*By Lauren Babbage*
It's a new variation on the strike-it-rich dream of the social media age: Quit your full-time job to get paid for creating viral social media posts ー for your pet.
Dogs, monkeys, and opossums are among the pet influencers taking over Instagram and cashing in big time for their masters.
"Payments are based on the following and the engagement," said Loni Edwards, the founder and managing partner of The Dog Agency. "The ones with millions of followers are commanding the $15,000 per post, and then the smaller influencers are more in the thousands."
It's not as easy as simply posting photos of your napping tabby or your dachshund wearing a diaper. If you want your pet to be insta-famous, Edwards recommends:
1. Decide on a solid brand.
2. Create quality content.
3. Post on social media consistently.
4. Engage your audience and build a following.
5. Write witty captions.
The social-media influencer endorsement deals aren't limited to pet-related brands. Recently, "human-facing brands" have started paying famous pets to help market brands such as Urban Decay, Budweiser, Mercedes Benz and more.
"We work with hotel groups, we work with cleaning products, movie studios, and tons of human-facing brands." Edwards said in an interview with Cheddar.
She added that pets can sometimes be more effective at social marketing than people. "The content tends to be more creative because its a pet doing a human thing," Edwards said.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/how-your-dog-can-make-you-15-000).
Need some content to curl up with on the big screen, laptop, or tablet this weekend? Cheddar recommends electrifying evolution, a terrifying phone call, and a podcast to which you might find yourself overly devoted.
The first trailer for Wes Anderson's latest, Asteroid City, just dropped. Quinta Brunson is starring in an SNL promo, and Rachel Weisz is taking over Jeremy Irons' role in a remake of director David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers.
This musician serenades healthcare workers for saving his life. A young gymnast brings more diverse representation to her sport. Eli Manning surprises a seven-year-old cancer patient. Jason Derulo leaves a life-changing tip for an Omaha waiter.
Individuals with special needs shared the stage with professional dancers in a first-of-its-kind performance. A high school basketball player with an upper limb difference shoots for the stars. Seniors respond to reaction to viral Rihanna dance TikTok.
Self-proclaimed “affirmation queen” does not let physical obstacles get in the way of gratitude for life. A bakery owner hires employees with special needs to provide life skills. Man has found a way to combine his two passions- an orthodontist and a vintage vinyl record store owner — under the same roof.
