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 Mandy Cotta. You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Fi: 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?
Maya, Finn's Human: Maya came from the dog meat trade in South Korea. I wanted to build awareness around this cruel practice, while also advocating for rescue dogs. Both of my fur babies are rescues with very different backgrounds and personalities, and I was excited to share them with the world & social communities.
Fi: What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Maya, Finn's Human: They have an undeniable bond that seems to tug on peoples' heart strings. Finn has been such a comfort to Maya since she arrived from South Korea. She was in a cage with her brother (litter mate) for 2 years, so it was natural for her to lean on a fur buddy for support. Maya has such a zest for life, and Finn is more of a snuggle bug, so they are relatable to a lot of people.
Fi: How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Maya, Finn's Human: My mind is always working. Sometimes I capture a special moment, and it triggers an idea. Sometimes I will hop on a tiktok trend. All my viral content has come from original ideas. My creative process has evolved over time as I've started to realize what works for my specific dogs/audience. Tiktok is all about staying in your vertical, so the more you can focus in on that, the better.
Fi: Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Maya, Finn's Human: This is such an interesting question, because I had a recent post that went viral and brought slight negativity for the first time since I started using the platform. It somehow acted as an emotional trigger. My approach is always to kill 'em with kindness, rather than get into an argument that could trigger more negativity. If that tactic doesn't make sense, I won't indulge them with a response.
Fi: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Maya, Finn's Human: Post every day. Experiment. Research the platform you want to grow your following on so you understand how the algorithms work. Respond to comments. Don't give up, and have fun! Positivity will attract positivity.
Fi: 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?
Maya, Finn's Human: Maya came from the dog meat trade in South Korea. I wanted to build awareness around this cruel practice, while also advocating for rescue dogs. Both of my fur babies are rescues with very different backgrounds and personalities, and I was excited to share them with the world & social communities.
Fi: What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Maya, Finn's Human: Engaging with our community who shares my passion for dogs. We have so many incredible followers who like and comment on every post; I feel like I know them now. On the recent post where we had some negativity, it was comforting to see our loyal followers jumping in with positive words and support.
Fi: Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media?
Maya, Finn's Human: Any exciting plans or projects in the works? Now that I've started fostering, I look at social media as an outlet to help more dogs get adopted. I will be putting a lot of focus on that to move more dogs out of shelters and into loving homes.
Fi: How have you used the info from step, sleep or strain tracking for your dog?
Maya, Finn's Human: So many ways! It's really motivating to get them out, but also informative. For example, my senior, Finn, recently had TPLO surgery. I've been able to monitor how much he is moving around (even when I am away) and quantify his medications' impact (or lack thereof).
We hope you haven’t had to use the lost dog mode, but if you have, what happened and how did Fi help?
Thank goodness we have not used it!
We hope that Mandy Cotta's story has inspired you to appreciate your furry friend's unique personality and share it with the world! Being a dog influencer is a fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to prioritize our dogs' health and wellbeing as well.
Remember always to create positive, wholesome content that showcases your dog's individuality. And in the face of negativity, it's important to stand up for fellow dog lovers and keep the community positive. We hope that reading about Mandy Cotta's journey as a dog influencer has made you smile and reminded you of the special bond between us and our beloved pets.
For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.
Want to know more about TryFi.com? The Fi Dog Collar is a GPS-tracking collar that not only keeps track of your dog’s location, activity levels, and sleep patterns but it also alerts you if your dog escapes your backyard. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today!
