Almost Creative Podcast

Almost Creative
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

New Episode every Wednesday! Hey Creatives! Almost Creative is the podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are building a business that revolves around what they love. Hosts Travis & Christian dive deep into the realities of branding, marketing, and running a creative business. If you are a photographer, videographer, or any other creative trying to thrive and not just survive. Each bi-weekly episode features real talk, rants, and conversations with others who've turned passion into profit and can help you do the same. Stay Creative.

  1. Oct 7

    How to Grow Your Business Without Paid Ads | Donald Reed

    In this episode of the Almost Creative Podcast, Travis sits down with Donald Keith Reid, founder of See Visions Global, to talk about branding, marketing, organic client acquisition, and building a business that doesn’t completely depend on you. Donald shares how growing up around his father’s construction business shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and eventually led him to build See Visions Global. What started through photography, videography, music, and other creative outlets eventually evolved into a strategic branding company focused on helping businesses break through growth ceilings and attract new clients organically. They discuss the difference between branding and marketing, why your brand story matters, and how businesses can grow without immediately relying on paid advertising. The conversation also dives into leadership, partnerships, delegation, and the challenge many entrepreneurs eventually face: realizing you can’t do everything yourself. Donald shares how learning to let go of certain responsibilities helped him build stronger teams, create more freedom, and rethink what it actually means to lead a growing business. In this episode:• Branding vs. marketing• Growing a business without paid ads• Organic client acquisition• Building a strong brand story• Partnerships vs. traditional employees• Leadership vs. being a boss• Learning what to delegate• Creating more freedom as an entrepreneur• Knowing when your pride is getting in the way of growth Follow Almost Creative Podcast: @almostcreativepodTravis: @trheberlingChris: @chrisshootsvideo

    How to Grow Your Business Without Paid Ads | Donald Reed

  2. Sep 16

    Marketing Is Changing FAST | AI Search, SEO & What Businesses Need to Know | Lauren Young

    n this episode of the Almost Creative Podcast, Travis sits down with marketing expert and business owner Lauren Young to talk about how AI is changing the way customers search for businesses and what that means for marketing, SEO, content, and business growth. Lauren shares her journey from balancing multiple jobs during the 2008 recession to building a marketing company, along with the lessons she has learned from nearly two decades in the industry. They break down the shift from traditional search toward AI-powered platforms, why YouTube and original content still matter, and why businesses can't expect AI to do all of their marketing for them. They also discuss the problems with one-size-fits-all marketing packages, building a marketing strategy around the actual needs of your business, diversifying your lead sources, using AI without losing your voice, and why kindness might be one of the most underrated advantages in business. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, freelancer, small business owner, marketer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode offers a practical look at how marketing is evolving and what businesses can do to adapt.

    Marketing Is Changing FAST | AI Search, SEO & What Businesses Need to Know | Lauren Young

  3. Aug 12

    How Great Filmmakers Find Emotional Stories | Almost Creative Podcast

    John Gallagher returns to the Almost Creative Podcast to discuss what truly separates memorable creatives from everyone else: storytelling. Together, we explore why asking better questions leads to better interviews, how to create emotional brand films and testimonials, why conflict is essential to every great story, and how storytelling principles apply to weddings, nonprofits, documentaries, and commercial work. We also discuss the Hero's Journey, the StoryBrand framework, and why AI still struggles to replicate authentic human experiences. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, content creator, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical storytelling lessons you can apply to your next project. In this episode:- Asking interview questions that uncover real emotion- Creating stronger testimonial and brand videos- Why conflict makes stories memorable- Storytelling for weddings, nonprofits, and documentaries- The Hero's Journey and StoryBrand- AI vs. authentic human storytelling Follow the Almost Creative Podcast for more conversations with filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives sharing the lessons they've learned while building meaningful careers.

    How Great Filmmakers Find Emotional Stories | Almost Creative Podcast

  4. Jul 29

    This or That for Creatives | Cameras, Coffee, Weddings & More || Almost Creative Podcast

    Travis and Christian switch things up with a fun round of This or That, debating everything from shoot days vs. edit days and prime lenses vs. zoom lenses to Mac vs. PC, weddings vs. commercial work, and even Dunkin' vs. Starbucks. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, freelancer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a laid-back conversation full of opinions, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of creative debates.

    This or That for Creatives | Cameras, Coffee, Weddings & More || Almost Creative Podcast

  5. Jul 8

    Why Speed Beats Talent in Creative Business || Almost Creative Podcast

    This week, Travis flies solo to share one of the biggest lessons that's helped grow Visual Filmworks and Bella Tiamo Films: speed. From responding to inquiries faster to delivering content while clients are still excited, Travis explains how moving quickly has become one of the biggest competitive advantages for their business. In this episode, we discuss same-day wedding teasers, faster client communication, simple automations, creating momentum through quick delivery, and why "done today" often beats "perfect later." Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, freelancer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is full of practical ways to improve your client experience, generate more referrals, and book more work.

    Why Speed Beats Talent in Creative Business || Almost Creative Podcast

  6. Jun 24

    The Reality of Being a Creative Professional in 2026

    In this episode of the Almost Creative Podcast, Travis sits down with graphic designer, vocalist, and longtime friend Tom Cirillo to talk about creativity, design, music, freelancing, and building a sustainable creative career. Tom shares how he got started in graphic design, why music and design have always gone hand in hand, and how he's balanced freelance projects alongside a full-time creative career. They also discuss client work, creative problem solving, working in churches and nonprofits, and the growing impact of AI on the design industry. In this episode:• How Tom got started in graphic design and music• Freelancing vs working full-time as a creative• Why client work can make you a better artist• Building a career in design without a traditional agency path• Working in churches, nonprofits, and creative teams• The future of graphic design in the age of AI Whether you're a designer, videographer, musician, freelancer, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation offers an honest look at building a career around creativity while adapting to a rapidly changing industry.

    The Reality of Being a Creative Professional in 2026

  7. Jun 10

    Do New Cameras Even Matter Anymore? | Sony A7R VI Discussion

    The Sony A7R VI is here, and it got us asking a bigger question: do new cameras actually matter anymore? This week, Chris and Travis look back at the evolution of cameras from the DSLR boom to today's mirrorless flagships and discuss whether we've finally reached a point where gear is no longer the limiting factor for most creators. They talk about camera history, Sony's impact on the industry, the gear acquisition trap, and why business, storytelling, and creativity often matter far more than the latest specs. Whether you're a photographer, videographer, filmmaker, or just a camera nerd, this one's for you.

    Do New Cameras Even Matter Anymore? | Sony A7R VI Discussion

  8. May 27

    Everything Young Creatives Are Asking Right Now

    Welcome back to the Almost Creative Podcast. This week, Travis flies solo for a different kind of episode after speaking to students at a career center about creative work, videography, photography, drones, business, and building a career in the industry. The episode turns into an honest Q&A covering some of the biggest questions beginners ask when getting started as creatives. From what camera to buy, to booking your first wedding, building a team, making money, and getting out of your own way… this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to turn creativity into a real career. The Almost Creative Podcast is for creatives trying to turn their passion into a full-time career through honest conversations, business lessons, and real-world experiences from the creative industry.

    Everything Young Creatives Are Asking Right Now
See All (37)

About

New Episode every Wednesday! Hey Creatives! Almost Creative is the podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are building a business that revolves around what they love. Hosts Travis & Christian dive deep into the realities of branding, marketing, and running a creative business. If you are a photographer, videographer, or any other creative trying to thrive and not just survive. Each bi-weekly episode features real talk, rants, and conversations with others who've turned passion into profit and can help you do the same. Stay Creative.

Information

  • Creator
    Almost Creative
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Almost Creative
  • Show Website
    Almost Creative Podcast