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 Erica (Dolly Jean'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?
Gray: Dolly is my dream Basset Hound, so when I first found out that we would be bringing her home, I knew I wanted to document her journey with an Instagram page. I have always loved Basset Hounds! I wouldn’t say that they are a very popular breed, so I really wanted to share the breed in the dog community and give them some more exposure.
It quickly became something I truly enjoyed doing, and I wanted to learn to take better photos of Dolly. After getting a camera, I dove right in and started having fun dressing her up, doing fun themes, and coming up with playful captions in Dolly’s voice.
Not only do I get to share this amazing breed in a different light, but I get to document her journey for myself, reflect on her growth, and support so many wonderful small businesses!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Gray: First and foremost, I think her breed sets her apart, because again, you don’t see a lot of Basset Hounds compared to other breeds.
I also think giving Dolly a “voice” on her page really sets her apart. Posting with captions from “her point of view” and “Dolly language” gives her page a different feel and perspective. It showcases and encompasses her one of a kind personality.
Lastly, I believe doing fun themes and photo shoots with her sets her apart! It really allows me to be creative with her and her page.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Gray: In my daily job as a nurse, I don’t get to use my creative side. Dolly’s page has really allowed me to share that creative side, which I am loving!
Typically, I think of themes based off of the time of year, any holidays/events coming up, or simply just something that I enjoy. I then start thinking of what accessories, outfits, or props would make it come to life, and I try to involve her with the props in some way if I can. Between that and her captions, I really try to “tell a story” with her posts and themes when possible. Many ideas just come to me at the most random times of the day!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Gray: For the most part, the dog community is very kind, engaging, and welcoming. I have had a couple of people comment on Dolly’s appearance, but I know that she is healthy, so that’s all that matters! I typically just don’t engage with those comments.
As far as challenges, it has been really hard to grow and stand out in a saturated community. There are so many adorable pets and gorgeous and fun accounts. Trying to find your place and footing as well as keep up with everything can be difficult. When I start to feel discouraged, I generally try to take a step back and remember WHY I started the account and just have fun with it!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Gray: I say go for it! Do it for you, though, not anybody else. Post what you love. Talk to people. Be genuine in your connections. Be authentic and transparent. If you stay true to yourself, people will notice that and engage with you!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Gray: Dolly has made me enjoy more of the little moments in life. She reminds me to try to stay present in the moment and soak up all of the quality time we get to spend together. She makes everything worth it. Just to see her adorable face if I’ve had a bad day or witness something silly she did, it automatically lifts my mood. As cheesy as it may be, dogs really are the greatest gift.
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?
Gray: Dolly is a very social dog. She loves anybody and everybody. That being said, she gets distracted very easily during photo shoots if there are any people or other dogs around. She just wants the humans to love on her and the dogs to play with her. If not, she’s offended. These are where her “won’t look” photos come into play! She also gets fed up easily, and you can feel her mood just by her eyes. Don’t even get me started on how she falls asleep mid shoot sometimes!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Gray: There are so many things I love, but first and foremost, just being able to share Dolly, her breed, and my creative side!
I also really love the connections I’ve made with other dog (and cat) parents. They just get it! It’s so fun to see what the other pups are up to and love on each others’ pets.
Lastly, I love being able to support so many businesses, both big and small!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Gray: We do have a surprise coming soon, but other than that, nothing major! My hope is to continue to grow her page organically, share the things we love, be creative, and have fun with it in the process. I hope by sharing Dolly, that others may fall in love with the breed! I would love to continue to make more connections with other dog accounts and businesses as well. :)
