Grow Your Video Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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