If you’re keen on giving it a shot, here are steps you need to take to get a good social media following and make your dog famous enough for endorsement deals:
marzo 12, 2024
Dog Influencer Guide: Turn Your Dog Into The Next Social Media Superstar!
If you love dogs, there’s a good chance that you spend a good portion of your days watching random dog videos, fawning over the latest dog fashion trends, and following the lives of canine celebrities online. But have you ever considered that your dog has what it takes to be a social media influencer as well?
1. Decide On A Personality
What do you want your dog to be known for? The more unique, the better. Just see how far Walter Geoffrey’s hilarious meltdowns have taken him.
Anyone can get dressed in clothes for dogs, but a personality, quirk, or theme will set them apart.
2. Post Good Quality Photos
Lighting Matters: Natural light is your best ally. Aim for early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and flattering. Avoid harsh midday sun, which can lead to overexposed shots and heavy shadows.
Composition is Key: Play with different angles and perspectives to find the most compelling way to showcase your dog. Getting down to their level often results in more intimate and engaging photos. Remember the rule of thirds to create a balanced image that draws the viewer's eye to your furry friend.
Composition is Key: Play with different angles and perspectives to find the most compelling way to showcase your dog. Getting down to their level often results in more intimate and engaging photos. Remember the rule of thirds to create a balanced image that draws the viewer's eye to your furry friend.
3. Tell Stories
Don’t just post photos and videos. If your pup is wearing a new dog raincoat, explain what they’re wearing, why they’re wearing it, and where you’re off to.
Always support posts with witty or descriptive captions. Better yet, take Doug the Pug’s cue and write captions from your dog’s perspective to make audiences feel even closer to them.
4. Use Hashtags
Incorporate a mix of popular dog-related hashtags and more niche ones specific to your dog's breed or the content's theme to attract both general and targeted followers. Additionally, creating a unique hashtag for your dog influencer account can help build a community around your content and encourage engagement from your followers.
This strategic approach to hashtags can significantly enhance your visibility on the platform and attract more followers who are genuinely interested in your dog's adventures.
To be a successful pet influencer, you need to be consistent not just in how frequently you post but also the general appearance of your social media presence.
Tucker Budzyn, for example, has the same look and the same funny captions in doggo lingo on every video. Also, he stays true to his promise of a new video every single week.
6. Participate in Trends
Jumping into trends is like throwing a dog party on your Instagram feed – it's all about fun, engagement, and getting everyone's tails wagging! Keep your snout to the ground for the latest doggo challenges, memes, or any hilarious trend that's capturing hearts.
When you and your furry friend dive into these trends, you're not just posting content; you're howling along with the pack! Just make sure the trends you pick are as much a treat for your dog as they are for your followers. It's all about staying true to your pup's personality and the vibe of your feed. This way, you're not just another bark in the park but a howl that's heard far and wide!
For example, #TongueOutTuesday is for adorable photos of dogs with dangling tongues, while the #WhatTheFluff challenge was for videos that showed dogs’ hilarious reactions to their parents disappearing.
7. Connect With Others
Connect with other dogs and dog-related accounts. Spend time liking and commenting on others’ content, and they’ll reciprocate.
Eventually, you might even be invited to a high-quality engagement pod where members band together to boost each others’ content.
8. Engage Your Audience
Think of it as throwing a ball back and forth – you want to keep the game lively and engaging. Respond to comments with a wag of your tail (or a witty reply), and don't forget to scratch behind the ears of your followers by liking and commenting on their posts too.
Mix in some Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes peeks, or even a 'day in the life' of your furry friend to keep your feed as interactive as a game of fetch. Remember, every paw print left by a follower is a step closer to a stronger bond and a more vibrant community!
Start featuring items that you and your dog already use and genuinely like. It could be anything from your dog’s premium bed to their new, swanky gold dog chain.
As you do this, you give brands a good idea of how suitable your pet is for endorsement deals.
10. Try To Get Featured
Aiming to get featured is like aiming for the top dog spot at the park – it’s a surefire way to get all eyes on your pup! Start by sniffing out accounts, hashtags, or competitions that spotlight furry friends just like yours. Think of it as entering the best in show, but for the gram.
Don’t shy away from showcasing what makes your pooch unique – be it their floppy ears, mischievous grins, or even their tail-chasing talents. And when you share, tag those feature accounts or use their special hashtags like you’re marking your territory. It’s all about strutting your stuff with confidence and charm, knowing that your doggo has what it takes to be the next Insta-celeb. So, fluff that fur, perfect that pose, and get ready for the spotlight – it’s showtime!
If you get featured by Dogs of Instagram, for example, you stand to gain some views from their more than 4.5 million followers.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a post go viral right away, understand that it takes some time and effort to turn even the cutest dog into a social media influencer. But, if you persevere and approach it correctly, your dog will soon be not just your best friend but your business partner as well.