Harnessing Competition for Success
Introduction to Competition in Video Production
In this episode of The Business of Video Production podcast, I explore the concept of competition—what it means, how it affects video production professionals, and how to use it positively to drive success. I challenge you to reflect on your own views on competition and whether you perceive it as a positive or negative force in your career.
I believe that competitiveness is an innate human trait, and the key is to channel it in a productive, motivating, and collaborative way rather than allowing it to become a source of stress or negativity. By reframing competition, you can push yourself to achieve more while fostering a sense of mutual respect with your industry peers.
The Role of Competition in Business and Life
For years, I believed I wasn’t particularly competitive. However, over time, I realized that I was, in fact, deeply competitive but had simply viewed competition in a different way. Instead of seeing it as a cutthroat, winner-takes-all dynamic, I came to recognize competition as a tool for growth and self-improvement.
Many video production professionals may feel conflicted about competition. On one hand, you want to stand out in the industry and win more business. On the other, you may also feel a strong sense of camaraderie with fellow professionals. I argue that both perspectives can coexist—healthy competition doesn’t have to be adversarial.
The Collaborative Nature of the Video Production Industry
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that, unlike some industries, video production tends to be highly collaborative rather than purely competitive. Most production businesses are small, often consisting of solo operators or micro-teams, which fosters an environment of shared learning and support rather than cutthroat rivalry.
While occasional negative experiences exist, my overwhelming experience has been that professionals in our industry are supportive and ethical. We’re lucky to be part of an industry where competition isn’t about “crushing” rivals but about elevating the quality of work across the board.
Scarcity vs. Abundance: A Mindset Shift
A major theme I discuss is the contrast between scarcity and abundance mindsets in business.
A scarcity mindset sees competition as a zero-sum game—if one production company wins a client, another must lose. This can lead to insecurity, stress, and even unethical business practices.
An abundance mindset, on the other hand, recognizes that there is more than enough work to go around. Success is not dependent on the failure of others but on the ability to continuously improve and attract the right clients.
I urge you to adopt an abundance mindset. Rather than fearing competitors, use their presence as motivation to refine your craft, improve your marketing, and build stronger client relationships.
Lessons from Competitive Cycling: A Metaphor for Business
A powerful metaphor I like to use comes from the world of professional cycling to illustrate the balance between competition and collaboration.
In a cycling race, there are distinct groups:
The Peloton: The main pack of riders who conserve energy by working together and drafting off one another.
The Breakaway Group: A small group that pushes ahead, working together initially to escape the peloton before competing against each other near the finish.
The Gruppetto: A slower group at the back that supports each other in making it to the finish line within the required time.
I see parallels between these cycling dynamics and the video production industry:
Some professionals stay within the safe zone of the peloton, maintaining steady work but not pushing beyond their comfort zone.
Others break away, taking calculated risks to stand out, align with top performers, and raise their standards.
Some fall behind, perhaps due to mindset, lack of adaptation, or external challenges, but still find camaraderie and support.
The key takeaway is that success often involves both competition and collaboration—competing to push personal limits while recognizing that cooperation is necessary to get ahead.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Competition
Not all competition is beneficial. I’ve learned to distinguish between productive and toxic competition:
Healthy competition pushes you to improve your skills, refine your business strategies, and reach new levels of success. It is driven by self-improvement rather than a desire to see others fail.
Unhealthy competition is characterized by bitterness, underhanded tactics, and a short-term, win-at-all-costs mentality that can damage relationships and reputations.
One of the best ways I’ve found to cultivate healthy competition is to become a fan of your competitors—admiring their successes, learning from their strategies, and using their achievements as inspiration rather than as threats.
Why Independent Video Production Companies Outperform In-House Teams
I’ve noticed that in-house corporate video teams rarely produce work of the same quality as independent video production companies. One key reason for this is the absence of direct competition in in-house roles. Without competitive pressure, teams can become complacent, delivering work that is “good enough” rather than constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and quality.
In contrast, independent production companies operate in an environment where competition forces us to consistently improve our craft, sharpen our marketing, and evolve our services to stay ahead.
Applying the Competitive Mindset to Your Business
I challenge you to reflect on your position in the industry:
Are you in the peloton, maintaining a steady pace but not pushing beyond your comfort zone?
Are you in a breakaway group, aligning with ambitious professionals and striving for excellence?
Are you stuck in the groupetto, lagging behind while others push ahead?
Here’s how you can harness competition positively:
Identify and Learn from Competitors: Observe what the best in the industry are doing and use it as motivation.
Set Personal Benchmarks: Rather than comparing yourself to others, focus on beating your own previous achievements.
Compete with a Spirit of Collaboration: Engage with industry peers, share insights, and celebrate each other’s successes.
Adopt a Long-Term Perspective: Winning a single project isn’t as important as building a sustainable, growing business over time.
Final Thoughts: Using Competition as a Growth Tool
Competition is not about defeating others—it’s about challenging yourself to grow and improve. The best competitors are those who respect and learn from their rivals, push themselves beyond perceived limits, and embrace both collaboration and ambition.
I encourage you to reflect on your own competitive spirit and how you can harness it to elevate your video production business to new heights. Whether through refining your craft, improving your marketing, or embracing an abundance mindset, the goal is to keep evolving and striving for excellence.
If you’d like to dive deeper into improving your video production business, visit ryanspanger.com to learn more about my coaching services and resources for video professionals.