DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Barkley, Fiona & Shadow...Squad Goals
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 Kristen (Barkley, Fiona & Shadow'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?
Sutherland: It all started with my passion for pet photography and supporting small businesses! I was excited to share photos of my dog with the world and felt it was also a great way to raise awareness of products we genuinely love using.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Sutherland: Barkley has never acted like a dog, haha! His looks have always been the conversation starter. His look is unique so most people have no idea what breed he is and that’s what captivates them.
Fiona definitely draws a crowd with her personality! She is spunky, sassy and so loving. Her unique quality is herding chickens which is something you never expect from a Toy Poodle.
Shadow has captivated thousands of people with her story. She was a stray that showed up the day after I lost my heart horse. She found me in my grief and even though she was TERRIFIED of people, she trusted me for some reason and just recently followed me home. She is now a member of our family.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Sutherland: I wish it was that simple! Winging it is my process
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Sutherland: I am so very blessed to be able to say that I’ve only had 2-3 negative comments in the 7 years I’ve been doing this. Hopefully it remains that way 🤞🏻
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Sutherland: People love connecting with other people who love their animals so, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to share your furbaby with the world. If your long-term goal is to make money doing it, I would suggest finding ways to set yourself apart from the competition. Take high quality photos & videos as that will be more desirable to brands. Above all else, make sure your dog(s) are having fun when you’re creating content. Their well being should always be top priority 😊
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Sutherland: My dogs have taught me so many life lessons. They have also helped me through this current season of grief in ways no human ever could.
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?
Sutherland: Most recently, I was creating an unboxing video and Barkley fell in the pool! He was okay and got SO excited when he got out. He ran around and did these adorable spins. He’s 15 but he was acting just like a puppy! It was so fun to watch! His expression when he fell in was priceless 😂
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Sutherland: The connections I’ve made with other pet owners! Most of my friendships began through influencing in one way or another.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Sutherland: Now that we have a larger breed dog for the first time in our lives, we are hoping to land more opportunities with brands and products we’ve never worked with in the past 🤞🏻 Everything we own is for tiny dogs so it kind of feels like we’re starting all over with Shadow 😄