How to Become a Dog Influencer: The Quick Guide
If you are looking for tips and advice on how to become a dog influencer, you have come to the right place. You have probably been inspired by the cute dog accounts that fill your Instagram feed.
It seems so fun and picturesque and you are interested in learning how you can do the same.
Becoming a dog influencer can be a ton of fun but it’s also important to realize it takes a lot of hard work and consistence. Very few people and pups are an overnight success. Read on to make sure you get started on right foot (or paw).
Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I may get a commission (without any extra cost to you).
Setting Up The Perfect Instagram Account
Creating a successful dog influencer account starts with laying the right foundation, and in this context, that means setting up an engaging and memorable account.
Curate an Engaging Profile
- Your pet’s bio should be short, punchy, and give a clear indication of what followers can expect. I actually wrote an entire blog post dedicated to dog bio ideas because it is THAT important. You have a couple seconds to catch someone’s attention…especially on social media.
- Ensure to include all the essential details like your dog’s name, breed, location and other unique features.
- It’s equally important to have a catchy and easy-to-remember handle.
Use High-Quality Photos
- A crucial component of your account is the quality of photos you post.
- Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and showcase your dog’s personality.
- Get creative with angles and perspectives, and don’t forget to play around with your editing. I use Lightroom to edit all my photos.
Leverage the Right Hashtags
- Include relevant and popular hashtags in your post captions or comments.
- Hashtags increase the chances of your posts getting discovered, hence leading to a larger audience.
- Remember to use a mix of general dog-related hashtags (e.g. #dogsofinstagram), breed-specific ones (e.g. #goldenretrievers), and even create a unique branded hashtag for your pet.
Connect with the Dog Lovers Community
- Start following other popular dog accounts and pet brands. This is what I did when I first started my dog Instagram account.
- Engage with them by liking and commenting on their posts.
- This is a great way to become a part of the dog-loving online community right from the start.
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Check out these adorable dog mom captions for your Instagram here.
The Art Of Creating Quality Content
While becoming a successful dog influencer, perhaps the most important thing to focus on is creating top-notch content. Just like human influencers, your pup’s social media profile should include engaging, high-quality posts that resonate with your followers and attract new audiences.
Here are some important considerations:
Know Your Audience
The first step to winning the content game is understanding who your audience is and what they love about your dog. Is it your dog’s quirky personality? Is it the fun way your pup interacts with other dogs?
Once you identify this, it becomes easier to tailor content that they will not only enjoy but engage with as well.
Diversity in Content Types
While pictures of your pet lounging around the house can be absolutely adorable, you might want to mix in different types of content to keep your social media feed interesting.
How about a video of your dog trying the latest pet product? Or a series of photos from your last year’s pet-friendly vacation? Different ways of delivering content can help reach a larger audience.
Content Quality
High-quality images and videos play a huge role in gaining more followers and boosting your online presence. Crisp, clear, and well-lit shots are more likely to be shared, increasing your dog’s Instagram page visibility.
Share Your Story
People love a good story. Sharing the story behind adopting your dog, its early days, or the unconditional love it brings to your life can make your posts more relatable. Let your followers get to know the ‘real’ life of your pet, not just the poses for photo shoots.
Post Regularly and at The Right Time
Regular updates give your followers something to look forward to. Moreover, posting during peak Instagram hours can increase your chances of getting likes and comments.
The easiest way to figure out what works best might be by trial and error, but generally, the best time is often early in the morning or later in the evening. You can also look at your analytics and start to notice trends in your engagement levels.
User-Generated Content and Collaborations
Sharing photos or videos of your dog interacting with its dog community can be a great place to engage with your followers and perhaps make your pet a social media influencer.
You can also collaborate with other pet accounts for cross-promotion or contests.
Use of Relevant Hashtags
One of the best ways to get discovered by new followers is to use popular and relevant hashtags. This can be hashtags related to dogs in general or more specific hashtags like breed or activity tags.
Don’t forget to use the most important step, making your posts public, so hashtagging can work its magic!
Video Content
Now more than ever, video content is have its moment. Every social media platform is trying to promote video right now. Try creating more Instagram Reels with your pup.
Pay attention to trends and what your audience seems to enjoy when it comes to your videos.
Building Your Brand And Online Community
Creating an engaging Instagram account is the first thing, but turning it into a brand is the next step. A strong, recognizable brand plays a vital role in pet influencer marketing. Along with that, mastering the art of building an online community around your pet’s social media profile can bring success to you and your pet’s new venture.
Develop a Strong, Recognizable Brand
A successful brand is more than just a catchy name and cute logo. It’s a combination of factors that, together, create a clear and instantly recognizable image of what your dog stands for. Jeff Bezos sums it up perfectly here, “your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
- Define Your Brand: It begins with understanding what your brand is all about and what you’re trying to achieve. Identify your dog’s unique characteristics or story and build the brand around it. What kind of feeling do you want your brand to bring?
- Consistency is Key: Your tone, style, choice of content should all be consistent with the brand personality you’re conveying. Everything from your pet’s Instagram account username to the content you post should fit within the confines of that brand.
- Branding Elements: Choose an easily recognizable color palette, a consistent filter for your images, or a signature style for all your pet posts to establish a strong and memorable brand identity. Speaking of cute branding, read this post to download free hand-drawn dog Instagram highlight covers for your account.
Cultivating Your Online Community
The success of your brand doesn’t just stop at creating an engaging Instagram page for your pet. An integral part of becoming a successful pet influencer is nurturing a large, active online community around your dog. To do this:
- Engage With Your Audience: Reply to comments, like and comment on your follower’s posts, and make them feel involved. They want to feel a connection with you and your pup.
- Host Contests/Giveaways: This is a fun way to interact with your audience and gain exposure. It can pop up in their followers’ feeds and attract new followers.
- Stay Active in The Dog Community: Participate in dog-related discussions and forums. Use your pet’s Instagram account to make connections with other pet parents.
Seeking Help From Talent Management Firms
Managing a social media influencer profile can be a lot of work. This is why some pet parents choose to team up with dog agencies or talent management firms:
- Industry Connections: Agencies can help your pet connect with the right brands and negotiate deals, reducing a lot of legwork for you.
- Better Opportunities: Dog agencies might have access to opportunities you may not have been able to facilitate on your own.
- Growth and Strategy Insight: They can provide a lot of insights into strategy and growth, giving you better chances at success.
Collaborating With Pet Brands and Scoring Sponsorships
Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert by any means. This information is given in general terms. Before starting with affiliates or working with brands, make sure to speak to a trusted lawyer.
Congratulations! If you’ve made it to this stage, your pet Instagram account has grown into a substantial profile with a number of dedicated followers. It’s time to reach out to pet brands or await their move to you for collaborations and sponsorships. Here’s how you can go about it:
Attracting Pet Brands and Affiliate Marketers
This is where your hard work begins to pay off. If you’ve built a robust brand and active online community, pet brands and affiliate marketers will likely take notice.
- Build a Media Kit: Developing a media kit showcasing your pet’s online presence, in terms of engagement rates, follower count, target demographics, and best-performing posts, will give potential sponsors an idea about what they stand to gain by partnering with you.
- Proactive Outreach: If brands haven’t reached out yet, you can initiate the conversation. Send your media kit to brands your pet loves and fits with, along with a pitch explaining why it makes sense for both parties to collaborate.
If you are in need of a media kit, check out my easy template here.
Partnering with Pet Brands
Once a brand shows interest, it’s time to get down to business:
- Understand the Brand’s Expectations: Whether it’s a paid partnership or an exchange of free products for promotion, understand what the brand expects. It might be a certain number of posts, a video, or presence at an event.
- Sign Contracts: Ensure all expectations, payment, copyright ownership, and any exclusivity clauses are clearly written in a contract. Never go into a brand collaboration without one.
- Deliver High-quality Content: This goes without saying, but always follow through with your commitment to produce engaging and quality content.
Affiliate Marketing and Pet Product Sales
Apart from brand collaborations, there are other monetary opportunities:
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products from brands that have affiliate programs. You’ll receive a commission on every sale made through your referral.
- Sell Your Own Merchandise: Whether it’s a line of pet toys, custom collars, or dog clothing, once you’ve built a large audience, selling your own pet products can be a lucrative venture.
With solid collaborations and well-chosen sponsorships, your pet’s Instagram account could very well turn into a profitable pet influencer space, potentially even leading to a full-time job! Remember, authenticity is key don’t endorse anything you wouldn’t want your pet to use.
Frequently Asked Questions-How to Become a Dog Influencer
What platforms work best for pet influencers?
Although you can use any social media platform for pet influencing, Instagram tends to be the most popular because of its highly visual content and large active user base. YouTube can also work well, especially for longer video content.
Can being a pet influencer become a full-time job?
Yes, it can. Some pet owners have turned their love for their pets and social media into a full time gig. However, it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and strategy to reach that level.
How to find and use popular hashtags effectively?
Researching popular and relevant hashtags is a great way to increase your dog’s visibility on social media. Instagram, for example, allows up to 30 hashtags per post. Use a mix of popular and less popular hashtags to get the best reach.
Conclusion
- Begin by creating a captivating Instagram account that showcases the unique personality and appeal of your pet.
- Next, focus your efforts on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with other pet lovers.
- Building your brand and cultivating an active online community is an essential step in establishing your pet as an influencer.
- Look for opportunities to collaborate with pet brands and secure sponsorships, leveraging your growing influence in the pet community.
- Always remember, becoming a successful dog influencer requires dedication, strategy, and above all, authentic love for your pet.
And finally, should your path lead you to becoming a must-follow account in the blossoming pet influencer space, remember it’s more than just about gaining a large audience and earning money.
It’s about being a part of a vibrant community of animal lovers and sharing the joy and unconditional love that our pets bring into our life.
If you’re searching for the perfect platform to kickstart your dog’s influencer career, Instagram is a great place to begin.
Happy posting, good luck with your journey to become a dog influencer, and remember, every successful brand was once a beginner who didn’t give up.
