How Matthew Dangyou Made $78,796.59 Selling LUTs and Freelancing as a Filmmaker

How does a filmmaker transition from full-time employment to building a thriving business, earning money through freelancing and selling digital products? For Matthew Dangyou, the answer lies in passion, persistence, and the right tools.

Matthew’s Story: How to Become a Freelance Filmmaker

In December 2022, Matthew Dangyou took a leap of faith, leaving his full-time video production job to pursue a career as a freelance filmmaker. By July 2023, he was fully immersed in creating commercial projects, testimonials, and brand videos, all while building a sustainable income through multiple revenue streams. From freelancing to selling custom LUTs and creating content, Matthew’s persistence and growing network have helped him secure exciting opportunities.

Here are Matthew’s top tips to help you become a successful freelance filmmaker and build a sustainable career:

1. Find mentors

Finding people who are ahead of you in your career, and are places where you want to be. They have already learned the mistakes for you and can capitulate you faster with more success when you are getting started.

2. Build a portfolio

Your portfolio is your calling card. It should showcase the breadth and quality of your work, from short films to promotional videos. A diverse yet focused portfolio allows potential clients to see your skills and understand how you can contribute to their projects. “Creating spec work for a commercial, short-form narrative work, or pieces of content that you are proud of is an easy way to get work on your portfolio,” Matthew says.

3. Be proactive in finding clients

Finding work as a freelancer requires initiative. Start by leveraging your personal network, and joining filmmaking communities and groups online to discover new opportunities. Matthew emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong connections with your network, fellow filmmakers, and current clients, highlighting the value these relationships bring.

“Staying connected with your network, fellow filmmakers, and your current clientele is extremely valuable”

He recommends personalized outreach, adding, “As a filmmaker, I send a custom introduction video that shows off my work, and who I am trusted by, and an intro message to the client on content we can create for them. It’s a great way to showcase what I do, and grab their attention.”

4. Online presence

A professional online presence is critical. Build a website or use social media platforms to display your portfolio, share your services, and provide your contact details. Optimizing your website for search engines can attract clients searching for specific filmmaking services. Social media can also serve as a valuable tool for marketing your work and connecting with new audiences.

5. Diversify your income

Matthew didn’t stop with freelance projects—he expanded his income by starting to sell LUTs as digital products. By growing his YouTube channel, talking about camera gear, color grading tutorials, and a podcast with fellow creators. He was able to sell his LUTS to his audience as another stream of income. This strategy opened a new revenue stream and reduced his dependence on unpredictable freelance work. But that’s not all – find out more about all his income streams in the next section!

5 Ways Matthew Monetized His Filmmaking Talents

Matthew Dangyou has mastered the art of leveraging his filmmaking skills to create diverse income streams, making the most of his creativity across various platforms. Here’s how he brings in revenue:

1. Freelance Projects

One of Matthew’s biggest sources of income comes from freelance filmmaking projects, including commercials, brand videos, and testimonial films. These projects allow him to work closely with businesses, showcasing their products and services through high-quality marketing videos. By consistently delivering exceptional results, Matthew has built a strong network of clients who trust him for their visual storytelling needs.

2. Selling LUTs as Digital Products

Recognizing the demand for professional-grade editing tools, Matthew ventured into selling his custom LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to other filmmakers and content creators. These LUTs help creators enhance the visual quality of their videos, making them an invaluable resource for professionals and hobbyists alike. Using Payhip, Matthew established an online store that simplifies selling digital downloads—without incurring monthly costs. You can check out Matthew’s online store here.

3. Content Creation (YouTube AdSense and Brand Sponsorships)

Matthew also creates video content for his growing YouTube channel, where he shares tutorials, behind-the-scenes footage, and filmmaking tips. His channel earns him income through YouTube AdSense and sponsorship deals with brands that align with his creative niche. This not only serves as a revenue stream but also helps him expand his personal brand and reach new audiences who may also be interested in his digital products.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Leveraging his knowledge and credibility as a filmmaker, Matthew partners with brands to promote their tools and equipment through affiliate marketing. By recommending products he genuinely uses, he earns commissions for every sale made through his affiliate links.

How Much Money Did Matthew Earn in His First Year?

In his first full fiscal year as a freelancer, Matthew earned $78,796.59 through a combination of freelance filmmaking projects, selling LUTs, and content income from sponsorships and YouTube AdSense. For a detailed breakdown of his earnings and insights, check out his YouTube video here.

Marketing Strategies for Success

To market his LUTs, Matthew has so far taken a soft-launch approach. He shares updates through YouTube community posts, email announcements, and brief mentions in his content. However, he’s gearing up to ramp up his efforts. “Towards the end of 2024, I’ve been focusing and game-planning on how to significantly increase sales for my digital products,” he shares.

Looking ahead to 2025, Matthew has outlined several strategies to boost sales. First, he plans to create a demo video showcasing his LUTs, leveraging the success of his previous YouTube videos on color grading.

“A ton of success came from a similar video I created about LUTs, so I know this can drive growth.”

He’s also considering expanding his affiliate program and partnering with friends who can promote his products in exchange for a commission. Additionally, Matthew aims to implement automated email campaigns to nurture potential customers. By offering free products upfront, he hopes to guide them through a sales funnel that upsells them on premium items.

As a bonus, Matthew plans to casually mention his LUTs in his content whenever he’s using them. “It’s less about the hard sell and more about showing how they seamlessly fit into my workflow,” he explains. With these strategies, Matthew is poised to grow his digital product sales significantly in the coming year.

Why Payhip?

Matthew chose Payhip for its unbeatable combination of flexibility, affordability, and professional features, making it the ideal platform for creators like him. One of the standout benefits is that Payhip charges no monthly fees, which is perfect for freelancers and creators just starting their digital product journey. This allows Matthew to focus on growing his business without worrying about upfront costs.

Another key advantage of Payhip is its flexible pricing model. With a simple 5% fee per sale, Matthew only incurs costs when he makes a sale, ensuring his expenses align directly with his earnings—a perfect option for creators just starting out. For those ready to scale, Payhip also offers the option to remove the 5% fee entirely by opting for a flat monthly subscription. This flexibility allows Matthew to confidently grow his business, knowing he has a cost-effective solution tailored to his needs at every stage.

Payhip also allows creators to connect custom domains and remove branding, which gives Matthew’s online store a professional appearance. This level of customization ensures his website reflects his personal brand, helping to build trust and credibility with his audience.

Finally, Payhip’s all-in-one platform enables Matthew to diversify his offerings seamlessly. In addition to selling digital downloads like LUTs, he has the option to expand into physical products, online courses, coaching, or even memberships—all managed from one user-friendly dashboard. This versatility supports his current needs while offering endless opportunities for future growth.

“Payhip is the one-stop-shop that offers everything I need as I continue to grow my business and social media presence!”

Advice for Aspiring Freelancers

For aspiring filmmakers venturing into freelancing, Matthew offers two invaluable pieces of advice. First, he emphasizes the importance of constant practice:

“Shoot as MUCH as possible and whenever you can, with each video improving. This helps you get the reps in to learn how to light, shoot, and edit.”

He credits YouTube as a powerful tool for growth, explaining, “The best part about YouTube is you learn how to accomplish jobs fast when you put more and more reps into your craft.”

His second tip focuses on learning from others.

“Get on sets or get mentored. Learning from others will exponentially grow your skill set, and you’ll make way fewer mistakes because someone already learned them for you,” he advises.

By combining hands-on experience with mentorship, aspiring filmmakers can accelerate their growth and avoid common pitfalls.

Conclusion

Matthew Dangyou’s journey from a full-time employee to a thriving freelance filmmaker and digital product creator is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and strategic planning. By diversifying his income streams and leveraging tools like Payhip, he has successfully turned his creative talents into a scalable business.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or digital entrepreneur, Matthew’s story highlights the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness. From crafting custom videos for clients to developing and marketing his LUTs, his journey proves that with the right strategies and platforms, creative professionals can achieve sustainable success.

If you’re ready to take the next step in building your business, consider Payhip—a platform designed to help creators like Matthew grow and thrive. Your success story could be next! Explore Payhip today.