re not working on the stuff that we really like, then why are we doing this? We might as well go back to the corporate nine to five.” [25:48] “It’s a lot easier to save money than it is to get new clients.” [34:11]   Links Find Andy Hill online Follow Andy on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Full Focus Planner Sign up for Gusto and get $100 on Amazon!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

We will all come across opportunities to change our lives. Recognizing and acting upon them is key. We have what it takes. Sometimes we need support to see that. Today’s guest shares how harnessing your greatness to do what is hard will ultimately lead to unimaginable success. Rock Thomas is the world’s number one whole life success expert. He is the host of the top-rated #IAmMovement Podcast, a bestselling author, and motivational speaker with over 30 years of experience in personal development and coaching. Rock has studied one on one with such legends as Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and more. Over 100 million people have watched his Goalcast video. Rock’s story involves some pivotal crossroads. His early years were full of hard work. Rock found ways to embrace the lessons he learned and develop his work ethic. It wasn’t something he could do on his own though. Rock credits finding the right support and advice as the most important part. Now he helps others the way others helped him.  As a coach, Rock helps people see the part of themselves that needs to be awakened. There is greatness in everyone. We just often need someone to hold up a mirror so we can see it. Once that’s done, you can accept who you are and harness that to succeed.  In what ways have others helped you recognize your own strengths? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Recognizing opportunities amidst adversity Accepting who you are as the measure of success What happens when you accomplish big tasks a little bit at a time Doing the difficult things to make life easier Focusing on future possibilities, not just present ones   Quotes “I think that’s a secret. Just chip away at things. Have a north star and do a little bit every day.” [16:59] “If people will do what is difficult, life will be easy. If you keep on doing what’s easy, life will get difficult.” [19:46] “If you look for the greatness and the opportunities that are happening right now, the world is never going to be the same. It’s going to shift. So you gotta start thinking how you’re going to adapt.” [28:07] “The mind will usually say no first. Say yes and figure things out later. Don’t let the hows stop you.” [35:53]   Links Find Rock Thomas online Follow Rock on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Atomic Habits by James Clear Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy Join the Course Creator Agency! Download the Networking Checklist   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

My heart hurts and I decided to use my platform to share a little more about my story, my reaction to the tragedies unfolding around us, and how I’m choosing to respond.  I think I’ve ridden the line for a long time as a business owner by trying to make friends with everyone thinking that the most popular businesses are the most successful.  It’s taken me a long time to realize my definition of success needs to be revisited… and what that also means is that my brand is becoming more personal. And I’m finally realizing that I’m okay with that.  I’m thankful you’re on this journey with me and I appreciate you taking the time to listen.  How are you responding to what’s going on? What are you doing? I’d love for you to share in the comments on the episode page.   In this episode Identifying the wrong clients for your business Choosing your marketing language to better identify your ideal clients Why it is a good thing to be polarizing  Why you get to create the rules of your own business The power you have to use your platform to create good   Quotes “The sooner they can realize this company is not a good fit for them, or you can realize this client isn’t a good fit for you, the better for you and the client.” [0:48] “I am white. I have lived my entire life as a privileged white male. So there is so much that I don’t know. There’s so much that I’ll never know. There’s so much that I’ll never have to experience. But what I do know is that love is the greatest thing.” [9:19] “Since this is my business, I get to create the rules.” [12:26]   Links City Awakening Live Show: interview w/ Jamie Winship Woodland Hills Church: Racism and Reconciliation Resources Roots by Alex Haley: I remember watching this movie in 7th grade and it impacting me heavily. I’ve almost finished w/ the audiobook and it has been really impactful. Harriet: We watched this with our kids earlier this year and it was a great conversation starter.  Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: Incredibly heartbreaking and powerful book that I read earlier this year or watch the movie streaming free online   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever wondered where the time goes? Do you get lost in little tasks and find that nothing actually got done by the end of the day? I’ve been there. I’m sure we all have. That’s why mindset is so important. The truth is, you can’t grow as a business until you allow yourself the time to think. It’s the clarity that comes with that thinking that allows you to focus on what’s really important. Mike Brown is a former Navy fighter pilot turned entrepreneur. Using the decision-making framework that he learned as an aviator, Mike founded, grew, and exited an 8-figure energy company focusing on land acquisitions. Mike has also invested in and mentored dozens of startups and works with select entrepreneurs as a coach. It’s okay if you’re struggling right now. Just know that it’s not your fault. These times are unprecedented. Mike finds that daily meditations help him reframe this “new normal”. Recognizing just where you have control and what is out of control is key to staying fully present. Mike explains how we all have the power to solve our problems. Within everyone is a knowledge and understanding of how to move your business forward. What happens is that we are afraid to act on it. Discovering why you’re erecting roadblocks is the solution to taking the necessary action. Mike knows a lot about identifying opportunities for asymmetric returns. These are low-risk high-reward situations. Recognize when you can benefit your life and business without actually putting much on the line. That's one of the key activities of successful people. What have you been depriving the world of? How are you going to start sharing it? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Identifying what actually matters through mindfulness and meditation The most important question for a business owner to ask themself What happens when you place value on yourself What asymmetric returns are and how they represent opportunities all around us Why you shouldn’t blame yourself when you or your business experience struggle   Quotes “Generally, any business owner knows that there’s one thing that they need to take care of that’s going to move the ball forward.” [12:53] “We all have this inner-wisdom that we can tap into. But then we feel it and are afraid to act on it.” [17:03] “I’m always going to take a bet on myself because I know that if I invest in myself, I am going to see a return on that investment. I can control that better than any other investment that I can make.” [37:11] “Have some compassion for yourself. This isn’t your fault. We’re going to get through this. But it’s okay if you’re struggling. It’s okay to feel those emotions of sadness or anger. Allow whatever is coming up to come up because this is a really difficult situation.” [45:20]   Links Find Mike Brown online Follow Mike on LinkedIn Headspace Waking Up The Best Self Journal The High Performance Planner Sign up for our video business academy!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Limitations are a benefit to creativity. In the reality of COVID 19, business owners are facing significant limitations. But with crisis there comes opportunity. In this episode, I talk with someone who is full of brilliant actionable ideas that we can all harness to grow our businesses right now. Tucker Max is the co-founder of Scribe Media, a company that helps people write, publish, and market their books. He is himself the author of four New York Times best-sellers. In 2009, he was nominated to the Time Magazine 100 most influential people list. Today, Tucker helps us reframe the current crisis. In fact, he thinks there has seldom been a better time for video. For one thing, more people are building their at-home studios. Everyone making videos at home needs editing help. You’re already the expert in this. Marketing and monetizing your knowledge of this will only lead to growth.  What new opportunities can your business take advantage of right now? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Using an unforeseen challenge to shift what your business does Why now is a great opportunity for video experts Recognizing that you are more of an expert than you may think How to talk a client out of a bad idea Reconciling your personal identity with your success as a business owner Differentiating between what clients say and what they want   Quotes “If anything, there is now a bigger demand for video right now. It just looks different.” [12:15] “You have to think about what baggage your medium carries, the expectations people are coming in with, and how you unpack that to make sure you understand what the client actually wants.” [38:46] “Videos are kingmakers. You can see yourself as sheep if you want, but you’re actually shepherds. It’s just a mindset shift.” [39:58]   Links Find Tucker Max online Follow Tucker on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube The Scribe Method Sign up for the Course Creator Agency training!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Imagine going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning with more money. Stick with me on this one, because this is something that’s within your grasp as a filmmaker and producer. For the past three years, my studio has been doing it. Today, I’m sharing our strategy for you to use too! Creating content for course creators opens up some great opportunities for passive income. There’s a lot of upfront work to be sure. Finding the right partners, collaborating, and creating content and marketing it takes time. But once that’s done, we get to sit back and let our share of the revenue come in. What you offer can go far beyond just creating the content. Helping your partners with services like building out a website, managing ads, creating marketing emails, and more lets you add value that will pay you back many times over. In fact, this has been so successful that it’s become the major focus of my business.  Are there roadblocks stopping you from being a course creator? Let’s work through them together in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What to look for in a course creator partner Using your expertise to complement those of your partner Strategies for analyzing and minimizing the risk you take on Knowing what jobs you can do yourself and what you can delegate to others How big a cut of the profits you should take considering what you offer The value of creating free content versus paid ads   Quotes “You don’t need a massive audience to make an impact. You don’t need a massive audience to make a lot of money.” [7:07] “Take on some risk. Give them something. If you have some buy-in they’ll feel that there’s a better chance that it will go further.” [26:40] “You need to be coming up with new ideas, new things, new products…. There’s lots of different strategies. The important thing is to pick one and start doing it and do it for a while.” [29:00]   Links Check us out on YouTube! Studio Sherpas Video Business Academy Kajabi Studio Sherpas Course Creator Agency   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Balancing your creativity and your business is a challenge. But prioritizing the parts that fulfill you the most won’t just be good for you, it will benefit your business too. Inevitably, this will foster a sense of purpose for your business that will lead to meaningful connections and projects. David Burkus is a skilled researcher and an inspiring communicator. His award-winning books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and his TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times. By making cutting-edge organizational research accessible and applicable, David pushes audiences to reconsider how they work both individually and in teams. This way, they unlock the methods top performers use to thrive at work and in life. In this episode, David and I talk about how the right time to start any endeavor is now. Waiting for the time to be perfect means waiting forever. We both started lots of projects before we had it perfected. Some of our early works were really abysmal compared to where we are now. But if we didn’t take the chance, we’d still be back at the starting line. With all the work we have, it’s easy to miss the parts that actually bring you joy. David strongly urges all creative business owners to identify and set aside time for what makes you feel engaged and satisfied. Make this a non-negotiable. There will still be room for the rest of your business. If you ignore the parts you love, then it won’t be long before your work suffers. David drops some great wisdom when it comes to networking and making connections. His main piece of advice is not to talk that much about your work itself. Rather, tell people about the good you want your work to accomplish. That will lead to stronger connections and create meaningful allies.  How do you network without feeling icky? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why you should never wait for the perfect time to start Why you need untouchable time built into your work rhythm The importance of knowing what you’re fighting for in your business What’s wrong with having the “perfect” elevator pitch The power of meaningful networking to create the right connection   Quotes “The biggest problems are not procrastination or lack of knowledge. It’s that you have taste. You develop that by being a fan. So you know what good looks like, but you don’t know how to do it.” [15:32] “The people who would tell you that they are in their dream job usually built it.” [26:30] “I think people don’t want to join a company. They want to join a crusade. They don’t want to talk about what they do. They want to talk about what they’re fighting for.” [40:55]   Links Get access to my free networking checklist Find David Burkus online Follow David on Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram | YouTube Pick a Fight by David Burkus   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

At some point, we all end up in a situation that forces us to do far more than we ever thought possible. We’re changing all the time and pushed to new heights. I’m not the person I was before and you aren’t either. Today, I’m talking with someone who understands as well as anyone how none of us are ever the finished product of ourselves. Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and best-selling author of Willpower Doesn’t Work. His blogs have been read by over 100 million people and are featured on Forbes, Fortune, CNBC, and many others. He was the number one writer in the world on Medium.com from 2015 to 2018. Ben and I chat about human potential throughout this conversation. It is usually a lot greater than we think. It’s situations that lead to greatness. That’s why Ben suggests that we all actively create situations that force us to bring out our strengths. This involves actively cutting out elements that derail us and seeking out the right kind of challenges. Roadblocks are a common affliction for creatives. Ben speaks to what we can do to build an environment and mindset where creative distractions and blocks are less of an issue. This may involve a physical environment solely dedicated to your work. Also, do the least pleasant part of your work first. Otherwise, it will hang over your head all day. It’s important to keep a perspective of how we change and grow as people, business owners, and artists. Change is important. Personalities evolve over time. You’re never the finished product of yourself and that’s a good thing.  Who do you want your future self to be? How does that vision affect you today? Let’s discuss it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: What you can do to keep decision fatigue from killing your productivity The one thing you can do daily to make sure your day doesn’t suck What happens when you prioritize completing the things you hate the most How you are a work in progress that will never be finished How trauma shapes people and impedes learning Preparing for the future to keep you grounded in the present   Quotes: “Your input shapes your outlook. The things that you let in, like newsfeeds, mess with your creative process. They mess with your mind. So you’re better off creating an environment where you’re strategically ignorant of many things.” [14:32] “Your future-self is going to be embarrassed of who you are today because, right now, the biggest mistake that people make is thinking their current self is the finished product.” [29:47] “Without a clear future self, without knowing who you want to be, you actually can’t make clear decisions today.” [42:03]   Links Find Dr. Benjamin Hardy online Follow Ben on Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | Twitter Willpower Doesn’t Work by Dr. Benjamin Hardy Personality Isn’t Permanent by Dr. Benjamin Hardy Entrepreneurial Operating System The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz Dan Gilbert: The psychology of your future self - TED Talks The Body Keeps the Score by  Bessel van der Kolk  Check out my free web class on owning client meetings!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

A couple of weeks ago, three other studio owners and I ran a live webinar. Travis Hull, Doug Darling, and Wes Wages are part of the Studio Sherpas community and have their own successful studios. I was thrilled to join them so they could share their insights and wisdom with all of you. If you didn’t make it to the webinar, or just want to hear it all again, this episode is for you. Crises contain within them opportunities. We discuss how we are pivoting our businesses so that we emerge from the current situation stronger than before. Everyone has the capacity to help others in one way or another. We can reach out and be of service in new ways. As more brands are shifting to digital content, video makers are well-positioned to show them how it’s done. It may feel natural to worry just about the money right now. We talk about how this is counter-productive. By keeping customer service and your clients as your priority, you’ll better position your business to thrive in the long run. It’s important to remember that your clients are going through their own financial struggles too. We answer a ton of great questions from the webinar attendees. From crafting your unique story to dealing with the growing pains of a new business, Doug, Wes, and Travis share some sage advice that we can all put to use. Are you pivoting as the business landscape shifts? Tell me how it’s going in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The challenges of taking care of your employees during the COVID 19 pandemic What happens when we pivot our businesses to adapt to changing landscapes Building value by being truly helpful to clients in need Protecting your finances in case of more bad times ahead Understanding the value you have to offer in a crowded field Overcoming obstacles when you are just starting out Resources to maintain client communication and support   Quotes “Rather than doing something to capitalize on a bad thing, if you do something right for the right reasons, good things will come from that.” [15:23]  “Just put the client’s needs first. Remember that they’re going through the same things we are financially. We can help them to work with us, but need to put their needs first.” [24:06]  “Most of us will agree with not being perfect going into something. If you over-analyze everything, you won’t do anything. Now’s the best time to do that…. It’s okay to be authentic.” [35:02] “Everyone has a lot of time to be looking at other people right now. How you act now is representative of how you are going to be perceived later.” [37:33] “The story is in your uniqueness because no one has the same story as you do. It helps if you lean into that story. The more you try to scale-back and act professional or get into this mold, you’re going to have a tougher time standing out.” [46:42]   Links Tripwire Media Group Talking Head Studio Armosa Studios SlingStudio Episode 172: Why Perfectionism is a Roadblock to Success The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey Profit First by Mike Michalowicz They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan Scaling Up by Verne Harnish The EMyth by Michael E. Gerber Win Without Pitching by Blaire Enns Check out the free client meetings webclass!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Everyone you ever interact with will have an impact on you. That includes your clients. People have energy and that energy is contagious. If you’ve ever worked with difficult clients you know what I mean. They affect how you feel. The same is true for great clients. So are you seeking out the right clients for you? David Meltzer is the co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing and formerly served as CEO of the renowned Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, which was the inspiration for the movie Jerry Maguire. He is a three-time international best-selling author, a Top 100 Business Coach, the executive producer of Entrepreneur‘s #1 digital business show, “Elevator Pitch”, and host of the top entrepreneur podcast, The Playbook. His newest book, Game-Time Decision Making, was a #1 new release.  David’s life story involves committing to pursuing your potential and seeing where that takes you. He’s learned a lot of important lessons along the way. This includes putting in the effort where it will actually pay off rather than focusing just on the work itself. Through hard lessons, David learned the importance of surrounding himself with the right energy. We’re all influenced by the people around us. Finding the right people and energy requires being aware of your values. It also means asking the right series of questions and being aware of how you spend your time. David promises that this will lead to more money and fulfillment without fail. What are you going to do differently because of this episode? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode What happens when we enjoy the pursuit of our potential The most critical skill of any business owner The importance of knowing your values  What kinds of questions you should be asking every client How to become a student of your calendar Cultivating the practice of ending fear   Quotes “I learned my main philosophy in life by wanting to be a football player because I learned to enjoy the consistent persistent pursuit of my potential.” [5:53] “If you want to have a skill, you’ll never go broke if you know how to raise money.” [9:41] “Take inventory of your values every day. You’ll know who to do business with, what you want to film, what you want to do. All the things are so value-based with the energy of content.” [16:43] “Practice ending fear. Because when you live in a world of abundance, you know that you have the gift of channeling, powering, clearing the connection that empowers all of us.” [21:15]   Links Find David Meltzer online Follow David on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Linkedin Text David your favorite takeaway” at 949-298-2905 Sports 1 Marketing Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment The Playbook Game-Time Decision Making Check out my free web class on owning client meetings!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Are you wasting precious time in your work as a business owner? Sometimes, even often, we get tired, distracted, or disconnected. Not taking care of our mental health as creatives often lead to wasted time, as well as many other issues. Today’s guest helps people like you and I find a place of tranquility and perspective so that their personal and professional life can thrive. Dr. Sherry Walling helps smart people do hard things. She works with leaders and entrepreneurs to tackle the common and uncommon challenges that go along with the pursuit of an extraordinary life. As a clinical psychologist, speaker, yoga teacher, podcaster, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, she draws from her professional expertise as well as her personal experience. Her best-selling book, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together, combines the insight and warmth of a therapist with the truth-telling mirth of someone who has been there. Today, we’re talking about cultivating helpful habits. Sherry tells us why we can’t compare ourselves to the extraordinary outliers. Some super successful business-owners achieved their success through methods that would destroy the mental health of most people. For most of us, establishing a healthy work-life balance leads to better fulfillment. Sherry recommends taking a step back so that you can get a comprehensive view of your life and business. This means not getting bogged down in minutia and details. Giving yourself time and space to reflect is one of the most important habits to build for long-term success. Sherry explains why a better-rested and joy-filled mind can be your best asset. How can you add more joy to your life? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Building and nurturing habits to help you succeed How comparing yourself to extraordinary outliers will ruin your productivity What happens when we are calm enough to reflect on our lives Whether more is better than less when it comes to the work you do Why deep work is super important for creatives  The undeniable importance of cultivating joyfulness   Quotes: “When you diversify yourself -- where you’re raising children, have a significant other, have a hobby -- it means that you are not 100 percent in any of those things. Nobody likes that, but it’s the honest truth and it is generally good enough.” [14:25] “The more that we can show up as really present and not frenetic, the better decisions that we’re going to make, the better work we’re going to do, the fewer mistakes, the fewer ill-thought-through comments that we’ll make.” [22:38] “Be thought-focused rather than task-focused. Prioritize the well-being of your mind over crossing things off the list.” [38:56] “I train in the circus, so I have this whole other part of life that brings me a ton of joy. It’s really different than my day job. I have this part of life that is mine.” [42:23]   Links: Find Dr. Sherry Walling online Follow Sherry on Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together Zen Founder Psychology of Entrepreneurship Podcast  The 4 Habits of a Joy-Filled Marriage Deep Work The High Performance Planner Check out my free web class on owning client meetings!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re anything me, you have tons of great ideas that just never get off the ground. This is a common affliction of the entrepreneurial type. The source of this lack of action isn’t that it’s unfeasible or that you lack the skills to make it happen. It’s perfectionism. For me, I’ve had this idea for a webinar for two years. The reason why it hasn’t happened yet is that I’ve wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it to have the best graphics, the perfect font, etc. By getting caught up in wanting every detail to be perfect, I became the architect of my own roadblocks. I’ve discovered that clients are often far more impressed with my work than I am. By striving for what is perfect for you, you may be overlooking what your client actually wants. That quest for perfection can lead to lost time and profits. Instead, identify what your clients needs and wants, and shoot for that. Try sharing your ideas, plans, and deadlines. I’ve found that this builds a sense of accountability. That, in turn, leads to action and helps me overcome perfection paralysis.  How has perfectionism held you back? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The power of putting your ideas on paper What happens when we obsess over the details Why you are not defined by the quality of your work What to say when you catch yourself getting bogged down in perfectionism How failure leads to growth Why sharing your ideas and deadlines leads to action   Quotes “I wanted the videos that I made to be perfect. The problem with that is the longer you spend on a project, the less profitable you become.” [9:04] “Creating something, doing something, and putting yourself out there is better than not.” [14:45] “Every great story involves conflict. My favorite stories are the ones where people fail, but they rise up out of the ashes. They don’t stop. They keep moving forward.” [20:49]   Links Episode 158 with Cliff Ravenscraft Check out the Studio Sherpas Free Workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It’s times like these that cause us to question everything. Anxiety and uncertainty are creativity and self-esteem killers. But it’s important to remember that you’re more than these fears. Today’s guest has some great advice on maintaining a good mindset and creating clarity even as nothing around you makes sense anymore. Megan Rafuse is a co-founder at Shift Collab. She is a mental health innovator focused on helping ambitious leaders believe they are enough as they are. As a therapist and entrepreneur, she works with executives, creatives, athletes, and young leaders to examine their limiting beliefs, challenge their inner imposter voice, and help them build confidence to share their struggles openly. It’s actually very common for leaders to think that they aren’t good enough. Megan discusses the source of these limiting beliefs. It often comes from a gap in how you view yourself and how others see you. Megan gives some great advice for overcoming this gap in perception. Mostly it comes from recognizing that we’ll never reach a point where we know it all. Many of us do a lot of our work in isolation. If this is the case, Megan stresses the importance of having a healthy routine. Building moments of validation into the process will do wonders. Megan recommends setting up markers throughout your workday to signify the progress that you make. Lastly, Megan addresses what I imagine most of us are feeling right now. The stress and anxiety that this global pandemic is causing is widespread. It has affected all of us in many ways. Megan lets us know how to make the best of our feelings to cope with the stress and anxiety in and around us. How do you receive daily validation for the work you do? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why leaders often hold limiting beliefs What happens when we realize that there is no “finish line” to becoming a leader How to challenge your own thought patterns to deal with your limiting beliefs Why you shouldn’t automatically believe everything you think The importance of cultivating a healthy routine that promotes validation of your work Coping strategies for feelings of stress and anxiety   Quotes “As leaders, we’re constantly learning, growing, building, and developing new skills. So we never hit a point where we feel like we’re done.” [12:19] “The best buffer to challenging unhelpful thoughts is the ability to actually start questioning your own thought pattern.” [22:16] “Shame is made smaller by speaking up when we feel small.” [28:38] “If we are isolated and working on this incredible piece of work, our goal is to say ‘what do I do before and after work to help me take care of me’." [33:05] “We are in an unprecedented time. It is safe to say most people are feeling it. We’re feeling the uncertainty. Our anxiety is higher. Our stress is high. We know stress and anxiety can kill our creativity. What I want to normalize is that if you weren’t feeling stressed or anxious, then your body’s mechanism to keep you safe might not be functioning well.” [48:16]   Links Find Megan Rafuse online Follow Megan on Instagram “Unlocking Us” podcast with Brené Brown   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Culture is so crucial to any business. Are you overlooking it? Don’t feel bad. Many do. It’s not enough to make outstanding videos for your clients. You need to have a well-developed company culture or you’ll fall short every time. However, it’s not too late to start building your culture today. Michel Falcon is a hospitality entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author. He focuses on customer experience, employee engagement, and company culture strategies to grow a business. Like me, Michel is passionate about building a great company culture. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this. It has to be specific to your business. But a common purpose of serving your people and clients is crucial. Most of all, it has to more than just about making money. Michel explains how micro customer experiences will change the way you do business. Simply put, this is a small, memorable, and affordable gesture that will resonate with your customers for years. Every single company can make use of this. Best of all, these small acts will help express your company’s culture in meaningful ways while marketing your work. What is a central part of your company culture? Tell me in the comments on the episode page! In this episode Why building a people-centered company culture should be your primary focus How micro customer experiences will make your work more meaningful The best way to spend money to market your business (it’s not digital marketing) How to grow your business by spending very little money   Quotes “At the core of every great company is a strong company culture -- whether you are big or small, whether you have 2 or 200,000 employees.” [8:05] “A good company culture is whatever makes sense to you, but one with ethics and morals and one that isn’t just financially driven.” [10:19] “You can’t just have a great product and expect your business to grow.” [20:51] “There shouldn’t be a divide between the ways that we behave in our personal life and our professional life.” [31:55]   Links Find Michel Falcon online Follow Michel on Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram People First Culture 1-800-GOT-JUNK Pela Case CDC Federal Credit Union Giftology by John Ruhlin Register for our free Client Meetings webinar!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Every entrepreneur, really every person, has had feelings of self-doubt. This often rears its ugly head in the form of imposter syndrome. To succeed, you need to get past these feelings. Often, leaning on the support of others reveals your potential you may have been blind to all along. Mark Skala is the founder and creative director for Skalawag Productions, a food and beverage production company that helps clients deliver high-quality consistent content for all areas of their brand. He’s also a Studio Sherpas student and a very good friend of mine. Mark shares the lessons he’s learned while getting into a very specific niche. Through trial, error, and experimentation, he found that he can shoot what he loves and build a company around that. Refining a sales process was a big part of this and Mark explains how he put that into action. One thing Mark had to learn to overcome was imposter syndrome. This is something that I think we’ve all dealt with at some point. Mark found that focusing on the successes and ignoring that voice of doubt will go far to vanquish feelings of inadequacy. It also helps to have the support of others who see the value in what you provide. Mark and I both figured all this out as we went along. We talk about how just putting in the right work and developing proper systems will eventually pay off. It takes confidence, self-awareness, and persistence. Once these have been realized, success can follow. If you could film in any niche at all, what would it be? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What people fail to understand about finding a niche How subscription and retainer content can bolster your business Why training like Luke Skywalker will help you overcome imposter syndrome The importance of implementing the right systems for success What to do to get trust and buy-in from your clients The value of leaning on others in your line of work   Quotes “I think the biggest misconception about finding a niche, or any sort of passion, is about the time it will take you to get there.” [5:38] “The things you’re dealing with now, those problems, will change and you will overcome them. You will be better for it. Thinking about it from that perspective helps you deal with that demon on your back.” [18:46] “You have to do the work to figure out what your path is. Then put those things in place and develop processes. Instill that in your employees and yourself. Good things will happen when you put in that work.” [27:43] “You should keep a calm head and believe in yourself and your ability to overcome hardships that you face. Persevere, be smart, and don’t mortgage your home for it!” [41:05]   Links Find Mark Skala online Follow Mark on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Episode 140 with Wes Wages Onward Summit Check out our upcoming Studio Sherpas course   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

In this solo unscripted episode, I want to answer one question for you. How do you stop attracting cheapskate clients? We’ve all been in a situation where a potential client doesn’t want to pay enough. Yet, knowing your value will help you choose the right people to work with. To give you some context into how I learned these valuable lessons, I describe my first ever jobs as a filmmaker. There were some hard lessons learned, but now I know what my value is. Since this realization, my encounters with low-balling clients have become rare. Being able to deal with cheapskate clients means knowing how much your business actually costs. There is a minimum cost involved in everything. When you take a job that doesn’t exceed what it costs to run your business, you are cutting off opportunities to actually turn a profit. Often, avoiding low paying clients takes doing the work needed to find high paying ones. You have to get out there and network with the people with the right budgets who value what you do. Have you ever turned down a cheapskate client? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What my first jobs in video taught me about the value of my time What happens when you understand your own value Why taking a low paying job is an opportunity killer Why your time is better spent networking than doing low paying work Saying no when the price isn’t right   Quotes “You live, you learn, you realize you don’t need to give away the farm for your top package.” [8:21] “You have to know what it costs to run your business. You have to know the value you bring to a job.” [13:38] “As soon as you know what it costs to do a project, it becomes really easy to be able to say no to a job that’s too low.” [20:24]   Links The Budget Maximizer Course   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever been on the verge of calling it quits as a video business owner? My guest today knows just what that feels like. It was a mindset change that led her to find the focus and passion that she needed to become an incredibly successful filmmaker. If you feel ready to throw in the towel, you have to listen to this! Natalie Fava is an independent filmmaker and entrepreneur on a quest to portray the magic of real life. She is the owner and lead filmmaker behind Wonderscope Cinema. For eleven years, Natalie’s innate understanding of how to connect humans to one another through emotionally charged, thoughtfully produced content, has led her to capture music festivals and live sessions across the US and UK and film weddings in 19 states from Oregon to Maine, as well as Italy. Natalie and I talk about why injecting feelings into your work is what will help it stand apart. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting for weddings, corporations, or anything else. Emotions are what people connect with the strongest and the best work needs them.  This is also not a business that you can do alone. Natalie found that getting a good team allows everyone to work best in their areas of strength. This leads to excellent results and prevents burnout. We also discuss the mindset around staying positive even when cash flow is unpredictable. While nothing is ever for certain, Natalie shares why her attitude that everything is going to work out, despite challenges, makes it happen in the end.  How has your mindset shifted as you continue to work in video? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode How an emotional angle will make your videos more powerful What to consider if you’re thinking of creating a new brand Surmounting your cash-flow struggles What it takes to stay motivated in your work Leaving a legacy that matters The importance of building relationships as you build your business   Quotes “Filmmaking is such a team sport. If you want to do great work, it’s impossible to do it by yourself.” [14:47] “A lot of this work requires a certain level of fearlessness. You just have to believe that everything is going to work out.” [37:21] “The farther we go in life, the crazier technology gets, I still think the most important thing is human connection.” [42:36]   Links Find Natalie Fava online Follow Natalie on Instagram | Linkedin | Facebook | Vimeo Birdhouse Wedding Films Traction by Gino Wickman Inkspot Crow Watch our CRM Walkthrough   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes! Studio Sherpas Onward Summit

Are you still trying to figure out which social media channel to focus on to grow your business? What about Linkedin? Sure, it may not seem as exciting to scroll through as some other feeds. However, I’ve brought in a guest today to tell us why it’s time to rethink the value of Linkedin. Chrissie Wywrot is the president and CEO of e-Link Consulting. With more than 14 years of experience in marketing and public relations, she works with clients to generate maximum visibility on LinkedIn through profile optimization, marketing blueprints, and ongoing support. Chrissie explains how Linkedin became a platform for content generation and engagement. Once considered a serious business-only platform, Linkedin has become a great place to showcase personality and what makes you and your brand unique. This helps you identify and find the clients you will work with best. Each platform has different uses and people are on them for different reasons. That’s why it’s important to understand how to generate the right type of content engagement depending on what you’re looking for. A good place to start inside of Linkedin is to engage with it the same way you would at a networking event. Chrissie explains why approaching people on Linkedin should mirror the way you would do it in person. What does your Linkedin strategy look like? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Discovering just how Linkedin works Using social media to showcase the personality behind the brand How to appropriately network online so that people see you as an actual human being Three ways to interact on Linkedin so that the platform works for you Great Linkedin profiles to follow and learn from What every successful Linkedin profile needs to include   Quotes “There’s this idea that we have to be all buttoned-up and tight on Linkedin. The funny part is, the other stuff is working. I get business from being myself.” [19:46] “If you’re your authentic self, you’re going to attract people who enjoy what you’re doing. Those are the people who you want to work with.” [21:19] “The people who engage with your content are typically not the people who buy from you…. But the people who are engaging are amplifying your content and putting it in front of more eyeballs and those who are lurking.” [31:27]   Links Find Chrissie Wywrot online Follow Chrissie on Linkedin CRM Walkthrough “A Conference Call in Real Life” - Video Shay Rowbottom Adam Karpiak Anthony Jones Kristin Olson-Kott Herman Moore   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Just getting in the door with companies you want to work with is important. But it isn’t enough. You still have to close the deal. This means exuding confidence and communicating it. If your potential clients can know you, trust you, and like you then your odds of winning the job couldn’t be higher. Austin Black is a Studio Sherpas Student who works as a filmmaker in the agriculture industry with Backroad Productions. A cowboy at heart, Austin has a love of cameras and storytelling. His studio provides photography and video marketing services to livestock producers as well as video strategy, marketing, and branding services for agriculture and outdoor brands. As someone who frequently works with large brands, Austin has identified a number of strategies that have won them over. Networking and knowing what to say certainly helps, but that won’t be enough. Austin has found that it’s crucial to have a portfolio of high-quality work. This is where your passion projects come in as they’ll show the work that you want to create most. We also talk about how a focus on building and maintaining relationships is the key to success and longevity. It’s easy to fall into the trap of just focusing on the numbers and sales. However, that ignores the source of those sales. By spending your energy connecting with your clients and providing them with outstanding work, the sales will naturally fall into place. Has a passion project of yours ever led to client work? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why you need to have a solid production strategy in place before the cameras start rolling How to get in front of the companies you want to work with Using your passion projects to impress and win over clients Why a focus on business relationships is the key to your company’s success What it really takes to close the deal The power of a CRM to help your business run chaos-free How being willing to listen will always help you improve   Quotes “If you don’t have a strategy in place, then your production probably isn’t going to succeed the way you want it to.” [9:25] “Those passion projects are really the key to building the showcase of work that you want to do.” [12:56] “It’s is easy to just focus on the numbers and the sales and just be stressed. Something that has really helped me stay motivated and focused is about forgetting about the numbers and focusing on the relationship.” [16:36] “Always be willing to listen and do better. Whether that’s listening for improvement or just listening for feedback, everyone has great ideas.” [31:54]   Links Find Austin Black online at Backroad Productions Follow Austin on Linkedin Studio Sherpas Episode 164 Studio Sherpas Episode 158 with Cliff Ravenscraft CRM Walkthrough Try Pipedrive for free for 30 days Get your ticket to the Onward Summit!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

In today’s solo unscripted episode, I want to answer just one question - If I was just starting out today, what would I do? Since you only get to do something for the first time once, It’s interesting to look back with the experience of years of business and imagine what I would do if it were possible to start over. One thing I wouldn’t change was getting out there and meeting with people in the industry. I explain why you should always ask questions, see how others do it, and figure out where you fit into it all. I found that this can also pay off in the form of referrals further down the road. Learning how to best use social media for my business took some time. Now we are very intentional about what we do and often defer to the experts for strategic advice. However, some experimentation is still useful for finding and connecting with your best audience. Most of all though, getting started the right way means getting out from behind your computer and meeting the right people. I discuss getting involved in trade associations and meeting potential clients in person. Rub shoulders with the people you want to learn from, grow with, and help. In the end, people will choose you over others if they know and trust you. What do you know now that you wish you did starting out? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The power of making personal connections and meeting people in your industry Deciding which expenses are worth it in your business’ early days Being strategic with social media Getting out of the office and actually interacting with people   Quotes “I love all aspects of this business. That’s what has helped make us successful. I don’t think I’ve shied away from any challenges.” [4:27] “If you want to be a business owner, you have to get out from behind the camera. You have to actually go out. You need to go outside. You need to have Zoom calls with your potential clients instead of just texting them.” [16:20] “People are going to buy you. They’re not going to buy your sweet website and videos. At the end of the day, they’re going to buy you. If they know you, like you and trust you they will buy from you.” [18:04]   Links Check out the upcoming Studio Sherpas workshop!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

One of the biggest struggles of any business owner is aligning their work with their purpose and values. You may feel that you need to make personal sacrifices in support of the bottom line. However, today’s guest has made a career by building his studio around the values and lifestyle that are most meaningful to him. I believe that all of us can do the same! Jesse Bone is a partner and producer at Filter Studios on Vancouver Island. A fellow sherpa and Onward Summit attendee, Jesse and his studio focus on making amazing films for the outdoor industry. Jesse lays out how his business is intentionally aligned with his values. Being intentional from the very start of building your business and in every project that you do will lead to work that you find most meaningful. One thing that’s helped Jesse is creating a clear vision of where he wants to be and what he wants to have accomplished by the end of his career.  Niching down is an essential part of this. You really can’t be too focused on who you serve. Jesse and I have both seen the truth in this. Making sure your niche is aligned with your values leads not only to a healthy company but a healthier you as well. When you’re connected to your niche, you’ll find that the business connections you make will be meaningful and authentic. What niche would you find most meaningful to work within? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What it means to have a purpose-driven mission for your business Avoiding the trap of being mentally at work all the time Why properly niching down will lead to more success and fulfillment The power of meeting people in person to make a real connection and establish trust The proper pronunciation of niche What to do when business isn’t coming in  The power of belief to drive a business’ success   Quotes “If we’re connected to it, if we’re more invested in it, a better product is going to come from it.” [9:38] “Don’t underestimate the power of seeing people face to face.” [30:29] “When I say I believe something, it’s not just in my mind. It’s how I talk. It’s how I walk. It’s how I email, do fitness routines, play sports, ride my bike. It’s all these kind of things. Belief is doing everything humanly possible to make this happen.” [44:54]   Links Find Jesse Bone online Follow Jesse on Instagram Episode 138 (In which my family and I got “shipwrecked” in a storm) Get your ticket to the Onward Summit!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

We all want our business to be the best it can be. As leaders, though, that improvement starts with us. In order to take your business to the next level, you’re going to need to look inside of yourself and see where you can grow. This type of introspection is hard. Today, I’ve brought in a good friend and business mentor who has helped many leaders do this important work. Christopher Cook is a business consultant and podcaster, not to mention an amazing thinker and communicator. As a leadership coach and consultant to both Fortune 1000 companies and non-profit organizations, he serves as a guide to help people design their roadmap to wholeness from the inside out. He’s also the host of his own podcast, Win Today with Christopher Cook. Today’s episode is all about your personal identity and how your business is an extension of that. The important thing is to know if you’re working from that identity or for it. That will help you to understand that significant personal growth can’t help but influence your business for the better. Even if your business is producing a decent revenue, there may still be aspects that need attention. Simply exerting your will as a leader will result in disappointment. In fact, Christopher explains why relying on willpower will only result in frustration. Once you find yourself frustrated and not making the progress you’re after, it’s time to bring in an outside perspective. In what ways is your business an extension of your identity? Share in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What it means to work and lead from a position of wholeness Knowing when you’re ready to receive coaching to get the results you’re after Why relying on willpower will not work for your business Signs of an unhealthy business to look out for How a coach can lend new insight into your journey of personal growth Why it’s important that business leaders be open to vulnerability How identity is the most important part of any business   Quotes “I’ve just been a nerd for leadership and growth. So I’ve got this huge desire to teach and add value to people…. There’s a niche for me. And that niche is organizational help.” [6:05] “Everything starts from the inside out. The quality of the soil determines the fruitfulness of the seed.” [14:19] “When we exert willpower in and of itself, we put ourselves in a state of stress. When we do that, we’re working from deficiency.” [18:02] “Shame manifests in self-protection and self-promotion. I think those two things cripple a business from growing.” [25:19] “In life, you’ll never know what to do until you know who you are.” [38:25]   Links Find Christopher Cook online Follow Christopher on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Get Christopher’s free 31-day course “Scissor Me” - The Office Start with Why by Simon Sinek The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni The Studio Sherpas Onward Conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever tried to put on a different persona when working with a client? I bet it felt awkward. The reality is, there’s no need to do that, even when working with giant brands. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that you’re not good enough as you are. The right client for you isn’t looking for someone else. They want you as you are with what you have to offer. Ryan Spanger is the founder of Dream Engine, a corporate video production company in Melbourne, Australia. Since 2001, his company has been turning out high-quality corporate videos, training materials, events, and TV commercials, and website videos for businesses, government departments, and universities. He’s won numerous awards and filmed across the globe with some of the best-known brands out there. Having been making videos for over two decades, Ryan discusses what he has learned about doing this over the long run. While a certain element of luck might be involved, Ryan describes the attitude and dedication necessary to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. Being dedicated above all else to create success will lead from one happy client to the next. As someone who has worked with many big brands and companies, Ryan explains just who they are in reality. There’s often a perception of these organizations as an impersonal behemoth. In reality, since big brands are so familiar, we are actually better positioned to create a working relationship with them than many of us might believe. He describes just what you need in order to win over clients of any size and keep them coming back for more. One key part of building a good working relationship with any client is to present an honest image of who you are. Ryan has found that by presenting himself as a creative, instead of a suit-and-tie businessman, he is able to offer clients what they want. The important part is still understanding their culture and needs to create an understanding. However, you still want to retain your individual character as a storyteller. How can you present your authentic self when working with clients of any size? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The secrets to longevity in the video business Who corporate clients really are at their core Why being your authentic self is important for finding and impressing the right clients The key elements of winning large corporate clients Identifying the red flags of projects that are best avoided Practical tools you can use to niche down your business   Quotes “It’s not like there’s a hierarchy that you start working on weddings and then smaller businesses and then medium and large. There’s no one right way. It’s important to find the types of clients you like working with.” [17:30] “Because we’re creatives, they don’t expect us to be carbon-copies of them. They want us to be creatives. They want us a little bit out of the box.” [21:09] “We have this impression of this big brand that’s been built up over time with all this branding and marketing. At the end of the day, you’re just working with some else, not too different from yourself.” [22:10] “The most important thing is to just keep on thinking from the client’s point of view. What is the immediate problem that they want to solve? What are they thinking about?” [34:59] “This is really achievable. If this is the market that you want to work with, it’s only the barriers in your own mind that would be stopping you.” [53:42]   Links Find Ryan Spanger online Find Ryan on Linkedin | Instagram Dream Engine Web Video Marketing Show Get on the waitlist for the 2020 ONWARD Conference!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever reached the end of your workday and wondered if you even accomplished anything? I bet it’s not an uncommon feeling. That’s why I am joining you today to talk about how daily habits have improved my life and how they can help you too. When first developing a routine, it may be difficult to notice its impact. However, at some point, you’ll notice that it has paid off in a big way. That’s why it’s crucial to be both patient and consistent with your new habits. I’ve certainly noticed this with my morning ritual and the processes I established at work. Furthermore, having a set process that other people can learn from has allowed me to delegate important work to my team members. This permits me to spend less energy worrying about the minutiae of work. Now I can focus on the big picture instead. It has even given me the freedom to take every Friday off. So that you can start benefiting from habit building, I share useful strategies and tools that you can use to start owning your day. This involves dedicating a particular day to establishing processes, using organizational tools, creating a morning routine, and working on your business instead of in your business. Have you experienced the benefits of a daily routine? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The value of creating a regular morning practice Applying the processes that you hone in your morning ritual while at work How establishing a daily process has allowed me to work just four days a week The power of habits to give you a better perspective on what’s really most important Five strategies towards building helpful habits and processes   Quotes “Now, as a CEO, I understand that part of my job entails creating a regular rhythm of being able to think about my business on a regular basis.” [10:32] “My morning and evening rituals help me to really own days. It forces me to be proactive.” [14:23] “In handing off the parts of this work that I don’t like, it’s freed me up to really live and work in my sweet spot. That’s just helped my company be successful.” [23:32] “Adding process into your business and life puts you in control.” [38:40]   Links The E-Myth Revisited Episode 131 with Graham Cochrane Basecamp Evernote Atomic Habits Learn about the next Studio Sherpas Onward Summit   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Many of us are doing just fine on the creative side of our work. But if you don’t know how to sell and market what you make, then your business isn’t going to go very far. Today’s guest is going to share some easy to follow advice for helping you level-up your marketing strategy right away! Allan Dib is the best-selling author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan. He’s a serial entrepreneur, a rebellious marketer, and a technology expert who has started, grown, and exited multiple businesses in various industries. He spends his days working one-on-one with clients and creating new courses and content. As a source of expertise in growing any kind of business, Allan shares some of the pitfalls that many creatives end up in when trying to market their services. He’s found that many of us tend to think that the creative work will sell itself. That would certainly be nice, but it seldom works that way. So that you can start marketing better right away, Allan describes the mindest needed to make it happen and briefly walks us through the creation of your own one-page marketing plan. What can you do right now to increase the reach of your marketing? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What most creatives are missing when they try to grow their business What to do if you truly don’t want to market what you create Making the mindset shift necessary to focus on business growth How to create a tribe of raving fans and get more referrals from it Why you’re missing out if you don’t offer any high-end products and services Why getting referrals is easier than many people think The undeniable importance of having an email list    Quotes “To a creative, selling out is an insult, right? Whereas to a marketer, selling out is what you want to do.” [4:34]  “If you believe that you have something of value to give to the world, then you have a right and a responsibility to get that message out there.” [11:32] “You don’t need a hundred different referral partners to build a really successful business. You only need a handful of good producing partnerships. If you spend time developing those, they can be very profitable.” [35:46] “You’re not a filmmaker. You’re not a videographer. You’re a marketer of films and videography services.” [45:37]   Links Find Allan Dib online Follow Allan of Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin The 1-Page Marketing Plan  Episode 155 with Dan Cockerell   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I’m sure that there are goals you want to accomplish in your life and business. Actually visualizing what your life would be like once those goals have been accomplished is a powerful, but not that intuitive, exercise. Today, you’re going to hear from someone whose expertise is helping people identify and realize their most important goals. Cliff Ravenscraft is a business mentor, life coach, and motivational speaker. He mentors coaches, consultants, and thought leaders through the transition from their unfulfilling day job to their own responsible and profitable online business so that they can live the life of their dreams and do the work they feel most called to do. Today, Cliff delves into what happens when we find work that truly fulfills us and brings us joy as well as a reliable income. This is often called your “zone of genius” and working within it adds more value than any other work you could ever do. Cliff shares his insight into what you can start doing right now to get on the path to working full-time in your zone of genius. In fact, avoiding this path, which is ingrained in our very culture, is both unhealthy and a huge waste of your limited time. To get you on track, Cliff tells us what we can do to live more intentionally aligned with our true life goals. Fill in the blank: What would your life be if ________? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What happens when you work within your zone of genius Techniques for determining what you truly want out of life Getting over the fear of charging more for your work The unsung benefits of failure How to bring more clarity to what’s most important to you and your business   Quotes “This is that thing that you do where time does not exist for you. You literally are on an existence of reality that is without time.” [12:38] “Don’t quit your daydream my friends. Life is all about asking yourself what it is you want.” [21:29] “Stop going after the low hanging fruit. You’re talking about leaving your day job to go do what your zone of genius is, that thing that you’re most gifted at. Go and find the path of least resistance to get what you want sooner rather than later.” [36:46] “I want to encourage you to fail and fail often and keep changing your approach each time you fail until you get what you want.” [49:19]   Links Find Cliff Ravenscraft online Follow Cliff on Instagram | Twitter Get instant access to Cliff’s 1-hour keynote video  The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Episode 131 with Graham Cochrane The Studio Sherpas Workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As the decade winds down, I want to speak to you, by myself this time, to highlight some of my favorite episodes from this year and what I’ve learned from them. I love to spend time reflecting by considering highs and lows and what has changed. This year was a year of growth for me in many ways, and I want to share with you some parts of it that I feel we can all benefit from. Recently, I realized that my company has finally met my goal where I can truly pick and choose the work that I do. This sense of freedom is hard-won, but it is truly worth it in so many ways. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned along this journey and how I believe you can achieve it too. Many of the lessons I learned came straight from the interviews that I’ve done for this podcast. Today, I go over just a small part of what has stood out for me over the past year. Whether it’s perfecting your storytelling, developing passive income, getting more leads, and winning the best clients for you, I learned a ton of great stuff about growing your business. Another amazing part of 2019 was the Onward Summit that we hosted here in Detroit. It drew in Studio Sherpas members from near and far. I loved every minute of it as people connected, grew, and got inspired. I’m already really excited to do it again in 2020. What are you going to do to share your story and serve others in the new year? Share it with me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The freedom that comes with delegation and understanding the work that fulfills you the most Recognizing your strengths and making it your focus Top lessons learned and highlights from a year of podcast interviews Key takeaways from the Onward Summit The power of developing personal habits to stay healthy and properly focussed Some of the tools and software that we use to manage aspects of our business   Quotes “The power of delegation and seeing and understanding what doesn’t bring me life [allows me to] hand them off.” [7:44] “It’s not just me. I’m not in a silo. I’ve met people who are learning things. I’ve been able to interview so many different people who’ve been able to speak into the Studio Sherpas community. It’s incredible!”  [12:07] “If you don’t have habits in the morning if you’re hopping on your phone and doing your email first thing, please just stop doing that. Your heart, your head, your body needs different food as you start your day.” [25:14]   Links Episode 144 with Amina Moreau  Episode 133 with Sean Cannell Episode 114 with Blaire Enns Episode 122 with Chris Smith Episode 153 with Bob Burg Episode 132 with Rob Booker Episode 131 with Graham Cochrane Win Without Pitching The Go-Giver Learn about the next Onward Summit The High-Performance Planner Kajabi Building a Storybrand EOS   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I cut my teeth 15 years ago filming weddings, sometimes as many as 40 a year. It was great work and I truly loved it. It taught me efficiency and how to work in less than ideal conditions. Filming weddings showed me how to make amazing films with little to no plan. It was filming weddings that introduced me to many of the elements of this trade that I still use every day, no matter what I’m shooting. But whether or not you feel like you would never shoot a wedding, keep listening, because this is the episode for you! John Bunn and Nick Miller are the guys to know for anyone who films weddings. Their company, How to Film Weddings, is a true repository for everything you’d want to know about making spectacular wedding videos. They have a podcast, a facebook group, tutorials, and workshops, to help share their vast experiences in this field.  John and Nick talk about how they threw conventional wedding industry business models out and started working with each other, the competition. They recognize that there is enough business out there that they can do better in the end by sharing within the industry. That’s why they’ve worked hard to create their own community of wedding filmmakers. John and Nick describe what went into that creation and how it has helped them and many others move their businesses, and the industry as a whole, in the right direction. We also talk about the power of confidence and what its source is. Naturally, the longer you do this work, the more confident you will get in your abilities to make an amazing video and serve your clients. But it’s often a lack of confidence that is keeping many of us from charging what we should. John and Nick share some tips for overcoming these hurdles so you can really start earning. Do you make wedding videos? What have you found particularly rewarding or challenging from it? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode How to work with your competition and grow at the same time The power of a community to encourage and help people find their voice in the industry Why the face of a brand is more important than many give it credit How self-confidence is either your best friend or your worst enemy The secret to a solid sales pitch How to serve your clients instead of selling to them The ways that vulnerability can be an inspiration to others   Quotes “There’s enough weddings and business out there so we don’t have to be super cutthroat and we can share what we have and help each other.” [12:40] “If we can all work with each other to make each other better and have hard conversations, we can elevate the industry as a whole.” [21:03] “Our confidence has grown because we know we put out a good product, we serve really well, we help our clients and we’re going to give them something that they’ll cherish forever.” [30:32] “If you’re not confident in the price, nobody else will be. And if you’re not a little uncomfortable with the price, I encourage you to push it and be a little uncomfortable.” [32:33] “There are so many weddings and so many jobs that there is plenty for all of us. We’re in an industry where we shoot video in a world that is becoming more and more video-centric.” [52:18]   Links Find John and Nick online Follow John and Nick on YouTube  Get free access to John and Nick’s workshop Venture Workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

In business, there’s nothing more important than creating an amazing experience for your clients. That’s the difference between leaving them simply satisfied or wanting to come back for more. Having pride in what you do and communicating that to your clients in a key part of this, and few people understand that better than today’s guest. Dan Cockerell has held various management and executive operations roles at the Walt Disney World Resort, both in the theme parks and resort hotels, and was the sixth executive to hold the position of Vice President of the Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971. He has been a keynote speaker for Disney for eighteen years and provides customized authentic presentations focusing on leadership and management practices drawing upon his extensive Disney career.  In today’s episode, Dan tells us all about his recent transition from a career with Disney to working for himself as an entrepreneur. He has certainly learned a lot about building a healthy company culture with a focus on customer service. While these work well at a large corporation like Disney, they can also be applied to any small business.  What can you do to create an excellent and unforgettable experience for your clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode Lessons learned from working at Disney that can be applied to any business Why mindset is more important than resources for creating great customer experiences Why “very good” isn’t good enough The importance of taking pride in the work that you do every day Why simple is always better than complex when determining your company’s mission The payoffs of prioritizing clarity when communicating with your clients   Quotes “I always wondered what it’s like being an entrepreneur and I found out it’s a heck of a lot of work, but it’s a lot of freedom.” [2:25] “It has nothing to do with resources. It’s all about the experience you want to create for your customers. It really is a mindset.” [9:38] “This is about prioritizing your resources. You can’t focus on everything.” [26:20] “Continue to hone in on your craft. Be excellent at being a videographer, but realize that a lot of things you value are not going to be transparent to your customers...You just have to make sure that they feel comfortable.” [39:21]   Links Find Dan Cockerell online Follow Dan on Instagram | Twitter Come Rain or Shine Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

A creative director is a crucial role to be filled in any studio, big or small. But if you’ve ever wondered just what a creative director is, I’ve got a real treat for you. Today I’m sitting down with someone who’s talents for this job I have been blessed to know first-hand, and he’s going to tell you all about it! Today you’re going to hear from my longest-standing employee. John Azoni is the creative director at Tell Studios. I have the extreme pleasure of working with John as he expertly helps clients hone their storytelling skills for maximum impact, as well as directing, shooting and editing many of the projects that come through our door.  John explains the many varied roles that he fills at the studio. As a self-titled “creative generalist” he spends his workday doing anything from copywriting, editing, scriptwriting, strategizing with clients, and emptying the trash. I ask John some tough questions, like what has kept him working for me through all these years and how he has viewed the evolution of his role. John explains what keeps him happy and fulfilled in the workplace and how other business owners can create a healthy and nourishing workplace culture as well. Being an integral part of landing big clients, John explains what he thinks it takes to find them and make them happy. There’s no single secret to this, but having solid processes in place and communicating those well to clients is a central part of this. But most important is finding the right clients for you from the beginning so that everyone understands each other’s value. To that end, we talk about what clients really want out of a partnership and how you can fulfill that for them every time. What role do you see a creative director playing in your business? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What it actually means to be a creative director at a small studio Keeping quality employees happy to stay with you for many years Deciding the type of work for you to do and what’s important to delegate The one thing you can do to book better clients, charge more money, and make better videos What clients are really looking for when they hire you The power of strategically workshopping with clients   Quotes “I just think of myself as a creative generalist. That’s what I love about it -- being versatile and not pigeon-holed into one thing every day.” [13:26] “An eye-opener for me was learning to let certain people be how they were designed to be and not expect something else out of them.” [29:09] “It comes down to the problem that you solve for your client. The obvious thing would be helping the client make money. But I think deep down it’s to take the creative pressure off of themselves.” [35:17]   Links Tell Studios Traction Desert Flight The Video Blueprint Method   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There are many different elements that all add up to business success. Chief among these are providing great value and communicating that well to as many people as possible. My guest today has written an incredibly helpful book on doing just that and I’m truly thrilled to have him share his knowledge with you today. Bob Burg is a sought-after speaker at company leadership and sales conferences sharing the platform with everyone from today’s business leaders and broadcast personalities to even a former U.S. President. Bob is the author of a number of books, such as The Go-Giver, which focus on sales, marketing, and influence, with total book sales of well over a million copies. In today’s interview, Bob breaks down the key principles of business success that make up The Go-Giver. These are the laws of value, compensation, influence, authenticity, and receptivity. Bob and I discuss how understanding and operating within each of these will help your business grow and prosper like nothing else. We dive deep into what it means to provide value to customers and how this is much more than simply a price-point. By trying to serve people and add value to their lives, your business can’t help but grow. Even more, you’ll find your work more enjoyable than ever. What can you do today to communicate your high value to clients? Drop me a message in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The five laws of stratospheric success for your video business How to communicate the value of what you do so that others pay top-dollar for it Why selling isn’t what most people think it is Simple tips to make networking more fun and more effective How understanding the true definition of sales will inevitably lead to success How to sell on high-value instead of low price   Quotes “The focus is not on your fee. The focus is on bringing immense value to your client. Money is simply an echo of value.” [7:25] “When you place the other person’s interests first, and when you come at it authentically, you’ve created that benevolent context for your success where the money comes to you. You’ve got to be willing to receive it with gratitude.” [13:47] “Nobody is going to buy from you because you have a quota to meet or because you need the money, or even because you’re a really nice person. They’re going to buy from you because they believe they will be better off by doing so.” [16:28] “Many people think that selling is about trying to convince someone to buy something they don’t want or need. That’s not selling. Selling is simply discovering what the other person wants, needs, or desires and helping them to get it.” [22:23] “When you sell on low price, you’re a commodity and that’s how you’re treated. When you sell on high-value, you’re a resource.” [32:04]   Links Find Bob Burg online Follow Bob on Twitter | YouTube | Linkedin | Instagram The Go-Giver Go-Givers Sell More The Go-Giver Leader The Go-Giver Influencer   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Most of us creatives get easily distracted by new ideas. Sometimes this is where real gems come from and are totally worth pursuing. Other times, they’re wastes of energy and time and should best be avoided. The tricky thing is knowing the difference. Larry Wiezycki is a producer, editor, documentary filmmaker, winner of five Emmys and is based in Tampa, Florida. He is the co-founder of Creative on Main Street Studio and Polyphonic Image. He’s also a student here at Studio Sherpas. Larry and I talk about some of the ways we can use our assets to connect with the public and potential clients. Whether it’s renting out your studio space or nurturing a particular relationship with a client, the important thing is to have clear goals so that you can really focus on what your company needs most. We also talk about our fears as video business owners. There’s a lot of risk in this line of work, but the rewards are what keep us going. Dealing with fluid timelines, disorganized client relationships, and all the other ups and downs can certainly lead to stress and inefficiency. Larry explains how he deals with these challenges and why it’s always worth it. How do you decide which projects and ideas to focus on? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Recognizing the assets that you have and their actual potential for profit The importance of focus for determining the priorities in your business The thing that keeps most video business owners up at night and how to overcome it How to hire for small tasks to improve your overall efficiency The challenges that come with hiring an editor and its benefits   Quotes “Business is about relationships. The fun part is interacting with people and getting to work with them and seeing what they’re doing and want to talk about.” [24:45] “Everybody knows how powerful it is to do video, but not everybody is doing it really all that well and not everybody is doing it in a high-quality way.” [27:12] “You just don’t know where stuff is going to come up and where you’re going to get a referral from.” [42:33]   Links Polyphonic Image Productions Follow Polyphic Image on Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo Creative on Main Street Studio Follow Creative on Mainstreet on Facebook Building a Storybrand Thumbtack RipplePop Blind Eyes Opened   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I often look at my business and wonder how it exists beyond myself. If we can build our businesses in a way that leaves a legacy for our children to benefit from, then I feel they will reach their most pure and ultimate goal. Today’s guest has a business that has done exactly that. Ian Murray is the president of SpotOn Productions and the second generation in a family-owned video production company celebrating 21 years in business. As he puts it, they help businesses solve business problems using video. Today, we talk about recognizing the most important product or service you can offer and not taking your business off-track by pursuing too much. Sometimes we want to offer our clients all sorts of things that really aren’t our specialty. Ian shares how he came to the realization that this wasn’t good for business and how he refocused. Ian is no stranger to hiring employees. Knowing when to start building out your team and hiring someone to do your sales is tricky. It’s very important to have a good project-flow system in place for this. Ultimately, having a dedicated sales staff allows the production team to focus on what they do and make your business more efficient overall. Ian is passionate about the importance of managing finances and cash-flow. Experience has taught him many lessons about making sure that you have the money to properly run your business without accumulating runaway debt. The key to this is getting good financial advisors and a business line of credit. Where do you see your business in 10, 20, or 30 years? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Recognizing the importance of not offering too many different services Using a dedicated sales staff to facilitate growth The undeniable importance of having a process in business Why it’s imperative to get finances in order early on The importance of being intentional in how you want your business to grow Using the power of your business to make the world a better place   Quotes “Sales is like fire. If you pour gas on it for growth, the same problems you had when you were small are going to get exponentially worse when you get bigger.” [10:31] “We got to that point where we could actually take a week’s vacation and the place isn’t going to burn to the ground. Stuff is going to get handled. It’s an awesome place to get to as a business.” [16:31] “If you’re just in business to make money, I think you’re missing the mark. We all have bills to pay, but how are you making the world a better place with what you’re doing.” [28:19]  “Follow your passion. It’s cliché, but it’s what drives you forward.” [37:04]   Links Find Ian Murray online Follow Ian on Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | YouTube Patrick Lencioni Studio Sherpas Academy   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

In this solo episode, I share with you what I’ve learned while dealing with this challenge. Sometimes I feel very uncomfortable asking for a sale. To help, I’m sharing some tools and advice for making those conversations less awkward and make you more confident in the end. I discuss some tips for finding the clients that are the best match for you. You’ll hear why it’s not that different from dating. These relationships take nurturing and active listening if they’re going to develop. Building a repeatable process inside your business for finding and keeping the right clients is totally possible. I discuss three things you can do right now to make this happen. It starts with building a lead-magnet. Second, you need an email-capture system. Finally, a CRM is crucial. What kind of lead-magnets could help you find your ideal client? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why it often feels uncomfortable approaching a potential client for a sale How finding the best clients for your business is like finding your soulmate Why the best systems for your business involve consistently nurturing client relationships 3 things you need to do to build a repeatable process for getting the right clients   Quotes “We should never be in a position where we feel like we’re trying to convince someone to hire us.” [3:52] “In business, we need to be thinking what’s in it for them. Why would they care to have a conversation with me?” [10:43] “To build a business you have to have systems in place that are repeatable. We need to be hell-bent on creating something that is predictable in our business.” [15:34] “If you can create content that adds value to their lives, do it! That is a great way to build a relationship.” [25:37]   Links How to Make Videos that Convert Kajabi   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Are you waiting for the perfect time to start your filmmaking career? I hate to break it to you, but there will never be a perfect time. Right now is the next best thing and today’s guest is going to explain why and how to get into the game, even if you feel that you’re not ready. Les Gaddis is a Texas-based cinematographer, blogger, and podcaster. He runs Gaddis Visuals, a production company that offers a full array of services, including concepting, scriptwriting, storyboarding, filming, motion graphics, and editing. He strongly feels that helping other filmmakers grow and learn adds value to everyone in this business. Les shares his lifetime of experience in the world of film. He’s changed a lot since he started out helping his family make videos as a child. Now, as a business owner, Les shares how he built the confidence to take the risks necessary to make it big. As a jack of all trades, we talk about how Les decides when he can do a task himself, and when he feels it’s better to delegate it out.  For any aspiring filmmakers who haven’t started their video career yet, Les drops some great advice: just get started. Use your current job, if you have one, to bankroll your filmmaking and get out there and do it! Start making something and start sharing it. Even if you don’t have any clients yet, there is work to do. Les’ advice is to start constructing your brand and working on your reel right away. With that, you’ll be better positioned to attract the type of clients that you’re looking for. What can you do today to build your brand even if you don’t have any clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode Knowing when to outsource and delegate and when to do the work yourself Staying motivated when work is scarce The importance of starting your career even if you don’t feel ready yet Creating for yourself versus creating for the world What it takes to build a lasting business from the start   Quotes “Whenever there’s slow times or I’m wondering what I’m going to do with my life, I instantly just go to creative mode.” [18:14] “The best filmmakers are the ones where you can see their life experiences in their films.” [20:27] “The end goal of having a complete video is just not enough anymore…. You have to have some type of distribution plan that makes sense for either your brand or the company’s brand.” [36:24] “Even while you’re building a reel or doing video work, set yourself up brand-wise. Put your content out there in a way that’s smart.” [41:47]   Links Find Les Gaddis online Follow Les on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Vimeo | YouTube Capturing Light Podcast Studio Sherpas Academy   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

The times we grow the most are often the times when we push our boundaries and get into new situations where we don’t completely know what we’re doing. There’s a real value in this. It’s what gets us, our craft, and our business to reach new and greater heights. My guests today, have taken this leap and are still reaping the rewards. Paul and Kelley Gilster are a husband and wife cinematography team and owners of 618 Studios based in Southern California. They've grown their company to serve the high-end wedding market over the past nine years. In 2018, they began to move into the corporate world and now serve both wedding and corporate clients where they’ve seen their profits skyrocket. Today Paul and Kelly describe their story of building their business strictly around making wedding videos and how they transitioned into the world of corporate promotions. When branching out, they learned some valuable lessons around creating work for free which they share for us here. Paul and Kelly have really nailed their process of client communication. It certainly varies significantly between wedding clients and corporate clients. They talk about the different languages for speaking with various types of clients and how this saves them time and money. Do you serve multiple kinds of clients? How do you talk to each one differently? Share it with me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode When it pays to do work for free and when it doesn’t Some of the surprising things that come up when moving to corporate work from shooting weddings The importance of recognizing which clients care about how stuff looks and which clients care about how stuff feels How actually hearing what your clients have to say will save you time and make you more money   Quotes “It took us eight years to book our first five-figure wedding package. Within nine months of pursuing corporate work we booked our first five-figure corporate gig.” [12:14] “You have to learn to pull out what your clients are looking for and certain aspects of what they need.” [29:45] “When you’re in those moments when you’re pulled out of your comfort zone, it’s where you want to be because you’re only growing from there.” [35:00] “It’s just listening. Through the listening, you know what kind of follow-up questions to ask to get to the mutual understanding of what to create.” [44:42]   Links Find 618 Studios online Follow 618 Studios on Instagram | Facebook | Vimeo Learn about the next Studio Sherpas workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

In this gig-based business, it often feels like we’re jumping from one job to the next just to keep afloat. But what if there was a system you could put in place that would eliminate this urgency? Today’s guest has figured this out by discovering her unique value and it has given her the clarity needed to find and keep the right clients coming back over and over again. Diana Castro is the Co-Founder of ForProductions, a small but powerful video production company. She’s focused on working with leaders and changemakers who are serious about making an impact by reaching thousands with the power of video. Today, Diana shares her company’s journey into discovering what it is they can offer that truly helps her clients. She’s built a system into her business so that her clients have a program that gives her repeat business. This saves her from constantly chasing down the next job as soon as the last one is finished. We also discuss how finding your tribe will not only give you clarity on running your business but will also help you identify who you can best serve. When you know your value and who you serve best, you gain the confidence to do the work that’s best for you. Diana describes how this knowledge has helped her in numerous ways. From making connections with would-be competitors to creating personally meaningful videos, the payoffs have been huge. How can your unique identity be your company’s superpower? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode How you can get your clients to come back to you on a consistent basis The power of workshops to bring in more business The ways in which finding your tribe will benefit you and your company Why passing work off to your competitors can sometimes be the right thing to do How discovering your own unique magic will set you apart Why your intuition is your best guide   Quotes “By little baby-steps, you warm people up. Then once they know you, you win their trust.” [14:41] “Because they don’t understand their value, their behavior is contracting. They become a commodity. In trying to serve everyone, they devalue their service.” [26:23 “Everybody goes through the same struggles and we all have to own our own space.” [33:25] “How do you bring value? The only thing that’s different between your business and my business is you. It’s who you are.” [40:10] “Be attentive to your intuition. There’s infinite wisdom in it. If you listen to it at the right time, your path will unfold in front of you.” [45:29]   Links Find Diana Castro online Follow Diana on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin Holistic Chamber of Commerce Start With Why StrengthsFinder Join the next Studio Sherpas Workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As creatives, it can be all too easy to overlook our mental health and wellness. Sometimes we even feel that this better helps us tap into our creative side. Today’s guest is not only a wildly successful filmmaker, but she also comes from a background of mental health counseling and helps others learn the importance of taking care of themselves. Shivawn Mitchell is a producer, director, and writer as well as the founder of Sam Studios and The Creative Outsiders. Since committing to her filmmaking career, Shivawn has gone on to work on production teams that have won the accolades of the Official Winner of Women’s Only Entertainment Film Festival, Top Indie Film Award, two time Africana Independent Film Festival and the Hollywood Screenings Film Festival, Semifinalist. As a speaker, Shivawn focuses on developing the voice of other storytellers, using your influence as a filmmaker, and the mental health wellness of creatives. Shivawn covers many crucial topics in today’s episode, starting with the effect of networking with people who are at the same level of success as ourselves. Instead of trying to work with those who have achieved a much higher level of success, working across the table helps everybody level up and grow together. As Shivawn explains, this gives everyone a chance to succeed and contributes to more talent and skill in your field overall. Shivawn also explains the importance of perseverance and focus in order to achieve success. Rather than being too caught up in what others are doing and thinking, we can all best move forward by focusing on doing the work that’s most meaningful to ourselves. With her background in mental health, Shivawn shares some really important advice for how filmmakers and other creatives can support themselves in this area while still creating great work. The power of community, self-care, and practicing mindfulness are a big part of this and can help sustain your career in the long run. Do you regularly carve out time to focus on taking care of yourself? Tell me how it’s going in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why networking up is the wrong approach in business The power of understanding that our skills are just as valuable as our experience The dangers of getting side-tracked by what others are thinking, saying, and doing The importance of taking care of your entire self in order to build a business that is better than just “good enough” Why you need to make time for yourself to avoid burnout   Quotes “I found that there are people in your direct vicinity who are across the table from you and on the same level as you. They just have a different skill. Instead of trying to bypass everybody, why can’t we just work together?” [14:15] “Sometimes we care too much about the crowd and not enough about the craft and doing the work. If I keep doing the work and putting in the time, success is going to happen.” [19:46] “I think creatives think that they have to create from this toxic place in order to be amazing. I want filmmakers to recognize it’s okay not to be okay.” [27:41] “Say no. We say yes too many times to things we know we really don’t want to do. That creates resentment and then we don’t have time because we’re always saying yes to other people. It’s okay to say no.” [38:00]   Links Find Shivawn Mitchell at The Creative Outsiders Follow The Creative Outsiders on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter The Creative Outsiders Podcast SAM Studios Learn about our upcoming Studio Sherpas workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This may sound crazy at first, but humor me if you will. Doing nothing will help your business. That’s right. Take a step back, start meditating, and don’t get so caught up in that busy calendar of yours. As my guest on this episode is about to tell you, it will make you a better business owner and help your company succeed. Rob Dube is the president and co-founder of imageOne, one of Forbes’ best small companies in 2017. He is also the author of Do Nothing, and contributor to such prestigious publications as Forbes, Thrive Global, and Octane Magazine.  In this week’s episode, Rob shares some great advice for small business owners. By valuing the people he works with, he has built a strong company culture that encourages his employees to best serve their customers. Rob recounts the story of his business’ evolution and his realization that a bigger company is not always better. Throughout all this, Rob discovered better styles of leadership and organization for his company that have allowed it to weather the ups and downs of business and made it the success that it is today. Are there ways that you include your team members in determining your company’s mission? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode How putting a focus on the people in your company will lead to great things for your customers Realizing the advantages that a small company has over a large one The challenges of top-down leadership versus collaboration Letting go of control so that you can relax and focus on what’s really important for you and your business Involving everyone in the company when it comes to setting your business’ vision for the future How meditation and “doing nothing” will help you be fully present for your company   Quotes “We found as we went along that people were really the key to what was making great things happen at the company. We had more fun caring about the totality of the team members’ lives than looking at the, as a vehicle to making more money.“ [8:42] “We started to see how amazingly smart and talented our team was and that the decisions really didn’t need to be made by us. They all knew the right things to do every single time.” [18:38] “When people understand things they make better decisions because they are educated. You can’t make good decisions if you don’t understand the full picture.” [24:23] “Often we may not see eye to eye with things with our team members. It’s received much easier when you feel heard and when you feel like all that energy was being given to you.” [39:11] “To know what something feels like versus knowing it in your head is a big difference. That allows you to slow yourself to pause between stimulus and response. In that moment we get to choose.” [45:40]   Links Find Rob Dube online Follow Rob on Twitter | Instagram Do Nothing by Robe Dube Learn about Rob’s next retreat The Do Nothing Podcast Small Giants by Bo Burlingham The Great Game of Business Entrepreneurial Operating System® Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As entrepreneurs, we have the opportunity to be true to ourselves in our personal lives and use that to shape who we are in our business lives. You are your business’ brand and that is something to be cultivated. leveraged, and appreciated.  Amina Moreau is the co-founder of Emmy Award-winning Stillmotion and Sway, companies that are committed to the meaningful impact of storytelling. As part of Muse, she helps others make a positive impact with their stories. With a background in psychology, Amina uses stories to help people connect on deep and meaningful levels. We cover so many great topics in this interview. Amina launches right into how we present ourselves and craft personal and business brands to showcase who we are. There’s a value in knowing what makes each of us unique and making that an indelible part of your business. This won’t only help you find the best clients for you, but it will help set you apart in a crowded field. Amina gives some great yet simple advice for how you can craft your business’ image so that you attract your ideal clients. By only showcasing the work that you want to do, you’ll find that you won’t have to go chasing every possible lead. Instead, they’ll come to you. We also discuss the ways that you can use your gift of storytelling to do good in the world by empowering others. Everyone has a voice and something to share. By helping others share it, we play a part in the process of bringing people together on so many different levels.  How does your business represent who you are on a personal level? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode How we can craft the way we present ourselves in our business in subtle ways Knowing where your values stand so that you can find meaningful work for both you and your clients Why sales isn’t about convincing people to hire you The power of storytelling to empower others The ways that your storytelling can have a positive impact in the world   Quotes “If your personal brand also overlaps with your business brand, then that’s kind of a cool thing and can go a long way.” [3:55] “We built a friendship in a very short amount of time because it was about not just getting to know his business, but getting to know what makes him the man he is today.” [12:43] “What if we look at ourselves as the main characters in the plot of our professional journey?” [15:40] “The more personal that you are, the more emotion-driven a story is, the more intellectual impact you can make with whatever your initiative is.” [30:27]   Links: Find Amina Moreau online at Sway Storytelling Follow Amina on Instagram | Twitter Stillmotion Muse Storytelling   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If we didn’t have to do sales in this work then everything would be so much easier, right? There are ways to make sales easier, more natural, and ultimately more profitable. Today’s guest has only been in the video business for a short time, but his dedication to sales has led him to success after success.  Jon Morgan’s passion is selling. He is the owner and founder of JM Films, one of the top production companies in St. Louis. Jon has worked with such clients as Microsoft, Mastercard, and the NHL. He and his studio are passionate about producing engaging cinematic quality videos for companies and businesses that not only tell their stories but also get results. Jon takes us through the humble beginnings of his marketing business as he forged his own path in an already crowded market. Recognizing that an opportunity existed in making videos, Jon shifted gears and has been finding success ever since. Jon explains how he found the right sort of clients for him and how to assess the profitability of potential work. We talk a lot about how we learn and grow as entrepreneurs. Succeeding for Jon and me both came from learning from others and being open to receiving advice. It also involves putting yourself out there for others so that we can be of help to an entire community. Finally, Jon lays out some great advice for managing all your potential customers and using a CRM platform. This allows you to keep track of the customers who may not be ready to buy right now but will be in the future.  How do you followup with clients who are not ready to buy from you at the moment but might be later on? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode Finding the right niche for your business in a crowded field What it means to be “front of mind” in your work The value of finding community and mentors to learn from How to stop wasting time and energy selling to the wrong audience Why it’s important to have a clear plan for your business from the beginning What CRM is and why it’s crucially important for your business’s growth   Quotes “I realized early on that selling video services to someone who’s a lot more expensive than you are is a lot easier of a conversation than selling to someone whose product or services are a lot less expensive than yours.” [14:42] “If I know that it’s easier to sell a video to an industry that we’ve already worked in, then why don’t I just focus on these industries more instead of trying to pioneer new paths in every possible industry out there?” [17:12] “Really try to soak up as much information, learning, and wisdom as you can from other people. You’re going to learn a lot, not only from your mistakes and what you do well and maybe didn’t do well but also from asking others.” [30:51] “Whether or not you have a plan, you’re still going to make a lot of mistakes…. Things are going to evolve. You’re going to have to be able and willing to adapt.” [40:09] “Only 3% of the market is ready to buy right now. That means the other 97% is not now. A lot of people make the mistake of only looking for that 3%.” [43:10]   Links: Find Jon Morgan online Follow Jon on Instagram | Linkedin Learn about the upcoming Studio Sherpas workshop here   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It’s not uncommon to feel that your business needs to do many different things to be profitable. Being able to offer all sorts of services or products sounds like it would lead to more opportunities. But without clarity on what you specifically offer, you’re just going to struggle more. Today’s guest has become wildly successful by being clear and specific in what his businesses really do. Matt Giovanisci is a serial entrepreneur, website wizard, podcast producer, music maker, video veteran, and alliteration addict. In 2006, he started the website Swim University and the site now makes over $250,000 a year! Since then, he co-founded a personal finance brand and podcast called Listen Money Matters. His current project, Money Lab,  was started in 2016 to help brands grow and make more money. Matt and I discuss what it takes to refine your business savvy in order to turn an interest into a profitable business. Matt describes how he recognizes opportunities as they appear and always experiments with them as he goes along. Matt makes it clear that success comes easier when you are incredibly specific about what your business actually does. This clarity keeps you focussed on what it actually is that you do and defines your business better for your customers. We also talk about the freedom that comes from outsourcing. By setting up clear operating procedures and handing off the parts of the job you don’t need to be doing, you’ll find that you’ll have more opportunities to help your company grow. With that in mind, Matt explains how he’s done it for his businesses.  What do you do to find clarity in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode What it takes to turn an interest into an actual business Recognizing the potential in the different ideas and opportunities you have and deciding if they’re worth it The freedom that comes from being very specific and clear about what your business does Advice for how to effectively outsource parts of your business by building processes   Quotes “You need to have focus and express your creativity within a certain boundary.” [11:17] “Once you get incredibly clear on what your business does, you can easily say no to everything else and then you can find opportunities in what your company does.” [22:16] “Now I don’t answer emails and every email becomes a soft sales pitch for our product. So now, not only do I not have to do it, we actually make money.” [56:05] “You’re not special. You might think you are and you might think you’re the only one and you’re going to care more, but if you give somebody enough leeway and ownership, they might out-care you one day.” [1:00:59]   Links: Money Lab Swim University Brew Cabin Matt Wants to Be a Guest on Your Podcast Traction by Gino Wickman The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber I Will Teach You to be Rich   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Those that know me, know that I am passionate about being all-in on whatever it is that I do. When I know what it is that I’m after, I go for it. This is true in how I do business and also with how I interact with my family and a key part of living my best life.  This is a bit of a personal episode. I want to share with all of you a little about me and what motivates me every day. A lot of it became clear during a recent trip I took with my son. During our time together I was very intentional about making that time meaningful, and that got me thinking about what it means to live our best life. Asking yourself if you are living your best life should apply both to your personal and professional life. It involves asking yourself the serious question of what’s going well and what’s not. Defining what your best life looks like, knowing how to achieve it, and understanding who shares your goals are essential parts of this process. What can you do today to start building your best life? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Bringing intention to all that we do and never being satisfied with the status quo Why we need to stop and ask ourselves if we’re truly living our best life The questions you should be asking yourself about your business and life Understanding the power of community to support you in achieving your goals   Quotes “I don’t want a moment to go by where I’m not intentional. When I see in my life that I’m not having the kind of impact that I want to have, whether that’s in my personal life or my business life, I want to do something about it.” [5:21] “Sometimes we’re not living our best life because we haven’t really defined what it even means to live your best life. What would that look like?” [11:29] “If you’re all by yourself, if you’re doing all of this work on your own, if you’re not asking other people if it’s a good idea … then you are in a vacuum and you’re going to struggle. You are better with other people.” [24:57]   Links: The High Performance Planner Learn about the upcoming Studio Sherpas workshop here Storyblocks   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Sometimes things go wrong. The footage gets lost, equipment breaks, clients get angry. That doesn’t mean it’s game over for your business. How you respond to your clients makes all the difference and, if done right, can salvage almost any situation. That’s just one reason why it’s crucial to make client relations one of your top priorities. Wes Wages is the director and janitor at Armosa Studios which specializes in commercial videos. Wes oversees client relationships and is passionate about each client's experience. When not at work, Wes enjoys tacos, airplanes, messing with telemarketers, and trying to remember the names of his four small children.  Today, Wes and I discuss how to best take care of clients. Focusing on managing great relationships with clients is often the key to having a great business and shouldn’t be overlooked for any reason. Wes explains how he makes this a priority for him and his company and how it pays off time after time. Wes even shares the story of the time he had an epic fail with losing hard drives after shooting in four countries. But he took care of the client and they called again the next year! As we discuss, things go wrong, but it’s how you handle it and the responsibility that you take that keeps it from turning into an actual disaster. Have you ever had to avert a business disaster? Tell me how you did it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Finding meaning and joy in transitioning from shooting video to handling client relationships The resilience and patience necessary to grow your business Advice for how to handle and keep upset clients when everything goes wrong Recognizing when your passion has the potential to be your career The importance of understanding costs and numbers  The real payoffs that come from attending conferences and workshops Keeping your priorities front and center by creating healthy boundaries   Quotes “If you have that gift of shaking hands and talking to people, you’re going to do well in business.” [8:47] “Solutions always follow problems, so come to anyone with both.” [24:28] “Just listen. Listen to the problems they’re having and then find a solution to those problems and present it to them in video.” [35:28] “Do what you feel should be done in your own way, but make sure to keep physical and mental health the top priority.” [36:16]   Links Find Wes Wages online at Armosa Studios Follow Wes on Instagram TedTalk: James Veitch: “This is what happens when you reply to spam email.” Join the Studio Sherpas Business Academy   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Getting stuck in a funk can happen to any of us. Other times the work pours in faster than we can keep up with it. Being an entrepreneur and business owner is unpredictable. It has its ups and downs and you don’t always know which way the wind is blowing. My guests on this episode know what it’s like to navigate this uncertainty and have some great advice that all of us can use. My two amazing and hilarious guests on today’s show are brothers and video producers. Ross and Jacob Hamil have done incredible work for some big brands like Shell, Penzoil, and AutoNation. They’ve been involved with MZed/Cinema Sound and run their own studio where they help all sorts of people and brands produce outstanding videos.  Today we examine the importance of making great video and how to make it meaningful throughout your career. We discuss how to find the clients that offer you the type of work you want for the pay that makes it worth it. Ross and Jacob talk about the challenges and benefits of their entrepreneurial journey and how they keep a clear head throughout it all. How do you know when to say yes or no to jobs? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why it’s usually more important to have great sound than great video Why it’s crucial to be proactive versus reactive in order to maintain your sanity How to use a vision board and why it could make a huge difference for how you plan your projects How your passive voice could be killing your sales The kinds of people you want to have working for you so that you have the best team possible Three tips to having a better life as a business owner   Quotes “If you want to up your game, start with sound. It’s not the easiest way, but it’s definitely one of the biggest impacts you can make.” [4:04] “Just say no. Figure out what you want to do and what you like doing and what you want to make money doing and then say no to everything else.” [12:31] “When things get tough, don’t do something dumb.” [20:10] “Surround yourself with people who are better than you are.” [38:51]   Links Find the Hamil Bros online Follow the Hamil Bros on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube MZed/Cinema Sound 1 Million Cups From Poop to Gold by Chris Jones Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull Cine Gear Expo Learn about the upcoming Studio Sherpas workshop here   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re like me, you started off in this business to make films, but now you find yourself as more of a business person. Priorities change and now you spend more time doing operations, sales, and marketing than filming. But, as you’ll hear today, that doesn’t mean you have to surrender your creativity. Chris Sharpe is many things. He’s a writer, director, producer, and digital content strategist. He is the CEO and co-founder of Yoga with Adriene, which has over 5 million YouTube subscribers. Chris is the author of YouTube Black Book which is an incredibly useful guide for helping people grow and monetize their YouTube presence.  In today’s interview, Chris takes us on the journey of how he built a career on YouTube. It may have taken some time before it became the success it is now, but today it’s more profitable than he ever thought it could be. Chris details his day to day responsibilities running a YouTube-based business and how his company is structured. We talk about how to sustainably manage your business as it grows, such as hiring the right people and putting repeatable systems in place. Much of this involves removing yourself as the bottleneck of your company so that the work that needs to happen can take place. Chris also lays down some sound advice for figuring out where your niche is so that you can find more and more business. What do you do every day to foster your creative side even as you systemize your business? Share it with me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Key ingredients for building a successful video business How to be creative even inside the boundaries of a process When and who to hire as your business grows The advantages of being a filmmaker first and an entrepreneur second Putting processes in place to make your job easier and allow the work to flow easier throughout your business Advice for narrowing down your focus so you can find more work   Quotes “Our mission is to reach as many people as possible with high-quality free yoga videos, and YouTube is such a great platform for that.” [11:23] “If you’re sitting there, fine-tuning edits, your business is probably getting away from you in other areas because you’re so focussed in this micro-level and you have to be able to step back and see the big picture for the health of the business and the employees that you have.” [19:45] “Look for ways to turn everything into systems so that you can replicate it and keep moving forward and not get bogged down on the little stuff.” [45:07]   Links Find Chris Sharpe online Follow Chris on Twitter | Instagram Yoga With Adriene YouTube Black Book by Chris Sharpe 30 Days of Yoga: Free Case Study Studio Sherpas Episode 121 with Tom Martin Learn about the upcoming Studio Sherpas workshop here   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Some clients just can’t give up creative control over a project. I and many of you know how frustrating this can be. Of course, they want an amazing video, but sometimes people get in their own way. Regaining and keeping creative control is so very important to delivering an amazing product, but just how do you do it? This episode is all about getting back your creative control. Having clients who don’t understand the creative process is often the source of huge amounts of frustration and wasted time. I’m going to tell you about avoiding the unlimited revision trap and handling clients who don’t value your creative process.  I’ve dealt with all of this through personal experience, so I want to shed a little bit of what I’ve learned with you and help you avoid some of these sources of frustration in advance. You’re going to walk away from this episode with some clear steps on how to avoid some of these all too common frustrations. How do you set clear expectations with a client? Have you ever struggled with this? Share in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Realizing that what you have is a video business even if it’s just you in it The incredible importance of setting clear expectations with all of your clients How to easily avoid getting stuck making unlimited revisions What to do about clients who don’t value filmmaking and storytelling Why you shouldn't try to sell a client something that they’re not asking for   Quotes “They are out there but there are probably some practices and habits and things you need to do in your work so that you are attracting the right client.” [11:23] “All of our frustrating clients and situations that end up costing us extra money are investments in you as a business owner and entrepreneur. Those are learning opportunities. Those frustrating clients are your teachers.” [15:43] “Your job is not to convince somebody. Your job is to understand where somebody’s at, so ask good questions and figure out where they’re at so you can help them and give them resources that will help them understand your perspective on the value of video.” [28:06] “Get clear on what it actually is that the client wants and don’t try to give them something that they’re not asking you to give.” [31:25]   Links Learn about the next Studio Sherpas workshop The Video Blueprint Method Episode 131 with Graham Cochrane   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Could your voice, your actual voice, be one of your best sales tools? This might sound strange since many of us feel that our voice sounds weird or annoying. But the reality is, most other people don’t think that about your voice. It really is an overlooked asset that most of us are ignoring. This episode is all about how to make your voice into something that can work for you! Roger Love is one of the world’s leading authorities on voice. As a coach, he’s worked with some voices you probably have heard, like Gwen Stefani, Jeff Bridges, Angelina Jolie, Bradley Cooper, and so many more. He offers courses and speaks at conferences all to teach people how their voice can both scientifically and emotionally move people to feel what is being communicated and remember what was said. This interview will inspire you to use your voice to create the influence and the income that you want. Roger and I talk all about why you are not the voice that you were born with. Roger shares some great advice you can start doing right away to make your voice sound better and more confident when you need it to the most so that it really brings out your true personality. Roger explains how we all play the role of professional speakers and ignoring the role of our voice is a missed opportunity. Believe it or not, the words you use are not the most important part of this. Rather, as Roger tells us, it’s the sounds you use when speaking that matter most. What changes can you make right now to let your voice help you in your business? Share it with me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Why all of us are professional speakers whether we realize it or not The most important thing to remember when you are feeling nervous about speaking Why the words you say are actually the least important part of speaking Tips you can begin using right now to start using your voice as an instrument, not just as a vehicle for talking What your outside voice is and why it is the most important voice that you can use   Quotes “I think everyone is a professional speaker. When you open your mouth, even if you’re talking to your dog and the goal is for the dog to stop eating your shoe, then you’re a professional speaker and the dog is your audience. We’re all professional speakers whether we have one person or are speaking to thousands.” [10:32] “The first thing we have to remember is that the words don’t matter that much.” [13:48] “We’re supposed to open up our mouths and enough sound is supposed to come out that you should vibrate other people’s bodies.” [32:06] “I used to want to teach people to have great voices. Now I say that I want to use voice to help make great people.” [42:03] “You’re not the voice you were born with and it’s about time that you stopped looking towards all the ‘normal’ reasons why you’re not succeeding in the things you want to succeed at.” [48:10]   Links Find Roger Love online Follow Roger on Twitter | Facebook Get your discount on the Perfect Voice course here! Just enter promo code SHERPA at checkout to get $50 off. Impact Summit by Kajabi Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray Get notified about the next free Studio Sherpas workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If someone asked you right now, “What do you do?”, how would you answer them? How confident would you be in your answer? How salesy would it sound? Would your answer be boring? If you’ve ever struggled to answer this common question, then you are far from alone. My guest today makes it his mission to help people like you and me explain what they do better so that we can find better clients and better-paying jobs. Brian Dixon is a conference speaker, podcaster, marketing strategist, and business coach who is passionate about helping business leaders and their teams thrive in a world of overwhelming options. He even has a doctorate from the University of San Diego. His overall goal is to help all sorts of people find a way to live a life that they truly love. How great is that? In this interview, Brian shares what it means to have true clarity in your purpose and who you serve. As he explains through personal experience, vision is more important for achieving this than just having energy and effort. Achieving this clarity, as Brian explains, comes from really knowing who your ideal client is, and he shares some amazing and practical advice for figuring that out. Who is the one person you can serve best in your business? Leave a comment on the episode page and let me know!   In this episode What to do to get meaningful clarity on your purpose in life and business One incredible tip for how to work directly with your ideal audience What to do right now if you don’t have a niche or target audience The easiest test you can take for figuring out your dream for your video business Why it’s crucially important to come up with a name for your ideal client   Quotes “When you know who your people are -- who you serve -- that leads to purpose. And when you live with purpose, that leads to profit.” [7:27] “Nineteen years old and I should have died. I had three doctors tell me I would never walk again. I made it my mission that day to run a marathon.” [11:14] “What’s obvious to you is magic to other people.” [20:35] “You either outsource your weaknesses and grow your strengths or you have to grow some of your weaknesses. Go defeat those.” [38:00]   Links Find Brian Dixon online Follow Brian on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Start With Your People by Brian Dixon Dan Miller’s Coaching with Excellence The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes Get notified about the next free Studio Sherpas workshop   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There often comes a time in every business owner’s career when it feels like it’s time for a change. That’s why I’m here by myself today to talk about one very important but difficult topic -- whether or not it’s time for you to pivot your video business.  Maybe you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or confused in some part of your work. Maybe it’s lost the excitement that it once had. There’s no need to keep hitting your head against the wall. One of the best parts of the work that we’re in is that it provides countless opportunities to shift your perspective and find another way to do great work while building on the amazing things that you’ve already accomplished. If you’re feeling that it may be time for a change, then this episode is for you. I’ve pivoted my business a number of times for a number of different reasons. So today I’m sharing that experience with you to hopefully add some clarity that I wish I had had when I made these crucial decisions. To that end, I’m asking you to seriously think about some of the crucial questions that I’ll be asking throughout this episode. Is it time for you to pivot your business? Share your thoughts in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Being truly profitable in your work so that you’re not just trading time for money Why it’s incredibly important to really enjoy working with your clients and providing a valuable service for them The reasons why finding joy in your work should be one of the most important parts of what you do Crucial steps to take right now if you think it’s time to pivot your business   Quotes “If you’re just getting paid for your time and you’re not building something that is making you profitable so that when unexpected things happen -- when gear breaks or it’s time to upgrade or get a studio or hire an employee --  if you’re not profitable, you can’t do any of that.” [11:21] “For the people who really got it and understood what we were passionate about, I loved what we were creating and the people we were creating it for.” [16:15] “If you’re not enjoying working with the majority of the clients you have, then it’s probably a time to consider pivoting because you’re probably frustrated a lot and life’s too short for that.” [19:20] “You’re not doing anybody any favors if there is no joy in what you’re doing today. You’re not doing any favors for your clients because they deserve the best. They deserve who they hire to want to give 100%. And you’re not doing any favors for yourself.” [20:32]   Links Get notified about the next free Studio Sherpas workshop Episode 131 with Graham Cochrane Company of One by Paul Jarvis Go to Storyblocks for stock audio, images, and footage   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

One of the biggest struggles for filmmakers is that we are in the business of trading time for money. But if we can create some passive income streams, then that naturally frees up more time for us while still helping us put bread on the table. Today, I have Sean Cannell on the podcast, someone who has had just a phenomenal amount of success in doing just that.  In case you didn’t know, Sean Cannell is a bestselling author, Youtuber, international speaker, and business coach who built a seven-figure media company helping entrepreneurs and creatives increase their influence and income with online video. With over one million YouTube subscribers, it’s obvious Sean knows what he’s talking about. In this interview, Sean shares his story of how he went from filming videos for his church to becoming one of the biggest names on YouTube. This includes some great lessons on where and how to find fulfillment in the trajectory of your career. This is a messy process as Sean makes clear, but nothing is going to happen if you don’t take consistent and meaningful action. We also dive into how you can make more money on the side using your already existing areas of expertise. Sean shares a ton of ideas that any of us can start doing to make more passive income on the side. He also answers several questions from listeners on topics ranging from getting a better ROI to tactics for building subscribers. Do you earn passive income on the side? Tell me how you do it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The indispensable lessons that are learned through trial and error Finding joy in new aspects of your career as it evolves Pressing onward through feelings of self-doubt to discover what you and your business are capable of The most important thing you can do to get better as a communicator YouTube’s power to help build your business from the very start  The best side-income earning strategies for filmmakers How highly ranked videos will pay dividends in the long run   Quotes “All of us would do better to be more business minded. A lot of us already are, but sometimes as creatives, we actually are weak from a business-minded standpoint. It was hard for me to let go of creative controls.” [8:21] “What you learned because of taking actions and hustling now, will be the skills you need actually to jump in and kill it in the next thing.” [14:41] “Before even creating additional income streams, I love YouTube just to build your filmmaking business.” [23:30] “A ranked video is like an employee you pay once that works for you for free for weeks, months, and years to come.” [49:31]   Links Get the free Viral Video Checklist Find Sean Cannell online Follow Sean on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook YouTube Secrets by Sean Cannell The EntreLeadership Podcast The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman Chelsea Nicole Photography Video Ranking Academy  vidIQ Keywords Everywhere   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There are many moments in business and life when we are confronted with a situation where we just don’t know what to do. However, these are often truly defining moments for us because, if we persevere, we almost always come out better on the other side.  Rob Booker, one of my new best friends, is many things. He is a former commodity trading advisor who managed a small hedge fund. Today he hosts The Traders Podcast, is the author of Adventures of a Currency Trader, and runs an amazing YouTube channel. He’s been on an incredible journey. After “mistakenly” starting a company 18 years ago in finance he’s found brilliant ways to continually rebuild his business so that it will stand up to the challenges that present themselves over time. In this conversation, Rob and I talk about how we can all easily and effectively support and promote each other in many ways. Goodwill is a powerful currency in business and it’s important to build it up from the start. Rob explains how it is the number one reason that we want to help each other but is woefully missing in today’s world.  Rob also drops some real truth about where self-esteem comes from and how it is the most important element of success. We’re often confronted with difficult and unclear situations, but as Rob tells us, these moments make us who we are and show us what we are truly capable of achieving. How can you set yourself apart as a trouble maker in your industry? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode How to easily make a testimonial look authentic The importance of building up goodwill with others from the very start The source of self-esteem and how it applies to everything that you do What happens when you don’t stand for anything in your business What to do when you feel like you need to be constantly creating The amazing results that come from knowing your mission in life and business   Quotes “From a very early age, I equated my self-worth, self-esteem, and value with how much I could give of myself to other people…. You can let that get out of hand in your life.” [14:04] “There’s got to be some amount of goodwill built up in today’s world. It’s the one thing that’s missing all the time now.” [23:58] “The only place from which self-esteem can come is from doing things which you know are right and building up a deposit of all of those things which is transferable to other things which you’ve never done before which scare you.” [32:35] “We’re a little bit afraid of rocking the boat because we’re like, who am I going to offend that was going to be my next $100,000 customer? And I say, no one wants to hire someone who is going to play by the rules. You’re going to hire someone who’s going to game the system and be a little bit edgy.” [47:19] “When you buy something, you’re asking to be transported out of your current life into something else. There’s no way that vanilla boring person is going to take you there.” [52:17]   Links Find Rob Booker online Follow Rob on YouTube | Facebook | Twitter The Traders Podcast Kajabi The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann Studio Sherpas episode 131 with Graham Cochrane Get notified about the next Studio Sherpas training or conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Are you ready to launch a business or service but are worried that you’re not good enough -- that you’re not really expert enough? What if I told you that the solution is just confidently to be yourself? Today’s guest has made authenticity his habit in all he does and the payoffs couldn’t be greater. Graham Cochrane is one of the most talented and successful business owners that I know. He’s a business coach, a musician, and the founder of the Recording Revolution, one of the world’s largest and most loved online resources for audio recording and music production. Graham’s journey as an online entrepreneur began about ten years ago at the height of the recession. Thanks to his determination and resourcefulness, Graham was able to beat the odds and has become well-respected in the audio world.  Graham gets real in explaining how he built his business from scratch while trying to make ends meet during the financial crisis. He talks about the importance of not waiting for everything to be perfect and just launching and getting started. Graham shares his wisdom on what to do if you’re feeling insecure about launching your business or a new service. Sure, there are going to be haters out there, but Graham tells us how to easily move past them. This interview is jam-packed with great little nuggets of wisdom and advice that you can start applying to your business right away. Much of it comes down to setting the personal and professional goals that matter the most to you, not being afraid to start something new, and truly setting your sights on being a service to others. Graham tells us why you need to be true to yourself if you’re really going to stand out from the crowd. How do you show your true and authentic self in your business? Share in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Creating a strong online presence so that you can reach the most potential clients Ignoring your insecurities to just get started What happens to you and your business when you dedicate yourself to helping others Defining success in the way that matters the most to you The most valuable gift that you have to offer others and how it affects your bottom line Helping other people by being your authentic self on social media and in real life Where the true power of a good reputation lies   Quotes “It’s not about being the best or an expert. I don't really like that term. It’s more about can you help somebody.” [19:15] “We’re in a celebrity culture. We obsess over celebrity, and that’s really selfish. And I’m calling myself out. If you’re really about helping people, then just help people.” [34:47] “We want to know what other people are doing, or charging, or what their sites look like, or whatever, because we’re so freaking scared, so we just want to not stand out. Which is so backward, because guess what happens… you won’t stand out!”  [42:58] “I have had the most joy and success in my professional life when I have stopped focusing on myself and started focusing on other people. I don’t do it perfectly all the time, but that’s when the magic happens.” [56:25]   Links Find Graham Cochrane online Follow Graham on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Recording Revolution Dave Ramsey People Centric Podcast The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a commercial director? If I told you that it takes a lot of losing would you still be interested? Today’s guest has honed the perfect mindset for turning his rejections into personal wins and his career has been taking off ever since. There’s a good chance many of you have heard of Ryan Booth. He’s a prolific young filmmaker who has worked as a DP and director on commercials for some of the country’s biggest brands. These days, Ryan wears many different hats. As a Brooklyn-based Texan, he directs commercials, pitches documentary series and TV shows, and develops his own features. In this candid chat, Ryan shares his journey into the world of directing commercials. Getting to where he is today took a lot of focus and determination, as well as a realization of where his true priorities lie. We talk about the power that lies in having other people on board your team who are just as dedicated to getting the project done as you. As someone with talent and experience in so many different areas, Ryan has had to learn how and when to focus his efforts, which has been the key to his continuing success. How do you pick yourself up after rejection? Leave a comment and let me know on the episode page!   In this episode Realizing where your time is best spent when you have many different priorities at once The dangers of multitasking and knowing when you need help moving from one task to the next How to deal with the bids you lose after you’ve spent so much time preparing them Finding the ideal work-life balance through trial, error, and reflection   Quotes “I’ve realized that my lofty ideas will never happen without the dedicated effort of producers.” [12:50] “I do plenty of detailed mundane boring stuff, but when I’m directing a commercial that’s not my job. My job is to steer the ship. It is to cast the vision. It is to execute that vision. Getting in the weeds is really problematic.” [16:35] “To pitch well, I have to put myself fully into the project. To do that, I have to be vulnerable to the fact that I will likely lose more than I win.” [20:45] “Putting your heart into what you make in my opinion is the only long-term viable way to do this for a living.” [25:34]   Links Find Ryan Booth online Follow Ryan on Instagram | Twitter | Vimeo | IMDB Women Who Run With Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés Scriptnotes Get notified about the next Studio Sherpas training or conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Today I’ll be interviewing….myself. That’s because I want to tell you all about the recent Studio Sherpas Onward Summit. It was an amazing experience full of incredible takeaways that I need to share with all of you. So I’m going to discuss the three biggest ideas that came up over and over in at the summit. First of all, the power of community to spur action was front and center at the event. It was clear just how great it is to be part of this outstanding community and meeting those of you who could make it there was a beautiful thing. I’m also going to talk about how powerful vulnerability is and why we shouldn’t be afraid to acknowledge and share it. Lastly, I share what I learned about how your focus, or lack of focus, is perhaps the most essential part of your business’ success. How has community, vulnerability, or focus shaped your business? Share your thoughts in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The importance of having an integrator to best align your business with EOS How being part of a community leads to accountability and action Why vulnerability is more powerful than we realize How focus, or lack thereof, will make or break your business   Quotes “The whole time we’re there it’s like you’re going to learn a lot of stuff, you’re going to be challenged, think differently, but nothing will be helpful unless you change unless you do something different when you get home.” [8:50] “When you are intentional about meeting and sharing when you’re honest about where you’re at and you set goals and you put those goals out there for other people to know of, that’s when change happens.” [10:37] “What I get to experience when I’m vulnerable is freedom.” [16:24] “Anytime I’ve had a ton of focus, very clear focus, I’ve been able to give that thing my all.” [26:15]   Links Get notified about the next training or conference EOS Worldwide Studio Sherpas Episode 87 with Mark Wallenwine   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Even if you don’t think of yourself as a marketer, you still have to market your business. Marketing comes in many forms, but pretty much all great marketing involves having great copy. As today’s guest told me, being more mindful in how you write and present your copy will make all the difference and set your brand apart from the others. Ray Edwards is a communications strategist, copywriter, and author of How to Write Copy That Sells. His podcast, The Ray Edwards Show, is consistently one of the top-rated podcasts in iTunes. He’s been featured in numerous prestigious publications such as Forbes.com. Ray doesn’t write as much as he used to. Now he mostly helps others learn to write amazing copy. Ray and I sit down over a cup of coffee to discuss the importance of having outstanding copy if you intend to sell anything. Weaving his own amazing life story (like why he bought a cafe in Spokane) Ray explains how effective copywriting and marketing can be a force for positive change for your business and the world around you. This is an honest and candid conversation in which Ray lays it all out, including a life-altering diagnosis, his personal core beliefs as to the true power of storytelling, and how you can make your brand more authentic and human in order to truly improve not just your business, but those you serve as well. How can you use marketing to authentically connect with your customers? Share your ideas in the comments! Learn about the upcoming free Studio Sherpas training!   In this episode What Ray discovered on his professional journey from radio to copywriting to coaching The policies that Ray has in place in his company that make it a super supportive workplace (and make his lawyer cringe) How a devastating diagnosis helped Ray focus on what’s really important in his business Identifying who you are and what you want so that you can better find your ideal customers Video’s power to humanize a brand, improve people’s lives, and make meaningful change How to convey that you care about people through your marketing   Quotes “I write words that get people to change. They change either what they’re thinking about a subject, what they believe, the actions they take, the kind of life they live, what they buy, what products or services they want to invest in.” [6:32] “One thing you don’t always get to decide is what your story is going to be. You get to decide what it means, I believe that.” [27:27] “Stories are ways for us to see ourselves from the outside -- to understand why we do what we do and what we need to do to change. That’s what marketing is.” [36:44] “If you can figure out who the people like you are and what the stuff is that people like you do, you will never want for customers and for revenue. They will always come to find you.” [38:08] “If you get the words right, the music right, the images correct; you get all that together, it’s like a symphony for all your senses and awakens the stuff inside you that you didn’t know was still there -- the dreams, the aspirations, the pain that you need answered. There’s no medium more powerful than well-crafted film to evoke all those emotions and change in people.” [40:00] “You’re in business to solve other people’s problems. Get clear about what problem you solve. Get clear about how it hurts the person you’re helping.” [45:03]   Links Get How to Write Copy That Sells for free! Find Ray Edwards online Follow Ray on Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram The Ray Edwards Show Revel 77 Coffee This Is Marketing by Seth Godin   The People Centric Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

So much of our success in this business stems from the community that we build around us. It allows us to tap into each other’s skills, share our work, and be there for one another in when we need it most. In this episode, I sit down with a good friend who explains just how he has benefited from the power of tribe and how you can too. Chris P. Jones is the founder and owner of Mason Jar Films in Waco, Texas. Chris specializes in filming events as well as making the occasional corporate and commercial video. Chris has intentionally built his company to be flexible and adaptive so that he can take advantage of whatever interesting work comes his way while living his best life. Today’s episode is all about living life without regrets and how your business should reflect this too. In that vein, we discuss why you should be strategic when choosing which projects and opportunities to do for free. We also talk about the incredible benefits of growing a tribe and how this can lead to near unlimited opportunities. This is a raw and honest discussion that goes far beyond filmmaking into how to build a life and business free of regret. How have you built your tribe? How has it helped you and your businesses? Let me know about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The importance of identifying what adds value to your life and getting rid of the rest How your community be the most important part of your professional journey Being prepared for emergencies by surrounding yourself with people you trust What to consider when you’re thinking about doing a job for free Recognizing opportunities to provide new content to new clients Determining what you want out of life and how filmmaking plays a part in that   Quotes “The only thing that I have in common with everyone listening to this podcast is that we’re all dying. At some point you realize it … and you begin to think about really making the most of the time that you have.” [10:28] “I’m not so much striving towards building up a huge nest egg to retire at some future date. I’m here right now and I don’t know what tomorrow holds.” [14:06] “If you go out and you meet people who are of different skill sets and you make yourself available to one another, you’ll have all these resources and people at your fingertips who you trust. Then what you have to offer is unlimited.” [36:02] “We’re just making ourselves available for whatever is out there and we’re not backing down because I don’t have that particular skill set.” [50:36] “As filmmakers, we are really focussed on documenting important moments in other people’s lives and I don’t want us to neglect our own stories and to experience those moments for ourselves too. It will make you a better filmmaker to experience life.” [1:02:26]   Links Find Chris P. Jones online Follow Mason Jar Films on Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Vimeo | YouTube Count My Days Essentialism by Greg McKeown Join the next Studio Sherpas live Q&A   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Sometimes our biggest challenge as video producers is identifying what it is that our clients really need and want. You might have all sorts of skills that you can offer, but if it’s not what they’re looking for than it doesn’t really matter. This is not always the easiest task. Jody Mayberry has discovered how to use his unique story to help clients realize how he can help them. Jody Maberry is a bonafide storyteller and the happiest podcaster on earth. This served him well for the eight years that he worked as a park ranger. By combining his extensive background as a ranger as well as his experience in marketing Jody knows what to do to make your clients the heroes of their story rather than merely the recipients of the product you create for them. In addition to all this, Jody is a master podcast host, with a whopping eight podcasts going on. In this conversation, Jody walks us through different ways that we can be using stories to help our clients by adding value to their lives. We talk about how this can also help you find and identify your ideal clients using the park ranger business method. First, though, Jody tells his own amazing story of how he transitioned from working in the public sector to his current success in helping private businesses. As a natural storyteller, Jody wonderfully explains how you can best serve your clients and keep them happy and engaged through what he learned while serving visitors to the parks. This involves putting yourself in front of the people who really need your help and offering them what they truly need while exceeding their expectations. How do you identify your clients’ biggest needs? Do you ever use your own story in this? Tell me about it in the comments!   In this episode: Identifying who it is you can help and how it’s different for everyone Why it’s better to offer one thing well than tons of different things that are not part of your message The importance of embracing the title of “expert” in your business and industry Why it’s essential to remember that you are only a small piece of your customer’s story How vital your own story is to growing your business and connecting with your clients   Quotes: “In every business, there are some things that are similar. Whether you’re a podcaster, a copywriter, or in video, if you’re a small business, there are some things that don’t change. Details change, sure. But some of the things you’re going to need to look for and do are going to be the same. Creative work will cover whatever your niche is.” [12:22] “If you’re going to make a corporate video for somebody, you’re just a small piece of the bigger story that they’re working on. You have to understand that and realize how you fit into that. That will actually let you help them more.” [18:31] “You have to remember to tell your story in a way that makes their story better.” [37:33] “Try to find that one thing that keeps showing up. That’s the piece that you can put out in front. That will help you help other people because you will then be able to connect with them a little quicker.” [43:56]   Links: Get notified about new Studio Sherpas training! Find Jody Maberry online Follow Jody on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter The Jody Maberry Show Great Escape Radio podcast Creating Disney Magic podcast Studio Sherpas Episode 118 with Lee Cockerell    Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you get stressed out at tax time? What about budgeting for retirement? Does bookkeeping give you migraines? All these are essential parts of being a business owner but I doubt they’re anyone’s favorite parts. Today, I have Mike Michalowicz here who understands these topics and also understands how to help business owners like you and me take control of these daunting parts of your business. Mike is the author of one of my favorite books, Profit First. He is a popular speaker on topics surrounding entrepreneurial innovation. Years ago, Mike lost nearly everything, but today he’s running his third million dollar business. Mike’s mission is to share his life’s lessons and his “Profit First Formula” to help businesses ensure profitability starting with their very next deposit. In this interview, Mike and I talk about what it truly means to be profitable. This goes beyond just measuring your bottom line but being able to reward yourself as the business owner. Mike lays down some truth about understanding just what sustainable profitability is and why many business owners fail to see it. If you’re like me, you might want to keep a tissue handy for this interview as Mike gets real and emotional about his own struggles with profitability. It’s a powerful story that many entrepreneurs will resonate with and a great reminder that no one is alone in this struggle. You’re going to get some great actionable tips for how to get started or go further in creating a new kind of legacy for you, your family, and your business. As Mike tells us, it all starts with profit. What can you do right away to start putting your profits first? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: What profitability really means for entrepreneurs and how it should result in rewards for you The important differences between revenue and profitability and why understanding the difference is key to long-term success Sound and actionable advice for entrepreneurs facing financial struggles How to escape from the limitations of traditional accounting The different types of accounts your business should have to ensure that you are prioritizing profitability   Quotes: “When it comes to our definition, the entrepreneurial definition of profit, it is cold hard cash available for the withdrawal and for distribution to the shareholder - the owners - of the business.” [9:23] “We need to change the formula for putting profit last to putting profit first. And we got to put our profit first so that it becomes habitual.” [15:58] “Every time a sale occurs, when money flows into your business, you’re going to take a predetermined percentage of that money, allocate it towards profit in a literal account, store that money away and the remaining cash is going to be available to run your business. It’s the pay yourself first principle simply applied to business.” [32:48] “I think as owners we’re naturally givers. We want to give employment. We want to give our clients service. But the greatest giving is where we have financial freedom and the ability to give in the moment without having to worry about the financial stress.” [43:41]   Links: Find Mike Michalowicz online Follow Mike on Twitter | Facebook Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Small Giants Community Send me your questions for the upcoming live Q & A here!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

So you’ve made an awesome film and now it’s time to launch it. Sure you could go through a distribution company, but what if you could cut out the middleman and do it yourself? It’s a good thing that I have a guest today who lays out the blueprint on just how you can do this while maximizing your profits! Today we welcome Rob Hardy back to the podcast. He is a filmmaker and entrepreneur who runs Filmmaker Freedom, a blog and growing community of indie filmmakers where he guides readers on how to redefine success for themselves, according to their own circumstances, talents, and values. He is passionate about helping indie filmmakers build their online audiences so they can cut out the middleman in this process and truly support themselves doing what they love. Today we are having a raw and honest conversation about finding your audience and figuring out how to best serve them. This might involve getting your work directly to your audience without going through an expensive distribution company. Throughout this interview, Tom shares some great ideas on how you can start building your audience right away and launch your film yourself so that you can best serve your audience all the while making more money for yourself. Have you launched a film yourself? Tell me what you learned through this process in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: The role of filmmakers indirectly serving their audiences Red flags to look out for if you’re going to work with a distribution company How to build an enthusiastic audience long before your work is even finished The importance of building an audience and how your email list can become the lifeblood of your business How to launch your work yourself all while driving up its value and increasing the excitement around it Harnessing the identity feedback loop of your niche to create profitable and meaningful connections with your audience   Quotes: “It really is about finding that group of people, ideally people who are like you and who you care about helping, get something in their lives. Obviously, if you’re making films, you’re not going to solve some burning problem they have in their life, but you can serve their identity. You can give them something that uplifting, that makes them think.” [7:46] “Who are the people or companies who hold your set of values, who share some piece of your own identity, who you would want to grab a beer with at the end of the day? Who are those people and what do they need in their lives? What do they need in their businesses? It’s sort of like a grand human principle.” [12:37] “You just have to be creative and come up with bonuses that people in this niche will love. Just by nature of being in this niche and serving this niche, you should know them inside and out. You should have a clear psychographic profile for who these people are, what their day-to-day lives look like, what they want, what their fears and dreams and desires are. That’s what marketing is.” [31:23] “Not only do you have to take responsibility for your work and the things that you make, but you have to take responsibility for what happens once the work is finished. The world does not take care of that work for you.” [46:19]   Links: Find Rob Hardy online Follow Rob on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Sign up for Rob’s newsletter Patreon Studio Sherpas Episode 12 with Tom Hardy   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Knowing what your talents are worth is perhaps the most important part of finding success. It can be very easy to undersell yourself, especially when you’re just starting out. But you’re not going to get very far if you don’t hold yourself to your value. Chris Odom has learned this important lesson over his long and successful career. He is an incredibly talented business owner, drone pilot, filmmaker, and a student of the Studio Sherpas Video Business Academy. As the founder of Firefly Media, which specializes in amazing aerial video, Chris spends a lot of time (virtually) in the air filming for feature films and commercials. We talk a lot about the importance of understanding your value on this show. That’s because it’s perhaps the most important thing you can do as a business owner and therefore bears repeating. In this interview, Chris and I go deep into this topic as we explore what you can do to better know what you and your company are worth. Since Chris is also part of the Studio Sherpas community, we discuss what it means to be part of a group that truly understands the challenges and rewards of the work that you do. Chris also shares his top pieces of advice for any studio or filmmaker interested in creating drone footage. How do you communicate your value to clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: The early days of drone video and what it took to become a pioneer in that field Leveraging your personal network to find your next client Why having a positive attitude and a smile on set is key to creating an amazing collaborative project The importance of knowing what you’re worth so that you can offer your clients and yourself the best value possible The value of being part of a community that is doing the same work as you Why you absolutely must have liability insurance as a business owner Expert advice for filmmakers interested in getting into drone video   Quotes: “You may be good, but if you’re not fun to work with, nobody wants to deal with that for twelve hours a day for months on end. That’s just not how it goes.” [18:20] “Recognize your value. Understand that these people are talking to you for a reason so don't be afraid to speak up. Don’t be afraid to recognize a good opportunity and a bad opportunity and that the value is not always equated to money.” [30:27] “You invest some money and it’s because you believe in yourself. You go, yeah, I’m worth this. And it shows.” [40:45] “Get liability insurance! Is something going to happen? Probably not, but that’s not why you have insurance. You have insurance when things do go wrong, and it does happen.” [41:53]   Links: Find Chris Odom online Follow Chris on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube STRY Staff Me Up Grab your tickets to the Onward Conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Getting likes and followers on social media is nice, but it’s not what’s going to define the success of your business - sales are. However, making sales depends on a well-crafted marketing strategy which may not be what you’re interested in spending your time and energy on. I’m really excited to have Chris Smith here today to help break down this daunting topic. Chris Smith is the co-founder of Curaytor and the author of The Conversion Code. His company helps other businesses with digital marketing and advertising campaigns so that they can quickly find their perfect customers. In less than four years, Chris used the blueprint in The Conversion Code to grow Curaytor to nearly $15 million in annual recurring revenue. His work has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur Magazine and many other publications. Throughout this interview, Chris shares what he knows about building sales alongside building your brand. This takes both being up to date on the latest trends in sales, but also sticking to time-tested methods. Chris also explains how you as the content creator can add revenue and make sure that as many people as possible see your work all at the same time. He also shares his wisdom on why it’s more important to specialize in one industry than to try to serve all of them. This interview is going to inspire you to take a serious look at how you are selling your services and you’re going to walk away with actionable information on what to do that will help your video business grow. How do you generate new leads for your company? What has worked and what hasn’t? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Building a profitable business that is more than just a brand Balancing new trends with time-tested techniques when approaching sales How to redefine the finish-line with your clients and projects How to add tens of thousands of dollars in upsells to clients What to do right now if you need to find new leads Why it’s important to focus on a particular industry to market to What lead magnets and funnels are and how you can use them to successfully pick up more customers   Quotes: “Unfortunately, a lot of people either want to do all the new stuff or they just want to be old-school and just do the old stuff. If there’s something they should try to be, it’s both. You have to do the basics and the bleeding-edge and a lot of people just do one or the other.” [13:47] “Every person you look up to looks up to someone. Greatness is achieved by never being happy with the rung of the latter you’re on right now. You’ve got to always be leveling up, but you’ve always got to be bothered by the people ahead of you.” [15:11] “You need leads. To get leads you got to be relevant and you got to make offers people are willing to give their information away for.” [40:03] “Let’s be very clear here, it’s way easier to get famous in one industry than in all of them.” [52:59]   Links: Follow Chris Smith on Instagram Curaytor The Conversion Code by Chris Smith BuzzSumo Grab your tickets to the Onward Conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re at all like me, you may have been resistant to jumping on the YouTube bandwagon. But YouTube can be incredibly helpful for both you and your clients and you ignore it at your peril. If you’ve been thinking about optimizing your channel, you’re not going to want to miss this!  Tom Martin is certified by YouTube as an expert in audience growth and digital rights. He has led YouTube strategy for some of the world’s largest and most successful media companies gaining them millions of subscribers and billions of views. Few people know the ins and outs of YouTube better than Tom which makes the knowledge he shares with us today incredibly valuable. This interview is a deep dive into the role that YouTube can play in your business. Tom shares what it really is that YouTube is looking for and how you can give it to them. He discusses the determination and perseverance needed to make this platform work for you. Tom also shares his knowledge on conducting research on your target audience before you invest too much time and energy into YouTube. We also talk about how you can use your skills and knowledge to help other companies hone their YouTube strategies. This might involve getting you or your business YouTube certified, which fortunately is easier than you might think. I know that you’re going to walk away from this conversation even more excited about using YouTube than you are all ready.   What role does YouTube play in your business? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: What YouTube is looking for and how you can give it to them What to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to start a YouTube channel Steps you should take before you launch a YouTube channel How you can tweak your channel to make sure that the right audience finds it Essential tools for improving your YouTube strategy The biggest mistakes people make when building their YouTube channel and how you can avoid them   Quotes: “Ultimately what was driving me was saying ‘What makes YouTube happy? What does YouTube want?’ Ultimately YouTube wants people to stay on the platform longer; they want people to watch more videos so they can sell more ads and collect more data because that’s where they make their real money.” [16:06] “Expect to upload a video every week for five years and then still keep going even if no one is watching. That’s not to say that it’s going to take five years, but you need to be prepared to go to that length because that is where most successful YouTubers are born or die. Are they willing to go past the dip and keep uploading when most of the competition gives up after six videos.” [17:50] “Make sure there is an actual audience for what you're going to be making videos on before you decide to make a channel and make five years worth of video.” [28:22] “What you need to do is to find a balance between sending people to your website or an email list and encouraging viewers to watch more of your videos.” [43:15]   Links: Find Tom Martin online Follow Tom on Twitter | Linkedin | YouTube VidIQ Engage Video Marketing with Ben Amos Studio Sherpas episode 80 with Marley Baird YouTube Optimization: The Complete Guide by Tom Martin Pre-register for Tom’s course Grab early-bird tickets to the Onward Conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Reinvesting your time, money, and energy in your company is essential to its growth and longevity. But just where do you decide to focus? How do you determine what’s most important right now? Today’s guests, the ReelBros, have asked themselves these very questions and the answers have been invaluable. Brandon Main, John Hebrank, and Alex Schreer run a full-service production house that has recently shifted its focus towards providing its clients with unique camera shots that they wouldn’t find anywhere else. As they put it, they run the line between where technology meets art and where engineering meets filmmaking. They and their business may be young, but they’re already producing outstanding work for some pretty amazing clients. This energetic episode is all about investing in yourself and business. The bros tell us all about how they came up with the idea for their company and got it off the ground in only a week. They discuss the importance of constantly reinvesting in your company to help lead it to success and what to do to stand out from the competition. The ReelBros also drop some advice on using your passions to get out of creative ruts and show the world your talent. They discuss how their enthusiasm and obvious love of their craft gets their clients as excited for their work as they are. Many of these clients come to them through their presence on social media, and the ReelBros share how this is an effective tool for them. What does reinvesting in your company mean to you? How has it helped your business move forward? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Why your business’ brand should represent who you are as a person The payoffs of getting your clients involved in the filming of the project Why reinvesting back into your company is critical to making it the business you want it to be How small businesses can get unstuck and find inspiring clients and work How getting out of your comfort zone will lead to all sorts of new opportunities Practical tips and tricks for using social media as an effective networking tool Effective division of labor as the key to any partnership’s success   Quotes: “From the very beginning, we were extremely focused on what we wanted ReeBros to be. It was a representation of who we are as people. We want people to know that every day we’re on a shoot, we’re absolutely having the best time of our lives.” [19:08] “We see the value in investing back into the company whether that’s education, money, time. Those are all super important to your success.” [24:39] “Do things that are going to scare you. Get out of your element.” [31:52] “Putting that effort into showing a client what you can do -- that’s our biggest thing. It’s almost like a pony show nowadays. You have to really show these people that you are really invested in what you do. If you’re invested, then they will be invested in you.” [34:49] “If you’re going to start a business or a partnership, be absolutely 100% sure that you’re doing it with the right people and for the right reasons. If not, that will manifest itself very quickly. And if it is meant to be and you work well together, nothing is impossible.” [44:15]   Links: Find ReelBros online Follow ReelBros on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Who doesn’t want a massive YouTube following? It will help you connect to other filmmakers, find clients, and showcase your skills all in one place. Garnering a huge number of subscribers may seem like the Holy Grail of video on social media, but with the right approach and dedication, it’s totally possible! And today's guest, Kelsey Brannan is the go-to person for growing your following and creating an epic Youtube channel that will work to showcase and grow your business. Kelsey is the creator of Premiere Gal, a YouTube community of over 117,000 subscribers which is focused on video, photo, and audio production. After getting a Masters degree in documentary filmmaking from Georgetown, Kelsey worked as a filmmaker with the State Department. She’s since moved on to helping others learn the ins and outs of her craft and is the head of creative growth at Wipster, a video feedback and collaboration platform for creators, teams, and businesses. In this interview, Kelsey talks about what it’s like to grow a YouTube channel to over 100,000 subscribers and why as video makers we should be striving for this as well. Kelsey also discusses the difficulties that many freelancers face by not being part of the companies that they want to work for as well as some great advice on how to surmount this challenge. Kelsey goes on to talk about the challenges of communicating with clients and how platforms like Wipster can make this infinitely easier. Before our talk comes to an end, Kelsey shares what she knows about affiliate marketing in relation to YouTube video marketing and how it can expand your passive income stream. Do you use a tool like Wipster to that helps you be more efficient or creative? Tell me what it is in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Why your business shouldn’t rely on a single source of income The biggest challenge that freelancers experience and how to overcome it What Wipster is and how it can streamline your communication with clients What to consider when deciding whether or not to create a YouTube channel for your business The kind of YouTube channel that will attract the most potential clients Useful and actionable tips for growing your YouTube channel How to make extra passive income with affiliate marketing on YouTube   Quotes: “Whether you decide to go to college or not, just surround yourself with people who inspire you and just start getting your hands dirty.” [9:20] “If you present yourself as an expert on YouTube and you grow that following and that expertise, you can really bring in more business for yourself.” [25:20] “It’s kind of like the power of the network too, because you may get a lot of solo entrepreneurs and freelancers watching you, but then they talk about you and refer you.” [29:25] “You can’t expect instant results. It takes time, persistence, and patience. But if you can impact just one person, that’s a win for me.” [35:20] Links: Premiere Gal website Follow Kelsey Brannan’s Premier Girl on YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon   Wipster NAB Giveaway Wipster Follow Wipster on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Linkedin   NAB Show Book a meeting with Wipster at NAB Show The High-Performance Planner vidIQ     Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Our jobs rise and fall on customer service. Providing your clients with quality work is one thing, but keeping them happy is often something else. Today’s guest, Lee Cockerell, has a lifetime of insight into providing invaluable customer service as part of some huge companies that you can start applying right away! In addition to being one of my favorite experts on leadership ever, Lee is the retired exec Vice President of the Walt Disney World Resort, a position he held for 10 years. Before Disney, Lee spent eight years with Hilton and Marriott International. Lee is the author of four books on leadership, management and customer service and hosts a weekly 15-minute podcast, Creating Disney Magic. Having worn so many big hats, Lee has plenty of expert advice to share on time management and customer service. In this interview, Lee takes us through his journey of how he learned the importance of treating everyone with caring and respect. This led him to dedicate himself to helping others by sharing his knowledge and insights with the world. Lee talks about the importance of expanding your horizons by regularly going to new places, meeting different people, and having the confidence to take risks. Lee also describes the most important elements that make a great company culture. These include going to great lengths to hire the very best employees, having clear expectations, and excellent training. You also have to let everyone in your organization know that you know they matter. Lee’s insight into what makes the best customer service is something none of us can afford to miss. It’s really simple too. Lee explains how just being nice in the right ways will keep your customers coming back again and again. He also breaks down just how to manage your time effectively so that you can have both a successful job and a fulfilling life. How do you go above and beyond to make your customers happy? Tell me about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Discovering that you have something important to share with other people Why teaching others creates the best legacy that you can leave behind Why it’s infinitely better to be an expert at something specific than a jack of all trades The only definition of success that really matters How to positively impact a company’s culture from the inside The true first rule of customer service Tried and true tips on maintaining effective time-management   Quotes: “The best satisfaction you’ll get is when somebody thanks you for helping them along the way.  They won’t forget it -- you will because you may help a lot of people, but people never forget when you help.” [7:13] “Become an expert in something; then you can expand. You’ll always have something to fall back on in case you don’t get that promotion or that opportunity. Experts always find a job.” [12:53] “Hire them right, train them right, and treat them right, and you’ll have a good organization. If you’re not committed to your people, they’re not going to be committed to you.” [21:09] “If you don’t take the time to plan the life you want, you’re going to spend a lot of time living a life you don’t want.” [30:15] “You do it through attitude, passion, and keep learning after you kinda wake up one day. You can do it, anybody can do it. Either you’re going to be smarter every day or not. It’s up to you.” [42:42]   Links: Grab your free gift by texting “morning planner” to 442222 Find Lee Cockerell online Follow Lee on Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin Creating Disney Magic podcast Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy The High-Performance Planner   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

There are the subtle touches you can make to your videos that will take them to the next level. Much of this has to do with the color grading you use. It can set you apart from your competitors and get you noticed in ways that you hadn’t been before. The best part is that anyone can learn to do it! Denver Riddle is a colorist with a true passion for sharing what he’s learned about color grading with others. He’s the founder of Color Grading Central and has worked on countless feature films and commercials. Denver has developed numerous color grading tools, including the original color presets for Instagram’s video feature, so you may even have used his work without knowing it. In this interview, Denver tells the story of how he discovered the role color grading can play to make an ordinary film look epic. He’s used his skills in coloring to showcase the quality of his work which has paid dividends when on the job hunt. Denver explains just why having well-done color grading can make all the difference to the audience as well. If you’re interested in getting into the world of coloring, Denver talks about why it's easier and less expensive than ever to do it now. What’s your experience with color grading? How does it make your videos stand out from the crowd? Tell me in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: The subtle parts of imagery that set big budget films apart from ordinary video The most important 27 seconds you have and the power of first impressions How to attach a monetary value to the time and energy spent on color grading Where to start if you want to learn how to do color grading and why it has never been a better time to begin   Quotes: “I just felt like there was this huge gap between what I was able to create when I bought my first HD camera and what other people were producing online. It was really a perplexing problem.” [7:35] “The average is 27 seconds that someone will form a first impression. So when people are looking to hire somebody, the first and foremost thing that they’re going to look at is the quality. What kind of quality does this person put out?” [16:14] “There’s been a huge shift in the industry across all levels just because of the advancement in the technology and the democratization of the tools.” [30:25]   Links: Color Grading Central Follow Denver on Instagram | YouTube Cinema Grade Joshua Smith’s Wedding Videos Magic Bullet Suite by Red Giant Blackmagic Design   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

The journey of improving and refining your business may seem vast and daunting. If you’re trying to do it all at once, you’ll likely end up frustrated and not much further along than you are already. But if you can move that needle forward just a little bit every day, then you’re going to see significant improvement before too long. And, today's guest, Travis Hull, knows all about how the small steps can make for major positive changes! Travis is the founder of Talking Heads Studio and his studio works with businesses and brands from around the country as well as at home in Orlando, FL. Travis helps all sorts of clients tell their stories through video, photography, and event production, be they a local non-profit or the NFL. Travis and I sit down to talk about finding businesses to work with that share his mission of helping people improve their lives and the challenges and rewards of that endeavor. We also chat about what it means to make meaningful relationships as a filmmaker and the countless ways that this can pay off. Travis ends by sharing some great advice on how to find work with major brands even if you’re a small studio. How have you leveraged business relationships to find work with the brands you want to work with? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Taking your skills as a filmmaker into the realm of event production Seeking out businesses to work with that don’t just pay your bills but help to improve people’s lives Discovering the little daily practices that you can do to improve both your business and the world around you Finding value when meeting and connecting with people that go beyond mere business relationships Being humble enough to learn new things that will help improve your business How to find work with a big national brand when you have no idea where to start   Quotes: “Shooting weddings you get one take. So now, telling stories with national brands and being able to go in and think ahead, making sure your equipment and crew and everything are lined up, so when that CEO that makes thousands of dollars an hour walks in the room, you’re ready to roll and you’re ready to kill it for ‘em.” [11:43] “I think a large part of the success of our business is building relationships and having a good network of people around you that support you or refer people to you or whatever it may be. That way when I need them, they’re there and when they need me I’m there.” [22:57] “We try to build a culture that when someone comes in the door of our studio, they’re super relaxed at all times, especially if we’re going for an emotional interview. We don’t want them to pay attention to the lights, the camera, anything.” [34:13]   Links: Find Travis Hull online at Talking Heads Studio Follow Travis on Facebook | Vimeo | YouTube | Instagram The High-Performance Planner Only Today   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Perhaps the biggest difference between an entrepreneur that makes it and one who doesn’t is their mindset. Being intentional on how you overcome your internal conflicts makes all the difference. Few know this better than my guest today, Dallin Nead. Dallin, with Content Supply, has been working in corporate, travel, film and broadcast video production for over ten years. His work has taken him all over the globe as he makes outstanding content to help people and businesses share their stories. Dallin is a filmmaking entrepreneur focused on helping other entrepreneurs take their business to the next level by providing strategy, production, and distribution service.   Today, you’re going to hear about how Dallin got into helping other entrepreneurs through video. He’s learned a lot along the way and he shares some key concepts about the importance of mindset and how it differentiates you as a freelancer or business owner. Dallin also tells us about his sales process that he uses to connect with potential clients who may not have realized that they want video services. Dallin is a big fan of getting retainer clients and he tells us why you should be too. He also tells us how he takes existing models from other businesses and adapts it to serve his clients and himself. How do you approach your internal conflicts with a mindset that leads to success? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: How following your passions will lead to more fulfillment than just doing what society asks of you Why mindset can be your biggest struggle as a business owner and how you can take control of it Following a simple sales process to land clients who may not otherwise have wanted your services How to get high paying retainer clients and what to offer them How you can shoot over six months of content in just two days   Quotes: “To actually make a career that I have full autonomy with and I can have deeper connections and be more creative I needed to be an entrepreneur by way of filmmaking.” [16:05] “A remarkable story involves conflict and the hardest conflict to overcome is internal.” [18:23] “It’s taking existing models and adapting it to a way that you can serve who you want to serve. That’s where I think innovation and revolution may come in and really benefit people by bringing in new eyes to tried and true principles that have always been around.” [34:14]   Links: Find Dallin Nead online Follow Dallin on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Teachable Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn SwitchPod’s Kickstarter Campaign Clickfunnels Muse Storytelling Story and Heart   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

How do you charge your clients more with confidence? I know many creatives like us have trouble asking for more money because they’re afraid that it will somehow pollute their craft or drive away customers. Don’t fall into this trap! I’m really excited to have a guest today, Blair Enns, who knows all about offering great value to your clients and successfully charging more without feeling bad about it. Blair possesses a truly amazing mind and an amazing gift to be able to help people like you and me. If you’ve heard of him, it’s likely because of his book, The Win Without Pitching Manifesto. Honestly, this book has changed the way I engage with my clients. In addition to his books, Blair runs a training program where he and his team of coaches help other entrepreneurs win more business. This episode is all about what Blair says is the number one thing you need to do to make more money. We chat about two differentiators which will allow you to charge more from your clients, how price anchoring will help build your confidence and increase revenue, and helpful ways to push back against a client. Blair also shares how to get over the limiting belief that charging more will turn you into a greedy person. We go on to talk about the importance of specializing so that you can stand out from the competition and show your clients the value that you will provide them. Is something stopping you from raising your rates? Have you gone ahead and done it and seen results? Tell me all about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Why you should double what you’re charging your clients (but probably won’t) The role that self-esteem plays in your ability to close more high payoff sales Pushing back against a client’s objections in a way that is helpful and builds confidence Understanding that there are no moral problems with making more money How creating extraordinary value for your clients will ultimately lead to other kinds of success How to help people to want to work with you instead of trying to simply convince them that you’re good enough Why every client should have a different value-based pricing plan   Quotes: “You can [charge multiples of what you’ve been charging] but you have to think about what it is that you do and what it is that the client is buying differently. And then you have to frame it differently. And when you do it right you won’t be pulling a fast one on the client, you’ll actually be creating more value for the client and you’ll have them willingly pay you more because you’re now thinking about the engagement differently.” [13:33] “If you’re struggling with confidence, you need to work on options. -- wherever possible, increase your options.” [17:07] “‘No’ isn't the end if you don’t want it to be the end; it’s just the beginning of whatever happens next.” [20:17] “We need to get over this idea that money is somehow sullied and that we should only ever want so much. You are allowed to want whatever you want for whatever reasons you want.” [28:48] “It’s not just a matter of raising your rates, you have to change the way you price. You have to change the way you think about pricing.” [43:00]   Links: Find Blair Enns online Follow Blair on Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook   2Bobs Podcast with David C. Baker and Blair Enns The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns A Target Audience of One by Blair Enns Pricing Creativity: A Guide to Profit Beyond the Billable Hour by Blair Enns Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly by John Kay   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Imagine if you were so afraid to try filmmaking that you never did it. Sure, most of us have been scared at some point in our professional journeys. That’s okay. There are times when a little fear is healthy. Not allowing that fear to hold you back and share what you can create is the important part. Ryan Welch is the owner and Creative Director of AO Films in Oregon, a small team of filmmakers and creative collective. Ryan has a lifelong passion for telling great stories using the power of images. He has directed and shot a number of award-winning films with a blend of narrative and documentary storytelling. In this interview, we talk about fear and how it will dictate what we do and don’t do if we let it. It begins with being part of your client’s team so that you can work together as smoothly and openly as possible. We talk about how it also comes from having intentionality and purpose in your work so that it aligns with your values. Ryan goes on to shed some light on how he finds validation in his work that is not related to external criticism. How do you create great work without letting fear and worry hold you back? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Working with clients who are passionate and great to collaborate with The “magic” formula for finding your perfect clients How being intentional can start with something as simple as your name Not letting the haters keep you from doing the work that you truly care about Using your passion projects to find more work Getting the funding you need to pursue your passion projects   Quotes: “Ultimately, you have to follow your desires and the things that you want as a company, the things that you’re passionate about.” [10:29] “As much as you can, eliminate fear from what you’re doing.” [23:56] “Create and do things that make you come alive and put them out for the world to see. And if people don’t connect with it, then who cares? That’s their issue, not yours.” [25:47] “Finding a way to overcome that fear of other people’s judgment of what you’re doing is something that I think if you can figure out early on, you’re going to be better off.” [27:06] “There is a desire for content. And if you have a great story, there’s somebody out there who will listen to you.” [38:31]   Links: Find Ryan Welch at AO Films Follow AO Films on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Vimeo | YouTube Follow Ryan on Instagram | Twitter Go Ahead! Adventure The High Performance Planner by Brendon Burchard   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

How do you find work if you live in a place that might not have many opportunities? It’s going to take some creativity, determination, and flexibility for sure, but the work is out there. Today’s guest, Barry Andersson, has made a career out of taking what he calls “intelligent risks” to find amazing work in unexpected ways. Barry is an award-winning director and cinematographer. He has made a career in television and video production which includes five feature films, many short films, three TV pilots, and numerous commercials. He uses his real-world experience to work for clients like Disney, Skype, and ESPN to instruct seminars globally about best practices for filmmakers. He’s consulted with groups like the US Marines, the NFL, NBA, and some prestigious universities. As if that weren’t enough, he’s also the author of the DSLR Filmmaker’s Handbook. Today, we’re talking about unconventional ways to find work in this business. Barry has found work that he truly enjoys doing and we talk about discovering jobs that we find fulfilling. As a master of making great videos under less than ideal circumstances, Barry pulls the curtain back to reveal some of the ways he ends up with amazing finished products. Barry took a unique path into filmmaking, eschewing formal film school in favor of going his own intrepid route. We talk about what this journey was like, its unique struggles and advantages and disadvantages. Barry is a pro at finding work in unexpected places and he shares how he does that too. Have you found any outside the box solutions to getting work far from the big studios? Let me know how you did it in the comments on the episode page! In this episode: Identifying work that you truly enjoy doing Common frustrations that aspiring filmmakers face and how you can overcome them The work-ethic and sheer force of determination necessary to make it big in this line of work Finding jobs in unexpected places by leveraging your resources and connections Why you should work on jobs that make you nervous and uncomfortable Three unconventional ways to excel in the video business Quotes: “Any time I get to work with someone and get to create an authentic moment that isn’t authentic, that’s something that I feel like I was put on this earth to do.” [9:21] “How many people have one defined path that worked? This is the only business where literally there are no rules… As long as you don’t think it’s crazy, then it’s a viable option to try.”  [20:31] “If you're not working on jobs routinely that make you uncomfortable and nervous, you are not doing it right because those are the jobs that push you to be the best.” [29:08] Links: Find Barry Andersson online Follow Barry Andersson on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Vimeo The High Performance Planner The DSLR Filmmaker's Handbook by Barry Anderson and  Janie L. Geyen Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What if something tragic occurred and you needed time away from your business? Yeah, I went there. But let’s imagine that you needed to take an undefined break from your work to handle an unexpected turn of events. Is your business set up in a way to handle that? Because of the way Mason Gray structured his business he was able to handle just such an unexpected turn. Mason Gray is the co-owner of Gray’s Studio in Texas. This studio has been around for more than a century so it’s had to adapt a lot to stay in business. Mason has helped bring his studio from being based purely in photography into the world of video and marketing. This episode is all about how the digital landscape has changed and how as filmmakers we have a built-in advantage to work smarter rather than harder. Mason talks about how transitioning to digital ads has significantly upped his profits while reducing his active workload. We also discuss finding clients who sell everyday needs-based products and services. We go on to talk about how Mason was able to keep his business going all while taking time off to be with his family after the premature birth of his daughter. Even though these circumstances were unexpected, Mason’s business never suffered because he had the systems in place to allow it to run smoothly without him. What would happen to your business if you suddenly needed to take off a few days, weeks, or even months? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: The support that comes from being part of a family business The biggest lessons Mason learned from the Selling Like a Sherpa Course Realizing that you’re a business person first and a photographer/videographer second Finding potential customers selling common everyday products Having a business structured so that you can take unexpected time-off and still earn an income   Quotes: “Really work on the business side of things. It’s not about executing your craft. It’s not about how do I get better lighting, how do I get better equipment. It’s about relationships and making connections and just hustling for that business.” [8:42] “Everything that you can think of that you use every day - that’s a customer. All it takes is, are you going to learn it and are you going to take action?” [23:42] “My passion is my family first. And that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing. It’s because I love my family and this is going to allow me to have time with my family. And then the video comes also.” [29:52] “I want to become a solution for my clients versus just adding something pretty to their portfolio or website. Results have to be easily seen to be a solution.”  [32:47]   Links: Find Mason Gray at Gray’s Studio Follow Gray’s Studio on Instagram | Facebook Check out Mason’s class on digital ads Visual Masterpiece Selling Like a Sherpa Course   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

How do you handle a call from an interested client if you know that they’re also looking at other companies? What price do you quote them? How you handle this call might determine the entire future of your business. No pressure, right? Today, I’ve got an amazing guest who will put your fears and worry to ease. If you haven't heard of Chris Do, he started doing motion design back in the 90s before it was even a real thing. Chris is the CEO and chief strategist of Blind and the founder of The Futur. He has immeasurable amounts of experience in the world of video and works with some really amazing clients. Chris’ work has even won him an Emmy in Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. This not to be missed interview is about challenging the way that you approach new work. We talk about how you can create competitive estimates and how you should communicate the value of the work that you do. Essentially, this chat is about how to close that deal over the phone, and it’s probably not by doing what you think. Chris illuminates so many important aspects of closing the deal. From proper mindsets and faith in yourself to recognizing and communicating exactly what your value is. We go over why you should steer clear of hour-based billing in favor of value-based pricing and even why it's a good idea to send your prospective client to the competition first. What struggles have you had when closing with a prospective client? Have you tried any of Chris’ methods? Leave a comment and tell me all about it on the episode page!   In this episode: The three most common struggles that creatives face and how to overcome them Why it’s crazy to use hourly billing rather than basing your price on the value of your work How you can sell your client on a fixed rate when they would prefer an hourly based package The three questions that you should always be asking when closing with a potential client The most valuable mistake that Chris has ever made in his career and what you can learn from it Unrealized opportunities that creatives like you have that you may not be taking advantage of   Quotes: “For some people doing the work is super easy. So they think, that was relatively easy, so I should charge relatively little; if it was really hard I would charge more. I think a lot of creatives suffer from creative guilt.” [13:06] “If you’re in that phase right now where you’re charging based on hours, you're going to realize something really quick - it puts an artificial limit in terms of how much money you can earn. There’s only so many hours in the year that you can sell.” [24:05] “If you can get the project done and delivered and perfect in two days versus two weeks, that should be more valuable to the client. So the incentive to work faster, more efficiently is not there if you’re doing it by the hour.” [29:53] “Believe it or not, the more you try to convince the client not to hire you, the faster they want to hire you.” [33:05] “Maybe the most valuable mistake that I seem to still struggle at and make consistently is that I partner up with people. I’ve learned over time that I’m not a good partner. I don’t take direction well. I want to do things my way, and when I start to compromise I start to lose that fire, that spark that gets me up in the morning.” [38:40] “One day you’re going to realize that you have a lot more gifts to offer the world than to exchange your time for money.” [40:25]   Links: Follow Chris on Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Behance | Linkedin The Futur Follow The Futur on YouTube | Facebook | Twitter Listen to The Futur podcast Blind Hourly Billing is Nuts by Jonathan Stark The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Too often the safety and security of a “real job” keeps us from following our own professional dreams. But for those of us who realize that we have a deeply ingrained desire to do something else, to follow our own creative journey, the time comes where we have to take that scary leap and give it a go. Today’s guest just did something amazing and terrifying, he quit his job of four years and went full-time freelance. Josh LeClair, a Studio Sherpas Community member, now has his own freelance business based in northern Michigan and has been working with some really great brands. In today’s interview, Josh shares his journey of deciding on a career as a photographer and then pursuing it on his own terms. The decision was full of uncertainty but not regrets. We consider just what goes into a move like this and how to know when you’re ready. We also talk about how you can best help clients. It can only come from forming a relationship with them in which they trust you to do the best work for them. We discuss how to identify a client’s area of need and how you can communicate that to them in a confident and helpful way. Are you ready to go freelance or have recently made the switch? What were your struggles and how did you overcome them? Tell me about it in the comments below!   In this episode: The internal and external struggles to overcome when deciding to pursue a creative freelance career Knowing when you’re ready to take the leap and go freelance The less than glamorous but crucially important parts of starting a business and how to prioritize them How to find and keep clients when you first go freelance by directly reaching out to them to form a connection   Quotes: “The pure joy that comes with learning and growing and building this business has been absolutely amazing, even over the last four years. So that’s what led me to step out on my own.” [12:39] “The way that I’m getting a lot more work is just educating; sitting down with clients and talking about them and what they think their needs are and going over what we can provide for them. And that’s really what’s gotten me a lot of work.” [22:25] “If there’s anybody out there who’s actually thinking about doing this or it’s been on their mind for a while, I want you to realize that there's a ton of people who don’t do this immediately. They've gone through being an assistant, multiple jobs. It doesn’t matter what it is. Every one of those experiences you can take away something and you can learn so much.” [32:44] “I can’t tell you how exhilarating it is for me to finally send that email that I’m resigning, I’m done, my business is on its way, and I’m going to do this thing and I’m going to see wherever it takes me.” [34:38]   Links: Sign up for the Studio Sherpas Video Business Academy Find Josh Online Follow Josh on Facebook | Vimeo   Books by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Episode 106 with Parker Walbeck   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Working with national brands doesn’t have to be some crazy, out of reach goal. In fact, being the director of a creative video company who does this work doesn’t have to a pipe dream! All it takes is a little ingenuity, bravado, and a sense of adventure. Today’s guest took a chance while working as an editor for a talent agency. JP Bolles admired the work of his Adam, the owner of Sandwich Video, and when he saw he was looking to bring someone on board, reached out. Together, JP and Adam have built a company of 20 employees and work with brands across the country. In this interview, we talk about what it takes to be a creative director of a large, and growing, creative company. We look at the creative process and how you should start to share your projects with your clients, even when it might be taking longer than you thought it would -- and what was agreed. And perhaps most amazingly, we’re looking at Sandwich Video’s collaboration with Wistia. This documentary, One, Ten, One Hundred, is a behind the scenes look at creating ads with different budgets. An important takeaway from this documentary is not letting your equipment or budget hold you back from creating something incredible. How do you talk to your clients when things aren’t going as planned? When’s the last time you reached out to collaborate with someone you think is out of your league? Let’s talk about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Why you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire for collaboration opportunities How to navigate talking to clients when a project is taking longer than expected What the best way to share projects with clients is and why it works How a client’s budget impacts an ad outcome and how you can work within a client’s budget Why your equipment shouldn’t hold you back from filming your passions   Quotes: “Are we proud of this project and can we take on this client and actually help move them into a better position?” [7:16] “It’s so easy to have all the anxieties and outside pressure come into the way of things. I mean, it happens to absolutely everybody, even if you have a big ego. You second guess things you’re not sure of and all that does is create a worse environment for you to work in.” [41:07] “Knowing that if it’s a flop, if it fails in whoever's eyes - it’s okay. And to be okay with that, to learn from the mistakes that we might have made along the way and to grow and become better. Those things are gonna happen. So follow your intuition. Do that thing. Don’t not do it!” [42:16] Links: Find JP & Sandwich Video online Follow JP on Instagram | Twitter Follow Sandwich Video on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter  | Youtube One, Ten, One Hundred Studio Sherpas Tribe   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Selling Like A Sherpa Course Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

When starting out as a filmmaker, it’s not uncommon to have doubts about how to break into the industry. Filmmaking may not have the stability and security of a “traditional” job, but for those of us with a passion for it, the risk of not acting is greater than the risk of taking the leap. Perhaps nobody knows this more than Joyce Tsang. Joyce had an unconventional start when she decided to become a filmmaker. Before picking up a camera, Joyce worked as a research and development engineer. Now she’s an Emmy award-winning filmmaker who’s killing it making films for some big brands like Facebook and Nike, as well as docs, and narrative films. Today Joyce and I break down what it’s like to switch careers and make your start as a filmmaker. The decision to go this less than conventional route comes with its own set of challenges and payoffs which we discuss. We also talk about learning and growing your business through collaboration and building strong professional relationships. Did you get into filmmaking after working in a completely different field? Tell me how it went in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Making the decision to quit your stable job to begin a freelancing career How shooting weddings is a great way to learn about the filmmaking industry in general The joys of learning and collaborating with all sorts of people Why waiting until you’re “ready” before you start taking chances will not work The importance of being in a community and sharing your hopes and dreams for your business with others Building and nurturing relationships with your clients and crew as one of the most important parts of this business The freedom that working on your own projects gives you   Quotes: “It was less about the fear that this could fail and we could lose all our savings, but it was more the fear of having that regret later on [for not changing careers]. [10:50] “In every shoot that I go on, I learn something. First of all, there’s no shoot goes according to plan, so there’s that. You always learn something from whatever goes wrong…. But there’s always something that I take away from meeting and collaborating with new people, and I find that to be one of the most rewarding things about what we do.” [22:10] “If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll be on the sidelines for the rest of your life.” [24:00] “Hire people who are smarter than you... Hire somebody who can shoot better than you. Hire somebody who’s really good at producing and pay them for what their experience brings. Maybe you don’t make anything off that part of it, but the learning experience and the relationship that you can build from working with really qualified and well-connected people in the industry is massive.” [30:05]   Links: Find Joyce Tsang online Follow Joyce on Instagram | Facebook LensProToGo! Episode 99: How To Make Sales Fit Your Personality w/ Jim Hoogewind   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Selling Like A Sherpa Course Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re just sitting there twiddling your thumbs as you wait for your next big job, you’re missing the point. It’s up to you to move your business forward. I know it can seem scary, especially when you’re just starting out. The important thing, as my guest is about to tell you, is to have confidence in your abilities and to just start creating content in any way you can. Parker Walbeck, from Full Time Filmmaker, knows what it is to be successful in this business. Before starting his own film school and production company, he spent several years making amazing films with DevinSuperTramp (seriously, check these out) and working with some big brands all over the world. He has trained thousands of students on what they need to become successful in this line of work. Parker is a true wealth of knowledge who makes it his mission to share what he knows with other eager filmmakers and entrepreneurs. Today’s conversation is about creating the right formula that will lead to a successful video business. We talk about our own experiences about discovering the right kind of work you need to be busying yourself with to land the types of jobs you want to be doing. Parker lays down what it means to find your highest value activity, work free-to-fee, and becoming a master at your craft. We also discuss what it’s like to work efficiently by managing your time without distractions and the importance of mentorship. How do you identify and focus on your highest value activity? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Why you have to create content (and lots of it) if you want to get noticed Working free-to-fee and how it can lead you to the types of paying jobs that you want to have Why you need to have confidence in yourself to achieve your business and creative goals Tools and tips for operating at top efficiency so that you can maximize your potential Identifying your highest value activity and how it can make or break your business How having a mentor is invaluable when it comes to learning the tricks of the trade   Quotes: “To me, the biggest things that drive me are anything that pushes me to progress and to learn new things.”  [10:22] “You have to start somewhere and the only way to grow is to act. And as you act, you gain more confidence and that confidence allows you to grow more.” [13:44] “One of the biggest principles I live by is called free-to-fee. If you don’t have work, then go do some free work and people will see what you’re doing, see that free work. It will attract people to give you a fee.” [20:01] “Never compare yourself to other people. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday. As long as you’re always personally progressing, you’re going to be successful.” [27:13] “The principle I teach is the 80-20 rule. Usually, it takes 20 percent of your time to do 80 percent of the job, and then it takes 80 percent of your time to do that last 20 percent. In other words, don’t be a perfectionist. Get your job 80 percent done, 80 percent good, and move on. Trying to get the project to be that extra 10 or 20 percent, to get it perfectly the way you want it, is going to take up most of your time.” [35:08] Links: Sign up for Parker’s free training Find Parker online at Full Time Filmmaker Follow Parker on Youtube | Facebook | Instagram   DevinSuperTramp Peter Voogd YEL2.0 Podcast   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Selling Like A Sherpa Course Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone! 2018 has been incredible here at Studio Sherpas. We had our 100th podcast episode not to mention the incredibly amazing and talented guests we’ve had. I know I learned a whole bunch and I hope you did too! With the year coming to a close, it’s time for some reflection. I’m going to share three of my biggest takeaways from 2018. They all revolve around the ideas laid out by Patrick Lencioni which are to be hungry, be humble, and be smart and I’m going to go over each of them with you here today. You’ll also hear some clips from five amazing guests that we’ve had on here over the past year. So get excited all over again as you listen to some incredible people in this industry drop some wisdom all over again! What are your biggest lessons learned during 2018? Drop a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Why you should always be hungry for more knowledge and the dangers of being satisfied with what you know All the books that Ryan read in 2018 that you should read too Why it’s okay and in fact a good thing, not to know it all The importance of using the knowledge that you have to take meaningful action Clips from some of Ryan’s favorite interviews of 2018   Quotes: “If we are held back in any way, by not being who we were made to be in telling the stories we have to tell, the stories that we need to share, my hope is that we can do whatever we need to do to share those and to be that person that we were made to be.” [2:29] “I don’t believe that we fake it until we make it. But I do believe that we believe it until we become it. And so it’s this idea that you are an artist. You already are this thing that you want to be. You are a professional. Now you just need to start acting like it.” [23:59] “The only way the good ideas came is when you just had a litany of bad ones. And the confidence only comes after realizing that one or ten or literally thousands of failures won’t define you.” [27:37] “The job of a good salesperson is to determine as quickly as possible if you can help this person. The best way to do that is to be very clear about the value that you can bring to them.” [31:29] “We’re all human. We all make mistakes. We’re all in a process of learning no matter how much mastery we have at any given thing, we’re always pushing ourselves creatively.” [35:50] “Don’t worry about this moment so much. Know that it’s just getting you ready for the bigger challenges that you would not be ready for on the bigger stages. Without this moment you couldn’t do it.” [46:02]   Links: Join Studio Sherpas mastermind The Budget Maximizer   Ryan’s Book List Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Jump Start Your Brain by Doug Hall The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni Everybody Always by Bob Goff The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller Small Giants by Bo Burlingham Harry Potter read aloud by Jim Dale   Episodes Referenced Episode 76 Real Artists Don’t Starve with Jeff Goins Episode 101 Embrace The Mess To Find Your Greatest Success with Jasmine Star Episode 99 How To Make Sales Fit Your Personality with Jim Hoogewind Episode 93 Think Viral Video Campaigns Are All Luck? Think Again with Daniel Harmon Episode 56 How To Ensure Your Creative Business Is Constantly Evolving w/ Brett Culp   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Selling Like A Sherpa Course Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Video marketing is taking off. More and more companies want your talents to help them stand apart. But how do you stand out from all the other video marketers out there? As my guest on this episode, Anesha Collins, will tell you, the key is educating yourself. In addition to being a fantastic wedding photographer and videographer, Anesha Collins helps businesses grow through video marketing. She knows how to do this because she’s doing it herself. In addition to building her own successful brand as a video-marketing strategist, Anesha has spoken at many important conferences on the topic and has dedicated herself to educating people like you and me on doing it too. Today, Anesha shows us how many of us are missing out by not thinking outside of the box. The number of companies that want video marketing is growing. We talk about why it might be something you should consider doing and how to stand apart from the crowd when pitching your video marketing services to clients. We also talk about what it means to stay on brand and why it’s crucially important for you to do this for your business. We go on to discuss the importance of being ashamed of your studio’s size, even if it’s just a tiny operation. Finally, we talk about being profitable and why the “just getting by” mentality will sink your efforts to grow your business. Do you offer video-marketing services? How do you pitch your services to potential clients? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Getting advice from experts who are actually doing the work you’re doing too Knowing if a job is going to be profitable enough to be worth your time Why you shouldn’t be ashamed to be a small studio Reasons why video marketing is the way of the future and you should get on board now Tools and resources that can help you organize your content planning Why you need to never stop learning if your business is going to last   Quotes: “Business owners that know their numbers, whether your six-figure or not, are better business owners because they realize their value.” [14:11] “I truly believe that you get more, you retain more, you learn more when you’re actually involved as much as you can be.” [20:57] “You can get to a creative place where you know your lane, you know your style, but educating yourself businesswise is the best thing that you can do for your business. It’s the separating point between those that have longevity and those that get stuck” [37:10] Links: What Level Of Video Marketing Are You On? Quiz Learn with AC Livestream Gear Checklist Instagram Stories 60-Day Challenge   Find Anesha at Learn With AC and follow on Instagram Find her at Unashamed Imaging and follow on Instagram Instagram Freestyle Rap   Desert Flight Movie Budget Maximizer Tool   HoneyBook ActiveCampaign   Goal Digger podcast Focus(ed) podcast StoryBrand by Donald Miller WhoIsMatt   MidWest Digital Marketing Conference   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Selling Like A Sherpa Course Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What are people buying when they’re looking for video? I bet it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s not your videos, believe it or not. There’s so much more to it than that. They’re buying an idea and an experience. Even though you make beautiful videos, none of that matters if you can’t sell the experience you offer. Bryan Caporicci is the lead content creator at Sprouting Photographer and the host of his own podcast. He teaches workshops across North America including at some big conventions and conferences like WPPI, Shutterfest, and Canada Photo Convention. He’s built an incredible business helping photographers in a similar way that we at Studio Sherpas work to help filmmakers. Bryan is a business person first and a creative second, but that’s hard to tell if you only see his work. In this episode, Bryan shakes up the narrative by explaining that your clients are not looking to buy video. They probably think they are, but they’re not. What they want is an unbelievable customer experience that they’ll remember whenever they watch, or even just think about the videos you made for them. We go on to talk about surviving the natural feast or famine cycles of this business. Bryan suggests you lean into the slow season and use it as a break to assess your business and prepare for the next year. Otherwise, you should be proactive to lay the foundation for getting low season work well ahead of time. Either way, you can use this period to your advantage. What do you do to ensure your clients have an unforgettable experience? Drop me a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Identifying your role as an entrepreneur in a creative business What you should actually be selling your clients instead of video One of the most common mistakes that creative entrepreneurs make and how to avoid making it too How to strategically design and implement an effective and compelling brand Useful ideas you can use to survive the ups and downs of high and low seasons Taking the reins of the selling process instead of letting the client be in total control The importance of being intentional with everything you do with your business   Quotes: “Business is business. Whether you’re doing filmmaking for a living, whether you’re making pictures for a living, or you’re building software for a living, whatever it is, the basics of business are still the basics of business.” [10:47] “You’re selling the end product and you’re selling who you help your clients become and what you help them do more than you are the actual thing you’re making for them.” [12:19] “You have to realize that marketing has a half-life. It always has a delay. What you market and message and do now, you might not see the effects of that for another two, three, four months.” [32:18] “We as the entrepreneur, as the business owner, as the creative, need to be the ones who are guiding the experience for our clients. If we’re order takers, if we’re bending over backward for them, if we’re reacting to them, there’s no room left for us to say ‘okay, here’s what I’d suggest we do next.” [40:55]   Links: Find Bryan at Sprouting Photographer Follow Bryan on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Vimeo Business of Photography Podcast Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller   Let me know what you want on this podcast by filling out this survey!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Selling Like A Sherpa Course Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Wearing the badge of "The Boss" is not something that came easily to me. Even though I had been employing others for a long time, it took me years before I was comfortable with that title. I know I’m not alone in this. If you’ve ever struggled with owning the title of “boss,” then tune in to this week’s episode for some solid advice from the hosts of the wildly successful podcast “Being Boss.” Being Boss is the creation of “business besties” Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson, who started their podcast to help bosses like you and me navigate the murky waters of running a business. Their dedicated audience has downloaded their podcast’s 200-plus episodes over 6 million times. I’m so excited to have Kathleen and Emily on my show as they’ve been instrumental in helping countless creative entrepreneurs break the mold and find success on their terms. As the boss, identifying what works and what doesn’t is going to help you make it or break it. We talk about what it takes to wear the title of “boss” and the habits, mindsets, and routines needed to make it fit. We chat about what makes us different as business owners and how to use the entrepreneurial gifts at our disposal. Did you struggle to identify as a boss in your own company? Tell me about it in the comments!   In this episode: How and why Kathleen and Emily started their own podcast to help fellow creative entrepreneurs What sets entrepreneurs apart and how to make use of those talents and gifts that you have How to meet and deal with the challenges that inevitably come with being in a partnership Methods to position yourself as an expert so that you can stand apart from the crowd, even if you don’t yet have the expertise Understanding that it is a good thing to have a niche and how to develop and define it The importance of building strong relationships with people that you can share your entrepreneurial experiences with   Quotes: “I don’t know what the line is, it’s kind of a fuzzy line, but there is a line between those of us who are here doing this and everyone else who is out working a day job at a corporation.” [13:40] “I would rather see two or three really great pieces that you can own that give me a sense of your style and voice than ten different projects that dilute your portfolio.” [31:15] “The more you can communicate to your client what is going into the shoot, what your vision is, the more you can get on the same page … the more efficient everything is going to go, the better sign-off you’re going to get.” [48:17] “If you’re not being paid to create the thing that you want, go ahead and create it anyway. Get your friends together and make the thing.” [49:44]   Links: Take the Being Boss Values Quiz! Find Kathleen and Emily online at Being Boss   Being Boss Chalkboard Method Being Boss CEO Day Kit Being Boss the book   Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Atomic Habits by James Clear   Let me know what you want on this podcast by filling out this survey!   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As business owners and creatives we often struggle to find our identity. It’s a messy process, full of ups and downs, successes and setbacks. Trust me though, the mess is a good thing. Embrace it! As you’ll hear today, perfection will just get in your way. Today’s guest is someone you may have heard of. That’s because Jasmine Star has nearly 1 million social media followers. She’s crushing it helping businesses grow, especially on social media. Her passion and goal is in helping people like you and me build and monetize a fulfilling business that they can be proud of. In this interview, we discuss what it means to truly show up in your business every day. Jasmine’s perspective on being present for your work is both illuminating and inspiring. We talk about the creativity that goes to those with discipline to create and stick to a repeatable process to manage workflow. As is the case with most successful, Jasmine's journey has been its own roller-coaster ride. In this episode, she shares how the messy parts have led to unparalleled success in ways that were hard to predict at the time. How do you show up and be present every day? What obstacles are getting in the way? Leave a comment on the episode page and tell me about it!   In this episode: Building the confidence you need to become the professional you are meant to be Why you need to start messy and embrace the mess in order to find success in your creativity Being ready to jump on to the next big platform for engaging your audience How making and keeping to a schedule can foster creativity, not hinder it The future of Instagram TV and why you shouldn’t ignore it   Quotes: “The only way the good ideas came is when you just had a litany of bad ones. And the confidence only comes after realizing that one or ten or literally thousands of failures won’t define you.” [13:54] “I think as creatives, we are scared of feeling all the things, but that’s also when we produce our best work.” [15:50] “If you want to not just survive but thrive, you must be showing people things they didn’t know they wanted or needed.” [25:38] “Now that we have proof of how people want to engage and consume content, our only objective as smart creatives is to create content in a way that people want to see it, period.”  [32:04]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Find Jasmine online Follow Jasmine of Instagram | Facebook | Twitter  | Youtube Social Curator Forbes: How to Build Your Business with Instagram TV like Jasmine Star Watch the Vertical Video Syndrome PSA   Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!)   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

ONE HUNDRED EPISODES. Where to even begin? I’ve been thinking a lot about the significance of this milestone over the past few weeks as we’ve been approaching this episode and while I recognize it as a meaningful achievement, it’s also incredibly humbling. And in this episode, I want to share some of my personal lessons, some insight into the exciting future of Studio Sherpas, as well as turn over the mic to our community. The past two years of Studio Sherpas have been filled with countless ups, downs, triumphs, and struggles, both personally, and professionally. But the constant driving force for me has always been you, the listeners and this incredible community built together. Whether you’ve been with us since last week, or from episode 1 over two years ago, there’s no such thing as Studio Sherpas without you. In this episode, we hear from a number of our listeners, past guests, a former co-host, as well as me, Ryan as I share some of my takeaways from our guests and community, as well as a look ahead at what’s next for Studio Sherpas and how you can be a part of it! If you weren’t able to get an audio clip in for the episode but want to share how Studio Sherpas has had an impact, big or small, on your business and/or life, please, please, PLEASE leave me a comment on the episode post! Links: Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Subscribe to the SSP Youtube Channel for some exciting updates coming in 2019! Smart Passive Income Podcast w/ Pat Flynn Built To Sell by John Warrillow Episodes Referenced: Episode 2: Charge More, Shoot Less, and Travel w/ Ray Roman Episode 42: The Most Fun Legal Advice You’ll Ever Get w/ Colleen Bezich Episode 60: How To Get The Clients You Want Through Relationship Building w/ Josh Gooden & Serena Jae Episode 75 How To Boost Your Creativity, Efficiency & Sales With Processes w/ Doug Darling Episode 77 Does Your Business Have Any Real Value? How To Find Out w/ John Warrillow Thanks to the following members of our Sherpas community who sent their congratulatory messages! Matt Davis of Harvest Filmworks & Lifestage Films Cory Malkin of Malkin Made Films Mark Skala of Skalawag Productions Lauren Goldstein of Golden Key Partnership - Guest of Episode 95 Caleb Wojcik of Caleb Wojcik Films - Guest of Episode 61 Mariana Keller of Brooklyn Filmworks Caleb Peavy of Unmutable - Guest of Episode 59 David Aguilar of Archaius Creative - Guest of Episode 31 Mike Schmidt of Agency Mastermind - Guest of Episode 91 Jeremy Enns of Counterweight Creative & Cut The Bullshit Podcasting Doug Darling of Tripwire Media - Guest of Episode 75 Ben Amos of Innovate Media - Guest of Episode 73 Hayley Akins of Motion Hatch - Guest of Episode 57 David Rabalais of Rabalais Creative Alexander Hollis Widmer of Vessul Creative Tina Pham of My Office Owl Jason Magbanua - Guest of Episode Trivinia Barber of Priority VA - Guest of Episode 92 PJ Accetturo of Story Frame Creative - Guest of Episode 70 Jordan Bunch of Ladybird Studios and host of Wedding Film Academy Podcast - Guest of Episode 39 Jon Connor of Jon Connor Films - Guest of Episode 4   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you want your business to grow, you have to do sales. I don’t care if you don't like sales. You gotta do it. The good news is, you don’t have to be as sleazy as you might think. In fact, to do it right. you shouldn’t be at all. What you do need to do though, is have a clear process. My old college friend and roommate Jim Hoogewind is just the guy to help you define that process. Jim is a guru in sales and has given me so many amazing ideas to get me through the struggles I was having in the sales process. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know where my sales process would be today. I’ve relied so much on his wisdom. He’s encouraged me to approach sales in a different way than I would have considered otherwise. In this interview, we talk about what sales really is. It’s not trying to convince someone to buy something they don’t want. It’s about providing value. Once you’ve defined the value you bring to clients, you’re ready to sell them what you got. We go on to discuss how to set up a successful prospecting process and how that is such a useful way to land great clients. There are tons of juicy nuggets of wisdom here for leveling up your sales game I know you will enjoy! What part of the sales process have you been struggling with? Leave a comment and let me know on the episode page!   In this episode: Establishing a sales process that sets you apart from the competition Using your clients as a resource to find out what it is you offer best Having your process and the value you offer well defined and ready to offer prospective clients Prospecting and sales and why it’s so crucial to understand the difference Having your prospecting and sales process well defined so you can hand it over to someone else to free yourself up from having to do it Using your client's own words in your proposal so they know they’ve been heard and that you’re going to address their needs   Quotes: “The question becomes how can you differentiate in a different way, in a way that’s going to set you apart from everyone else who’s talking about and showing off their great videos.” [16:50] “The job of a good salesperson is to determine as quickly as possible if you can help this person. The best way to do that is to be very clear about the value that you can bring to them.” [18:43] “Prospecting is about intersecting needs. You’re trying to intersect the needs of these prospects with the value you bring. The moment you can bring clarity around those need in terms of how you can intersect with them, the more efficient your prospecting will be.” [42:31] “If you don’t control the sales process then you are going to let the prospect do that and that’s never going to turn out the way you want it to.” [56:25]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Find Jim online as the Combustible Company Ascend Method Win Without Pitching   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

All you business owners know that we spend a lot of time doing work that is necessary to run our business, but that falls outside our passions. You got into this to make videos, not handle accounting, payroll, and so on. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s so important to bring people on board who can free up your time and energy so that you can focus on what really drives you and your craft. My guest knows a thing or two about this and how to make it work. Marc Womack is the founder of Sub7 in Columbus, Georgia. For nearly two decades, Mark has been working with some really amazing brands to create some kick-ass programming on country and outdoor living. Eight years ago he started Sub7 and has been crushing it ever since making TV shows, commercials, and brand management projects about the great outdoors. Today we talk about what it was like building a business that fits into a particular niche. Marc tells us why you can’t do it alone and how he built a successful business by relying on the talents of others as well as his own. There are some great nuggets of inspiration and advice in this interview that are definitely worth your consideration. Has building a team helped your business thrive and grow? Tell us about it in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Breaking out on your own with a brand new company Hiring help when your company is just starting out so that you can free up your time The three types of people you need working with you The importance of building and nurturing relationships that are central to the work you do What to consider when hiring freelancers and red flags to watch out for   Quotes: “As a business owner (whose just starting out) you are the accountant, project management, client management, shooter, DP, editor, production assistant. I mean, you’re taking out the trash! At the end of the day, it still rises and falls on what you can do and what work you can bring in.”  [22:53] “You have three different levels of people in your life. To be healthy, you need those three levels. You need somebody pouring into you, whether that be a mentor or a spiritual someone who's gone ahead of you in the faith. Somebody teaching you. You need contemporaries that you can bounce stuff off of… who understands where you are in business… And you also need people that you’re pouring into. [38:16] “If it’s something that’s not in your wheelhouse, don’t take it. Take the things that you know you can knock out of the park and let go of certain things because it’s going to end up hurting you more on the next three jobs that you could have had.”  [59:15]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Sub7’s Website Follow Marc on Facebook | Instagram Bone Collector   Help us make our 100th Episode Spectacular super special by sharing how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business! Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I would guess that when you first launched your business you felt isolated, lost, and on your own. It’s okay, I did too. Deciding how to advertise, what to charge, and how to get on your feet is new and uncertain ground. You might have felt pressured to be the best out there and stand out among all the competition right out of the gate. I bet that was exhausting! Today, Jeff Pickett is going to share some great lessons he learned when he got started to help you navigate your own journey. Jeff is the founder of Media by JP in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he does video production for commercial social media content and weddings. Before recently reinventing his professional life as a video producer, Jeff worked in healthcare marketing and restaurants. Now Jeff makes videos that get right to the emotional heart of his subjects. In this interview, Jeff talks about how he transitioned to video production after working for years in other fields. Jeff wasn’t too afraid to ask other video producers for advice about getting his business up and running. He talks about what it’s like to stand out from the crowd while also learning from it and building a business that is true to his own entrepreneurial values. What did you struggle the most with when starting your business? How did you overcome those challenges? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Transitioning into a new career in video Deciding that you can’t do it all on your own and getting help from the experts Why you shouldn’t be scared to ask your “competitors” for advice Ways you can give back and help other entrepreneurs, even if you don’t have much money Setting financial goals and celebrating the wins The importance of being patient when making sales and following up with something valuable to offer The value of sharing ideas within a community and learning from each other   Quotes: “Confidence is just a pain in the butt. Why do we struggle with that so much? But that’s really the big piece that I needed. I needed to know that I was valued.” [17:06] “I think that there is something really tangible to providing emotional branding versus just ‘buy, buy, buy.’” [29:55] “You gotta take time out to celebrate, but then you gotta get your head back in the game and you just have to keep thinking about how can I get better and better.” [37:17] “When you hit a struggle, brainstorm all the different ways you can get around that and over that. Talk to other people, marinate on it, sleep on it, and then come back to it. The solution, often times will come.”  [54:25]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Jeff’s Website Follow Jeff on Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Vimeo Watch Jeff’s viral video Schoppert’s Piano Gallery Relentless by Tim S. Grover Jumpstart Your Brain by Doug Hall   Help us make our 100th Episode Spectacular super special by sharing how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business! Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!  

Have you been chasing one new idea after another so much that actually building and running your business has gotten away from you? Don’t sweat it! You’re not alone, and the good thing is there’s help. You have to get focused and organized, and I’ve got just the guy here to help tell you how to do it! Smackdowner in chief Preston True helps entrepreneurs get organized so that they can realize their business’ full potential. He has the superhero ability to bring people clarity in designing and running their business around the EOS model. As he puts it, “I simplify, strategize, and challenge in order to create clarity and action from chaos.” We lay the collective smackdown on how to pursue your professional dreams without making excuses and getting distracted. We discuss defining and harnessing your unique ability to create value and move your business in the direction that it needs to go. It takes a lot of self-reflection and commitment, but the value you’ll add as a result will be incredible. What unique ability to you have to offer? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: Having the perseverance to see your vision through (and what Sylvester Stallone can teach us about it) The dangers of always playing it safe Creating a clear path of action to achieving your business goals Using EOS to help get your business in order Harnessing your “unique ability” to create value and avoiding the situations that don’t take advantage of it   Quotes: “If that business isn’t going quite like you would want it to, then let's start with getting organized, let’s start with getting a clear picture of a brilliant future you want to paint and work backward to today to figure out what are the small, incremental, completely doable steps to getting there.” [04:00] “The bottom line is, the more I serve, and if it’s aligned with my talents, passions, and energy, it’s going to grow exponentially and grow in a way that not just benefits me, but it’s going to create huge value in the world.” [11:11] “You get paid to solve problems. If you aren’t crystal clear on how you solve problems best, then creating value is going to be a little bit of a mystery. And if it’s a little bit of mystery to you, it’s going to be a huge mystery to the marketplace.” [32:47]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Preston’s website Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business Strategic Coach Unique Ability 2.0: Discovery   Help us make our 100th Episode Spectacular super special by sharing how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business! Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I get it. Your passion is video, not the nitpicky ins and outs of business. But using that passion to put money in the bank is crucial to keeping your passion going. If only you had a roadmap to success. All you regular listeners know I used to struggle with productivity. Deciding exactly where to take my business was nearly paralyzing. Well, my guest today has her own passion for helping you find the clarity and direction you need so your business can take off. Lauren Goldstein is the founder and CEO of the internationally successful consulting firm Golden Key Partnership. For nearly ten years Lauren has been helping business owners make strategy both offline and online simple so that they can grow. She sees herself as a doctor for your business who will create a treatment plan for what ails your company. Deciding exactly where to focus takes clarity. Lauren shares some amazing strategies to identify what is most important to you and the success of your business so that you can ignore all the useless parts and get moving on what really matters. This is a tricky balance of doing what fulfills you as a filmmaker while not ignoring the income producing activities of your workweek. You have to be honest with your clients about how you can help them and how you can’t. Once you’re clear with your identity and what you can do, you’ll see the results. What does success look like to you? Does it have a process? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: When and how to decide when it’s time to start your own business What you can do to increase your productivity when you can’t decide what to do Taking control of your calendar so that it doesn’t control you Building a healthy work/life balance that is centered on calm energy Identifying the income producing activities in your business Finding clarity on what you do so that you can find the right clients   Quotes: “In business, generally we tend to overcomplicate the crap out of everything and then we don’t move forward because we’re overwhelmed and we get analysis paralysis.” [20:54] “If you can pay your bills, and your business is consistently paying those bills as a side-hustle, it’s probably time to just bite the bullet and say bye to that corporate comfort blanket.” [28:12] “If you want to get serious about your business, you’re going to have to put up a little bit of boundaries around distraction.” [01:01:33]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Get Lauren’s Resources Golden Key Partnership website Follow Lauren on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn SSP 056 with Brett Culp Todd Herman and the 90 Day Year Basecamp! Rework It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work   Help us make our 100th Episode Spectacular super special by sharing how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business! Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Knowing your core values and implementing them into your work is perhaps the most important thing you can do to stay in business for the long haul. Your core values are the roadmap to getting the jobs and clients you’re excited about while staying flexible enough to ride the inevitable changes in the market. Today, Krista Chapman is going to tell us how it’s done! Krista is an event planner turned business and marketing strategist. She’s the founder of Path & Compass where she helps creative business owners think critically about their audiences and appreciate what they create so they can be intentional about their work. In this exciting episode, Krista drops some truth bombs about the importance of valuing your self-worth as a business owner and creative. You have to understand that you are worth more than that nagging voice inside your head would have you believe. You also need to be adaptable. The world is changing and so is the market. Staying true to your core values while adapting to the changes around you is essential in order to keep your business thriving for the long run. What are your core values? How do they play out in your business? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode The number one struggle faced by business owners and why it’s probably not what you think Creating routines and buffers to help you surmount doubts that get in the way of building your business Identifying your core values so you can build the business you’re passionate about Being adaptable so that you don't get left behind as the market changes Why it can be essential to have a business partner Identifying your “super skill” that you can apply to everything you do   Quotes “As creatives and as artists, we play a very important role sort above the layer of survival. We play a role in that layer of thriving which is so much more important and so much more meaningful in creating a life that has purpose and beauty.” [22:04] “When it comes to being successful... it’s not about how passionate you are. It’s not about how skilled you are. It’s about how well you know yourself and how resilient and adaptable you are.” [33:16] “If we’re not being mindful of the work that we’re putting out there or how things are changing in the market, that's when things can fall apart without you even realizing it.”  [38:14] “The best thing you can do in business is to find the gap and fill it with another person that meets you halfway.” [47:44]   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Path & Compass Follow Krista on Instagram “Rocket Fuel” by Gino Wickman   Help us make our 100th Episode Spectacular super special by sharing how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business! Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

What does it take to create a successful or viral video campaign? There are so many parts to the process, from selling clients on an idea, setting a budget, and assembling a creative team, that it might seem out of reach at times. Today, Daniel Harmon shares how he's been able to do it over and over again. Daniel is Chief Creative Officer at Harmon Brothers whose work you might be familiar with from their break-out hit Poo~Pourri campaign. All said, his projects have been seen over one billion times and Harmon Brothers has been consistently turning out smash-hit campaigns and winning awards for years. Daniel’s journey into creative directing has been a combination of hard work, determination, and happenstance. He’s a pro at coming up with creative ideas and putting them into action to create some unforgettable ad campaigns. We discuss Daniel’s journey to creating a successful ad agency, he shares tips on growing a thriving business including dealing with staffing, putting creative ideas into action, and setting client expectations. He also talks about working within different budgets and moving up in the filmmaking world while staying true to his craft. Is creating viral campaigns something that you want to achieve, and if so what do you see standing in your way? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode What it has been like building a company that turns out one great success after another Surrounding yourself with the right people so that you can lead a team of fantastic creators How to quote a budget to a client and the importance of building in a buffer Why seeking constructive feedback is a crucial part of the creative process Creating a work culture that is fun, exciting, and productive How to get out of a creative rut (and why it might require spending more time in the bathroom)   Quotes “You don’t necessarily realize that you’re doing something special except for in hindsight. I think that’s the same for our own creative work as well as even reviewing other people’s work. It’s in looking back you realize that that was really amazing.” [17:56] “When you come to a client and you have a really cool idea, or you’re taking on a project of any kind, always make sure you have more than what you need [in your budget].”  [29:43] “We’re all human. We all make mistakes. We’re all in a process of learning no matter how much mastery we have at any given thing, we’re always pushing ourselves creatively.” [30:44] “You know how much you love a job by how excited you are to go back to work on Monday. If you dread Mondays, you probably haven't found your thing yet or your company.” [37:37] “If I have this gift for a reason, if it’s to bless other people’s lives, how is that going to bless their lives, how is it going to uplift and inspire if no one ever sees it? And no one is ever going to see it if you don’t get the business side of it right.” [46:22]   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community   Harmon Brothers University The Studio Sherpas Budget Maximizer Tool Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull How to Get Ideas by Jack Foster The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies by Ben Fritz Poo~Pourri Help us make our 100th Episode Spectacular super special by sharing how Studio Sherpas has helped you in your business!   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

As creatives, we often think we have to do everything ourselves. But there’s usually too much to do without losing your sanity. I feel ya! I know I’d have so much trouble running Studio Sherpas without my own awesome VA. (Shout out to Tina!) What VAs give us is freedom, peace of mind, and the opportunity to slow down and remember what’s important to us. Trivinia Barber is the founder and CEO of the boutique virtual assistant agency, Priority VA. Her company matches entrepreneurs with highly-skilled assistants who help them make the space to run only the parts of their business that they want to. Today we talk about why hiring a VA is going to free up so much more room in your life and business. There are things that you might not know how to do, don’t want to do, or just don’t have time for that a VA can get off your plate. There are a lot of reasons why you might be hesitant to bring on an assistant. Trivinia shares her advice on how to work well with assistants so you don’t have to worry about having someone else doing the work you normally have done. A lot of this requires setting up repeatable systems. When it comes to managing your team, Trivinia always makes sure to encourage, equip, empower, and engage with them. That way they can get it done so you don’t have to. Have you hired a VA? How has it helped you? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode How to identify your needs when it comes to delegating tasks to a VA Trivinia’s tips for using a VA so you’ll get the outcomes you need How to know when you’re ready to hire a VA What to look for in a potential VA you are thinking of hiring The tasks that you are likely doing yourself that would be much better done by a VA   Quotes “Delegation is like exercise. You have to flex that muscle. You’ll get better at it and it’s going to hurt initially because you’re going to do it wrong and you’re not going to give enough direction and somebody is going to mess up. But once you find it, magic is going to happen.” [21:38] “You’re ready for a virtual assistant when you realize that your time is better spent doing the highest leveraged activities in your business.” [33:03] “Be open to defining what success looks like instead of being like ‘go fly little birdie!’ and then being pissed off by what comes back. You have to set expectations.”[44:59] “What you’re building is bigger than you. But if you don’t take it back to the whole reason why you started this in the first place, you kind of lose sight of it and you only chase that status and significance and it just messes it all up.” [53:32]   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Get your inbox management gift here! Priority VA Loom The Five Love Languages   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever worked hard to create an amazing video for a client and then nobody sees it? Maybe it’s not placed well on the client’s website or the client just doesn’t follow through effectively with their campaign. When this happens to me, I know my job isn’t over, but just how can we help? In today’s episode, I speak with Mike Schmidt, CEO, and founder of the digital marketing agency Anchor Wave based in Tucson. He and his 20 person team build websites, run Facebook ad campaigns, handle SEO, and all sorts of online promotions for many small, local companies. Mike has always enjoyed helping other businesses achieve their goals using technology. In this sense, what he does is not dissimilar to video production. We discuss how to build those important early client relationships that are so crucial when getting your business up and running. Once those trusted connections are established you can go back to the client time and again to offer them your services - a much easier prospect than hustling for new work. The key to keeping these relationships going is not just making great videos for your clients but helping them get results from that video. That way they’ll come back to you again and again. What do you do to get your clients small wins? Let me know in the comments on the episode page yo!   In this episode Why hiring a team of employees will make you more money instead of costing you more Deciding if joining a chamber of commerce is a good idea for you How helping businesses get 5-star reviews is the perfect opener for introducing your services to clients The impact of reviews on a client’s business and how you can help them Why you need to help your videos produce results for your clients so they come back to you again and again The benefits of sharing your knowledge and expertise with others in your field   Quotes “In order for someone to do business with you they’ve got to know you, they’ve got to like you, and they’ve got to trust you, and going to a chamber of commerce is a way to potentially build those three things.”  [36:21] “Most every local business has a problem with reviews that’s easy to spot, easy to point out, and then when you can show up to the party with a solution, at a bare minimum they’ll be willing to listen to you.” [54:24] “That’s really the economy we live in today. There are no trade secrets. There’s nothing that someone can’t do the research to figure out, so I challenge everyone to be on the side of being open, on being giving.” [1:07:24]   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Anchor Wave Mike’s Training Ray Edwards “Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing”   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Getting your business up and running when you have 1,000 ideas and expectations of what to do, but no real roadmap to work with might be the most daunting task imaginable. Deciding what clients to work with, prices to charge and staff to hire is enough to scare many people away. Caleb Maxwell, the co-founder of Hebron Films, has figured out a way to work with clients he is truly excited about, that align with his values, but that also can pay the bills. Caleb’s company produces high-quality films in Bendigo, Australia. Although Hebron Films is only five years old, Caleb already has a process nailed down for working with the best clients for him and producing stellar videos. He started by literally walking into his favorite businesses and asking if they wanted a video. Now his company makes all sorts of videos from TV ads to charity camp videos to art films. Today we talk about what it’s like to be a small business working with other small businesses. We discuss how to create your business from the ground up while focussing on building the best processes you can for growth and sustainability. Caleb is also a Selling like a Sherpa “graduate” and he tells us what it’s like to put its lessons into practice. We also get real about why you need to be true to your own identity, interests, and values to be the best you can instead of comparing yourself to others and trying to be someone you’re not. Do you have systems in place that allow you to focus on being a company that is true to your identity? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: How to find clients that you are truly excited to work with instead of the ones you dread Why being passionate about your work as well as that of your of your client can get you the best type of work out there What it means to make videos that influence your community The messy business of having employees and why you need to be good at “cleaning up” if you’re going to be a leader Having an effective and repeatable process to landing the right clients and delivering a project Advice to filmmakers who are just starting out to help them decide what they are worth   Quotes: “As we developed a little bit and we got past getting dazzled by the big numbers and we were down in the nitty-gritty of day-to-day business, we were like, wait a second. Maybe what we need is not more people. Maybe what we need is to develop who we are, what we do, what our process is so that we can actually have a firm foundation to build upon if we want to build.”  [39:24] “Wherever there are people, there will be mess. So if you aren’t a professional mess cleaner then you have no business in getting a lot of people around you. Because more people just equals more mess.” [41:18] “It’s chalk and cheese from where we started. We went from sort of plodding along and getting a few things here and there to now having a solid and implemented process that we follow with every client.” [1:02:11] “Find what makes you tick, where you want to work, where you want to invest yourself, and then chase after that area.”  [1:10:20]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community If Studio Sherpas has had an impact on your life or business, I would SO love it if you would take a minute to leave us a voicemail for a compilation we're putting together. You can do that here! Hebron Films Follow Caleb on Facebook | Vimeo Selling like a Sherpa course   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

If you’re anything like me you probably started your business because you love making videos. Being creative might come naturally to you, but authentically selling your value to clients may not be your biggest strength. Sometimes we might put on a persona that isn’t true to ourselves, or we show up unprepared. It’s often a deal breaker, but all too common. My longtime friend, Jason McCullough is an expert communicator. He started +1 because he wants people to find clarity in what they do. Through his articles, courses, and coaching he helps people communicate better so that they can maintain the best client relationships that they can. He joins me in the studio today so we can discuss how creative entrepreneurs can communicate more effectively. We share some stories of when we’ve struggled to communicate well with our customers. If you are a person that needs to be able to sell better and more authentically, if you ever have a problem critiquing something or receiving criticism, or have ever been in an argument, you’re going to love this conversation. Did you do your “homework” and identify the problem that you are trying to solve that is central to your goals? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: How to respond to customers when they are unhappy with your work What can go wrong as a result of miscommunication and the best form of damage control Why being your authentic self is perhaps the most important thing to do in order to communicate effectively Why preparedness is the best way to avoid verbal diarrhea The importance of having a structure to the way you communicate with your clients so that they will buy your product over and over again The benefits of picking only the problems that you want to solve   Quotes: “There’s an art and a skill to communicating. A time and a place; the method by which you communicate to somebody or you respond to somebody. There’s no hard and fast rule. And I think that skill in today’s day and age is lost.”[14:32] “When you’re not yourself, people can sense that. When you’re trying to communicate something that isn’t authentic, it just doesn’t work, I don’t care who you are.” [18:13] “Focus on the things that you really really care about, and figure out all the rest of the stuff some other way. Somebody else can do it, or don’t do it at all.”  [34:17]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Become +1 Follow Jason on Twitter Ascend Method The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Scaling up your business without sacrificing quality and customer service is a complex, daunting challenge facing any business owner (yup, I’ve been there). You have the potential to grow, make more money, find new clients, and create a larger impact in the world, but setting up the systems you need to do so is a minefield. It doesn’t have to be though. Kate Erickson knows just how to help you implement these systems. She is passionate and gifted in project management and has lived the entrepreneurial journey herself. Kate knows that this is one of the hardest parts of scaling up a business. As a creator, engager and implementer at EOFire she helps break down this process so that you can build the business that you always wanted have. On today’s exciting episode, we discuss how you can grow your business into something you are passionate about. We discuss what it means to take hold of your dreams and how to grow your business while also discovering how to effectively provide great customer service. I personally know the struggle of growing a business without sacrificing quality service. I sure wish I knew then what Kate talks about today. What are you doing to grow your business these days? What challenges are you facing? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode The challenges of scaling a business and how to overcome them How to break out of your routine in order to find the ideas that you are truly passionate about The importance of setting time aside to reflect on your business and your career Why scheduling really provides you with the freedom to do what you need and want to to do for your business Why it’s crucial that you delegate the tasks that you don’t want to do yourself   Quotes “I like to think of a project manager as being an orchestrator. It’s different when it’s you as the video producer who is responsible for that.” [6:35] “The motivation or drive that I think people need to dig down and find is wanting to serve your clients bad enough. The awesome thing is is that when you can do that, you get to start charging more money. You’re going to be setting yourself apart from the other people out there.” [8:26] “Are you living your perfect day? When you get up in the morning and you go to your studio and you do what you do, is that your perfect day? And if it’s not, then I challenge you to figure out what your perfect day is.”  [14:15] “Challenge yourself. Take a step back. Get outside of your daily routine and think about what it would look like if you did something different one day” [15:25] “For every time you have to do something that you don’t want to do, it’s taking time, bandwidth, energy, emotion away from what you’re truly meant to do.”   [21:53]   Links Entrepreneurs on Fire Kate’s Take podcast 3 Hours to Your Big Idea   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Identifying your ideal customer sure is an overwhelming process. So is crafting a clear message that shows them that you understand and empathize with their problems and needs. My friend Mark Wallenwine understands that problem as well as anyone and I am so thrilled that he joins us today to discuss his step-by-step process of helping you craft the message you need to grow your business.   Mark is a StoryBrand certified guide and copywriter. He helps million dollar companies craft clear messages, clarify marketing assets, and discover the character of their brand and their target audience so that their business can grow. I am so thrilled that Mark was good enough to join me to share his proven methods for achieving this.    In this episode, Mark explains the steps of his workshop so you can see just how he helps brands narrow down their picture of their ideal client and clarify their message. It’s truly exciting and brimming with aha moments.    Have you been struggling to define your brand’s message and your ideal client? What's seems to be the sticking point for you? Leave a comment on the episode page!     In this episode Why identifying your target audience is perhaps the most crucial part of building your brand The reasons why looking to your past clients is much more profitable than searching for new ones Why your clients don’t need to be in the same industry or in even remotely similar types of business Why a having a clear message is so much more important than a cool tagline The importance of creating a sales funnel that ends in landing clients who know that you can solve their problems The reasons why having good copywriting is essential to getting your ideal client and growing your business   Quotes   “Everyone is talking about the next best camera or thinking that that will solve all these problems. But your customers don’t even know about the next best camera or care…. That doesn’t solve their problems at all. Actually, that’s the greatest way to divebomb your profitability.”  [10:07] -17:46   “In a business matrix, new products and new customers are the most dangerous places to be because you have no data on them. So when we’re talking about customers, old customers with products you’ve made, are the safest place, because you know how long the projects take, you know how much was invested in them, you also know why they came to you, what problems they have, how you solved those problems.” [14:25]   “If you can resonate with how someone is feeling about a problem and talk about that in a way using language in a video or copy that is exactly like how they are thinking, then their brain literally goes ‘Oh my goodness! They’re speaking exactly what I’m thinking. They must have a solution for me.’ When you follow that up with a solution to their problem they go, ‘I have to buy this. Please take my money!” [36:32]     Links   Schedule a call with Mark Get Marks free ebook and questionnaire   Follow Mark on Facebook | Youtube | Linkedin   Building a StoryBrand by Don Miller How to Write Copy That Sells by Ray Edwards   SSP 082: The Truth About How To Build An Effective Brand   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

This week we're throwing it back to one of my favorite interviews I've done, featuring Mark Winters. Rocket Fuel, the book he co-authored with Gino Wickman is one of the most impactful books in my entrepreneurial journey and I highly recommend you check it out.  If you’re like me, and most other creative business owners, you’re really good at starting projects, but not always at finishing through on them. You have a ton of amazing ideas but most of them never get acted upon, and it feels like if only you could find the time to actually implement these thoughts your business would be unstoppable. If that sounds familiar, this is completely normal. You’re most likely what Mark Winters calls a visionary. Mark is the co-author of a book called Rocket Fuel, where he and his co-author Gino Wickman detail the two essential roles that need to be filled for any business to truly thrive. As we discuss, most business owners and entrepreneurs are Visionaries, people who excel at coming up with ideas, but often lack the focus to follow through on the details and execution. That’s where the Implementer comes in. As visionaries, these are the people we need to hold us accountable, and who excel at seeing that the grand ideas get put into practice in our businesses. Mark and I talk about how to know when it’s time to seek out an implementor, how to find and make use of one in your business - even if that business only consists of you, and some common hiring mistakes small businesses make, along with a ton of other insight. Does the visionary role resonate with you? Have you ever hired someone who fit perfectly into the Integrator role? What results did that have on your business?  In this episode: The difference between visionaries and implementers and why both are essential in successful businesses and partnerships How to know when you need to start looking for an integrator, and what characteristics you should be looking for How to make the integrator/visionary model work even in a small 1 or 2 person company Why you can’t only hire people that you like and resonate with, and some of the consequences Quotes: “It’s so hard for us to realize that all the stuff that drives us nuts, there’s actually somebody out there, that’s what they love!” [14:19] “It’s the simple math problem that says, ‘If I can pay $25/hr to have somebody do that and I can get an hour, what can I do with that? What could I generate with that hour?’ It’s probably way more than $25, and worst case it’s an hour of freedom.” [17:56]   Links Find Mark online Follow Mark on Twitter @markcwinters Find Rocket Fuel on Amazon and AudibleTraction by Gino Wickman 

Being a filmmaker often means chasing the clients and the work while leaving your passion projects on the backburner. It’s often easier, even “safer” not to do the work that truly speaks to your creative side, even though that work can open more doors and help you grow as a creator and artist. Lee Morton is the founder of Mozell Films, a company that helps brands tell their stories through video, while also doing freelance work as a director. In today’s episode, he not only shares his knowledge on how to build successful business connections, but we also go deep into what it means to create work that you’re truly passionate about. Lee’s entrepreneurial journey is truly inspiring. He built his company from scratch by making gutsy decisions and snagging the best opportunities that came his way. Today, we discuss how to chase your dreams without regret and how to grow as an artist while also building and running a successful business. Do you have a passion project you’ve been putting off? Or, has such a project paid dividends you never expected? Let me know in the comments on the show notes page!   In This Episode: How to make your brand stand out from the crowd by being unique in the way you hustle The importance of having a sales process, making the right connections, and having patience in order to land work with the big brands. What passion projects mean to the industry and why they should be an essential part of your business Taking control of the production process so that the work that your not fired up about makes the work you are excited about possible The importance of keeping your team passionate in the work you’re all doing How having trust in your creative process and that of others will help you overcome so many struggles   Quotes: “I think the one thing that I've been inspired by the most is simply opportunity. You can do anything you want in this world. You can create a project and make something and put it in front of anyone. And that is incredibly inspiring.” [13:22] “I want to be the best at whatever I do because I know I'll be more fulfilled that way and I’ll be able to serve people better than being a mediocre something.” [31:25] “This is an orchestra of people serving a story, so they’re all independent relationships. Serve them and their human spirit because that is what humanity is about. If you do that we’re all going to be one hundred percent into this story and this project” [42:22]   Links: Don't Forget to use the code "studiosherpas10" on last week's guest's Kristine & Calen's upcoming Masterclass Find Lee Online Follow Lee on Instagram Mozell Films Follow Mozell Films on Instagram    Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Striking a balance between your creative side and developing your business is tough. How do you stay true to your artistic talents while also growing a successful business? Videographer power-couple Kristine and Calen Rhome join us today to talk about how they’ve built up a successful videography business without compromising their artistic visions. Kristine and Calen run White in Revery which they started six years ago. While they specialize in wedding videos, they do a lot more as well. Ask them what they do and they might just answer “millennial jobs.” Traveling around the world to shoot in some amazing locations, these super-entrepreneurs have found the sweet spot in running a successful business that showcases their talents but still leaves them the time and energy to focus on their family. Not wanting to keep all their knowledge to themselves, Kristine and Caleb now share what they know with one-on-one workshops and have created a comprehensive masterclass on video editing. In this podcast, we also talk about the importance of establishing an efficient workflow, how to cultivate personal relationships in different sectors of the industry, and how to let your work sell itself. Perhaps most importantly, we discuss why investing in yourself is essential. If you feel that your business is stagnating because you’ve reached the limits of your skill-set or are taking on too much yourself, then get prepared for an illuminating episode. How do you build your business while maintaining your artistic mindset? How have you built beneficial relationships with others? Leave us a comment on the episode page!   In this episode: Why it’s important to hire an employee even if you don’t think you need one yet Why building relationships and nurturing connections with all sorts of people will get you more work How prioritizing family and your personal life will be reflected positively in your business The importance of always learning and improving your game, even though it may seem too expensive and time-consuming   Quotes: “It has always been really difficult to let go and have someone else in place of you that represents your team, who can film your style well. The biggest part is having really good character, so they connect with the couple on a great level.” “It’s really important, for me personally, to be spending money on myself, on the knowledge I have.” “Love what you do … Enjoy the process, do your best, but put out things that you’re proud of.”   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community   Don't Forget to use the code "studiosherpas10" on Kristine & Calen's upcoming Masterclass White in Revery Follow Kristine and Calen on Facebook | Instagram | Youtube Venture Workshop for Wedding Filmmakers  Tony Robbins Studio Sherpas Interview with Colleen Bezich on Legal Advice How I Built This Podcast   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

Sometimes your clients just don’t know what story they have to tell. They might know what their brand is, but not how to get their values and ideas across beyond a simple list of keywords. Of course, it’s your job to find that story and tell it for them. Clover Carroll, founder of New Story Media, has built a company that does just that. He helps his customers define their brand through authentic video storytelling. Not only does he have a lot to say about ways to help and nurture relationships with clients, he also shares how he has grown as a successful entrepreneur. Clover started off shooting videos for luxury farms and ranches (hear why he hates drones), and today he helps his clients tell their stories with strategic video marketing campaigns. He’s not afraid to ask deep questions about their company’s core values in order to get the message across. In this episode, we discuss successful marketing practices to grow as a company and how to create a system that weathers the high and low seasons of business. We also discuss the power of community. Clover reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and the best way we grow and succeed as entrepreneurs is to learn from each other. Have you learned any valuable lessons from a community? How do you dispel a potential client’s fears with the authenticity of your brand? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: How the power of community can help us learn and cope with our struggles. Why it’s critical to generate leads well in advance of when you need them through a nurturing campaign. How to put potential customers’ fears to rest by being our own awesome and authentic self. Ways in which a video production business can transform into engaging marketing strategy company.   Quotes “From an entrepreneur's standpoint, I’m always analyzing success. What you have done, whether you realize it or not...you have created a lead generator of value where you don’t even put in all the content entirely yourself. The group is generating the content for you, and that’s incredible.” [9:33] “There’s the business system that has to happen. Whether you’re selling video or marketing or cheese, you have to have business systems in place. That is why it is imperative that you read all the time. You've got to be learning. You got to have new processes. You got to have new ideas.” [28:36] “People say ‘I need a video to explain my business.’ But what they really need is strategy.” [35:25]   Links: Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community New Story Media Follow New Story Media on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   StoryBrand Minimalist Marketing Dotcom Secrets The E-Myth by Michael Gerber Teamwork ActiveCampaign Story & Heart DigiMarCon South   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

One of the biggest mistakes filmmakers tend to make nowadays is forgetting the importance of storytelling. Storytelling has a rich human history and it is something that today’s returning guest, Patrick Moreau, is passionate about helping other filmmakers discover. In this episode, Patrick walks us through why we need to understand the science of storytelling and how that knowledge will help us land bigger and better jobs. Patrick is the founder of Stillmotion and Muse Storytelling, and has recently launched a free course for filmmaking walking through the effects story has on the human mind. The ‘Expert of Storytelling’, Patrick has a highly esteemed portfolio including work for Canon, the United Nations and the NFL and is a master of delivering results-based content to his clients. Patrick takes storytelling to the next level, explaining the concept of narrative transportation and backs it up with hard scientific facts behind the reason storytelling works (when its done right, of course). By strategically planning how to achieve an objective and become a storytelling expert, you can increase the amount you make per job, open up new revenue streams through consulting, and instill more confidence in your clients. He also digs into why we need to challenge ourselves to become more than ‘pixel pushers’ and to truly connect with our client's message and in turn, connect deeply with the human emotion in your consumer. Patrick believes it's more important to go beyond the filters and the drones of today's filmmaking scene to actually emotionally connect with a specific story. How do you connect with your client's stories and help them make ‘more than just a video’? Let us know in the comments!   In This Episode Going beyond being a filmmaker to become a storyteller The science behind how and why storytelling works How to properly communicate your goals with your clients Adding value to the way you tell stories Positioning yourself as an expert in the industry   Quotes “That's where you want to be with your clients, a trusted expert who can execute and deliver results, and you’re just giving them clarity on how you're going to do it.” (6:32) “We are making videos for humans to watch so we kind of have a responsibility to understand how humans work. What actually creates connection? Why would somebody actually watch this? Why wouldn't they watch this? And that's really the premise of all of it. If you are making videos for humans understand what gets their attention, what drives them to action, what would get them to actually watch your content? And once you understand that you unlock a whole new world of how you can create and how you can interact with your clients.” (13:24) “They want a video, they aren't sure how they want to get there, they don't even necessarily communicate why they want to do it, but by us positioning ourselves as the expert and walking them through a different way, all of a sudden they're like ‘yeah I get why we would pay you way more, because the guy down the street is just making a video” (32:32) “[The training videos] go through in detail how to actually apply these ideas to your business right now so that it's like tangible value that you can walk away with.” (43:53) “All of a sudden, you're the expert. And you get the rooms and the budgets and the time, and you just fall in love with it. You just get excited to get back out and get on the field and create things that you believe in. Things that you want to see made. And that's powerful. (47:02)   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Level Up Your Filmmaking Muse Storytelling Stillmotion Follow Stillmotion on Twitter | Instagram   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

When I first started out with my business, I thought that branding meant little more than having a cool label and a good looking website. Yeah... I was wrong about that. Through the years, my branding has both hurt and helped my business, as I’m sure it has for many of you. Today we’re diving into the art and strategy of branding, and how you can put it to work for your business. In this episode, I want to share some of the highs and lows (and embarrassing relics of past iterations of my businesses…) of my branding journey, tips and tricks of how to avoid getting lost in your branding, and how to figure out what makes your company different. Proper branding can give your company a stronger sense of direction, help you access your target audience and secure larger and more profitable projects. It’s important to keep refreshing your brand over time to make sure it is still speaking your language to your potential clients, and figuring out what your company’s overall feel and vibe is your first step. Where are you at your company? Have you branded yourself? Leave a comment on this post with your thoughts on my second solo episode!   In This Episode Learning from your mistakes to make your branding better The stories behind the branding of my companies and some of the mistakes I made What a brand looks like today vs 15 years ago How to clean up a confused brand and why it matters Understanding the branding learning curve   Quotes “My hope is that we can all just understand that if we are learning, we are in a good spot, if we are open to change, we are in a good spot. And back then I was learning and I was open to change, and I just wish I would have changed sooner, I wish I would have understood what a brand was sooner.” (9:53) “When we did the branding process I finally felt like, ‘oh my gosh!’ My confidence went up. And I wasn’t ashamed anymore.” (15:42) “With a solid brand, when you go to sleep at night, your brand works for you. When people are emailing you, your brand should work for you. When people are talking to you on the phone, meeting you in person, you should know how to say what it is you do and who you are doing it for. And that is who you are and that is actually what your brand is. Your brand is who you are.” (17:30) “It was more about the conversation about where the brands need to go as opposed to what they needed to look like.“ (28:41) “That's really where branding comes in. Branding is that piece where if you have solid messaging surrounding you and you are inundating yourself and just embracing the brand then you can go anywhere, whether it's online or going to a networking meeting. You can be the brand for other people.” (38:44)   Links  Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Deep Canvas DJ Hurula & One Brand Studio Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller Story Brand Level Up Your Filmmaking   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   My First Business' "Branding" *Cringe*:  

You know that feeling of hitting a brick wall with your business. Like you’ve tried everything to do more for your clients and stand out from the pack but nothing seems to stick? Maybe you’re overwhelmed and know you need to bring on more help but don’t know where to start? Danny Gonzales joins us today to share how he’s been able to set his business apart in the crowded world of video production. Danny Gonzales created Optimum Productions over 11 years ago and is a valuable member of the Studio Sherpas community. His company is focused on B2B marketing, boasting a client list including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, HP, and more. Combining video production, strategy, and digital marketing, Optimum Productions mission is to create impactful content that makes their clients lives easier. Danny, the self-proclaimed ‘owner, operator and janitor’ of his small video business, is here to discuss what it takes to keep hold of your dreams and how to improve your craft while also figuring out what it means to actually provide great customer service. Danny believes that by asking yourself questions about where you are going and where you want to go with your business, along with the support and guidance of a community life Studio Sherpas, you too can transition from business person to business owner. I’d love to hear what you’re doing to stand out as a film business. Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode The tipping point between a hobby and a business What drew Danny to Studio Sherpas and the Selling Like A Sherpa Course How being part of a community can help you transition from freelancer to business owner The best way to ask for a prospective clients budget Indicators that it’s time to hire your first real employee, and how to decide who you should hire How to stand out as a business to potential clients Quotes “We help our clients to basically develop a strategy around video, create that content, and then actually deploy it.” (8:17) “You start off because you are really passionate about that particular skill set. But the challenge is, when you get into the thick of it, you're like ‘oh, there's a bunch of other things that go along with this business that I did not realize” (18:45) “In B2B there is sometimes this perception that because it is not consumer-facing it can't be cool… and that's not true. That is not true at all. So we really pride ourselves on working with B2B brands who really want to do something that is different. (23:57) “If you're hiring somebody that can do things that you are currently doing that are driving you crazy, that allows you to be freed up to help make more money for the business, then it's like oh my gosh a no-brainer, it's not going to take you very much to be able to replace that income or hourly rate” (41:33)   Links Optimum Productions Website Follow Optimum Productions on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Selling Like a Sherpa   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever felt like there’s more you could be doing for your clients than just delivery beautiful work? Going above and beyond and providing additional value to your clients is something that will set you apart from your competition and keep clients coming back to you again and again. Today, Marley Baird is going to share with us exactly where to get started. Marley is a video branding expert who has worked with huge brands and influential people to create a unique video creation and marketing company. Marley focuses on social media marketing to create videos that explain a core message while eliciting an emotional response to increase her client’s exposure and relevance online. Based out of Edmonton, Canada, but constantly traveling for work, Marley Baird Media has created a solution where other video companies are falling short. She dives into her client’s ‘why’ factor and shares how she gives more value to her clients than just a nicely shot and edited video.  Marley has capitalized on new revenue streams in social media and branding while combining her passion for video making. If you are passionate about filmmaking, eager to learn from your clients and peers, and realize the power and potential of multifaceted video and marketing brand power, this episode featuring Marley Baird is your first step to success. What are you doing to add more value to your clients than just the final video product? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode Marley’s social media strategies Why YouTube is Marley’s most powerful social media starting point Where to start if you want to give your clients something more than just a video Creating content that elicits an emotional response A different way of thinking about business and human connection   Quotes “Every time we do travel I just feel so energized by it. You would think that filming 10 months’ worth of content in 3 days would be draining and you would be exhausted after, but I really energized because the clients we work with are so fun and we learn a lot while we are there. We make it fun for everybody.” (13:50) “With any client, I see what they are doing and I see how influential [they are] and how their thought leadership is making such an impact, and to be a part of the process... it’s so exciting to be a part of that process and watch how other people’s lives are changed from a video.” (16:02) “I am happy when I get to make a video for someone that generates more excitement and impact for people, and changes their lives. It changed for me from being this person who fought so hard to sit at the cool kids' table to now just create something that makes an impact and who cares what table you sit at or if you are a black sheep or not.” (20:33) “When you make something that can become this ecosystem, this synergistic strategy, where all these things can go together, that’s what’s going to set you apart.” (26:11)   Links  Marley Baird Media Website  Follow Marley on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Alex Charfen Entrepreneur Expert  Selling Like a Sherpa Grum Scheduling App  Social Media United   Find out how I use some of my favorite apps to sell more and better!   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

When you hear the phrases “multi 6-figure film business”, or "celebrity clients", do they sound like unattainable goals from your current vantage point? If so you’re going to want to hear what my good friends Chris and Toni Wheaton of Heart Stone Films and Portico Pictures have to share with us today. Married in 2008, Chris and Toni are a power couple of film business gurus. Heart Stone Films began in 2007 and has since captured the wedding moments of numerous NFL, NBA players, NASCAR drivers as well as Emily Maynard of The Bachelorette. Over time, their connections, connections and jaw-dropping work allowed them to branch into commercial video, and Portico Pictures was born. Chris and Toni share tips on growing a thriving film business including dealing with staffing and outsourcing, working with your spouse, how to build a great portfolio, pricing and how to move up in the filmmaking world to a higher creative standard. Originally posted as a Facebook Live video, look out for the bonus Q&A with live viewers in today’s episode on our Facebook page! What do you feel is standing between you and the next level of your film business? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!    In This Episode Comparing and contrasting the wedding and commercial industries What it takes to work effectively with your spouse Who your first hire should be as you grow your business Why a replication system can help your business maintain quality The importance of putting measurables on your business Defining your team’s individual roles in the business and charging what you are worth   Quotes “We just felt like [Portico Pictures] was necessary because our wedding brand is really romantic, really geared towards the bride, and marketed that way. So, we just felt that we didn’t necessarily want that to be the language and the brand that any potential commercial clients were seeing off the bat when they went to our website or found us or heard about us.” (38:40) “Were both in every seat right now. A year ago, when we had full-time staff there were different people in all the seats and it worked beautifully, but we’ve just redefined those seats now to where it’s mainly just the two of us.” (50:56) “I think the big myth or lie that we believed is that ‘no one can do this but me, no one is creative but me, no one can make these films the way that I do’, and it’s just not true. There are plenty of people out there who can do it.” (55:16)   Links Heart Stone Films Website  Follow Heart Stone Films on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest  Weddings with the Wheatons Portico Pictures Website  Follow Portico Pictures on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Vimeo The White Space Rental Studio   Ivy Robinson Events Traction Book Rocket Fuel Book Archaius Creative   Check out episode 31 with David Aguilar of Archaius Creative Check out episode 43 with Mark C. Winters, Co-Author of Rocket Fuel Check out episode 75 with Doug Darling   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you ever find yourself struggling to justify your pricing to clients who just don’t seem to get it? As returning guest Sean Low shares, not only might you be conveying the value of your work in the wrong ways, but quite possibly you shouldn’t even be talking to these clients in the first place.   In 2017, we hosted Sean on Episode 18 of the Studio Sherpas Podcast, and our discussion was one of the most talked about episodes of the year! Now he’s back to share round two of his expert creative tips. As the founder of The Business of Being Creative, a consulting company and online network, Sean helps clients from all around the world tackle the tricky world of creative businesses.   Today we dive into what to do if you’re struggling with how to price your services, are worried about how to get potential clients, or don’t fully understand how to help your creative business thrive. Linking design, decision, and money, Sean, and his BBC Collective are a guiding light for anyone in the creative industry who needs a bit of help on the business side. Do you have a specific niche you operate in? If not, what would it be if you had to operate in only one area? Let us know in the comments!     In This Episode The stages and transitions every creative business goes through on each project Why you should be asking (and expect) to be paid up front for your costs Why itemized pricing is a poor method of conveying value, and what to do instead How to get people to invest in your brand How (and why) you should be making outrageous promises to your clients   Quotes   “I think that really the principle reason I started [BBC Collective] is because I just don’t believe in the status quo of the way things are and I don’t believe in incremental change because I think it’s an oxymoron. If you’re not going to make radical change and embrace where we are, you aren’t going to see the effects of that.” (4:12)   “When you try to use dollars to create the difference in feeling, it just doesn’t work. We have better tools to communicate value today than using money.” (17:50)   “Being unshakeable in how you do things and what really matters if fundamentally different than being inflexible.” (35:01)     Links   Join me for a live web class on the apps I use for my sales process!   The Business Of Being Creative The BBC Collective SSP Episode 018: The Business Of Being Creative w/ Sean Low   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

As a business owner, you will eventually come to a point where if you want to grow further, you need to stop selling your product and start selling your company in order to thrive as a business. Instead of injecting your creativity into your product, you need to use that creativity to sustain and grow the company. John Warrillow explains exactly how to make this transition. Productizing your creativity is what John and his company, Built to Sell, are all about. John has put over 20 years of research experience into his Value Builder System, and shares what he knows through his podcast, Built to Sell Radio and his best-selling books. Today we are highlighting the difference between being creative and creating a business, and how to make sure your company’s model is teachable, valuable and repeatable, so your brand can continue to grow.  Are you willing to give up creativity in order to build a business of value and substance? Did this episode grind your gears a little? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode The struggle between being creative and owning a successful business How creative business can run into trouble and how to find the solutions The secret behind benchmarking and adding recurring value to your clients Creating a more valuable business through the Value Builder System   Quotes “You realize at some point you can’t go beyond this ceiling that you have put in place for yourself, because what you are selling is creativity, and by definition, you can’t replicate or scale creativity. It’s the conundrum that virtually every sort of artistic person binds themselves in.” (7:54) “The secret out of this hamster wheel is figuring out and doing one thing better than everyone else.” (11:39) “It’s always stuck with me that, in particular, creative businesses, are in a lot of ways are the hardest to make the transition, because by its very nature creativity is not something that scales to everybody well.” (20:38)   Links Be sure to take John's 13-minute questionnaire and get the Value Builder Score for your business.  The Score (avg is 59) will let you know how you're doing as measured against the 8 drivers of value. The goal is to get to at least an 80, the ideal is 90. Built to Sell Website Selling Like a Sherpa   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you struggle with being a starving artist? Or maybe you have trouble taking yourself seriously as a creator? Today’s guest believes that the stories we tell ourselves have a major impact on our success, which means we can change those stories, too. Jeff Goins is a best-selling author and speaker, focusing on writing, life, and creative work. His books include The Art of Work and Real Artists Don’t Starve. He also teaches writers to hone their craft and get the attention they deserve in his course Tribe Writers. Today, he talks to us about the difference between starving artists and thriving artists and the importance of the stories we tell ourselves. We also discuss the power of practicing in public as a way to commit to your art, as well as the power of “stealing” from other artists. Are the stories you’re telling yourself limiting your success? Do you feel like a starving artist or a thriving artist? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: The biggest difference between starving artists and thriving artists How to practice in public to become the thing you want to be How to call your own bluff on what you really want How a particular common “flaw” in creatives can actually be a strength The importance of being a thief   Quotes: “Whatever you think you are, you essentially become. We are not just what we do, but we become what we practice. Everyday you’re practicing being someone.” 16:29 “If you make this kind of commitment to your art… you call your own bluff.” 25:32 “Almost all art is commercial.” 37:12   Links: Pick up a free copy of Real Artists Don't Starve on Audible! Jeff’s Website  Follow Jeff on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram Real Artists Don't Starve Pick up all the bonus material to Real Artists Don’t Starve    Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Are you a creative with a process, or do you worry that systems would detract from or even destroy your ability to be spontaneous and creative? Doug Darling makes a case for us today about how having a process and method will help empower your creativity and create better projects for your clients. Doug is the Founder and Executive Director of Tripwire Media Group, a media company focused on using storytelling to get their clients the results they need. Today he talks to us about how he’s seen storytelling improve everything from his emails to his client projects, and on the flip side, the importance of having a process and structure in order to make that creativity and storytelling flourish. He also talks about how to get client buy-in on creative ideas, as well as how he approached hiring to grow his agency. What processes or methods do you use to help give structure to your creativity? How do you get your clients on board? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: How having a process helps improve your creativity, not squash it How to get your clients to buy into the creative storytelling ideas The pros and cons of having a small operation versus hiring a team How to get started with that first hire   Quotes: “It doesn’t cheapen it to have process or structure to how you approach both the relationship side, the creative side, and also the sales side.” 7:25 “Continuously reinventing yourself, after 9 years, is what keeps me excited.” 24:03 “It was one of the first times we realized, Hold on, we can do better than what they’re asking us to do.” 34:25   Links: Tripwire Media  Follow Tripwire on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Muse Storytelling Stillmotion   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Do you have any passion projects that you’ve been dreaming of creating for years, but never had the money to make happen? Most of us have projects we'd love to work on, but without a client to fund them these types of projects clearly require a different approach to financing.  Brandon Adams is the executive producer and co-host of Success In Your City, a reality show currently in production all about success and the different ways that different people define it all over the country. He also has a background in crowdfunding and serves as a consultant or advisor for various companies. Today he talks to us about how he has found smaller sponsors in each city that they film in order to bring his vision of the project to life, as well as how to get creative about what’s received in exchange for that sponsorship. He also discusses his unique approach to creating a show, and what it takes to run a successful crowdfunding campaign. How have you used crowdfunding or creative financing to produce projects? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: The importance of being exposed to different definitions of success Brandon’s alternative way of finding a network for the show How he finds small sponsorships in each city What to do or avoid when crowdfunding   Quotes: “When you think of success, you think of power, success, money. But it’s more than that.” 7:53 “Leading up to each episode, it is somewhat stressful, it is a grind, it is a lot of work, but when we’re in those 4 days of filming, it’s like a dream come true.” 18:01 “I believe [success is] being the best you can be, and enjoying what you do, and always growing.” 10:39   Links: Success In Your City Follow Success In Your City on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn    Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Have you ever made an awesome video for a corporate client, only to later find that it did very little for their business? Ben Amos got tired of realizing he wasn’t providing a lasting solution for his clients, and did something about it that changed the way he runs his business and the impact his work delivers. Ben runs the video production agency Innovate Media in Brisbane, Australia, and is also the man behind the Engage Video Marketing Podcast. In both businesses, he’s all about helping clients use video content strategically to help their business goals, rather than making video for video’s sake. Today, he talks to us about how he sees more clients bypassing agencies and going right to the video producers, and how that is impacting the evolution of our role as production companies. He also discusses the three parts of a marketing funnel, how he qualifies clients, and the three circles of strategic video marketing that need to be considered. Do you talk strategy with your clients? How has that impacted your business? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: How the role of video producers is shifting to video strategists The 3 portions of a marketing funnel and how video can fit into it How Ben qualifies clients before their discovery session Finding opportunities to diversify your offerings and increase your revenue The 3 critical elements of video marketing   Quotes: “The ability to educate a potential client on the strategy side of what we can offer allows us to position ourselves as a better choice... because we care about the results of the video and care about their business.” 14:20 “When you start to look at it strategically the sales process becomes so much more effective and simpler.” 21:11 “When you’re clear on what the strategy is for any given piece of video content, chances are, it’s gonna be more effective and it’s going to align more closely with the actual goals the business has.” 28:37     Links: Be sure to check out Ben’s exclusive Gift for Studio Sherpas listeners! Innovate Media  Engage Video Marketing Podcast   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

We may specialize in filmmaking, but we’re still entrepreneurs, and we struggle with all the same things that every other entrepreneur struggles with, too. Steph Crowder gives us tons of mic drops about some of those same struggles that she’s faced and how we can work through them. Steph is Head of Member Success at Fizzle.co, co-hosts the Fizzle podcast as well as her own podcast Courage + Clarity, and is also a business coach for people who are hungry for meaningful, independent work in their life. Today, Steph talks with us about being present in the journey and appreciating the now, as well as dropping some truth bombs on imposter syndrome and how to get past it. She also talks about building community, and gives us some very concrete, actionable tips on getting amazing interviews in our corporate and documentary films. Do you deal with imposter syndrome and impossible expectations of yourself? Share a story on the episode page about how these feelings have held you back or how you get through them!   In this episode: The importance of living in the present and some ways to remind yourself to do so Mega truth bombs about imposter syndrome as a filmmaker and entrepreneur What kind of leader you should be if you want to build community and make an impact Steph's strategies for getting powerful responses from interviewees and hooking your viewers   Quotes: “If you don’t love it now, if you don’t feel that feeling of gratitude now, you’re not gonna feel it when you reach some arbitrary goal.” 7:17 “If you’re coming to the table with that not-enough-ness, I think it’s a sign that you’re expecting too much from yourself” 16:44 “People tend to wait for clarity before they take action, but something that I’ve realized is that clarity comes from action” 30:31   Links: Steph’s gift to us: The 15 Minute Weekly Planner Courage + Clarity The Courage + Clarity PodcastFollow Steph on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Fizzle The Fizzle Show podcast  Follow Fizzle on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Check out these productivity tools that I use to help me sell more effectively! Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

This week we're throwing it back to one of our all-time greatest hit episodes, and one that personally had the some of the greatest impact on me and my business. We're talking with Dane Sanders all about what it means to ditch the shortcuts in our businesses and do the work we need to do.  Dane spent 12 years as a professional photographer before a “leadership book [he] snuck into the photography community” took off and helped him realize that he had more to offer the world. He now works as a speaker, coach, has written two best-selling books, is the founder of Fastermind.co, hosts the Converge Podcast, and organizes the annual Go Summit. Yeah, he’s a busy guy with a ton of insight and drive. With so much on his plate, Dane has realized that maybe the most important skill to develop is understanding how to prioritize your time effectively. We also talk about why good coaching is essential, and what to look for in a good coach, how he hacked his way to leveling up his friend group and why you should do the same, and why you should be focussing on the process and your body of work, rather than individual successes and setbacks.   In this episode: How to prioritize your time effectively Why we need a strong community as freelancers and business owners How Dane was able to dramatically level up his friend group Why the most important thing in your life and business is actually knowing what it is you really want So so much more!   Quotes: “If you’re going to be ‘yourname.com’ in any category, you ought to think about who you actually are, and get the becoming right before you get lost in the doing.” [6:35] “I think when people realize that they have a scaling problem, they come up against themselves. They have to make some hard decisions as a leader and an owner and really get clear on what is their value?” [10:30] “The myth of the shortcut is so prevalent in our world. You have to almost violently fight against it.”[14:04]   Links: Find Dane Online Fastermind  Converge Podcast Go Summit Fast Track Photographer   Books Recommendations:  E-Myth Revisited Permission Marketing Tribes Boundaries For Leaders Deep Work So Good They Can’t Ignore You Letters To A Young Poet - Rilke translated by Charlie Leuth Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your production  

  If you’re anything like me, there are times where you get tired, worn out, and uninspired by the direction of your creative business. Yup, I’ve been there, many, many times. Life is constantly changing, and it is easy to find yourself burying your passion underneath frustration and all the mundane tasks associated with running a profitable business. It is not until you put your foot down and re-evaluate why you are doing what you are doing and how you are doing it, that you can rediscover your passion. Today, I want to share my top 3 ways to re-energize your business and take back control. Here at Studio Sherpas, our number one goal is to help you grow your business. I want to make sure you are getting the right kind of clients and doing the right kind of work that inspires you, while also being able to pay the bills. We didn’t start making videos and creating movies because we thought it would be a lucrative career, we do it because we are moved by the work we create, and to keep putting out creative, moving, fulfilling work, we need to be engaged and excited by the projects we’re working on. I just got back from an amazing conference put on by past Sherpas guest Mike Kim, and aside from some amazing new personal connections, I took away a ton of new knowledge and inspiration that I want to share with the rest of the Sherpas community. Let me know in the comments on the episode page which of these 3 strategies resonated with you the most and why!    In This Episode How to put your foot down in the name of creativity The importance of finding your tribe and being part of a community Why you should force yourself to practice in public and how to get started How intentionally choosing to slow down can actually help your business The necessity of understanding what it is you are chasing and why   Quotes “I want to keep the world the same – said no entrepreneur ever” (4:40)  “We have all gotten into this line of work because we wanted to impact and influence the world, even if just in a teeny tiny way” (5:21) “There is something that happens when a group of like-minded people get together for the common purpose of wanting to become better and wanting to help others become better” (9:03) “What’s more important than me trying to prove to the world that I’ve got what it takes or that I can do this than providing for my family. And creating a business where I can help these incredible people that work for me provide for their families and create their own legacies” (24:17)   Links Trivinia Barber – VA priority Selling Like A Sherpa Course & Community Episode 64 w/ Mike Kim Episode 69 w/ Zack Arnold Episode 70 w/ PJ Accetturo   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Do you ever feel like the walls are closing in due to competition, and there's not enough work to go around? In this episode, PJ Accetturo discusses the importance of thinking out of the box and breaking the creative bias, competition and community, what makes a good reel, how knowing how to correctly network can be a game changer, and how to keep pushing your boundaries as a filmmaker.  PJ is an award-winning filmmaker currently working as a freelance director based out of Tampa, Florida. He was published by National Geographic at the ripe age of 18 years old, and has continued to work on inspired and globally conscious projects. We talk about our passion for filmmaking and how the ability to take a story from your head or heart, and translate it visually to create compound change is at the core of our role as filmmakers. We also dive into why community is so essential to our success, why a 30 second reel can be more impactful than one 2 minutes long, why PJ thinks that at least 30% of what you create should be a passion project, and ways you can engage and inspire your own community.   In This Episode Why you should almost never do videos just for exposure How you can support other studios in your hometown and get over the competitive mindset that could be holding you back The difference between networking for clients and networking for connections How a side hustle can balance your need for creativity and open up future opportunities  Things to think about including and avoiding on your reel   Quotes   “Feeling like you’re not alone is honestly one of the biggest things that a community like SS offers, it is very validating. Being an entrepreneur is a lonely road and I really think a community like SS is very validating to know other people go through the same struggles.” (8:19) “If you can find a culture that really embraces ‘we are all in this together, we are not trying to make our studio the best name, we actually care about our city and the filmmakers in our city and we want to work on some fun projects that make great art for everybody.’ I think people can get behind that” (15:01) “There becomes a gap between the work you want to do and the work you are currently doing to make money. And I think you have to take moments where you step out in faith and say I am going to do this based on spec or as a passion project because I know I am capable of this and I know I have a vision for this because nobody is going to pay me to do something like this until I’ve already done it” (33:50)   Links PJ Accetturo Follow PJ on Instagram Director's Table Facebook Group Director’s Table Podcast PJ’s Vimeo Meetup Video charity: water Video Piece   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!  

Do you find yourself dreading doing something that you’re supposed to love, something that you originally got into because of passion that’s now faded? As Zack Arnold explains on today’s episode, there’s more to leading a successful life, putting out great, original work, and just plain feeling good than the work itself. Today he’s going to share with us how to optimize our lives and cultivate our creativity. Zack is an award-winning Hollywood film editor, working on shows such as Empire, Burn Notice and Glee, and has also created Optimize Yourself, a program to help people maximize their creativity, output and well-being. He shows us how by examining our current behaviors, and pinpointing the habits in our lives that lead to destructive thoughts which can inhibit our ability to maximize our creativity, we can start to turn the ship around. Things we as creatives often don’t consider, or think of as non-important like diet, exercise and sleep can have a drastic impact on the quality of the work we’re putting out, and ultimately our ability to put out any work at all. By analyzing your habits and tendencies, Zack believes that you can have a life measured by your own version of success. Zack has a ton of energy, great stories, as well as tips and tricks of ways to develop your creativity and positively impact your business and your life. Have you ever struggled with burnout, creative fatigue, unhealthy lifestyle, or any of the other symptoms Zack mentioned? If you got through them, what did it take to turn it around? If you’re there now, what resonated most with you from this episode? Let us know in the comments yo!   In This Episode: The importance of moving and staying in motion to increase your creativity How to ignore the toxic culture of deprivation-praising in the film industry The disease of multitasking and how it is killing your productivity and focus Learn the magic formula to help you time block   Quotes: “The first warning sign is, are you still enjoying what you are doing? For me, there is nothing more magical than sitting in front of an empty timeline and having a bunch of random stuff that I have to put together with colored blocks. I essentially get to play a game of Tetris all day with people’s emotions.” (17:40)  “The key is to define your version of success. People say, ‘success for me is high profile stuff and making a lot of money’ and that’s great. But do you realize the process you have to go through every single day to get to that point and are you willing to adjust your lifestyle to that?” (21:01) “Success isn’t a destination, success is a series of habitual actions every single day. Success is a habit.” (26:12) “Think about how you can optimize your creativity. Because my creativity is the number one investment I have in myself.” (35:15)   Links: Optimize Yourself Follow Optimize Yourself on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!  

If you’ve ever participated in a business partnership, you know that it takes a TON of work to make sure all partners are on the same page, mitigate conflicts, divvy up tasks, and on and on and on. In this episode, Matt & I dive into our experience as partners in Studio Sherpas, and share a big announcement about the future of the community. We’ve always seen each other as friends first, business partners second. And after two and a half years of working, it is time to take a moment to reflect on what’s helped us get this far, some of the challenges we’ve faced including lessons learned from mistakes along the way, and why it’s so crucial to constantly be making sure your priorities are in order when it comes to your business and the rest of your life. Listen in for a brief history of Studio Sherpas, and an announcement from Matt about the future of the podcast. We will also discuss how working smarter is always better than working harder, and how influential the Studio Sherpas community is. Do you have any stories - good or bad - about business partnerships you’ve been involved in? Let us know in the comments!   In This Episode: A big announcement about the future of Studio Sherpas (don’t worry, it’s not bad!) The pros and cons of business partnerships and what it takes to make them work How our relationship has helped us grow and create an engaged community Why it’s up to you as the leader of your team to constantly be setting the tone Why you always need to be checking in with your priorities in life and business   Quotes: “Knowing that there weren’t a lot of video conferences left anymore, because we attended all of them, we decided to create an online consulting coaching business where we can help videographers and filmmakers who are trying to take a go at this business, and Studio Sherpas was born.” (6:09)  “The involvement I have had in Studio Sherpas has helped me grow as a person and as a business owner.” (9:05) “Knowing personalities, knowing what makes people tick, knowing how to put people in the right seats, it is something we have learned and we had to learn it together as partners” (14:35)  “The quote that stands out to me is, ‘you don’t learn until you launch’. I can’t imagine not having launched Studio Sherpas, and not having this community of people that we have gotten to know and grow with. It’s been beautiful, it’s been amazing, it’s been tough. But it’s been so good and so rich and I am taking many life lessons away. I can’t wait to see the podcast continue.” (26:11)   Links: Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Today we sit down with someone I’ve looked up to in the production world for a long time, Jem Schofield. Jem created TheC47, a full-service production company and educational resource focused on teaching the craft of video production and filmmaking. He has a 22-year long career, beginning by creating brand focused web content and eventually finding his passion in video production. Jem has a wide range of knowledge of everything production related, and shares this information with his YouTube viewers, clients, and with us here today! The long-term success of TheC47 is due to the fact that Jem has always had a clear vision for his brand and what he wants to produce, starting as an educational platform, and growing to focus on filmmaking, production, consulting and education. By combining his unique teaching style with consistency and passion, he creates memorable content and shares his expertise with other small-to-no crew production teams. He believes that you must be passionate about what you are creating for it to translate to your audience, and shares his advice on how to turn that passion into a career. Listen in as Jem discusses the pros and cons of working in-house and out of house, how to create lasting relationships with clients, and which red flags to look out for as an independent content creator. Find out why working smarter is better than working harder, and how to make informed decisions about why you are using specific equipment, on today's episode.   In This Episode:  Where the video industry is heading and how you fit into it Why corporate doesn’t always mean boring Discover the gear “must haves” for on the go production How to weed through the companies who just aren’t ready to commit and find clients who are ready to have you produce and pay up   Quotes: “As time went on, I realized that there was a sort of black hole surround production based education, and C47 seemed like a natural progression.” [4:14] “It is not an all hope is lost situation, there will never be less screens in the world, and someone has go to create content for those screens.” [13:43] “We are not the solution to a marketing department, but we need to understand what a company’s brand stands for, who their target audience is, and help them strategize to create content that is appropriate and going to elicit a response from whomever that audience is.” [16:03] “We are here to create brand-specific content that fits within a marketing strategy and it is absolutely our job to create a dialogue which could bring things in a different direction” [21:25]   Links: TheC47 Follow TheC47 on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Are you willing to be weird, risky, and brave enough to make films you produce come alive? Today’s guest does all of those things plus a lot more when it comes to the documentaries she directs, produces, and, sometimes, edits herself. She shares with us what it takes to create moving feature-length films, from the artistic to the funding, and everything in between. Mo Scarpelli is a director, producer, and cinematographer for documentaries that explore human identity and the forces that inform, conflict, and construe it. Her award-winning debut feature-length documentary, Frame by Frame, has been screened all over the world and her writing, short documentaries, and photojournalism have been published with top names like The New Yorker, BBC, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal. She’s a no-nonsense, raw, authentic creator who embraces her “weird” and it’s no surprise that she makes some amazing work because of it. We get into the ins and outs of getting grants for your films and why America isn’t the best place to get them, what the first step is when you are deciding on a film project idea, and why collaboration allows you to focus on your strongest skill set, keeps you accountable and on track, and is the best way to maintain your happiness and sanity throughout the entire filmmaking process. If you are struggling with an idea or trying to take on everything yourself then this will be an eye-opening episode for you. Do you feel like you take enough risks in your passion projects and films? What project has made you feel the most alive and fulfilled? Leave us a comment below!   In this episode: Why not knowing everything before diving into a project can actually breed creativity and can create your biggest successes The importance of knowing your who your ideal clients are and how that directly relates to your happiness and business success How truly amazing films are made through teamwork and why filmmaking is inherently collaborative Why building relationships and connecting with people will get you more work than any film reel or marketing you have in place The ins and outs of getting funding for your films How to get started with a new film project idea How being a woman filmmaker has affected her career   Quotes: “A lot of my creativity comes from ‘I don’t know anything,’ and it’s the discovery of ‘I have a question about the world,’ and my films are really the act of trying to discover the answer to that question. And I probably never get an answer because the world is complicated and beautiful in that way but striving for that answer is usually what my independent films...that’s the journey of it. And, that’s what makes it so emotional and cathartic, and hopefully, that shows in the films.” (8:58) “ Creative collaboration is very beautiful but it is also very dicey and varied because if you are truly doing something that you feel in your bones that you need to do and want to make and it’s coming from your soul, then the people you are collaborating with, they need to be on your level when it comes to how you think and how you communicate.” (18:20) “Choose one thing even if it’s for one year, if you’re like I really want to be a DP, then go be a DP for a year and see if you love it and if you don’t then pick another role. Don’t do the ‘I have to do everything all myself’ because not only are you selling yourself short in the work because you probably aren’t going to be really great at anything if you do it that way. On top of that, you are missing out on this really cool part about filmmaking which is that it’s inherently collaborative.” (23:30) “My biggest advice on starting a project is if you have an idea for a story you need to go out and find out if that idea is worth spending a lot of years of your life on.” (38:48)   Links: Mo Scarpelli Follow Mo on Facebook｜Twitter｜Instagram｜Vimeo Rake Films Follow Rake Films on Facebook｜Twitter｜Instagram Frame by Frame   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives

Most of us think we know what marketing is, and are all too familiar with the not-so-great feelings many of us as creatives feel in the pits of our stomach when thinking about how to “market” ourselves. But what if we have it all wrong? Today’s guest flips the notions we have of what marketing means and what it entails on their face, and boils it down to two very simple but powerful words. Human Connection. Chad Brown is owner and creator of Shade Tree Films but still prefers the moniker storyteller to filmmaker even after over a decade in the business. Another title that he should have is marketing maven and boy does he deliver today. We get into it right off the bat where when he redefined marketing and what it should really be for creatives, gives us tips on what we should jump into right away when it comes to marketing, and even breaks down exactly what it takes to connect with people and how you can redefine your business and yourself through that practice. We also dive deep into core values, how you define them, why they need defining, how they can be crucial to your growth professionally and personally, and what you can expect when you go against them. This is an episode that we ALL really need to hear because it is insanely valuable and can have immediate positive results within your business and life. What are your core values as a person and as a business? How did you come up with them and how have they helped you both personally and professionally? Have you noticed what happens when you don’t honor them? Leave us a comment! In this episode: How creatives should be marketing themselves One simple thing you should be doing at the end of every project to improve your business and get more of the clients you want Why marketing and branding may be more important than your work itself A few things you should jump into right away when it comes to marketing How can you truly connect with people and why that’s important How defining your core values, both professionally and personally, is crucial to your growth The importance of clear, defined, and respected boundaries with your clients   Quotes: “It’s been a journey learning what marketing is, and it seemed like every time I thought I’d figure out what marketing was, the next couple of days, next couple of months, or the next year, I’d figure out that that’s not actually what it is and there is something so much deeper with marketing.” (9:04) “Connection only happens through transparency and vulnerability, if there is anything else in the mix, there are going to be stumbling blocks to that connection.” (15:00) “What these core values became was actually a measuring stick. So, what happens is when the potential of a job comes in or a new client, new project, something like that, we have the opportunity to take that job, or opportunity, or that project and measure it against these five core values and as long as a project is aligned with these five core values it’s a great fit.” (26:59) “It’s often hard to identify the places in which you can improve and the only way you can find out how you can improve for your future clients, in my opinion, is finding out from your current or past clients where you can improve.” (44:37)   Links: Shade Tree Films Follow Shade Tree Films on social media: Facebook ｜Vimeo ｜Youtube Follow Chad Brown on Instagram   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives

If you’ve been listening to Studio Sherpas for long, you know we believe that the greatest investment you can make is in the people you surround yourself with. As creatives, many of us get an uneasy feeling when we hear the word “networking” but as today’s guest explains, real networking can be filled with heart, personality, and true, genuine connection. Mike Kim is a marketing consultant, communications strategist, and copywriter who loves nothing more than giving back to the world through his podcast and conferences. His insights into what the number one thing you need to do to properly market yourself, his tips and tricks on connecting with influencers right from the start, and how you can stand out from the crowd to get yourself remembered, are priceless. Mike also dives into why being a “connector” can ultimately lead to your biggest successes, and how you absolutely need to learn one critical skill every year if you want to level up your business. You will love hearing Mike speak because everything he says is actionable today and can lead to results quickly. What is the critical skill you are learning in 2018? How will this skill help your business overall? Leave us a comment below!   In this episode: How learning a new critical skill each year will truly level up your business The power behind forward oriented questions in conversation (and what the heck those are) How to connect and build relationships with influencers Why giving back can lead you to more success than you can imagine Mike’s “Strategic Selfie” trick to standing out and getting yourself remembered at conferences and networking events The #1 thing you need to do to market yourself properly How do you begin telling your story as a brand   Quotes: “Everyone who is in business for themselves in a thought leadership brand or creative brand, they have mastered at least one thing. It doesn’t mean that you’re the best in the works but that’s the best thing that you do. And, money flows towards mastery, that’s how you make your living.” (6:46) “Business is really, really simple. Business is nothing more than solving a problem for profit. And, if you are going to go into business for yourself you might as well solve a problem that you want to.” (14:05) “It’s all about that story. It’s all about letting people know how you got into the business, what is it that drives you so that they can get to know you so that they can trust that you’ll be around them shooting video. They are intimidated enough by the camera or any other creative pursuit.” (41:24)   Links: Mike's Website Follow Mike on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   Mike's Podcast, Brand You Influence and Impact Conference How to Market Yourself Blog Post   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives

It’s safe to say that as creatives, most of us absolutely we love what we do. But how much time to do we set aside to work on our businesses and not just solely focus on the work inside of our business. We would all love it if our work sold itself, but the fact of the matter is that we need to put just as much work into promotion, marketing, and maybe most importantly relationship building, as we do producing amazing work. Jason Wallis is the owner of Central Standard Productions which showcases his compelling still and motion images and his commercial films. He began his career as a commercial photographer but he fell in love with filmmaking when he was forced to make a pivot in his business. These days, his diverse skill set allows him to offer both services, often to the same clients, on the same projects. Jason gets real with us about the need to be authentic in your work and relationships with people, the importance of always to bettering yourself and your portfolio with spec work, and how to attract the agencies and clients that you really want to work with. Jason has some great insights into how you can cultivate your relationships to make them referral magnets for you, and shares with us some tips on how he’s built up his incredible network. While relationship building and selling yourself and your skills can seem daunting and often overwhelming, Jason breaks it down so that you know how to come at it with professionalism and authenticity. How do you go about building your relationships in the industry? What do you find works the best and what has utterly failed? Let us know in the comments below!   In this episode: The importance of professionalism on and off the set and why how you present yourself matters Jason’s process to attract the right agencies and clients for you and your brand How to cultivating great relationships that lead to more and better work How to use your network to make connections that will lead to opportunities How to choose spec work projects strategically to get the work you want down the road   Quotes: “We knew, #1, we wanted to take care of our crew, we wanted to take care of our client, and take care of our talent that is on set. So, there is a general way of treating people with respect and dignity and honor, and we want to take care of you, that was our #1 goal, always. And, with that mindset we always were successful.” (10:56) “The local and regional stuff, it does become completely about trust. Most of my work was hired because someone knew me and trusted me versus, ‘Hey this is an awesome piece of work that you have done.’ In fact, a lot of people don’t hire based on my work; they hire me based on me.” (21:32) “I have learned from creative geniuses and some really bold clients that did some things that I just had a lot of fun doing and I was kinda along for the ride. So, now I want to take all that experience and say okay, who do I want to present myself as on a national stage.” (32:49)   Links: Jason Wallis Central Standard Productions Follow Jason on Facebook | Twitter Studio Sherpas Episode 44 w/ Gnarly Bay   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives

You know how your to-do list just seems to keep growing endlessly, to the point where you know you’ll never get everything (or even anything) on it done? Many of these tasks you know would move your business forward if you could only get to them, and yet there are never enough hours in the day or days in the week to sit down and knock them out. We feel ya, and today, we (Matt & Ryan) want to share with you how we’ve used creative hiring in our businesses to free up our time to focus on our strengths, while also taking care of the small things that are necessary to keep the businesses running smoothly, profitably, and effectively. When you think about hiring, you might immediately think about editors, shooters, and producers, which can seem daunting - and expensive. The truth is that there are probably 100 tasks in your business that could be hired out incredibly cheaply without committing to a monthly salary, which will save you time, and be done better than you would have yourself. We share some common misconceptions that keep video producers from hiring, how we got started building our teams, how we use virtual assistants and freelancers to take care of the minutiae associated with running a business, and how hiring out work could actually save you thousands and thousands of dollars.   We’d love to hear what tasks you routinely hire out, or what’s keeping you from outsourcing if you haven’t yet. Let us know in the comments!   In this episode: Different ways to hire that you might not have thought of before and the values of each role Our experiences of how our teams have actually saved us thousands of dollars Where to get started with your first hire, and how it’s easier and cheaper than you’re probably thinking How to hire a VA and which tasks you should consider outsourcing   Quotes: Are you charging what you want to charge, are you making the kind of money you want to make? What is your hourly rate? And if you don’t know that, then it’s really easy to say, ‘Well, of course I’m not going to hire an accountant, to do my accounting, because that’s going to cost $1500 at the end of the year.’ But, when you start thinking about how long does it take you to get all those papers together, and to start punching numbers into QuickBooks. If you want to charge $200 an hour for your time, would you ever pay an accountant $200/hr?” [7:53] What I was able to experience life wise, by not having to think about the numbers, and not having to keep track of all these things, but to have someone that was doing that for me was incredibly freeing, super life-giving. It’s hard to put a number on that.” [11:38]   Links: Upwork Fiverr Studio Sherpas Episode 55: How To Set Goals That Will Grow Your Business In 2018 Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas

What are your tried and true ways to gain new clients? We’re often so desperate for income that we grab at anything and everything without really asking “Is this project right for me?” or “Do I even really want to do this work?). Caleb Wojcik shares some tips on lining up work with clients you really want to work with, in his case, Pat Flynn and ConvertKit. Caleb Wojcik is the founder of the DIY Video Guy, Caleb Wojcik Films, and co-founder of Fizzle.co. His background includes a degree in business, and he can include Chris Guillebeau, the NFL, MLB and the Rose Bowl as clients. He started as a wedding film photographer but slowly grew his business to include a film production company, a podcast, and the many amazing courses he offers on DIY Video Guy. On today’s episode, we dive deep into how to connect with the people you really want to work with, the different versions of networking and which will work best for your goals, and how to get recurring clients as opposed to one time gigs. Caleb’s insights into the business mindset are priceless and can definitely help you to scale your business according to your needs while charging what you’re worth. Things like raising prices can be scary and often intimidating but Caleb breaks it down in a way where you can do small things to help raise your perceived value so that you can increase your prices without the client batting an eye. What is your go-to method for finding new clients? Do you do more business through direct to client marketing, agencies or referrals? Leave a comment below! In the episode: How to connect with people you really want to work with How to make smart gear purchases When and how to grow your team sustainably Some great online tools to help your business How to get recurring clients instead of one-off’s Steps you can take to increase your value and prices Quotes: “The biggest thing for me has been knowing the right people and building relationships years in advance of ever working with them... Try to get introduced but putting yourself in the same physical location or at events, like conferences, as other people that are doing cool stuff that’s how I have built my network of clients even before I needed them.” (7:02) “Two of my favorite things to do at a conference are to introduce people: So when you start to meet people and you meet a new person, introduce that person to someone that might overlap well with whatever it is they have going on because once you become that connector at an event, then people will kind of reciprocate in the same way and introduce you to people. And when I am ending a conversation with someone at an event or conference, I try to ask do you know of one person here that you think I should meet that would be perfect for X, Y or Z and then that gives you the next person to go talk to.” (13:10) “Really investing in your peers, certain people at your level, in a few years those people are going to be speaking at events and those people are going to be starting companies that can hire you. So, that’s kind of the process I have now.” (14:35) “I think it is important to be confident in your pricing and if you do play the low pricing game you’re just setting yourself up to compete with a bunch of other people as opposed to if your pricing yourself higher, typically those clients are better and you have less competition at that price point.” (32:07) Links: DIY Guy Video Caleb Wojcik Films Fizzle.co Follow Caleb Wojcik on Youtube | Twitter | Instagram Asana Active Campaign Boomerang for Gmail   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas  

How much do you focus on relationship building, not just with potential clients but with other vendors, filmmakers, and photographers? Do you use collaboration as part of your business strategy? Today we’re talking to Josh and Serena Gooden about being a couple who works together, the power of collaborations, and setting yourself apart as a luxury brand. Josh is a luxury cinematographer and Serena a luxury photographer. Both focusing on luxury weddings and corporate videos, they have separate businesses but also collaborate frequently. They travel the world for high end projects and clients, and are known for the unique style and special skill when it comes to color. We talk about how they make working together as a couple work when it has backfired for so many others. We also get into how they were able to break out of their small market in Charlottesville, VA and begin attracting clients from bigger, higher-end markets. We also discuss their view on collaborating and building relationships and how that has contributed to their success. Are you part of a photography/videography couple? What are your thoughts on breaking out of a small market? Let us know in the comments!   In this episode: How they work together as a couple and stay together The importance of building relationships with other videographers in the industry as well as with vendors, and how that can lead to new opportunities Breaking out of a small market into the larger global scene How they set themselves apart as a luxury brand   Quotes: “Because we own our own separate businesses, we understand how much time it takes to run a business and how much energy it takes to run a business, so we value that with each other” [9:39] “I was terrified but I brought along someone i’d worked with in the past who was an amazing interviewer. I think that was the biggest thing I learned, just to seek out people that are better than you, with similar parallel skill sets that will take you to the next level.” [20:18] “If you’re in a small market and you want to travel, you basically have to reach out to people in those markets and see if you can collaborate with them or get coffee with them and just try to establish a relationship” [18:19]   Links: Josh’s Website Serena’s Website Follow Josh on Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo  Follow Serena on Facebook |  Instagram Check out the full show notes page  Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas  

What does your marketing strategy look like? So often as creatives we spend all of our time creating and never end up marketing those creations. Caleb Peavy is not only a creative like us but a master at marketing as well, and in this episode, he walks us through the five mistakes he sees creatives making in our marketing and how to fix them. Check out the full show notes: http://studiosherpas.com/59 Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas: http://www.studiosherpas.com   

If you’re a corporate or wedding filmmaker, are you setting yourself apart with your style? A lot of filmmakers, especially wedding filmmakers, feel they don’t have the freedom they want with weddings, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Today we’re talking with luxury wedding filmmaker Kevin Shahinian about having a vision and being directorial as well as finding high-end clients who are willing to pay you what you’re worth. Check out the full show notes: http://studiosherpas.com/58  Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas: http://www.studiosherpas.com 

How are you approaching growing your client base? Are you focusing only on what your needs are? Often when world searching for our ideal clients we tend to focus solely on what we need, and not what we can do for others. This is a big mistake. Today we’re talking about the power of community, and how there are more important skills than simply being good at your craft that will keep your pipeline full. Haley Akins is a motion designer with 9+ years of experience which includes 4 years at Google’s internal production company in the UK as Senior Motion Designer. She’s worked with clients from the BBC to the United Nations, and has made the shift to a thriving freelance business, most recently launching the podcast and community Motion Hatch. We get into why choosing clients who match your values can lead to amazing (and lucrative) relationships, how putting yourself and your work out there will help you build a community, and why we should never be afraid to get paid what we are worth. It can be scary to raise your rates but the more open and honest we are within our communities about pay scale, the more power there is in doing just that. When was the last time you raised your rates? If you haven’t recently, what is the biggest thing standing in your way from raising them? Leave a comment below!   In this episode: The power in peer and community referrals, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to recommend a “competitor” How to reach out to the clients you want to work with to start a relationship How to stand out from the crowd in whatever you do Hayley’s “Occupy Inbox” strategy for getting in front of big potential clients   Quotes: “I think it is really important to get the message out there that you should build your client base up so that you can say no, so that you have opportunities to do projects that you really want to work on.” (18:36) “Building your business up isn’t just about making money, it’s definitely about improving yourself and then if you have more freedom to choose your clients, then maybe you can choose clients whose values align with your own and hopefully have a more positive impact on the world.” (19:10) “The most important things that I think about in freelance and business is to not just go out there and do things for yourself, try and think about other people because you will find that people will want to help you and they will want to work with you. Just be a nice, cool person.” (37:29)   Links: Motion Hatch Follow Motion Hatch on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email Hayley at Hello@MotionHatch.com Hayley Akins  Follow Hayley on Facebook | Twitter   Bingomation http://www.bingomation.com/ Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas

Have you ever put any thought into where you’re allocating your time as a business owner, and how that investment will help you continue to grow your business in the future? As creatives we’re often either hyper-focused or scatterbrained, which, if we’re not careful, can lead to stagnation or subpar work. This episode is chock full of good information, but among the most important topics we cover is the 80/20 rule of growing your business, and why it might piss you off. Brett Culp is a filmmaker, social entrepreneur, cinematographer, and speaker whose passion for charity and documentaries has lead to his work being featured on Netflix and Hulu in addition to having a chapter of a college textbook dedicated to his production style (wow). He is also the co-founder of The Rising Heroes Project which produces amazing films that focus on uplifting, real-life stories with messages of hope, courage, and commitment while also allowing them to be screened around the world with proceeds go to charity. We talk about how he continually evolves as a filmmaker, discuss why you need to find a way to move past the need for external validation, the reason you should always question why you think you need that new tool or gadget, and how to not take things personally in any situation, especially when sharing your work with others. You may not always feel comfortable hearing what Brett has to say but that doesn’t mean that we all don’t need to hear it. He is honest and upfront with no BS, and he’s helping us kick off the new year right. There’s so much in this episode we’d love to hear what stood out to you the most! What did Brett say that motivated or challenged you? Leave us a note in the comments!   In this episode: The art of reinvention and hustle, and how Brett ensures he is constantly evolving How to not take things personally when sharing your work and why it is imperative The importance of being involved in communities that are safe places Brett’s life hack for the quickest way to get your 20% to become your 80% When & why you should hire on additional contractors   Quotes: “My general practice is that with my heart, my energy, my time, my resources, my money, whatever it is, I put 80% of it into my main hustle, which is the thing that us paying my bills, but I reserve 20% of it for my side hustle. And, my side hustle is whatever is next or whatever I am excited about.” (19:16) “I don’t need the external validation of a five thousand dollar camera to feel like I am doing good work.” (47:37) “What I have learned over time was that the good leads never came passively. They always take work and hustle and aggressiveness and relationship building and contacts.” (56:27)   Links: Brett’s website  Follow Brett on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Legends of the Knight  Look To The Sky  A Voice That Carries (Coming in 2018) The Rising Heroes Project   

When did you last set aside some time to think strategically about the direction of your business, assess what you’ve been doing well (or not) and set goals for where you want to head in the future? We know that this can be a difficult commitment to make, but Matt and I both believe it’s one of the best things that you can do for both your business and your personal life. We’re guessing that if you’re anything like us, once you start the goal-setting process, you’ll quickly get addicted to it. Today, we are talking all about what did and didn’t work in 2017 and what our goals are for 2018. We break down how to come up with them, how to achieve them, and how clarity and reflection can ultimately help you succeed and move your business forward. We also dive into the necessity of accountability, whether that comes from friends and family, community-driven, or a coach. Whoever it is, having accountability is one of the best things you can do to keep moving forward and progressing your business in the way you want. As always, we give some real-life examples from our businesses to help illustrate the do’s and don'ts, so you can avoid some of the hurdles we have struggled with. If you want to push your business to the next level, this episode will lay out the game plan that we’ve used to gain traction with our businesses and grow consistently. Do you write out your goals? If so, do you prefer yearly or quarterly? How have they helped your business or life? Leave us a comment below!   In this episode: Why both goal setting and reflection are essential for the success and growth of your business How to come up with goals, and what makes a good goal. The four questions to answer for clarity on any subject matter The importance of having accountability to your goals   Quotes: “When you can create these goals, whether its every 90 days or once a year and say “what do I want to achieve this year and who can I invite alongside me to keep me accountable for these things?” That is how we move forward as people. That’s how we grow as people. When we work on our person instead of just in our ordinary lives.” (7:54) “Set some goals that are achievable, attainable and start small. That’s okay to do if you're not used to setting goals.” (10:40) “If you want to build a business that is sustainable and that's growing, you have to be learning. You have to be growing. You have to be moving forward. You have to be figuring out what am I doing that’s not working as well as it should. If you’re not creating that time and that space then what’s going to happen is fast forward a year, five years and you are going to be the business that is out of touch.” (23:16)   Links: Studio Sherpas 90 Day Plan Find Traction on Amazon or Audible  Check out Studio Sherpas Episode 43 with the author of Traction, Gino Wickman   * Some of the above links are affiliate links, but as you know by how much I gush about this book, I really believe it can help you and your business!

Have you allowed fear held you back from pursuing your passion? As creatives we often find ways to talk ourselves out of diving into passion projects, despite our, well… passion for them! While he certainly faced challenges and doubts, especially as the scope of his project ballooned in front of him, today’s guest Jason Aron stuck with it, and the resulted documentary Back In Time became the top-ranked documentary on IMDB, and distributed through Netflix. Jason was a wedding/corporate filmmaker and drone pilot who had also done a few short documentaries, when an amusing addition to a Bar Mitzvah video struck a chord in him that propelled him to dive into creating a documentary about the cultural impact of his favorite trilogy of all time, Back To The Future. He doesn’t hold back when discussing the challenges they faced daily, the struggles that their naivete around the business of making a big-time doc created, and how this passion project that he had set out to make for himself has actually positively affected people all around the world.   We also get deep into the business logistics of creating a full length feature documentary which includes tips on getting distribution, the various legalities at every turn, and what the budget expectations and constraints might look like for you. I took a ton away from this interview and received a huge kick in the butt when it comes to jumping into a passion project like this smartly. What is your project that you have been to scared to jump into? What are the fears that are currently holding you back? Leave us a comment!   In this episode: Some of the struggles and politics that you may face when shooting and editing a project like this Tips & Tricks to make the process easier, including things Jason wishes he had thought about from the get go How to budget for a large project like this if you don’t have any experience What you need to know about the business and legal side of creating a feature length project like this Preparing for the sacrifices you will have to make Tips on getting distribution   Quotes: “I think there is a big difference between criticism and failure, those are two totally different things. Failure is just something that doesn’t work while criticism is more of you put something out there and people tell you they don’t like it. It’s more of an active hatred then a passive one.” (14:25) “[Some of the big challenges were] not knowing that we needed these different insurance things, not knowing how much a colorist would cost, not knowing the process of doing a sound mix, not knowing that when you’re done and you want to get it distributed, you probably need 6-8 months. Not knowing all those things, we were working from behind a lot because we were kind of chasing our tail very often.” (29:14) “From a strict dollar and cents standpoint, there were plenty if shoots that we went on for this documentary where I could have been doing a paid shoot back in New York or wherever else that I had to say no to because of Back In Time. Dozens! So I did give up a lot of money-making opportunities to do this documentary but nothing would have yielded out the professional success that came from this documentary so I definitely don’t look twice at it.” (35:56)   Links: Back In Time Follow Back In Time on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram On Board Follow On Board on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Frequent Traveler University   

There are certain discoveries we all make in our filmmaking process that stand out as milestones, and mark a new level of quality in our films. There are few level ups as drastic and impactful however, as incorporating professional-level sound design and music placement in our productions. As today’s guest explains, this an area of film production that truly separates the pros from the amateurs, and yet most of us (I’m guilty here too) put off making this investment for way too long. Dallas Taylor is the founder and lead sound designer of Defacto Sound, and is a respected thought leader on the narrative power of sound. He is also a sought-after speaker, a contributor to many industry publications and the host of the massively popular podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz. While Dallas is the guru of all things sound, he also gave us a lot of insight into the mindset behind running a successful business, the power of sound design within any project, and why giving yourself a break when it comes to your goals is imperative to finding balance. If you have ever felt stumped by how to start experimenting with sound design into your projects, Dallas has you covered. Do you currently utilize sound design in your projects? If not, what is the main thing holding you back? If so, what have you noticed about your productions? Leave a comment below!   In this episode: How to start thinking about and experimenting with sound design The importance of time management and hiring accordingly What to look for when hiring a sound designer What types of projects should you be budgeting sound design for, and how should you budget for it? Why you need to be ruthless in the curation of your portfolio   Quotes: “Thinking about sound, in and of itself, outside of a music perspective, makes a huge difference in the way that you approach and the way that you tell a story.” (19:50) “There is a big problem with people who expect that they’re going to put that camera up to their eye and that their masterpiece is going to come out. You have to make a bunch of garbage before you get anywhere close to anything that is even respectable, no matter how talented you are.” (32:45) “You can’t control the result, all you can control is the process. All you can control is how you treat other people. And, the older I get the more I really try to cherish the people who are around me through that process and just be thankful for that. Then we put out the work and let the rest of the world decide all that stuff, but it doesn’t matter.” (34:41)   Links: Defacto Sound https://www.defactosound.com/ Follow Defacto Sound on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/defactosound Twitter https://twitter.com/defactosound Instagram https://www.instagram.com/defactosound/ Twenty Thousand Hertz Podcast https://www.20k.org/ Studio Sherpas Budget Maximizer Tool https://training.studiosherpas.com/store/CPFSzJZu 7 Habits To Consistently Land 5 Figure Jobs Freebie https://studiosherpas.clickfunnels.com/7-habits-to-5-figs Studio Sherpas Ascend Method Training http://ascendmethod.com

For many of us as storytellers, we have ideas for passion project documentaries that we would love to get out into the world one day, but don’t really know where to start. Today’s guest is the go-to documentary filmmaker for women’s rights and is always shining the light on the strength, courage, and dynamism of women around the globe. Her latest documentary, Little Stones follows four women who are using the arts for social change, and she presents their stories in a truly heartfelt and honest way.   Sophia Kruz is an Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker and TedX speaker, but the accolades don’t stop there as she’s won many more awards at some of the top film festivals in the world. She’s also the co-founder of Driftseed, a nonprofit seeking to empower women and girls both in the U.S. and around the world through the art of documentary storytelling.    Sophia is a firm believer in the power of following your passion and shares some fantastic advice on how to choose your passion projects, and how to find the perfect partners to bring those projects to life.   We also talk about the importance of networking as you fundraise for passion projects, and how those connections will have far-reaching benefits for your films beyond the initial monetary contributions. If you have ever struggled with the thought of having to network or don’t know where to start, then this episode will give you some tips that you can use from the beginning of your next project.   Do you have a documentary passion project kicking around the back of your mind? What are the struggles you’ve had in getting started? Leave us a comment below!   In this episode:   Advice on how to narrow in on your passion projects and choose the right ones to commit to Why your project partners are crucial to the success of the project The extreme and far-reaching benefits of networking The timeframes of making a documentary Some of the benefits to working for yourself or freelancing   Quotes:   “This is hands down the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but also the most rewarding.” (22:32)   “Finding partners that are truly engaged and believe in the project is another word of advice I would give to people.” (28:59)   “I don’t enjoy fundraising, but it is a great way to have a lot of people learn about your project because you are constantly asking for meetings and getting in front of people and honing your pitch and then they remember you. They are aware of your project and waiting for it to come out, whether or not they ended up donating.” (34:05)   Links:   Sophia Cruz Productions   Follow Sophia on Instagram & Twitter     Driftseed  Follow Driftseed on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter     Little Stones  Follow Little Stones on Facebook & Twitter  Little Stone Project    Panmela Castro  Sohini Chakraborty   Sister Fa  Anna Taylor    Zonta International   

Do you know how prospective clients view you and your work? Have you placed everything you have ever created on your Vimeo or website? You might be unwittingly making some mistakes that are keeping you from presenting yourself and your capabilities in the best light. But today we’re going through all the dos and don’ts of how to present your body of work. Cody Dulock is the Director of Content for Film Supply and he sees the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to stock footage. His insights and advice on what to include in your portfolio and what to hide from the public is essential to making sure your prospective clients see the best version of what you have to offer. He has a ton of experience in film production, wedding, and corporate videography prior to his position at Film Supply, so it’s safe to say this guy knows the in’s and out’s of the filmmaking industry. We also talk about the importance of spec work and how these types of projects can lead to opportunities you might have otherwise missed out on. If your portfolio is currently a display of almost every film you’ve ever made, Cody’s got some fantastic insights that just might convince you to reconsider. Have you ever done any speck work? Was it a passion project or self-funded? Did it turn into future paying gigs? Throw us a comment on the show notes page! **Do you want to pair a heaping dose of inspiration with a crazy fun time? Film Supply has an incredible conference focussing on both film and music. Check out the stellar keynote lineup for 2018 plus the breakout sessions!** In this episode: The importance of curating your portfolio in all public arenas How spec work can lead to doing the type of work you’re dreaming of What 3 things can help you decide if you should take on that job you’re debating Why defining your culture & values right from the start is necessary to be successful   Quotes: “People really need to connect with each other but they also need to be challenged.” (10:41) “At the end of the day, your worst piece of work is what is going to define you, if it’s public” (24:34) “Pinpointing what your culture is going to be about [is essential], even if you’re a one-person team.” (37:27)   Links: Film Supply  Film Supply’s Film Productions Film + Music Conference Follow Film Supply on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Well, we've made it to episode 50, and what a ride it’s been thus far. When we started Studio Sherpas in 2015 and this podcast a year ago, we had no idea the impact that it would have on us and our own businesses. We were driven by a desire to share our stories and knowledge to help struggling filmmakers to run better businesses and bust through obstacles that were keeping them from producing the types of films they wanted to, at the budget they wanted to. But as it turns out, we’ve ended up taking away as much as we’ve tried to give. So in this, our 50th episode, we want to look back at some of the most important lessons that we’ve learned from both our amazing guests, and the inspiring community that Studio Sherpas has become. Whether you’re a new or long-time listener of the show, we know that you’ll find the lessons we discuss in this episode as relevant now as on the original episodes, so let’s dive in! We would absolutely LOVE to hear from you on what your favorite episodes have been and some of your biggest takeaways from the show. Let us know in the comments!   In this episode: A look back at our favorite episodes, and the key learnings we took away from them The importance of community and learning from others What it means to be a Sherpa for your clients How your mental fitness is affection your business How to approach doing the work YOU want to do, and create opportunities for yourself   Links: Check out the full episodes that we mentioned today (in order of mention)   Episode 28: Does Your Business Allow You the Freedom to Take Smart Risks? w/ Abraham Joffe Episode 1: The Importance of Story w/ Patrick Moreau Episode 40: How is Mental Fitness Affecting Your Creative Business w/ Adrien Kohler Episode 18: The Business of Being Creative w/ Sean Lowe Episode 46: How to Create Your Own Dream Job w/ Whitney Powell Episode 34: Why You Need To Ditch the Shortcuts and Do the Work w/ Dane Sanders

It’s no secret that drones are currently one of the most hyped tools we have in our arsenal as filmmakers, and it’s no wonder why. In the past decade, affordable drones have unlocked cinematic shots that we were only accustomed to seeing in huge Hollywood or commercial productions. The thing is, there’s a lot more to the world of drone cinematography than just those cool shots. If you’re anything like me, you might not be nearly as well educated as you think you might be, and that can end up costing you in a whole bunch of ways you might never have even thought of. Scott Stimple is a filmmaker, the owner of The Drone Flight School and CinemAerial Visuals, has been a commercial pilot with United Airlines for over 40 years and has been hacking together DIY drones since before they were cool. Needless to say, he is an expert in the arena of flight, and one of the top experts in the world of drone cinematography. He takes us to school today on how to use these amazing tools safely, responsibly, and effectively, to make our films the best they can be.   Scott takes us on a journey through the do’s and don'ts of unmanned aircraft flight, the legalities of flying a drone and the crazy level of importance on flying smart and safe and not being stupid while in the air. I learned so much from this episode that my notebook was full of critical information, including knowing how to operate your drone when the weather doesn’t work out and how just because you’ve passed the drone licensing test, doesn't mean you know how to handle a drone properly. In this episode: The biggest mistake people make when flying drones Tips on how to get started properly once you pick up your first drone The importance of systems knowledge when it comes to high stress situations, and how this can save you thousands of dollars What your are risking by not taking the FAA test How to find liability insurance for drones, and why you need it   Quotes: “You have to leverage that tool in order to make your work stand out and stand above other people’s work, because everybody is using it.” (23:44) “Sure, something went wrong, well let’s go to the checklist. We’ve got systems knowledge, we’ve got procedures, so let’s start running down the list of options that we have.” (28:50) “To just go grab a book, study, and say I passed [the FAA test] and am now a licensed drone pilot is not doing you or our craft a service.” (40:51)   Links: The Drone Flight SchoolFollow The Drone Flight School on Facebook & Instagram    CinemAerial Visuals Follow them on Vimeo   UV Insurance  Transport Risk Insurance Maine Media Workshops  

We all have those evil little fears that roll around in our heads and try to get us to give up, or worse, not even try in the first place. These gremlins of doubt and uncertainty will keep us from achieving or even reaching for some of our biggest goals and dreams, often things we know we have the talent to achieve. Well in today’s podcast we explore these fears and get actionable steps to conquer them. Amy Johnson is an Emmy winning filmmaker who specializes in both weddings with One Fine Day Productions and big sporting & corporate events including a ton of work with Fox Sports, the Milwaukee Brewers and others with Captivate Film Company. She was highly requested by our Studio Sherpas community, and we are so excited that she was able to sit down and talk to us. Amy is super honest about her journey, and we dig deep into how building your team with subcontractors according to each job’s needs can open up your business to big jobs you might never have considered, why checking your ego can help you maintain healthy relationships with your clients, and why her favorite celebrity moments included Martha Stewart. If you want real insights into the world of filmmaking and sports, then this is the podcast for you! What fears have you allowed to hold you back? What fears have you conquered and kicked to the curb? Leave a comment below!   In this episode: Tips & tricks on taking risks and getting over fears How making an investment in one job can lead to a ton of future opportunities How the competition mindset can destroy your momentum, and some of the practical reasons to consider other film companies as your allies How the heck you’re supposed to budget for a job like working with Fox Sports. Amy breaks it down!   Quotes: “You try to do everything and you can’t. There is no physical way you can, and if that was all I was doing, I would never have any time to do anything else.” [8:38] “It’s the challenge of I am going to figure out how to do this and not be scared.” [18:45] “It’s okay to hire someone who is smarter than you that knows something more about this, and that’s the only way you are going to be able to grow. Otherwise, you just limit yourself to what your capabilities are. There is so much more you can do if you can get past that.” [26:41] “It’s okay to get rejected, sometimes it [doesn’t feel] the best, but you never know until you try.” [40:08]   Links: Captivate Film CoFollow Captivate Film Co on Facebook  Milwaukee Brewers Game Day Experience Video One Fine Day ProductionsFollow One Fine Day Productions on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Vimeo Check out episode 37 with Raj Dhillon and on how to break into the commercial advertising video world Check out episode 22 with Lighthouse Films for another strategy to get into the commercial world 

Many of us started our careers focussing on the wedding film industry. And while many filmmakers eventually expand their businesses to include corporate and commercial films, getting established in the wedding in the first place is something that often gets glossed over. If you’re looking to make the leap into the world of wedding filmmaking, maybe leaving your day job in the process (woot!) Matt Johnson has some great tips on how to grow a wedding film-based business.  Matt Johnson is a filmmaker/storyteller and owner of FilmStrong, who specializes in stunning wedding videos. He also gives out a ton of free advice, and tips & tricks on his extremely popular Youtube channel which is a must watch for anyone wanting to break into the biz. We also talk about how getting the right people into the proper roles can be the thing that takes you from being in the hole financially to being profitable. Plus, Matt gives us actionable steps for all the people starting out and I mean genuinely just beginning. This is the perfect episode for newbies and for people who are looking to scale their business. In this episode: How to take your business from scraping by to profitable The extreme importance of having the right people in the right roles Should you ever work for free? Tips and tricks for scaling your business beyond yourself   Quotes: “By pushing at a higher luxury market and getting a very good vision and direction of where you are heading in your business, you can make more money by doing fewer weddings.” (26:46) “If you are not on the math side, like I am not, hire someone.” (30:28) “Be very selective with weddings and with the work that you put on your website. Don’t just have it be everything.” (42:46)   Links: Find Matt on his website Let Matt help you grow and scale your business  FilmStrong  Follow Matt on Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, Instagram, Twitter 

What do you do when the struggles get to be too much? How do you deal with the fears and frustrations of being an entrepreneur? We have all been there, and they will happen throughout your career, but today’s guest Whitney Powell has some insight and inspiration to share that will help you break free. Whitney began her career in LA after graduating from film school but soon realized that the Hollywood life was just not for her. So she changed everything. Her love of travel, storytelling, and endurance racing lead her to create her own company that fuses those passions together with social media branding for clients. She opens up about how while her life might look amazing on Instagram and Facebook (and believe me, it does), that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been filled with struggles, frustrations, and fear. She gets brutally honest about all of this, including what she does to pick herself up and continue moving forward even in the darkest times. If you have ever felt like taking your business in another direction more in line with your deepest passions, then this is a podcast that you cannot miss. I learned a ton from this conversation, and I strongly suggest you listen to it twice because it is just that good. Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? How did you get yourself past that point? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: What does entrepreneurial life really look like, and how does it differ from what we see on social media? Tips on how to recover when you are feeling like giving up Why it’s so important to be honest and upfront on social media How to think outside the box when it comes to making a career in the film and video industry   Quotes: “You need to know what you are worth and say no, ‘I am going to stick to my guns and follow the path that I envisioned & not accommodate what other people’s visions are.” (34:13) “Get mad and get proactive.” (35:29) “What do I want? Nobody else is living my life. I have to live my life, so what do I want to be doing with that time. We only have so many hours in a day to make those choices so what are you going to do with it?” (36:46)

How often do you feel like you are overworked and underpaid? I'm sorry to say this, but you only have yourself to blame. Today on the podcast, Matt and I (Ryan) are opening up about the struggles we've faced in our businesses, both early on and more recently, and how we overcame them. We cover a lot of the info you probably never though about when you got into business in the first place including hiring, firing, pricing, and the fine art of setting boundaries for yourself. We also talk about the insane importance of allowing yourself time to recharge and that working 80 hours a week isn’t impressive, it’s stupid. And, how you are setting yourself up for failure if you don’t carve out time to work on your business and not just in your business. As we discuss, there are always new challenges to tackle at every stage of your business, but with this episode we're hoping we can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that held us back early, and give you a look into the future of a growing film business so you can plan ahead! Have you been struggling with how to grow your business past a one-person band? What have you tried to help you scale it? What worked and what didn’t work? Let us know in the comments below!   In this episode: Some of the things that stunted us early on and kept us from growing our businesses? How do you raise your prices without you losing all your clients? The necessity of having an end goal in sight when you first start out. The reason that 96% of creative businesses fail.   Quotes: “Make some boundaries, make some rules for yourself, know when you are turning off and turning on. Get some recharge time with your family and friends. Get some sleep.” (29:04) “But having that end in sight and really saying in a year from now how can this business look different so that I am working a little less inside my business and a little more on my business, so that I am not pulling my hair out.” (27:48) “We knew the clients that we wanted, we knew what we were worth and we attracted those people.” (37:16)   *** For even more insight into how we grew our businesses and price what we know we're worth, make sure to check out our free ebook, 7 Habits To Consistently Book 5-Figure Corporate Video Jobs ***   Links: Check out Studio Sherpas online Follow Studio Sherpas on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook    Email Matt & Ryan Hey@StudioSherpas.com Podcast Interview with Colleen Bezich  Evernote Expensify Gusto The E-Myth Revisited (Book) Necessary Endings (Book) The Four Hour Work Week (Book)  

We all want to be big business moguls like Mark Cuban or Steven Spielberg. We all want to scale our businesses to the upper echelons. But first we have take tiny steps before the big leaps, and to do that, we need to surround ourselves with people we can lean on, rely on, and laugh with. Do you have those people? Dan and Dana of Gnarly Bay are a team of young and ambitious filmmakers that make unique, honest and quirky videos that evoke human emotion and inspire. Today we discuss where they started from and how they have grown their business to the stage it is today. We speak in depth about how slow growth can be more beneficial to a company then the fast track effect and how passion projects can ultimately lead you to high paying clients. Do you want to grow your business? Do you need to make that next move but are fearful? Are you super passionate about your personal projects but don’t see how it can lead to big paying gigs? Leave a comment below the post!   In this episode: How can passion projects turn into real money? Why is slow growth much better for you and the business? Is it beneficial to go into business with your best friend? How to approach risk taking with your film business?   Quotes: “Letting go of some of the reigns that we held on so to tightly, we started to realize that ‘Oh, this is actually amazing, to have some people to lean on, to help.” “If you tell an interesting story that can connect to a brand with their viewers in some sort of abstract, unique way, then there is an opportunity to do more work of that sort that you can kinda control the creative process of.” “You have to do things that may be difficult but at least when you look back, those things just stand out amongst everything else.”   Links: Check out Gnarly Bay’s work online Follow Gnarly Bay on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Rambo Day Paper Towel Artist Video Tape Artist Video   

If you’re like me, and most other creative business owners, you’re really good at starting projects, but not always at finishing through on them. You have a ton of amazing ideas but most of them never get acted upon, and it feels like if only you could find the time to actually implement these thoughts your business would be unstoppable. If that sounds familiar, this is completely normal. You’re most likely what Mark Winters calls a visionary. Mark is the co-author of a book called Rocket Fuel, where he and his co-author Gino Wickman detail the two essential roles that need to be filled for any business to truly thrive. As we discuss, most business owners and entrepreneurs are Visionaries, people who excel at coming up with ideas, but often lack the focus to follow through on the details and execution. That’s where the Implementer comes in. As visionaries, these are the people we need to hold us accountable, and who excel at seeing that the grand ideas get put into practice in our businesses. Mark and I talk about how to know when it’s time to seek out an implementor, how to find and make use of one in your business - even if that business only consists of you, and some common hiring mistakes small businesses make, along with a ton of other insight. Does the visionary role resonate with you? Have you ever hired someone who fit perfectly into the Integrator role? What results did that have on your business?  In this episode: The difference between visionaries and implementers and why both are essential in successful businesses and partnerships How to know when you need to start looking for an integrator, and what characteristics you should be looking for How to make the integrator/visionary model work even in a small 1 or 2 person company Why you can’t only hire people that you like and resonate with, and some of the consequences Quotes: “It’s so hard for us to realize that all the stuff that drives us nuts, there’s actually somebody out there, that’s what they love!” [14:19] “It’s the simple math problem that says, ‘If I can pay $25/hr to have somebody do that and I can get an hour, what can I do with that? What could I generate with that hour?’ It’s probably way more than $25, and worst case it’s an hour of freedom.” [17:56]   Links Find Mark online Follow Mark on Twitter @markcwinters Find Rocket Fuel on Amazon and AudibleTraction by Gino Wickman 

What’s the first thing you think of when I mention the word “lawyer”? It’s ok, you can come out from under the bed. I know most of us creatives are easily scared off by the thought of lawyers, contracts, accounting and the like. We’ve all heard about hourly rates that are waaaay out of our price range, and we work with such great people that we’ll never actually need a contract to enforce to protect ourselves. Right? Colleen Bezich is not only a practicing attorney specializing in helping creatives with legal issues pertaining to their business, but a filmmaker herself. She knows how we think as creatives and is joins us on the podcast to bust some of the myths most of us have around the legal aspects of our business. I can’t even believe how many notes I took during the recording of this episode, covering everything from what type of business structure we should be set up as, what to include in our contracts to not only protect ourselves, but actually earn more money, to how to find cheap or even free legal services. Colleen also shares some eye-opening stories about creatives she’s worked with who were bailed out by having their legal ducks in a row, and some who faced some severe consequences as a result of relying off of supposedly cheaper online or crowdsourced legal advice. This might be one of the most important episodes we’ve put out to date, so strap yourself in. What’s your experience with contracts or legal services? Do you have any crazy stories of times when you were either glad you were protected or wished you were? Let us know in the comments! *** We just want to mention again, that all of the information Colleen provides is general knowledge and is NOT specifically tailored to your personal business. Alway get a lawyer familiar with your situation to help with any specific questions you might have! *** In this episode: Sole Proprietorship vs S Corp vs LLC: Which one is best for your business? How to view freelancers/interns/employees, and where many of us get it wrong Some specific clauses you might want to consider adding into your standard contracts, some of which can even help you earn more money! What to ask a prospective lawyer when looking for legal advice How to find cheap or free legal services Soooooo much more amazing information that doesn’t get talked about enough. Just listen to the episode! Quotes: “Sole proprietorship is the route that most people go to because it involves literally no real filings with the IRS or otherwise, it’s easiest, it’s the least costly way to operate. That is until you get sued. I don’t advise anyone who’s looking to turn their side gig or hustle into a legitimate business enterprise to sit as a sole proprietorship for long at all” [14:54] “How the IRS make their classifications [on freelancers/employees/interns] is very different than what most small business owners look at when they’re classifying people.” [19:42]

Do you ever feel like if only you could convince your wedding clients to get rid of the photographer on the wedding day your job would be so much easier, and your films would come out better? As videographers, most of us have felt this way at some point. But as today’s guest, Sachin Khona points out, the problem is not that there’s a photographer there vying for the same angles and moments as we are, it’s the fact that we don’t communicate and collaborate enough to help the day flow smoothly. In fact, approaching the day collaboratively with another creative can often lead to different angles and shots than we might capture on our own. Sachin is a Vancouver based wedding, portrait and street photographer who also puts on an annual conference in his hometown called The ARC Experience geared towards wedding photographers. He’s heard all the complaints from both videographers and photographers about working with each other, and shares some of his tips for how to ensure the wedding day goes smoothly and everyone gets what they need. He also breaks down how he transitioned out of his corporate job into photography, after realizing that while he was supposedly working the perfect job at one of the best companies in the world, he still wasn’t happy. What’s the best experience you’ve had working with a wedding photographer? What made it so great? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: Some tips to ensure the wedding day goes smoothly when working with other creatives How to set the the tone for the rest of the wedding day right off the bat, and why this is essential The blueprint for how Sachin left his corporate job to pursue wedding photography Why you NEED to educate the client on your style and what it takes to achieve it Quotes: “What I’m trying to when I first meet a couple is, I don’t really want to try too hard to sell what I do. It’s really about us connecting, and seeing if our personalities and our vibe and our energies match. I’m definitely not trying to convince them at that stage to like my work as a photographer.” [18:31] “I feel like the really critical part definitely is the morning, because it sets the tone. Making an effort to connect with the photographer, videographer etc. [beforehand] is cool.” [28:11] “There’s people who do amazing work, but I can’t really refer them because I’ve working with them and I know actually how they are on a wedding day.” [32:47]

I know as well as anyone that it’s only too easy to focus on the tactical, hands on aspects of dealing with clients, chipping away at the never-ending to do list, and practicing our craft in an effort to maintain and grow our businesses. The thing is that when we do this, we often tend to get sucked in, overwhelmed, and burned out. Adrian Koehler is a performance coach who helps high-level entrepreneurs and teams improve their mental fitness and approach to business so that they can achieve the results they’re working towards. He has a history working as a crisis responder, and working with inmates in the prison system to improve their outlook on life. He’s found that with all of his clients, much of the struggle comes from the filters they view life through, and the stories they construct to explain their reality, many of which are not only not true, but are actively limiting our potential. Today we talk about how to maintain a healthy outlook that will not only help us achieve our business goals but help us lead a fulfilling life as well. We also talk about what burnout really is and how we can combat it, along with a ton of other insights from Adrian. Have you struggled with burnout, comparing yourself to your competition, or mental fitness? What did you do to work through it? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: How to identify false stories we might be telling ourselves and the filters through which we view and engage with the world The value of intergenerational friendships and relationships Why comparing yourself to your competition will only drag you down and keep you from success What is burnout really and how can we deal with it? The small practice that Adrian does every morning to set the tone for his days and keep him on track throughout the day Quotes: “If we can get our minds right we can get our actions right, and when we get our actions right we get new results in our lives” [6:57] “I always assert that whatever we have in our lives, we want it on some level. Otherwise we’d do something else.” [23:44] “I don’t think your highest potential will come out if all you’re trying to do is replicate what somebody else is.” [35:17]

If you’ve been hanging around Sherpa land for a while, you know how passionate we are about building teams around ourselves so that we can live the lives we want and not be overwhelmed by our work, no matter how much we love it. Jordan Bunch is an Austin-based wedding filmmaker, and host of the Wedding Film Academy Podcast, who realized early on that by hiring a team, he could free up the time to be a better husband, father, neighbor, and person, focussing on the things that are really important to him in life. He didn’t stop there though. After hiring his first editor and seeing the impact on his business, he ran with it, and created two separate wedding film brands, both with unique approaches to the business. He shares today which roles in his team he feels are most important, how to build a team that you can trust and rely on, and getting over the fears a lot of us have around letting go of doing everything ourselves.   In this episode: Why Jordan created a second wedding brand not associated with his name How to get over the fear of our employees leaving us to start their own businesses after we’ve trained them How Jordan gets his name out there for both of his brands How to build a healthy team culture and support them in their growth Quotes: “Doing this team model really supplies me with an opportunity to live the life I want to live.” [5:02] “Positive reinforcement is just so much more effective than negative criticism. I’ve really been working on, as much as possibly to hardly ever say anything that is negative to my team… People live into the reality of what you paint them to be.” [12:21]

Have you ever heard the phrase “content is king”? It’s a phrase that is sold to creatives the world over encouraging them to continue to put their best work. We’re told that if we do, sooner or later, we’ll catch our break and get discovered. The thing is, it’s not enough. Sure we need to be putting out quality work, but our work alone, no matter how good it is, will rarely get us where we want to go. Joe Simon has been working as a filmmaker and DP for 20 years. He transitioned from starting out as a professional BMX rider and filmmaker focusing on action sports, to a successful and in demand wedding film company, and then again transitioned into a commercial and corporate film brand. He now travels the world shooting TV shows for networks like CBS and CNN, and workign with brands such as Norwegian Cruise Line, TD Ameritrade, Oakley, and many, many others. Today, Joe shares how even after 10 years working in film, when he started his commercial brand The Delivery Guys, he still fell victim to the creative bias, and quickly found out that great work alone wasn’t enough to attract the clients he wanted to work with. He tells us how you should be getting your work out to the right people to see, how to build a killer reel by utilizing your current jobs, and a whole bunch more. If you’re looking for advice from someone who’s lived it, Joe is the guy. In this episode: • How to handle hiring freelance editors to get the best results • Joe’s approach to capturing extra content on your current shoots and repurposing it to pitch to corporate and commercial clients • The ups and downs of travel jobs and how to prepare for them • Where Joe would begin if he were starting over again today • How to effectively market your work and get the right people to see it Quotes: “The Delivery Men was created off of b-roll content from weddings.” [18:27] “I think in general you just have to really hustle a lot, and to get work, it’s hard. When I first launched this company in 2012, I built the website and built the reel, and I thought that work would just show up, and it didn’t. It was a realization that no one knows who we are in this world, and so really having to get out and hit the street and build a network.” [25:00] “You have to have a network first before you can just get people to watch something.” [28:29]

Do you ever find yourself watching TV, and when a commercial for a big national or even international brand comes on, find yourself thinking, “I could’ve shot that.” Many of us believe we have what it takes to produce that same quality of work, but we have absolutely no idea about what it takes to break into the world of commercial advertising. If that sounds like you, do we ever have a treat for you today. Raj Dhillon is a freelance commercial TV producer from Toronto who works with some small brands you might have heard of like Heineken, Toyota, and oh, yeah McDonalds. Today she joins us on the podcast to walk us through everything we need to know if we would like to get established in the world of commercial advertising. She breaks down the entire process from concept to finished product, the people involved, and where we fit into the puzzle. She also lets us in on who exactly we need to be networking with, what producers like her are looking for in the reels we submit, and she also shares her story of barging her way into the advertising world. Trust me, you’re going to want to be paying attention to what Raj is sharing with us today. What’s your experience with commercial work? Have you managed to land any clients big or small? Is this something that you aspire towards, and if so what do you see standing in your way? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: What large agencies are looking for in your demo reel Exactly who you need to be networking with in the ad space The entire process of creating a TV commercial, and where video producers like us fit in Some incredible tips on how you can develop an applicable reel even if you’ve never been hired to shoot a big commercial Quotes: “I finally just was like, ‘This guy’s never going to hire me unless he meets me.’ Because he just kept kind of dragging it out. So I booked a flight, flew out, stayed with an uncle and just showed up at their office basically, and forced myself into an interview.” [20:53] “You could edit together a beautiful 2-minute or 5-minute reel, but it doesn’t really necessarily show me that you can tell me a story in 30 seconds.” [32:54]

Quick question for you. If you wanted to take 8 weeks to volunteer in South America with limited wifi, is your business set up in a way that you could do it? If you’re anything like me, and most small film companies out there, I’m guessing the answer is no, and if that’s the case, then this is the perfect episode for you. Shannon Avery is the founder of Hoo Films, a California-based wedding film company currently shooting around 75 weddings per year all over the world. In addition to traveling for work however, Shannon routinely will take a few weeks off at a time to travel and recharge her creative batteries. Oh, and yeah, she’s planning on taking that 2 month trip to South America this winter, managing her team remotely. She didn’t always have the flexibility to do this however. Over the past 5 years she’s built her team in such a way to allow her the flexibility and freedom that she needs. She shares her secrets and processes that have allowed her to create the business that she always wanted (and the one a lot of us aspire to). We also dive deep into why it’s so important to take time to recharge and disconnect from work, whether that be for a couple hours a day, one day a week, week long vacations, or more. Recharging doesn’t always mean traveling the world like it does for Shannon, and it’s vital that you find out what that means for you. What activities allow you to come back to work fresh and ready to create? How have you set up your business to allow space for those activities? In this episode: •How Shannon was able to market herself to attract destination work •Why you need to define your systems and processes even if you don’t currently have a team, and why it’s even more important if you do •How to be intentional about building a team that will give you what you want from your business •The practical difference that being fresh and recharged has on your business •How Shannon’s business allows her to travel for 2 months at a time while the business carries on as usual Quotes: “I’m fine with being a workaholic, but I’m not fine with not having a life.” [12:57] “The minute that you decide to take a paycheck for this, is the minute that you really should start asking yourself how you are going to be the most efficient.” [26:30] Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com

Ok, so first off I want to share that Matt and I were called out by one of our followers a couple of weeks ago about the lack of women we have on the podcast. This was by no means an intentional decision but rather a result of us just being better networked with male filmmakers and educators. We’re super appreciative of the feedback and we’re going to be making a much greater effort to find talented, strong, female filmmakers who can bring a different perspective to what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry (although not for long!) Jennifer Moon is the founder of Northernlight Filmworks, as well as The Posh Retreat, an annual conference focussed on women filmmakers and photographers that is going into its seventh year this fall. After 11 years in the film industry, she noticed how at pretty much every conference, the majority of speakers were male, and if there was a woman on stage, she was likely accompanied (and perhaps talked over) by her husband. As a passionate educator, she realized that there was a gap that needed filling and the annual retreat was born. Today we talk about the importance of continuing to educate ourselves as our businesses grow, some of the struggles female filmmakers face working in this industry, the first task you should be outsourcing when you’re starting out, and a whole lot more. We’d love to hear from our female listeners. What challenges do you come up against on a daily or weekly basis in this industry? Which women in the film industry do you look up to that we should be reaching out to to have on the show? Let us know in the comments! * For all of our female listeners, you can get a $50 discount off of The Posh Retreat by using the discount code: sherpa50 *  In this episode: • Why education is one of the most important investments we can make • How to find a good bookkeeper and why this might be the most important task for you to outsource • You’ll never believe how long Jen waited to upgrade her cameras, and her mentality behind it • Some struggles women in the industry face that men might not be aware of Find the full post at podcast.studiosherpas.com

Ok, so to be completely honest, I don’t even know how to sum up my conversation with today’s guest, Dane Sanders. I left our call completely jacked up, inspired, and motivated to be better, and I have a feeling this episode is going to do the same for you. Dane spent 12 years as a professional photographer before a “leadership book [he] snuck into the photography community” took off and helped him realize that he had more to offer the world. He now works as a speaker, coach, has written two best-selling books, is the founder of Fastermind.co, hosts the Converge Podcast, and organizes the annual Go Summit. Yeah, he’s a busy guy with a ton of insight and drive. With so much on his plate, Dane has realized that maybe the most important skill to develop is understanding how to prioritize your time effectively. We also talk about why good coaching is essential, and what to look for in a good coach, how he hacked his way to leveling up his friend group and why you should do the same, and why you should be focussing on the process and your body of work, rather than individual successes and setbacks.   In this episode: How to prioritize your time effectively Why we need a strong community as freelancers and business owners How Dane was able to dramatically level up his friend group Why the most important thing in your life and business is actually knowing what it is you really want So so much more!   Quotes: “If you’re going to be ‘yourname.com’ in any category, you ought to think about who you actually are, and get the becoming right before you get lost in the doing.” [6:35] “I think when people realize that they have a scaling problem, they come up against themselves. They have to make some hard decisions as a leader and an owner and really get clear on what is their value?” [10:30] “The myth of the shortcut is so prevalent in our world. You have to almost violently fight against it.”[14:04]   Links: Find Dane Online Fastermind  Converge Podcast Go Summit Fast Track Photographer   Books Recommendations:  E-Myth Revisited Permission Marketing Tribes Boundaries For Leaders Deep Work So Good They Can’t Ignore You Letters To A Young Poet - Rilke translated by Charlie Leuth Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your production      

We’re going to try something a bit different on the podcast this week, but I think you’re going to enjoy it. Since launching the Studio Sherpas podcast we’ve received a ton of questions both from listeners, as well as members of our Selling Like A Sherpa course, which we recently relaunched. In this episode we wanted to address some of the most common questions we get and give our take on how we approach the different challenges that come our way, and what’s worked (or not) for us. The questions in this episode come from a live Q&A call Matt and I did with Selling Like A Sherpa Members. We wanted to share one of the perks of being a member with the rest of our community and we hope that this episode answers some of the questions that you’ve been asking yourself! What do you think, should we do more Q&A type episodes? What are you still wondering about that we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: • If you have an existing film business, how do you diversify your brands operationally and structurally? • Can you give us some advice about working with agencies, what are some of the downsides to be aware of? • Do you ever try to pitch companies that already have a video service provider • How should I approach hiring an editor on a per project basis • How do you deal with getting discouraged when comparing yourself to others? What helps you get through? Links: Voice Nation https://www.voicenation.com/ Ring Central https://www.ringcentral.com/ Selling Like A Sherpa http://my.studiosherpas.com/freedom/

We’ve talked before on the show about how to start landing high end weddings and corporate clients, but I don’t know if anyone has ever laid out the strategy in such simple terms as today’s guest, Caleb Lee. Don’t be fooled by Caleb’s age, he’s been doing this for a long time and knows a thing or two about not only filmmaking, but running a successful business. At 16 he sold his landscaping business to invest in film gear before traveling the world for a year helping a charity produce videos of their projects. His first film? In the Himalayas in Nepal, no big deal… He now primarily focuses on high end destination weddings and shares with us how he was able to break into the world of celebrity, politician, professional athlete, and Fortune 500 company events and weddings. His secret? It’s all about networking with the right people, and he shares exactly who he was able to network with and how he approaches working with wedding vendors to keep booking big budget weddings, and getting to travel the world while doing it! How do you approach working with other vendors in the wedding industry? Have you found a way to leverage those relationships to help you book larger weddings? Or do you feel like there’s a missing piece in there? Let us know in the comments.   In this episode: How to approach working with vendors to create a cohesive final product for the couple Caleb’s simple approach to buying new gear Why you absolutely need to network with others in the industry if you want to land better jobs How Caleb draws inspiration from photographers, and how he shaped his style by studying their work. Some of the standout locations from Caleb’s destination events Quotes: “For me, my story changed when I started working with planners. That’s almost my whole business model now. I don’t book clients directly very often, almost always I’ll have a list of 20 to 30 planners across the country that know and love my work, and when they think I’m a good fit for a client, they bring me along.” [11:17] “I think the industry always makes room for talent” [20:10] “I had a bucket list when I was a kid, and so many of those locations that I always wanted to visit have been knocked out by wedding clients, shockingly. Anyone looking to get into the industry early on, I think if you put your values out there - the things that you appreciate - I think those clients come and find you, they’re looking for people who they have shared values with.” [23:29] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

Have you ever thought about moving past the solopreneur, one person band, or maybe husband/wife duo business model and build up a team around you? Those of us who have made the leap to hiring a team often only realized that we needed one after nearly working ourselves to death trying to do it all ourselves. Part of the reason is that most of us have absolutely no idea what makes a creative team click or how to hire a team where each member complements the skills and personalities of the others. David Aguilar of Archaius Creative, a SoCal post-productions house, started in the same place as many of us, wearing a ton of hats working first as a filmmaker before moving to a freelance editing role. He quickly realized however the drawbacks of doing it all himself, including backlog, stress, and a resentment of the work he once loved. Since then, David’s put a lot of thought into how to structure and hire a successful creative team, and the post-production house now has a staff of 11. Today he shares with us how he thinks about hiring, his “less is more” approach to both editing and shooting, the test he gives all of his new hires on day one, and a TON more! Are you currently operating as a solopreneur or freelancer, or as a part of a team, including running one yourself? Leave a comment and let us know! In this episode: How to hire to ensure your team works well together as a creative group The importance of knowing the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and your team members The “less is more” approach to shooting and how it can benefit your films How to determine which tasks you should be outsourcing, and how to take the leap into hiring someone on Quotes: “One of the best things we’ve done has been to build people from the ground up. A lot of my first hires had very little to no experience, and now they’re the project managers and really honing in the final product. Really what was more important than editing skill, were some of the intrinsic traits of being humble, moldable, open to critique, and just hungry for always knowing that there’s a better tier of their skill set that they could get to. [7:17] “It’s not about promoting me or my successes. It’s about the team and what we do collectively. My role here is not for the team to push me up, but for me to really elevate them, and provide them resources for how they can best execute their job.” [23:04] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

Let’s face it: It can be hard being a self employed filmmaker. Not only do we have to worry about how to run our businesses better, find new leads, and keep the lights on, but we also need to continuously improve our craft and the finished products we deliver to our clients. Oh, and don’t forget that many of us have families and lives outside of our work, as much as we may love it. My conversation with Matt Thompson on the podcast this week took a bit of a turn from where I thought it might go. But Matt being Matt, he delivered some incredible insight as the theme of managing our relationships emerged over the course of our chat. Matt is the CEO of Blade of Grass Holdings, an umbrella company for SongFreedom, Fyrfly, Luna Music Group, and U Management. As you can imagine, with this many companies straddling the music and film worlds, Matt knows a thing or two about the importance of working with, and learning from other people. Furthermore, he’s proof that if you master this skill, success will find you in whatever field you’re in. We talk broadly about how we balance our businesses with our home and family lives, collaborating with other artists and creatives, the one essential skill to successful business partnerships (and all of our other relationships), and how to find time to recharge our batteries while juggling all of our other responsibilities. How do you manage to balance your business with the rest of your life? Are you able to find time for yourself to recharge and stoke your creativity? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: When to say "no" to projects that might be good ideas but don’t play to your strengths How to balance your business with the rest of your life -- including your family Why don’t we as video producers collaborate with each other on projects like in the music world? How Fyrfly is going to change the way we host our videos online! The single most important factor to which Matt attributes all of his success Quotes: “There was a period of time in my life where I was afraid and I made decisions based out of fear, and I was afraid that we wouldn’t get the job and I was afraid somebody might steal my ideas. But that idea of abundance is just more overpowering in my life today. I don’t want to approach life with clenched fists, I want to approach it open handed.” [27:45] “I think having a little bit of humility - it can be difficult at times for sure - but we’re talking about collaborating with other people, and you want to go do that, not only because it’s fun, but also maybe, just maybe you can learn something from somebody else.” [42:46] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

We might not realize it, but a lot of us waste a huge amount of our client's time - and money - on set by being impractical in the way we approach our gigs. Dennis Abad is a Manila, Philippines based filmmaker, educator, and co-founder of Shoot Practical Videography. He and his partner founded the school after witnessing novice videographers botch jobs again and again, and deciding to do something about it. They place a heavy emphasis on the practical, what new filmmakers need to know to get started in the world of video and run a profitable business. A past student of our own, with our Selling Like A Sherpa Course, Dennis has seen how defining processes and systems have affected both his shooting and sales results, and heavily preaches the same approach to his own students. Today he shares some of the biggest mistakes he sees beginning filmmakers making, and gives us some tips on how to be more practical when it comes to our own work. When you look back at your own progression as a filmmaker, what were some aspects of your process that were impractical when you started out? Let us know in the comments! In this episode: • How to allow yourself to focus on what you’re best at during a shoot • The 3 selling points that are most attractive to corporate clients • Why being the best filmmaker doesn’t equate to running a successful business, and what you need to focus on instead. • Some common mistakes Dennis sees from novice filmmakers Tips on how to be more practical with your videography Quotes: “For corporate, you really want to be able to focus on what you’re best at...I think it’s more important when you’re doing a corporate gig [than at a wedding].” [22:07] “You want to be able to have a complete package. You want to be efficient and you want to create content for your client that they can be proud of.” [35:06] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

So many of us work primarily as corporate or wedding filmmakers - and love what we do - but have dreams of doing more. Of pursuing passion projects and making a living from them. It can be hard to know where to start, however. How can we set up our businesses in a way that allows us to expand and grow beyond our current client base? Abraham Joffe is an incredibly talented wildlife and travel filmmaker based in Sydney, Australia whose work you may have seen on a little network called Netflix with his show, Tales By Light. He’s traveled all over the world and filmed some of the most incredible cultures and creatures to be found on Earth. But Abraham didn’t start out this way. In fact, he had an established wedding and corporate film business before he was presented with the opportunity to pursue something bigger. Today he shares with us how he had already set up his business to allow him the flexibility to take his chance and run with it when it came. He also talks about how pursuing unpaid passion projects allowed him to gain skills and make connections that ultimately resulted with him traveling the world and filming exotic sights for a living. What’s your dream film gig? What steps could you take to prepare yourself to take a smart risk on that dream when an opportunity presents itself? In this episode: - How Abraham set himself and his business up to allow for smart risks - How he took an opportunity presented to him, and then through his own initiative turned it into something way bigger for both himself, and his client - Some of the practical benefits to having a series picked up by Netflix - Tips to streamline your experience when traveling with a lot of gear - Some of Abe’s most insane wildlife experiences! Quotes: “No matter how good you think you are, it’s just so hard to capture spontaneous moments. You’re trying to be cinematic, but when sh*t goes down it’s often the time that you don’t have the camera up, or you can’t have the camera up.” [10:04] “I feel like every good thing I’ve ever done, in my personal life and my professional life has always taken a bit of a step into the unknown. I think if you're comfortable, you’ll just swim in the same pool forever.” [17:52] “I think if I’d purely made financial decisions then I’d probably just still be doing weddings, and probably doing fine - I mean we were running a successful studio - but you know, I’m in a much happier place now, and I think you’ve got to give yourself those opportunities.” [28:32] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

Most of us didn’t get into filmmaking in the first place to take on clients and run businesses. When we picked up a camera for the first time and were captivated by what we could do with it, it was because we ourselves had something to say. Our own story to share. The deeper into the world of film we dove however, the more we realized that it seems all but impossible to bring our passion projects to life in a sustainable way. Sure, we could invest thousands of hours and vast amounts of money to complete a project, but most of us will never see enough return on that investment to justify ever undertaking another one. This sucks. For all of us. Patrick Moreau is racking up his Studio Sherpas frequent flyer miles and returning to the podcast to share how he and his team are bringing their new original content series The Remarkable Ones to life. Patrick knows a thing or two about heartbreak and failure when it comes to creating original content and putting it out there. His feature documentary Stand With Me - despite touching deeply pretty much everyone who viewed it - was a commercial failure for the team and made them question whether there was a way to create original content that they were passionate about in a sustainable way. Today Patrick shares what they learned from the failure of their last project, and what they’re doing differently this time to make the most of the series. Do you have a passion project that you’ve released or are wanting to create? What are the biggest obstacles in your way? In this episode: - The 80/20 rule applied to content production, and how most of us get it backwards - How a project can be incredibly powerful and moving to viewers, but still be a failure - How The Creative Bias keeps us from making the most of our creations - The specific budget and scheduling details behind The Remarkable Ones Quotes: “If you keep the dream, and you always say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ then the dream can never die. Actually putting the skin in the game and going out there and doing it is the moment you can truly fail. And that causes so much paralysis for so many people.” [28:43] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

As filmmakers, most of us spend the majority of our time thinking about how we can best tell the stories of our clients. When it comes to our own businesses however, we often neglect to think about the stories that make us unique and might help us connect with new prospects. Bill Baker is the Founder and Principal of BB & Co. Storytelling, a company that helps brands—and the leaders, teams, and organizations behind them—work smarter by leveraging the timeless power of strategic storytelling. Bill encourages brand leaders to look inward, defining their vision for the world, their point of view, and the story that brought them to where they are today to help them introduce more meaning to them, their workforce and ultimately, their customers. This episode is chock full of actionable steps you can implement today to help clarify and convey to clients who you are as a brand and what you stand for. From website tips, to how to boost your sales process, to how to use story to move your own business forward, Bill shares some crazy valuable wisdom with us on the podcast. In this episode: - How to use strategic storytelling to improve your sales process - Why you need to define and be proud of your unique point of view as a brand - The most important element of your website (Hint: It’s not what you think) - SO many valuable tidbits. You really just need to listen. Quotes: “We have found that when properly practiced and strategically used, storytelling is one of the best ways to bring meaning to work and to a workforce.” [5:30] “Storytelling used in a sales process is going to be used in the same way for a small studio versus someone for a big pharmaceutical company… The fundamentals of sales I think are relatively the same regardless of what category you’re working in and how big your business is.” [18:47] Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

A few years into my video career I got a big time scare. Not one, but two filmmaker friends of mine were sued by big record labels for using unlicensed music on a couple of videos that happened to go viral. I’m ashamed to admit it now, but during my first few years making videos, I didn’t even know what music licensing was, let alone pay for it. I wanted to support artists, but I couldn’t afford to license mainstream bands like Coldplay or the Black Eyed Peas and the royalty free music that was available… Well, let’s just say it was less than inspiring. Artlist is one of the most exciting of a number of music licensing companies that have sprung up in the wake of a spate of lawsuits against filmmakers in recent years. They feature incredibly high-quality music at a seriously insane price, and their interface is designed entirely with creatives in mind. My companies and I use them constantly and they’ve been a godsend for our business. Artist Manager for Artlist Jeremiah Benzion is on the podcast today to talk about how Artlist is able to benefit both filmmakers and musicians and offer such value to everyone. We talk about how to best go about selecting music for your projects, the film and music pedigree of the company, and how they’re hoping to make life even easier for us as video producers in the future. Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

Have you ever come across a tool that makes you business run so much more smoothly that you would gladly pay 5x the price for it and still feel like it’s a steal? Yeah, me too, and for me, Wipster is one of those tools. Wipster is something of a “Google Docs for video”, allowing for commenting and collaborating right on top of the video, where it makes sense. You can even export those comments into your Premiere timeline to keep them front of mind when doing a round of revisions. It makes collaborating with clients and other members of my team SO much easier than it was in the past. Seriously, this tool couldn’t have come around sooner for me and my business, it’s that good. Not only does the Wipster team have an amazing product (they actually don’t feel like they even need to sell to customers), they are deeply in tune with the pulse of the industry and where it’s headed. Content Marketing Manager Hayley Jordan and Partnership Marketing Manager Andre Van Den Assum join me on the podcast today to talk about what trends they’re seeing in the world of video, where we’re headed, and how Wipster can make your life easier. Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

If you’re anything like me, when you first started your creative business, literally the last thing you wanted to be spending your time on was selling. For me, it was all about creating emotional films that moved people, but as I took on more work and got busier and busier I ended up spending less time shooting and more time selling. Besides the fact that I wasn’t spending as much time doing what I loved, the problem was that I had no idea what I was doing when it came to sales. No way to guide potential clients to the conclusion that my work was worth more than what somebody else down the street was charging. I had always assumed that my work would speak for itself, but was realizing that this was not the case. Matt and I (Ryan) got together this week to discuss how building out a defined sales process has changed our businesses, and how it can do the same for yours. For each of us, the moment when we actually put a sales process in place was a pivotal turning point for our businesses, freeing up our time to focus on other tasks, helping land bigger clients, and overall making life less stressful on us. I know you might think the term “Sales Process” sounds heartless, like it takes the personal touch out of your client interactions (I thought the same thing). In truth however, your process can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, and simply allows you to have something to fall back on when dealing with potential clients. This allows you to be more at ease, natural, and attentive to their needs. Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

When most of us think about making a career shooting films, we’re only able to come up with a few routes to success. Sure there are the wedding and corporate/brand film industries, but they are often crowded markets with a ton of high-quality filmmakers vying for these jobs. A lot of us dream of landing high-end commercial clients, but have no idea how to even get started. So what do we do? Brad Walker is the Founder of Lighthouse Films, based in Wilmington, NC and has been thinking outside the box ever since getting out of film school. He got his start by becoming a specialist at making promo films for high-end summer camps before shaking up his business with a risky investment and making the jump into commercial work. He’s worked with brands such as Ford, JP Morgan Chase, Red Bull, IBM and many, many more, always with the aim of humanizing these large brands with authentic storytelling. Brad shares with us how thinking outside the box and taking smart risks in your business can open up worlds of opportunities for you. Particularly, he discusses how we often spend too much time thinking about our gear and our product, neglecting one aspect of our business that is just as important if not more so. Find the original post at: https://studiosherpas.com/category/podcasts

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger. And one of the challenges that our ever increasing ages present to us in our industry is that it becomes harder and harder to keep up with what our clients expect when it comes to wedding and commercial video projects. Tastes change, and there’s always some new piece of gear or software with which to acquaint ourselves. Jason Magbanua is a Philippines-based wedding and commercial filmmaker with more than 17 years of experience in the industry. He’s realized how much harder he has to work these days to stay atop the latest trends and technology, but why that hard work is essential to continuing to grow his brand. His company now has 25 employees and he personally shoots over one hundred weddings every year. Amid this schedule, Jason still manages to find time to work with corporate and commercial clients and speak at wedding filmmaking events around the world. He reminds us that while your age may require you to work harder in some areas, those years of experience ultimately help us charge the prices we want, and work with clients who are truly excited to work with us.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com When a lot of us start out in the wedding industry, whether it be as filmmakers, photographers, or coordinators, we have dreams of working with high-end luxury and celebrity clients. I know I did when I first started, but as most of us realize pretty quickly, it can be really hard to elevate your brand to a level that attracts that type of clientele. And even if you do, there are often a host of other challenges. Sasha Souza is the founder of Sasha Souza Events and has been planning and coordinating events of all kinds, including weddings for over 20 years. In that span, she’s guided her company to becoming one of the top event, design, and wedding coordination companies in the US, the most awarded wedding design and event planning company in Napa and Sonoma, and now has offices in Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Over the years she’s worked with a number of celebrity clients and shares with us today her mindset behind attracting those clients and working with them, including how to handle being asked to work for PR. With all the success of her own business, Sasha is now broadening her focus to include helping other creative professionals “who have no idea why their businesses suck.” What’s more, she’s offering a $100 discount off of her 8-week coaching Masterplan to listeners of this episode!

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com It’s a challenge that wedding filmmakers and creative business owners the world over face and struggle with, every day. "When is it time to quit my job and go full-time on this? Is it even possible for me to make a career telling stories through film?? My market is waaay too small for that...” Some of us struggle with this for months, years, or our entire lives without ever taking the leap and giving it a shot. The timing never seems quite right, our ideal clients are nowhere to be found and there are too many obstacles that we perceive to be standing in between us and our dreams. Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Sarah and Rick Pendergraft of PenWeddings have been there, and know all of the struggles associated with making the move into a totally foreign industry. Based in Broken Arrow, OK (yeah I had no idea where that was either), it’s hard to say that they’re in a “high end” wedding market, and yet they’ve steadily been increasing their prices, year after year since launching the company in 2009. Not only that, but they consistently travel around the world to shoot high-end weddings for couples they love working with, and who genuinely care about the finished product. I’ll be the first to say that I learned a ton from them today about some of the experiments they’ve done along the way, (some successful and some not) related to pricing, marketing, and scheduling. They also dive deep into how they went about making the leap from working for the local news station, to crafting wedding stories at European castles, Mexican beaches, and much, much more.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you’re probably going about pricing your film services in the wrong way. Don’t worry, I’ve been doing it wrong as well, and so are about 99% of not only wedding, corporate, and commercial filmmakers, but creative business people in general. Sean Low is the Founder and President of The Business of Being Creative, a consulting company and fantastic blog (seriously, read Sean’s stuff) that helps artists build businesses that honor the art that is behind them. After starting his career as a lawyer, Sean found his calling working with creative business owners helping them transform that pesky business side of things that so many of us creatives struggle with. One of Sean’s biggest criticisms is that through our pricing structures, we unintentionally cause our clients to value the wrong parts of our creative processes. By rethinking - and repricing - our offerings we can be more, creative, land better clients, and make a better living doing what we love. We dive into some of the price restructuring I’m currently going through with my own wedding film brand, and Sean points out some of the inconsistencies in the way we price our corporate and commercial work versus the way we price our wedding and social work. It turns out that I - and probably a lot of you - are still using outdated pricing structures that made sense 20 years ago, but have little sense in today’s creative business climate.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com You might notice while listening to this episode that today’s guest, Evan Bourcier uses a certain word again and again and again. That word? Intentional As in being intentional, thinking intentionally, and making decisions about your work, your projects, and your life with foresight and purpose. Despite his age (he’s 23), Evan has achieved a lot in the world of filmmaking so far. He’s an award winning and highly sought after DP, owner of a boutique video production house, Valo Visuals and runs a popular educational blog, podcast, and Facebook community. What’s the secret to his success? You guessed it: Being intentional If you’ve dreamed about moving from event video production to commercial work for big brands, or making the jump into marketing yourself as a full-time Director of Photography, Evan has some great tips on how to go about achieving those goals with intention.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com A little over a year ago we (Matt and Ryan) launched this crazy idea we had, called Studio Sherpas. Since then, we’ve put out our Selling Like A Sherpa course (which we will be relaunching soon!), launched this here podcast, and created a whole bunch of other content to help filmmakers take control of their creative businesses, move in a direction that inspires them, and charge what they’re worth. You might be wondering though, “Who are these guys, and why should I listen to them???” In answer to that question we decided to record a podcast focusing on us, Matt Davis and Ryan Koral, co-founders of Studio Sherpas, passionate storytellers, creative business veterans, and dedicated family guys. Between the two of us, we’ve experienced pretty much all of the highs and lows that working in this industry can bring. We wanted to take a moment to share our own stories and hopefully provide some insight into what it’s taken for us to build our businesses from one-man wedding film companies, to fully fledged teams focusing on weddings, corporate, education and more.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com "It takes more than pointing your camera at a human to really capture character in your video. While most wedding have a bunch of people, and often prominently feature a couple, they rarely have any character." This was the opening line of a recently published blog post by today's guest, Patrick Moreau. The blog post in question was titled Why Most Wedding Films Suck, and needless to say, it ruffled some feathers. Patrick joins us today to dive deeper into the sentiments that drove him to write the post, and what the average filmmaker can do to not only produce films that don't suck, but ones that cross borders and inspire viewers beyond the wedding film industry. If you don't know Patrick already, he's the co-founder of Stllmotion, a video company that went from shooting their first wedding with photo and video for $250, alllllll the way to shooting for some of the biggest brands in the world a few years later. How big? How about the NFL, MLB, CBS, Callaway, Canon, Toyota. The list goes on. Really big. Oh, and they've also won five Emmys. Do you want to hear the crazy part? Many of those brands approached Stillmotion to work with them after seeing one of their wedding videos. Hard to believe right? The thing is, Patrick and his team are master storytellers, and the elements of a well-told story remain the same no matter what you're covering. Whether it's one of the most important days of a couple's life together, or one of the most important days of a bunch of 300-pound dudes smashing the crap out of each other, the principals are the same. Patrick's frustration with the lack of storytelling chops in the industry is the focus of his other company, Muse Storytelling. At Muse, he teaches filmmakers how learning the art of storytelling is the biggest thing you can do to move your business forward. It's storytelling, not a new drone or camera setup that is the thing that's going to elevate you to getting those 10, 20, and 50 thousand dollar clients on a consistent basis. Storytelling has become something of a buzzword as of late, but we want to clarify what it really means, and how you can go about crafting great stories, and getting paid what your worth to tell them.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past… well, ever... You’ve probably realized that our industry is going through some pretty major changes. A lot of these changes are scary to us as filmmakers and video producers. Budgets seem to be getting smaller, and it gets harder and harder for us to stand out from the hordes of insanely talented filmmakers that we often find ourselves competing for jobs with. Pat McGowan is a filmmaker with over thirty years of experience in the industry and has watched these shifts take place over time and adapted to them along the way. He’s the owner of inMotion, a film house based in Ottawa, Canada, as well as his new service BlackBox. He’s watched what he calls the commoditization of video content take place, with giant companies taking a major stake in content production and consignment. Pat realized that there had to be a way for the average video producer to capitalize on the ownership of the content sitting on their archived drives, and earn some passive income in the process. He created BlackBox as a way to help video content owners streamline the process of contributing to stock footage companies, taking care of the entire backend process, and allowing content creators to do what they do best: Create. Great. Content.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Ok, confession time. There was a time in my filmmaking and creative business journey where I almost let the business take over my life. I let the work that I was doing take over more and more of the energy and attention that I should have been focusing on my family, and I learned some really hard lessons from it. Joey and Aaron of 31 Films and Film Lab Creative were getting established in this business around the same time as I was, I’d I’ve been watching and admiring their work for a number of years. Right from the beginning, the thing that set founder Joey’s companies apart in my mind was the culture he established. He’s been able to take his companies from a one-man operation to bringing in Aaron, to now having seven full-time editors on staff! Of course, it wasn’t easy for them, and they too have learned many hard lessons along the way (don’t we all?). It’s never easy, knowing when it’s time to bring in someone else to help grow your business, but Joey has some great insights into what’s worked for him. Not only has he grow his companies, but he's maintained a healthy work-life balance and focus on family for both his employees and himself.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com If you’re like me, at some point in your life you’ve probably aspired to making it big and breaking into Hollywood as a director, producer, DP, editor, etc. But where did this idea of success come from? Rob Hardy was an indie filmmaker working 18 hours days on projects he wasn’t passionate about, with people he didn’t click with, burning himself trying to achieve that goal. He was at the point of asking himself if he even wanted to be a filmmaker before realizing that there were many paths to a successful film career, most of which don’t lead to Hollywood. Rob now runs The Filmmaker’s Process, a blog and growing community of indie filmmakers where he guides readers on how to redefine success for themselves, according to their own circumstances, talents, and values. He's also passionate about building a worldwide directory of film professionals to make it easier to connect with partners for our creative projects. Few if any of us will realize the dream of consistently working on Hollywood films, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t create fulfilling and successful film careers on our own. It just means we need to think hard about what success means to us and take one small step at a time to get us there.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com “You get to a point where there’s always going to be something that could hold you back, and you have to decide, ‘Ok, at which point am I not going to let that something be a hindrance to me starting to check things off of that bucket list that so many people have but they never actually get through.” [33:57] I’ve been a friend and admirer of Ron Dawson for over a decade now, and he seems to have a way of making everything he touches turn to gold. Ron is currently the host of Radio Film School, a podcast that many call “This American Life for filmmakers”. Before RFS though, Ron had started 2 more uber-popular podcasts geared towards the film and photography industry. Ron is now in the process of filming his first feature documentary, as well as transitioning his business and family into becoming global digital nomads. As with all successful people, Ron’s story has not been without struggle. In this episode, he shares how some of the hard times have inspired his life and business and forced him to focus only on the most high-value pursuits.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Ok, I hate to be the one to bring back these horrible memories, but do you remember how painful it was when every project delivery was done through DVD? Yeah, I hear ya, dealing with the whole DVD process was the first thing I offloaded when I hired my first employee, and I could not have been happier to never have to deal with it again. We’ve largely moved on from physical deliverables these days, but Dropbox and USB stick deliveries, while easier definitely lack the experience that DVDs and Blu-Rays gave. In this episode we’re talking with Michael Guastamacchio, co-founder of MediaZilla a content delivery service that delivers the best of both worlds. Michael and his team work to provide an immersive viewing experience for your clients, while saving you from the tedium of physical deliverables.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Are you one of those classic creatives who loves what they do, and is really great at it, but struggles with taking control of their business and capitalizing on their talent. I know I am, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that just because you’re a creative type person, doesn’t mean you can’t master the business skills as well. Brennan Dunn is the founder of Double Your Freelancing, a blog, podcast and online platform dedicated to helping creative freelancers such as videographers, photographers, software developers and more make the most of their talents and grow their businesses. Whether you’re just starting out in your freelancing career, or have been doing it a while but want to take it to the next level, there are a ton of practices you can implement to your business and client relationships that will help you grow your business fast, and Brennan is here to share some of them with us today. I’ve been doing this kind of creative work for over a decade, but after signing up to Brennan’s email list a couple of months ago and going through one of his free courses, I picked up so much useful information that I’ve already begun applying to my own business.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com You know what one of my favorite emails that I get every single week is? It’s the email telling me that a client has just booked with me and my team. Then a few minutes later I get a second email with their retainer payment, then another that they’ve signed the contract. The best part about these emails is that I can be off spending time with my kids, or my wife, or working on other parts of my business while an automated system takes care of my new leads and clients. Adam Fried is the owner of ShootQ, having acquired the software company within the past year. In this episode, he shares his vision for how he and his team are revamping ShootQ to make it the very best studio management software on the market. My teams and I have been using ShootQ to manage our clients and workflows for the past ten years and I absolutely love it. This is one of those rare pieces of software that actually frees me up entirely to focus on the things I want to, like creating amazing films for my clients. That said, as much as I love the software, there were certainly more than a few pain points and complexities in the program. Adam basically checked off each of my concerns one by one, and it seems like pretty much every gripe I had has been addressed, and improved upon. While we’ll have to wait until the end of Q1 2017 to get our hands on it, I have a feeling that this new version of ShootQ might just be one of my favorite tools that helps me run my businesses successfully.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com “A lot of really smart people don’t get around to doing nothin’. They like to think about it, they like to read about it, and then they go to the next book and they listen to the next podcast, and they attend the next workshop, and they talk and they talk about what they’re going to do. But then they don’t ever get around to doing nothin’.” [19:10] As creatives, a lot of us struggle to move into the launch or action phase of our pursuits. Like Ben Hartley, today’s guest says, we think and talk and plan but often fail to pull the trigger. Well, if you need some motivation, Ben might just be your guy. Ben is the founder of Style and Story Creative, an award winning wedding photography and commercial videography agency that has been featured on Creative Live, The Today Show, The Huffington Post and more. He also runs the Six Figure Photography Podcast and blog aimed at helping photographers achieve success in their business, but in a way that complements their ideal lifestyle. Before all this success however, Ben was a restaurant server with a degree in oil painting who just happened to hear about a job opening at a local video production studio. With no experience in video, through determination and action, Ben found a way to get that job, ultimately leading to a long and successful career in video and photography. After hearing Ben’s story, you’ll be hard pressed to come up with excuses about why the time isn’t right to pursue this project, or why you can’t achieve that goal.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com I know, I know, I’ve been there. As creators it often feels like cheating to use templates or have anyone else do work on our projects for us. To be honest though, sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed to finish a project on time, or to be able to spend any time whatsoever with our families and loved ones. That’s exactly why Eri Levin and Tyler Williams, co-founded Motion Array, a creative marketplace with a variety of digital assets that include Premiere Pro templates, After Effects templates, stock music and stock video. Their goal is not to reduce the creativity of video producers and editors, but rather allow them to save time on their projects and focus their creative energies where it really matters. Their content is all highly curated, meaning that everything they offer is the highest quality possible.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com “The ultimate goal is to be old and in love.” That’s what our guest today, John Goolsby says he always tells his kids, and it applies as much to your business and what you fill your time with as it does to your relationships with the people around you. John has been making films professionally for 30 years, and although he’s had to make a ton of changes to stay current with emerging trends and styles, he’s found a way to remain deeply in love with what he does, even after all that time. John’s company, Godfather Films has filmed over 3000 weddings, and currently takes on over 300 projects a year. Aside from wedding films, John takes on a lot of corporate projects and is currently even working on a reality show for A&E! In this episode John takes a look back over his career in the film industry, covering everything from winning a national award for his film on floor mopping for a grocery store client, to now speaking at numerous industry events, and structuring his company in a way that allows it to continue to function without his constant involvement.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com As busy entrepreneurs trying to grow our businesses and sometimes even just scrape by, it can be hard for us to step out of ourselves and our work personas to actually connect with those around us. Jon Connor joins us today and among other topics shares some incredibly powerful stories of how just being a good human while participating in the film industry have given him opportunities, great memories, and have even impacted lives for the greater good. Jon is a filmmaker, editor, and writer, as well as the co-founder and event director of Masters In Motion, a 3 day event focusing on bringing like minded creatives together to learn from some of the best minds in the filmmaking industry. Jon has worked on productions for Showtime, National Geographic (he’s got a great story about this one!), and Urban Outfitters among others, and has a lot of wisdom, as well as a pretty great beard.

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com As filmmakers, gear is an essential part of what we do, and while there’s no denying that fact, it’s important to remember that gear isn’t everything. Kraig Adams, a certified gear nut, joins us today and shares how he’s adopting a minimalist mentality when it comes to gear, and the benefits that the switch is having on his workflow. Kraig is a 25 year old, Brooklyn based filmmaker who, in addition to filming weddings himself, runs the website and Youtube channel Wedding Film School, where he offers tutorials, gear reviews, and teaches wedding filmmaking to others. Kraig shares how he quickly gained a high end client base, his current minimalist gear setup, and how he got arrested for flying his drone in the city!

Find the original post at: podcast.studiosherpas.com Have you ever dreamed of booking destination wedding after destination wedding? Maybe you struggle setting prices that you feel are worth your talent and the product you deliver. This week on the podcast, we’re stoked to have our old friend and wedding filmmaker extraordinaire Ray Roman on the show, who just happens to be an expert in...well, pretty much every area of the wedding film industry, but especially destination weddings and the typically dreaded business side of what we do.

Are you a storyteller? Whether or not you identify as one, if you want to be a successful filmmaker you need to know how to have a full and balanced story with the four pillars firmly in place. Today’s guest has the insight, advice, and software to help you create your most powerful story yet. Patrick Moreau is the co-founder of StillMotion and founder of the Muse Storytelling process & software. Oh, and he’s also a three-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker. Patrick is passionate about the psychology and art of storytelling and shares his wisdom and insights into what makes for a good story and why it is essential to have a repeatable system that helps you create amazing and impactful stories time and time again. In this episode, Patrick shares some of that knowledge with us, to help us craft better stories, starting with our next project. We also discuss why it is important to have clarity of purpose with clients and clarity of intention with yourself so that you can avoid unhappy clients and you, yourself, becoming miserable. If you have ever felt frustrated with your clients making tons of changes or losing sight of the story itself than this episode will help start off on the right foot with your clients and avoid these issues altogether. What are your biggest roadblocks when it comes to storytelling? Do you have a process you use to create the story? Leave us a comment below! In this episode: Why does story have so much power? The importance of psychology in storytelling, and what you need to know Identifying the 4 pillars of a story The “Muse Storytelling” process and how can it help you craft better stories Why is it important to have clarity of purpose with clients The importance of having personal keywords and how they can help guide you in business, storytelling, and life How community can help you to become a better storyteller and creative   Quotes: “It starts with you understanding your own story and what you’re about and what you want to do, then communicating that effectively to connect the right people.” (15:26) “I deeply started experiencing and understanding the idea that the expectation and experience matter more than the content itself.” (32:51) “It’s not the questions that I ask you or the lighting or the cameras. It is the interpersonal connection that I create that will determine how strong and powerfully moving our experience is.” (34:25) “If you always look at the people that have more, or the people that make more, or that are doing work better than you, and you say that’s what you need to be, then you will never be happy and truly won’t live a lot of your life. But, if you go I am doing sh*t that I love now, every day is just so much fuller.” (39:12)   Links: Muse Storytelling Follow Muse Storytelling on Instagram | Youtube StillMotionFollow StillMotion on Twitter | Instagram | Vimeo The Remarkable Ones (website is no longer active) 5 Elements Of Effective Thinking, by Edward Burger