How do you promote your work

Generally, just overall social media business marketing tactics are helpful. (Like posting on IG, etc)

You could always check out existing doll companies and small artists, to see how and where they promote themselves.

 

I have a blog, buisiness cards with the adress too the blog and other than that I go to conventions and make sure to hand the cards out to people with an interest in what I do. I have an Etsy shop, but I usually only promote it through the blog.
My reasoning is that I am not usually on the big social media sites anyway and taking time to build a precense there would not be a very good investment, time wise. I rather spend that time sculpting and casting. As I build up my skills and number of products for sale I build up a fan-base as I go.
I am also a bit cautious about the way many big social media sites work when it comes to sharing and reposting other peoples material. I have seen to many cases of pictures being spread around and becoming very popular, but by that time it's hard to find the original source.
I do have some pictures of the sculpting process up on deviantart, but I think that people that looks there are more interested in the creation process, rather than in buying the finished dolls. But just in case, I add links to the blog there too.
This way I only have one place that I need to keep updated and I own the domain, so anything I post there, I have full control over.

Another thing I strongly believe is that it isn't about getting as many people as possible so see your work, it's about getting the right people to see it. What that means will vary wildly depending on your product on buisiness model, though.

 

I'm currently making the bones of a website to use for later, I have a full site for my tarot business of making card decks and one for the future BJDs I'd like to make and sell. A website is a good resource for having a central hub of all your info. I'm currently using Wix and I definitely recommend it. Instagram and Facebook is gonna be your best bet with connecting to people in the market, especially if you make a Facebook business page (rather than just an account) that people can like and subscribe to and use to contact you. Also, as Lillith mentioned, having an Etsy shop helps as well, even if its just a second place to list your BJDs if you already have your own domain/website. The more places you can get eyeballs on your doll, the better---you just have to make sure you have/can produce enough stock to fill demand.

 

I know a lot of people use social medial. In terms of owning that one solid doll and people knowing. I know some people “stamp” the inside of their heads.

 

This is true, having branding set before hand can really really help! Between having a unique name as well as some kind of logo or signature will go a long way when you're trying to get your work cycled through social media.

Also! I've seen this more so lately of a lot of BJD artists making little add ons or accessories that are easy to make and easy to sell to better get their name going. A lot of doll collectors, even non-BJD collectors, are always looking for unique and cute accessories, especially if they're on the cheaper side and therefore more accessible. This will help your name spread between different communities which can really help with getting more engagement!

 

I totally second this!