If you’re dreaming up your very first (or next!) wellbeing book but find yourself stuck on format — you’re not alone. Should it be a workbook? A planner? A tracker? A journal? Should it be… all of them?

Deep breath. Let’s break it down.

Choosing the right format isn’t just a design decision — it’s a strategic move that shapes how your clients experience your work. Pick the right one, and your book becomes something they return to every day. Pick the wrong one, and… well, it might end up in the kitchen drawer under the batteries and rogue paperclips.

So let’s figure this out, shall we?

First up: What’s the difference, anyway?

Here’s a quick-glance guide to what each format actually means (because yes, they do get used interchangeably a lot):

Journal
What it is: A space for reflection, thoughts, prompts, and free writing
Best for: Mental wellbeing, emotional exploration, healing journeys, coaching tools

Planner
What it is: A structured tool to help plan days, weeks, or goals
Best for: Productivity, routine-building, time management, lifestyle change

Tracker
What it is: A layout to log habits, symptoms, mood, or progress
Best for: Health monitoring, behaviour change, self-awareness, accountability

Workbook
What it is: An interactive guide with exercises, activities, or worksheets
Best for: Teaching frameworks, coaching clients, guided transformation

1. Journals: Quiet powerhouses for reflection

Journals are ideal if your work helps people understand themselves better. They’re often filled with questions, prompts, affirmations, or blank pages for deep thoughts and doodles.

Perfect for coaches, therapists, healers, or anyone helping clients navigate change, growth, or recovery.

Pros

• Great emotional value for your clients

• Encourages daily or weekly engagement

• Easy to personalise for your brand voice

Things to consider

• Needs thoughtful prompts or structure (blank pages alone don’t cut it)

• Can feel “open-ended” without guidance

2. Planners: Perfect for structure lovers

Planners bring rhythm and routine. Think daily check-ins, weekly reflections, goal-setting pages, and time-blocking tools. If your work involves helping clients do more with their day, this might be your format.

Perfect for nutritionists, lifestyle coaches, productivity or hormone health experts.

Pros

• Visually satisfying (and so shareable)

• Encourages habits and time awareness

• Can include rituals or routines that reinforce your method

Things to consider

• Could be dated or undated — you’ll need to choose

• Can be time-specific (i.e., a 90-day planner)

3. Trackers: Small but mighty

Trackers are focused, flexible, and powerful — great for helping your clients notice patterns, build new habits, or manage symptoms. They can stand alone or be tucked into a bigger book.

Perfect for menopause coaches, chronic illness specialists, fitness and nutrition professionals.

Pros

• Simple to design and complete

• Very popular for health + habit niches

• Can tie into your method or programme

Things to consider

• Best when ultra-specific — try not to track everything at once

• Needs visual clarity (boxes, symbols, grids)

4. Workbooks: Coach in a book

Workbooks are like having you in their hands — step-by-step guidance with practical actions. You can teach a method, walk through a mindset shift, or guide a transformation. Think worksheets, quizzes, journaling sections, and exercises.

Perfect for coaches and practitioners who teach a signature framework or process.

Pros

• Adds huge perceived value to your offer

• Can double as a paid course companion

• Fantastic tool for workshops or client prep

Things to consider

• Takes a bit more planning and copywriting

• Needs a clear outcome — what will they achieve by the end?

So… which one is right for you?

Here are a few questions to help you decide:

• Do my clients need more reflection or more action?

• Am I offering guidance or helping them build a routine?

• Will they use this daily, weekly, or as a one-time tool?

• Is this a standalone product, a lead magnet, or part of a bigger offer?

If you’re stuck between two, you can always combine formats. A journal with trackers. A workbook with planning pages. The key is clarity: help your buyer know what the book will do for them.

One last thing…

The format you choose shapes how people experience your work. But the fact that you're creating something tangible — that’s already a huge leap. It’s more than a book. It’s a reflection of your method, your voice, and your values.

So choose with confidence. Your clients are waiting for it.