How to Create a Planner Product That Sells | Step 1: Development & Design
My friends, this is the first post in a 3-part series on How to Create A Planner Product That Sells, and how my team and I, here at Copper Bottom Design Co., can help you get there.
In these posts I’ll cover:
#1 | Development & Design
#2 | Finding a Printer & Sampling
#3 | Production & Fulfillment
And believe me, whether you want to supplement a business you already have, or start your own planner business, this is information you need to have if you want to create a beautiful, functional, and profitable planner product. I’ve been helping my clients do just that for the past twenty years. And now, it’s your turn! So, let’s get started . . . it’s go time!
I see you out there . . . dreaming. You’ve loved notebooks and pens and stationery for as long as you can remember, and have always wanted to create your own planner or journal. You’re in good company, because, yep, me too! And I’m not willing to let your dream die.
But how do you get started? What do you do first? Well, it’s time to get your creative juices flowing, because the very first step is. . . .
DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
It’s time to get what’s been floating around in your head on paper. What product do you want to bring to life and who is it for?
Create sketches, draft an outline in a Google doc, or compile a bunch of images on a Pinterest board. This is your time to get into the nitty-gritty details that will help you form your planning philosophy and even establish branding and marketing details as you grow.
These details—and answers to some key questions—will also lead you to your ideal customer, and figuring out who that person is will bring you back to, and help you fine-tune your creative handiwork.
Who is your ideal person?
A student? A professional? A parent—single? working?
How old are they?
What does their average day look like?
What are their goals, and how might they go about achieving them?
Answer these questions, and then consider how your product would best support them—in their day-to-day, in achieving their goals, etc.?
If you take the time you need to really nail down these details and to fully envision who will be buying your product, it will be easier to develop your company, your brand, and your messaging, and it will ultimately lead you to the perfect design of your dream product, whether its a planner, a journal, or other.
I like to think that all of the details that make up your product and your ideal customer are your Planning Philosophy, which is the core of your product and your brand. It’s your mission and the reason why your product exists. And with your Planning Philosophy at hand, it’s time to hone in on the details of your dream planner product. This may or may not feel daunting to you. You may or may not be a designer yourself with the desire and talent and even the time (so you think!) to design your product. Regardless of your situation, let me make a suggestion based on years of experience: Outsource the design. Launching a new product is a huge feat. Hire someone, share the workload, free up some of your own precious time, and gain new perspective and someone to bounce ideas off of! Taking this step will enrich the whole development and design process.
I can share firsthand that when we at Copper Bottom Design Co. work with new clients, we really dive into your philosophy. We want to know what makes you tick and the special sauce you have to offer. We’ll read your books, blog posts, and listen to you tell your story. We want you to walk us through your process so we can expertly lay it out on paper and make suggestions that will enhance your planner product and make it stand out.
Remember, I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. It helps to have an expert on your side.
So start getting those dreams down on paper! And if you need more help getting started, check out my YouTube playlist below for more information and tips to keep you moving in the right direction.
I want nothing more than to help take you from dream to day planner!
See you next time when I plunge into Finding a Printer & Sampling (your planner product, silly, not free treats at Costco!).
Have you been feeling inspired and ready to kick off the design process for your own custom planner?
I created a guide featuring 5 things your day planner MUST include . . . and it’s available now at the link below.