Building a Video Business That Lasts (ft. Dream Engine) | Creatives Grab Coffee 85

In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, we sit down with Ryan Spanger, founder of Dream Engine in Melbourne, Australia, to discuss the long game of running a successful video production business. With over 20 years in the industry, Ryan shares insights on scaling a production company, refining marketing strategies, and the importance of building long-term client relationships. We dive into the power of personal branding, leveraging content like LinkedIn and podcasts, and how to navigate networking authentically. If you’re looking to develop a sustainable video business, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction and sponsor shoutouts

02:19 – Welcoming Ryan Spanger from Dream Engine

02:40 – Ryan’s background and the start of Dream Engine

03:16 – Expanding into podcasting and coaching

04:56 – Common mistakes video businesses make

07:01 – The importance of building a structured marketing system

08:47 – The role of self-reflection in business growth

11:02 – Standardizing video services while adapting to different clients

13:47 – Becoming a trusted advisor to clients

16:24 – The challenge of finding proactive leads vs. relying on referrals

17:32 – Targeting negative intent leads: Finding clients who aren’t actively looking for video

19:26 – The power of working with clients who already want video

21:58 – Networking strategies: How to plant seeds for future leads

23:44 – Finding the right communities to network in

26:30 – The “1000 True Fans” concept for building a loyal client base

29:31 – Playing the long game in business and networking

31:27 – The best content strategies for LinkedIn marketing

35:39 – Why quality posts matter more than frequency

36:39 – Experimenting with video content on LinkedIn

38:06 – The process behind Ryan’s podcast and topic selection

40:41 – The structure of Ryan’s solo podcast episodes

43:22 – The creative benefits of routine and rituals

46:39 – Biggest challenges for Lapse Productions: Sales and lead generation

49:14 – Marketing strategies and building an online presence

52:28 – Overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion

55:34 – How confidence and consistency impact branding

58:34 – Avoiding the trap of comparison in the video industry

01:01:44 – The importance of avoiding regret in business

01:02:20 – Closing questions: How Dream Engine got its name and Ryan’s dream project

01:05:13 – Where to find Ryan and Dream Engine online

01:05:46 – Outro and final sponsor mentions

SPONSORS:

Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com

Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9

🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140 🎞️

Produced by LAPSE PRODUCTIONS – https://www.lapseproductions.com

To learn more about the show, visit: https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com/