Courtesy of Rachel in a real way
Rachel in a real way (@rachelinarealway) is known for her content about navigating the workplace, which she shares with her 125,000 TikTok followers. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at Goldman Sachs in equity research before starting her current job in tech and beginning to create content. Rachel shared with Verified how she approaches her social media accounts like a business.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Dylan Wells: You started posting in June 2024. When did you notice you were starting to get traction?
Rachel in a real way: I took it seriously from the start. The first year, every single day, up until July 4, 2025, I posted between three and six videos a day. It’s a commitment. If I’d started in 2020, it would be a different conversation. But [in 2024] you’re coming into something that’s so saturated. And I think you really have to treat it like a business.
There’s a certain volume and absolute churn. You have to force yourself, kind of, into people’s feeds. It’s challenging on a personal side. If you’re not getting the benefits of it — like events, partnerships, interesting opportunities, talking to people — I think it’s more work than it’s worth.
I walk to the subway. It’s about a 10-minute walk. I’ll read the news as I’m getting ready. I'll usually take something from that, and then I’ll edit it on the subway. And then, if there’s a second article I can read on the subway, between the subway and the office, I would record that. Some days I remember I would walk to get drinks with friends, and I’d be like, I need to just stand for five minutes and do this. I’d set a goal for myself that I needed to hit 100,000 followers in a year. And I did. And after that, it felt like this weight was lifted, because I was like, okay, this is legit. I’ve proven I can grow.
DW: When did you start seeing any financial benefit to that work?
R: The first financial benefit I got was not having to pay for workout classes, which are $40 a class. I was like, I have a great job. I have a great salary [but] I cannot afford to go to these classes. If all I can get is workout classes comped, that would be great. And I think that started late summer [2024].
Some of my absolute favorite partnerships are [companies] I reached out to when I had 10,000 followers. I’ve continued to work with them, and the terms haven’t changed. I’m incredibly loyal to those brands that worked with me then, who believed in me and saw the potential. And honestly, from their perspective, it was an incredible investment. Because I was growing 1,000 followers a week.
I think my first partnership was [that] August. I'll never forget, I got the email and it was for $700 and I threw my phone. I was in shock. That’s a crazy amount of money for one video. I said yes, immediately; I didn’t negotiate anything. I don’t even know what’s in that contract. I’ve [since] worked with that brand again. But that was when I really was like, yep, this worked. That was two months of work for $700 — that’s the easiest $700 you’ll ever earn.
I never want to be the person who doesn’t treat this professionally, because it is a business. I can’t imagine not feeling diligent about this, because there’s a million girls in this field — there’s a million more trying to do this, and none of us are that special. All you can bring [to the table] is how professional you are and make it easier on the person who has the money.
DW: Is your new job supportive of your content?
R: They do know about it and I would say they’re supportive. My role is strategy, and it has nothing to do with social [media]. I also am respectful of my job; I don’t say where I work. I have my LinkedIn on private. I have my employer’s name blocked in my comments. I have the biggest competitor’s name blocked. I have my last name blocked. I try to separate the two very intentionally, because I think what I do now doesn’t have anything to do with my content. I don't ever want there to be a conflict of interest.
DW: What have you learned about what type of content of yours works versus what doesn’t land?
R: What worked, up until the fall, was all about corporate hacks. I will say, right now, I think the algorithm with the new [U.S. TikTok entity], no one knows what’s going on. But if there needs to be a new platform, I’ll walk away from TikTok tomorrow. I can build that again.
I’m searching for an apartment right now; that is really interesting to people. When you can talk about the stock market, it’s interesting. I never want to give financial advice because I don’t have my licenses anymore. But I think anything that is popping up in the news that people are nervous to talk to their friends about does well.
DW: Who is your favorite creator to watch right now?
My favorite creator to watch has nothing to do with finance. I love Amanda McCants. I think she's hysterical. I like Tinx; I think she's super smart. And Corporate Natalie is great.
This Q+A is part of Verified, a newsletter that is published by WP Creator, a new business outside The Washington Post’s newsroom that is focused on the creator economy and content partnerships with independent creators. Learn more about WP Creator.
