There is currently a developing trend of starting your own planner business, driven by the increasing popularity of planners. Aspiring entrepreneurs are finding success by having a clear vision, solid business planning, and market readiness to create a successful planner business tailored to particular niches.
Let’s get started by first going through what a planner business is and why it’s relevant today.
What Is a Planner Business?
A planner business is about creating and selling planners, which are products that help people manage their time, goals, tasks, and daily activities.
These can come in different formats: physical paper planners, digital planners and even customizable planners for certain needs (e.g. fitness planners, academic planners, wedding planners, business planners designed for entrepreneurs, etc.)
In a planner business, you can sell:
- Physical planners: Paper-based planners, daily, weekly, or monthly formats, goal-setting sections, habit trackers, and budget sheets, etc.
- Digital planners: Software or app-based tools for users who prefer digital organization. These planners can be downloadable files, interactive PDFs, or be used within apps.
- Customizable planners: Personalized or specialty planners for entrepreneurs, students, fitness enthusiasts etc.
Why Start a Planner Business Today?
1. Growing Demand for Productivity Tools
The demand for tools that improve productivity and organization has increased with the rise of remote work, side hustles, and people wanting to optimize their time.
A productivity planner is designed to build on personal efficiency and task completion by helping you to prioritize tasks. This method incorporates a process like the Pomodoro technique, which is a method of managing time by working for 25 minutes, resting for 5, and repeating the cycle throughout the working day.
With so many distractions and responsibilities in modern life, planners help people stay focused and organized, making them an indispensable tool for personal and professional reach.
2. It’s a Huge Market
The planner industry has gone beyond simple desk calendars and daily agendas. Consumers are looking for unique, stylish, and functional planners that meet their individual needs.
Whether it’s a minimalist design, an eco-friendly choice or something that aligns with a set lifestyle (e.g. wellness, fitness, or mindfulness), there’s a slot for every audience. A weekly planner, as a specialized tool, is designed to amplify productivity and goal achievement by integrating habit challenges, monthly reviews, and precise frameworks tailored for users.
3. Low Initial Investment
Starting a planner business requires a relatively low initial investment compared to other businesses.
Now, suppose you’re producing physical planners or creating digital designs. In that case, many of the tools and resources needed (design software, website hosting, and print-on-demand services) are still affordable or can be increased as demand enlarges.
However, having a solid business plan is a deciding factor in guiding the business and achieving long-term success.
4. Personalization & Customization
Today’s consumers value personalization. Many planner businesses succeed by offering customizable products—whether that’s adding names, colors, or planning tools. Considering various design elements in planner design, such as page layouts, covers, and color schemes, is paramount in meeting the needs of the target market.
The ability to customize planners can attract a loyal customer base looking for a unique product that suits their needs.
5. Wellness & Organization Trends
In an era of awareness about mental health, wellness, and personal development, planners are seen as more than just scheduling tools.
They are a way to set goals, track progress, and polish self-care habits. Planners with wellness components like gratitude sections, mood trackers, and habit logs have seen a huge surge in popularity.
How to Start a Planner Business in 5 Easy Steps
1. Choose Your Planner Niche & Target Audience
The first thing to consider when starting a planner business is to choose a forte. That’s important because it helps you target an audience and makes your marketing efforts more powerful.
A field can be based on a target group (students, busy professionals, or fitness enthusiasts) or a style (minimalist, luxury, or eco-friendly). If you are passionate about planners, now is the perfect time to take the leap and turn that passion into your own business. Here are a few ideas:
- General organizers: Everyday planners.
- Fitness planners: To track workouts, meals, and wellness goals.
- Academic planners: For students to organize class schedules, assignments, and deadlines.
- Wedding planners: A specific planner for brides and event planners to organize the big day.
- Digital planners: For those who prefer to organize everything digitally with apps and tablets.
Tip: When choosing your area of interest, think about what you’re curious about or what solves a real problem for your audience. Passion and authenticity can make your business stand out!
2. Design Your Planner
Once you’ve chosen your strong suit, it’s time to design your planner. If you’re offering physical planners, you’ll need to decide on the layout, style, and overall look. When printing your own planners, it’s crucial to ensure high-quality results by considering the type of printer and essential materials needed.
For digital planners, you’ll want to focus on functionality and make sure they’re easy to use on devices like tablets or phones.
For physical planners:
- Layout: Do you want daily, weekly, or monthly layouts? You could also offer a combination depending on your audience’s needs.
- Size & format: What size (pocket-sized, A4, or A5) and will it be spiral bound, hardcover, or softcover?
- Design elements: Add creative touches like colorful sections, motivational quotes, stickers, or habit trackers. The best idea is to make your planner look good but also functional.
- Eco-friendly options: As sustainability becomes more important, using recycled paper or plant-based ink could attract eco-conscious buyers.
For digital planners:
- Interactivity: Make sure your digital planner is interactive, meaning users can click through daily schedules, to-do lists, and goal-setting areas.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Make sure your digital planner works on multiple devices (phones, tablets, and desktops). PDFs and apps can also work well.
- Customizable features: If possible, allow users to customize their digital planners by adding colors, fonts, or themes.
Tip: If you’re not a designer, consider hiring a freelance graphic designer or using an online logo maker and business card maker tool like LogoMaker or Canva to create your planner layouts. There are also print-on-demand services that handle design and production for you!
3. Source Your Materials & Production Costs Method
Now that you have your design ready, you need to figure out how to produce your planners. There are a few possibilities depending on if you’re selling physical or digital planners.
Additionally, having a business license is a high priority for managing your business finances and opening a business bank account.
Physical planners:
- Print-on-demand (POD) services: POD allows you to create planners without having to buy in bulk upfront.
- Bulk production: If you want to handle the production yourself, you can work with a manufacturer who will produce your planners in bulk. Keep in mind this requires a higher upfront investment but could be more cost-effective in the long run.
- Materials: For physical planners, consider the paper quality, cover durability, and binding type. These elements can really impact customer satisfaction and product life.
Digital planners:
- Design files: If you’re creating digital planners, you’ll need to package your designs as downloadable files (PDFs or apps). You can sell your digital files on Etsy.
- App development: If you want to create an app-based digital planner, you may need to partner with an app developer to create a custom solution for your business. There are also platforms that allow you to build your own planner app with no coding experience, like Notion or Goodnotes.
Tip: Start small! If you’re unsure about production, start with a small batch or digital version and see how it goes. You can always scale up later.
4. Build Your Brand & Website
Your brand is key to your success, so make sure it reflects your knowledge base and resonates with your target audience. Here’s how to get started:
- Brand name & logo: Choose a name that’s catchy, memorable, and relevant to the topic. Create a logo that matches your planner’s design.
- Branding elements: Consider colors, fonts, and tone of voice that match your business. If you’re targeting professionals, you might go for sleek and minimalistic branding. For a more playful audience, you can go bold and bright.
- Website: Build a website where customers can browse and buy your planners. LogoMaker offers eCommerce routes via its Website Builder for businesses even if you have no technical experience.
- Social media presence: Use social media (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook) to build brand awareness and engage with your audience. Visual platforms like Instagram are perfect for showcasing your planner designs. Social media platforms like Instagram and Etsy can successfully facilitate sales and broaden your market reach.
Tip: Create content that adds value. You can share planning tips, time management hacks, or productivity challenges to build a loyal community around your brand.
5. Market Your Planner Business on Social Media Platforms
Now that you have your planners and brand ready, it’s time to get the word out! Here are some marketing strategies to get your business in front of customers:
- Influencer collaborations: Partner with influencers or bloggers in your chosen area to review or feature your planners. This will help build your credibility and help you reach a wider audience. Party planners can also be valuable collaborators, as they often use tools like checklists and organizational materials that can enhance the event planning experience.
- Content marketing: Start a blog or YouTube channel and offer productivity and organizational tips. This will position you as an expert in the space and drive traffic to your website.
- Email marketing: Build an email list by offering a freebie like a downloadable planner or checklist for free in exchange for email sign-ups. This gives you a direct line to your audience for promotions and product launches.
- Paid ads: If you have a budget, invest in Facebook or Instagram ads to target your ideal customer. Make sure your ads are visually appealing and showcase the benefits of your planners.
Tip: Word of mouth is powerful! Ask customers to share photos of how they use your planners on social media and offer them incentives (discounts or freebies) for doing so.
Final Thoughts
Now’s the time to start your planner business and get in on the flourishing trend of people wanting to get their lives organized and productive. The increasing popularity of planners has led to a significant trend of starting your own planner business. We recommend choosing an area of interest to you, designing thoughtful products, plus building your brand and marketing, so you can have a planner business that will speak to your customers.
So go forth, start small, test and extend as you go and most importantly, have fun! Helping others get their lives organized while achieving their goals is the best job ever!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a planner business profitable?
Yes! A planner business can be profitable if you target a domain of interest and offer high-quality, unique products. With thriving demand for productivity tools and low startup costs (especially with print-on-demand), the potential is high. Profitability depends on marketing, product quality, and catering to your target market.
How do I create my own planner to sell?
Start by deciding on the format (digital or physical) and type (daily, weekly, etc.). Choose a topic (fitness, academic, wellness) and use design software (Canva, Illustrator, InDesign) to create your layout. Then, find a manufacturer or print-on-demand service. For digital planners, ensure they’re interactive and easy to use.
How do I start my planner business?
Identify your target area, design your planner, and choose a production method (print-on-demand or bulk). Create a brand, design a logo, and set up a website. Develop a marketing strategy with social media, email campaigns, and influencer partnerships to reach your audience. Starting your own planner business is an increasing trend and highly relevant in today’s market due to the increasing popularity of planners.
How to create a planner?
Research planner types and features. Decide what problem your planner solves (productivity, time management, habits). Design the layout with sections like goal-setting, notes, and trackers. Then, choose print-on-demand or bulk production for physical planners.
What is a business planner?
A business planner helps entrepreneurs organize activities, set goals, track progress, and manage projects. It includes sections like business goals, budgets, to-do lists, and marketing strategies aimed at streamlining operations and achieving objectives.
Can I create a planner and sell it?
Yes! As long as your design is original or customized, you can create and sell planners. Use print-on-demand services for physical planners or sell digital planners on platforms like Etsy, your website, or social media.
How much does it cost to produce planners?
Costs vary based on type (physical or digital), production method, materials, and design. Print-on-demand planners typically cost $5—$15 each, depending on size and quality. Bulk production offers lower costs per unit but requires upfront investment. Digital planners have minimal production costs beyond design software and platform fees.
How do I market my planner business?
Market by understanding your target audience and using platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Create value-driven content (productivity tips and organization challenges) while collaborating with influencers. Use email marketing to engage customers and encourage repeat sales.
How long will it take?
It depends on product complexity and production method. Digital planners can be ready in a few weeks. Physical planners, especially with custom designs and bulk production, may take several months due to design, production, and shipping.
