DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Meggie, Instagram's Famous Pet Model
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 Mariana (Meggie'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?
Pereira: At first I created Meggie’s page to share photos with friends and family, but then I began to realize that there were many dog influencers and Meggie could have potential to grow!
She started to gain followers, then we started to work with some brands and being invited to pet events as Pet Influencer.
She is Pet Influencer and ambassador of the two biggest pet events in Portugal: Pet Festival and Dogs & Cats - Sesimbra Pet, by Dog Magazine.
It’s being very fun but it envolves a lot of work too! In Portugal she is the biggest reference of her breed, but she’s very know in Spain, Italy and in Brasil.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Pereira: I think that for anyone who sees Meggie's profile, what immediately stands out is the fact that she's really really white Ah Ah Ah! She looks and poses like a little diva but at the same time she looks very sweet.
We try to take good pictures with quality and show her lifestyle (what she eats, wears, etc).
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Pereira: Now that Meggie works with some brands, we have to plan posts, specially in moments like Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, when I have particular products to promote.
Most of the time, I use the fact that she works with these brands and I try to show in her pictures that she really enjoys the products and her life in general.
She is Ambassador of Pétis, a Portuguese dog food brand that was recently chosen as Product of the year in Portugal, and I really try to show that she really loves what she’s eating!
She also is ambassador of Twinkie for Pets, the most passionate brand of clothing and accessories for pets handcrafted in Portugal, so I show she rocks and feels amazing with every dress we puts on her!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Pereira: Since we share content on social media people were always very kind and sweet in their comments about Meggie! But there are a lot of people that don’t understand this “dog influencers community” and thinks this is too much and say dogs are not happy.
All the contents I make with Meggie are made when she is being collaborative and only because she doesn’t get mad or bored by doing them! We give her treats to reward her!!!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Pereira: We have to be original, authentic, consistent, professional and above all make sure our dog is comfortable and having fun
I would also advise people to create engaging content and interact with their audience, responding to comments and messages from followers, to build a sense of loyalty!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Pereira: She is my best friend and I’m happier since she came home! I always wanted and begged for a dog so I treat her like my baby.
Besides that, I love taking pictures so photograph and edit her pictures is also very fun for me!
I also started to know more about dogs and her breed (Maltese) facts and behavior!
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?
Pereira: Yes!!! In her last birthday!! I was taking pictures and making a video of her with her birthday cake baked by Miminhos da Luna, a Portuguese brand of cakes for pets of which Meggie is also an ambassador. And, of course, I wanted to record her eating the cake…
In the moment I said she could eat the cake, she tried it, she took a bite, but suddenly she attacked the cake like she didn’t eat for 3 days Ah Ah Ah! I had to stop recording but she really enjoyed it!
It’s also very funny to take pictures of Meggie with more people watching on the street because all of them think she’s very cute and she wants to be petted by everyone!!!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Pereira: I always wondered how influencers world worked, so I guess now I can live my influencer life through Meggie!!! I love taking and editing pictures, it’s fun.
Besides that, we get to know a lot of pet brands, other dog influencers and their tutors, and we can learn a lot with each other.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Pereira: We want to grow! I think she already knows what she has to do when she sees a camera so I’m sure we will have enough content for the next years!
In the future we will continue to collaborate with our partner brands and we are always open to work with more!
As a Pet Model, Meggie is signed to VelvetStation Animals, an advertising / cinema / tv agency and to Pet Model Brasil so we are waiting for next projects!
The best is yet to come!