When Callie and DeeDee Davis first created their TikTok account in February of this year, they didn’t have hopes of going viral. They relied on trial and error and didn’t necessarily set out to make comedy content or even couples content. Callie initially posted tons of videos, both alone and with DeeDee, but was more focused on having fun with various TikTok styles. Callie observes, “I found that what resonated most with the audience on the platform was videos featuring our dynamic as a couple.”

Callie, 23, grew up split between Connecticut and NYC, while DeeDee, 24, was born and raised in NYC. The now-married couple met at Manhattan College. “We were in kinesiology class, and DeeDee sat right behind me. She tapped me on the shoulder one day and the rest is history,” recalls Callie.

Eventually, when Callie and DeeDee’s TikToks were growing more popular, success on the app became their goal. Knowing they had to be more calculated with their approach, they recognized their lack of experience in social media, marketing, and advertising, so they spent many hours researching and analyzing how other creators built brands through their content. This knowledge soon informed decisions that helped their growth. “We learned very quickly that if you do not post consistently, any progress you make will have been for naught.”

At first, the couple posted six times a day, but once they became more established, posted two or three times per day. They acknowledge that they had to stay encouraged even when many of those initial videos performed poorly. “Eventually we had some luck,” Callie shares.

Emerging as a popular social media couple

With 935,000 followers and 65 million likes, their TikTok account, @callie.deedee, has taken off and is truly thriving. Their first video to go viral was in February. “It was a video of DeeDee trying to braid my hair, and let’s just say it was not a traditional braiding technique. Looking back, we did not think that this post would necessarily land differently from any of our other videos,” Callie shares. “It was not 100% linear from that moment on, but it absolutely was a turning point in our social media careers.”

Their digital fame has now spread to Instagram, where they have over 400,000 followers, and is currently in the works on Snapchat. And now, they monetize their content through brand deals. Whether the video is comical, emotional, a snippet of their daily life, or a recreation of a memorable moment, their main hope is for their videos to bring joy and remain sincere. “The page really decided for itself what it would become,” they agree.

One popular example of this was when Callie recorded the two laughing together while eating. “In this video, I am literally crying laughing, and DeeDee is talking about how she hates my favorite restaurant. We love to share moments like these.”

Navigating life as influencers

Keeping their genuine love at the core of what they create, Callie and DeeDee recognize that social media is in fact very multi-faceted; while “there are corners of the Internet that are not wholesome or productive to be a part of,” they now know that “social media is truly not as shallow as a lot of people make it out to be.”

The good these platforms can spread is crucial, despite the common prevalence of online negativity. The couple’s impact has gone beyond simply making people smile – which is a gift in itself – and they’ve received countless emails from young people who have been given the confidence to come out to their family and friends after watching their content. “Going into this field, I never would have imagined that we would have such an impact,” Callie states.

However, some people online are bound to express hurtful opinions or make rude comments about the couple’s lives. For instance, their account has received an influx of criticisms about DeeDee’s career path. “We get a lot of hate for DeeDee being a Black gay woman in the police force, from people saying she is making the wrong decision. However, we love sharing parts of our journey throughout the police academy, because it is so important to get representation in the police force,” says Callie.

Centering their real lives with each other and their ability to lean on each other – beyond social media and any external opinions – has been a pivotal part. “There’s not much that could get in the way of our bond as a couple or our ability to brush off hate.”

Fostering community & being recognizable

Connecting with their online community has also been vital. Through this undertaking, Callie and DeeDee have recognized that they have a diverse following, with fans of all ages. “Although we have a lot of young people, we often get comments from people who are older than us, saying that they love watching our love blossom.”

This personal interaction has even transcended the digital space. It’s not unusual for Callie and DeeDee to get recognized while walking down the street. Fortunately, the couple appreciates being able to meet new people and connect with those who enjoy their content. “By far, the most fun part of this new endeavor is meeting the people who have gotten to know us through our social media.”

Although it has been an enjoyable aspect of the career, the couple points out that this level of recognition has also been a noteworthy adjustment. “Sometimes we joke that we cannot look like we are bickering in public, because someone might post it,” Callie admits. “Although we are mostly joking when we say this, it definitely is an adjustment to know that at any time someone could be watching you and making judgments on your relationship.”

Staying encouraged & feeling supported

Callie and DeeDee feel heartwarming validation, as well as the encouragement to keep creating, knowing that their social media presence has brought smiles to people’s faces and had a positive impact. “Whenever we don’t know what to post we think about all of the people who have come up to us and expressed how grateful they are for our presence on the Internet. It makes every single doubt and tougher day worth it.” Support and encouragement from family and friends has also been instrumental to their online success.

To anyone trying their hand at social media influencing themselves, Callie and DeeDee have one essential piece of advice: don’t give up. “It can be discouraging in those first couple months, when you spend hours making videos but they’re only getting 500 views. It can feel like you are wasting time,” they explain. However, “with consistency and authenticity, at some point the videos will start to speak for themselves.”

Find Callie and DeeDee at @callie.deedee on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat!