You’ve got the idea to create your planner or journal but where do you start? In this article, I’m going to share the process that I have for my clients on how to framework their project. Think of it like your project management plan for getting this project done. At the end of this article, I have a free gift for you to help with the planning of your project.

Step One: Create Your Storage System

I recommend using Google Drive or Dropbox to store all of your planning documents, content, graphics, imagery, and everything else for the project in one place. I then recommend subfolders for “mockups”, “cover files”, “interior files”, and more. This helps to keep all of your 30+ files in easy-to-find places. The worse thing that could happen is for your computer to crash or you can’t turn it on and POOF you can no longer access the files because they were on your hard drive instead of in a cloud system.

Here is a simple folder setup recommendation:

  • Main Folder
    • Document: Planning Document
    • Files: Images of Inspiration for Cover and Interior Design
    • Folder: Interior Files – You can store all of your interior files here including the interior text that you will work on
    • Folder: Cover Files – You can store all your PDF and designs of the covers here
    • Folder: Branding & Marketing – You can store your color palette, fonts, and any imagery for marketing purposes here
    • Folder: Online Store Files – You can store things like product descriptions and information for the store 

Step Two: Create Your Planning Document

All of my client projects start with a planning document. Here are a few things that you want to plan out:

  • Project Basics like Name & Author
  • What is the goal page count? Black & White Interior or Color Interior?
  • Hardback or Paperback? Coil? 
  • What will the interior design look like? Think about fonts, colors, ect.
  • Do we need to purchase any illustrations or elements?
  • What are our deadlines for phases of completion?
    • Brainstorm & Design
    • Sample & Printing
    • Pre-Orders & Launch
  • What is the budget for the unit cost?
  • How many units are we planning to order total?
  • Who will be the printer for this project? I suggest having 2-3 options that you plan to research and will obtain quotes for based on the goal page count and printing options that you desire. Remember to stay within the budget.

Step Three: Add Deadlines to Calendar & Develop Your Working System

For my DIY students looking to print paperback journals (Print on Demand), I recommend the Print On A Budget Mini Workbook or our more in-depth course, Launch On A Budget, I break down that you should have at least a six-month framework for the project. Now you can reduce that time based on your specific project. However, if you’ve never launched a business and do not have an audience, the six-month framework is ideal.

I recommend setting a weekly meeting with yourself to work on the project. The way projects don’t get completed is when you work on it “when you have time”. Create the time by adding a weekly meeting (at least one a week). In your planning document or in a separate timeline document, you can plan out what each month and each week will entail as far as work is concerned. You can adjust your deadlines accordingly but having at least a document with dates and goals is a great starter. 

Step Four: Set Your Budget

This is not a hobby project. This is a business expense because you’re creating a project. Keep every receipt and purchase for the project from design services to paying for your units. I recommend using basic accounting software like Quickbooks. Whether you’re a sole proprietor or a LLC, keep everything filed so that your business can pay you back eventually once you start to make some money. 

I recommend setting a project budget. The biggest budget issue with journal and planner projects are that they don’t have a budget. Set one. This won’t be the only product you’ll make so don’t try to spend everything you have in your first product. 

The first question is how much money do you have for the project completely. Then from there, you need to sort the money into the piles:

  • Money for Design
  • Money to order Sample & Units (plus shipping costs)
    • Some platforms like Ingram Spark charge to use their platform so make sure you’ve factored that into the costs
  • Money for Customer Packaging (Polymailers, Labels, ect.)
  • Money for Marketing (Website, Influencers, Domain, ect.)

I highly recommend my Launch On A Budget Course for the in-depth breakdown for marketing and how to navigate your project in these phases. We have a 50/50 payment plan available now for all students.

Step Five: Get Started!

Now that you’ve got a basic scope of your project, it’s now time to execute. During your journey if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Print School for support. Submit your Questions to us via email at: glamprintgo@gmail.com

I’ve created a Planning Document that you can use for your upcoming Project. This is the exact planning document that I use with my clients. You can signup for free below to get it sent to your email.

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