Converting and introducing people to dolls

Personally, I never would have found out about BJDs if my friend Roxy hadn't introduced me to them. She was excited to get her CP DES, Frankie, and when you're excited about something you want to share it with your friends. At first I was interested, but never thought I'd pay that much for a doll. Eventually, I caved. ^_^ But I like sharing BJDs with others... while it is a hobby I enjoy on my own, it's even more fun when you can share it with other enthusiasts. Just sitting at home and ogling a new sculpt isn't as enjoyable for me as discussing it with my friends. Photostories are more fun to make when they're shared.

I don't force the idea on people who aren't interested, but some people just seem drawn to BJDs. The hobby isn't for everyone, but it's nice to meet others who share my interests. I haven't converted anyone new, but I have helped people who were only mildly interested in BJDs make the decision to buy one of their own. =P

 

A friend & I have been giving programs on BJDs to local doll clubs. Most of these people have never even heard of them before but they are doll collectors. It's been lots of fun & the last one we did inspired several people to go home & order their own.

It's great to share a passion whether or not other people are overwhelmed by it or not. My local Joann's knows I'm a doll colector & are always interested in having me bring in my latest creations. It's just fun to get feedback from others.

 

I'm currently getting a friend of mine into BJDs - she's buying my KDF Litchi, and I'm customizing the doll for her before shipping her.

I always try to warn people about the downsides of the hobby... "It'll take over your life!" "You'll be forever crying over limited edition dolls that you can't afford!" "It is rEALLY EXPENSIVE!!" But I also try to show people how much fun it is. ^^

It's really exciting to introduce someone to the hobby. It's brought me so much joy, and I love to share it.

 

I find whenever I take a doll out in public there are many people who are interested. Some just want to know what they are, some ask if they can take a picture and others start asking heaps of questions and you get the idea that they may like one themself. I'm happy to tell people the good and the bad points but really it's up to them if they follow up on it. A friend of mine who admired my dolls came to a doll market with me and ended up getting her first and now she wants another. I'm the first to admit I love talking about bjds and if I introduce others into the hobby then that's fine by me too

 

I don't generally go out evangelizing - most people I know who like dolls are already into collecting them, so they don't need conversion - and I honestly couldn't care less what strangers do with their free time, so I'll answer their questions at outdoor meetups but I don't go out of my way to evangelize them either.

However, I have been part of giving ABJD presentations to local fashion-doll clubs a few times-- that's fun! Many of the fashion-doll clubmembers I've met seem to have every type of doll under the sun except ABJDs, and they get a kick out of seeing these giant fancy things. Some are already well aware of BJDs and just are not into the price-range... others have never seen one in person, & when they get to see yours up close, you can see their eyes go huge & shiny & Wow, and those eyes just keep drifting back to your doll even after a few circuits around the room looking at all the other dolls. Some of them, you could see they'd instantly been bitten by the BJD bug, and at that point they'd hit us up for more specific information about the BJD shopping scene.

(The most interesting side-effect I saw: The last time our group presented to a doll club, we decided to bring as wide a range of BJD styles as possible, so in addition to j-rock boys and plainclothes musclemen and frilly girls and a couple fantasy dolls, I had brought along three of my leather-clad bondage-boy dolls-- and I never saw so many regular-looking people cooing over leather fetishwear before. My supremely-queenly Volks Masamune, in his platform heels, seemed to have the most recurring admirers. Then again, this is San Francisco, so it was probably not the first time they'd seen outfits/boys like that before; maybe just the first time they'd ever seen it on a doll. ^^)

 

I've gotten multiple of my friends into collecting dolls. I've personally gotten at least 3 or 4 people into the hobby. They saw my dolls, then asked about them, then started to look into them until they decided they really wanted to join the hobby. I don't see this as a bad thing, I think it's fantastic! I'm so glad that it means new people are joining the hobby. Keep in mind, more people joining the hobby means more sales of dolls, which means more shiny new dolls being created!

 

I think it depends on the person. I would never take my dolls out with me. Apart from the other week. My friend Lauren saw a picture of my Pukifee on my IG and she said "You should bring her out with you" - I was abit jubious but I took her nontheless. And Lauren was so amazed by her.

Alot of people know i'm not "normal" so they put my BJD hobbie down to that. I find it amazing how many questions people come up with. I've never exactly converted a friend into wanting a doll, but they like mine but I kind of like it that way. I only have one other person I know in person that has BJDs and it's like "our thing". That may sound silly, but I don't think it is. If everyone had a BJD then I think the excitement would wear off fast.

 

I'm not sure is this exists, If it does, I'm sorry.

How do you bring new people into the doll hobby?

For example- How do you make someone into a new BJD collector?

Looking for your advice/experience

 

I have dragooned only one person I know of, and that was thru multiple meetings for girls and their dolls of any kind. One never can tell -- the owner of a local doll shop may buy one after stringing three of mine on various occasions.

 

Going to meetups and talking to people who are just passing by who seem interested. This happens a LOT. Some people even print up urls so people who want to learn more can go online to check things out.

Organizing panels at conventions or other events that covers basic information for people who don't know anything, as well as being a meetup for those who have dolls already. clochette has been organizing a panel at the San Diego Comic Con for years that does this. They hand out fliers with information and urls and answer questions.

Posting online and making sure to put in information for people who might want to learn more... so they can look up the dolls, etc. It's also nice to post links to various sites, to make it easier.

Just by being friendly and open and informative about bjds! Share the love!

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Do not try to push anything on friends or relatives or stranger who aren't receptive. Just let people decide for themselves to ask or look online if they are interested.

I really do NOT believe in TRYING to get people into bjds. That's totally unnecessary... and probably a bit obnoxious. Just let people decide for themselves. Help them if they ask for more information, but that's all. I'm more likely to warn people! I tell them that it's very expensive, that there is a lot of research you need to do to know what and where and how to buy, that it can be confusing--the terminology and sizes and what fits what, etc. I think it's very important that the people know the good and bad... and they should only get involved if they know enough and are very, very, VERY sure they want a doll! There is a lot of responsibility involved in getting a person involved in ANYTHING. It should be done with thought and care!

 

I'll only talk to BJDs with people outside of the hobby if they're curious or mention it first. If I find out they like BJDs or are interested in them, I'll start introducing them to companies and show them pictures and general things about the hobby. I certainly don't try to get anyone into the hobby. If they do, then it's great for them if they enjoy it! I definitely agree with april on that subject.

 

That would be "resin" doll! And yes, if someone wants to buy it then find out it's not for them then, as Bachman Turner Overdrive once said, "Let it ride". It'll end up a bargain for someone on ebay.

 

So my approach with the movies and blasting Beethoven is probably a little too strong? [/URL][/IMG]

 

My hobbies and interests have always been...The uncommon type. I do not really attempt to glamorize, advertise, or force my interests or hobbies on other people because I know I do not really enjoy theirs and would not want the same; and this applies to dolls as well. However, if someone asks about it, I will answer them. I also only say as much as is needed in case people simply ask out of polite curiosity (curious but do not care enough to go about searching online or anything themselves).

 

I'm not sure if this has been done before, but I had a great BJD Collector to average person experience. I recently stayed in a beach house with my friend and four other families. And in this mess of families, was a girl named Jaylin. She's ten, and saw a picture of my BJDs on my desktop screen while she was in my friend and I's room. And then, came the "wow" and a million inquisitive questions about what BJDs are. I explained to her a few things, and then she went and looked them up on her own! The next day, she brought it up again, and I promised pictures. I showed them to her, and then she asked for my email for help, and then I started a little guide for her. When it wasn't done by the next day, she asked if I was still working on it. I finished it for her, and she was so excited. Now, next time I see my friend, I'm bringing my dolls so I can show Jaylin (they're next door neighbors!). She definitely wants to save up for one, and wants to see some dolls in person. This is by far one of the greatest doll-related things to happen in a while. She was so impressed with my dolls and I've never gotten a response as powerful as this one. It was so awesome to have this interest, to show off my dolls, and to have someone appreciate them like I do. How many of you guys have had an experience like this one? Does anyone else have a showing off or conversion story? Like me, this girl saw them and immediately knew that it was something that she'd like. Is that how this hobby happens for everyone? I'd like to read some more happy stories like this one- too often, I see stories about bad experiences... I'd like some good ones!

 

I do this aaaall the time. When people ask about my dolls, I give my little knee-jerk explanation, "He's an Asian Ball-Jointed Doll, a handmade resin art doll... etc" but if they still seem very interested I head off into my 'spiel' my friends have called it, telling them a bit more about their construction and where you can learn more/purchase them--I've gotten so used to conversations like these that they say I sound like a salesperson!

It's amazing watching someone become stirred by them, though. That girl in Gamestop who swore she had to have one, the guy who was fascinated by the joints and walked away with the gears turning in his head, and the airport security officer who stopped a whole line of people going through the scanners to feverishly write down everything I said on a piece of scrap receipt! (Seriously, this happened last week.) It's not a feeling like I need to convert the world. Quite frankly, I don't want BJDs to ever become too common. But the way some people can fall instantly in love with my doll makes me feel happy, and you can tell from the look in their eyes that their life is about to take an interesting turn.

 

For me, I will not talk about bjds unless someone approached me about it first after they saw my facebook pictures that I uploaded.
Or when they ask what hobby I have
Don't really like to immediately talk to them about bjds out of the blue; worried they might think I'm a freak.

 

I haven't converted anyone, though I have tried. I was converted by my sister lol.

 

I do not mind giving information, provided that the request! I hate to be heavy with my hobby, if people ask me questions, I answer them.
In any case, I prefer to go unnoticed. If people are wondering, I'm always friendly, but I anguish being the center of attention!

 

As much fun as it would be to have doll friends nearby, I'd never try to convert anyone. Most people I know who might be interested aren't very wealthy. I know there are many people who can enjoy the hobby on a strict budget, but for others with less impulse control it could possibly lead to increasing their debt. I spend way too much on this hobby relative to my paycheck, and I don't want others to end up like me.