The Business of Video Production

Ryan Spanger

Strategy, marketing, sales, delivery and mindset for videographers. 'The Business of Video Production' podcast by Ryan Spanger shares his lessons from over 20 years of running a successful video production company. Through the series we'll explore topics important to a production company owner such as how to: Identify and reach the right prospects. Achieve a consistent flow of work (no more feast or famine). Charge what you’re worth – with confidence. Step back from shouldering all the responsibility for production so you can focus on building your business. https://www.ryanspanger.com

  1. 4D AGO

    Back to the Beginning: Episode One Revisited

    This week I’m replaying Episode 1. When I recorded it, hardly anyone was listening. Since then, the audience has grown a lot. And I want newer listeners to understand what this podcast is actually about, and what I’m about. In this first episode, I answer some pretty direct questions: Who am I, and why should you listen to me? Do I actually understand the challenges you’re facing? What’s the philosophy behind this show? And what kind of video production business owner is this for? If you’re dealing with inconsistent work, unpredictable income, marketing that isn’t converting, or carrying too much of the production load yourself, this episode will give you clarity on the approach I teach. If you’ve been here since the beginning, think of this as a reset. This podcast has always been about building a consistent, profitable, sustainable video production company. Not hype. Not shortcuts. Just doing the work properly. Have a listen. And if it resonates, you can find out more about coaching at ryanspanger.com/coaching

    12 min

  2. FEB 9

    How to Get Your Video Production Pricing Right

    Video producers often get stuck in one of two pricing loops. Either you’re trying to find the “going rate”, or you’re trying to charge “what you’re worth”. Both sound reasonable. Neither holds up when you’re in the middle of real projects, real clients, real timelines, and real risk. In this episode, I look at pricing as something you shape around the job in front of you, not a fixed number you’re supposed to discover. We talk about how pricing can help you win work, cut down the back-and-forth, and set you up for better long-term client relationships. In this episode: • Why “going rate” advice is mostly useless without context • Why “charge what you’re worth” can send you into emotional pricing • Why complex jobs often carry more value than simple, packageable ones • Bundling vs itemising, and how to remove unnecessary friction • Commodity-based vs value-based pricing (and what you’re actually being paid for) • Discounting with context, including what a job can lead to beyond the invoice • Why over-quoting early can spook a good prospect • Front end vs back end thinking, and how small jobs can turn into long-term clients • Optional extras that sit on the quote without turning into a sales pitch Connect: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Email⁠ ⁠Learn more about video business coaching

    23 min

  3. FEB 2

    Listener Questions: Alex in New York

    This episode came from a listener email that landed at exactly the right moment. Alex is a video producer in New York who’s recently stepped out of full-time work and into running his own business. Things are going well. Work is coming in. He’s starting to bring other people in. And with that comes a new set of questions: What do you actually need in place as the business grows? How do you keep people engaged when they’re not full-time? How do you use your time better when you’re working from home and no one’s setting the structure for you? And how do you think about AI and the future of video without getting distracted, defensive, or overwhelmed? In this episode, I work through those questions. If you’re building a video business, no matter what stage you're at, this will feel familiar. And if you’ve got a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode, send it through. Mentioned on the podcast: https://www.ryanspanger.com/blog/how-to-write-a-video-production-proposal Connect: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Email⁠ ⁠Learn more about video business coaching

    34 min

  4. JAN 26

    How to Start the Year When You’re Not Feeling Ready

    This is the first new episode for 2026, after a short break and a some reruns. The year’s started, but maybe you haven’t quite yet. Things may still be a bit quiet. Work hasn’t fully kicked back in. And you’re wondering how to use this in-between period without just waiting for momentum to magically appear. In this episode, Ryan talks about what it’s really like to come back after a break when motivation feels patchy and the next step isn’t obvious. He shares why that stuck feeling shows up so often at the start of the year, how to work with it instead of fighting it, and what actually helps you take the first step when you’re not feeling fully ready. If you’re feeling a mix of pressure, hesitation, and cautious optimism about the year ahead, this conversation will meet you where you are and help you get moving again, one deliberate step at a time. Connect: Instagram Youtube LinkedIn Email Learn more about video business coaching

    18 min

  5. JAN 19

    How Nic Went Full Time In His Video Business (and Doubled His Income) - Archive

    Every creative business hits a moment where waiting stops working. For Toronto-based video producer Nic Mongillo, that moment came when he decided to stop treating his video business as a side project and start building it properly. In this episode of The Business of Video Production Podcast, I sit down with Nic to unpack how, in just six months, he: • Left his day job • More than doubled his income • Built a full-time video production business with structure and confidence This wasn’t luck. It was a series of deliberate decisions. We talk through what changed when Nic committed fully to his business. Not just emotionally, but practically. What we cover in this episode • The gap between being “good enough” and being ready to go full time • Why treating your business seriously changes how clients respond • The role systems play in creating confidence and consistency • How Nic approached marketing as a weekly discipline, not a last-minute scramble • Why he didn’t quit his job until the business was already working • What “going pro” actually looks like in day-to-day decisions One of the most powerful parts of Nic’s story is how calm the transition was. He didn’t quit impulsively. He didn’t gamble on one big client. He built a runway, proved consistency, and stepped into full time when the numbers and systems were there. The bigger lesson Going pro isn’t about better gear or bigger projects. It’s about: • Clear positioning • Proper pricing • Saying no to the wrong work • Showing up consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable Six months in, Nic didn’t just have more income. He had clarity, momentum, and control. If you’re running a video business on the side and wondering whether full time is realistic, this episode will give you a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes. No hype. No shortcuts. Just the work that matters. 🎧 Listen now and hear exactly how Nic made the move.

    29 min

  6. JAN 11

    (Archive) Unlock Your Ambition and Overcome Self-Doubt

    In this powerful episode of The Business of Video Production podcast, I dive into the critical topic of ambition: a driving force often misunderstood and undervalued in creative industries. Ambition isn't just about seeking status or wealth. It's the healthy drive to master your craft, achieve your goals, and push your business further. Yet, many creative business owners struggle with self-doubt, often shaped by childhood messages or societal expectations that equate ambition with greed or arrogance. I share personal stories and insights from my coaching practice to help you explore your own relationship with ambition. You'll learn how to: Identify and overcome limiting beliefs around ambition. Reconnect with the healthy, natural drive that fuels success. Shift your mindset to unlock greater potential in your video production business. If you've ever felt like you're holding yourself back or unsure about aiming higher, this episode will give you the clarity and motivation you need to embrace your ambition fully. Interested in growing your video production business? Visit ryanspanger.com for coaching resources and personalised support.

    18 min

  7. JAN 4

    (Archive) How to Start a Video Production Company

    Today, we’re shaking things up with a live coaching call. I’ll work with a young entrepreneur preparing to launch his video production company. He’s facing some critical decisions about how to get started, and I’ll be guiding him to clarify his vision, set clear goals, and map out the essential steps to build a strong foundation for his business. No matter where you are in your video production journey, whether you’re just starting out or already established, I’m confident you’ll find valuable insights in this conversation. As you listen, consider whether there are areas in your business that could benefit from a clearer strategy or stronger foundations. The lessons we cover today are relevant for businesses at all stages of growth, on this episode of the⁠ Business of Video Production Podcast⁠.

    48 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    Set Your Vision for The Coming Year (Archive)

    It's the end of the year, and this is a moment that naturally invites reflection: an honest look at who you want to be in the year ahead. In this episode, I share the personal reflection process I go through every year around this time. It’s a way of stepping back from the noise, creating some space, and listening to what’s actually going on beneath the surface. This is about getting clear on what actually matters to you. How you want to work. How you want to live. And who you want to be inside your business. I talk about: Creating a state change to think more clearly Letting ideas surface without forcing answers Reflecting on who you want to be, not just what you want to achieve How your video business shapes the way you experience life Compromise, boundaries, and learning when to hold your standards Choosing the right relationships and getting the right help Letting go of things before resentment sets in Rebalancing physical energy and paying attention to what’s feeding you The idea of Memento Mori as a reminder to use your time well I also share some very personal reflections from my own year, including lessons learned the hard way, and how those experiences are shaping how I approach business, coaching, and life going into the new year. If you run a video production business, your work becomes a kind of mirror. What you tolerate. What you chase. What you compromise on. What you protect. All of it says something about who you are, and how you’re choosing to live. This episode is an opportunity to pause and get clear on what you want from the year ahead. Not just in your business, but in your life more broadly. And if, as you listen, you realise you don’t want to figure all of this out on your own, that’s where coaching can help. I work closely with a small number of video production business owners to help them think clearly, make better decisions, and build a business that genuinely supports the life they want to live. You can find out more about how I work at ryanspanger.com/coaching.

    22 min
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About

Strategy, marketing, sales, delivery and mindset for videographers. 'The Business of Video Production' podcast by Ryan Spanger shares his lessons from over 20 years of running a successful video production company. Through the series we'll explore topics important to a production company owner such as how to: Identify and reach the right prospects. Achieve a consistent flow of work (no more feast or famine). Charge what you’re worth – with confidence. Step back from shouldering all the responsibility for production so you can focus on building your business. https://www.ryanspanger.com

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