How to Create Your Own Productivity Planner to Sell
From the very early stages of High Flying Design, I understood the value of reinvesting revenue back into the business.
My first real investment back into the business (aside from hiring an incredible accountant) was to create a product that would help me and my dream clients stay organized: an undated productivity planner, which is shown below.
I created the planner as a way to raise extra funds for Kurandza's annual #IStandForGirls campaign. To ensure that the planner was a financially responsible investment, I split the profits between High Flying Design and Kurandza.
Two years have passed, and I have completely sold out of the planner, leading me to decide to discontinue it (for now — check the footer for any updates).
However, since I have received numerous inquiries about how I developed a productivity planner with a variety of differently designed pages, I thought it was about time to share my process with all of you. So, shall we get into it?
Define your Target Audience
Consider factors such as your ideal customer’s age, profession, interests, and any specific needs or preferences they might have regarding planners. If you are already in business, my assumption is that you will be creating a planner for your current clients.
Undertake Market Research
Explore the planner market to understand the types of planners currently available to your target audience. Look at the popular features such as monthly, weekly, or daily spreads, and identify what potential customers are seeking. This research will assist you in identifying any gaps or opportunities in the market.
If, during this step, you discover that there isn't a significant need for your planned type of planner, it's essential to reconsider your business decision. Perhaps there's an alternative product you can create that would better serve your target audience. Conducting thorough market research will provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions regarding your product offerings.
Create a unique value proposition
Brainstorm how you can differentiate your planners by offering something unique or addressing a specific need. This could include innovative features, appealing designs, or specialized content tailored to your target audience.
Develop a business plan
Outline your business goals, strategies, and financial projections. Determine how you will manufacture or source the planners, establish pricing, plan for marketing and distribution, and manage your finances.
Design your planner
Work on creating attractive and functional planner designs that align with your target audience's preferences. Consider collaborating with designers or graphic artists if needed.
If you don't have the budget to invest in a graphic designer from the beginning, a great option is to buy a planner template design on Creative Market with a license that allows you to resell the design to your own customers. Planner templates are usually created on Canva, so you can use the template as a foundation to bring your vision for the interior to life. This trial-and-error process may take time, but it is worthwhile because, with a planner, it's truly what's inside that counts.
When creating your planner, please note that when you send it to the printers, you will need to send two separate PDFs. The first PDF will feature your front and back cover, and the second will feature your interior pages.
Get your planner printed
Find reliable suppliers or manufacturers to produce your planners. To find a supplier, research into local printers. While you may get many rejections based on what you need (quantity and quality wise), eventually someone will say yes. Before getting your planner printed, always get a test print to make sure everything has been triple checked to prevent any avoidable errors.
Launch and promote your planner
While you’re waiting for your planners to arrive, plan a launch strategy to generate excitement and awareness about your planners. Utilize your online presence, social media platforms, and any other relevant marketing channels to promote your products. Consider offering special discounts or incentives to encourage early purchases (i.e. discounts on group orders).
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