We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rylan Benet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rylan, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Honestly, I think about this a lot. I started creating seriously while I was already deep into my career in digital marketing so I had the structure, the analytics brain, the “strategy first” mindset. But creatively? I was behind emotionally.
Starting when I did meant I already knew burnout, bad managers, and corporate chaos. It gave me a stronger “why.” I wasn’t chasing clout; I was chasing freedom. Sure, if I’d started earlier, I might be further ahead numbers-wise, but I don’t think I would’ve had the same voice or the same clarity.
Rylan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hey! I’m Rylan, a digital marketing expert by trade and a content creator by heart. Outside of the corporate bubble, I’ve built an online community across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok and I also host a Spotify podcast called Chronically Online with Rylan Benet, where I dive into internet lore, pop-culture news, and nostalgia.
I got into marketing because I’ve always been obsessed with storytelling, how a good story can move people to feel, click, or change their mind. That same obsession carried over into my creator work. My videos and podcast blend research, humor, and commentary, but they’re also laced with a little bit of mystery.
What sets me apart is that I understand both sides of the equation: the strategy that makes content perform and the emotion that makes people care. A lot of creators chase trends; I focus on creating stories that actually mean something and building a brand that feels human and intentional.
I’m most proud of the fact that my work has started resonating with people who say it makes them feel seen.
At the end of the day, I want my audience to know that my content isn’t about being perfect or polished — it’s about being curious, and a little bit chaotic. Whether it’s through digital marketing, storytelling, or content creation, I’m just here to make sense of the strange little world we’re all scrolling through together.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Honestly, the most rewarding part for me is being in a space that’s constantly changing. It keeps me on my toes, always challenging myself to improve and adapt based on what people are actually engaging with. I love digging into the analytics, experimenting with new ideas, and seeing what resonates.
But more than that, it’s the community aspect. Before the internet, I didn’t really have people around me who wanted to talk about the same niche topics that ran through my head. Now, through social media, I get to connect with people all over the world who are just as fascinated by the same things. Seeing comments and messages from people who get it reminds me that my world isn’t as small as I once thought.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’ve gone through a lot of tough moments in life, the kind that force you to either let life keep tossing you around or decide to take control of what you can. Over time, I realized that resilience isn’t about never struggling; it’s about getting tired of letting everything else dictate who you are.
I stopped caring so much about what people thought of me because, honestly, their opinions don’t change my life. If I’m not happy, then what’s the point of playing a role that doesn’t feel like me? So now, I wear the bright colors, post the weird comedic skits, and say the things I used to hold back. Every time I do, I feel more confident, more me.
At the end of the day, my philosophy is simple: be cringe. Cringe is freedom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rylanbenet.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rylanbenet/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rylanbenet
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rylanbenet
