The Spiro Podcast: Managing your Real Estate Photography & Videography Business

Spiro
  • 4.4 (18)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Spiro Podcast covers the business of Real Estate Media. There’s a large volume of fantastic information on the creative aspect of the Real Estate Media Industry, but not as much on how to run the business side of a real estate media company. We’re here to help you grow and manage the business side of your business!

  1. 1d ago

    Owning Your Superpowers: The Women Shaping Real Estate Media

    What if the qualities that are often overlooked in business are actually your greatest competitive advantage? In this special women’s takeover edition of the Spiro Podcast, Shannon Landers sits down with Colleen Kydd, Alex Coombs, and Elizabeth Hansen to talk about the different ways women lead, build teams, and create lasting client relationships. They explore emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, communication, determination, and the ability to connect with people on a deeper level. The conversation also gets honest about growing at your own pace, navigating a male-dominated industry, building a business around your actual goals, and the lessons each guest would take back to the beginning. It’s a conversation about leadership from a woman’s perspective—but the takeaways apply to anyone building a team or business. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: hello@spiro.media Colleen Kydd Three Palms Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threepalmsmedia/ Three Palms Media: https://threepalmsmedia.net/ Alex Coombs Northern Spruce Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernsprucemedia/ Northern Spruce Media: https://northernsprucemedia.com/ Elizabeth Hansen Eliora Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elioramedia/ Eliora Media: https://www.elioramedia.com/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – The Superpowers Women Bring to Business 0:42 Welcome to the Women’s Takeover Edition 2:08 Meet Colleen Kydd, Alex Coombs, and Elizabeth Hansen 8:27 Emotional Intelligence, Thoughtfulness, and Women’s Strengths 18:38 Turning Communication Into a Competitive Advantage 26:46 Building Deeper Client Relationships 31:57 Going Beyond Media to Add Value for Agents 43:09 Navigating Market Shifts and a Changing Industry 49:09 Quality, Reputation, and Building a Recognizable Brand 55:41 What Each Guest Would Do Differently 1:07:35 Rapid-Fire Questions 1:20:20 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

    1h 22m

  2. Jun 17

    Growth's Dirty Secret: Why Getting Bigger Feels Like Falling Apart (And How to Fix it.)

    You finally hire help—and then immediately wonder why they don’t work exactly like you. In this episode, Craig and Todd talk through one of the hardest parts of growing a real estate media business: trusting other people with something you’ve spent years building. They discuss unrealistic expectations, employee mistakes, incomplete training, the “owner trap,” and why growth often feels like a collection of small problems hitting all at once. Todd also shares how strong SOPs, clearly defined core values, and a genuine investment in your employees can help you build a team that takes ownership, makes good decisions, and eventually improves the business even when you aren’t there. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: hello@spiro.media Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – Expecting New Hires to Perform Like the Owner 0:51 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:41 Introducing the Growing Pains of Building a Team 3:07 Spiro Updates: Open API and Internal Communication 5:07 The Paradox of Growth and Letting Go 6:26 Remembering How Bad We Were When We Started 12:13 Hiring, Training, and Unrealistic Expectations 17:04 Mistakes Are a Sign That Your Business Is Growing 23:01 Escaping the Owner Trap and Learning to Trust 25:59 Creating a Team That Improves the Business Without You 29:04 Defining the “Secret Sauce” You Expect Employees to Follow 35:13 Turning Problems into SOPs and Training 36:55 Appreciating How Far Your Business Has Come 38:53 Why You Can Never Be Finished Building SOPs 41:07 Using Core Values When the Handbook Has No Answer 46:02 Helping Employees Build Their Own Long-Term Success 48:48 Whose Goals Matter More: The Employee’s or the Company’s? 53:56 Action Steps: Train Better and Pour Back Into Your Team 56:40 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

    58 min

  3. Jun 10

    Don't Lose the Human Touch: What A.I. Can't Replace

    What happens when your systems get better—but your client experience gets colder? In this episode, Craig and Shannon explore how to simplify your business without removing the human element that keeps clients connected. Using ideas from The Human Element and the famous instant cake mix “add an egg” story, they break down why people resist change, why clients still need to feel involved, and how better communication can make new systems easier to accept. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: hello@spiro.media The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas: https://www.humanelementbook.com/ Spiro Super User Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spirosuperusers/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – Why Agents Stick with What They Know 0:49 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:24 Craig and Shannon Introduce the Episode 2:03 Spiro Updates: API Beta Testing and @Mentions 7:49 Automation and the Human Element 9:46 The Four Types of Friction That Create Resistance 15:12 The Instant Cake Mix Story: Why You Still Need to “Add an Egg” 18:29 Where Automation Helps—and Where Agents Need Input 23:08 Don’t Use Automation to Disappear from the Relationship 25:32 Forced Change, Self-Service, and Customer Friction 31:48 Guiding Clients Through New Systems and Technology 34:38 Why Technology Shouldn’t Replace Human Relationships 36:01 Personal Follow-Up, Thank-You Notes, and Client Appreciation 41:31 Final Takeaway: Let Systems Simplify, Not Replace 44:20 Episode Wrap-Up

    46 min

  4. Jun 3

    Using Video to Build Brands, Not Just Listings - James Bottomley

    Todd and Shannon welcome James Bottomley of Haven Creatives to the Spiro Podcast for a conversation about creating more intentional, effective real estate video content. James shares how he got started in real estate media as a teenager, how Haven Creatives grew into a luxury real estate media agency, and why great video is not just about gear or flashy visuals. The heart of the episode is James’ approach to building video content around a clear purpose. He explains why agents often try to make one video do too many things at once — sell the listing, grow their brand, generate leads, and get views — and why that usually weakens the result. James breaks down how media companies can think through awareness, education, and conversion content, while also helping agents build stronger personal brands through intentional, authentic content. The conversation also touches on content strategy, filming average homes well, brand development, AI, and the future of real estate video. Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://repplaunch.com/repp2026 James Bottomley on YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/thejamesbottomley_/ Haven Creatives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haven.creatives/ Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:47 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:27 REPP Reminder, Spiro Updates, and Introducing James Bottomley 4:55 James’ Start in Real Estate Media 7:40 Haven Creatives, Luxury Video, and Why Gear Isn’t the Point 11:46 Helping Agents Understand the Purpose of Video 14:04 Awareness, Consideration, and Conversion Content 20:34 What Listing Content Looks Like at Each Stage 25:53 MLS Videos, Social Videos, and Filming Average Homes Well 31:45 Using Video to Build an Agent’s Brand 42:16 James’ Brand Development Framework 49:16 Staying Creative, AI, and the Future of Real Estate Media 55:30 Episode Wrap-Up

    57 min

  5. May 27

    No Filter: 20 Questions We Probably Shouldn't Answer (Let alone ask)

    Episode Summary What happens when Todd and Craig throw out the script and answer the kinds of questions that usually stay behind the scenes? In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, the conversation gets more candid, personal, and unpredictable as they work through a mix of business, industry, mindset, and opinion-based questions. From entrepreneurship and client relationships to burnout, growth, mistakes, and hot takes within the real estate media world, this episode offers a more relaxed and unfiltered look at the people behind the business. Some answers are practical, some are funny, and some probably shouldn’t have been said out loud. Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: hello@spiro.media       Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:15 Question #1 – Biggest Early Business Mistake? 3:40 Question #2 – What’s Harder Than People Think? 5:55 Question #3 – Most Common Cause of Burnout? 8:20 Question #4 – Biggest Waste of Time for Media Pros? 10:50 Question #5 – When Should You Raise Prices? 13:15 Question #6 – Biggest Client Red Flag? 15:45 Question #7 – What Do Clients Actually Value Most? 18:20 Question #8 – Best Way to Stand Out? 20:50 Question #9 – Biggest Team Mistake? 23:15 Question #10 – What Should People Stop Overcomplicating? 25:35 Question #11 – Thoughts on Social Media Consistency? 28:00 Question #12 – What Helps Build Long-Term Clients? 30:25 Question #13 – Biggest Industry Frustration? 32:50 Question #14 – Most Underrated Skill? 35:15 Question #15 – Best Investment You Made in Business? 37:40 Question #16 – Something You Changed Your Mind About? 40:05 Question #17 – What Holds Most Businesses Back? 42:35 Question #18 – Advice for New Media Pros? 45:10 Question #19 – Biggest Opportunity Right Now? 47:45 Question #20 – Final Hot Take 50:15 Episode Wrap-Up

    50 min

  6. May 20

    Why Agents Breakup With You - Heather Haase

    Todd and Craig welcome Heather Haas, realtor, speaker, influencer, and keynote speaker from Spiro Sync 2026, to the Spiro Podcast. Heather shares how networking, intentional relationships, and authentic content creation helped grow her business and personal brand. The conversation dives into social media, mindset, mindfulness, branding, and why trying to “be yourself” online is often the most effective marketing strategy. Heather also talks about speaking, creating meaningful connections at events, and helping people simplify systems so business growth feels more natural and sustainable. Relevant Links Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: hello@spiro.media Repp 2026: https://repplaunch.com/repp2026 Chapter Timestamps 0:37 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:15 REPP 2026 Announcement 3:15 Spiro Updates: Internal Mentions 4:36 Introducing Heather Haas 5:35 Heather’s Background and Speaking Journey 7:40 Social Media, Branding, and Being Yourself 9:00 Understanding the Realtor/Affiliate Relationship 14:00 Solve the Realtor’s Actual Problem 16:25 Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Best Clients 20:00 Why Realtors “Break Up” with Vendors 24:00 Empathy, Boundaries, and Red Flags 26:10 Questions Media Pros Should Ask Realtors 28:15 The Dating, Honeymoon, and Seven-Year Itch Analogy 30:00 AI, Content Days, and Staying Relevant 33:45 Becoming More Than Just a Photographer 36:45 Getting in the Room with Realtors 38:15 Using YPN and Realtor Events to Build Relationships 40:20 Referrals, Social Presence, and Office Influencers 42:30 How to Reach Heather 44:00 Final Takeaways

    45 min

  7. May 13

    Supercharge Your Business with VAs

    At some point, doing everything yourself becomes the bottleneck. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Todd and Craig dive into how virtual assistants can help real estate media businesses create more consistency, free up time, and scale more effectively. From editing workflows and admin tasks to communication and client experience, they break down where VAs can provide the biggest impact and how to successfully integrate them into your business. The conversation also covers delegation, training, and the mindset shift required to stop trying to control every detail yourself. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by day-to-day operations, this episode will help you understand how the right support can supercharge your business.   Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:10 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 2:35 Spiro Updates 5:20 Why VAs Are a Game Changer 11:10 Tasks You Should Stop Doing Yourself 18:45 Hiring the Right VA 26:20 Training, Communication, and Expectations 34:05 Delegation and Letting Go of Control 41:50 Building Systems Around Your Team 49:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: hello@spiro.media

    53 min

  8. May 6

    The Compliance Side of Real Estate Media No One Warned You About

    Compliance can feel intimidating—but understanding it is becoming more important than ever for both agents and media companies. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Shannon Landers and Steve break down the major compliance topics that impact real estate media businesses today. From fair housing and MLS rules to branding, drone regulations, and the growing role AI plays in marketing content, they discuss practical ways media professionals can protect themselves while helping agents stay compliant. The conversation also explores why being “compliance aware” can actually become a competitive advantage and help build stronger relationships with brokerages and clients. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:10 Shannon Introduces Steve & the Topic 4:05 Why Compliance Matters in Real Estate Media 8:00 The Risks of Ignoring Compliance 13:40 The Four Buckets of Compliance 14:00 Fair Housing Rules & Common Mistakes 18:40 Marketing Language & Compliance Awareness 23:45 MLS Rules, Branding, and Media Restrictions 27:20 Drone Regulations & Part 107 Requirements 34:10 AI, Editing, and Emerging Compliance Concerns 41:50 Best Practices for Media Companies 48:30 Final Thoughts & Why Compliance Awareness Matters Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: hello@spiro.media

    53 min
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4.4
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Spiro Podcast covers the business of Real Estate Media. There’s a large volume of fantastic information on the creative aspect of the Real Estate Media Industry, but not as much on how to run the business side of a real estate media company. We’re here to help you grow and manage the business side of your business!

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