Category: Creator’s Academy

Tips & Tricks on how to create great content, negotiating with brands and pricing your account

Categories
Creator's Academy

Life as a Pet Influencer!

I’ve always heard hoomans complaining about how they’ve had to “work like a dog”. As a dog, I kinda like my work. You’ve probably heard of the term “Pet Influencer”, aka Pawfluencer,  from the other dogs in the park. It’s the job everyone can put their paw in and start with no fuss. But you might not really know what we do, so let me tell you more about Pawfluencing and why you can dip your toebeans into this! 

Photo by @benjithechicky

Spending time together

Whenever my pawmom heads out to work, I definitely feel a little sad inside. I don’t see her as much as a few years ago, when she had to stay home for days on end. Becoming a Pawfluencer really opened up the ways we spend our quality time together. Every new pet job is a chance at trying new pet toys, grooming products, and pet food I wouldn’t have been able to find at the local pet store.

One of my paid partnerships gave me the chance to play with a ball — with treats inside! I could smell the kibbles hiding in there so I had to boop my snout on it until the treats could fall out for me to munch on. I was all tuckered out from all that moving, it felt like a mini-workout!

Photo by @benjithechicky

From trying out new toys and treats, to getting dressed up and posing for pictures together, there’s never a dull day. 

You can call it work, but really, it’s about having fun and spending time together. 

Becoming a pawfluencer makes staying at home even more fun than usual! There have been many times now that a night in means being together with my human and trying something new together. Because content creation comes from almost anything, it’s usually a ball of fun.

Photo by @benjithechicky

It also makes me happy that I am working from home now, just like my pawparents did. 

Getting That Coin 

If there’s anything I need to say to convince you, it’s this. You earn money for your favourite treats! 

When you become a pawfluencer, you get to keep all that you’ve earned from the content you’re creating. After earning my first paycheck, my pawparents realised that earning while having fun together was possible. 

Photo by @benjithechicky

Even if you’re camera shy, it’s really not that hard. Our humans are taking photos of us all the time anyway. Just wait for them to prepare their lights and props, sit pretty for the camera, and smile! Watch your treat jar fill up just like that. 

My human is calling me over to try out this new brand of dog food, and after we’ll head out for some fun at the nearby park. You know what they say – work hard, have fun, make history. Trust me, you have what it takes to become a content creator and I promise that it’ll be worth it! 

Categories
Creator's Academy

5 ways to become a great paw-fluencer

1. Having your own style

Image credit: @nikki.pompom

Every content creator has their own way of doing things. When you’re an influencer, your social media page is your brand – no matter if you’re a human or pawpal! Whether you’re just embarking on your journey in social media, or you’ve already established a good following and online presence, take time to reevaluate what your style is. It could be anything from the types of pictures you post, the tone your captions have or a whole concept that you and your pawpal are going for. Get creative and have fun. The most important thing is finding a style that represents you. Think authentic and real. We love it when creators get genuine and honest – it doesn’t hurt that your pawpal will look cute doing anything!

2. Engage your audience even when no one is looking

Image credit: @kopi.thedog

No one likes one-sided relationships. If your followers leave comments, questions, or even message you just to say hi, reply to them! When you step into the world of influencing, you aren’t doing it for the fame or popularity, you’re doing it to create a community of like-minded people (and pawpals) and form genuine connections. I created my dog’s Instagram a year ago, and I’ve made so many new friends from all walks of life. 

From learning about the best walking routes to sharing common struggles, it’s the community that eventually keeps you going when the going gets tough. Don’t stress about statistics or clinching partnerships with reputable brands, engaging your audience and finding out why they care about the content you create will get you there in due time.

3. Be reliable

Image credit: @goldengirlbellagomes

When you’re working with brands and sponsorships, it’s a major red flag if you aren’t keeping up with communication. Running an Instagram account is no different from running a ‘brand’ of your own – your pawpals! Having a good channel of healthy communication builds a good relationship between you and your sponsors, ensuring that the content creation gets done successfully. 

It also doesn’t reflect well if you ignore briefs or take more than one working day to respond to emails or messages. Let companies know what you and your furry friend are struggling with. Is your pet under the weather? Does he have mixed reactions to the sponsored products? Communicate that. This ensures that the needs of both you and your pet are taken seriously.

4. Sincerity goes a long way

Image credit: @goldengirlbellagomes

Authenticity matters. It shouldn’t matter how many followers you have, how many campaigns you’ve done or how successful you’ve been. Every job matters. Go the extra mile to understand what the company’s vision is for content curation, what exactly they need from your page and how you can best achieve that. Trust me, brands will remember your sincerity and earnest interest in the campaign. In fact, they’ll probably want to work with you again or even recommend you to other brands for different projects.

5. Make everyday moments magical

Image credit: @ziggy.thepomsky

It’s a common misconception that an influencer’s life needs to be luxurious or fashionable. Go with real. I’ve seen many accounts of pets in private planes, eating the best foods and wearing customised fits. You don’t need all of that. Your followers on your page very likely don’t have access to such things and making relatable content goes a long way. A walk in the park? A scuffle in the mud with your dog? A little scratch on your arm from your kitten? Share it! Chances are, everyone will love it.

Being a pawfluencer isn’t meant to be stressful or challenging. It’s about having fun with your furkid and creating a community where you can be yourself!  Pawjourr exists to help you and your furkid have the best time creating content you both love. From taking your pick of the jobs (you never need to take on something you don’t like), to getting help throughout the whole process – it’s as easy as getting your dog to come over when you have food in your hands. Plus, it’s extra sweet when all compensation from every job is yours to keep. All we ask for is that you have fun and stay true to what you’re creating. Do all that and you’re already the best kind of pawfluencer you can be.

Categories
Creator's Academy

How to Prepare Your Pet for the Influencer Life

Your furry friend might have star quality, but making it big as a pet influencer is tougher than it may seem! While the leading pet influencers have massive followings –– 2 million Instagram followers for a husky mix named Loki and 1.9 million for Marnie the 17-year-old Shih Tau, according to Influencive –– it takes more than good looks and a cute groom to get to that point. Indeed, just as human influencers work hard to build brands, create content, and attract followers, it’s hard work to establish a star pet on social.

But if you want your pet to break out on social media, here’s how you can prepare them:

Train your pet to do basic poses and tricks

Just like the pets mentioned above, your furry loved one needs to be entertaining and engaging to shine on social media. Apart from being able to show off a few good poses (which is often as much about staging as anything else), they should ideally be able to pull off some tricks for their social followers.

While there are many ways to go about teaching tricks, The Spruce Pets recommends dog obedience programs to set the foundation for your furry friend. This teaches them how to follow basic commands, while also setting them up for more advanced training –– like learning on-command poses and tricks. You can also integrate games and treats into your training program, so that your pet can have fun while learning some moves. And remember, most pets thrive on the intellectual and social stimulation of training, anyway!

Keep your furry friend in the best shape

It’s not easy to live the influencer life! You may find that you need to uphold a regular schedule to keep the updates coming for followers, and it’s even conceivable that your pet will secure some more formal work for brand partners. Amidst everything that may be going on with a pet influencer though, it’s still your duty to protect their health and wellbeing.

This mostly means helping them maintain a proper diet and having regular check-ups. However, there are also unexpected issues that can arise with any pet, which is why advance protection (in the form of insurance) is a good idea as well. Sound Dollar notes that pet insurance can cover things like accidents or illnesses, as well as surgery costs and certain medications. Of course, the hope is that you never have to rely on any of this, but having insurance in place will ensure that your pet gets the best possible care if something ever comes up. Most importantly, this will keep them healthy and safe! But it will also help them meet influencer demands as regularly as possible (and uphold any agreements with those brand partners!).

Help your pet get used to the camera

Yes, pets can also become camera shy! Our previous article “Lights, Cameowra!” shared the story of petfluencer Kyubi, whose attention lasted for only two to three minutes during their first few photoshoots. But since Kyubi’s owner, Jane, is a skilled photographer, she knew that it was essential to be patient with Kyubi, and let her get used to the camera in time.

On top of that, Jane conveyed that you have to reward your pets with a good treat for behaving during photoshoots. With a bit of patience and positive reinforcement, you can help your pet become a natural in front of the camera –– and they’ll be a better influencer for it!

Recognize and respect their limitations

Although your pet may be willing to do a few poses and tricks, it’s still important for you to recognize and respect any limitations they might have.

Aurélie Four, the owner of pet influencer Marcel, warned in a piece at Medium that pet owners shouldn’t try too hard to get their furry friends famous. She says that Marcel and all pets tell the truth in their eyes, which is why it’s important to know what’s okay for your pet and when to stop. While plenty of pets enjoy things like training, new activities, and being the center of attention, others may have less patience for (or interest in) the process.

It takes a lot of work for you to train a pet influencer, so to speak. More than teaching your pet how to pose in front of a camera, you have to build a healthy and happy relationship with them so you can make the most of your time together. If it all works out though, you’ll have a blast watching your furry best friend becoming a minor celebrity online!

Cover image by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

Categories
Creator's Academy

Increase engagement with your followers.

Your pawpal’s follower count might be high, but are you connecting to your followers? Engagement refers to interactions your followers have with your content and reflects how interested they are in your photos and videos. Here are some tried and tested strategies to have your followers coming back for more!

1. Know when to tell a story

We are fairly certain that you wouldn’t promote a product that isn’t good for your pawpal. However, you should consider that Instagram posts of pets with their products are a dime in a dozen. You can appeal to your followers by weaving a story into your posts.Tactical Reviews have their uses in explaining the products without too much fluff. Storytelling, on the other hand, comes into play when you would like to tug the heartstrings of your followers, or if you just want to talk about how it changed your day-to-day routines.

Source: idiot_and_kosong

2. A peek behind the curtain

This rings especially true for curated pet profiles with a strong emphasis on feed aesthetics. Your audience will no doubt love your furry friend’s beautiful photos, but you will seem far from them if all they get to see is perfection. 

Instagram Stories allows pet owners to show their pet’s candid and unglamorous moments, without disrupting their profile aesthetic. Your followers will be able to relate to these brief moments of authenticity better and come back to you more often.

3. Stickers = Conversations

Your Instagram Stories are also a good way to actively ‘converse’ with your followers, thanks to the many interactive stickers provided. These will encourage your followers to engage with you and feel connected to you.

Polls, Quizzes, and Emoji sliders give you a quick sense-make of what your followers think about products. As the results of these stickers are instantaneous, they immediately see how their involvement affects the results.

Questions readily seek input from your audience. Your followers are always excited to share their thoughts, and Question stickers give them that space without flooding your inbox.

Source: orichompsdaikon

4. Using the right hashtags

Hashtags help to make your post more visible in searches and reach more people as a result. Selecting the best hashtags can make the difference between appearing on the top of the search, or drowning beneath the hundreds of others. Use a mix of commonly trending hashtags with niche, targeted hashtags to drive your posts to the right audience.

A tactic that is not as frequently used is creating personal or branded hashtags. A simple and memorable hashtag makes conversations driven by you, or about you, easy to find. This works well on both Instagram and Twitter, which are both hashtag-focused. Remember to place the hashtags on your bio so that people who visit your profile will know what to look for and what to use!

5. Collaboration is key

Start a play date with other doggos or felines! When you hang out with more pawpals and make content together, you effectively share a fraction of each other’s audiences. This also means you will be visible to new and potential followers.

If your pet is feeling shy, you can run hashtag challenges and have other pawpals re-create the things you and your pet are doing. TikTok has dominated community collaborations this way to drive engagement and create more content than one can do on their own, so see what kind of collaborations work for your pets!

Source: heihei.oli.youtiao

Check out our social media articles!

How to Improve Videos and Views on TikTok | Pawjourr Blog

Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm | Pawjourr Blog

Making (Sponsored) Videos | Pawjourr Blog

Cover photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com

Categories
Creator's Academy

Making (Sponsored) Videos

Congratulations on scoring that pet job! You’ve followed our tips on content creation for apps, content ideas to engage your audience, and now you’re confident to partner with a brand to promote their products. How will you be promoting them to your followers, though? There are a few methods, so let’s look at five ways to make sponsored videos!

On Brands

Character

More often than not, brands — and by extension, their products — carry a tone that they would like to convey. Pet toys brands, for instance, are warm and enthusiastic to mirror the joy your pawpal can get from playing with them. You can see a brand’s character through various methods, namely their website, social media accounts, and product packaging design, if any. If you have trouble finding the right tone to help promote the brand/product, it’s always good to start by emulating their character.

Credibility

Credibility can be split into two forms: heritage, and reviews. Brands and products that have stood the test of time and remained relevant are seen as reliable and trustworthy. Pet Lovers Centre, established in 1973, remains a household brand synonymous with pet ownership. For new brands that do not have the luxury of heritage, it’ll be better to look at their consumer reviews to promote them to your followers.

Benefits and Unique Selling Point (USP)

When looking at a product, service, or brand in its entirety, what draws consumers to purchase them are their benefits and USPs. Benefits tend to be physical and tangible, e.g. “X-Supplements are made with 100% natural ingredients and are perfectly healthy for your pawpal”. On the other hand, USPs can be tangible or intangible, e.g. “Be the hero your dog deserves”. Knowing these will help to influence if you want to do a Tactical Review or a Creative Integration.

Tactical Reviews

1. Product Testimonials

Product Testimonials take a straightforward approach to the promotion. Without going too deep into functions and technicalities, these videos are generally shorter and summarised so viewers can understand the benefits and visit the product site without scrolling away.

2. Product Breakdown

Centred on benefits and functions, product breakdowns are the most technical of the three. Product Breakdowns tend to be longer and more insightful, and aimed at your more interested followers who might have already heard of the products know more about the product. However, because of that, you might stand to lose out on casual followers who are just scrolling through their feed.

3. Product Demonstration

Product Demonstrations are the most engaging of the three. Let your pawpal try the product — be it toys or food — to give your followers a visual representation of how the product works. By showing more and telling less, viewers can immediately see the benefits and features in action, so it entices them to want to know more.

Creative Integration

4. Selling a concept

Instead of doing the direct approach and telling your followers what’s good about a product, you can do a conceptual video that shows your followers how this product changes your pawpal’s life. This works especially well when promoting an entire brand. Ruffwear’s “Becoming” video shows viewers the products for sale but talks about none of it. Instead, the narrator talks about their philosophy, mission, and vision. Similarly, you can film a sketch to show your pet will a transformed lifestyle thanks to this brand or product you are using.

5. Production, Process, BTS

Much better if you are advertising for your own new release of products, as the process is not something your partnered brand would show you. If you do decide to release your own products, say, home-baked pet treats, you could show a video of you choosing the ingredients (to indicate quality/freshness), the baking process (to emphasise it being homemade), and arrange the food on a nice set-up for presentation (allows followers to imagine how it could look for their pawpal).

Now that you know…

More often than not, the type of video you will make also depends on the requests of your partner when you take up pet jobs. However, for pet jobs with more creative freedom, you will have a better understanding of how you can promote the brand and its products to your followers!

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

Categories
Creator's Academy

Ten TikTok Talents To Tune in To

TikTok’s users number in the millions, and each of them has the ability to do wondrous things with the challenges, sounds, and prompts they can find through the app’s community-driven algorithm. We have our own TikTok account too, filled with interesting comedy skits about our staff and resident doggos. So follow us, and these 10 TikTok accounts that will inspire you to make more content with your pawpals!

1. Lifewithkleekai

The daily lives of two Alaskan Klee Kais are loaded with comedy when their pawrents are always finding new ways to tease them. Skye (black and white) and Copper (brown) show a wide range of emotions in their videos and are sure to inspire you to try various prompts with your pawpal. Follow their Youtube channel for longer videos that include petcare for the relatively rare breed!

@lifewithkleekai

Link to uncut YouTube version in bio 👻

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
@lifewithkleekai

It be like that #dog #cutedogs

♬ original sound – Nick Flint

2. Corgidailylife 

Corgidailylife effectively demonstrates the height of TikTok content creation in various ways:

  1. Education/Guides – Without channel goes through various dog care tips and tricks to promote good dog hygiene.
  2. Sound – A microphone is placed dead centre to where the action is — paw-scrubbing, fur-brushing, (Corgi-snoring?) etc. to give viewers an audial treat. Well, it’s not ASMR, but it’s as good as ASMR. 
  3. Timing – And especially, comedic timing. Each dog care video begins with the pawrent dragging the apathetic corgi across the screen to begin the routine. By the end of it, the doggo is left satisfied, and the viewers can tell by how it sleeps ‘soundfully’.
  4. Content Appeal – Fluffy, chonky, Corgi booty. 
@petslover88

Reply to @michaeljames20052 That dog’s paws were originally red,and the foot bath bubbles won’t hurt their paws,they just clenaned away the dirt.

♬ original sound – Dog Lover 💕
@petslover88

Reply to @zvosec23 Click on my homepage link to buy 🥰#pet #puppy #corgi #nailclippers

♬ original sound – Dog Lover 💕

3. Monkeycatluna 

While many pawrents focus on the paws and claws, Luna found herself with an interesting superpower: her fangs! On top of making an assortment of simple TikTok content, the feline is well-known for her #CrunchyCat videos; the oh-so-satisfying crunch sound she makes as she chomps down on snacks is in itself a treat for the viewers on earphones.

https://www.tiktok.com/@monkeycatluna/video/7049172409072553222?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7038414917137647106
@monkeycatluna

Cats all day: #crunchycat #catsoftiktok #fyp #asmr

♬ original sound – Leah❤️‍🔥

4. Tutiandyuki 

Social media may be a place where people are fed insecurities, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Felines Tuti and Yuki make wholesome TikToks that are equal parts adorable and encouraging. Let their slow, feel-good videos warm the cockles of your heart in a sea of dynamic, attention-grabbing videos.

https://www.tiktok.com/@tutiandyuki/video/7054207461976182018?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7038414917137647106
https://www.tiktok.com/@tutiandyuki/video/7044155885412814082?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7038414917137647106

5. Thatgoldendoodle 

Malibu and Murphy are two best friends who can’t get enough of each other. In fact, the two Labradoodles have been caught in the middle of some new mischief every time. Catch their shenanigans and root for them to have their way!

@thatgoldendoodle

Money well spent

♬ armadillos keep digging – Lord of the Tok👑
@thatgoldendoodle

somebody come get her 🥺 #LoveMeMode #RefundGlowUp #SayQuayNotKway #youcanthandle

♬ original sound – andipfromtennessee

6. Thatlittlepuff 

Puff started her journey accompanying his pawrents in the kitchen. He was so enthralled by the way they prepared food, he couldn’t stand just watching and decided to lend a paw. A few videos later, Puff became a reaction creator! Join Puff as he tries out new TikTok recipes and 5-minute crafts.

@thatlittlepuff

OK so I forgot to put the iron in the water 😂 #ThatLittlePuff #catsoftiktok #puffknowsbetter

♬ original sound – ThatLittlePuff
@thatlittlepuff

It must be the oven, not Puff! Tell him if it happened to you 🤣🤣🤣 #ThatLittlePuff #puffknowsbetter #FritoLayRickRoll #catsoftiktok

♬ original sound – ThatLittlePuff

7. Whataboutbunny 

Alexis Devine puts to rest the age-old question, “What if my dog could talk?” Meet Bunny, a Sheepadoodle that has learned the English language — well, sort of. Using a soundboard of associative keywords, Bunny has learnt to speak hooman to communicate with Alexis, with varying degrees of accuracy. To all Pokemon fans: If Bunny could learn hooman, perhaps one day, your pawpal could be like Meowth too.

@whataboutbunny

💔😭I’ll never leave again. #loveyou #dogsarefamily #pure #objectpermanence #foryou

♬ original sound – I am Bunny
@whataboutbunny

Small rain works right?? #fog #howstheweather #foryou #talkingdog #smalltalk #bunnythedog

♬ original sound – I am Bunny

8. My_aussie_gal 

It’s no secret that Mary and Secret are best friends. The Australian Shepard does everything with her hooman — be it music, laundry, or even yoga. Having a pawpal that shares the same vibes as you means your hobbies are twice as fun!

@my_aussie_gal

Morning doga #yoga #doga #australianshepherd #dogs #dogsoftiktok

♬ Grow as We Go – Ben Platt
@my_aussie_gal

This was so fun! #hideandseekchallenge #dogsoftiktok #bestfriendscheck

♬ Treasure#1 – Bruno Mars

9. Scottyhubs 

Scott Hubbard shows off what could possibly be the world’s chill-est and sexiest Chihuahua, Gracie. Scott’s sketches with Gracie always leave viewers in awe of the doggo’s laidback energy, making them wish they had swagger like hers in her thirst trap TikToks.

@scottyhubs

Beware of dog 😈 #dog #ourtable #bewareofdog

♬ Я буду ебать – Moreart
@scottyhubs

Take her to the moon ❤️ #corememories #dog #givingszn

♬ original sound – .

10. Papayaho.cat 

An adorable British Shorthair spends her days playing with her hooman on TikTok. Papaya shows just how versatile the format can be with her various prompts, sounds, and sketches that are sure to make you swoon.

@papayaho.cat

Nom nom nom🤤#catsoftiktok#cutepet#fyp

♬ original sound – kennn 💝
@papayaho.cat

Whoops👀#catsoftiktok#cutepet#britishshorthair #fyp

♬ apple pay w brittany laugh – requiem for a meme
Categories
Creator's Academy

Timeless Ideas To Kickstart Your TikTok Content

Welcome back to the fifth instalment of our TikTok feature! Today we are going to look at some content you can make with your pawpal, so you won’t run on empty in the ideas department! 

Sounds

A lot of TikTok’s content can be defined by the sounds they use, as they easily set the tone for the video. If it’s a commonly used sound or even a sound from a well-known source, chances are you’ll be able to set up some expectations and hook them in. They’ll want to stay and see how the video ends!

Here are some common sounds that pawrents are using on their TikToks:

Holidays

Share how you celebrate the holidays with your pawpals! Holidays, National Events, and Celebrations are all over the calendar. Use this opportunity to share costumes, family practices, or just you and your furry friends enjoying some quality time together.

@texaspommysquad

Up to no good #fyp #funny #elf #petsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok #cute #viral

♬ SANTA OMG! – Ponzoo

Vlogs

While all of TikTok is already in video format, you can use the app to share quirky traits about your pet and see if others may have similar experiences. TikTok’s community-driven functionality allows you to duet people’s prompts too, which creates a whole carousel of reactions.

@haleynoel12

Things I cannot do because my dogs are ✨giant✨ #fyp #foryoupage #petsoftiktok #greatdane #dog #giantdog #viral #meetmypet

♬ Celebrate the Good Times – Mason
@marleymalin

Let me know if you want a second part to this video! 😽💞 #catsoftiktok #foryou #fyp #catvids

♬ 아무노래 – ZICO

If you’re confident about your knowledge in pet care, or if you’re just enthusiastic about sharing your petcare routines on social media, you’ll be surprised how many people will appreciate it! Beyond entertainment, people do view TikTok as a platform to learn something new, so don’t be shy about sharing the knowledge and experiences you’ve had up till now!

@twiniboo

✨Cat care routine✨#foryou #fyp #foryourpage #cat #catsoftiktok #catlover #cat #petlover #petoftiktok #bathcat #viral #tiktok #viralcat

♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design

Challenges

According to TikTok, cats love it when you brush their fur with a wet toothbrush; it supposedly reminds them of their mother. And did you know that if you play the iconic screech from the 1960 film “Psycho”, the sound will scare dogs?

It isn’t 100% accurate, but there’s only one way to find out — try it out with your pawpals! Challenges are quick, easy-to-make, and quirky content that you can make together. You’ve probably thought of doing some of these, but always passed it off as outrageous anyway!

@deylanbuntyn

Rollercoaster of emotions. #viral #petsoftiktok #petlife #cats #petsontiktok #cattok #catsoftiktok #pet #petslover #foryou #relatable

♬ original sound – Cat Dad Of Tik Tok
@wolfinmypocket

#Dog #Dog #DogsOftiktok #Pets #petsoftiktok #talkingdog

♬ Throw In A Meow – Wolf In My Pocket – Nemain

Need more help with TikTok?

Here’re our TikTok articles to give you a boost. From understanding the app’s functions to knowing how to optimise your videos for the algorithm, we have it all!

Part 1: Getting Started on TikTok

Part 2: Exploring TikTok Functions

Part 3: Tip-Top TikTok Tips

Part 4:  How to Improve Videos and Views on TikTok
Photo by FLOUFFY on Unsplash

Categories
Creator's Academy

Editor Showcase: VSCO

In our previous article, we covered four apps that you can use to edit your content for Instagram and TikTok. So today, I will be showing a quick demonstration of my favourite editing app, VSCO. While the app’s roots were grounded in photo-editing at first, VSCO has been steadily upgrading itself to keep up with Instagram’s new features. As of 2020, the app is now able to record and edit videos — along with various video effects and capture modes — through its “F X” feature.

VSCO is a free-to-download editing app with powerful basic presets for photos. However, by subscribing to the app’s membership (either monthly/annual), you will gain access to its limited-time presets, premium video effects, and more. The app also detracts from the whimsical stickers and animations of other photo-editing apps, instead, doubling down on VSCO’s thematic style: Emulating the look of film and old cameras.

Bright & Clean / S Series

(Left) Filter preview from VSCO; (Right) ZaiZai, a Japanese Spitz I met at a dogpark.

The S series emphasises skin tones and works well with portraits. A favourite of mine, the series balances colour contrasts to give photos a softer, more natural look.

For this photo, I reduced the shadows to take attention away from the background, as well as to highlight ZaiZai’s white fur. I also bumped up the temperature and saturation to give his tongue a healthy pinkish tone.

Analog / A Series

(Left) Filter preview from VSCO; (Right) Momo, a Chihuahua I met at the same dogpark.

The A Series, inspired by analogue film, beautifully enhances the colour of your photos with their bright mid-tones and brighter highlights. I tend to use presets from the A Series (among many others) for outdoor photos.

Momo has a clean white coat with beautiful brown patches. By increasing the contrast and reducing the shadows, his white and golden brown fur is accentuated. On top of that, the silver lining that forms when the sunlight shone behind is further amplified to create a pristine silhouette.

Legacy Collection

(Left) Filter preview from VSCO; (Right) ZaiZai

VSCO’s Legacy collection is a staple for the brand, being the original presets offered on the app. From black-and-white filters to washed-up colours, the Legacy collection has something for every occasion.

Because the floor behind ZaiZai is less detailed, there are fewer elements to take attention away from him. I reduced the shadows and increased the exposure to give his coat a softer appearance, rather than as individual strands of hair. The increased saturation and exposure also revealed ZaiZai’s chestnut-brown eyes, which were dull and hard to spot in the original.

Isle of Dogs

(Left) Filter preview from VSCO; (Right) Unedited photo by @kopi.thedog

Wes Anderson’s iconic art direction in Isle of Dogs gave rise to a unique set of limited-time filters, each bringing out the rusty red-and-yellow world of Megasaki to your photos.

To give Kopi’s summertime fun more energy, I strengthened the blues of the pool and increased the tint to turn the greenish background closer to its original white colour. By overexposing the carpet, the details on the strands are lost so our eyes don’t wander below her leash.

Useful Links

VSCO has many other presets worth exploring, that will definitely help to beautify your already cute pawpals! Not very sure how to begin your pet photography journey? Check out these links below:

Categories
Creator's Academy

Make your pawpals even prettier with these editing apps

TikTok and Instagram may have their own editing features, but we always crave more. Third-party apps have come a long way to make the editing process much easier, and more comprehensive than what the original apps already do. There are many apps out there that can do the job, so let’s narrow down two apps per platform to begin your content creation journey.

VSCO

Free to download (Membership at SGD 11.48 / month)

VSCO is a place where expression matters the most. The app offers a wide range of presents, which can be adjusted to varying looks and finishes similar to classic rolls of film. VSCO also recommends presets based on the photo you select.

Pros

  • Adjustable filter strength
  • Lookbook to preview downloading new filter packs
  • Free to download

Cons

  • No touch-up features
  • No stickers, animations

Lightroom

Free to download (Pro at SGD 6.98 / month)

The industry standard for photographers on their phones everywhere. While Adobe Lightroom does not have presents, its extensive fine adjustment features let you bring out the full potential in your photos. If you’re not sure how to edit your photos, you can use Lightroom’s presets for a one-stop process. Alternatively, if you’ve used it long enough you can save your edits as presets for future photos too!

Pros

  • Detailed adjustment settings
  • Tutorials to guide you through editing process

Cons

  • Extensive features locked by paywall
  • No stickers, animations
  • Comprehensive features might confuse newcomers

CapCut

Free to download (Pro at SGD 5.98 / month)

Capcut Official

Developed by Bytedance, CapCut is a video editor that seems tailored to complement TikTok. CapCut features exclusive copyright songs, trending stickers, and custom TikTok fonts. With these in your kit, you’ll be able to make your TikTok videos stand out!

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Huge library of songs
  • Directly Exports to TikTok

Cons

  • Can only upload one video per project
  • Might lag when editing larger videos

InShot

Free to download (Pro at SGD 5.98 / month)

Inshot Official

InShot is a popular video editing app for quit editing features. For first-time users, its well-categorised library of stickers, tags, music, and sound effects makes the app inviting and easy to understand. If that isn’t enough, InShot also comes with pre-loaded aspect ratios so you can edit your videos to suit the right platform!

Pros

  • Stitch videos together
  • Fast and simple editing features
  • Free to download

Cons

  • No video overlay functionality (e.g. Duet, React, etc. need to be recorded first)

Now that you know…

Editing doesn’t have to be done on Instagram and TikTok. Granted it’s convenient, but there are apps out there with better features. Later this week, we’ll be giving you an editor showcase. See for yourself how your pawpals can look after putting them through VSCO!

Photo by Cup of Couple from Pexels

Categories
Creator's Academy

10 Instagram Accounts You Should Be Following

With our guides on making the most out of Instagram complete, we have shortlisted accounts that we feel make the cut for content creation. These pawpals serve a particular type of content, and they do it well enough that you can take inspiration from them for your own pawpal! From paw vloggers to fashion pawdels, stay-home cats to outdoor doggos, here are 10 Instagram accounts you should be following.

1. spongecake_thescottishfold

What do Sponge Cake, Mocha, and Donut have in common? No, they’re not confectionery, they’re cats! @spongecake_thescottishfold follows Sponge Cake and his two siblings as they travel around the world in their hooman’s arms. In between photos of the felines posing in their new ribbons, they also upload very wholesome Instagram videos of them walking down the bustling streets.

2. tuckerbudzyn

Pet parenting is a topic that all pawrents can relate to. @tuckerbudzyn is a Golden Retriever who wears his heart on his hekkin sleeve for his pawrent (or momager as they would call it) to share with the world. Now with a new son @toddbudzyn, Tucker has to show his journey as a pawrent too!

3. goodboyhuds

@goodboyhuds’ curated Instagram feed invites users to a snow-white landscape made possible by the light tones in his props, furniture, and even his environment. With all the elements out of the way, Hudson’s bronze coat holds your attention, putting the pup centre-stage.

4. _missygigi_

Gigi and her hooman chronicle their daily lives in their detailed photo journal, @_missygigi_. In perhaps an intentional design choice, Gigi’s photos are made dimmer and given the vignette finish to emphasise the memory embedded between the lines of each post caption.

5. myyzephyr

True to his name, Zephyr’s (@myyzephyr) feed shows the doggo having the time of his life with the wind blowing through his fur. While Zephyr’s photos are varied in styles, one thing’s constant — his hooman knows how to catch him at his best angles!

6. polar.woof

Polaris (@polar.woof) guides his followers around the great outdoors in his many adventures on his Instagram. Every photo transports you to another environment with the Samoyed’s sense of wonder pulling you into the thick of it all.

7. didi_the_fluffy_cat

Nothing says ‘classy’ like a furfriend who knows how to dress. Didi (@didi_the_fluffy_cat) fills her feed with OOTDs and costumes. With a wide range of outfits and a swagger to match, Didi shows her viewers who coolest cat on the block really is.

8. kyubi.ninetales

Fall in love with the magic of preparation and creativity when you look through Kyubi’s (@kyubi.ninetales) photos. Kyubi’s hooman takes photo shoots to the next level by making thematic photos out of various props and costumes, even making their own props like ribbons out of lottery tickets.

9. freyastormbreaker

Freya and Burger (@freyastormbreaker) are two tiny guardians with big hearts. The captions in their posts reveal a beautiful narrative (as interpreted by their hooman) and give their followers a peek into what makes these two puppers tick.

10. fuzziepals_

Two paws are better than one; double the trouble and still just as fun. Rigel and Gale (@fuzziepals_) play to their hearts’ content and cuddle with their hooman all day. Their open affection for each other can warm anyone’s heart on a cold day.

Feeling the spark yet?

Once you’ve ironed out the content that works best for your pawpal, get to creating! One day, you’ll be featured as a recommended Pawpal to follow on Instagram too!

Need more help on Instagram? Check out the links below :

5 Tips to up your Instagram game!

Top 5 Petfluencer Photography Tips

Exploring Instagram’s Functions

Cover photo by @kyubi.ninetails