Funny Doggies on Social Media

If you’re a fan of dogs on social media, you’re probably familiar with Doug the Pug. With that face and his affinity for costumes, how could you not be charmed by this pup?

Doug is a canine superstar, with 3.5 million Instagram followers and 6.1 million likes on Facebook. So, how does he do it? (Or rather, how does his owner do it?)

Leslie Mosier, Doug’s human, gave fellow pet owners a few tips on how to make their dogs famous on social media. Here’s what she had to say — along with a few other helpful pointers!

1. Find out what’s unique about your dog

Dogs have different personalities, quirks, likes, and dislikes, so discover what’s special about your pup and capitalize on it. Doug is a diva, Mosier told CNBC, so he was meant for the spotlight.

Consider focusing on your dog’s look. According to The New York Times, Instagram users like canine companions that look like them. Try creating a signature style for your pup.

2. Prepare for your launch

Mosier quit her job and decided not to pursue another start-up idea in order to start building Doug’s social media brand. Though most people can’t risk leaving a paying gig, making your dog a social media star is time-consuming. Mosier said she spent months taking pictures of Doug and designing his brand before anything took off. You have to be consistent and take lots of photos so that you will have one when you need it.

Try using a scheduling tool to plan out posts in advance. Social media moves quickly, so if you want your pup to make it big, you’ve got to keep his accounts updated.

3. Post consistently

As with many things, consistency is key when trying to build your dog’s social media following. Mosier said she shares at least two posts per day on Doug’s accounts. It can be extremely difficult to keep up with multiple pages, so you might want to pick one platform (like Instagram) to start with, and work from there. If you’re successful (and have the time), then you can consider adding other platforms into the mix.

4. Keep marketing

“Never stop the grass-roots marketing,” Mosier said. She has business cards for Doug that include a contact email and information on how to follow him. She’s also always ready to pitch his accounts to people she meets. The Internet is a funny thing — you never know what might go viral.