Grow Your Video Business

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!