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 Kristina (Poppy'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?
Marrella: When I first started Poppy's social media account, I had no idea what it would turn into. I had just moved out of my parent's place and I was on my own for the first time since university so I thought it was the perfect time to get a dog. Plus my parents always told me "when you move out, you can get a dog!" So I did exactly that. I was on vacation in Florida and I stumbled upon this absolutely adorable corgi/cockapoo mix from back home that I just had to have. When I first saw her, I just fell absolutely in love with her and her big floppy ears. The next day when I landed back in Toronto, that afternoon I was driving 2 hours to go pick up my new best friend. There were lots of happy tears when I picked her up because I could not believe she was real. I knew in that moment, she was just too cute not to share with the world.
I started her account thinking it wouldn't turn into anything and it would just be an account that I would share daily updates with friends and family. I was so wrong. We started to connect with people online near and far. We started to find dog social events in the city and it just blew up. It has been such a fun way to meet new people not only for myself but for Poppy to meet new dogs as well. The dog influencer world has truly been so fun to be apart of!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Marrella: I think one thing that definitely sets Poppy apart from other dogs on social media is her breed mix. She is a Corgi and Cockapoo mix but I am convinced she has some Terrier in her. She has the ears of a Corgi, the face of a Terrier, and the body of a Cockapoo. She is truly one of a kind.
Doing social media for the last year and a half, Poppy has learned how to pose for the camera. She has a knack for showcasing a wide range of expressions and emotions, which captivates our followers. We love goofing around, show off our latest adventures in the city but also just simply enjoying quality cuddle time together. Poppy has the ability to light up any room she walks into. We not only entertain through our posts but she has the ability to bring joy, laughter, and even comfort to our followers.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Marrella: I wish I could say I was the type of dog momager that had this genius creative plan for creating content, but to be honest there is no process or formula to it. I just post. I try to keep somewhat of a content calendar to organize and plan upcoming posts, but most of the time it's just a "I'm feeling this post today".
I draw inspiration from Poppy's everyday life and her personality. Whether it's her playful antics, adorable quirks, or heartwarming moments, there's always something to capture and share with our followers. I also try to pay attention to trending topics and themes within the pet social media world. Whether it's participating in viral trends, sharing helpful tips and tricks, or celebrating special occasions.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Marrella: Navigating social media comes with its challenges, including negativity. You would think that a dog's social media account wouldn't come with any negativity but you would be surprised.
One challenge we've encountered is dealing with negative comments or criticism. Whether it's regarding my dog's appearance, behavior, or the way I'm raising her. The first time you deal with it, all you want to do is retaliate but what good will that do? Depending on what the comment or criticism is, I've learned to just either ignore it or respond in a calm and respectful manner. I will sometimes acknowledge the feedback, thank the individual for sharing their perspective, and if necessary, offer clarification or context.
I also proactively monitor our social media channels to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for our followers. At the end of the day this is a dog's social media account where we are trying to promote joy and happiness, the last thing I would want to come out of this is inappropriate or harmful content. I always think about the golden rule, "treat others the way you would want to be treated". I think this is definitely something that a lot of people on social media don't think about when they are posting a hateful comment or message. However, I am usually pretty quick to address any inappropriate or harmful content, including blocking or reporting users.
The goal for Poppy's account is to provide joy and happiness, I would hate for it to become a place of negativity. In the world of social media these days, facing challenges and negativity is inevitable, but it's how we choose to respond that matters most. By staying true to our values and engaging with empathy and respect, we can overcome challenges and continue sharing the joy and love that my dog brings to our followers.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Marrella: If you're considering starting your own dog influencer account or sharing your dog on social media, there is definitely some key pieces of advice that can help you navigate this exciting journey:
- Authenticity is Key. Stay true to your dog's personality and of course your own voice. Authenticity resonates with people and will help you build genuine connections.
- Consistency Matters. Keeping up with posting content regularly helps to keep your followers engaged and interested. Figure out a schedule that works for you to post content and stick to it.
- Engage with Your Audience. Respond to comments, messages, and questions, and show appreciation for their support. You'll even find that you'll make some friendships through the process too.
- The most important one, have fun! It's been such a fun process of sharing my adventures with Poppy and even just getting to see how much her and I have grown together. It's been so fun getting to celebrate the milestones and it's a way for me to cherish the moments with her forever.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Marrella: Poppy has influenced my life outside of social media in so many ways. She is my first dog so she truly holds and forever will hold a special place in my heart. She came into my life and completely exploded my heart.
Poppy has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love and loyalty. Her genuine affection and devotion have brought so much warmth to my heart, reminding me to cherish the simple moments and appreciate the bond we share.
Poppy has been a source of comfort and support during challenging times. Her presence has provided companionship during moments of stress or sadness, serving as a constant source of emotional support. Whether it's a rough day at work, I know I am going to come home to so much excitement from her. The endless kisses make everything so much better.
Ever since I got Poppy, she's encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. I've learned to become more independent and have learned that doing things on my own is totally okay! We've gotten to explore new dog-friendly restaurants or coffee shops or taken part in dog social events. She motives me to want to do more and give her the best life and experiences possible.
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?
Marrella: How do I pick just one? The amount of memorable and funny moments that I've gotten to experience with Poppy is endless. Every photoshoot or adventure there is always something.
One particular moment though was back in October, there was the viral trend where everyone was putting on a bed sheet to resemble a ghost. People started to then do it with their dog so I thought it would be funny if Poppy and I did the trend. So of course, I hired my great videographer, aka my brother, who I had to bribe with Starbucks to film the video I had in mind. The idea was that Poppy and I would be dressed up in ghost bed sheets to create some funny content. I cut holes in a bed sheet to put over Poppy which of course did not line up properly with her eyes so she could only partially see out of it. She had also earlier ripped that bed sheet trying to escape from it. I put the bed sheet over Poppy and then put a bed sheet over me. I then left it up to my brother to get as much of the video as possible. Of course, it did not go as planned. Poppy had other ideas and thought this was now a game. She escaped from the bed sheet and was now running around doing laps in the backyard. So picture a dog mom under a ghost bed sheet, a dog doing laps around her and the dog mom's brother who is contemplating ever signing up for the gig.
And yes, this was all captured on video. I still to this day will rewatch it and laugh so hard I start to cry.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Marrella: My favourite thing about being a dog influencer is the opportunity to share the love, joy, and unique personality of my best friend with a wide audience. Through our social media platform, we've been able to connect with other dog lovers locally and even from all around the world. It's been so amazing to meet people who have the same views and goals as you for your dog.
I love being able to document our adventures, whether it's exploring new places in the city, hiking trails, playtime with furiends or simply just cuddling up on the couch. Capturing these moments allows me to preserve the memories forever. Just knowing that the content we make also brings smiles to the faces of our followers and brightens their day makes me so happy.
Being a dog influencer has also opened doors to exciting opportunities and collaborations with brands that share our values and passion for pets. We love getting to work with these brands and being able to promote their products or services that we genuinely love.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Marrella: We have a few brand collaborations that we'll be working on that I'm really excited to share with our followers. It's always so exciting and surreal when brands reach out wanting to work with us. Our social media page started off as just a little family blog and now we've worked with some pretty big names in the pet industry.
With summer just around the corner, we'll be planning some new adventures and experiences that we'll be sharing. I'm hoping to do some weekend getaways out of the city so Poppy can explore new places.
We're just thrilled about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to continuing our journey on social media with enthusiasm, creativity, and a whole lot of wagging tails!
