Instagramming (oh yes, it is a verb now!) can be a fun activity to share with your dog! It is an opportunity to spend quality time together, to flex your creative muscles and to go on fun dog-friendly adventures! But how to run a successful dog Instagram account? Where do you even begin?
But navigating the popular social media platform can be daunting to say the least. To help all of you excited pet parents who are ready to take the leap with your furbaby onto the good old gram, we chatted with three incredible Instagrammers about their tried and true secrets for how to run a successful dog Instagram account! Keep reading for all the goodness!
EMILY WANG’S TIPS FOR HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL DOG INSTAGRAM
@EMWNG
Emily Wang’s delightful Instagram account chronicles her dog-friendly adventures with her two adorable puppers, Kokoro and Chibi. Her feed is minimalist, charming and oh-so cute, offering a soothing place to escape to on a daily basis. You can’t help but scroll and smile when on her gram!
From biking around town, to drifting away on a boat, to jet-setting on a plane and lounging at home, @EMWNG is a wonderfully quirky and down-to-earth exploration of living your best life with two furry sidekicks! We are so excited for Emily to share her thoughts on running a successful dog-centric Instagram account today!
What year did you start your successful dog Instagram account?
2014
What makes your Instagram standout on the platform?
Different from most pet accounts on Instagram, I actually don’t run my account as my dogs. They are a huge part of my life and story, but I try and share clean and whimsical lifestyle photos that showcase a snippet of my adventures with my two pups.
What advice do you have for making a pet Instagram unique?
Do just that — be unique. Find your own style and tell the story of your pet. The Instagram community is very close knit and people love following the unique personalities of different pets, so just focus on telling that authentic story.
Photography is very important for such a visual platform. What photography advice would you give a pet parent just starting out on Instagram?
Practice makes perfect!
Talk to us about hashtags! What is the deal with those? Any tips for new users?
I’ve been using very similar hashtags for a while. Use feature account hashtags to increase the chance of exposure for your account. Tag relevant ones and don’t use too many in your caption.
How do you keep Instagram life fun for your pet?
Kokoro and Chibi gets tons of treats whenever we take photos or videos. They get super excited when I pull out my camera or tripod, because it means cookies are coming. We always use positive reinforcement with our pups so that they have a good time even when we’re shooting scenes for a video. And never force them to do something that they aren’t comfortable with. It won’t make for good content anyway!
What advice do you have for partnering with brands on your feed?
Be selective about brands you work with. We only work with brands that we believe in, and keeping the branded content and story authentic is equally important. Try and push yourself to create something more creative than your dog posing next to a product. People will appreciate the extra effort!
What are two mistakes you wish you could tell your younger self to avoid on Instagram?
Don’t get too sucked into it. Give your eyes and your mind a break from the trap of scrolling endlessly for hours. It’s easy to lose yourself in the rabbit hole of Instagram photos, and remember that it’s just a social media platform. Don’t take it too seriously!
How do you remain inspired when creating content for your Instagram?
I actually turn to other outlets outside of Instagram for creative inspiration now. It’s easy for people to all start creating the same sort of “instagrammy” content when you continually look at the same accounts and feeds day to day. Try other platforms or medium to stay inspired and creative.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your Instagram adventures to date?
Not much, except just have fun with it and don’t take things too seriously! Instagram has been an amazing platform for connecting me with new people, and the community aspect of it is really the most valuable. Don’t get too caught up in the numbers or potential for drama. In the grand scheme of things, it’s just a way to share and enjoy cute photos of dogs.
LYNDAL’S TIPS FOR HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL DOG INSTAGRAM
@IGGYJOEY
If fabulous fashion and all things dog are your jam, @IGGYJOEY is a must-follow on Instagram! Not only does the sweet little star of the show, a darling Italian Greyhound called Iggy, frolic here, there and everywhere dressed to the nines, but together with her human counterpart, Lyndal, she explores all sorts of fun pet products!
Now a professional dog model who has appeared in countless campaigns, Iggy is proof that anything is possible with a little imagination and a lot of hard work! We sat down with her manager, Lyndal, to chat about her hot dos and dont’s for how to run a successful dog Instagram account!
What year did you start your Instagram account?
September 2014
What makes your Instagram standout on the platform?
I think Iggy Joey’s ability to “pose” really makes her stand out. She really looks down the lens of the camera and holds your gaze. Which makes taking photos of her easier than a lot of other dogs!
What advice do you have for making a pet Instagram unique?
I think you have to figure out why your pet is unique and accentuate that. Hone in on character traits or physical features that really make your pet special, then they will stand out. Iggy Joey’s personality very much leads her Instagram persona!
Photography is very important for such a visual platform. What photography advice would you give a pet parent just starting out on Instagram?
You don’t need an amazing camera. Phone photos easily hold up against DSLRS these days and capture moments in the moment. As long as your photos are clear and are cute, funny or relatable then post away. A beautiful professional photo of your dog in the woods, may not do as well as your dog covered in mud having a great time!
Talk to us about hashtags! What is the deal with those? Any tips for new users?
I always put hashtags in the 1st comment, to keep things legible in the caption :) I also have lists of hashtags for different things that I can copy paste easily. If I can think of a funny hashtag that compliments the caption I’ll put that in with the caption!
How do you keep Instagram life fun for your pet?
TREATS! We do very quick photoshoots with lots of treats. I also try to go to different locations and meet other pups so it never feels like work.
What advice do you have for partnering with brands on your feed?
Be authentic. Don’t partner with someone just because they offer you something free or pay you! There’s nothing more exciting that when a brand you really love reaches out to you and you can work together. By taking the first opportunity offered to you, you might miss out on something you are really passionate about!
What are two mistakes you wish you could tell your younger self to avoid on Instagram?
Just one: When I first started I followed everyone and everything! I think I was following 5000 people in the first year. Which made it impossible to actually have a community and interact with people/pets who’s accounts I enjoyed. It took me years to get that number down to just people I actually want to follow!
How do you remain inspired when creating content for your Instagram?
I follow accounts that make me smile or inspire me. I also watch movies or look for quotes on the Internet that make me think of Iggy Joey. One thing I’ve learnt is that if I’m posting just for the sake of posting – the post likely won’t do well. Where as when I’m inspired it will do well.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your Instagram adventures to date?
Having a pet Instagram changed my life and opened up a world of opportunities. But it’s also a lot of work! I love Iggy Joey and I love our life together. If you ever see us out and about please come say hi :)
TIFFANY LITTLE’S TIPS FOR HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL DOG INSTAGRAM
@WALTER_CHESTNUT_III
Looking for a laugh and a dash of cuteness on the regular? Then look no further because @WALTER_CHESTNUT_III has it covered! This darling account showcases the colourful antics of a busy dog life.
From epic dog naps, to grumpy faces, to running around the city and more, this account beautifully captures a day-in-the-life of an adorable pup duo who love to entertain! We sat down with proud dog mama and account manager, Tiffany, to dish on her Instagram philosophy and her personal tips for how to run a successful dog Instagram account!
What year did you start your Instagram account?
2018
What makes your Instagram standout on the platform?
Walter and Norm are always up to something so it’s easy to capture interesting shots. But I try to write with my sense of humour too — a little strange and off side.
What advice do you have for how to run a successful dog Instagram account?
Use your own voice when writing! I have a strange sense of humour, as I mentions, so I like Walter and Norm to have the same. Also, use quality images. No matter how funny or interesting you are low-quality pictures equals very little growth. I love funny posed pictures personally, but I’ve noticed people like a blend of live action, every day shots, videos and posed, so switch things up all the time! And lastly, if something isn’t working and you aren’t growing — change it up and follow your own creative spin.
Photography is very important for such a visual platform. What photography advice would you give a pet parent just starting out on Instagram?
I would say use bright, clear images and play with fun angles. This is a creative outlet, so enjoy it! I love the pout of my dogs so I try to get images that highlight their grumpy pout. Find what makes your dog unique and use it to your advantage.
Talk to us about hashtags! What is the deal with those? Any tips for new users?
I Googled this in the beginning and saved all the most popular ones. That’s great and all, but using hashtags that attract smaller groups seems to work better, so use both! For example, I have two Brussels Griffons, so instead of using just #dog, I may also use #brusselsgriffons. There is a much better chance of someone seeing your image with 10,000 – 100,000 followers vs 1,000,000 followers.
How do you keep Instagram life fun for your pet?
They love treats so pictures equal treats! If my husband pulls out the camera my dogs get ‘pose ready’ on their own now, because they know it means they are about to get treats! Also, if they aren’t feeling having their picture taken we do not force it. I take my camera when we do anything, but I snap most photos as they just being dogs. So most of the time they don’t even notice unless it’s a rare staged shot. This is just for fun, so we keep it fun for them!
What advice do you have for partnering with brands on your feed?
We do this for enjoyment to brighten people’s days, like Walter and Norm brighten ours.
What are two mistakes you wish you could tell your younger self to avoid on Instagram?
One — don’t let the internet trolls get to you. They are just angry people hiding behind a screen.
Two — don’t watch the numbers of unfollowers. Some accounts are spam and some people only follow to see if you follow back. This isn’t something to take personally.
How do you remain inspired when creating content for your Instagram?
I try to put myself in the dogs shoes when I write. I use expressions, situations and outfits to decide what I write about. It doesn’t have to be complicated. If Walter looks pouty, I write what he’s mad about.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your Instagram adventures to date?
I would just add be sure to communicate with your dogs followers. They are all important to your account’s success and so they should be responded to and appreciated. Also, just be good to your dog. Instagram is great, but being a good dog mom is my main goal!
Whether looking to start a side hustle or simply craving a new dog-friendly activity, learning how to run a successful dog Instagram account can be a fun way to connect with fellow dog lovers, document your dog’s life and have some fun! (Speaking of which, you can find Pawsh Magazine on Instagram here!)