The Importance of Saying No to Unnecessary Gear

Content creators should prioritize meaningful projects over unnecessary gear purchases to enhance their craft.

### The Importance of Saying No: Navigating Gear Acquisition and Brand Deals in Content Creation
* 🎥 Constantly searching for the latest gear to elevate your filmmaking or photography can lead to unnecessary purchases, but the new **Magic Fist Wireless Follow Focus** from SmallRig isn't essential for everyone.
* 🤔 Despite being a great product, I turned down a paid sponsorship for it because I realized I wouldn't use it, as I primarily rely on **autofocus for my videos**.
* 📉 Reflecting on my past, I suffered from **gear acquisition syndrome**, spending over **$100,000 on equipment** that ultimately wasn’t needed, resulting in selling **90% of it at a loss**.
* 💡 Most of my subscribers are passionate creators, not professionals, who should avoid falling into the trap of **buying unnecessary gear just because it's trending**.
* 💰 My main income comes from selling digital products and client work in graphic design, which allows me to be **selective about brand deals**, rather than relying on YouTube sponsorships.
* 📈 I encourage fellow creators to think critically about brand partnerships, emphasizing that there will be **better opportunities that align with their values and audience**.
* 💸 Lastly, I urge consumers to refrain from spending on items they don’t need unless it directly benefits their craft or business, as **mindful spending leads to better financial health**.

You're scrolling YouTube constantly trying to find out one new piece of gear that makes you a better filmmaker, content creator, photographer, becoming the next time-lapse Peter McKinnon. It's just one purchase away, but you don't need to look further. This is the new Magic Fist Wireless Follow

Focus from SmallRig. [Music] But to be honest with you, I don't need it. I would never use it. Not because it's a bad product. No, it's a great product actually, at least from what I saw on other channels. I'm using SmallRig stuff

for over seven years now. For example, the R5 cage and handles you just saw in the intro. And when they reached out to me first, I was excited to do another collaboration for my channel on a product that's not even released yet. They even agreed on a

paid sponsorship, so that could have paid my rent next month. But I told them that I won't shoot a video about it and turned down the deal. But why, you may ask? And why should you also learn to say no? Let me explain first. I'm not a cinematographer. I don't

need a follow focus system. I'm shooting my videos 95% on autofocus. Run and gun, of course, there are situations where I need to be in full control, but setting up this follow focus system is more stressful for me than simply using focus peaking and turning the focus ring on my

lens when I need to. I'm not working on a set. I go out with my dogs into the forest or capture everyday moments creating short videos for YouTube and sometimes for clients, which then turn into videos that will be consumed on mobile phones most times. Second, I've been there

four years ago when my channel was growing like crazy under the California Sun I had severe gear acquisition syndrome I bought every piece of gear lens camera whatever some famous YouTubers told me was the one thing I need in my life to produce better videos

and yeah some of it was really worth it but in the end I sold 9 out of 10 things with a loss in 2018 I spent over 100 000 just for stuff I don't need still it's different from your situation which

leads me to my third and last point business the main reason I spent that much on new gear is that I can write off my expenses against tax so instead of paying way too much money to the tax office I prefer paying them less and me more but most of my subscribers are not

making a living from filmmaking or photography they're just doing this for fun because they are passionate about it maybe they got a YouTube channel where they share their own stories travel films or everyday life some of you are freelancers who then started a

local business or production company and a small percentage of those people are actually real cinematographers who make a living by working with clients but what about me and why am I constantly saying no to brands who want to work with me first of all YouTube is not my main

source of income but somehow it is by selling digital products for over seven years I was able to build a passive income and it wouldn't be possible without YouTube but it's not because of brand deals or consistency or sponsorships from Squarespace it's because I learned how

SEO works in synergy with organic traffic, and then there's my main business for over 12 years. I'm working with clients on graphic design, branding, online shops, and websites, which is paid much better than most brand deals someone gets with around 300,000 subscribers. And then

sometimes I make music, which I never did to monetize it, but anyway, it pays for my groceries. Not being dependent on one single income source lets me think deeper about a possible brand deal, even if I'm not a big fan of holding stupid products in

front of the camera just to get a 10% affiliate revenue. I totally get the other side of the story. Some of us do this for a living, only this content creation, gear testing, whatever, and it's fine as long as you are happy with the things you create. I

just wanted to encourage you as a creator to not blindly take on any brand deal just for a cheap LED light or power bank. There will be more opportunities, better brands, and more meaningful content you can create. And lastly, to all the consumers who are watching this, stop

spending money on stuff you don't need unless you're rich anyway, or you need it for your work and grow your business or craft. And now, to fill my inner emptiness

THIS NEW PRODUCT makes you a better FILMMAKER!

Christian Maté Grab

Rejection of a Brand Deal for a Follow Focus System

The YouTuber discusses the constant search for gear to improve filmmaking and the offer of a paid sponsorship for a new follow focus system.

He explains that he doesn't need the product because he primarily uses autofocus and finds setting up the follow focus system stressful.

He explains his reasons for rejecting the deal, emphasizing his shooting style and workflow.

He highlights the incompatibility of the product with his typical shooting scenarios.

He shares his past experience with gear acquisition syndrome and the subsequent loss from selling unnecessary equipment.

Financial Considerations and Business Perspectives

He discusses the tax write-off benefit for his past excessive gear purchases, a factor not applicable to most viewers.

He categorizes his audience into different groups based on their filmmaking/photography involvement and income sources.

He explains his own income sources, highlighting YouTube as not his primary income stream.

He explains the success of his passive income from digital products and his main business in graphic design, branding, and web development.

He discusses his perspective on brand deals and the importance of financial independence.

He encourages creators to be selective about brand deals and focus on creating meaningful content.

He advises consumers to avoid unnecessary spending on gear.