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 Karen (Mocha'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?
Almendariz: Mocha is a pandemic puppy, meaning we got her during the pandemic to aid my loneliness working remotely for months (I hated being home alone). We knew we wanted a dog for a long time, and it worked out perfect for us to get a dog at that time. I remember following many dog accounts on IG and loving all the content, but it had never crossed my mind to create my own profile. However, once Mocha turned 7 months (at the height of our puppy obsession with her) I realized I was having so much fun taking photos and videos of her and thought, "why haven't I shared her on IG?". So, even though I had only accumulated about 3,000 poor quality photos of Mocha at that point, I decided to create a profile for her and start sharing them! At the time, we were living in downtown Dallas, and I loved sharing our life on Instagram. Mocha enjoyed living so close to the Katy Trail and going to the dog park. Our walks during my lunch and after work with her really are some of the best memories I have during that difficult time.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Almendariz: Personally, I think Mocha is one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen but I'm super biased lol! I really think that her personality that I've tried my best to portray over videos and photos is what has kept people interested and following! She is just as derpy, sassy, playful, and intelligent as she is beautiful to look at. I think many aussie lovers and owners can relate to that!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Almendariz: Lately, I've really enjoyed posting vlogs and feel like they are something that resonate with my audience! I like them because they don't require a strict creative process and I'm free to record anything I want and decided later in editing what I want to include. Vlogs can range anywhere, from our adventures to the beach, hiking, walks, or our daily lifestyle. Of course, when there's a hilarious trend going around I always love to participate.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Almendariz: The only times I really have faced negativity or negative comments are when I have had posts go viral! Usually, people tend to be nice to dog-related content which I'm grateful for lol. One challenge I sometimes face is reaching a creative block, but usually, that means I need a small break from posting and then I'm back!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Almendariz: Just start! When I first started, I never imagined that I would grow an audience the way I did. More than anything, Mocha's account has been such a fun creative outlet for me. If you have that creative bug, go for it, and don't put too much pressure on yourself to have perfect content!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Almendariz: Like I mentioned in our story on why we got her, Mocha has been my best friend and always been there for me. Dogs are some of the most loyal, sweet, and comforting creatures ever, and I feel so lucky to have Mocha in my life. It makes me feel even luckier to know she can make an impact on others, and they get to know her too!
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?
Almendariz: One time we visited a dog-friendly beach north of San Francisco which was so beautiful and filled with all kinds of dogs! We thought it was so cute when Mocha saw a handicapped dog with a wheelchair and just wanted to sniff and follow him the whole time. She was curious but polite enough to not get too close. It's always fun watching them experience something they haven't seen before!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Almendariz: Sharing Mocha's cute self with the world and seeing it agree with me that she's one of the cutest dogs ever.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Almendariz: I would love to continue sharing personal vlogs and letting people see a little more of our day-to-day life. I am also excited to share many more upcoming hiking adventures this spring and summer!
