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 Jason (Betty & Sugar'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?
Loften: It all started after Betty joined our family. A coworker (huge dog lover) kept asking me to share her pictures on social media. So we did, and soon noticed people from around the world liking the posts. At that point we decided to create Betty her own accounts, and here we are.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Loften: Betty & Sugar enjoy life to the fullest. Both also have so much love to give and sharing them with anyone needing a laugh or smile is what brings people to their account.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Loften: The majority of our content is just everyday life. Playing fetch, going for walks, and even going shopping. From there we just edit it down to "the good stuff" and turn it into something we think people will enjoy. Once in a while we will get an idea for a video and need to make it more of a "production". From there it's trying to create the scenes, coming up with some creative voiceovers that we think will resonate with our audience and doing our best to come up with a finished product that people can enjoy.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Loften: Once in a while, if a video gets a lot of traction, we will get some negativity, but it's almost always someone from outside the "Pet Community". For the most part, we just ignore it and move on. It can be hard not to let it get you, especially if it is directed right at you, but the overall experience makes up for it. Friends will send messages about how Betty & Sugar lightened up their day in one way or another, and those messages are what keep you going!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Loften: Our advice would be, Just go for it! We aren't mega influencers at all, but it's fun for us. It's rewarding to see that someone's day was improved by seeing your pet. Also for us, we spend the majority of our time on Betty & Sugars page, and the "Dogstagram" feed is much more pleasant than our personal ones, so that alone is great for your mental health!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Loften: Betty came into our lives when I (Dad) was struggling with Anxiety and Panic issues that came out of nowhere. The calming effect of a Dog that loves you cannot even be described. You have to feel it in order to really understand. Coming home to 2 amazing Golden Girls after a hard day at work, it makes it a lot easier to leave work at the door and just enjoy your time with them.
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?
Loften: The most memorable one we have done so far, was a video of Betty being arrested for fraud because it wasn't her commenting on the posts. We were able to get our Niece and Nephew involved in the video, as well as my sister's two dogs. A local law enforcement agency was nice enough to help out too, which made the video that much better.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Loften: The overall Pet Community on social media. We have met so many really good people through this. Seeing how the people behind the accounts come together for others has been amazing.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Loften: Sugar just joined our family on Christmas of 2023, she is a rescue from a breeding facility that was shut down, so we are excited for some summertime adventures with both the girls. Hope to visit some amazing local places that people can enjoy through their videos.
