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 Michael (Polly'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?
Moeser: Polly's channel actually originated for exchanging with other dog owners due to the technical limitations on Instagram and has adapted to our journey channel "beidenanderen".
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Moeser: Basically, it doesn't matter to us at all whether Pollys Kanal stands out from the others, as the core content of the channel is about connecting with other dog owners, packaged in funny everyday stories about Polly. What has crept in a little, and what is certainly something that doesn't come to the fore in other dog channels, is the topic of environmental protection and animal welfare, especially the issue of laboratory beagles and animal testing on beagles. I think this is where the channel differs from other standard dog channels.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Moeser: The stories arise spontaneously from everyday life or during travels - our travel channel: "beidenanderen". The core themes are indeed daily life and Polly's journeys around the world. Besides, environmental and animal welfare are also important topics.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Moeser: Yes, very often actually. Starting from promotional pages that constantly harass you or manufacturer channels that spam you relentlessly, to dog haters who regularly message you, as well as conflicts regarding animal testing, which are not uncommon because people don't understand that animal testing is unnecessary (Polly regularly promotes the "Beagle Freedom Project" & "Ärzte gegen Tierversuche"). That's social media. People always find something to get upset about and attack, and since Instagram, Facebook, and others have their algorithms set up to boost exactly this interaction, it's no wonder that negative or silly things stand out more. Before Instagram's algorithm change, Polly's channel's reach was 10 times as large, if not even larger, but Instagram recognized reach as a source of revenue.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Moeser: Just do it - do your thing - the way you want and think is right and the way YOU enjoy it - if someone notices this and also enjoys it and follows you - great - if not - YOU SHOULD HAVE FUN - do what you like.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Moeser: Living with our dog has simply reinforced our commitment to animal welfare, to further advocate for environmental protection, to care even more for animal welfare, and to pay attention to the fact that it's not just about us.
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?
Moeser: Polly has many memorable or funny moments. The whole cohabitation is funny with a Beagle. Starting with stories, like when she simply walked into a kitchen at a restaurant in Corfu and quietly stole a big bone, unnoticed until the waiter at the table asked how she got THAT bone, to the moment when Polly was allowed across the Serbian border, but her human sister wasn't, or when Polly helps with cleanups as an environmentalist, picking up trash, or when she acts as a waste collection ambassador. You can see all these stories on her channel.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Moeser: The exchange with other dog owners from around the world.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Moeser: Currently, Polly is primarily recounting her stay in Brittany last autumn, while occasionally slipping in some everyday stories. She's slowly preparing for her trip to Denmark and will again share live updates and post-trip stories about her experiences there.
