It's all in the Planner, babe!

As an author, juggling the many hats of writing, publishing, marketing, and more can feel overwhelming. Personally, I've only ever managed to juggle three of those little balls at a time. But as an author I manage to keep an untold number of balls in the air. 

How?

I'm a #PlannerBabe.

Whether you’re an aspiring author dreaming of publication or a seasoned pro managing a backlist, planners can revolutionize your workflow, boost your productivity, and even make the journey a little more fun. Because there's pens. And stickers. And washi tape… I digress.

Let me share how I use planners in my author business and why you should give them a try.  

Why Use a Planner in Your Author Life?  

1. Stay on Track with Your Goals:  

Planners help you break down big goals (like writing a novel or launching a book) into manageable steps. Daily checklists keep you focused and motivated.  

2. Evaluate Your Success:  

Tracking sales, ROI (return on investment) for promotions, and ad spend versus profit helps you make informed decisions about your business. A planner allows you to spot trends and adjust your strategies.  

3. Boost Productivity:  

Organizing your day, week, or month in advance frees up mental energy for creative work. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than checking off tasks from your to-do list!  

How I Use My Planners  

Erin Condren Daily Duo  

I rely on my Erin Condren Daily Duo as my go-to planner for both monthly and daily organization. It’s where I record my daily checklists, capturing tasks like writing, meetings, and admin work to keep myself on track. I use it to schedule all my appointments and meetings, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. It also doubles as a habit tracker, helping me stay consistent with posting on social media, writing chapters, and monitoring my word count progress. And for a little extra motivation, I reward myself with a gold star sticker for every 500 words I write—because who doesn’t love a shiny reminder of their hard work? 🌟

Bullet Journals for Each Pen Name

I use separate bullet journals for each of my pen names to stay organized and focused on their unique needs. These journals are where I map out publishing schedules, noting upcoming releases and important deadlines to keep my projects on track. They also serve as a space to brainstorm and plan marketing events, allowing me to strategize promotions effectively. Additionally, I use these journals to refine and experiment with ad copy, ensuring my messaging resonates with my audience and supports my overall marketing goals.

Affirmations Journal

I keep an affirmations journal where I write daily affirmations to keep my mindset positive and focused (you might remember my post about affirmations for authors). This journal also serves a practical purpose: tracking my daily sales numbers. While some discourage focusing on daily sales, I find it incredibly useful for spotting trends and patterns. For instance, if I notice a dip in my Nook sales, it prompts me to take action, such as refreshing my BookBub CPC ads or signing up for promotions to drive more traffic and boost sales. Currently I'm using a Sterling Ink Common Planner for my Affirmations Journal.

Series or Book Journals

I dedicate a separate journal to each book or series, giving me a focused space to develop and organize my ideas. In these journals, I include detailed scene notes, often breaking down the GMC (goal, motivation, and conflict) for each chapter or scene. This approach helps me ensure that every part of the story aligns with the characters' arcs and drives the narrative forward.

Ideas for Your Own Journals and Planners  

There are countless ways to incorporate journals and planners into your author life, tailored to your unique needs. You might consider a brainstorming journal for capturing new ideas and creative sparks or a research notebook dedicated to world-building, character backstories, and setting details. A promo planner can help you track ad budgets, clicks, and results, making it easier to assess the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. A habit tracker is perfect for monitoring writing consistency or staying on top of marketing activities. Lastly, a gratitude journal offers a space to celebrate every success, big or small, keeping you motivated and focused on the positives of your journey.

Whether you choose a fancy daily planner, a simple notebook, or even digital tools, the act of organizing and reflecting on your work will bring clarity and momentum to your writing journey.  

Start small: Grab a notebook or download a planner template and start jotting down your goals and tasks. Who knows? You might even treat yourself to some gold star stickers!  

Happy planning,

Ines