When people think of side hustles, they often imagine flashy social media gigs, affiliate marketing, or complicated eCommerce stores. But what if I told you there’s a simple, low-maintenance way to earn up to $5000 per month — without needing any special skills, tech knowledge, or startup capital.
Yes, it exists. And it’s called selling digital planners.
What Are Digital Planners?
Digital planners are essentially downloadable, interactive PDF or template-based planners designed for use on tablets, computers, and smartphones. Think of them as modern versions of paper planners — but prettier, customizable, and eco-friendly.
People use them for:
- Daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling
- Budget tracking
- Meal planning
- Fitness logs
- Goal setting
- Study organization
And here’s the best part: once you create a digital planner, you can sell it over and over again without any additional effort.
Why Selling Digital Planners Is a Brilliant Side Hustle
- Low Startup Cost:
You can start with free tools like Canva, GoodNotes templates, or Affinity Publisher. No fancy software needed. - Zero Technical Skills Required:
If you can drag and drop text boxes and images, you can create a digital planner. - Passive Income Potential:
Once you upload your planner to platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or your own website, you can earn money while you sleep. - High Demand:
Millions of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs search for productivity tools daily. In fact, searches for “digital planners” spike every year around New Year’s and back-to-school seasons.
How to Start Selling Digital Planners (Step by Step)
Step 1: Pick a Niche
The more specific your planner, the better. Here are a few profitable ideas:
- Wedding planners
- Fitness and health journals
- Budget and debt trackers
- Student study planners
- Social media content calendars
Step 2: Design Your Planner
Use tools like:
- Canva (Beginner-friendly and free)
- Affinity Publisher (One-time purchase)
- Adobe InDesign (More advanced)
Include pages like:
- Yearly overview
- Monthly and weekly layouts
- Goal-setting sheets
- Notes and reflection pages
Step 3: Export as an Interactive PDF
Make sure your planner allows users to click through tabs or type directly into the PDF fields if possible.
Step 4: List It for Sale
Popular marketplaces:
- Etsy
- Gumroad
- Payhip
- Creative Market
Write a catchy title and SEO-friendly description. Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your planner in action.
Step 5: Promote Your Product
- Start an Instagram or Pinterest page
- Join Facebook groups for productivity enthusiasts
- Collaborate with influencers or bloggers in the productivity space
Can You Really Make $5000/Month Selling Digital Planners?
Absolutely — and many people are doing it quietly.
Some Etsy sellers report making $100-$200 per day from just a handful of planners. As you build your product line and audience, your income can multiply.
The best part? No customer support calls, no inventory, and no shipping hassles. You create it once and profit indefinitely.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been looking for a simple, low-risk side hustle to build passive income, selling digital planners might just be your golden ticket. It might sound “boring” compared to other trendy hustles, but its earning potential is anything but.
No coding. No design degree. No marketing expertise. Just a simple, repeatable system that works.