Why Building a Team is the Key to Growing Your Video Production Business

Who does the work in your video production company?

Do you have a strong team—people with different skills that, together, make the business greater than the sum of its parts? Or do you do it all yourself, wearing every hat, from pre-production to editing?

There’s no one right way to run a video production business. Some prefer to operate solo, while others thrive in a team environment. But in my experience, trying to do it all alone puts a cap on what you can achieve.

If you’re serious about growing your business, building a team isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. In this post, I’ll share why I believe in team-building, how I built my own crew, and some of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way.

The Power of Teamwork in Business (and Evolution)

When I think about why building a team is so important, I look beyond business and into human history.

In his book Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari explores how humans became the dominant species on Earth. His conclusion? Our ability to cooperate in flexible ways.

We’ve always worked in tribes, hunting together, gathering food, building shelters, and forming communities. This ability to collaborate made survival easier and allowed humans to thrive.

And if you’ve ever watched Alone—a reality show where survivalists try to live off the land, completely isolated—you’ll notice something interesting: even the most skilled individuals struggle when they’re on their own.

The lesson? Humans function better as a group, and business is no different.

Working solo in video production can feel like survival mode—handling every task yourself, constantly feeling overwhelmed, and limiting what you can take on. But when you build a team, everything becomes more efficient, more enjoyable, and ultimately, more profitable.

Your Team Is Bigger Than You Think

Before we dive into the specifics of hiring, it’s important to recognize that your team is more than just your full-time employees.

If you’re running a video production company, you likely have multiple layers of people supporting you:

• Core team – Full-time employees handling production, editing, and administration.

• Freelancers & contractors – Your go-to DPs, gaffers, and sound recordists who step in as needed.

• Business support – Your accountant, bookkeeper, lawyer, insurance broker.

• Personal support – Family, friends, mentors, and even fitness trainers who keep you physically and mentally strong.

Thinking about your team in this broader sense helps you recognize that success isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people.

Why Building a Video Production Team Matters

You might be wondering, why not just do everything myself and keep all the profits?

Here’s why building a team is the smarter move:

1. More Effective Workflows

Video production has many moving parts—pre-production, shooting, editing, client management. Trying to handle everything yourself leads to bottlenecks and burnout. A team allows each person to focus on their strengths, improving overall efficiency.

2. Business Growth & Scalability

If you’re the only one doing the work, your income is capped by the number of hours you can put in. A team allows you to scale beyond your own capacity and take on bigger projects without sacrificing quality.

3. Better Work-Life Balance

Many video business owners work long hours, juggling multiple roles. A team helps distribute the workload, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on growing the business rather than just surviving.

4. Stronger Client Relationships

Clients want reliability and high-quality work. With a strong team, you can deliver better results faster and build stronger, long-term client relationships.

5. Increased Creativity & Innovation

Great ideas come from collaboration. A team brings different perspectives and skill sets, leading to more creative, higher-quality work.

How I Built My Team (And Why It Changed Everything)

When I started my video production business, I did everything myself. It worked… until it didn’t.

Editing was one of the biggest bottlenecks. I loved editing, but spending days at the computer meant I had no time for marketing, client calls, or strategy.

My business coach encouraged me to hire an in-house editor—a scary step, since I wasn’t sure if I had enough work to justify the hire.

So, I set aside six months’ worth of salary for the role. This gave me confidence that even if things got slow, I could afford the investment.

Then my coach gave me another challenge: hire two editors instead of one.

It seemed crazy at the time, but he explained that having a backup ensures continuity. If one editor wasn’t available, I’d always have another option.

So I took the leap—and it was a game-changer.

For the first time, I wasn’t tied to the edit suite, and my business started growing in ways I hadn’t expected.

How to Build and Lead a Successful Team

Hiring a team is one thing. Managing and leading them effectively is another.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Move from “Managing” to “Leading”

The word “management” suggests control, but great teams thrive under leadership, not micromanagement.

Your role isn’t just to assign tasks—it’s to inspire, guide, and empower your team to do their best work.

2. Communicate Expectations Clearly

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in the past was assuming my team just knew how I wanted things done.

Now, I make expectations crystal clear through:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – Clear guidelines on how tasks should be done.

• Regular team meetings – Check-ins to discuss projects, goals, and challenges.

• Constructive feedback – Structured performance reviews rather than on-the-spot criticism.

3. Learn to Give Feedback the Right Way

Poorly delivered feedback can crush creativity. Instead of giving negative feedback mid-project, schedule structured sessions where you can review work calmly and constructively.

4. Delegate, But Stay Involved

Delegation doesn’t mean checking out completely. Stay involved in the big picture while allowing your team the space to execute tasks.

5. Build a Culture of Trust & Ownership

The best teams take ownership of their work. When people feel valued and trusted, they become more invested in delivering great results.

6. Think Beyond “Just Hiring”

Bringing on new team members is just the start. Retaining great talent requires ongoing support, training, and a positive work environment.

Avoiding the Lone Wolf Trap

Trying to do everything yourself may feel like control, but in reality, it limits your business’s potential.

Being a one-person operation means:

• Your income is capped.

• You’re constantly working in the business instead of on it.

• You’re vulnerable—if you get sick or take time off, everything stops.

One of the biggest advantages of a team-based approach is leverage. You’re not just selling your time—you’re multiplying your impact through others.

Final Thoughts: The Power of a Strong Team

Building a video production business isn’t just about making great videos—it’s about creating a strong foundation that allows you to grow, scale, and succeed in the long term.

Bringing the right people into your world—whether employees, freelancers, or mentors—creates momentum.

And that’s the key to building a business that’s not just profitable, but also fulfilling.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in survival mode, or hesitant about hiring—take the first step. It could be the decision that changes everything.

Want More Insights on Growing Your Video Business?

Join me every week on The Business of Video Production Podcast, where I share lessons from over 20 years in the industry.

And if you’re serious about building a thriving video production business, check out RyanSpanger.com for more strategies and coaching opportunities.