The best way to deal with the future… is to create it. Welcome to RevThinking. This is the conversation between creative leaders and consultants discussing what it really takes to run a thriving business in the fields of motion, animation, music, and production.
Pitching for free is passé… Charging for your time is dead… Getting paid for your thinking (strategy) is the future… You know what this feels like? Our industry evolving. We're growing up. Together. This RevThoughts is a snippet from one of our Weekly Briefings. Watch the full "Be More Agency" Weekly Briefing here: https://vimeo.com/revthink/bemoreagency
This week we had a chat with our long time friend Nate Watkin. We spoke about how production became a major paint point in his creative career. And...how that triggered him to create Assemble - a tool that might be the solution you need to run the production instead of letting it overrun you. Have a look here: https://www.assemble.tv
RevThinking: Having a Calling by Joel Pilger
The Factors Method: this simple idea will revolutionize your business.
Your costs went up, so you raise your rates, right? Wrong. Set your rates based on the value you create for your clients instead. Listen to this 10-min RevThoughts episode every time you're writing a proposal.
This is a special edition of the RevThinking Podcast, hosted by Advisor Emmett Armstrong and Community Manager Connor Thompson. They're talking about our online community of creative owners, the ones behind the world's leading studios and production companies in motion, production, experiential, and sound. Membership is open to owners & partners of creative firms. Apply here to join: https://revthink.com/community/
When it comes to sales, every owner believes: “We have a sales problem.” However, in our experience a SALES problem is a symptom of a deeper problem: MARKETING. We have good news. To finally solve this deeper problem, Joel has developed a 4-step method to create a simple marketing system that just works. (This topic is the current 4-week focus in his Confab group.) What has the group learned so far? Where are they headed? This RevThinking episode is the podcast version of The Weekly Briefing that happened live on July 21st, 2022.
This episode we discuss The Factors Method and how it helps creative entrepreneurs project into their future while keeping the business viable and stay true to promises made to clients, the staff and yourself.
How are you making time and space for your Genius? “I don't need to focus!” said no creative business owner, ever. Ok so if it's obvious that focus is critical, the next question is: “Focus on what?” The answer is to (1) first identify your Genius, then (2) consistently focus time and energy on those activities. Do that for 5+ years and you will become a recognized leader in your field. For the crest entrepreneur, Genius is where it all starts! I can't wait to personally take a handful of owners through this process. The results are always surprising and transformative. How are you making time and space for your Genius?
“How much budget do we have left to spend?” is actually the wrong question. Producers / Production Managers: this snackable episode is for you! We dig into the most common production miscommunication to shine a light on ways to complete projects on-budget – with profit – every time.
In this episode Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson share the game-changing Saleskeeping Technique and the way it develops creative entrepreneurs' internal confidence when connecting with prospective clients.
This episode we're learning how letting go of the old strategies makes projects prosper. Cameron Woodward is the cofounder and CMO at Wrapbook, a powerful and easy to use platform for production management that enables producers to tackle onboarding, timecards, payroll, and insurance. Exclusive: Sign up for a demo using the link below and Wrapbook will waive your set-up fee if you choose to proceed. https://www.wrapbook.com/revthink
The war in Ukraine seems distant… until it impacts someone just like you. Then it becomes much more real. Imagine one day you are a creative person shooting a comedy commercial, then the next day you become a soldier utterly obsessed with shooting your enemy. For Oleg Tomin, creative director at Kyiv-based creative agency BART&FINK, this is all too real, right now. I recorded this interview with Oleg on the 36th day of the war, in the hopes of exposing the truth about the war in Ukraine, opening people's eyes and hearts, and inspiring our industry to action.
This is a snackable conversation between Tim Thompson and Joel Pilger about the biggest questions creative entrepreneurs should ask their clients in order to get access to their biggest challenges.
For this episode of the RevThinking podcast I am excited about this talk with Denny Tu, CMO at IMAX. We chat openly about things that work and don't work in the creative client/agency relationship: pitches and presentations, the importance of understanding the difference between creative, strategy and commerce, as well as how to give “bad” feedback well. To hear Denny's background, this podcast shares more of his story: https://www.adweek.com/inside-the-brand/imaxs-denny-tu-on-embracing-what-makes-you-different-over-achievements/
This content was originally aired as a live interactive session on the new platform “Fishbowl”.
Last week we agreed that January is a tough month: you're setting big sales goals for this year… while staring at a big blank page labeled 2022 SALES PROJECTIONS. Can you feel the resistance? How do we get you over the hump and make progress?
This is a Weekly Briefing conversation between Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson diving into why is it so hard to get the difference right between rate, cost and price. This is also an opportunity to remind everyone that creative entrepreneurs are not selling hours, rates, services, etc. The product is, in fact, a solution that brilliantly solves the client's problem and produces the greatest value.
"Pitching in person is critical because passion and establishing trust are generally more important than your ideas." - Joel Pilger This content was originally aired as a live interactive session on the new platform "Fishbowl".
For this episode of the RevThinking podcast we are excited to 'go back'. We are going to be sharing what we call the "best of" episodes with you. Recasting the top episodes from that past one hundred episodes of the RevThinking Podcast. Tim Thompson is a consultant and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink. In this episode, Joel Pilger asks Tim the question: when your studio is ready to hire a full-time sales person (e.g., an Executive Producer), it's an exciting time. You have visions of your new EP bringing in fresh clients with exciting projects and fat budgets. Reality check: sales is difficult. And many salespeople – even the good ones – approach the job without knowing what really works. So how do you set up your EP for success? The key is to view sales not as a hope or even a skill, but as a system.
For this episode of the RevThinking podcast we are excited to 'go back'. We are going to be sharing what we call the "best of" episodes with you. Recasting the top episodes from that past one hundred episodes of the RevThinking Podcast. “All I need is my family, a bottle of wine, and some warm weather, and I'm happy.” – Joey Korenman In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger speaks with Joey Korenman, founder and CEO at School of Motion. From a successful – yet unfulfilling – role in motion design studio to founding School of Motion, Joey's story illustrates how leading a life with intention will enable you to achieve your goals, but it may not look like what you thought it was going to look like. After all, you may end up going to work everyday in flip flops.
For this episode of the RevThinking podcast we are excited to 'go back'. We are going to be sharing what we call the "best of" episodes with you. Recasting the top episodes from that past one hundred episodes of the RevThinking Podcast. Robert Blatchford is a brand strategist and management consultant at Makebrave. In this episode, Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson interview Robert to get a peek inside the mind of this business development innovator. Having led business development at notable creative agencies Troika and LoyalKaspar, Robert offers us a rare and valuable perspective. In this episode, RevThink's Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson interview him to discuss the evolving – an increasingly critical – role of business development at creative agencies, studios and production companies. Listen in to learn from Robert about the current state of the industry and how a solid business development strategy can empower creative firms to thrive in new ways, and in spite of our increasingly competitive environment.
You love running your creative business, so why would you ever exit? Author and Value Builder founder John Warrillow offers an unexpected, real-world perspective that might just change the trajectory of your creative firm.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “The Seven Sins of Positioning.“
What does it take to run the thriving LA-based creative studio Laundry? The answers will surprise and inspire you.
Darren Price is ECD and Founder at Mighty Nice, the Sydney-based animation studio now recognized among the industry leaders in Australia for creative animated solutions. Darren reckons that animation is like beer...or sunshine. With enough of it, everything starts to look good. Technically brilliant, strong in narrative, and beautiful to watch - it's similarities to beer quickly end, but animation does add charm, wit and sophistication to any project.
The day before the US Presidential Election – and on the heels of BLM and the ongoing COVID pandemic – Joel Pilger sat down with Ashley Kohler to discuss her journey as a creative entrepreneur. Ashley is President & Executive Producer of Awesome Incorporated, known for both commercial and series production. Prior to starting Awesome Inc, Mrs. Kohler spent seven years at Cartoon Network, ultimately serving as Director of Production, On-Air & Program Production.
The Motion Awards by Motionographer are shining a light on the people and work that comprise the best of the motion design community. Tune in to the live event on December 10th at 8pm EST at https://motionographer.com/2020/12/03/the-motion-awards-live/
"That's the bit that's been really interesting to me is, can we not sacrifice our creative morals for the sake of commerce? Can both of those things exist?" – David Sheldon-Hicks In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger has a conversation with David Sheldon-Hicks, Founder at Territory Studio.
“It’s a very delicate ecosystem but really my job as the owner is to make sure the company is healthy. It’s almost like a child or a person that I am caretaker of.” – Erin Sarofsky, Sarofsky In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger sits down with Erin Sarofsky, ECD And owner at eminent creative studio Sarofsky.
“The studio has a story arc, and then every project is its own story arc, and your relationship with that client is a story arc, and then you have a bunch of staff that have their own story arc. And I think that with enough thought and intention, you can line those things up.” – Jay Grandin, Partner + Creative Director at Giant Ant In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger explores an intimate conversation with Jay Grandin at Giant Ant. Going beyond the surface business and creative challenges of running a creative studio, this discussion explores the more existential and philosophical questions about why we – as owners – do what we do... and what is possible.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “When the Pirates Become the Navy.“
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “Sometimes I Don't Want To Be The Owner.“
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “Time to Fire Your Mom.“
“How can I as a marketer ignite the pathway – that I want – when somebody is reacting to my fill-in-the-blank?'” – Nina Stanley In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger sits down with CCO and Neuromarketing Officer Nina Stanley at MOD to explore the her journey of helming her creative agency. They also dive into the topics of neuromarketing and neuroresearch, as well as how COVID has given rise to new ways to leverage her firm’s expertise.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “The Interest to Intent Chasm.“
"With creatives something I hear quite often is that they don't like sales. By rephrasing it we can say, 'let's do some matchmaking and see if we match'. " - Claudia Mayer In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger sits down with Claudia Mayer, Creative Business Coach, asking the question, is there a disconnect between creativity and business? And of course some of the timeliness of the pandemic and how that's effecting business and creatives.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “recapping revolve.“
"Although sometimes it doesn't seem like it, there is enough work to go around for everyone and all of us are made better by connecting with each other, building out the community...and supporting each other grow and thrive." - Steve Kazanjian In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger sits down with Steve Kazanjian – CEO at Promax – to discuss the new Promax Virtual Experience and where this new shift is headed.
"It's not just about posting its about networking with your community. The more relationships you build the more opportunities you will have access to." - Dot Lung In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger sits down with Dot Lung mother of social media dragons, to discuss her formula for social media and how creative firms can take advantage of it.
"They are sitting there on epic talent and although it's a sweeping generalization a lot of them love being in their zone of creating and for many they need to distribute themselves before they can even sell more." - Richard Moore In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger sits down with London based Richard Moore consultant and sales coach to discuss every creative's struggle to market and sell them-self.
"But also be a leader, don't just accept it. I do think there's part of this that's politically charged and I want people to think beyond the politics of the moment and think about what's healthy and good for the people that you serve." - Tim Thompson In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger and Tim Thompon sit down to discuss the status of the current pandemic and whether they think it's time to play it safe or open up.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “June is Coming.“
"It's very important to find a place where we all come together and talk about the things that we love to do. I'd like people to be happy and inspired for a few hours instead of thinking about what's happening in the world right now." – Filippo Spiezia In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger speaks with Filippo Spiezia, Founder & Curator at DDD to discuss this years Digital Design Days conference and the live online conference format.
"It's about elevating the people along with you and trusting them. Because you can't do everything on your own. If you do that you'll never grow." – Joanne Chan In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger speaks with Joanne Chan, CEO at Turner Duckworth to discuss "Maintaining Independence" and how she went from working in her business to working on her business. This is another episode in our ongoing Profile of the Creative Entrepreneur series spotlighting inspired creative entrepreneurs and their journey navigating the intersection of creativity and commerce.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “How not Who.“
"The number of impressions is super integral to the success of an experience. For us it's actually the number of lasting impressions that really matter." – Nasya Kamrat In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger speaks with Nasya Kamrat, Founder/Executive Producer at Faculty to discuss "Spatial Storytelling" and how this special expertise serves Faculty's clients. This is another episode in our ongoing Profile of the Creative Entrepreneur series spotlighting inspired creative entrepreneurs and their journey navigating the intersection of creativity and commerce.
This week on RevThoughts Joel Pilger and Tim Thompson discuss “Climbing the Value Pyramid.“
“It’s very important to connect with people – whether it leads to new business or not – just for your mental well being. So it’s really important to get out and celebrate.” – James Cowen In this episode of the RevThinking podcast, Joel Pilger speaks with James Cowen, Founder/Creative Director at Yes Captain. As if running a creative studio wasn’t enough, James also helms the annual motion design conference Node Fest in Melbourne, Australia. What would lead a busy creative entrepreneur to start a new conference? What is involved in pulling it off? What might seem fun and glamorous may have a challenging dark side. But are there other strategic byproducts which emerge? James challenges creatives to get out from behind their desk, meet people, and celebrate the industry and the amazing work that we are privileged to make.
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