Studio Sherpas Podcast

This week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast Cliff Ravenscraft joins Ryan to share his experience with mastermind groups. This episode is a must download for any small business owner that wants to grow their business using the exponential resources of mastermind groups. Ryan shares his history with Cliff and their combined successes from mastermind programs. Cliff Ravenscraft a business mentor, professional coach and motivational speaker. His focus is to help you break free from any beliefs and/or behaviors that are holding you back from living the life of your dreams and doing the work you feel most called to do in this world. Be sure to check out Cliff’s podcast, The Upgrade Your Peer Group Podcast at http://UpgradeYourPeerGroup.com You can follow Cliff here: https://www.instagram.com/cliffeotc/ https://twitter.com/cliffeotc/ https://www.facebook.com/cliffravenscraft How could a mastermind group help you grow your business?   Crush 2022 with the FREE 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge…This is a

This week on the Grow Your Video Podcast, Ryan Koral tells the origin story of Tell Studios and talks in detail about the processes they’ve used to help create a successful business. No business or entrepreneurial endeavor would be complete without making some mistakes, and in this episode, Ryan gets vulnerable and breaks down the three biggest mistakes he made in 2021 and gives some advice on how to avoid making the same mistakes in your business. Get ready to set some goals for 2022 and buckle up for an episode that will absolutely help you grow your business and live a happier life. Crush 2022 with the FREE 5 Day Grow Your Video Business Challenge…This is a free 5 Day Challenge for action takers ONLY. If you're ready to level up your video business this year, You NEED to Implement These Crucial Steps… that will accelerate the growth of your business. Sign up at studiosherpas.com/challenge Links: Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you hav

Things get really vulnerable this week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast when Matt Davis, founder of Harvest Filmworks, Lifestage Films, AND co-founder of Studio Sherpas joins Ryan to talk about his journey since leaving the podcast, overcoming adversity, dealing with addiction, and more. We’ve all dealt with imposter syndrome at some point in our careers, in this episode Matt and Ryan talk actionable tips to deal with imposter syndrome, jealousy, and how to create a business that matches the life that you want to live. Matt Davis is a 16 year seasoned video storyteller for luxury weddings and compelling brand films for large businesses and corporations based in Wilmington, NC. Wife, dogs, 4 kids, ups and downs, booming economies and multiple recessions, Matt has been able to consistency evolve and grow his brands while making a profit, but also focusing on what matters most….what his businesses provide…freedom. As a co-founder of Studio Sherpas, the passion to speak on podcasts, at conferences and vide

Contracts, contracts, contracts…for most of us as small business owners they can be confusing, complicated, and scary. This week on the Grow Your Video Podcast, Paige Hulse chats with Ryan about all the basics you need to know from contracts, revisions, NDAs, and what you should do if you’re using a contract, you found online. Paige Hulse is an attorney and entrepreneur based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After practicing as a contract/business litigator, she formed her law firm in 2017, where she practices trademark law and advises entrepreneurs/startups, as well as the Creative Law Shop, where she has converted every contract, she's written for clients in the wedding industry into templates. Check out her contracts at https://shopcreativelaw.com and use promo code STUDIOSHERPAS10 to receive 10% off your purchase! Has your contract ever saved you? What type of changes can you make to your contract that will offer more protection for your business? Leave a comment on the episode page and let us know! Links: Join the Gr

What’s your favorite part of running your business? For most small business owners, it’s probably not running payroll and keeping up with the books. This week Jeremy Doorn of Core Financial returns to the podcast to answer tax and accounting questions from our listeners. How do I pay myself? How much should I pay myself? Should I be an LLC or S-Corp? We get answers to all these questions and more this week on the Grow Your Video Business Podcast. Key Takeaways Setting up the correct business structure can save you tons of money in taxes if you’re business is ready for it. There are systems that you can use to pay yourself correctly to make accounting and bookkeeping easier and to make sure you're maximizing your tax deductions. Forming an S-Corp offers multiple benefits for most small business owners.   About Jeremy Doorn As a ten-year-plus employee of Core Wealth Management, Jeremy Doorn helps small businesses do a better job of tax planning. In addition to firm administration, he handles business advisory s

Do you remember the first time you saw people react to your videos? That feeling of seeing people’s emotional response to your work is so motivating. Today’s guests, having only started their studio a few years ago, are still riding that feeling. In this episode, they share the joys and the tribulations that come with building a business from scratch as partners. Key Takeaways A partnership helps you play to your individual strengths. Identify where each person is strongest and assign clear roles as early as you can. There is probably a production studio in your area that isn’t getting used. Connecting and networking with other creatives can create opportunities that can get you into these spaces. About Glory Visuals Glory Visuals is a video production company based out of Omaha, NE. Austin Hall and Darren Clausen started it as a 50/50 partnership and have hired a full-time employee as well as some part-time contractors. Their goal is to raise the standard of quality content and creativity in the Midwest. Nav

I know what makes your video business like no other. It’s you. Each of us is unique and that’s what sets our businesses apart. Today’s guest shares how he uses this to connect with his perfect clients and how the formula for success involves a healthy dose of failure. Key Takeaways Establishing habits and processes that lead to good results are just as important as your goals themselves. Saving time will make you more money. Identify and leverage the efficiencies inside your business to make your processes as streamlined as possible. Your personality is what sets you apart. Use it to build relationships with the clients who are perfect for you. About Joe Harris Dallas based Comedy-Director Joe Harris got his start in Post-Production at Reel FX Creative Studios. A desire to tell stories and direct was nurtured in his time there and beyond while he honed his skills for directing.  With 15 years in the industry, Joe started directing spots with local creatives and agencies, building a network of relationships. W

Do you think you know what your clients want? Maybe you do, but you won’t know for sure until you ask. Today’s guest has seen the amazing results of simply surveying his clients to discover what he can sell them that he had never considered before. Key Takeaways Don’t assume that you know exactly what your clients will pay for. Ask them. You might be surprised by their answers. There are an infinite amount of opportunities for your business to give back to the community. Not only will this lead to increased satisfaction in your work, but when done with genuine intentions, it can lead to more opportunities. About Griffin Stewart Griffin is a husband, father, and lover of people. He is a serial entrepreneur and Intrapreneur who has started multiple small businesses and worked for Apple, Hyundai, and many more. Griffin is the co-founder and CEO of 5DayDeal. He loves photography and travel and is an advocate for lifelong learning. Griffin and his wife have visited more than 60 countries. Letting Your Clients Guid

With everything on your plate, how can you grow your video business without burning out? How do you find the right clients and projects that you love? Today’s guest wears many hats and explains how he creates a successful and sustainable balance between them all. Key Takeaways Be intentional with how you spend your time. By being efficient, you’ll save time and be able to focus on what really moves your business forward. Confidence is crucial to landing new work. Be open to opportunities and ready to take them when they arrive. About Jordan Berns Jordan Berns is a video producer/DP/editor and founder of JSB Video located in Seattle, WA. In Jordan’s 5+ years of experience, he has won multiple awards for his student short films including the Vincentian Award for social impact.  After graduating college at the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in journalism and entrepreneurship, he was hired to start an African sports television show where he traveled the world interviewing the likes of Victor Oladipo, Se

A long time ago, I realized just how powerful branding is. Sure, you and your clients can do it alone. But there’s a lot to be said about having an outside expert come alongside you and take it to the next level. On today’s episode, I have just such an expert here to tell you how to make branding stand out and bring you and your clients more business. Key Takeaways Proper branding will help your clients see that you offer so much more than what they’re initially looking for. It puts you in control and allows you to provide more value. Don’t just offer your services to clients. Become their guide to identifying and overcoming the issues that affect their business. About Justin Keller Justin Keller is first and foremost a dad. Justin founded Circlefifty, and he is the author of two business books: Human Always and Rebel Brands. Justin has also written one kid’s book, The Red Giraffe That Wanted To Dance. He uses his books, podcasts, business, and the life he lives to help brands and individuals fight for brilli

Have you ever fallen into the trap of taking any job that pays? While it’s healthy to try a bunch of different stuff to see what you enjoy, you also don’t want to spread yourself too thin. Today’s guest explains all these considerations and what he learned while building his video business. Key Takeaways Setting expirations for proposals and bids will push clients to act faster and allow you to get more work done in a shorter time frame. If you have a partnership between multiple people, make sure that one person is a majority owner. That way hard decisions will ultimately fall to just one person and impasses can be more easily avoided. About Guy Giaimo-McClung Guy has been filming since 2012 in one avenue or another. Today, he is the owner and operator of Skinikid Productions. From wedding videography to political and industrial work, he has experienced many different facets of the freelance world. He is currently working on the challenge of building a business while balancing the demands of family life and

As video makers, YouTube seems like a natural fit. You can use it to grow a channel and connect with an audience and clients. But many people struggle to do so. It’s just not as intuitive or straight-forwards as it might seem. Today’s guest is on a mission to help people like you and me find success on YouTube. Key Takeaways Creating a specialized channel on YouTube will present you as an expert in your field. This will attract the type of customer you want and allow you to charge a premium for your work. Value needs to be the main focus of your videos. Instead of making them advertisements for your business, make them about what value your viewers and clients will receive from you. About Scott Simson As a YouTube content creator with almost 400,000 followers and CEO of Video Marketing World, Scott is recognized as an expert at video marketing and creating online communities with video. His creative and viral style videos have racked up over 120 million views personally, and he is responsible for helping gene

Holy cow! This is episode 250 of the Grow Your Video Business podcast. Five years ago, my buddy Matt and I started this show to help video makers succeed as business owners. It’s been an amazing journey. For today’s special episode, I want to share the three biggest takeaways I’ve learned from hosting five years of this podcast. Key Takeaways Your core values are what give your business direction. They’re how you structure your company and must be at the center of how you build your team. Having systems and structures in place for your business will allow you to stay on mission when the unexpected occurs. Why You and Your Business Need Core Values Identifying what you want to drive your business is critical. At my studio, knowing our core values has given me clarity on who I want on my team and what we are ultimately striving for.  Your core values should be at the center of how you build your team. When you begin hiring and firing according to our core values, it will find its way into your company culture.

Once you get into marketing, there are countless things you can do. As entrepreneurs, this gives us many opportunities to try different strategies and apply them. But strategy without vision won’t get you anywhere. Today’s guest describes how staying focused on what’s most important will lead to more business. Key Takeaways The secret to getting repeat clients is to follow up with them after the project. Get in touch a month after you’re done. There’s likely something else you can do for them. About Ryan Snaadt Ryan is a videographer, marketing strategist, and owner/operator of Snaadt Media Group. Snaadt (it rhymes with odd) discovered his interest in video during his sophomore year of college while shooting weight lifting videos or his YouTube channel. Since 2015, Ryan has had the pleasure of working with a variety of clients ranging from national brands including Schutt Sports and Primo Chalk to social media influencers, taking him across the country creating content. He truly loves the process of learning

Every business is about making relationships. This is true when building your teams or landing clients. We might be tempted to be someone we’re not when working with other people. Today’s guest would urge us not to do this. Instead, being your genuine self is the key to having the best team and finding your ideal clients. Key Takeaways Building the right team takes time and patience. Put the effort in to get to know each other and how to support one another. This creates bonds that go deeper than simple work relationships. About Juan Ortiz Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, Juan is a self-taught filmmaker. He started his company Redd Pen Media in 2011. Juan is passionate about motivating and helping others find their purpose. His company was founded with a mission to give back and connect people through storytelling. Business is About Giving Back Juan wants to do more than simply make videos. He wants to empower others with them. His company works with all sorts of clients, from major brands to small businesses.

YouTube is huge and a bit overwhelming. Many videomakers wonder if it’s even worth getting into. But if approached the right way, it can be a huge boon for your business. If you want ideas on how to use YouTube to win clients and grow your influence, then this episode is for you. Key Takeaways The most important part of your YouTube strategy is knowing your target audience. These are your ideal clients. Once you identify what they want and how you fill that need, you’re ready to move forward. YouTube is a great platform for generating leads. But it shouldn’t be your only one. Get to know potential clients through as many different channels and methods as you can. About Tim Schmoyer Since 2011, Tim Schmoyer has been one of the leading YouTube strategists in the online video industry. His company, Video Creators, has been featured by FOX, Forbes, BBC even YouTube themselves as his team trains creators and brands to master YouTube and use it as a place to spread messages that change lives. Their clients have gro

You want to make videos. Yet, to be a video business, you need to manage a lot of other aspects, particularly taxes. I know you didn’t get into this work because of the taxes. So why are you pulling out your hair over it? Today’s guest on this special Facebook Live recording explains how to make sense of it all. Key Takeaways Generally speaking, an employee is someone who works for you long-term whereas contractors tend to be temporary. You have more control over how employees do their work than you do with contractors. About Jeremy Doorn As a ten-year-plus employee of Core Wealth Management, Jeremy Doorn helps small businesses do a better job of tax planning. In addition to firm administration, he handles business advisory services and business succession planning for his clients. The Subtle and Not So Subtle Distinctions Between W-2s and 1099s Jeremy explains why it’s crucial to classify people who work for you correctly. Understanding the difference between a contractor and an employee is essential. If you

I hate the topic of this episode. Just the mention of taxes and numbers sends shivers down my spine. But just because I wish I could ignore the issue doesn’t mean it isn’t important. If you’re serious about your business, you need to be taking these things seriously too. Fortunately, today’s guest is here to make the numbers less intimidating for small business owners like you and me.   Key Takeaways The essentials for all business owners boil down to being able to track income and expenses and having the proper legal protections in place. The two most important insurances to have for your business are general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance. Having a contract between you and clients will set proper expectations and show that you’re a true professional in your field. About Braden Drake Braden is a California licensed attorney and tax professional. His tagline is your gay best friend here to help you get your legal and tax sh*t legit. Braden works primarily with service-based, creative s

Just because you can do everything in your business, doesn’t mean you should. It’s an easy trap to fall into. This is particularly the case when it comes to marketing. Today’s guest explains why you’ll be best served by defining what your position is. Key Takeaways Position your business as one that makes a specific kind of video rather than one that serves a specific kind of client. Having a clear position on this will become a large part of your marketing. It’s okay if you don’t like to do marketing. However, you won’t grow unless you bring aboard someone who does. About Kevin Elliott Kevin Elliott is co-founder and lead producer for Wewa Films. He has produced videos all over the country for clients including McDonald's, Gulf County, Florida Tourism, The Children's Advocacy Center, and Florida's Great Northwest. He lives in Panama City, Florida, with his wife, daughter, and 15 chickens. Building Your Ideal Business When you’re first starting out, just getting clients is your priority. Yet, it will help you

Are you hustling and grinding nonstop? Are you trying to do everything in your business? There are so many things that we do in our business that are a waste of time. Today’s guest is here to tell you how to stop wasting energy on the minutiae of business and start focusing on the parts you love the most. Key Takeaways The first step to implementing systems is to examine your business strategy. You need to be clear on what you're selling and who you’re selling it to. Delegating small tasks in your business adds up quickly. This will free up significant time for you to focus on the work that truly matters to you. About Austin Netzley Austin is an author, investor, and business growth advisor. He is the Founder and CEO of 2X, helping 6 and 7-figure entrepreneurs get free from the day-to-day grind and start scaling faster than ever. In less than three years, 2X has helped private clients generate over $211 Million and counting while in the 2X one-on-one coaching programs. Austin has outlined their methodology in