Grow Your Video Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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