Millennial Digital Planner Side Hustle Ideas That Actually Make Money

Everywhere, millennials are creating digital planner side hustles. And it's easy to see why.

Because this market is growing fast. In 2021, it was about 2.55 billion dollars, and it may reach around 7.05 billion dollars by 2033. Digital planner apps were worth 7.8 billion dollars in 2023 and could hit about 25.6 billion dollars by 2031.

People are buying digital planners every single day. And as a millennial, you already know how to blend creativity with tech.

You can make simple templates in your free time, sell them online, and even teach others how to use them.

Also, the benefits are clear: low start-up cost, flexible schedule, creative freedom, and the chance to earn passive income.

Below, I am going to discuss:

• 10 ideas to start your side hustle

• Why millennials love digital planners

• What makes these planners so great

• Top platform for digital planner workshop

Please read on to the next part!

What is Digital Planner & Digital Planner Side Hustle

A digital planner is a planning file you can use on a tablet, phone, or laptop. Most people use it with apps like Goodnotes, Notability, or Noteshelf. 

Usually, it works like a notebook, but every page is digital. You can write on it with a stylus, type, or move things around without messing up the layout. 

Many digital planners include links within the pages, so you can jump to months or sections quickly. This makes planning quicker and more organized. 

Now, Look at the Digital Planner Side Hustle

When you sell digital planners on your phone or tablet, you are making a side hustle. It’s a small online business you can do in your free time, without the pressure of a full job.

Side hustlers earn an average of $530 per month, and that number shows why so many people try it. 

For many, this extra money helps cover bills or gives a little space in their budget. It also shows that a small idea can grow into real income when done with steady work.

Real Reddit Insight: 

On r/passive_income, one user shared how they started selling digital planners on Gumroad as a side hustle and hit over $2,000 in a single month. 

They explained that focusing on a niche audience and offering simple, useful templates helped their sales grow steadily. This shows that digital planners are not only practical tools but also a profitable online side hustle.

So, What Actually Side Hustle Involves?

• Creating digital planners: You design planners in apps like Canva, Goodnotes, or Notion. These planners can track habits, finances, goals, or work tasks.

• Selling templates or planners: You can sell PDFs, Notion templates, or planner kits on Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify, or your own website.

• Offering workshops or courses: Teach others how to use digital planners or design their own. Platforms like EzyCourse, Teachable, or Thinkific make this easy.

• Selling add-ons: Digital stickers, dashboards, or themed templates can be sold alongside planners for additional income.

Top 10 Money-Making Digital Planner Ideas for Millennials

You know the feeling when you wish you had more extra cash, for bills, treats, or just some breathing room? Many people feel the same. 

For this reason, side hustles have become popular to consider. In reality, not every side gig pays off big.

That's why I'm sharing ideas you can start from home, on your own schedule, and grow slowly.

You can think of it as a suggestion from a friend, showing the hustle ideas that work.

Idea #1: Design & Sell Niche Digital Planners

Digital planners for specific groups are very popular. People want planners designed for their exact needs. 

Niche planners solve problems better than generic ones. 

You can create planners for freelancers, students, wellness enthusiasts, or content creators. If your planner is accurate and targeted, people are willing to pay for that happily.

Digital planners that focus on a specific audience sell better because people feel like they were made just for them. This makes your product stand out in a crowded market.

How to approach it:

• Identify your audience: freelancers, students, wellness enthusiasts, or content creators.

• Add unique pages: habit trackers, client sheets, or study logs.

• Offer themed editions: holiday, back-to-school, or seasonal planners.

• Use platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Shopify.

• Keep updating your designs to encourage repeat buyers.

For example, a “Freelance Hustle Planner” can include invoice trackers, client sheets, and goal pages. A “Self-Care Planner” can feature mood trackers, gratitude logs, and habit trackers. Seasonal editions like back-to-school or holiday planners can also attract bulk buyers.

Idea #2: Create Notion Planner Templates

Notion planners are quite popular among millennials. Because they want dashboards that easily track work, goals, and personal life in one app. 

Creating Notion planner templates allows users to organize projects, habits, or finances easily. Notion planners are flexible and highly customizable.

You can make life dashboards, content calendars, or business planners. 

Usually, a template might include daily tasks, weekly goals, and habit trackers in one place. Moreover, users can duplicate the template and use it for months. 

Some creators even add automated links and database connections for a smooth experience.

These templates can be sold repeat basis, making them a strong source of passive income. Furthermore, you can sell them on various platforms and even on your own hosted website. 

Notion planners stand out because they save time and reduce app switching. Instead of juggling multiple tools, users get to operate under one organized space. 

Nick Lafferty, for example, said he made over $80,000 in just one year by selling Notion templates. And the best part? He says it’s easier than most people think.

Even Notion templates are among the top unsaturated digital products. Combines both simplicity for beginners and advanced features for professionals.

Idea #3: Sell Digital Sticker Packs

Digital stickers are small but powerful products. Planner users love personalizing their pages.

You can create sticker packs for productivity, wellness, holidays, or memes. Amongst them, seasonal, motivational, and minimalist stickers are highly popular.

But how can you sell? Here is a step-by-step idea:

• Choose a theme: motivational quotes, seasonal designs, or fun icons.

• Design in PNG format for compatibility with GoodNotes or Notability.

• Package stickers individually or in monthly bundles.

• Post mockups on social media showing stickers in action.

• Modernize packs regularly to keep buyers coming back.

Interestingly, stickers are lightweight, easy to distribute, and cost almost nothing to make. 

They appeal to users who want more fun in their digital planning. Unique stickers like motivational quotes, memes, or niche icons perform best.

Even marketing stickers are hotcakes on social media. You can show your stickers in action on iPads, creating scroll-stopping posts. 

Idea #4: Offer Custom Planner Design Services

Some customers want planners made specifically for them. Therefore, offering custom planner design is a high-value side hustle. 

You can create planners for businesses, coaches, or personal use. Custom designs allow clients to choose layouts, colors, and sections.

This service generates more revenue because it’s customized based on needs. A client may want a planner with hyperlinks, stickers, or branded pages. 

In fact, you can charge high rates for this personal service. Moreover, custom planners often lead to repeat clients, which builds steady income.

On the other hand, marketing is also key. Attract public attention by sharing design samples. Use Instagram, LinkedIn, or your own website to reach potential customers. 

Many small business owners need planners for productivity or branding purposes. Some clients want unique dashboards for managing content, projects, or finances.

One Reddit user shared how they sold digital files and made some quick income:

“They sold worksheets, daily planners, and affirmations digital files on Etsy and made $12 in a few days.”

Therefore, your custom planner design should combine creativity and problem-solving. In this way, you’ll get the exact payment for your expertise, and clients get exactly what they need. 

Over time, you can scale by offering packages or bundles. This type of side hustle allows you to make money while helping others organize their lives efficiently.

Idea #5: Run Digital Planning Workshops or Classes

Teaching digital planning is a creative side hustle. 

You can run workshops or online classes to show people how to design or use planners. Beginners want to learn step-by-step processes in Canva, GoodNotes, or Notion.

What to include:

• Live Zoom sessions or pre-recorded courses.

• Lessons on Canva, GoodNotes, or Notion planner creation.

• Templates for attendees to practice on.

• Step-by-step instructions for layout, colors, and hyperlinks.

• Target beginners, hobbyists, freelancers, and creators.
  

You can create short courses, live Zoom sessions, or pre-recorded lessons on platforms like EzyCourse. 

Lessons can cover layout design, color palettes, hyperlinks, or productivity strategies. Offering a template with the course adds value.

Basically, people are willing to pay for guidance. Students, freelancers, and planner hobbyists are common buyers. 

You can also offer a coaching program for one-on-one help, ask questions, and learn faster.

Because coaching makes you an expert, many learners prefer direct guidance instead of trying to figure things out alone.

As a result, it gives you an additional income stream and builds trust with your students.

Moreover, teaching builds your brand as an expert in digital planning. You can grow a community and get referrals from satisfied students.

Here, workshops can be one-time events or recurring. You can also create advanced classes for returning students. 

Extra insight: Classes make you an authority in digital planning. Many people want guidance instead of figuring it out alone. You can also offer advanced lessons later, creating a pathway for repeat customers and steady income.

Idea #6: Start a Planner Subscription or Membership

As we know, subscriptions generate recurring income. Therefore, you can offer a monthly planner kit with updates, stickers, or themed layouts. Members will then pay regularly to access new content.

A monthly productivity kit may include a 

• Habit tracker

• Calendar pages

• Motivational stickers and more 

Make your subscription deal appealing by including seasonal or niche themes. Bundling multiple planner types increases value.

Platforms like EzyCourse, Patreon, Gumroad, or Shopify make memberships this easy. Subscriptions also help build a loyal community. 

Members return each month and share feedback, which improves future planners.

However, this model works best if you already have a small following or audience. Subscriptions are especially attractive to people who like routine and want fresh content for planning regularly.

Idea #7: Sell Planner Bundles & Templates

Actually, selling bundles increases value and sales. 

Instead of single planners, offer sets like yearly planners, budget trackers, and habit trackers together. As a result, buyers will feel they’re getting more for their money.

In addition, bundling also allows you to upsell products. Here are some key points you should follow:

• Combine yearly, monthly, and habit trackers into a single bundle.

• Mix digital formats like PDFs and GoodNotes templates.

• Target multiple niches with one bundle for broader appeal.

• Encourage upsells by including add-on templates.

• Market bundles as “complete solutions” for life organization.

For example, a “Student Success Bundle” could include study, homework, and wellness planners. This makes your bundle shop appear professional and organized.

Below is an Example Table You Can Check:

Idea #8: Create Content Creator or Social Media Planners

Social media planners help creators organize their posts, campaigns, and analytics. 

Many bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagram influencers need planning tools to stay consistent. A planner can track content ideas, posting schedules, and engagement metrics.

Therefore, you can design planners of monthly calendars, content tracking pages, and editorial logs. 

Actually, templates based on captions, hashtags, and collaborations also add extra value. Honestly speaking, creators love planners that combine productivity and strategy in one tool.

Additionally, selling to content creators is very much profitable. They see the planner as an essential tool for growth. A well-designed planner saves a creator’s time and helps maintain consistent branding.

Idea #9: Design Specialized Life-Event Planners

Life-event planners target specific moments like weddings, travel, or moving. People are highly motivated to stay organized during these events.

A wedding planner can track vendors, guests, and timelines. In addition, a travel planner can track packing, itineraries, and budgets.

Features table:

These planners are easily sellable because they solve urgent, emotional, and budget problems. 

People are willing to invest in quality tools to simplify big events. Therefore, offering them seasonal or personalized planners is the main objective.

Why it works best: Life-event planners are highly valuable because they are digital in nature. This makes them easy to download, use, and update. Moreover, seasonal marketing helps you sell more, especially during wedding season or holiday travel times.

Idea #10: Sell Printable & Hybrid Printable-Digital Planners

Some people still love the feel of paper planners. Others prefer digital tools on their iPads.

Hybrid planners combine both options, giving buyers the freedom to choose how they plan. Because of this, hybrid products sell very well and attract a bigger audience.

What to create:

• Printable PDFs for people who enjoy writing by hand

• Digital GoodNotes or Notability versions for tablet users

• Matching covers, dividers, and inserts to make the planner look clean

• Black-and-white print versions so buyers can save ink

• Bonus pages like checklists, budgets, and habit logs

So, why do they sell?

Printables don’t require shipping, so buyers get them instantly. That makes shopping fast and stress-free.

People also like having a planner on their desk while still using digital versions on the go. Hybrid bundles feel more valuable, which means you can price them higher and still sell well.

Another benefit is that printable planners fit many niches — students, teachers, freelancers, moms, fitness lovers, and more.

You can also update pages easily, which brings repeat customers back when they want fresh layouts or new themes.

Why Digital Planners Are So Popular Among Millennials?

Well, many millennials love digital planners because they make life feel easier and more organized. They work on phones and tablets, so you can carry them anywhere. 

Along with that, there are also some other reasons:

• Many millennials grew up with digital tools, so using a planner on a tablet feels natural to them. They like the speed, the clean layout, and the comfort of having everything in one place. It fits their daily flow and helps them stay on track without dealing with paper clutter.

• Digital planners also match the way millennials work. Many switch between jobs, remote work, and side gigs. A digital planner helps them move tasks around fast and stay flexible. It lets them plan on the go, save different versions, and keep all notes in one device.

• Money also matters for this group. Digital planners are a one-time purchase and can be reused every year. Many millennials try to cut waste and save more, and a digital planner supports both. They can update pages, erase mistakes, and use templates again without buying new supplies.

• Another strong point is personalization. Millennials like planning tools that reflect their style and goals. Digital planners often come with color themes, sticker packs, mood trackers, or money logs. This helps planning feel simple and fun, not like a chore.
  
  

What Makes Digital Planners a Good Side Hustle?

Digital planners are a great side hustle because they are cheap to start, easy to make, and people want them all year. 

They also give you space to be creative while earning standard money. Here’s a clear look at why they work so well:

• Low cost to start

  You don’t need expensive tools to make a planner. A simple app like Canva or Procreate is enough. Many folks already use these, so getting started feels simple and safe.

• Easy to update and improve

  Changing a planner is quick because everything is digital. You can fix a small mistake or add a new layout in minutes. This helps you test ideas fast without wasting paper or money.

• Strong demand all year

  People buy planners at the start of the year, during school months, and around the holidays. This means you can get sales in many seasons, not just one. Even a small shop can stay active.

• Make once, sell many times

  A digital planner is a file you create once. After that, you can sell it again and again. This gives you passive income, which helps when life gets busy.

• Works well on big platforms

  Sites like Etsy, Shopify, and Gumroad already bring in people who want planners. You don’t need a big social media following to start. With clear photos and simple titles, your product can get seen fast.

• Easy to grow your shop

  You can begin with one basic planner and add more later. Many folks add stickers, bundles, or themed designs. This helps you grow your income without feeling overwhelmed.

• Fits any niche

  You can create planners for fitness, school, money goals, pets, weddings, and more. When you pick one niche, your planner feels more helpful to that group. This makes your shop stand out.

• Gives you creative freedom

  You get to choose the colors, fonts, and layouts. You can make each planner match your own style. This makes the work fun and gives you a way to express yourself.
  
  

Types of Digital Planners You Can Create As a Side Hustle

Actually, digital planners come in many types, each serving a unique purpose. Some help with daily tasks, others track health or money, and some focus on business or personal growth.

So, choosing the right type helps you stand out and reach buyers who need specific solutions. Please check out this chart for the best idea:

Let’s Start Your Digital Planner Workshops with the Top Platforms

What if you wanted to teach others how to use or make digital planners? 

Truly, sharing your skills and earning money is possible when you host workshops. Using the right platform simplifies everything, from reaching students to running sessions.

Let’s review some of the top platforms that can help you get started and make your workshops successful.

1. EzyCourse

Actually, running a digital planner workshop can be fun, but it little tough if you don’t have the right platform. 

EzyCourse makes it easy to manage everything in one place. You can upload your videos, share planner templates, and plan lessons so students can follow along step by step.

Live workshops are simple with Zoom built right into EzyCourse. 

You can teach, answer questions, and guide students while they work on their planners. The email tool lets you send reminders, tips, or extra content to keep students motivated. 

Students can also join community spaces to share their designs, ask questions, and get feedback.

Here, you can sell your workshop to students around the world because EzyCourse supports many currencies. 

It also tracks student activity so you can see which lessons or templates they like most. Strong security keeps your planner files safe, so only paying students can access them.

Even EzyCourse grows with you. 

You can start with a small workshop and expand into full courses, memberships, or coaching programs. It combines course hosting, file sharing, live sessions, emails, and communities in one place.

This way, you can spend more time teaching and creating planners instead of managing tools, making your workshop smooth, professional, and fun for students.

So, how does EzyCourse work well for a digital planner workshop?

• Upload video lessons to show how to design planners step by step

• Zoom integration for live planner design sessions

• Host downloadable templates like planner files for students

• Email automation for reminders, announcements, and follow-ups

• Drip content to release lessons over time

• Community spaces for students to ask questions and share designs

• Sell course bundles including workshops, planner templates, and stickers

• Direct payment processing so students don’t need another checkout

• Multi-currency pricing to reach students globally

• SCORM support for interactive planner designs

• Analytics to track student engagement and progress

• Mobile-friendly platform so students can learn on any device

• Flexible pricing and subscription options for different workshop sizes

• Built-in certificates or completion tracking to reward students
  
  

Cost Overview Of EzyCourse

Essential Plan ($55 per month)

Features:

• Unlimited courses

• Custom pages and simple builder

• Free EzyCourse mobile app

• 1 coaching program

• 1 community

• 10,000 emails per month

• Custom forms, drip lessons, events

•  Custom domain

 Offer: Bonus templates + no setup fee during sales

Pro Plan ($129 per month)

 Features:

• Everything in Essential

• 5 coaching programs

• 5 communities

• 50,000 emails per month

• Advanced analytics

• Zoom Premium (300 seats)

• Affiliate program

• Multi-language support

 Offer: Free migration + free landing page setup

Unlimited Plan ($189 per month)

•  Features:

•  Everything in Pro

•  Unlimited coaching

•  Unlimited communities

• Unlimited video libraries

• 100,000 emails per month

• More live streaming minutes

 Offer: Extra 3 months of video hosting

Elite Plan ($279 per month)

• Features:

• All EzyCourse features

• White-label mobile apps

• VIP support

• Unlimited roles

• Unlimited languages

• 500,000 emails per month

• All add-ons included

^{*These pricings are year-end specials + lifetime deals available!}

.

Positive Things About EzyCourse 

• Course, community, email, and coaching all in one

• Easy to run live classes

• Keeps students engaged

• Drip content to release lessons on a schedule

• Downloadable files to share templates easily

• SCORM support for interactive lessons

• Multi-currency to reach students worldwide

• Analytics to track student progress

• Security to protect content from piracy

• Mobile apps so students can learn on the go

• Flexible pricing plans for creators at different stages

• Active support helpful for new course creators

Some Negatives:

• Some advanced add-ons cost extra

• Email limits on lower plans

2. Teachable

Teachable is a strong platform for running digital planner workshops. It makes teaching, selling, and managing your workshop simple. 

You can upload your videos, worksheets, and templates in one place so students can access everything easily. 

The platform works on computers and mobile devices, so your students can learn anywhere, anytime.

You can host live sessions or share recorded lessons. Quizzes and certificates keep students motivated, while email tools help you send reminders or extra tips. 

Also, memberships and subscriptions make it easy to earn steady income, and built-in sales tools help you offer discounts, upsells, or bundles.

Teachable handles payments, taxes, and even global currencies, so you don’t have to worry about complicated rules. 

In fact, you can track student activity to see which lessons are popular and where students need help. It also integrates with other apps if you want extra features.

So, how does Teachable work well for a digital planner workshop?

• Students can access your workshop on mobile or desktop anytime.

• Live classes or recorded lessons give flexible learning options.

• Quizzes and completion certificates motivate learners.

• Memberships and subscriptions help you earn recurring income.

• You can upload templates, PDFs, and videos in one place.

• Built-in tools let you offer discounts, bundles, or upsells easily.

• Handles payments, taxes, and global currencies automatically.

• Track student progress and see which lessons are most popular.

• Integrates with other apps to expand features.

• Keeps your content secure and organized while scaling your workshops.

Cost Overview Of Teachable

• Starter: $39/month, 7.5% transaction fee, 1 published product, unlimited drafts, 7-day free trial

• Builder: $89/month, 0% transaction fee, 5 published products, unlimited drafts, live chat support, AI tools

• Growth (Popular): $189/month, 0% transaction fee, 25 published products, free subtitles and translations, white-label site

• Advanced: $399/month, 0% transaction fee, 100 published products, unlimited integrations, custom admin permissions

• Unlimited: Contact sales, dedicated support, full features for large-scale businesses
  
  

Positive things about Teachable 

• Flexible live or recorded classes

• Built-in quizzes and certificates

• Handles payments and taxes

• Supports memberships and subscriptions

• Offers discounts and upsells easily

• Track student progress

• Integrates with other apps

• AI tools for content creation

Negatives:

• Starter plan has high transaction fees

• Limited published products on lower plans

• Some features are locked behind higher tiers

• Design customization is limited without coding

• Can feel complex for beginners

• White-label options only on higher plans

3. Thinkific

Thinkific is a simple and strong platform to host your digital planner workshops. You can upload videos, PDFs, templates, and worksheets all in one place. 

Students can access your content anytime on computers or phones, which makes learning easy and flexible. You can run live sessions or share recorded classes, so your learners can go at their own pace. 

Thinkific also lets you create quizzes, assignments, and certificates to keep students motivated and track their progress.

The platform supports memberships and subscriptions, which means you can earn recurring income while building a loyal community. 

It also has built-in sales tools like coupons, bundles, and upsells to help you sell more without extra apps. 

Automatic tax handling and multiple payment options make running your workshops easier. You can see how students are engaging with your content through detailed analytics.

So, How Thinkific Work Well for a Digital Planner Workshop?

• You can upload videos, PDFs, and templates in one place.

• Students can access lessons anytime on desktop or mobile.

• Live classes and recorded sessions give flexible learning.

• Quizzes, certificates, and assignments keep learners motivated.

• Memberships and subscriptions let you earn recurring income.

• Built-in sales tools like coupons, bundles, and upsells increase revenue.

• Automatic tax handling and multiple payment options save time.

• Track student engagement and progress with analytics.

• Customize your site to match your brand and workshop style.

• Integrates with apps, email tools, and CRMs for smooth management.

Cost Overview of Thinkific

• Basic: $49/month, unlimited courses, 1 community, 5 digital downloads, quizzes, analytics, custom domain

• Start (Most Popular): $99/month, includes Basic features plus live events, coaching sessions, memberships, certificates, 2 admin accounts

• Grow: $199/month, includes Start features plus 3 communities, white-labeling, advanced analytics, invoicing, bulk orders, phone support

• Plus: Custom pricing, includes Grow features plus unlimited users and products, SCORM-compliant courses, learning paths, SSO, priority support, onboarding
  
  

Positive things about Thinkific:

• Live and recorded sessions

• Quizzes, certificates, and assignments

• Memberships and subscriptions

• Coupons, bundles, and upsells

• Tracks engagement and revenue

• Multiple payment options

• Automatic tax handling

• Site customization options

Negatives:

• No free plan for full features

• Advanced features are only available in higher plans

• Customization needs some coding for full control

• White-labeling is limited to Grow and

• Phone support is only available in higher tiers

Final Note

To wrap up, digital planner side hustles are a great way for millennials to make extra money. They let you be creative and work at your own pace.

The market is growing fast, and people are buying planners every day. You don’t need a lot of money to start.

You can start with simple templates, sell bundles, or even teach workshops. Once you make a planner, you can sell it again and again. 

This means you can earn passive income while doing other things. The best part is you can work from home or anywhere you like.

By trying the 10 ideas mentioned in this article, you can find the one that fits your skills. With digital planners, you can turn your love for planning and offering solutions into a side hustle that gives you some extra money.

👉 And there’s no better place to start creating and selling straight away than EzyCourse!