Are you looking for a new way to make some extra income from the comfort of your own home? Have you considered creating and selling digital planners on Etsy? Digital planners have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people are turning to digital solutions for their organizational needs.

The great thing about creating a digital planner is that you don’t need to have any design background or artistic skills. With the right tools and some basic knowledge of how to use them, anyone can create a beautiful and functional digital planner. Plus, once you’ve created your planner, you can sell it an unlimited number of times, making it a great passive income stream. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to create and sell your own digital planner on Etsy, from choosing your tools to designing your layouts and marketing your product.

1. Planning Your Digital Planner

Planning your digital planner is the first and most important step to creating a successful product. Your digital planner should be cohesive, organized, and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some tips to consider when planning:

2. Choose a Theme and Color Scheme

Choose a theme and color scheme for your planner. Are you creating a planner for students? Business professionals? Consider the needs and preferences of your target audience. Your theme and color scheme should be reflected throughout your planner to create a polished, professional look.

3. Decide on the Layout

The layout of your digital planner is important for usability. Will you be using a daily, weekly, or monthly layout? Decide on the format that works best for your target audience and make sure it is consistent throughout.

4. Determine the Features

What features will your digital planner have? Will it include tabs, bookmarks, stickers, or a habit tracker? Determine which features are most important for your target audience and make sure they are implemented seamlessly.

5. Create a Template

Creating a template for your digital planner will save you time and ensure consistency throughout your product. Begin by creating a basic layout and then add your theme, color scheme, and features.

6. Consider the User Experience

The user experience is crucial to the success of your digital planner. Make sure your planner is easy to navigate, intuitive to use, and visually appealing.

7. Test and Revise

Before selling your digital planner on Etsy, test and revise it thoroughly. Have friends or family members test it out and provide feedback. Make any necessary revisions to improve the user experience.

8. Convert Your Planner to PDF Format

Convert your digital planner to a PDF format to ensure compatibility with any device. This will allow users to easily download, print, and use your planner.

9. Upload to Etsy

Once your digital planner is fully functional and polished, it’s time to upload it to Etsy. Make sure to provide a clear description of your product, its features, and how it can benefit your target audience.

10. Promote Your Digital Planner

Promote your digital planner on social media and other online platforms. Encourage customers to leave reviews and testimonials to increase your product’s visibility and credibility. The key to success on Etsy is to continue evolving and improving your product to meet the needs and preferences of your customers.

Materials and Tools Needed to Create a Digital Planner on Etsy

Creating a digital planner on Etsy is a fun and creative project that requires minimal materials and tools. Here is a list of essential items that you need to create your digital planner:

A Computer or Laptop

A computer or laptop is the most important tool you’ll need to create a digital planner. You’ll need a reliable machine that can handle various software programs used in digital planning such as Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or Procreate.

Digital Planning Software

You’ll need digital planning software that will enable you to create a digital planner from scratch. You can choose from a variety of software that is free or paid, depending on your budget and preference.

A Graphic Tablet

If you’re planning to design your digital planner from scratch, a graphic tablet can come in handy. It enables you to draw or write on the computer or laptop with a stylus pen, just like you would on a piece of paper.

A Scanner

If you prefer using paper planners, you can opt to scan them to make them digital. You’ll need a reliable scanner to scan each page of your paper planner and save it as a digital file.

A Cloud Storage Service

You’ll need to store your digital planner files somewhere safe and accessible. A cloud storage service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud can come in handy. Most of these services offer free storage space, while others require you to pay for more storage.

Fonts and Graphic Elements

To make your planner stand out, you’ll need to use fonts and graphic elements that complement your design. You can download free or paid fonts and graphics from various websites such as Creative Market, Font Bundles, and Envato Elements.

A Planner Template

You can save time and effort by using a planner template. A template can give you an idea of how to structure and design your planner pages, and it will save you the hassle of starting from scratch.

A Printer

If you prefer a printed version of your planner, you’ll need a printer. Ensure that you use a printer with high-quality ink and paper that will produce a clear and crisp printout.

Marketing Tools

Finally, you’ll need marketing tools such as social media platforms, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and product description optimization to promote and sell your digital planner on Etsy.

A Creative Mind

A digital planner is a creative project that requires your creativity and unique style. You need to be imaginative, innovative, and willing to experiment with new ideas to create a planner that will stand out from the rest.

Choosing a Platform for Your Digital Planner

Once you’ve created your digital planner, it’s time to decide where you want to sell it. One of the most popular platforms for selling digital products is Etsy. However, there are other options that might work better for you depending on your business goals. Here are five platforms to consider:

Platform Fee Structure Benefits Drawbacks
Etsy
  • $0.20 per listing + 5% transaction fee
  • Large audience of buyers
  • User-friendly interface
  • Easy to set up shop
  • High competition
Gumroad
  • 5% + $0.30 per transaction
  • No listing fees
  • Customizable checkout process
  • Integrated email marketing option
  • Smaller audience than Etsy
Shopify
  • Pricing plans range from $9 to $299 per month
  • Full control over branding and sales
  • Ability to host a website with a custom domain
  • Built-in marketing tools
  • Monthly fees can add up quickly
  • Less user-friendly than other platforms
Sellfy
  • 5% transaction fee
  • No listing fees
  • Provides analytics and marketing tools
  • Easy to use interface for both seller and customer
  • Smaller user-base than the other platforms
Sendowl
  • Pricing plans range from $9 to $39 per month
  • No transaction fees
  • Allows for digital downloads and subscriptions
  • Integrates with email marketing tools
  • Small audience compared to Etsy
  • Basic design templates

Etsy

Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for selling digital products because it has a large audience of buyers who are always looking for unique and creative items. In addition, Etsy is a user-friendly platform that makes it easy for you to set up your shop, add your products, and start selling.

To get started on Etsy, all you need to do is create a seller account and set up your shop. Then, you can start adding your digital planner to your shop and promoting it to potential buyers. Etsy charges a $0.20 per listing fee and a 5% transaction fee, which is a relatively low cost compared to other platforms.

One of the challenges of selling on Etsy is the high competition. You need to find ways to make your digital planner stand out from the rest to attract buyers. This is where your marketing strategy comes into play.

Gumroad

Gumroad is a platform that specializes in selling digital products, making it an excellent choice when it comes to selling your digital planner. Gumroad charges a 5% plus $0.30 per transaction fee, which is a bit higher than Etsy’s fees, but there are no listing fees.

One of the unique features of Gumroad is the customizable checkout process that allows you to add your branding and make it look like an extension of your website. Gumroad also provides an integrated email marketing option, which is a useful tool for promoting your digital planner.

One downside of Gumroad is that it has a smaller audience than Etsy. This means that you might have to work harder to attract potential buyers to your digital planner.

Shopify

Shopify is a powerful platform that provides full control over branding and sales. With Shopify, you can host a website with a custom domain and use built-in marketing tools to promote your digital planner. Pricing plans for Shopify range from $9 to $299 per month, depending on the features you need.

One of the unique features of Shopify is the ability to use the platform to sell physical and digital products, making it a great option if you plan to expand your product offerings in the future.

The downside to Shopify is the monthly fees. They can add up quickly, especially if you’re a new seller.

Sellfy

Sellfy is a platform that provides an easy-to-use interface for both sellers and customers. There are no listing fees on Sellfy, and the platform provides analytics and marketing tools to help you promote your digital planner.

One of the downsides to Sellfy is the smaller user-base compared to other platforms like Etsy and Shopify. This might make it harder to attract buyers to your digital planner, and you might have to work harder to get noticed.

Sendowl

Sendowl is a platform that allows you to sell digital downloads and subscriptions. Sendowl doesn’t charge transaction fees, but there are pricing plans ranging from $9 to $39 per month, depending on the features you need.

One of the unique features of Sendowl is its integration with email marketing tools. You can use Sendowl to send automated emails to promote your digital planner and keep potential buyers engaged.

The downside to Sendowl is the small audience compared to platforms like Etsy and Shopify. Sendowl also provides basic design templates, which might not be enough if you’re looking for a lot of customization options.

That’s it for now, happy digital planning!

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! I hope you found it helpful in your journey to make and sell digital planners on Etsy. Remember to take your time, be creative, and have fun with it. Additionally, don’t forget to check out other articles from me in the future and let me know how your venture goes. Happy creating!