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

7 Things I Would Never Do When Scaling a Media Company

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:hello@spiro.media
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

Owning Your Superpowers: The Women Shaping Real Estate Media

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:hello@spiro.media
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 Business0:42 Welcome to the Women’s Takeover Edition2:08 Meet Colleen Kydd, Alex Coombs, and Elizabeth Hansen8:27 Emotional Intelligence, Thoughtfulness, and Women’s Strengths18:38 Turning Communication Into a Competitive Advantage26:46 Building Deeper Client Relationships31:57 Going Beyond Media to Add Value for Agents43:09 Navigating Market Shifts and a Changing Industry49:09 Quality, Reputation, and Building a Recognizable Brand55:41 What Each Guest Would Do Differently1:07:35 Rapid-Fire Questions1:20:20 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

Growth's Dirty Secret: Why Getting Bigger Feels Like Falling Apart (And How to Fix it.)

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:hello@spiro.media
Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 Cold Open – Expecting New Hires to Perform Like the Owner0:51 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast1:41 Introducing the Growing Pains of Building a Team3:07 Spiro Updates: Open API and Internal Communication5:07 The Paradox of Growth and Letting Go6:26 Remembering How Bad We Were When We Started12:13 Hiring, Training, and Unrealistic Expectations17:04 Mistakes Are a Sign That Your Business Is Growing23:01 Escaping the Owner Trap and Learning to Trust25:59 Creating a Team That Improves the Business Without You29:04 Defining the “Secret Sauce” You Expect Employees to Follow35:13 Turning Problems into SOPs and Training36:55 Appreciating How Far Your Business Has Come38:53 Why You Can Never Be Finished Building SOPs41:07 Using Core Values When the Handbook Has No Answer46:02 Helping Employees Build Their Own Long-Term Success48:48 Whose Goals Matter More: The Employee’s or the Company’s?53:56 Action Steps: Train Better and Pour Back Into Your Team56:40 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

Don't Lose the Human Touch: What A.I. Can't Replace

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:hello@spiro.media
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 Know0:49 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast1:24 Craig and Shannon Introduce the Episode2:03 Spiro Updates: API Beta Testing and @Mentions7:49 Automation and the Human Element9:46 The Four Types of Friction That Create Resistance15:12 The Instant Cake Mix Story: Why You Still Need to “Add an Egg”18:29 Where Automation Helps—and Where Agents Need Input23:08 Don’t Use Automation to Disappear from the Relationship25:32 Forced Change, Self-Service, and Customer Friction31:48 Guiding Clients Through New Systems and Technology34:38 Why Technology Shouldn’t Replace Human Relationships36:01 Personal Follow-Up, Thank-You Notes, and Client Appreciation41:31 Final Takeaway: Let Systems Simplify, Not Replace44:20 Episode Wrap-Up

Using Video to Build Brands, Not Just Listings - James Bottomley

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://www.spiro.media/Spiro Contact Email: hello@spiro.media
REPP Events / REPP 2026: https://repplaunch.com/repp2026
James Bottomley on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@James_BottomleyJames Bottomley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejamesbottomley_/Haven Creatives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haven.creatives/
Chapter Timestamps
0:00 Intro0:47 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast1:27 REPP Reminder, Spiro Updates, and Introducing James Bottomley4:55 James’ Start in Real Estate Media7:40 Haven Creatives, Luxury Video, and Why Gear Isn’t the Point11:46 Helping Agents Understand the Purpose of Video14:04 Awareness, Consideration, and Conversion Content20:34 What Listing Content Looks Like at Each Stage25:53 MLS Videos, Social Videos, and Filming Average Homes Well31:45 Using Video to Build an Agent’s Brand42:16 James’ Brand Development Framework49:16 Staying Creative, AI, and the Future of Real Estate Media55:30 Episode Wrap-Up

No Filter: 20 Questions We Probably Shouldn't Answer (Let alone ask)

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: hello@spiro.media
 
 
 
Chapter Timestamps
0:00 Episode Open & Introduction1:15 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 Take50:15 Episode Wrap-Up

Why Agents Breakup With You - Heather Haase

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: hello@spiro.media
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

Supercharge Your Business with VAs

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 & Introduction1:10 Welcome to the Spiro Podcast2:35 Spiro Updates5:20 Why VAs Are a Game Changer11:10 Tasks You Should Stop Doing Yourself18:45 Hiring the Right VA26:20 Training, Communication, and Expectations34:05 Delegation and Letting Go of Control41:50 Building Systems Around Your Team49:30 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up
Relevant Links
Spiro Software Platform: https://www.spiro.media/Spiro Contact Email: hello@spiro.media