Grow Your Video Business with Ryan Koral

Ryan shares the hard truth that discipline, not hustle, is the real path to freedom in your video business. He breaks down the three key strategies that helped him build a seven-figure agency while working only three days a week: understanding the difference between working in vs. on your business, setting clear quarterly priorities, and implementing time blocking. This solo episode is a wake-up call for video business owners who are stuck reacting to whatever's in front of them instead of intentionally building toward their goals. Key Takeaways Work ON your business, not just IN it - Schedule regular CEO time for vision-setting, process creation, and strategic planning instead of only doing shoots, edits, and admin work Focus on one clear quarterly goal - Break down annual goals into quarterly milestones with clearly defined "done" criteria, then create weekly tasks to achieve them Implement time blocking - Create themed days or dedicated blocks for different types of work (deep work, admin, marketing, sales) to stay focused and avoid distractions Hope isn't a strategy - While hope is important, you need a focused plan and the discipline to execute it consistently to achieve real business growth In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [08:10] Reclaim Control in Your Business [10:54] Doing the Hard Things [14:55] Knowing What You Want [16:09] The Price of Freedom [19:56] Working In Vs. Working On [22:36] Get Clear On Your Goals [24:46] Time Blocking [33:15] Share Your Goals [36:56] Outro Quotes "Growth only happens when you're uncomfortable. You can't grow any other way." - Ryan Koral "Discipline is the price of freedom." - Ryan Koral (quoting Elton True Blood from the 1920s) "Hope isn't a strategy. You must have hope. You should have hope... But the problem is that we get stuck in this like just hoping that our previous project is going to get our next work." - Ryan Koral "Excellence comes at a price and one of the major prices is that of inner control." - Ryan Koral (quoting Elton True Blood) "Being the best filmmaker isn't the thing that has helped this business be around for 20 years... I've had a plan and I've been executing on that plan." - Ryan Koral Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER   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

Chris Robinson, Executive Vice President of Maxwell Leadership, shares his powerful framework for breaking out of business complacency in his new book "From Drift to Drive." He reveals how successful entrepreneurs often drift into "careless security" where they stop doing the things that made them successful in the first place. Chris outlines his seven-step process to help business owners regain clarity, build community, and take intentional action toward their goals.  Key Takeaways Complacency isn't laziness - it's "careless security" where you become comfortable and stop sharpening the skills that got you where you are Start with clarity - consistently ask yourself "What do I want?" because your goals should evolve as you grow Align your daily actions with your annual goals - check if your weekly to-do list matches what you said you wanted at the beginning of the year Community beats competition - surrounding yourself with like-minded people opens more doors than trying to protect your "secrets" About Chris Robinson Chris Robinson is the Executive Vice President of Maxwell Leadership and author of From Drift to Drive. He leads the global expansion of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, a premier community of coaches, speakers, and trainers developed by Dr. John C. Maxwell.  With over two decades of experience, Chris specializes in equipping leaders across industries with the skills and mindset for meaningful impact. Known for his authentic approach and dynamic speaking style, he highlights the dangers of "success-induced complacency" and offers strategies for sustained excellence.  As a dedicated coach and lifelong learner, Chris inspires professionals to transform comfortable success into purposeful growth, empowering them to maximize their potential and make a lasting difference. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:04] Meet Chris Robinson [05:23] From Drift to Drive [07:56] Complacency [11:36] Clarity [16:17] Gathering [17:42] Filtering [18:34] Guidance [25:29] Action [26:13] Evaluation [34:10] Connect with Chris [34:56] Outro Quotes "The gap between what's good and our potential, that gap is great. And so if we can take what we're good at and we can really begin to go back and sharpen that, hone that like we did in order to build that skill set, then we can start reaching towards our potential." - Chris Robinson ”Every single time, Ryan, that you've been crystal clear on what it is that you want, you've got it every single time." - Chris Robinson "You don't have to do this business alone. There's communities you can plug into. There's guides you can plug into. You don't have to make this all up." - Chris Robinson "Any success that I've achieved, it's because I haven't been afraid to build community and build a relationship with people that are doing the exact same thing as me." - Ryan Koral "My goal for this book is to awaken the unknowingly complacent to help them get going, reignited, and back on track to where they want to go." - Chris Robinson Guest Links Find Chris Robinson website | eSpeakers Find Maxwell Leadership website | Facebook | YouTube Follow Chris Robinson on Facebook  Connect with Chris Robinson on LinkedIn From Drift to Drive: A High Achiever's Guide to Breaking the Chains of Complacency, by Chris Robinson Get Your Free Complacency Assessment Profile 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

Phil Mershon, founder of Social Media Marketing World and Unforgettable Events, shares insider secrets on how video producers can transform from vendors into strategic partners. He reveals the mindset shifts and tactical approaches that make event organizers choose you over the competition. This episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone wanting to build long-term relationships with event clients. Key Takeaways Position yourself as a strategic partner by understanding client goals and revenue outcomes, not just filming requirements Treat hybrid events like television productions to create experiences that compete with Netflix-quality content people expect today Use daily check-ins and "must-have" lists to ensure you capture critical moments while staying flexible for spontaneous opportunities Ask outcome-focused questions upfront to become the thinking partner who takes pressure off your client's team About Phil Mershon Phil Mershon is CEO of Unforgettable Experiences and the director of experience for Social Media Examiner where he helped create and lead Social Media Marketing World. Phil creates memorable experiences that lead to increased retention, and impact. In addition, Phil is also a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, consultant, and the author of Unforgettable: The Art and Science of Creating Memorable Experiences. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:26] Meet Phil Mershon [06:51] Phil's Journey to Event Planning [10:23] Event Recap Videos [18:34] Getting Hired for Events [21:58] Become a Thinking Partner [32:02] How to Not Miss Moments [35:51] Interview Questions [43:22] Social Media Marketing World [46:32] Connect with Phil [48:28] Outro Quotes "You become part of our team as opposed to a vendor who we have to manage." - Phil Mershon "Your show is competing with Netflix and Amazon and all these things right now. And we can help you." - Ryan Koral "If you can stand out and say, we get it... we can make this show maybe not the same quality because we don't have a million dollar budget, but it can feel that way." - Phil Mershon "The first thing that's going to get my attention is you've understood what my goals are and you know how to make those a reality as opposed to talking about gear and people." - Phil Mershon "You still have to have great content to show me you've got skill. I don't care what kind of cameras you're using. I just need what's the outcome." - Phil Mershon Guest Links Follow Phil Mershon online Follow Phil Mershon on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Threads Connect with Phil Mershon on LinkedIn Social Media Marketing World Links  Learn more about the Video Blueprint Starter Kit 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

Business coach Angie Callen shares how creative entrepreneurs can overcome perfectionism and imposter syndrome by embracing authenticity, focusing on serving clients rather than impressing peers, and implementing practical time and energy management strategies. Key Takeaways Successful entrepreneurship is 80% mindset and 20% everything else - being willing to get vulnerable and step in front of the camera is essential for video pros who want to build trust Focus on creating content for your potential clients rather than worrying what your peers will think - "generosity is the opposite of comparison" and collaboration beats competition Manage both your time AND energy by implementing theme days, time blocking, and scheduling your most challenging tasks during your peak energy hours About Angie Callen Angie Callen is an award-winning coach, international speaker, and obsessive entrepreneur who loves empowering others to lead amazing lives with thriving careers, all while embracing authenticity.  She’s a Carnegie Mellon graduate and former engineer known for her strategic, analytical, yet creative approach to marketing, sales, and business growth. A fun, engaging, and energetic speaker, Angie is unapologetically one thing: herself!  She’s passionate about helping executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs embrace their natural gifts and strengths for ultimate gains in life AND work. Angie’s thought leadership has appeared in Forbes, NASDAQ, USA Today, Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance, and more.  In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:33] Meet Angie Callen [08:11] Having a Healthy Mindset [12:23] Imposter Syndrome [16:46] Overcoming Perfectionism with Action [27:33] Authenticity [39:08] Preventing Burnout [43:11] Energy Management [44:10] Connect with Angie [45:30] Outro Quotes "Perfectionism is a procrastination technique, y'all. Perfectionism will hold you back more than it will push you forward, especially in entrepreneurship... The best antidote to the imposter syndrome is action." - Angie Callen "Your relationship, your personal relationship, your spouse, the person you choose to do life with will have just as much, if not more impact on the success of your business as you, because if you do not have a supportive one, you will not be successful." - Angie Callen "I think successful entrepreneurship is 80% mindset and 20% everything else. Because if your headspace isn't there and you don't have a little of that grit and a little of that conviction around what you're doing, the roller coaster of ups and downs... is going to make you real sick real fast." - Angie Callen "From a bigger picture strategy perspective, focus on one thing at a time, chunk it down because growing a business is a giant amorphous blob that is really hard to make sense of." - Angie Callen Guest Links Find Angie Callen online Listen to the No More Mondays podcast Learn more about The Modern Coach community Follow Career Benders on Instagram | Facebook Follow Angie Callen on Instagram Links Stop hiding and start showing up; learn more about the Video Cohort 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

Chad Brown shares his journey from running a "successful" but personally destructive film business to completely redesigning his work to serve his life, offering powerful insights about the specific reflection processes that can help video professionals build profitable businesses without sacrificing what matters most. Key Takeaways The results in your life reveal the truth about your priorities - if you say family is important but your calendar and bank account tell a different story, you're living a lie Get extremely specific about what you want (not just "more time off" but when, where, how long, with whom) because vague goals prevent you from taking real action Your business doesn't have to look any particular way to be successful - question industry norms and design a model that actually serves your life priorities About Chad Brown Chad Brown is a scaling strategist and coach. He founded a media production studio called Shade Tree Films in 2008 that has serviced global companies such as Volkswagen, Target, and Pixar Animation Studios. This is where his love and passion for leadership and business was developed. Over the last 7 years he has trained and developed creative entrepreneurs who want to increase their profit and work less. When he is not helping others create more freedom in their business, you will find (or won't be able to find) Chad on a wild adventure in the mountains with his family. He resides at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Orem, Utah, with his wife Katie and three children (Addison, Kenya, and Milo). In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:07] Meet Chad Brown [05:37] Chad's Filmmaking Experience [10:58] Are You Fulfilled? [13:29] Prioritizing Family [21:00] Identify What You Want [27:30] Prices Verses Benefits Exercise [30:20] Connect with Chad [34:22] Outro Quotes "When I hired my coach...he just looked at me and said, 'You're lying to yourself. You may like the idea of being a family man, but look at the results that you have in your life right now. The results are the truth. The story you tell, unfortunately at this moment is a lie.'" - Chad Brown "If I say one thing's important, but my calendar and my bank account say something different, then I'm living a lie. And until those two things align, it's gonna be despair." - Chad Brown "Most people build their life around their business rather than building their business around their life...You can do that. People build all types of businesses, it doesn't have to look a single way." - Chad Brown "It's a psychological principle that our mind will generalize things so that they're not actionable because action takes energy...If I get really specific about something, my brain goes, 'Okay, this is real. Now I've got to take action.'" - Chad Brown Guest Links Find Chad Brown online Get Chad's FREE Business Scaling Masterclass Links Learn more about the Video Blueprint Starter Kit 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 opens up about his nine-year journey of building the wrong kind of video business and his recent pivot toward creating something sellable. He shares candid insights about hitting seven figures, the challenges since 2020, and why he's now focused on packages over custom work while addressing a filmmaker's concerns about AI taking over the industry. Key Takeaways Building a business that can run without you creates more freedom than being the indispensable creative at the center of everything Package-based services with predictable pricing are more scalable and sellable than endless custom projects Position yourself as a strategic partner who offers workshops and thinking partnership, not just shooting and editing services AI won't replace filmmakers who differentiate themselves through strategy, storytelling, and client partnership rather than just technical execution In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:12] 10xFILMMAKER [04:46] New Goals for a New Season [14:05] Adjusting Your Direction [19:13] Built To Sell [28:39] When AI Impacts Our Work [31:03] Marketing Yourself [36:42] Mastermind Community [41:40] Outro Quotes "It took me nine years to realize that I was building the wrong kind of video business. I always thought freedom meant doing everything myself, being the creative, the editor, the salesperson and the project manager." - Ryan "If the only thing that you're offering is showing up for somebody and filming B-roll type stuff and just following the directions that somebody has for you, it's going to be really easy for that same client to have a machine follow directions for them." - Ryan  "If you're positioning yourself as shooter editor, that's not as compelling and that's not as helpful for a client that needs somebody that understands more, that understands how marketing works or why it works." - Ryan "We just landed a $20,000 gig a couple of weeks ago with a client that wanted to spend $5,000... I somehow talked them into doing this workshop, a paid workshop that was going to take half of the budget that they had set aside." - Ryan "I still believe that this work is so powerful. I believe that it can make a massive impact and that's why I feel compelled to stay in it even if and when I sell this company." - Ryan  Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER   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

Liz Wilcox shares why every video professional needs an email list (even if they're just starting out) and provides practical, easy-to-implement strategies for using email marketing to create more predictable income without feeling salesy or spending hours crafting the perfect message. Key Takeaways Your email list is your "potential client list" - people don't buy when you sell, they buy when they're ready, and email keeps you top of mind until that moment Start with a simple lead magnet (like "5 Red Flags When Hiring a Videographer") that solves a specific problem for your ideal clients Be your authentic self in emails - even corporate clients appreciate working with real humans who show personality rather than stuffy, formal messaging Ask questions and get feedback from your email subscribers to help craft services and packages they actually want instead of guessing what might sell About Liz Wilcox The Fresh Princess of Email Marketing, Liz Wilcox is an Email Strategist and Keynote Speaker showing small businesses how to build online relationships + make real money with emails. She’s best known for selling a blog, turning a $9 offer into multiple six-figures (without ads), and helping you untangle the email “knot” with her simple framework, the Email Staircase. She loves the 90s, headbands, and the beach. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:22] Meet Liz Wilcox [06:11] Email Marketing Strategy [15:40] Softwares for Email Marketing [18:57] Effective Spots for Lead Magnets [33:33] Owning Your Personality [39:40] Know What Your Clients Want [47:10] Connect with Liz [51:47] Outro Quotes "People do not buy when you sell something. They buy when they're ready... So as far as starting your email list, it can be as simple as telling those clients, 'Hey, I'm gonna put you on this email list, I'm gonna email you.'" - Liz Wilcox "We're all H to H, human to human... If you think you can't be yourself because your client is too uppity or whatever, I say it with love, maybe reconsider. You can be yourself." - Liz Wilcox "Marketing is not saying 100 different things, it's saying one thing 100 different times. It's not braggy to say, 'Oh my gosh, my last client loved his video, here's a snippet.' That's not bragging, that's letting people know so that they can get something they love too." - Liz Wilcox "What would this look like if it was easy? And sometimes I'm like, well, Liz, it's just not easy. So I got a backup question. What would this look like if it was fun?" - Liz Wilcox Guest Links Find Liz Wilcox online Follow Liz Wilcox on Instagram | Facebook Get the Mega Email Swipe File Links Learn more about the Video Blueprint Starter Kit 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

Pablo Gonzalez, Chief Evangelist of Vendoroo and founder of Be The Stage, shares his insights on transforming video services into predictable income. He emphasizes solving immediate client problems, like testimonial videos, before pitching larger projects. Gonzalez advocates for packaging services as experiences, stacking value with extras like captions and posting strategies. His journey from construction sales to tech highlights the need for niche focus and community building, making video professionals vital in a content-driven world.

Mark Lebrun shares how he built a thriving YouTube channel that replaced his corporate income and now discusses strategies for video production businesses to leverage YouTube, create targeted offers, and use AI to work more efficiently while maintaining authentic connections with clients. Key Takeaways Create YouTube content that addresses specific pain points your ideal clients face, then naturally incorporate offers that solve those problems Instead of sending everyone to your homepage, build targeted landing pages for different niches and track which ones convert best • Experiment with lower-priced offers (like a $19 download or $1,000 virtual coaching session) to serve people who aren't ready for your premium services Use AI strategically for SEO optimization, content planning, and business strategy while maintaining your human touch for client relationships About Mark Lebrun Mark Lebrun is a Digital Influencer and Strategist, and the founder of Digital Influencer Co. — a creative powerhouse helping faith-driven leaders and purpose-filled entrepreneurs grow their platforms and monetize their message. He has worked alongside high-impact leaders like Isaac Frere and April Lewis, and has partnered with organizations such as Alpha USA, Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, and Freedom From Within to help them scale their digital presence. With a combined following of over 320,000 across platforms, Mark has built an engaged community by blending bold faith, sharp strategy, and authentic storytelling. Mark is also the visionary behind Hood Proverbs, a brand rooted in community transformation through the gospel, and the founder of YouTube Influence Academy, a program equipping creators to grow their channels, monetize their influence, and create with conviction. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:13] Meet Mark Lebrun [08:09] Why YouTube Is Gold [14:28] Marketing Through Ads [18:13] Having Multiple Landing Pages [26:57] Developing Systems to Avoid Burnout [31:47] Utilizing AI In Your Business [46:21] Connect with Mark [48:24] Outro Quotes "The creative economy is evaluated to be a $500 billion industry by 2027. And right now it's a $250 billion industry in 2025... You guys are the people who embody the creative economy. And let's just say, we put in an extra 1% more effort... you could get a piece of this pie." - Mark Lebrun "If you are drained as a YouTuber, as someone who's on social media, you might be doing it wrong. Because you need to have systems in place that prevent burnout... I don't want to see entrepreneurs burn out in this digital economy." - Mark Lebrun "When we put this kind of pressure on ourselves to continue to outdo, outperform... we should be on a slow ramp to improve and to be more efficient in those things... my heartbeat in doing this brand was that I want to help filmmakers be more fulfilled and less drained." - Ryan Koral Guest Links Find Mark Lebrun online Learn more about Mark Lebrun's Academy Learn more about Digital Influencers Co. Follow Mark Lebrun on Instagram | YouTube Follow Hood Proverbs on Instagram Links   Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER   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 eye-opening conversation, Graham Cochrane reveals how he built a $2 million business working just 5 hours a week by identifying the 20% of activities that drive 80% of results, and shares his four-part framework for designing a sustainable, energizing business week. Key Takeaways Most activities in your business don't generate revenue – identify the 20% that do and focus there while eliminating, automating, or delegating the rest Perfectionism keeps you from serving clients effectively – they care more about getting results faster than your video being a 10/10 • Design your week with four key elements: recharge time, relationship time, rainmaker time (revenue-generating activities), and reflection time "Do more of what is working" – analyze what's actually driving results in your business and double down on those specific activities About Graham Cochrane Graham Cochrane is a highly acclaimed entrepreneur, USA Today bestselling author, and keynote speaker with a track record of building successful online businesses. He is also the host of The Graham Cochrane Show, a top .5% ranked podcast globally, where each week he helps people create more money, margin, and meaning in their lives. With over 15 years of online coaching and content experience, 700,000 YouTube subscribers across his channels, and having built multiple 7 figure businesses that require less than 5 hours of work per week to run, Graham has established himself as a leading figure in digital entrepreneurship and personal development and is dedicated to strategically aligning online business owners with their true potential, empowering them to feel fulfilled and invigorated by their work through tailored strategies and innovative solutions and ultimately create what he calls an Effortless Business™.  His insights have been regularly featured in national media outlets like Forbes, CNBC and Business Insider. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:36] Meet Graham Cochrane [07:43] Rebel [13:44] Narrowing Down Your List [22:11] Hobby Or A Business? [27:40] The Best At Serving Clients [40:23] 4 Things Every Week Needs [50:42] Connect with Graham [51:24] Outro Quotes "Effort-fueled businesses will eventually fade, but energy-fueled businesses flourish. And there's a big shift. You have to go from effort to energy to build a sustainable business." - Graham Cochrane "Most of what you're doing isn't generating much revenue in your business. Which means the other best news is that a small part of what you're doing each week is actually leading to the majority of your revenue." - Graham Cochrane "You don't have to be the best filmmaker to win in your video business. The best filmmaker isn't the one that wins. It's not the best craftsman that wins. This isn't an award show for who makes the best video. This is a business for who serves their clients the best." - Graham Cochrane "We don't learn from our experiences, we learn from reflecting on our experiences." - Graham Cochrane (quoting from John Dewey) Guest Links Find Graham Cochrane online Recording Revolution Follow Graham on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube The Graham Cochrane Show (podcast) Episode #131: How Being Your True & Authentic Self Will Set You Apart Episode #273: What Video Clients are ACTUALLY Looking For with Graham Cochrane Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER   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