Tuna Melts My Heart Instagram Growth Tips

Tuna melts my heart; does he melt yours, too? Close to 2 million Instagrammers are melting for Tuna, an Internet superstar and published author. His mom, Courtney Dasher, admits the following took time to build, but it’s one she cherishes, fosters, and grows with a dedicated plan. Imagine Instagram growth tips from a successful social media pet influencer.

Dasher says that Tuna is the epitome of an underdog. His followers embrace his differences, connecting to his equality and message of love. Helping to raise awareness for rescue groups while growing Tuna full of business acumen and influencer status is how Dasher and her husband spend their days.

If you want to grow your Instagram following, follow along with Tips to Grow an Instagram with Tuna:

Instagram Photo Tip

Tuna’s mom looks at her Instagram feed as a whole and says she is never super prepared. She compares herself to an art director in that she needs to be thoughtful about the content on Tuna’s feed, but she also snaps photos and posts things on a whim. Spontaneity is part of her game plan.

On Hashtags

“I honestly don’t really do many hashtags,” Dasher shared in a recent phone interview for BlogPaws. From the beginning, she really didn’t understand the concept of hashtags. She advises not to overkill your Instagram account with hashtags, keep it minimal, and larger volumes of hashtags should go in a secondary comment, not the initial one.

Her advice is to create a unique hashtag that fans can follow along. Two of her favorites to use on Tuna’s Instagram account are #toodlebrain and #shrivelneck. Check them out in your Instagram travels.

Speaking of Travels

Tuna travels… as in travels around the world. Dasher says, “For the past few years, Tuna and I have had many amazing opportunities to travel throughout the U.S. and the UK for appearances, book signings and much-needed holidays. Along the way, we have been invited to stay at some of the most incredibly beautiful, pet-friendly hotels and properties within those territories.”

From the Instagram growth and having a popular account, a business followed. One of the projects on Tuna’s agenda includes The Traveling Tuna. If you and your pet travel, take a page from the savvy notebook of The Traveling Tuna. Using hashtag #TunaApproved, this is a separate account that deals strictly with pet-welcoming travel, locale, and tips. Diversify when you are able on Instagram.

The E Word

One of the hottest words of 2017 in the influencer marketing space is engagement. BlogPaws stresses the importance of engagement and putting the ‘social’ in social media. Tuna is a standout example.

Dasher says that having good content that is on brand with what you are creating is key.

“Engage with your audience, as they are the ones who will help build your platform,” she says. “Respond to comments, engage, and like the replies.”

Infuse What You Know

This sounds like common sense, but sometimes Instagrammers miss the mark (not so in Tuna’s case). Dasher is an Interior Designer by trade. She partners with brands for pet friendly travels and stresses that she “highly value interiors that are designed with excellence.”

What skills are in your wheelhouse? Do you have a particular skill set or knowledge in some specific areas that could enhance your Instagram account? Use those skills. Infuse them into your Instagram strategy.

No Man, Nor Pet, Is an Island

When queried about who helps with Tuna’s social media, Dasher points out that she and her husband oversee Tuna’s empire.

Pursuant to this interview, BlogPaws was contacted by a publicist/digital strategist, so we know that Team Tuna has a force of love and dedication in their arsenal of success.

Keep the Ball Rolling

Don’t stop now; snag these learn-at-your-own-pace tips from the BlogPaws blog:

Breaking Down the New FTC Guidelines for Instagram

How to Start an Instagram Account for Your Pet

Your Turn

What’s your biggest obstacle in terms of Instagram growth? Share in the comments below.

Carol Bryant is the Marketing and Social Media Manager for BlogPaws and runs her own dog blog, Fidose of Reality and its fundraising arm, Wigglebutt Warriors. When not busy playing with her Cocker Spaniel, Dexter, she stays far away from cooking. Her trademark is her mantra and is tattooed on her arm: My Heart Beats Dog.®

Images: courtesy of Tuna Melts My Heart