What is even a digital reading planner? okay so you know how we all have goodreads? and maybe a notes app where you list books you want to read? and possibly a physical bullet journal spread for tracking?
a digital reading planner is basically all of that in one gorgeous, organized PDF that you can either print out OR use on your tablet/ipad or desktop
it’s where you:
- track the books you’ve read (title, author, rating, dates)
- plan your tbr (to be read) list
- set reading goals (monthly, yearly, genre-specific)
- take notes on books so you actually remember them
- track your reading stats (how many pages, what genres, your ratings)
- do reading challenges if that’s your thing
- basically organize your entire reading life in one aesthetic place
the digital part means: it’s a file (usually PDF) that people download after buying. no shipping, no physical product, no inventory
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why reading planners are the perfect first product for bookstagrammers
your audience already wants this. book people LOVE tracking things, we have five different goodreads shelves, three reading journals, a bullet journal spread, and a notes app list. We’re organized chaos and we know it. A cute digital reading planner? We’re already reaching for our wallets (yes I also bought one in the past).
it solves a real problem. people want to read more, track their reading, hit their goals, remember what they’ve read. a good reading planner does all of that while looking aesthetic enough to screenshot and post (free marketing for you btw).
low barrier to entry. you don’t need to be a graphic designer. you don’t need fancy software. you literally need canva (free version works) and some basic design sense. if you can make an instagram post, you can make a reading planner.
bookstagrammers are already your built-in marketing channel, you’re posting about books daily anyway. “here’s what I’m reading this month screenshot of your planner” is content AND promotion.
how to actually create your reading planner
alright, let’s do this. I’m gonna walk you through exactly how I made mine.
figure out what you’re including
before you open canva, plan your sections. mine has:
- cover page (cute and branded)
- yearly reading goal page
- 12 monthly spreads (books read, currently reading, tbr for the month)
- genre tracker
- reading stats page (average rating, pages read, etc)
- book notes template (for each book)
- reading challenges list
- bonus: bookmarks and stickers
In Canva if you search for ‘Book Review’ you get made for you templates.
my process: I create one “master template” page with my colors, fonts, and basic layout. then I duplicate it for each section and just change the content. keeps everything cohesive and saves SO much time.
step 3: create multiple versions
this is where you level up from “sold a few” to “paying rent with this.”
version 1: printable PDF. save your canva design as a PDF. make sure it’s high quality (300 DPI if canva pro, standard is fine if free). people will print this at home or at a print shop.
version 2: editable canva template. this is HUGE. give buyers access to the actual canva template so they can customize colors, add their name, whatever. in canva, click “share” → “template link” → copy that link. include it in your product description.
I sell all versions as one package. it’s the same design, just different formats, but it feels like massive value.
where to sell your reading planner
okay so you made the thing. now how do you actually make money from it?
option 1: stan store / link in bio tools
this is my main method. I use stan store (there’s also link tree, beacons, koji – they all work similarly).
why this works: you get one link in your instagram bio. people click it, see your products, buy directly. super simple.
option 2: Etsy
etsy takes a bigger cut (listing fees + transaction fees, ends up being like 6-8% total) BUT it’s a search engine. people literally go to etsy looking for “reading planner PDF” and might find yours.
option 3: gumroad
simple, creator-friendly platform. lower fees than etsy (just 10% on free plan or $10/month for 0% fees once you’re making consistent money).
people love gumroad for digital products. very straightforward, easy checkout process.
okay here’s where it gets REALLY good.
I created a version of my reading planner with master resell rights (MRR).
this means: someone buys it from me for $15, they get the canva template, and they can SELL IT THEMSELVES and keep 100% of the profit.
why would I do this? because I want everyone to be able to sell reading planners in this community.
apps where you can use the planner
- for ipad/tablet users:
- goodnotes (most popular, SO good for pdfs)
- notability (also great, different vibe)
- noteshelf
- xodo pdf reader (free option)
- even the default books app on ipad works
- adobe acrobat reader (free)
- preview on mac
- foxit reader on windows
- canva itself if they get the template version
- xodo
- adobe acrobat
- noteshelf
how to modify my planner to make it yours (if you buy my MRR version)
if someone buys my master resell rights planner, here’s what I tell them about customizing it:
easy modifications that make it feel unique:
- change the color scheme – literally 5 minutes in canva, changes the whole vibe. go from my soft neutrals to vibrant jewel tones or moody darks or whatever matches your brand.
- swap the fonts – pick 2-3 fonts that match your aesthetic. I use a serif for headers and a clean sans-serif for body text
- add your branding – put your logo on the cover, add your instagram handle to the footer of every page, make it YOURS. when people screenshot and share, you want them promoting YOUR version.
- rearrange sections – maybe you want reading challenges first, or don’t include the stats page, or want to add a “books to gift” section. the canva template is fully editable so move things around.
- add/remove pages – duplicate pages you love (need 3 book notes templates instead of 1? copy paste). delete ones you don’t need.
- change the wording – this is HUGE for making it yours. instead of “monthly reading goals” maybe you say “this month’s book bucket list” or whatever sounds like you. change prompts from “books that destroyed me” to “5-star sobs” or “favorite emotional reads” – make it sound like YOUR voice.
- create new bonus pages – add sections that your specific audience would love. bookstagram post ideas? podcast recs? a page for tracking book expenses? author birthdays to celebrate? get creative.
- update the graphics – swap out decorative elements, change the layout slightly, add new graphics from canva’s library. keep the structure but make the aesthetics totally different.
the goal: it should feel like YOUR product, not just a copy of mine. I give you the foundation (the layout, the functionality, the stuff that works), you add your personality and branding.
You can find my resellable MLR reading planner here , I created it from scratch using Canva, with love for bookstagrammers <3