The Spiro Podcast: Managing your Real Estate Photography & Videography Business

Scaling a media company can feel overwhelming—but many of the biggest problems come from decisions that seem reasonable in the moment. In this episode, Craig and Todd break down seven things Todd no longer does when growing a real estate media business. They cover why customer service matters more than camera experience when hiring, how to coach struggling employees without solving every problem for them, and why underperformers need clear, direct feedback. They also discuss training photographers, responding to pricing pressure, saving video shoots when listings sell quickly, and addressing difficult issues with top clients before they become bigger problems. Each lesson comes from a mistake Todd has made himself, giving business owners practical ways to scale with less fear, better communication, and stronger systems. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: [email protected] Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – Hire for Customer Service, Not Just Camera Skills 0:55 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:31 Perspective, Gratitude, and Defining What Success Means 6:30 Introducing “7 Things I Never Do When Scaling a Media Company” 7:29 Spiro Updates: API Beta, MCP, Scheduling, and @Mentions 14:02 #1 – Never Hire for Camera Experience Over Customer Service 22:36 #2 – Never Do the Homework for a Struggling Employee 29:53 #3 – Never Guess Whether an Underperformer Knows They’re Failing 37:26 #4 – Never Train the Art of Photography 45:18 #5 – Never Make Knee-Jerk Price Cuts for the Wrong Clients 53:46 #6 – Never Let a Fast Sale Cancellation Kill a Video Shoot 56:53 #7 – Never Avoid the Elephant in the Room with a Top Client 1:03:07 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

What if the qualities that are often overlooked in business are actually your greatest competitive advantage? In this special women’s takeover edition of the Spiro Podcast, Shannon Landers sits down with Colleen Kydd, Alex Coombs, and Elizabeth Hansen to talk about the different ways women lead, build teams, and create lasting client relationships. They explore emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, communication, determination, and the ability to connect with people on a deeper level. The conversation also gets honest about growing at your own pace, navigating a male-dominated industry, building a business around your actual goals, and the lessons each guest would take back to the beginning. It’s a conversation about leadership from a woman’s perspective—but the takeaways apply to anyone building a team or business. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: [email protected] Colleen Kydd Three Palms Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threepalmsmedia/ Three Palms Media: https://threepalmsmedia.net/ Alex Coombs Northern Spruce Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernsprucemedia/ Northern Spruce Media: https://northernsprucemedia.com/ Elizabeth Hansen Eliora Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elioramedia/ Eliora Media: https://www.elioramedia.com/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – The Superpowers Women Bring to Business 0:42 Welcome to the Women’s Takeover Edition 2:08 Meet Colleen Kydd, Alex Coombs, and Elizabeth Hansen 8:27 Emotional Intelligence, Thoughtfulness, and Women’s Strengths 18:38 Turning Communication Into a Competitive Advantage 26:46 Building Deeper Client Relationships 31:57 Going Beyond Media to Add Value for Agents 43:09 Navigating Market Shifts and a Changing Industry 49:09 Quality, Reputation, and Building a Recognizable Brand 55:41 What Each Guest Would Do Differently 1:07:35 Rapid-Fire Questions 1:20:20 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

You finally hire help—and then immediately wonder why they don’t work exactly like you. In this episode, Craig and Todd talk through one of the hardest parts of growing a real estate media business: trusting other people with something you’ve spent years building. They discuss unrealistic expectations, employee mistakes, incomplete training, the “owner trap,” and why growth often feels like a collection of small problems hitting all at once. Todd also shares how strong SOPs, clearly defined core values, and a genuine investment in your employees can help you build a team that takes ownership, makes good decisions, and eventually improves the business even when you aren’t there. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: [email protected] Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – Expecting New Hires to Perform Like the Owner 0:51 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:41 Introducing the Growing Pains of Building a Team 3:07 Spiro Updates: Open API and Internal Communication 5:07 The Paradox of Growth and Letting Go 6:26 Remembering How Bad We Were When We Started 12:13 Hiring, Training, and Unrealistic Expectations 17:04 Mistakes Are a Sign That Your Business Is Growing 23:01 Escaping the Owner Trap and Learning to Trust 25:59 Creating a Team That Improves the Business Without You 29:04 Defining the “Secret Sauce” You Expect Employees to Follow 35:13 Turning Problems into SOPs and Training 36:55 Appreciating How Far Your Business Has Come 38:53 Why You Can Never Be Finished Building SOPs 41:07 Using Core Values When the Handbook Has No Answer 46:02 Helping Employees Build Their Own Long-Term Success 48:48 Whose Goals Matter More: The Employee’s or the Company’s? 53:56 Action Steps: Train Better and Pour Back Into Your Team 56:40 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

What happens when your systems get better—but your client experience gets colder? In this episode, Craig and Shannon explore how to simplify your business without removing the human element that keeps clients connected. Using ideas from The Human Element and the famous instant cake mix “add an egg” story, they break down why people resist change, why clients still need to feel involved, and how better communication can make new systems easier to accept. Relevant Links: Spiro: https://www.spiro.media/ Contact Spiro: [email protected] The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas: https://www.humanelementbook.com/ Spiro Super User Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spirosuperusers/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Cold Open – Why Agents Stick with What They Know 0:49 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:24 Craig and Shannon Introduce the Episode 2:03 Spiro Updates: API Beta Testing and @Mentions 7:49 Automation and the Human Element 9:46 The Four Types of Friction That Create Resistance 15:12 The Instant Cake Mix Story: Why You Still Need to “Add an Egg” 18:29 Where Automation Helps—and Where Agents Need Input 23:08 Don’t Use Automation to Disappear from the Relationship 25:32 Forced Change, Self-Service, and Customer Friction 31:48 Guiding Clients Through New Systems and Technology 34:38 Why Technology Shouldn’t Replace Human Relationships 36:01 Personal Follow-Up, Thank-You Notes, and Client Appreciation 41:31 Final Takeaway: Let Systems Simplify, Not Replace 44:20 Episode Wrap-Up

Todd and Shannon welcome James Bottomley of Haven Creatives to the Spiro Podcast for a conversation about creating more intentional, effective real estate video content. James shares how he got started in real estate media as a teenager, how Haven Creatives grew into a luxury real estate media agency, and why great video is not just about gear or flashy visuals. The heart of the episode is James’ approach to building video content around a clear purpose. He explains why agents often try to make one video do too many things at once — sell the listing, grow their brand, generate leads, and get views — and why that usually weakens the result. James breaks down how media companies can think through awareness, education, and conversion content, while also helping agents build stronger personal brands through intentional, authentic content. The conversation also touches on content strategy, filming average homes well, brand development, AI, and the future of real estate video. Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://repplaunch.com/repp2026 James Bottomley on YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/thejamesbottomley_/ Haven Creatives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haven.creatives/ Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:47 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:27 REPP Reminder, Spiro Updates, and Introducing James Bottomley 4:55 James’ Start in Real Estate Media 7:40 Haven Creatives, Luxury Video, and Why Gear Isn’t the Point 11:46 Helping Agents Understand the Purpose of Video 14:04 Awareness, Consideration, and Conversion Content 20:34 What Listing Content Looks Like at Each Stage 25:53 MLS Videos, Social Videos, and Filming Average Homes Well 31:45 Using Video to Build an Agent’s Brand 42:16 James’ Brand Development Framework 49:16 Staying Creative, AI, and the Future of Real Estate Media 55:30 Episode Wrap-Up

Episode Summary What happens when Todd and Craig throw out the script and answer the kinds of questions that usually stay behind the scenes? In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, the conversation gets more candid, personal, and unpredictable as they work through a mix of business, industry, mindset, and opinion-based questions. From entrepreneurship and client relationships to burnout, growth, mistakes, and hot takes within the real estate media world, this episode offers a more relaxed and unfiltered look at the people behind the business. Some answers are practical, some are funny, and some probably shouldn’t have been said out loud. Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]       Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:15 Question #1 – Biggest Early Business Mistake? 3:40 Question #2 – What’s Harder Than People Think? 5:55 Question #3 – Most Common Cause of Burnout? 8:20 Question #4 – Biggest Waste of Time for Media Pros? 10:50 Question #5 – When Should You Raise Prices? 13:15 Question #6 – Biggest Client Red Flag? 15:45 Question #7 – What Do Clients Actually Value Most? 18:20 Question #8 – Best Way to Stand Out? 20:50 Question #9 – Biggest Team Mistake? 23:15 Question #10 – What Should People Stop Overcomplicating? 25:35 Question #11 – Thoughts on Social Media Consistency? 28:00 Question #12 – What Helps Build Long-Term Clients? 30:25 Question #13 – Biggest Industry Frustration? 32:50 Question #14 – Most Underrated Skill? 35:15 Question #15 – Best Investment You Made in Business? 37:40 Question #16 – Something You Changed Your Mind About? 40:05 Question #17 – What Holds Most Businesses Back? 42:35 Question #18 – Advice for New Media Pros? 45:10 Question #19 – Biggest Opportunity Right Now? 47:45 Question #20 – Final Hot Take 50:15 Episode Wrap-Up

Todd and Craig welcome Heather Haas, realtor, speaker, influencer, and keynote speaker from Spiro Sync 2026, to the Spiro Podcast. Heather shares how networking, intentional relationships, and authentic content creation helped grow her business and personal brand. The conversation dives into social media, mindset, mindfulness, branding, and why trying to “be yourself” online is often the most effective marketing strategy. Heather also talks about speaking, creating meaningful connections at events, and helping people simplify systems so business growth feels more natural and sustainable. Relevant Links Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected] Repp 2026: https://repplaunch.com/repp2026 Chapter Timestamps 0:37 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 1:15 REPP 2026 Announcement 3:15 Spiro Updates: Internal Mentions 4:36 Introducing Heather Haas 5:35 Heather’s Background and Speaking Journey 7:40 Social Media, Branding, and Being Yourself 9:00 Understanding the Realtor/Affiliate Relationship 14:00 Solve the Realtor’s Actual Problem 16:25 Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Best Clients 20:00 Why Realtors “Break Up” with Vendors 24:00 Empathy, Boundaries, and Red Flags 26:10 Questions Media Pros Should Ask Realtors 28:15 The Dating, Honeymoon, and Seven-Year Itch Analogy 30:00 AI, Content Days, and Staying Relevant 33:45 Becoming More Than Just a Photographer 36:45 Getting in the Room with Realtors 38:15 Using YPN and Realtor Events to Build Relationships 40:20 Referrals, Social Presence, and Office Influencers 42:30 How to Reach Heather 44:00 Final Takeaways

At some point, doing everything yourself becomes the bottleneck. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Todd and Craig dive into how virtual assistants can help real estate media businesses create more consistency, free up time, and scale more effectively. From editing workflows and admin tasks to communication and client experience, they break down where VAs can provide the biggest impact and how to successfully integrate them into your business. The conversation also covers delegation, training, and the mindset shift required to stop trying to control every detail yourself. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by day-to-day operations, this episode will help you understand how the right support can supercharge your business.   Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:10 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 2:35 Spiro Updates 5:20 Why VAs Are a Game Changer 11:10 Tasks You Should Stop Doing Yourself 18:45 Hiring the Right VA 26:20 Training, Communication, and Expectations 34:05 Delegation and Letting Go of Control 41:50 Building Systems Around Your Team 49:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

Compliance can feel intimidating—but understanding it is becoming more important than ever for both agents and media companies. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Shannon Landers and Steve break down the major compliance topics that impact real estate media businesses today. From fair housing and MLS rules to branding, drone regulations, and the growing role AI plays in marketing content, they discuss practical ways media professionals can protect themselves while helping agents stay compliant. The conversation also explores why being “compliance aware” can actually become a competitive advantage and help build stronger relationships with brokerages and clients. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:10 Shannon Introduces Steve & the Topic 4:05 Why Compliance Matters in Real Estate Media 8:00 The Risks of Ignoring Compliance 13:40 The Four Buckets of Compliance 14:00 Fair Housing Rules & Common Mistakes 18:40 Marketing Language & Compliance Awareness 23:45 MLS Rules, Branding, and Media Restrictions 27:20 Drone Regulations & Part 107 Requirements 34:10 AI, Editing, and Emerging Compliance Concerns 41:50 Best Practices for Media Companies 48:30 Final Thoughts & Why Compliance Awareness Matters Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

Busy season can be a great problem to have—but it also brings pressure, stress, and easy mistakes. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Shannon, Todd, and Craig break down the key things to keep in mind when business ramps up. From managing stress and leaning on your team to maintaining clear communication and not neglecting client acquisition, they walk through practical reminders that help you stay grounded and operate effectively. They also touch on making smart financial decisions during high-revenue periods and learning to let go of control so your team can step up. If you’re in the middle of a busy stretch—or preparing for one—this episode will help you handle it the right way. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:05 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 2:30 Spiro Updates 5:10 Pt. 1 – Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself 10:20 Pt. 2 – You Have a Team—Use Them 18:40 Pt. 3 – Closed Loop Communication 26:15 Pt. 4 – Don’t Forget Client Acquisition 34:05 Pt. 5 – Be Smart with Money During Busy Season 41:50 Pt. 6 – Let Go of Control to Grow 50:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up   Relevant Links Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

Objections are part of every sales conversation, but how you handle them can make or break your business. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Todd and Craig break down the most common objections real estate media professionals face and how to respond to them with confidence. From pricing pushback to hesitation around value, they share practical ways to reframe conversations, build trust, and position your services more effectively. If you’ve ever felt caught off guard or unsure what to say in the moment, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.   Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:05 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 2:30 Spiro Updates 5:10 Why Objections Happen 10:40 The Most Common Client Objections 18:20 Handling Pricing Pushback 26:05 Communicating Value More Clearly 34:15 Reframing the Conversation 42:30 Building Confidence in Sales Conversations 50:10 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

AI is only as powerful as the workflows behind it. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Todd and Craig welcome Matt Gia, Founder of AutoHDR, to break down how to actually implement AI in a way that improves your business—not complicates it. The conversation focuses on building practical, repeatable AI workflows that save time, increase consistency, and support growth. From identifying where AI fits into your process to avoiding common pitfalls, Matt shares how media businesses can use automation intentionally to create real efficiency. If you’ve been curious about AI but aren’t sure how to apply it, this episode will help you turn ideas into systems that actually work. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:05 Todd and Craig Welcome Matt Gia (AutoHDR) 2:40 Spiro Updates 5:15 What AI Actually Means for Media Businesses 10:30 Building AI Workflows That Save Time 18:20 Where AI Fits Into Your Current Process 26:10 Avoiding Overcomplication with Automation 34:25 Creating Consistency Through AI Systems 42:40 Practical Use Cases for AI in Media 50:10 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected] AutoHDR: https://www.autohdr.com

What if your business actually supported your life instead of running it? In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Craig and Todd are joined by Clay Whisler to talk about building a real estate media business with intention. Clay shares his approach to structuring his business around his personal goals, creating systems that reduce stress, and making decisions that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term hustle. The conversation dives into boundaries, workflow design, and how to avoid burnout while still growing. If you’re looking to build a business that gives you more freedom—not less—this episode will help you rethink how you operate. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:10 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 2:30 Spiro Updates 5:00 Introducing Clay Whisler 8:15 Building a Business Around Your Life 15:40 Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Burnout 23:20 Designing Workflows That Reduce Stress 31:45 Growth Without Sacrificing Freedom 40:10 Long-Term Thinking vs Short-Term Hustle 48:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up   Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

Airbnb is opening up a whole new lane for real estate media businesses—but most people aren’t fully tapping into it yet. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Craig and Shannon Landers break down how short-term rentals are changing the landscape and where media professionals can step in to provide real value. From understanding what Airbnb hosts actually need to positioning your services differently than traditional real estate shoots, they explore how to create new revenue streams and stand out in a growing market. If you’re looking for ways to expand your business beyond standard listings, this episode will help you start thinking differently. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Introduction 1:10 Welcome with Craig and Shannon 2:30 Spiro Updates 5:00 Why Airbnb Is a Growing Opportunity 10:40 How Airbnb Content Differs from Listing Media 18:20 What Airbnb Hosts Actually Need 26:15 Positioning Your Services for Short-Term Rentals 34:30 Pricing, Packages, and Value 42:10 Getting Your First Airbnb Clients 49:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/ Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

Imposter syndrome shows up for almost everyone—but in a growing real estate media business, it can quietly hold you back from charging what you're worth, putting yourself out there, or taking the next step. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Todd and Craig break down what imposter syndrome actually looks like in day-to-day business, why it happens, and how to move through it. From mindset shifts to practical actions, they share ways to build confidence, take ownership of your value, and stop letting self-doubt dictate your growth. If you've ever questioned whether you're “good enough,” this episode is for you. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Topic Introduction 1:20 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast 2:45 Spiro Updates 5:10 What Is Imposter Syndrome? 9:30 How It Shows Up in Real Estate Media 16:40 Charging Your Worth & Confidence Gaps 24:15 Comparing Yourself to Others 31:50 Practical Ways to Overcome It 40:10 Building Confidence Through Action 48:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up Chris Thompson @cstmediaproductions https://www.cstmediaproductions.com Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media Spiro Contact Email: [email protected]

Nick Narodny of TITUS joins Todd this week on the Spiro Podcast. He'll be sharing the presentation he gave at the January 2026 Spiro Sync Conference on how to get two brokerage presentations a month to grow your business. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:30 Spiro Updates 03:28 Nick Narodny/TITUS Introduction 07:58 Getting Two Brokerage Presentations a Month 41:06 Episode Wrap-up

Alex Coombs, owner of Northern Spruce Media located in Hamilton, Ontario gave a main stage presentation at the January 2026 Spiro Sync Conference on building a framework in your business to handle a "full plate". Alex joins Todd & Craig on this episode to share some highlights from that presentation, and gives you tips on how to handle that overflowing plate you have as a real estate media company owner. (*Note: Craig prematurely released the Tattoo Video before this episode where the tattoos are announced - He just couldn't wait!) Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:12 Craig's Tattoo Announcement 05:30 Spiro Updates 06:20 The Full Plate Framework - Alex Coombs 54:19 Episode Wrap-up

Aaron Smith, Director of Sales at Cubicasa joins Todd this week on the Spiro Podcast, to talk about creating Bundles & Packages, and how marketing them to your clients and potential clients can help your business grow and serve your clients well. Aaron shared on this topic at the Spiro Sync Conference, and now brings his presentation to those of you that weren't able to make it! Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:23 Spiro Updates 02:45 Guest Introduction: Aaron Smith 05:05 Aaron's Real Estate Media Story 18:30 Bundling Services - The Impact 52:52 Episode Wrap-up

No clickbait here. No promises that business will be easier the better you get. In fact, it will most likely get harder the better your get in business. Todd and Craig talk about what to expect as your business grows and gets better at what it does. How do you approach the harder challenges? What's the payoff for sticking with it? Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 03:08 Spiro Updates 06:12 It's Harder the Better You Get 44:14 Episode Wrap-up

Do you ever feel like you're "never enough"? Don't believe the lie. Todd and Craig talk about the fact that life is hard. Business is hard. But you can't give up. Listen to get encouraged and strengthened as we head into a new year of business. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 05:25 Sync Thoughts from WOW Video Tours 08:50 There's No Easy Button 49:08 Episode Wrap-up

Todd, Craig & Nick talk with those that came to the first ever Spiro Sync Conference in Dayton, OH. What were people's impressions? What were the biggest takeaways? Watch or listen to hear what you missed. We hope we can see you next year! Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 Episode Open 02:35 Spiro Updates 03:34 Spiro Sync Venue Highlights 13:00 Attendee Impressions & Takeaways 35:27 Summary Thoughts 43:01 Episode Wrap-up

Todd and Craig speak with Justin Cyrus, owner of North Carolina Real Estate Media, and speaker at the REPP 2025 conference. Justin shares his infectious joy and energy and how to have FUN in your business. You don't want to miss this! Suggested reading from Justin: "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara - https://a.co/d/2xVLAjj   Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:25 Justin Cyrus - Fun in Business 51:32 Episode Wrap-up

Strong systems don’t just organize your business — they change how it performs. In this episode of the Spiro Podcast, Todd and Nick, CEO & Co-Founder of Titus, sit down with Logan Stewart, Owner of Drone Digital. Logan shares how implementing Titus transformed his day-to-day operations, improved efficiency, and helped him scale with more confidence and clarity. The conversation explores real-world use cases, operational growing pains, and how the right systems can remove friction, reduce overwhelm, and unlock sustainable growth for real estate media businesses. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open & Introductions 4:35 Todd Introduces Nick, CEO and Founder of Titus 11:55 Todd Introduces Logan, Owner of Drone Digital 14:20 Operational Changes & Immediate Impact 22:10 Scaling with Confidence and Clarity 30:05 Reducing Friction Through Better Systems 38:40 Advice for Media Owners Considering Titus 46:10 Final Takeaways & Episode Wrap-Up   Contact Titus: gotitus.com

Owner of Weston Media, Tyler Graham joins Todd on the podcast this week to talk about the presentation he made at the REPP 2025 conference, along with some "work hacks" to help your real estate media business grow and succeed. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:40 Spiro Updates 03:48 Spiro Sync Conference 04:54 Tyler Graham - Weston Media Story 20:53 Business & Overcoming Trauma 33:11 Building Your Team 43:01 Power of Networking 56:36 Closing Thoughts from Tyler 57:33 Episode Wrap-up   Contact Tyler: Instagram: @Weston_Media YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weston_Media@Weston_Media  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.graham.1447

Broker deals are often seen as a fast track to growth in real estate media—but are they always the right move? In this episode, Todd and Craig sit down with Scott Golmic to explore a different perspective on broker relationships and long-term business strategy. Scott shares his experience navigating broker partnerships, protecting client ownership, and building a sustainable media business without sacrificing independence. The conversation also touches on scaling thoughtfully, setting boundaries, pricing with confidence, and using systems and technology to support growth while avoiding burnout. This episode is a must-listen for media professionals who want to grow smarter—not just bigger. Want to connect with Scott? Check out his social accounts at: Instagram (personal): @scottgolmic Instagram (business): @therealestateographers Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open & Overview 2:30 Spiro Updates 6:10 Introducing Scott Golmic 9:00 How Broker Deals Typically Work 14:40 A Different Spin on Broker Relationships 22:30 Client Ownership & Long-Term Leverage 30:20 Scaling Without Losing Control 38:45 Pricing, Value, and Saying No 46:30 Systems, Tech, and AI in a Growing Business 55:40 Where to Find Scott & Episode Wrap-Up

Colleen Kydd, co-owner of Three Palms Media joins Todd & Craig this episode to talk about the talk she gave at the REPP 2025 Conference. Her presentation was on "Your Impact as an Owner". Have you ever considered the impact you have on other people's lives as a business owner? Or considered how you might have more impact as an owner? Listen in for some great thoughts and insights from Colleen! Check out her slides from the REPP 2025 Conference at: https://mailchi.mp/threepalmsmedia/three-palms-media-links And if you're a woman looking to connect with other women in the Real Estate Media Industry, check out the Facebook group mentioned in the podcast at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1APREPMHtF/ Want to connect with Colleen? Check out her social accounts at: Instagram: @ItsColleenKydd @ThreePalmsMedia YouTube: @ItsColleenKydd  Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:09 Spiro Updates 04:33 Spiro Sync Event Info 05:22 Colleen Kydd - Your Impact 46:22 Episode Wrap-up

Christmas is almost upon us! Have you thought about what you may want to do for your clients for Christmas? Where do you start? Do you get gifts for everyone? Gifts for only some clients? What about cards? Or brokerage offices. Todd and Craig walk you through planning your holiday season client interaction plan, and how to continue to make an impact on them even during a slow season. WOW Video Tours Gift Store: https://www.wowvideotours.com/gift-shop/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:48 Spiro Updates 05:09 Titus Information 07:50 Christmas for Clients 45:40 Episode Wrap-up

It's been awhile since we've done an Owner Spotlight Series episode. This week, we're happy to welcome Chris Powell, owner of Lighthouse Studio in Seattle, WA. Chris was a speaker at the REPP 2025 conference, and we're excited to have him share part of his story that led him from resisting hiring, to loving it. You can contact Chris via his Instagram at: @lhstudio.re or visit his website at: http://lh.studio   Book Suggestions from Chris: "The Servant Leader" - James Autry - https://a.co/d/00D2DZO "Build a Business You Love" - Dave Ramsey - https://a.co/d/dWc1VJX   Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:10 Guest Introduction - Chris Powell 06:53 From Resisting Hiring to Loving It 45:10 - Episode Wrap-up

Todd, Craig and the Spiro and WOW Video Tours teams are back from the REPP 2025 Conference in Las Vegas.  They share their thoughts, and the thoughts of some of the attendees that were there.  If you've never been to a real estate media industry conference, we highly encourage you to invest in yourself and/or your team, and make sure you get to one! We'd love to have you join us in Dayton, Ohio for the Spiro Sync '26 Conference.  Click to get your tickets!   Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:27 Spiro & Industry Updates 10:00 Spiro Sync Information 12:12 REPP 2025 Recap 34:43 Episode Wrap-up  

A much requested topic for the Spiro Podcast: Hiring. The challenges. The tips on how to hire. Tricks for finding good candidates. Things to consider like do you hire contractors or employees? We cover as much as we can to help you find your next great hire to grow your business. Spiro Sync Event: https://spiro.media/spiro-sync/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:59 Industry Conferences 03:44 Spiro Sync Event 05:40 Hiring Challenges & Solutions 45:27 Episode Wrap-up

Shannon Landers, VP of Product for Spiro joins Craig on this week's episode to look back at the 3rd Quarter of 2025, and to forecast what you might expect for the 4th quarter of the year. To get registered for the Spiro Sync '26 Event, check out: https://spiro.media/spiro-sync/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:46 Industry Conferences 08:27 3rd Quarter Review & 4th Quarter Forecast 43:44 Episode Wrap-up

There is often a lot of anxiety and fear over having to go out and "sell" your real estate media services and products. But what if we told you that not selling, sells? Steve Musser, Director of Sales & Marketing, along with Chris Voge, Sales Manager both of WOW Video Tours joins Craig this week to talk about an approach to business development that doesn't feel so...well...like you're a used car salesman. (Sorry any used car salespeople that may see this). What are some ways to approaching business development that will allow you to get word out about your business and build a clientele, without resorting to the myriad of "sales tactics & training" that feel less than...honest? Genuine? Authentic? You get the drift. Spiro Sync '26 Information: https://spiro.media/spiro-sync/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:14 Spiro Sync Event 02:11 How Not Selling, Sells 47:05 Episode Wrap-up

Decisions, decisions, decisions. As the owner and leader of your real estate media business, you face countless decisions every day. Every hour. Shoot, sometimes every minute. Some are easy to make. Some are hard to make. How do you prioritize them? How do you handle the hardest and most challenging decisions? Todd shares the top 3 hardest business decisions he's faced as owner of WOW Video Tours and Spiro, and how he approached them. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:56 Industry Events 03:09 Spiro Updates 03:24 The Top 3 Hardest Business Decisions 39:41 Episode Wrap-up

What role does faith play in our daily lives? And when we say daily lives, we include our work/business lives. Think about it: At least 8 out of our waking hours (usually more) is spent in the marketplace...our businesses and our interactions with other business people. So if you're a person of faith, what role do your beliefs have on your business? If you're not a person of faith, what role could it have? We realize this isn't a "normal" topic to discuss in the business world. But in light of recent events and conversations we see happening more and more around us, we felt it was important to talk about it: Faith in the our businesses. We hope this is a blessing and encouragement to you. Books mentioned in the Podcast (this is not a sponsored podcast or sponsored product placement): "Every Good Endeavor" by Timothy Keller: https://a.co/d/dnBXxMj "The 9 to 5 Window" by Os Hillman: https://a.co/d/ezVmU0C "The Word Before Work" by Jordan Raynor: https://a.co/d/dD99mxK "Called to Create" by Jordan Raynor: https://a.co/d/fatPQvd "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel: https://a.co/d/d77elyE Industry Conferenes: REPP Conference: http://repplaunch.com/repp2025 PMRE Conference: http://pmreconference.com Spiro Sync Conference: http://spiro.media (Click "Spiro Sync" in the Menu Bar starting at 10am EDST on October 8, 2025) Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:23 Spiro Updates 04:50 Industry Conferences 08:19 Faith in Your Business 49:49 Book Suggestions 51:16 Episode Wrap-up

Wisdom is the application of knowledge. We hope this episode is an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge of what mistakes NOT to make, that we've already made for you. It's always fun to hear how others screwed up, right? We hope you get some laughs and good information. Links mentioned in the episode: REPP Conference: http://repplaunch.com/repp2025 Spiro Sync Event (Tickets not available yet): http://spiro.media Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 Episode Open 02:00 Spiro Updates 06:12 Industry Conferences 08:35 Top 3 Mistakes We've Learned From 54:54 Episode Wrap-up

Craig is put in the hotseat as the owner of Spiro and WOW Video Tours, Todd, goes through Craig's Grade Card. Does Craig pass? Watch & listen to find out! Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:18 Spiro Updates & Events 07:27 Craig's Grade Card 42:37 Episode Wrap-up

This week we get an inside view from the Brokerage's perspective on what it's looking for in marketing for it's Realtors. Steve Helton, Realtor and Director of Marketing for Keller Williams Advisors & Pinnacle Group joins Todd, Shannon and Craig on this week's episode to talk all things Marketing from the Broker's perspective. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 04:30 Spiro Announcements & Updates 06:12 A Brokerage's Perspective 01:02:39 Episode Wrap-up

Shannon Landers, VP of Product for Spiro joins Craig on the podcast this week to talk about the Top 5 Things to do in Slow Season when your photography team has fewer shoots and you as the owner have more time to work on your business. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:21 Spiro Updates 03:55 Spiro Sync Gathering 06:13 Top 5 Things to do in Slow Season 44:17 Episode Wrap-up

Have you ever had a client ask you if they can pay when their listing closes?  Has that been an uncomfortable or awkward conversation?  (Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't.)  Have you found that challenging to integrate into your workflow?  Todd, Shannon and Craig talk with Nick Narodny, owner of Titus.  What is Titus?  Watch or listen to find out more about how Titus can integrate into Spiro and make agent pay at close possible for your real estate media business! Click Here to sign up for the Titus Pay at Close Spiro integration waiting list! Chapter TImestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 04:48 Industry Events Rundown 08:39 Nick Norodny / Titus Introduction 09:26 Titus: Pay at Close for Realtors 48:00 Episode Wrap-up

We all know the effort that is needed to win new business. But how much work do we put into retaining the clients we've won? If you're losing more clients than you're winning, or even breaking even in that, you have a leak problem! Todd and Craig talk about what to do to plug the leaks in your real estate media business! REPP 2025 Conference: http://repplaunch.com/repp2025 PMRE 2025 Conference: http://pmreconference.com Spiro Sync Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15nKXvL9ge/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 07:07 Conference Info 08:18 Spiro Updates 08:30 Titus Feature coming to Spiro 09:11 Plug the Leaks 48:25 Episode Wrap-up

Todd decided he wanted to know what a day in the life of Craig was like, so the questioning has started. Have you wondered what Craig's life is like during the workday? How does his role work? What does he have time for? How does he manage his time with both taking listing photos and video tours in addition to developing business in his market? Has he taken time out of his day to get a tattoo? Interested in Eli Jones REPP Conference? Find out more at http://repplaunch.com/repp2025 Also be sure to check out the PMRE Conference! Details are available at: http://pmreconference.com Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Intro 01:15 Craig Getting a Tattoo? 06:06 Spiro Sync 07:22 REPP Conference 07:38 PMRE Conference 08:35 Titus - Pay At Closing 13:16 A Day in the Life of Craig 48:59 Episode Wrap-up

What would you do, or do differently if you had to start your business over today?  Would you do the same initial setup of your business?  Would your business development effort (sales) look the same?  Would you hire employees or contractors the same way or in the same order?  What would you do the same, and what would you do differently?  Listen in to think through what you would do or not do, and what Todd and Craig may do differently or the same. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 04:37 Spiro Updates 05:32 Spiro Sync Event 06:24 Industry Conferences 08:05 If You Had to Start Over 39:45 Episode Wrap-up  

It's easy to get caught up with the latest technique or method to try and win new clients. But is the latest fad in how to do so a sustainable sales and business development effort? Or is a more consistent system the way to go? What's the difference between techniques and systems when it comes to your business development effort? Todd and Craig discuss the differences and the advantages/disadvantages, and how you can develop and grow a consistent system for your new client acquisition efforts! Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:58 Do you Enjoy What You Do? 03:56 - The Power of Gratitude 04:57 Spiro Updates 05:27 Real Estate Media Conferences 06:42 Techniques Don't Build Business 53:16 Spiro Sync Event 55:59 Episode Wrap-up

What will help you grow your real estate media business faster and larger?  Just the right camera and gear, or sound business principles that you can apply consistently?  Todd and Craig argue:  It's not about the camera.   Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:54 Industry Conferences 05:12 Spiro Updates 06:05 Spiro Sync Gathering? 10:49 Growth Isn't About the Camera 54:11 Episode Wrap-up

It's almost the entire Spiro Family on this week! Todd, Shannon, Nick and Lovie hop on the podcast to talk about the Spiro Concierge Onboarding Program that's available to Spiro users to help you get set up and running with your real estate media online ordering and delivery system. Listen to learn about how you can take advantage of this incredible program to help you get Spiro set up and working for you and your clients! Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Episode Open 03:30 Spiro Team Introductions 06:03 Concierge Onboarding Program 44:06 Conferences in 2025 45:38 Episode Wrap-up

Spiro VP of Product, Shannon Landers, joins Todd & Craig to go over numbers nationally (US) from the 2nd Quarter (what we have through May anyway), and also looks ahead into 3rd Quarter 2025. What can we do to adjust our businesses for the changing market? Nationally things seem to be moving towards a Buyer's market. How can you communicate your value proposition for your Realtor clients as homes are sitting longer in the market? Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 02:38 Spiro Updates 06:03 Spiro Onboarding Options 10:47 2nd Qt. Review/3rd Qt. Forecast 47:50 Episode Wrap-up

Are you at the point in your business where it's successful and profitable, but....you're unhappy? Have you looked at what may be contributing to that unhappiness? What's your plan for tackling that and alleviating that? Todd and Craig talk about The Owner's Trap, and how you can avoid it, or escape it. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:29 The Owner's Trap Introduction 0 2:03 Educational Conferences 03:48 Spiro Updates 04:16 AutoHDR Update 07:00 The Owner's Trap 39:50 Episode Wrap-up

While Todd is off this week, Jess Paxson, Director of Operations for WOW Video Tours joins Craig on the podcast to discuss a half year goals check-up, and the goal WOW Video Tours has had of raising leaders within the business. How are your goals coming for 2025? We're over halfway through the year now. Have you thought about raising leaders in your business to free you up to work on the business even more than you are currently?

It's the age-old question in business: What do I do about my competitors who are offering ridiculously low pricing and devaluing what our industry does? Yes: The Race to the Bottom. How do you handle it as a business owner? Do you race with the competitor? Do you compete on price? Do you compete on service and quality? What shifts in your business do you need to make if any? Todd and Craig tackle the question with some thoughts for you to consider. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 04:40 The Race to the Bottom 44:02 Episode Wrap-up

What is the importance of your personal ethics, principles and integrity in running your real estate media business? What things do you need to consider? What situations have you faced or may you face in the future (if you haven't yet?) What impact does establishing your ethics have on your business and its success? Todd and Craig discuss this and give you some things to consider if you haven't thought much about it. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Episode Open 01:56 Spiro Software Updates 02:54 Industry Conferences 03:47 Ethics & Integrity in Business 43:28 Episode Wrap-up