Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Benny Blue. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Benny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

As a stand up comedian, the economics of the industry have largely remained unchanged for decades. Pay rates for hosting, featuring, and in some cases headlining comedians have stayed stagnant and often times, traveling comedians will lose money or break even at best.

Thankfully, the power of social media can create new revenue streams to help make up the difference, but there are no labor unions similar to a SAG/AFTRA for example that can create a baseline pay standard for working comics. I believe more independently run tours will continue to circumvent the traditional club circuit until the pay rates are adjusted for today’s economy.

Benny , 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?

I’ve been a stand up comedian for almost ten years. Prior to comedy, I worked in the music business but began to feel burnt out and disillusioned from the industry in many ways. I think this gives me an edge from a marketing standpoint as there are many parallels and lessons that can be taken from my time in music which are very helpful in anticipating business needs and different avenues to promote my work.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve grown to realize that I really care about the work. In standup comedy, a lot of interactions and decisions are made in the name of upward mobility. I understand why that can be important, but I try to be a do-er over being a talker. I self-released by first comedy special last year to some good acclaim, and I am focused on continuing to build on that momentum and let my work enter the room before I do.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the principle of ownership. When you are a creative, no one can take that spirit from you. While an artist’s creative work can certainly be sold, stolen, or otherwise mismanaged, the lessons I’ve learned from the music business give me a good perspective on how to maintain ownership and control over my work, even if it means it is consumed by less people at first.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bennyblueeyes.net
• Instagram: @bennyblueeyes
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/bennybluecomedy
• Twitter: https://tiktok.com/itsbennyblue
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bennyblueeyes