Selling coloring books on KDP is a great way to generate passive income. KDP allows you to easily publish and sell your book on one of the world’s largest online marketplaces. Once you’ve created your book, and set up your KDP account, it will be available for purchase by millions of customers worldwide. Because your book is available for purchase 24/7, you have the potential to make sales and earn royalties while you sleep! 

Coloring books on KDP have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and it’s no surprise why. Not only are they a fun and low-cost activity, but they have also been shown to have stress-relieving benefits. Coloring is a form of mindfulness, as it requires focus and attention in the present moment. As a result, coloring can help to clear the mind and bring a sense of calm. And with today’s ever-increasing demands, it’s the perfect activity for someone looking to relax after a hectic day’s work.

When Covid hit, more and more people realized the importance of their mental health and the need to have interests that help them slow down a bit. Parents also were able to slow down and spend more time with their kids. They got to see firsthand how beneficial coloring can be for children as well. It can improve a child’s fine motor skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and encourage creativity. During the first few lockdowns, coloring book sales experienced a huge surge. But with the restrictions of Covid easing up and people returning to the office, are coloring books still profitable?

CAN YOU STILL MAKE MONEY SELLING COLORING BOOKS IN 2024? 

In short, yes! Coloring books on KDP are still a popular seller for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, coloring books are a relatively low-cost item that can provide hours of entertainment. They are an easy and affordable option for people looking for activities to do at home. And due to the increase in independent publishers (like yourself), there such a wide variety of options to choose from. Outdoor activities, pets, mindfulness, historical figures, or vampire zombies.

Lastly, the ease of purchasing online through platforms like Amazon has made coloring books even more accessible. With just a few clicks, customers can have a coloring book delivered directly to their door. So yeah, coloring books can definitely still be a great way to earn passive income.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU MAKE SELLING COLORING BOOKS ON KDP? 

Let’s take a look at a few coloring books: 

To determine how much someone earned from a book, we need to look at the Best-Sellers Rank (BSR). The lower the number, the more profitable the book. Keyword tools like Publisher Rocket and Book Beam allow you to spy on your competition and see their BSR.

Once you have the BSR, we can use a free KDP BSR Sales Calculator to estimate how profitable a book is. You simply enter the BSR number and choose the country you’d like the data for (I usually keep it on US).

There are two types of royalties on KDP – 60% is the standard royalty (if someone purchases directly from Amazon- most common) or 40% for expanded distribution (if a third party purchases the book to sell- think drop shipping or big box stores like Walmart). As most sales come straight from Amazon, it’s very likely this person received the 60% royalty for the 1,419 books they sold. So this 66-page book has made the creator approximately $5,500 in two months. Not bad for one book! Let’s take a look at another example. 

This book sells roughly 60 copies each day. And it will almost certainly continue to sell considering it’s positive reviews; resulting in a great stream of passive income for the author. The two examples above are for children’s books. Let’s have a look at a book geared towards adults now. 

HAVING THE RIGHT MINDSET 

Now with any business, it’s important to go into it with realistic expectations. If you are looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, Amazon KDP is not for you. It takes time and effort to build your KDP business. Note that I used the word business here. Having the mindset that this is a small business will help keep things in perspective. In general, it takes 3-4 years for a brick-and-mortar business to be profitable because of their high start-up costs. Fortunately, with a KDP business, you can be profitable much sooner… but it still may take some time. And just like with any other business, you may have some start-up costs, though this online business does have far less upfront costs (and you can even get started for free). 

CONCLUSION 

In conclusion, selling coloring books on KDP continues to be a profitable venture in 2024. The popularity of coloring books, combined with their affordability and stress-relieving benefits, has led to a sustained demand in the market. The accessibility of online platforms like Amazon has made it easier than ever for customers to purchase coloring books, contributing to their ongoing success.

With the right niche, independent authors can generate substantial passive income within a short period. The sales of these books indicate that with proper research, competitor analysis, and effective promotion, it is possible to earn thousands of dollars each month.

However, it is important to approach KDP coloring book publishing with a realistic mindset. Building a successful KDP business takes time, effort, and a long-term perspective. Treating it as a small business venture allows authors to understand that profitability may not come overnight but with persistence and dedication, you will get there!

Conducting thorough niche and keyword research is crucial. Tools like Publisher Rocket and Book Beam can help target specific audiences and set you apart from your competitors. The use of AI tools like Midjourney simplifies the creation of unlimited coloring pages, while Canva aids in formatting the interior and designing attractive covers.

With the right strategies and tools at your disposal, selling coloring books on KDP remains a viable and potentially lucrative source of passive income. So, if you have a passion for creativity, enjoy the process of designing coloring pages, and are willing to invest the necessary time and effort, now is a great time to dive into the world of KDP coloring book publishing.

Passive Income: I SOLD COLORING BOOKS on Amazon KDP, here’s how!