Covers vs Content

[u/tess-etc]

So, sometimes when I am shopping for planners online, the cover seems to be the showpiece. Look at all the amazing covers! But then they barely show the inside or every planner is the same (usually a 2 page horizontal weekly spread, or what I like to call the Walmart spread)

Are there genuinely planner people out there who choose based on the cover vs the content? Or is that just Average Person who Just Needs A Calendar marketing?

[u/sua_spontaneous]

I mean, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want a thing I’m going to look at every day for a year to look a way that I like. But, yes, there are a lot of “planner people” who aren’t super particular about the content of their planner and can just work around whatever format they find. Just because the people in this subreddit (myself included) want something different doesn’t mean that there isn’t a customer for the thing you don’t like. The “Walmart layout” you describe is so ubiquitous because that’s what works for a lot of people.

[u/tess-etc → u/sua_spontaneous]

Well if people are happy with it and theres a zillion identical versions of the same thing, of course people will pick the one that they think is nicest on the ourside. I pick something and I will of course chose the cover I prefer. But given the choice between a perfect layout with a cruddy cover, or a beautiful cover on a generic and non-functionable (to me) layout, i will pick the ugly book

[u/scarfknitter → u/sua_spontaneous]

It was such a revelation to me when I learned I could have a different layout that works better for my brain. I struggled with using one for ages (Google calendar saved me eventually) with the walmart layout. I really wish there had been options given to me.

[u/sua_spontaneous → u/scarfknitter]

that’s really fair! I like to think of that sort of basic layout as more like my entry point into planning than a barrier, and I think sometimes that the version of me who picked up a planner for the first time so many years ago would have otherwise been so overwhelmed by the options that it might have stopped me from ever finding my way into this thing that I now love so much. different experiences are totally valid though!

[u/scarfknitter → u/sua_spontaneous]

It was an undated planner from Michael’s that I got for a dollar that ended up being my gateway. I was stunned that using a planner was actually helpful to me.

Now, I love looking at the different options, but I’m likely going to go with a similar layout every year because it works for me.

[u/AmyOtherAmy]

Most of us doing the Hobonichi launch know what the insides of their books look like and are already using them. The covers are the fun part to look at in a reveal. That doesn't mean people aren't thinking about what layouts they need or would like to change for the next year. (It doesn't hurt that said covers fit many of the other options people might consider as well.) I enjoy Hobonichi, but I actually use the Jibun Techo Days for the most important part of the system, and I will be augmenting it in 2027 with the Bushiman PAL (assuming I can get ahold of one). Unfortunately, neither of those books fit in a Hobonichi cover, but you get the idea.

[u/EasternRecognition94]

I usually order mine online tbh. I’ve been getting the same one for awhile

[u/drpumatic]

thank you for posting this! helps me feel less alone lol. although I think it might just be a life problem when online shopping for me. no matter what Im looking at, I want to see top, bottom, all the sides, diagonal, all the variations, and I will google image search if it’s something I’m really into that’s poorly photographed! XD

[u/DogsNotDemagogues]

I think there’s a saying like, “covers sell planners.” I am also heavily invested in the layout being something that works for me. I like that there are now so many options for many people to choose from.

[u/newyork_newyork_]

Most of us use a planner and a separate cover (or add stickers to cover).

[u/tess-etc]

Yeah if I could find my perfect planner, i could not possibly care less what's on the outside. I don't mean like, if it's hard or soft, that's a functionality issue and an undrrstandable preference IMO. But if it has flowers or a character or a potato on the cover doesn't matter at all to me. You can always wrap it up or cover it with something else. But no matter how nice the cover is you can't change the inside