How to Get Started with Creating Digital Planners

Creating digital planners is a fantastic way to combine creativity with functionality, offering users a practical tool to organise their lives while allowing creators to express their design skills. This detailed guide will walk you through the essentials of creating digital planners, from the initial concept to selling your finished product.

Understanding Digital Planners

Digital planners are electronic versions of traditional paper planners. They can be used on various digital devices such as tablets, smartphones, and computers, often through applications like GoodNotes, Notability, or PDF readers. They offer the convenience of digital functionality, including hyperlinks, fillable fields, and interactive elements, which make them more versatile than their paper counterparts.

1. Define Your Purpose and Audience

Before you start designing, it’s crucial to identify your target audience and the purpose of your digital planner. Consider the following questions:

• Who will be using your planner? (e.g., students, professionals, entrepreneurs, parents)
• What specific needs will your planner address? (e.g., time management, project planning, fitness tracking)

Understanding your audience and their needs will guide your design process and ensure that your planner is practical and appealing.

Step 2. Plan Your Content

Content planning involves deciding what sections and features your planner will include. Common sections in digital planners include:

• Monthly and weekly calendars
• Daily schedules
• To-do lists
• Goal-setting pages
• Habit trackers
• Budget planners

Brainstorm additional sections that might be useful for your target audience. For example, a student planner might include study schedules and assignment trackers, while a fitness planner could feature workout logs and meal plans.

Choose Your Tools

Creating digital planners requires a few essential tools. Here are some popular options:

1. Design Software:
   • Adobe InDesign: A professional tool with extensive design capabilities, perfect for creating detailed layouts.
   • Canva: User-friendly and accessible, ideal for beginners. It offers a variety of templates and design elements.
   • Affinity Publisher: A cost-effective alternative to InDesign with similar features.
2. Drawing Apps (for adding handwritten elements):
   • Procreate: Great for drawing and adding custom illustrations.
   • GoodNotes: Allows you to create and test your digital planner directly.
3. PDF Editor:
   • Adobe Acrobat: Essential for adding interactive elements like hyperlinks and fillable fields.

4. Design Your Layout

Start by sketching your layout on paper or using a digital sketching tool. This helps visualise the overall design and structure of your planner. Consider the following tips for an effective layout:

• Consistency: Maintain consistent fonts, colours, and styles throughout your planner to create a cohesive look.
• Spacing: Ensure enough spacing between elements to avoid clutter.
• Navigation: Incorporate tabs or hyperlinks for easy navigation between sections.

Once you have a clear layout, begin designing your planner using your chosen design software. Pay attention to details like font readability, color contrast, and overall aesthetics.

5. Add Interactive Elements

One of the main advantages of digital planners is their interactivity. Here’s how to add some interactive features:

1. Hyperlinks: Create clickable links to navigate between different sections. In Adobe Acrobat, use the “Link” tool to add hyperlinks to your PDF.
2. Fillable Fields: Allow users to input text directly into the planner. In Adobe Acrobat, use the “Prepare Form” tool to create fillable fields.
3. Clickable Tabs: Design tabs that users can click on to jump to specific sections. Ensure these tabs are visible and easily accessible.

6. Test Your Planner

Testing is a crucial step to ensure your planner functions correctly and provides a smooth user experience. Test your planner on various devices and applications to check for compatibility and ease of use. Pay attention to:

• Hyperlinks: Ensure all links work and lead to the correct sections.
• Fillable Fields: Test each field to ensure users can input text.
• Navigation: Verify that navigation is intuitive and efficient.

Seek feedback from potential users to identify any areas for improvement.

7. Export and Package Your Planner

Once you’ve tested and refined your planner, it’s time to export and package it for sale. Export your design as a PDF file, ensuring that all interactive elements are preserved. Here are some tips for exporting:

• File Size: Optimise your PDF to keep the file size manageable for easy download and use.
• Quality: Maintain high resolution for clear and crisp text and images.

Consider creating a demo version or preview to showcase your planner to potential buyers.

8. Choose a Platform to Sell Your Planner

There are various platforms where you can sell your digital planner:

• Etsy: A popular marketplace for digital products with a large customer base.
• Your Website: Selling directly through your website using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce allows more control over your sales and branding.
• Social Media: Utilise platforms like Instagram or Facebook to promote and sell your planner.

Each platform has its pros and cons, so choose one that aligns with your business goals and target audience.

9. Market Your Planner

Effective marketing is key to reaching your audience and driving sales. Here are some marketing strategies:

1. Social Media Marketing: Share visually appealing posts and stories on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Use relevant hashtags and collaborate with influencers.
2. Content Marketing: Write blog posts, create videos, or offer free resources related to planning and organisation to attract potential customers.
3. Email Marketing: Build an email list and send newsletters featuring your planner, special offers, and updates.
4. SEO: Optimise your product listings and website content with relevant keywords to improve search engine visibility.

10. Provide Excellent Customer Service

Ensure a positive experience for your customers by offering excellent customer service. Respond promptly to inquiries, provide clear instructions for using the planner, and handle any issues or complaints professionally. Happy customers are more likely to leave positive reviews and recommend your planner to others.

Creating and selling digital planners can be a rewarding side hustle that combines creativity with practicality. By following these steps, you can develop a high-quality digital planner that meets the needs of your target audience and stands out in the market. Remember, continuous improvement and adaptation to customer feedback are key to long-term success in this endeavour.