Most print-on-demand platforms keep us in the dark when it comes to what’s actually selling. That makes it hard to know what kind of art to make, where to focus your time, or how to build a successful shop. But there’s one platform that’s doing things differently—and it’s changing the game for artists and designers.
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This post is part of my Art Biz Unfiltered Podcast series, where we dive into real, no-fluff insights on selling art, growing your brand, and building a thriving creative business.
Why Guessing Doesn’t Work
Most platforms don’t show us what’s selling. We’re left piecing things together—relying on “likes,” vague best-seller tags, or email features. It’s frustrating. Without real sales data, we’re guessing, wasting time, and hoping for the best.
And that guessing game leads to burnout fast.
You don’t need more hustle. You need clarity. You need to know what people are actually looking for—before you spend hours creating, formatting, and uploading your designs.
How Amazon’s BSR Changes the Game: Unlike most POD platforms, Amazon actually shares real-time data. You can view a book’s Best Seller Rank (BSR) and category placements to uncover what topics are trending.
Better yet, with tools like BookBeam or Titan QuickView, you can estimate a book’s monthly income—before you even make yours. That means:
- You can stop guessing and start validating your ideas.
- You can design art for searchable niches, not just what’s popular on Instagram.
- You can see the opportunity before investing time and energy.
That’s how I chose the theme for my children’s book—and why I believe more artists should be using BSR to guide their creative decisions.
Design with a Purpose: Before you sketch anything, ask yourself:
- What topics are people actively searching for?
- Are there underserved niches that need more beautiful, artistic books?
- Could your style help fill a visual gap in those categories?
It’s not about copying bestsellers—it’s about showing up where people are already looking and creating something only you can make.
The Self-Publishing Shortcut for Artists: Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of publishing? Here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t need a degree, a huge audience, or a 12-month plan to publish a book. Whether it’s an adult coloring book, a drawing guide, or a picture book, you can start simple and scale up.
It’s all about using the data to make smart, creative choices that serve your art and your business.
Take the Next Step
Finishing and sharing your work consistently is what builds momentum in your creative business. Each time you create for a proven niche, you gain confidence, clarity, and real traction.
Grab my FREE Starter Pack with 75+ trending book ideas and 3 unlocked video lessons from The Self-Published Artist course in The Studio to dip your toe in. Join The Studio to watch the full class and explore dozens of resources made for artists like you.
Self-Published Artist Starter Pack
- If you’re curious about making a book, don’t let the idea of “being an author” hold you back.
- I made you a list of 75+ trending book topics for you.
