Grow Your Video Business

One of the biggest mistakes filmmakers tend to make nowadays is forgetting the importance of storytelling. Storytelling has a rich human history and it is something that today’s returning guest, Patrick Moreau, is passionate about helping other filmmakers discover. In this episode, Patrick walks us through why we need to understand the science of storytelling and how that knowledge will help us land bigger and better jobs. Patrick is the founder of Stillmotion and Muse Storytelling, and has recently launched a free course for filmmaking walking through the effects story has on the human mind. The ‘Expert of Storytelling’, Patrick has a highly esteemed portfolio including work for Canon, the United Nations and the NFL and is a master of delivering results-based content to his clients. Patrick takes storytelling to the next level, explaining the concept of narrative transportation and backs it up with hard scientific facts behind the reason storytelling works (when its done right, of course). By strategically planning how to achieve an objective and become a storytelling expert, you can increase the amount you make per job, open up new revenue streams through consulting, and instill more confidence in your clients. He also digs into why we need to challenge ourselves to become more than ‘pixel pushers’ and to truly connect with our client's message and in turn, connect deeply with the human emotion in your consumer. Patrick believes it's more important to go beyond the filters and the drones of today's filmmaking scene to actually emotionally connect with a specific story. How do you connect with your client's stories and help them make ‘more than just a video’? Let us know in the comments!   In This Episode Going beyond being a filmmaker to become a storyteller The science behind how and why storytelling works How to properly communicate your goals with your clients Adding value to the way you tell stories Positioning yourself as an expert in the industry   Quotes “That's where you want to be with your clients, a trusted expert who can execute and deliver results, and you’re just giving them clarity on how you're going to do it.” (6:32) “We are making videos for humans to watch so we kind of have a responsibility to understand how humans work. What actually creates connection? Why would somebody actually watch this? Why wouldn't they watch this? And that's really the premise of all of it. If you are making videos for humans understand what gets their attention, what drives them to action, what would get them to actually watch your content? And once you understand that you unlock a whole new world of how you can create and how you can interact with your clients.” (13:24) “They want a video, they aren't sure how they want to get there, they don't even necessarily communicate why they want to do it, but by us positioning ourselves as the expert and walking them through a different way, all of a sudden they're like ‘yeah I get why we would pay you way more, because the guy down the street is just making a video” (32:32) “[The training videos] go through in detail how to actually apply these ideas to your business right now so that it's like tangible value that you can walk away with.” (43:53) “All of a sudden, you're the expert. And you get the rooms and the budgets and the time, and you just fall in love with it. You just get excited to get back out and get on the field and create things that you believe in. Things that you want to see made. And that's powerful. (47:02)   Links Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Level Up Your Filmmaking Muse Storytelling Stillmotion Follow Stillmotion on Twitter | Instagram   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

When I first started out with my business, I thought that branding meant little more than having a cool label and a good looking website. Yeah... I was wrong about that. Through the years, my branding has both hurt and helped my business, as I’m sure it has for many of you. Today we’re diving into the art and strategy of branding, and how you can put it to work for your business. In this episode, I want to share some of the highs and lows (and embarrassing relics of past iterations of my businesses…) of my branding journey, tips and tricks of how to avoid getting lost in your branding, and how to figure out what makes your company different. Proper branding can give your company a stronger sense of direction, help you access your target audience and secure larger and more profitable projects. It’s important to keep refreshing your brand over time to make sure it is still speaking your language to your potential clients, and figuring out what your company’s overall feel and vibe is your first step. Where are you at your company? Have you branded yourself? Leave a comment on this post with your thoughts on my second solo episode!   In This Episode Learning from your mistakes to make your branding better The stories behind the branding of my companies and some of the mistakes I made What a brand looks like today vs 15 years ago How to clean up a confused brand and why it matters Understanding the branding learning curve   Quotes “My hope is that we can all just understand that if we are learning, we are in a good spot, if we are open to change, we are in a good spot. And back then I was learning and I was open to change, and I just wish I would have changed sooner, I wish I would have understood what a brand was sooner.” (9:53) “When we did the branding process I finally felt like, ‘oh my gosh!’ My confidence went up. And I wasn’t ashamed anymore.” (15:42) “With a solid brand, when you go to sleep at night, your brand works for you. When people are emailing you, your brand should work for you. When people are talking to you on the phone, meeting you in person, you should know how to say what it is you do and who you are doing it for. And that is who you are and that is actually what your brand is. Your brand is who you are.” (17:30) “It was more about the conversation about where the brands need to go as opposed to what they needed to look like.“ (28:41) “That's really where branding comes in. Branding is that piece where if you have solid messaging surrounding you and you are inundating yourself and just embracing the brand then you can go anywhere, whether it's online or going to a networking meeting. You can be the brand for other people.” (38:44)   Links  Build A Better Video Business With Our Exclusive Studio Sherpa Community Deep Canvas DJ Hurula & One Brand Studio Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller Story Brand Level Up Your Filmmaking   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram   If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   My First Business' "Branding" *Cringe*:  

You know that feeling of hitting a brick wall with your business. Like you’ve tried everything to do more for your clients and stand out from the pack but nothing seems to stick? Maybe you’re overwhelmed and know you need to bring on more help but don’t know where to start? Danny Gonzales joins us today to share how he’s been able to set his business apart in the crowded world of video production. Danny Gonzales created Optimum Productions over 11 years ago and is a valuable member of the Studio Sherpas community. His company is focused on B2B marketing, boasting a client list including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, HP, and more. Combining video production, strategy, and digital marketing, Optimum Productions mission is to create impactful content that makes their clients lives easier. Danny, the self-proclaimed ‘owner, operator and janitor’ of his small video business, is here to discuss what it takes to keep hold of your dreams and how to improve your craft while also figuring out what it means to actually provide great customer service. Danny believes that by asking yourself questions about where you are going and where you want to go with your business, along with the support and guidance of a community life Studio Sherpas, you too can transition from business person to business owner. I’d love to hear what you’re doing to stand out as a film business. Let me know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode The tipping point between a hobby and a business What drew Danny to Studio Sherpas and the Selling Like A Sherpa Course How being part of a community can help you transition from freelancer to business owner The best way to ask for a prospective clients budget Indicators that it’s time to hire your first real employee, and how to decide who you should hire How to stand out as a business to potential clients Quotes “We help our clients to basically develop a strategy around video, create that content, and then actually deploy it.” (8:17) “You start off because you are really passionate about that particular skill set. But the challenge is, when you get into the thick of it, you're like ‘oh, there's a bunch of other things that go along with this business that I did not realize” (18:45) “In B2B there is sometimes this perception that because it is not consumer-facing it can't be cool… and that's not true. That is not true at all. So we really pride ourselves on working with B2B brands who really want to do something that is different. (23:57) “If you're hiring somebody that can do things that you are currently doing that are driving you crazy, that allows you to be freed up to help make more money for the business, then it's like oh my gosh a no-brainer, it's not going to take you very much to be able to replace that income or hourly rate” (41:33)   Links Optimum Productions Website Follow Optimum Productions on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Selling Like a Sherpa   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever felt like there’s more you could be doing for your clients than just delivery beautiful work? Going above and beyond and providing additional value to your clients is something that will set you apart from your competition and keep clients coming back to you again and again. Today, Marley Baird is going to share with us exactly where to get started. Marley is a video branding expert who has worked with huge brands and influential people to create a unique video creation and marketing company. Marley focuses on social media marketing to create videos that explain a core message while eliciting an emotional response to increase her client’s exposure and relevance online. Based out of Edmonton, Canada, but constantly traveling for work, Marley Baird Media has created a solution where other video companies are falling short. She dives into her client’s ‘why’ factor and shares how she gives more value to her clients than just a nicely shot and edited video.  Marley has capitalized on new revenue streams in social media and branding while combining her passion for video making. If you are passionate about filmmaking, eager to learn from your clients and peers, and realize the power and potential of multifaceted video and marketing brand power, this episode featuring Marley Baird is your first step to success. What are you doing to add more value to your clients than just the final video product? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode Marley’s social media strategies Why YouTube is Marley’s most powerful social media starting point Where to start if you want to give your clients something more than just a video Creating content that elicits an emotional response A different way of thinking about business and human connection   Quotes “Every time we do travel I just feel so energized by it. You would think that filming 10 months’ worth of content in 3 days would be draining and you would be exhausted after, but I really energized because the clients we work with are so fun and we learn a lot while we are there. We make it fun for everybody.” (13:50) “With any client, I see what they are doing and I see how influential [they are] and how their thought leadership is making such an impact, and to be a part of the process... it’s so exciting to be a part of that process and watch how other people’s lives are changed from a video.” (16:02) “I am happy when I get to make a video for someone that generates more excitement and impact for people, and changes their lives. It changed for me from being this person who fought so hard to sit at the cool kids' table to now just create something that makes an impact and who cares what table you sit at or if you are a black sheep or not.” (20:33) “When you make something that can become this ecosystem, this synergistic strategy, where all these things can go together, that’s what’s going to set you apart.” (26:11)   Links  Marley Baird Media Website  Follow Marley on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Alex Charfen Entrepreneur Expert  Selling Like a Sherpa Grum Scheduling App  Social Media United   Find out how I use some of my favorite apps to sell more and better!   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

When you hear the phrases “multi 6-figure film business”, or "celebrity clients", do they sound like unattainable goals from your current vantage point? If so you’re going to want to hear what my good friends Chris and Toni Wheaton of Heart Stone Films and Portico Pictures have to share with us today. Married in 2008, Chris and Toni are a power couple of film business gurus. Heart Stone Films began in 2007 and has since captured the wedding moments of numerous NFL, NBA players, NASCAR drivers as well as Emily Maynard of The Bachelorette. Over time, their connections, connections and jaw-dropping work allowed them to branch into commercial video, and Portico Pictures was born. Chris and Toni share tips on growing a thriving film business including dealing with staffing and outsourcing, working with your spouse, how to build a great portfolio, pricing and how to move up in the filmmaking world to a higher creative standard. Originally posted as a Facebook Live video, look out for the bonus Q&A with live viewers in today’s episode on our Facebook page! What do you feel is standing between you and the next level of your film business? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!    In This Episode Comparing and contrasting the wedding and commercial industries What it takes to work effectively with your spouse Who your first hire should be as you grow your business Why a replication system can help your business maintain quality The importance of putting measurables on your business Defining your team’s individual roles in the business and charging what you are worth   Quotes “We just felt like [Portico Pictures] was necessary because our wedding brand is really romantic, really geared towards the bride, and marketed that way. So, we just felt that we didn’t necessarily want that to be the language and the brand that any potential commercial clients were seeing off the bat when they went to our website or found us or heard about us.” (38:40) “Were both in every seat right now. A year ago, when we had full-time staff there were different people in all the seats and it worked beautifully, but we’ve just redefined those seats now to where it’s mainly just the two of us.” (50:56) “I think the big myth or lie that we believed is that ‘no one can do this but me, no one is creative but me, no one can make these films the way that I do’, and it’s just not true. There are plenty of people out there who can do it.” (55:16)   Links Heart Stone Films Website  Follow Heart Stone Films on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest  Weddings with the Wheatons Portico Pictures Website  Follow Portico Pictures on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Vimeo The White Space Rental Studio   Ivy Robinson Events Traction Book Rocket Fuel Book Archaius Creative   Check out episode 31 with David Aguilar of Archaius Creative Check out episode 43 with Mark C. Winters, Co-Author of Rocket Fuel Check out episode 75 with Doug Darling   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you ever find yourself struggling to justify your pricing to clients who just don’t seem to get it? As returning guest Sean Low shares, not only might you be conveying the value of your work in the wrong ways, but quite possibly you shouldn’t even be talking to these clients in the first place.   In 2017, we hosted Sean on Episode 18 of the Studio Sherpas Podcast, and our discussion was one of the most talked about episodes of the year! Now he’s back to share round two of his expert creative tips. As the founder of The Business of Being Creative, a consulting company and online network, Sean helps clients from all around the world tackle the tricky world of creative businesses.   Today we dive into what to do if you’re struggling with how to price your services, are worried about how to get potential clients, or don’t fully understand how to help your creative business thrive. Linking design, decision, and money, Sean, and his BBC Collective are a guiding light for anyone in the creative industry who needs a bit of help on the business side. Do you have a specific niche you operate in? If not, what would it be if you had to operate in only one area? Let us know in the comments!     In This Episode The stages and transitions every creative business goes through on each project Why you should be asking (and expect) to be paid up front for your costs Why itemized pricing is a poor method of conveying value, and what to do instead How to get people to invest in your brand How (and why) you should be making outrageous promises to your clients   Quotes   “I think that really the principle reason I started [BBC Collective] is because I just don’t believe in the status quo of the way things are and I don’t believe in incremental change because I think it’s an oxymoron. If you’re not going to make radical change and embrace where we are, you aren’t going to see the effects of that.” (4:12)   “When you try to use dollars to create the difference in feeling, it just doesn’t work. We have better tools to communicate value today than using money.” (17:50)   “Being unshakeable in how you do things and what really matters if fundamentally different than being inflexible.” (35:01)     Links   Join me for a live web class on the apps I use for my sales process!   The Business Of Being Creative The BBC Collective SSP Episode 018: The Business Of Being Creative w/ Sean Low   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

As a business owner, you will eventually come to a point where if you want to grow further, you need to stop selling your product and start selling your company in order to thrive as a business. Instead of injecting your creativity into your product, you need to use that creativity to sustain and grow the company. John Warrillow explains exactly how to make this transition. Productizing your creativity is what John and his company, Built to Sell, are all about. John has put over 20 years of research experience into his Value Builder System, and shares what he knows through his podcast, Built to Sell Radio and his best-selling books. Today we are highlighting the difference between being creative and creating a business, and how to make sure your company’s model is teachable, valuable and repeatable, so your brand can continue to grow.  Are you willing to give up creativity in order to build a business of value and substance? Did this episode grind your gears a little? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode The struggle between being creative and owning a successful business How creative business can run into trouble and how to find the solutions The secret behind benchmarking and adding recurring value to your clients Creating a more valuable business through the Value Builder System   Quotes “You realize at some point you can’t go beyond this ceiling that you have put in place for yourself, because what you are selling is creativity, and by definition, you can’t replicate or scale creativity. It’s the conundrum that virtually every sort of artistic person binds themselves in.” (7:54) “The secret out of this hamster wheel is figuring out and doing one thing better than everyone else.” (11:39) “It’s always stuck with me that, in particular, creative businesses, are in a lot of ways are the hardest to make the transition, because by its very nature creativity is not something that scales to everybody well.” (20:38)   Links Be sure to take John's 13-minute questionnaire and get the Value Builder Score for your business.  The Score (avg is 59) will let you know how you're doing as measured against the 8 drivers of value. The goal is to get to at least an 80, the ideal is 90. Built to Sell Website Selling Like a Sherpa   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you struggle with being a starving artist? Or maybe you have trouble taking yourself seriously as a creator? Today’s guest believes that the stories we tell ourselves have a major impact on our success, which means we can change those stories, too. Jeff Goins is a best-selling author and speaker, focusing on writing, life, and creative work. His books include The Art of Work and Real Artists Don’t Starve. He also teaches writers to hone their craft and get the attention they deserve in his course Tribe Writers. Today, he talks to us about the difference between starving artists and thriving artists and the importance of the stories we tell ourselves. We also discuss the power of practicing in public as a way to commit to your art, as well as the power of “stealing” from other artists. Are the stories you’re telling yourself limiting your success? Do you feel like a starving artist or a thriving artist? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: The biggest difference between starving artists and thriving artists How to practice in public to become the thing you want to be How to call your own bluff on what you really want How a particular common “flaw” in creatives can actually be a strength The importance of being a thief   Quotes: “Whatever you think you are, you essentially become. We are not just what we do, but we become what we practice. Everyday you’re practicing being someone.” 16:29 “If you make this kind of commitment to your art… you call your own bluff.” 25:32 “Almost all art is commercial.” 37:12   Links: Pick up a free copy of Real Artists Don't Starve on Audible! Jeff’s Website  Follow Jeff on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram Real Artists Don't Starve Pick up all the bonus material to Real Artists Don’t Starve    Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Are you a creative with a process, or do you worry that systems would detract from or even destroy your ability to be spontaneous and creative? Doug Darling makes a case for us today about how having a process and method will help empower your creativity and create better projects for your clients. Doug is the Founder and Executive Director of Tripwire Media Group, a media company focused on using storytelling to get their clients the results they need. Today he talks to us about how he’s seen storytelling improve everything from his emails to his client projects, and on the flip side, the importance of having a process and structure in order to make that creativity and storytelling flourish. He also talks about how to get client buy-in on creative ideas, as well as how he approached hiring to grow his agency. What processes or methods do you use to help give structure to your creativity? How do you get your clients on board? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: How having a process helps improve your creativity, not squash it How to get your clients to buy into the creative storytelling ideas The pros and cons of having a small operation versus hiring a team How to get started with that first hire   Quotes: “It doesn’t cheapen it to have process or structure to how you approach both the relationship side, the creative side, and also the sales side.” 7:25 “Continuously reinventing yourself, after 9 years, is what keeps me excited.” 24:03 “It was one of the first times we realized, Hold on, we can do better than what they’re asking us to do.” 34:25   Links: Tripwire Media  Follow Tripwire on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Muse Storytelling Stillmotion   Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!

Do you have any passion projects that you’ve been dreaming of creating for years, but never had the money to make happen? Most of us have projects we'd love to work on, but without a client to fund them these types of projects clearly require a different approach to financing.  Brandon Adams is the executive producer and co-host of Success In Your City, a reality show currently in production all about success and the different ways that different people define it all over the country. He also has a background in crowdfunding and serves as a consultant or advisor for various companies. Today he talks to us about how he has found smaller sponsors in each city that they film in order to bring his vision of the project to life, as well as how to get creative about what’s received in exchange for that sponsorship. He also discusses his unique approach to creating a show, and what it takes to run a successful crowdfunding campaign. How have you used crowdfunding or creative financing to produce projects? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode: The importance of being exposed to different definitions of success Brandon’s alternative way of finding a network for the show How he finds small sponsorships in each city What to do or avoid when crowdfunding   Quotes: “When you think of success, you think of power, success, money. But it’s more than that.” 7:53 “Leading up to each episode, it is somewhat stressful, it is a grind, it is a lot of work, but when we’re in those 4 days of filming, it’s like a dream come true.” 18:01 “I believe [success is] being the best you can be, and enjoying what you do, and always growing.” 10:39   Links: Success In Your City Follow Success In Your City on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn    Check out the full show notes page Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would leave us a review on iTunes!   Find out how Video Blocks can save you thousands on your productions!