When I got my Swiss Shepherd Rasta in April 2014, I had no idea what we would experience together. I also had no idea that he would one day be the most famous dog in Switzerland.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
How did it all happen? Actually, I just wanted to capture our shared experiences on Instagram, wanted to document where we traveled everywhere. Initially, it was mostly snapshots that I published on Rasta's channel. But then I started taking "real" photos and it turned out that people really liked the combination of landscape photos and Rasta.
I soon started making my first Instagram Stories, which I commented on in Swiss German. Rasta's followers liked my voice, but didn't understand a single word. And so I had to make do with my current trademark "swinglish" - a combination of Swiss German and English. People like it and most of them understand me now :-)
INSTAGRAM WANTS RASTA
Rasta's Instagram account really took off in December 2018, when we were asked to create content for the official Instagram account (now with 333 million followers). The number of followers doubled within a few weeks, and Americans in particular are clearly taken with Rasta.
How do I finance all these trips - many people ask me.
I sell my pictures e.g. to Switzerland Tourism or other tourism organizations. I monetize my videos, offer private photo tours. In the meantime, there are also more and more cooperations with hotels, transport companies, etc., who appreciate our reach. who appreciate our reach and have recognized Rasta's viral potential as a travel petfluencer.
Why Rasta has conquered so many hearts? Why they want to walk his paths?
I think Rasta is just very authentic and he shows us his view of the world in his own simple way. People notice that we both love what we do. Roaming around Switzerland, discovering new places, visiting cool hotels - these are just things we like to do and share with our followers.
By now, Rasta and I reach over 1 million people worldwide on our channels (Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok). Our videos regularly go viral and are viewed millions of times. A video of a walk in Wengen was viewed 57 million times on one channel!
And even if it looks like fun and joy for many out there - which of course it is - it takes a lot of work and energy to build up such a community. That's why I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who work with us or support us in any way. Without you all this would not be possible. Thanks:-)
