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 Erika (Revy & Macky'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?
Colomb: I first started this account to give myself something to do during the pandemic. We got Revy the week after the pandemic started and it was a fun way to share him with family and friends that couldn't see him in person. It morphed into basically sharing our daily lives whether that be at home or in the mountains of Colorado doing what we love. The internet seems to love the boys' silly personalities and the things we do with them, which keeps me posting!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Colomb: Revy and Macky are a unique breed that not many people have heard of, I think that's one thing that sets them apart is just the curiosity of a breed that people don't see very often. They also have the silliest personalities though. Revy is cool, calm, and collected, he loves adventures but also loves his quiet time and relaxing at home. Macky is our wild child, he is up for anything and everything and then just doesn't stop. They both make me laugh and that's what I try to show to followers so that they can laugh too, and I think that's what attracts the followers.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Colomb: Honestly, if it makes me laugh, I post it. I don't feel like I really have a specific creative process except "don't think, just do". With some ambassador stuff obviously I have to make sure photos and videos showcase the brand, but I really try to stick to our roots (chaos). I want our page to show our authentic selves so I really try to make sure it's either the boys being funny or us in the mountains.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Colomb: Oh gosh, yes. I've gotten negativity about a lot of things actually. I posted a video on TikTok a while back about Revy signing our marriage license and that really got the non-dog people going. People were calling me homophobic, racist, and a millennial too obsessed with her dog. It was my first really viral video and at first I was pretty overwhelmed with the negativity (how could anyone think this about a dog???). But as time went on, basically I learned to either block & delete any unwanted followers/comments or I respond to them with other videos kind of poking fun at the negativity. I've gotten negativity for having purebred dogs, for accidentally showing my feet (?), for some silly photos from puppyhood, from people who clearly don't have any interest in dogs or don't really see them the same way that we do. And in time, I think it's actually pretty fun to respond with videos because the dog community is really supportive on those videos.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Colomb: Just be your authentic self, I think is my best advice. It's easy to feel like you have to always be perfect in the world of dogfluencers that seem to have the perfect lives and such amazing photos and videos, but I've found that it's more fun if you take the pressure off of yourself and just post what makes you happy instead of what you think the internet wants to see.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Colomb: They've completely changed our lives (for the better). Since getting the dogs we've joined the world of dog sports and hunting. Tollers are high energy dogs bred for hunting and are super athletic. We got Revy without really understanding this, and then Macky came along and pushed us even more into the world of dog sports and hunting. I never thought that that's what we'd be doing. In addition to the sports and hunting, we've pushed ourselves to find more remote, less crowded spots so that the dogs can run free and enjoy life like we do here in Colorado. They are the best company at home and while camping, hiking, rafting, and skiing. I wouldn't change it for anything.
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?
Colomb: There are so many funny moments with the dogs all the time, they really are so ridiculous. One particularly funny thing that Revy likes to do after swimming is roll around in the grass, bushes, sand, dirt, mud, etc. (whatever's around the lake we're at). One time, he was rolling around after swimming and he got close to a little drop-off back into the water and he rolled himself right off the side! He was totally fine and he popped up like nothing happened, but it was so funny to see it in slow motion for him to fall back into the water. Macky really loves chomping at things, and I've gotten some pretty funny videos of him chomping at snowflakes during a snowstorm and at water as I'm watering some succulents. There's never a dull moment around here.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Colomb: I love knowing that things that I share make people smile and laugh. I also love the community; everyone I've met has been super supportive and fun to talk to. I love connecting with people from across the world that I never would have met otherwise. We've also met some of our good friends through social media and connected through the dogs!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Colomb: Honestly, I'm not really one for big projects on social media (who knows, maybe that will change if the right opportunity comes along). I don't like the pressure to take perfect pictures or try to sell something I don't really use or believe in. I'm a full-time engineer, so social media is more just an outlet for fun and any random thoughts I have. So, for now I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing!
