Podcast Summary: "How To Be An Influencer with Rachel Levin | Episode 290"
Podcast Information:
- Title: This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil
- Host: Nicole Kalil, Bleav
- Description: Redefining what it means to do "woman's work" in today's world, exploring diverse experiences of women across various fields with confidence and candid discussions.
- Episode: How To Be An Influencer with Rachel Levin | 290
- Release Date: March 14, 2025
Introduction to the Episode
In episode 290 of "This Is Woman's Work," host Nicole Khalil sits down with Rachel Levin, a prominent influencer, entrepreneur, and musician. With a substantial following across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, Rachel shares her journey, the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the influencer space, and her approach to balancing multiple ventures.
The Reality of Influencer Work
Authenticity Over Perfection
Nicole opens the conversation by highlighting the significance of influencers, noting that over 75% of monetizing influencers are women. She emphasizes that influencing today transcends mere aesthetics, focusing instead on impact and genuine connection.
Rachel's Perspective on Starting Out
Rachel reflects on her beginnings, stating:
"I started without the goal of being an influencer... It wasn't about growth initially, which helped me create the most authentic content."
[05:34]
She underscores the importance of overcoming perfectionism and embracing the learning curve, likening her early YouTube days to the evolution of "The Simpsons" from its imperfect first episode to the beloved series it is today.
Dealing with Negativity
Addressing the darker side of influencer work, Rachel advises resilience against negativity:
"There's going to be people who are going to join you in having the worst day ever... Stay yourself and don't personalize anything."
[04:19]
Nicole concurs, acknowledging the inevitable presence of detractors when pursuing meaningful work and lauding Rachel's ability to maintain her composure and authenticity amidst criticism.
Building an Authentic Connection
Showing Vulnerability
Rachel attributes her resonance with audiences to her willingness to shed the mask of perfection and share genuine struggles:
"I show my struggles, whether big or small... Being myself and stopping the image of perfection has helped me stay authentic."
[10:22]
She elaborates on the importance of allowing followers to witness her journey, fostering a sense of shared experience and connection.
Balancing Privacy and Sharing
When discussing what to share about her personal life, Rachel explains her discerning approach:
"I'll share it if it only affects me... If it affects somebody else, then I won't."
[12:53]
This boundary-setting ensures that her authenticity doesn't come at the expense of others' privacy or well-being.
Strategic Collaborations and Brand Alignment
Choosing Partnerships Wisely
Rachel emphasizes the importance of aligning collaborations with her personal brand values:
"I stay away from things that have had a big controversy... I ask myself if I would use this in my day-to-day life."
[20:17]
She prioritizes authenticity over opportunistic partnerships, ensuring that any collaboration feels genuine and aligns with her lifestyle and mission.
Avoiding Forced Endorsements
Rachel candidly shares instances where she declined partnerships after evaluating product suitability, maintaining integrity over short-term gains.
Balancing Multiple Ventures
Juggling Business, Music, and Digital Presence
Rachel discusses the complexities of managing her cosmetics brand, music career, and digital content creation:
"I've been doing what sounds the most exciting in that moment... I've accepted that it's okay for the passion levels to vary."
[17:25]
Her approach is fluid, allowing her interests to guide her focus while ensuring that each venture receives attention, albeit not always with equal intensity.
Navigating Without a Rigid Structure
Acknowledging the challenges posed by ADHD, Rachel explains her preference for following her passions over adhering to a strict schedule:
"I'd rather follow the passions... Just doing what feels most exciting in the moment."
[17:25]
This flexibility enables her to stay motivated and engaged across her diverse endeavors.
Overcoming the Learning Curve in New Ventures
Embracing the Unknown
When addressing how to navigate new areas without prior expertise, Rachel offers an encouraging perspective:
"You just have to start... You will never be ready, and you'll always make mistakes, which is magical."
[22:51]
She views the process of learning and making mistakes as integral to growth, reframing failures as valuable lessons that propel progress.
Perseverance and Continuous Learning
Rachel advocates for persistence, highlighting that each misstep brings one closer to their goals:
"It's never a failure as long as you're learning... It took you one step closer to what you want."
[22:51]
This mindset fosters resilience and a positive outlook on the challenges inherent in any new pursuit.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Nicole wraps up the episode by reinforcing the essence of influence beyond follower counts:
"Influence is about the impact you make on the people around you, whether that's one person or 1 million."
[24:19]
She encourages listeners to define influence on their own terms, emphasizing authenticity, purpose, and heart as the true markers of impactful work.
Final Insights:
- Authenticity is Paramount: Staying true to oneself fosters genuine connections and lasting influence.
- Embrace Vulnerability: Sharing real struggles and journeys creates relatability and trust.
- Strategic Collaboration: Choose partnerships that align with personal values and brand integrity.
- Flexible Balance: Managing multiple ventures requires adaptability and passion-driven focus.
- Growth Through Failure: Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities accelerates personal and professional development.
Rachel Levin's candid insights offer a roadmap for aspiring influencers and women navigating multifaceted careers, underscoring that true influence stems from authenticity, resilience, and intentionality.
Learn More:
- Rachel Levin’s Platforms: RCL Beauty 101 on Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok
- Rachel’s Music: Check out her latest single, "idwabf," available in the show notes.
Closing Thought from Nicole Khalil:
"Dream big dreams, chase big goals, and influence in whatever way feels true for you... all of that is woman's work."