Lessons Learned on My Amber Moon Books Journey
Creating and growing Amber Moon Books has been a journey filled with discoveries, challenges, and valuable lessons. As I continue down this path, I want to share some key insights I’ve gained so far.
Art & Mediums Matter
One of my biggest artistic discoveries is that oil pastels are very different from soft pastels. Soft pastels blend much better, making them my preferred choice for certain coloring techniques. Over time, I’ve accumulated a variety of mediums, and I’ve learned that different tools work best for different effects.
For instance:
- Soft pastels and watercolors are my go-to for skin tones and skies since they blend smoothly without streaks.
- Colored pencils are best for fine details.
- Alcohol markers work well with specific coloring book styles, such as the Coco Wyo books.
I also used to spend a lot of time figuring out which colors go well together, but I’ve since discovered that programs like Publisher have built-in color schemes that are professionally matched. Now, I simply select a scheme and go with it!
One tool I’m especially glad I invested in is my Prismacolor sharpener. I never thought a sharpener could make such a difference, but it really does. Sometimes, spending a little more on quality tools is absolutely worth it.
Creating vs. Marketing
I’ve realized that making a coloring book is much easier than marketing a coloring book. The real challenge is getting it into people’s hands. Unlike storybooks, which can be turned into e-books or audiobooks, coloring books primarily exist in physical form, limiting the ways they can be sold. This makes marketing even more critical.
I’ve also noticed that my favorite social media posts aren’t always the ones that get the most engagement. Instead, short coloring reels or videos tend to attract more followers. Blogs, like this one, help drive people to my website, which is another important aspect of building my audience.
Consistency is Key
If there’s one golden rule I’ve learned, it’s that consistency is everything. Success doesn’t come from one viral post or one well-placed ad—it comes from showing up, trying new things, and keeping at it. My processes, to-do lists, and artistic styles have evolved over time, and that’s okay! You have to try things to see if they work.
Selling Books – In Person vs. Online
So far, my books sell much better in person than online. That means I need to make a greater effort to attend more craft fairs and coloring events where people can see and interact with my books directly. Having that face-to-face connection with potential buyers makes a huge difference.
Learning & Growing
There’s a lot of software to master in this business, and I’ve touched on some of the key programs I use in previous blog posts. As I continue learning, I find it’s helpful to emulate those who are already succeeding in this field—tagging and learning from the best can provide incredible insights.
Final Thoughts
This journey has been full of surprises, and I know there’s still so much more to learn. Whether it’s discovering the right artistic medium, fine-tuning my marketing strategy, or getting my books into more hands, every step is a valuable part of the process.
To anyone else on a creative business journey: keep experimenting, keep evolving, and most importantly, keep going!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our creative endeavors!
