Grow Your Video Business

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!