Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Marisa (Dama Pipoca's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
Marisa: Well, it all started because the human was a digital influencer at the time, and spent all her time spamming her followers with videos and photos of me. At some point, and with the encouragement of many of the human's followers and friends, I decided to create my own profile. From the beginning, our vision/mission with the creation of this IG has always been to encourage adoption, the fight against abandonment and to show the world how adopted and mixed-breed animals can be just like any other animal with a "pedigree".
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Marisa: I think what sets Dama apart from the rest is the fact that, since she was a baby, I have always shown everyone how affectionate, grateful and extremely well-behaved she is. I also recently shared with our followers how Daminha helps me with different types of crises that I have, from anxiety to syncopes that make me faint, and she knows what to do without any kind of training. She is truly very special! 😍
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Marisa: The content of Dama, save for some trends, is usually unscripted and unbiased. I use videos and photos that I take daily (yes, my phone is full), and I adapt them to the ideas that come to me all throughout the week.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Marisa: Fortunately, and despite sometimes bringing up controversial issues for our followers, the community we are involved in is very welcoming, understanding and empathetic. In these 4 years, nothing bad has ever come up.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Marisa: I know it may sound cliché, but the truth is that authenticity is key. If you want to have your pet on social media, you have to remember that they are not people and are not obligated to do so and do not owe us anything. If you want to have a social media account for your pet, do it to immortalize memories and make people laugh, not to feed your owner's ego or pocket. If that is the purpose, do it with your own account under your name.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Marisa: The fact that we have someone who depends on us for everything, makes us put a lot of things into perspective and helps change our way of thinking and improve our quality of life. Dama has helped me to be less anxious, because I know that if I am stressed, she will be too, and I try to be calmer in my day to day life. She forces me to leave the house and work several times a day to get some fresh air. She has helped me to maintain a daily routine, since I am a completely disorganized person. Among many other wonderful things.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
Marisa: When Dama was a baby, we lived in an apartment on the 2nd floor, and one day, I started calling for her, but she was nowhere to be found. My husband and I looked for her everywhere, even in the washing machine... and then we thought, "Did she jump off the balcony? But the balcony is closed." After some time searching (in our minds it was hours), she was inside the chaise longue on the couch...😂
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Marisa: When I started Daminha's account, I had no idea what I would find. But without a doubt, the best thing was making incredible friends (pet mums), a spectacular support network of people who connect through their furry friends and their love for them. And the creativity that emerges in some posts that, in a way, make me proud of my little girl.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Marisa: The goal is to always grow and take our message to more people/pets in order to raise awareness of the causes and values we support. But yes, we can't advertise it yet, but new things and new projects are emerging that we are proud to be a part of.
