How to make and sell digital planners on Etsy

Starting from scratch

Starting a digital planner from scratch gives you the freedom to customize every detail. First, choose the right software. If you’re passionate about design, you might opt for advanced tools like Adobe Illustrator or Procreate. But if you’re just starting out, simpler tools like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides work well. 

Once you’ve chosen your tool, begin with a basic layout. Decide if you want daily, weekly, or monthly views, and think about including sections for goals, to-do lists, and notes. To make it user-friendly in a digital format, consider adding hyperlinks between sections. For example, a table of contents could link to different months. 

A crucial step in design is aesthetics. Stick to a consistent color theme and font style, and consider adding decorative touches, like stickers or doodles.

Using templates

If starting from scratch feels daunting, there’s a simpler route: using digital planner templates. Canva, for instance, is a versatile tool with an array of planner templates, graphics, and images. All it requires is an account and you can customize the template’s colors, fonts, and interactive elements. 

Another is Planify, a platform specifically designed for creating digital planners. It offers specialized templates to speed up the design process. Alternatively, you could explore Creative Market and Etsy. 

Both platforms feature independent designers who sell unique planner templates. Though they often come at a price, their distinct designs might be exactly the look you’re looking for.

Final touches

After finalizing your design, it’s vital to make sure that all interactive elements function correctly. Double-check hyperlinks and other features to guarantee a smooth user experience. Once you’re confident in your digital planner design, it’s time to save it and share it. 

The best way is by exporting your planner as a PDF. This format keeps all interactive features intact and is compatible with most devices and digital note-taking apps.

Research the market

Before diving in, it’s essential to have a pulse on the current digital planner market trends. 

• Etsy Search – Simply using the Etsy quick search bar can reveal top-selling products and current trends.
• Use tools – Platforms like eRank or Marmalead provide insights into popular keywords, competitor data, and pricing strategies.
• Check reviews –Etsy makes it easy to look at customer reviews on similar products to understand what buyers love and what they believe is lacking. 

Decide what types of planners to sell

Planners are more than just calendars to jot down appointments or tasks, they can reflect individual preferences, lifestyles, and work habits. It’s crucial to understand the needs and preferences of your prospective customers.

Find your niche

Finding a niche is critical to establishing and growing a successful business. Read our comprehensive blog post about niches and learn how to find yours. 

Why is it important to find your niche? 

1. Focused target audience. By targeting a specific niche, businesses can cater to the unique needs and preferences of a defined group.
2. Reduced competition. By focusing on a niche, you face fewer competitors, making it easier to establish your brand.
3. Build expertise. Specializing in a particular area promotes businesses to become experts in that field. This expertise can lead to increased trust and credibility among customers.
4. Efficient marketing. With a clear understanding of your niche audience, marketing efforts can be more precisely tailored to their preferences.
5. Higher profit margins. Customers are usually willing to pay more for specialized products tailored to their unique needs.
6. Innovative opportunities. Operating within a niche often leads to recognizing unmet needs or areas for improvement, spurring innovation.
7. Personal satisfaction. For many creative souls, working within a niche they’re passionate about brings greater job satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

So, with this information in mind, you can design specific digital planners.

• Daily/weekly/monthly planners. These are essentials and cater to a broad audience.
• Journaling pages. For those who like introspection and expressing themselves.
• Meal planners. Catering to health-conscious individuals or those looking to diet.
• Study planners. Perfect for students at various academic levels.
• Fitness planners. Fitness enthusiasts can track their workouts and progress.

Beyond these functional niches, there’s ample room for creativity in the design aspect of digital planners. Themes, aesthetics, color palettes, and cultural or regional designs make your planners stand out in the marketplace.

• Minimalist design. Clean lines, neutral colors, and a clutter-free layout.
• Boho chic. Incorporating patterns like mandalas, earth tones, and bohemian motifs.
• Vintage vibes. Elements from the 50s, 60s, or 70s, using vintage fonts and faded color palettes.
• Nature and florals. Designs infused with botanical drawings, floral patterns, or nature-inspired backgrounds.
• Nautical and beachy. Themes feature seashells, anchors, waves, and tropical colors.
• Galactic themes. Digital planners with dark backgrounds with stars, planets, and nebula patterns.

Create your digital planner designs

Crafting an impressive digital planner involves much more than merely laying out pages. It’s about understanding user behavior and optimizing functionality, while keeping aesthetics in mind. 

Below is a compilation of design tips and resources to get you started on creating an outstanding digital planner.

Create an Etsy shop

By setting up a storefront on Etsy, you’re positioning yourself in a crowded market where millions of people frequently shop for unique items. But how do you start? Don’t fret; we’ve got you covered. 

1. Sign up. Create an account on Etsy.
2. Shop preferences. Set the language, country, and currency preferences.
3. Pick a shop name. Make sure it’s unique and reflects your brand.
4. Stock up. Add the products you want to sell.
5. Payment methods. Set up how you’ll get paid.
6. Set billing. Decide on payment methods for Etsy fees.

Dive deep into this comprehensive guide on how to start an Etsy shop that lays out each step in detail. And if you’re more of a visual learner, check out this clip and other video tutorials in the playlist.

Set up your digital planner listings

Before you start to sell digital planners on Etsy, you need more than a stellar product. You also need to make sure your listing grabs attention. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a listing;

1. Go to your Etsy shop and click on the Shop Manager button.
2. Go to Listings and then click Add a Listing.
3. Select Digital files as the product type.
4. Give your product clear and concise titles and descriptions that accurately describe it.
5. Upload product files.
6. Set a price that is in line with similar products on Etsy.
7. Add tags to help people find your product.

Preview your listing and click Publish.

Market your listings

The Etsy marketplace is vast, so standing out demands both organic and paid strategies. 

• Use effective Etsy SEO. Etsy SEO (search engine optimization) enhances your listings so that they appear higher in search results. As mentioned above, use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions, and high-quality images.
• Run paid ads. Paid ads are a great way to reach more people and drive traffic to your listings. You can run paid ads for planners on Etsy and other platforms such as Google and Facebook.
• Use social media. Platforms like Pinterest are golden for Etsy sellers. Create pin-worthy images of your planners and use promoted pins to reach a broader audience.

Additionally, consider running ads on Instagram and Facebook, especially if you’ve grown an audience there.

• Offer discounts and promotions. Offer discounts on your digital planner listings, or run contests and giveaways.

Create a Printify account

First, sign up for Printify. It’s fast and free. You only need a valid email address and password. Add your payment information where you’ll receive money from your sales.

Pick and design a product

From our Catalog, select products you want to design and sell. This will take you to the Product Creator (formerly Mockup Generator), where you can start creating goodies for your online business.

Connect and publish to Etsy

Thanks to our easy Integrations, connecting to Etsy and listing your products takes just minutes – create descriptions, set prices, and you’re good to go.

Start selling

Now you’re an official Etsy seller! All you need to do is market your designs to your desired audience.