How to Scale a Video Business

Most businesses rely on hope marketing when it comes to getting new business. They cross their fingers and 'hope' clients will ring.
This is not a predictable strategy for scaling your video business in 2020.
I share some insights that you can apply in this short micro cast. I especially share some tips for using LinkedIn to win new business.
Connect with Den on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/denlennie/
Get more great resources over at https://www.denlennie.com/

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

How to bounce back after losing a major client EP#056

How to Scale a Video Business

01/21/20 • 9 min

It's gonna happen at some point, you'll lose a major client.
So how do you bounce back and be grateful rather than slump into a helpless state?
Here's one simple solution that one of my clients did that resulted in a bigger opportunity

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

How to Overcome the Lack Mindset and Become Abundant

How to Scale a Video Business

12/17/19 • 23 min

The year 2019 is coming to an end and we’re at a point in time where we start to evaluate ourselves. Have we done enough? I know some of you are starting to freak out because “I haven’t done any marketing.” For some, it’s a case of work having a ”few dry areas.”

I’ve seen and heard one too many colleagues and friends wanting to start a marketing plan in January. But why wait for January when you can do it now?

Join me in today’s episode as we tackle the “lack mindset” and how you can actually overcome it. Enjoy!

What’s In This Episode:

Choosing between abundance and scarcity.
“You never really learn from success, you learn everything from failure.”
The dangers of spending time with the wrong people. Who are these wrong people?
Den gives tips on what to do during the “quiet times” of video businesses.
Things to ponder on:

Fear stops 95% of filmmakers from getting out of that feast and famine hole.

The procrastination for fear of not doing anything well is what stops you from being more successful.
What is the most dangerous place to be in the video business industry?
What is the ONLY way to scale your video business?

Abundant personality versus Scarce personality

Recognize when scarcity is showing up and understand how scarcity affects your decisions.
The scarce zone is a dangerous zone to be in.
An emotional pendulum: How does this affect decision making in the business?
Make decisions from a place of neutrality.
Choose between complaining and finding solutions to the problems you’re complaining about.

Den gives sage advice for those who are worried about the lack of work in January.
Questions you need to ask yourself if you haven’t done marketing last year.
What is the secret to success?
“None of it is easy, but it’s certainly harder when you’re on your own.”

If you or anyone you know needs help in the areas we’ve just discussed above, the Video Business Accelerator is more than willing to help you. Take the first step towards growing into a more successful video business owner.

Connect with Den Lennie

Facebook-How to Scale a Video Business

Facebook-Den Lennie

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

Being Authentic With Your Content With Matt Smolen (Part 2)

How to Scale a Video Business

12/03/19 • 34 min

Last week, we had Matt Smolen talk to us about the processes and the journey he went through from being a freelancer to hiring his team. We had a deep dive into the business side of growing Balloon Tree Productions.

Just as promised, we’re bringing him back today to talk about the creative side of his business. Now, Matt believes delivering excellent quality is what keeps Balloon Tree Productions running. But what does excellence mean for Matt? Let’s hear it from the man himself.

What’s In This Episode:

Matt shares his passion for creating films and being a film director.
Matt talks about his short film, “There’s A Mobster Under My Bed,” and how he got into MIFF(Melbourne International Film Festival).
Matt relays his experience with MIFF.
What makes Matt’s brand unique?
Matt’s key to success as a production company
Is there a thing such as “a freelancer’s curse”?
How Matt’s overall experience with understanding costs helped him in working with bigger corporations
About Balloon Tree Production’s finances
What is the Nirvana of every business?
Matt answers the question, “Why don’t other businesses treat their business as an investment vehicle?”
Matt describes his studios in detail—availability, what they offer.
Matt talks about his events.
“You are equipped to make things true to you.” - Matt Smolen

Connect with Matt Smolen

Website

About Matt Smolen

Matt Smolen is the Owner of Balloon Tree Productions. A company that specialises in video production, photography, and media development. Matt is a Director and Writer who believes that excellence doesn’t always equate to being overly serious. Matt likes to give his content a fine mix of wonder, humor, and fun.

Connect with Den Lennie

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

Using LinkedIn For Lead Generation with Emily Wallace

How to Scale a Video Business

11/19/19 • 31 min

One of the many reasons people go into the video business industry is they love sharing stories. The question is, what platforms can you use to tell that story and showcase your prowess in videos?

Today’s episode will be about the core aspects you need to understand in building an audience on LinkedIn. I will be speaking to Emily Wallace, who may not be in the video industry, but is reaching thousands of people via her video posts on LinkedIn. She will be sharing with us the secrets of her journey on LinkedIn — how she scaled her buyers advocate business dramatically in less than a year.

Three points we are going to discuss include: 1) Three core aspects of building your audience on LinkedIn; 2) Using the power of Sales Navigator to find any position in any company you want to connect with, and; 3) The content of the connection messages.

What’s In This Episode:

Emily’s journey on LinkedIn
Emily’s approach to marketing
Emily’s recommendation for video businesses who haven’t maximized their LinkedIn profiles
Additional tips for building solid relationships on LinkedIn
Sales Navigator — Is it the hidden gem of LinkedIn? How do you use it?
Why it’s important to write a personalised message to connect with someone on LinkedIn
Strategies for what happens after the invitation to connect has been accepted
What’s a great way to get your connections engaged in a conversation?
The power of using video content to connect with clients on LinkedIn
The effort you exert and the challenges you have to undergo to win the deal
Consistency is key
Constant and consistent action yields results
Recommendations for a different approach to content
The powerful aspect of “being human” on LinkedIn
Suggestion on creating scripts and how to approach people
Hashtags on posts — How many is enough and how many is too many?
Put up your contact details on LinkedIn — make yourself accessible

Connect with Emily Wallace

Website

About Emily Wallace

Emily Wallace is a Buyer’s Advocate who has expanded the reach of her business through the use of LinkedIn. She has been able to scale her business dramatically in less than a year by maximizing the power of content in gaining connections on LinkedIn. It is her primary goal to educate buyers and empower them in their property purchases.

Connect with Den Lennie

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

Video Production Business Manifesto with Ryan Spanger (Part 2)

How to Scale a Video Business

11/12/19 • 31 min

In last week’s episode we had Ryan Spanger the owner and founder of Dream Engine with us. Ryan is not only a member of our Video Business Accelerator group.

Ryan actually wrote a manifesto which highlights all the lessons he has learned in 20 years in the industry.
This manifesto serves as his reminder to always stay on track; especially after all of the highs and lows he has experienced in running his business.
Today, we will be picking up where we left off, and I know most of you are just as excited as I am so let’s not keep you waiting. Enjoy the show.

What’s In This Episode:

Second Part of Ryan Spanger’s Manifesto: All About the Clients

# 10: Give the clients what they want.

What do your clients want?
Keep it simple and deliver what your clients want

# 11: No need to be an evangelist for video.

# 12: You’re running a restaurant.

Delivering quality service to your clients

# 13: You can have whatever you want.

Prepare to REALLY work for your goals
Is it worth the cost to get to where you want to be?

# 14: Work the system.

Success is bound to follow once you’ve got the right systems working in place
Process - Measuring - Predictability - Consistency
Be free by being in control.

# 15: Make the bed.

Doing small things right allows larger things to follow
Consistency and discipline

# 16: Just focus on doing one thing well.

# 17: Draw widely for inspiration.

Notice the little things that surround you

# 18: Take it personally.

Putting the right amount of your heart and soul into your work
Learn to let go

# 19: Never waste a good fuck-up.

Have a realization/transformation
Draw some learning

# 20: Be the wolf.

Be inspired by the character of the wolf

Connect with Ryan Spanger

Website

Dream Engine

Twitter

About Ryan Spanger

Ryan Spanger is owner and founder of Dream Engine, a video production company based in Melbourne, Australia. Ryan’s goal at Dream Engine is to help fast-track medium-sized companies to communicate, sell, and train more effectively through videos. He is committed to his mission of working with businesses to apply the Dream Engine method, and make videos that get their clients the results they need.

Connect with Den Lennie

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

17 Lessons from the Accelerator Mastermind

How to Scale a Video Business

10/29/19 • 31 min

4 times per year I get into a room with my accelerator clients and we spend 2 days masterminding. You might be wondering what that is.

Today’s episode will be all about debriefing the recent mastermind event we did in Melbourne.

Since a lot of people are asking us what goes on at these events, we thought it would be cool to share with your what actually happens.

So if you haven’t had the chance to attend one but are curious then today is your lucky day as Charley and I will help you understand how you can take these lessons and apply them to your own business.

“The destination is not the goal. We’re setting an intention to head in a direction.” - Den Lennie

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

Den’s biggest takeaway from the event
Charley’s observation of people’s transitions throughout the event
The challenges one faces in a period of transformation from freelancer to business owner
What makes the video business industry different
Investing in marketing doesn’t necessarily mean spending on ads
Why you should use LinkedIn for your video business
LinkedIn strategies that actually work
Key insights about quarterly planning
The benefits of planning
Who are these events for?
What’s the purpose of these events?
Pricing: Common challenges that arise
The cultures Den builds at the Video Business Accelerator
The dangers of being in a pessimistic environment
Marketing: When is the right time to do it?
Video is becoming a significant part of every industry
Benefits of being part of the accelerator program

Connect with Charley Valher

Connect with Den Lennie

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

Den Unleashed Part 1- Why so many businesses stagnate or fail

How to Scale a Video Business

10/01/19 • 25 min

I’ve talked to a lot of filmmakers all over the world at all stages of their businesses. The ones who are the most consistently successful think differently. 95% of video companies I meet all seem to be making the same mistake. The major mistake they commit is failing to invest in what truly matters, themselves. They focus too much on the gear and evangelizing about how powerful video is. Many are missing the chance to build a sustainable and solid business because they are focussing on the wrong things.
The good news is; it’s not too late to fix

Today we’re testing something new. Instead of me asking the questions, we’ll turn the tables around. Charley Valher, who was our very first guest on this podcast, interviews me about my view on why businesses stagnate or fail.
We’ll be talking about what I call the freelance mentality and why it’s throttling to the growth of most video businesses.

What You’ll Learn from This Episode:

Why video businesses stagnate and fail
What is the scarcity mindset, and how does it impact the growth of your business?
The key to growing your business is realizing you need change
Invest in what matters: Knowing how to play the long game
The dangers of investing in stuff you don’t need with money you don’t have
The importance of client relations and customer service
What is the most ignored segment of business?

Connect with Charley Valher
Website
Valher Media
Youtube
LinkedIn
Twitter

Connect with Den Lennie
Video Business Accelerator
LinkedIn
Facebook
Youtube

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

BFC #003 - How to make branding work for Creatives with David Fernandez

How to Scale a Video Business

10/09/18 • 42 min

Are you struggling with how to position your brand and don’t know which direction to go?
You might be asking, how important is branding for my creative business?
In this episode David Fernandez, of Evolv Design, shares his secrets on how branding is not solely for big brands and why you as a business should care about your brand. David also dives deep into the how you can use branding to build trust with your target market resulting in more clients.
Turn the volume up, listen and take notes on this episode!
What you will learn in this episode...
- The most common misconception about branding
- How important is it to know your target market
- Generic Vs Branded, how do you stand out amongst your peers
- Questions you need to ask yourself before doing a brand analysis
- Discover the branding strategies that cost next to nothing
- How to build credibility that will earn trust from your target market
Quotable Quotes
Branding is all about consistency
Someone who strategizes always is going to have a better success rate than one who just uses the latest tactics to get by
Connect with David
Website - http://evolvdesign.com.au/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/evolvdes

Connect with Den on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_lennie

www.thevideomentors.com

Start getting realistic about growth and stop being impatient - 'Shorty' EP#60

How to Scale a Video Business

02/04/20 • 11 min

Are we too impatient as creatives? Does that lack of patience create unrealistic expectations and timeframes for getting the results you expect. Yes! So what's the solution?
Connect with Den on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/denlennie/

Get more great resources over at https://www.denlennie.com/