• My Account
  • My Cart
  • Checkout

Terrific Teaching Tactics

Make Learning Fun

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Shop
  • For Teachers
    • Blog
    • Shop My TpT Store
    • Free Resource Library
  • For TPT Sellers
    • Blog
    • Podcast
    • Facebook Group
    • TPT Seller Courses
    • Coaching
  • Contact Me
  • 0 items

My Top 10 Tips for Becoming a Successful Seller on Teachers Pay Teachers

Hi there!

I’ve been selling on TPT for years and I’ve turned my lil teacher side hustle into a full blown business. Now I want to share some words of wisdom with you on how YOU can become a successful seller on TPT.

Quick side note: I’m hoping you’ll find these 10 tips useful, but sometimes a blog post just doesn’t cover it all! If you’re looking for MORE tips and advice for selling on TPT…

Top 10 Tips

Join the Terrific Selling Tactics community by signing up with your email HERE and get free tips straight to your inbox. If you’re a social media/visual person, check out my Instagram which is FULL of free tips and advice for selling on TPT. Follow along HERE.

Anyways, let’s get started! I am going to share 10 tips that transformed my growth.

Top 10 Tips
Your graph can be like this too.

1.) Spend time (and it takes time).

TPT is ALL about time. You have to spend time creating and marketing your resources and then sit about and be patient because it takes time to see success. If you think TPT is a get-rich-quick scheme or that it doesn’t require much effort, you’ll be disappointed. So, the no.1 reason I found success was that I started spending hours and hours working on TPT. Then I was patient.

2.) Create quality products.

You can spend all the time in the world on TPT, but if you’re not making good products, no-one will buy them. When I say quality I mean fun, engaging, interesting, or original products. Trust me, I’ve made products that are boring or over-done. Sometimes I just haven’t put much effort in. They didn’t sell. My good products have ensured my success, my poor quality ones have not.

3.) Make attractive products.

You can have the most original idea in the world, but if your product is unpleasant to look at, people will not buy it. I’m talking quality fonts, clip art, and visually appealing pages. The next tips about marketing will be impossible if you don’t do this step. It’s very hard to dress up an unattractive product.

4.) Create a stunning cover.

So you’ve got a perfect product, that’s great. But no-one will ever know about (let alone buy) it if they don’t click on it. They won’t click on it if the cover is unappealing. People judge books by covers, so they’ll judge a product by its cover. Create an eye catching product cover for every product. ASAP.

Top 10 Tips
My original covers were…(cry face).

5.) Make your product listing irresistible.

So, a fantastic cover gets people to click on your product but it does NOT make them buy it. I’m referring to thumbnails, previews, and descriptions. TPT is a business. You’re asking people for money for your product. You’ve got to sell it to them with an enticing product listing that makes them think ‘I NEED this product!’ So, write an amazing description and show the product well in thumbnails and previews. Get them interested.

Top 10 Tips
An example of a thumbnail I use.

6.) Photograph your product.

That bit on my graph where it suddenly went zooming upwards? A big contributor to that was product photography. One day, I printed one of my worksheets. I filled it out, colored it in, and photographed it (during and after completing it). It literally changed my business. I use ‘in-action’ product photography shots on covers, thumbnails, pins, and Instagram posts. People need to visualize what the activity will look like. Just do it, trust me.

Top 10 Tips
In-action shots are a game-changer. Goodbye screenshots!

7.) Have a lot of products.

I’m all for quality over quantity. In fact, tip no. 2 is ALL about quality. But it’s impossible to be successful on TPT without quantity too. Think about it statistically. You could have 20 or 30 great products, but I have 300. I come up more in the search engine and I’ve got products for every topic. Unfortunately, a teacher might not find something they like in your 20 products. But they might find something in my 300. It’s simple really. You need stock. Empty shelves don’t make sales. This ties in with tip no.1 – spend time creating!

8.) Pin, Pin Pin.

Pinterest is dear to me. It was my first form of marketing and it is still my biggest source of traffic outside of TPT. Create lots of quality pins for every product and you’re set. Remember that bit on my graph that shot up? Remember tip no. 6 about product photography? Well I took those pictures and plonked them on Pinterest. In fact, I sat down and did in action photos and pins for like 100 products over a few weeks/months. I had to play catch up.

Pin
Don’t pin product covers or screenshots of worksheets. Please! Do in action photos like this.

9.) Learn from others.

Research what other successful people are doing. Read blog posts, take courses, or join Facebook groups. Look at posts on Instagram (like mine!). Learn and grow. You’ll pick up tips from people who have been there, done that. They can make sure you don’t make the same mistakes that they did. But don’t do everything they do. Sometimes people pressure new sellers to do everything or spend lots of money (‘Write a blog, do email marketing, start social media, invest in this, invest in that’). Don’t end up broke and stressed. Check out my Instagram for free tips.

Insta
Follow me for free advice. And message me if you need help!

10.) Enjoy what you do.

I’ve made boring products or forced myself to do things I didn’t want to do. I just ended up resenting TPT and losing motivation. Make products that you enjoy making. Skip the boring bits and try to have fun. This ties in with tip no.9. Don’t feel pressured to do things you don’t want to do. I spent years creating products, pinning, and spending NO money. Only now do I blog, do email marketing, invest in lots of things. Because I have the money, time, and head space to handle it. Take things one step at a time. You got this.

So that’s it. My 10 tips for success. Everyone’s journey is different but some of those tips are a MUST for success on TPT. I bet you have a million more questions and you’re dying for more tips. Sign up to my email community HERE or follow me on Instagram. I’m here to help.

terrific teaching tactics

P.S, If you want all the answers in one place, check out my TPT Seller Course!

Sharing is caring!

«
»

TPT Seller Blog Posts 4

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Markela says

    December 4, 2020 at 5:29 pm

    Hey Alexandra! Very helpful tips, thank you! I’d love to read a post on how to take good photos of the products. Everytime I try, they’re just not good or visually appealing. :/

    Reply
    • Alex says

      December 7, 2020 at 8:02 am

      Hey Markela! Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
      That’s a great idea! I will definitely do a post on product photography 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jeff says

    July 12, 2022 at 8:04 pm

    Thanks! Good motivating infomation. Just getting started buy you gave me that confidence to keep going!

    Reply
    • Alex says

      July 13, 2022 at 5:32 am

      Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi, my name is Alex! I love creating fun, colorful, and engaging resources for the early years. I’ve taught 3rd and 1st grade and I’m passionate about creating interactive activities that engage all learners Read More…

Teachers

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Cart

Teacher Sellers

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Cart

For Teachers

Interested in FREE resources? Become a V.I.P.

Click here to join

For TPT Sellers

Interested in TIPS for TpT? Join the community.

Click here to join

Categories

Footer

Teacher Instagram

Just a reminder as everyone heads back to school! Just a reminder as everyone heads back to school! 🚨 

Daily writing opportunities are the best way for students to become proficient writers 🙌🏻

When we learn a new skill, we need a lot of practice am I right? The same goes for our students 🙂

Double tap if you agree 💗

 #Writingcurriculum #writingprompts #writingteachers #writingteacher #writingworkshop #writingworkshops #writersworkshop #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcenter #writingcenters #writingforkids #writingactivity #writingactivities #iteachwriting #kindergartenwriting #firstgradewriting #secondgradewriting #thirdgradewriting #literacycenters #literacycentres #literacycenter #literacycentre #literacylearning #elateacher #elateachers #iteachela #iteachelementary #teacherquotes #teacherquote
How gorgeous is this writing center setup by @frec How gorgeous is this writing center setup by @freckledinkinder?! 🙌🏻💗😍

 #writingteachers #writingteacher #writingworkshop #writingworkshops #writersworkshop #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcenter #writingcenters #writingforkids #writingactivity #writingactivities #iteachwriting #kindergartenwriting #firstgradewriting #secondgradewriting #thirdgradewriting #literacycenters #literacycentres #literacycenter #literacycentre #literacylearning #elateacher #elateachers #iteachela #iteachelementary
Why I don’t like writing prompt task cards. Are Why I don’t like writing prompt task cards.

Are you looking for an engaging way to teach opinion and narrative writing?

I see lots of task cards prompts out there. But here’s the thing, task cards often need so much prep (laminating, cutting and even color printing too)!

If you’re time poor, these no prep prompts are perfect!

Also, task card prompts mean that students are often just writing on a blank piece of paper.

Reluctant writers and students who hate writing rarely find that engaging.

The cute clip art on these worksheets is great! 

Finally, task card prompts mean that students are left to their own devices. There is no scaffolding or support for your struggling writers.

These activities have sentence frames and guidance!

These writing prompts are best sellers in my store. I have kindergarten through to fifth grade options. If you’re interested, let me know in the comments and I can send you a link!

Ooh and don’t forget that TpT is having a 25% off sale right now!

#opinionwriting #writingcenter #writingcenters #writingcentre #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcurriculum #writingteacher #writingteachers #iteachwriting #kindergartenwriting #firstgradewriting #secondgradewriting #thirdgradewriting #fourthgradewriting #teachingwriting #literacycenters #literacycenter #tptresources #tptproducts #lessonideas #lessonplan #lessonplans #teachingresources #literacycoach #kindergartenteacher #firstgradeteacher #secondgradeteacher #thirdgradeteacher #fourthgradeteacher
If you hate teaching writing, and your students do If you hate teaching writing, and your students don’t enjoy writing lessons, don’t fret because there is a solution! 

Writing lessons don’t have to be dull! They can actually be super fun for you and your students. 

These delicious looking writing crafts are an example!

Getting students to write about fun topics, and getting them to create cute crafts, is one of the best ways!

Psst! Did you know that TPT is currently having a 25% off sale? You can grab these cute crafts and lots of other amazing products in the sale today and tomorrow! 

Comment below or message me if you’d like the link to these crafts 🙂

 #Writingcurriculum #writingprompts #writingteachers #writingteacher #writingworkshop #writingworkshops #writersworkshop #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcenter #writingcenters #writingforkids #writingactivity #writingactivities #iteachwriting #kindergartenwriting #firstgradewriting #secondgradewriting #thirdgradewriting #literacycenters #literacycentres #literacycenter #literacycentre #literacylearning #elateacher #elateachers #iteachela #iteachelementary
I had such a lovely day out with Dale at the Brisb I had such a lovely day out with Dale at the Brisbane South Bank yesterday ☀️ 

Real talk for a second though - this is not what I normally look like 😂 I haven’t straightened my hair or worn makeup in weeks and most days I wear comfy/baggy tshirts. 

It was nice to make an effort for a change but also just wanted to share the PSA that this is not the real me and Instagram is all about the glamorous moments in our lives. 

Just wanted to share that reality check because I wish more people did on here 🙌🏻💗

 #Igteachers #igteacher #instateacher #instateachers #instagramteachers #instagramteacher #teachersofig #teachersofinsta #teachersofthegram #teacherig #teacherinsta #teacherinstagram #educatorsofig #educatorsofinsta #educatorsofinstagram  #teacherinspo #teacheridea #teacherthoughts #teacherthings #teachersengaging #teachershare #teacherresources #teachingresources #teachingtools #teachingtips #teachersofigau #teachersonig #teachershelpingteachers
You’ll want this cute FREEBIE for the first day You’ll want this cute FREEBIE for the first day of school!

I’ve used it every year since I started teaching and it’s just perfect for getting to know your kiddos. 

For 3rd grade, kids wrote answers and for 1st, kids just drew pictures.

You can grab it in my free resource library, along with lots of other awesome freebies. 

There’s a link in my bio or comment below if you’d like me to message you the sign up link 🙂

#backtoschoolfreebie #btsfreebies #firstdayofschoolactivity #backtoschoolideas #btsideas #backtoschoolactivities #tptfreebie #tptfreebies #teacherspayteachersfreebie #freelesson #freelessons #freelessonplans #freeteachingresources #freeworksheets #firstgradeteachers
Just a reminder that WE know what we expect but ou Just a reminder that WE know what we expect but our students don’t. 

It’s so important to model writing to our students so that they understand our expectations and see examples of the type of writing they should produce!

If your students struggle with writing, make sure that you’re spending the time modeling writing to them as a whole group before you send them of to complete the task. 

Double tap if you agree! 🙌🏻

 #Writingcurriculum #writingprompts #writingteachers #writingteacher #writingworkshop #writingworkshops #writersworkshop #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcenter #writingcenters #writingforkids #writingactivity #writingactivities #iteachwriting #kindergartenwriting #firstgradewriting #secondgradewriting #thirdgradewriting #literacycenters #literacycentres #literacycenter #literacycentre #literacylearning #elateacher #elateachers #iteachela #iteachelementary
If you teach Kinder or 1st, these informational wr If you teach Kinder or 1st, these informational writing prompts are perfect for the upcoming school year!

(Kinder is the first pic, swipe to see the first grade version)

Here’s the thing, it’s SO easy to find writing prompts and worksheets for the other writing genres. Opinion writing? So many options! Narratives? Endless choice!

But when it comes to teaching informational writing, I just don’t see as much choice on places like TpT. 

If you’ve been struggling to find engaging and no prep writing resources for informational writing, then I’ve got you covered!

Comment below if you’d like a link to these 🙂 

 #Writingcurriculum #writingprompts #writingteachers #writingteacher #writingworkshop #writingworkshops #writersworkshop #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcenter #writingcenters #writingforkids #writingactivity #writingactivities #iteachwriting #kindergartenwriting #firstgradewriting #literacycenters #literacycentres #literacycenter #literacycentre #literacylearning #elateacher #elateachers #iteachela #iteachelementary #informationalwriting #informativewriting #informationwriting
Who can relate? Do you also get printer rage?! 😂🙌🏻 

#Teacherjokes #teacherjoke #teacherfunny #teacherfunnies #teachingjokes #teacherhumor #teacherhumour #teachinghumor #teachermemes #teachermeme #teachingmemes #teachingmeme #teacherquotes #teacherquote #teachingquotes #teachingquote  #motivationforteachers #teachertwitter #teachertweet #teacherlaughs #teachertribe #teachertalk

Pinterest

TPT Seller Instagram

Am I obsessed with talking about TpT? Maybe! 😂 Am I obsessed with talking about TpT? Maybe! 😂 But it does light me up. I love helping other TpT sellers! 
I truly hope it all helps 🙂 what’s one thing you’ve learned from me? 

 #tptteachers #tptseller #tptteacher #tptstore #teachersoftpt #teacherpreneur #teacherpreneurtribe  #teacherseller #teacherhustle #teacherbusiness #businessbasics #teacherbsn #teachercreator #tptsellers #tptauthor #teacherpreneurcommunity
It’s an addiction I swear! 😂 Those sneaky c It’s an addiction I swear! 😂 

Those sneaky clip artists releasing a bunch of new awesome sets around sale time this week was intense, right?! 😂🙌🏻

#Teacherhustle #teachersidehustle #teacherbusiness #teacherpreneurs #teacherpreneurship #teacherpreneurtribe #tptsellers #teacherauthors #tptauthor #tptauthors
Should you be on Instagram or TikTok? Wait, what a Should you be on Instagram or TikTok? Wait, what about Facebook and Pinterest? Or should you be doing blogging and email? What about a podcast or YouTube?

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

As TpT sellers, there’s so much choice when it comes to marketing platforms.

🤔 As a newer seller, you might be wondering which platform to start.

🤔 As a seasoned seller, you might be wondering which platform to prioritize.

Listening to what other sellers recommend isn’t always ideal.

It’s far better to choose a platform that suits your business and personality. 

❌ An introvert who hates being on video is probably not going to find TikTok very profitable.

That’s why this week on The Terrific Teacherpreneur podcast, we’re talking all about choosing the right platform for you!

Psst! There’s a link in my bio to a quick 1 minute quiz that I created that will tell you your perfect marketing platform 😱

Tell me, have you listened to the episode yet and taken the quiz? If so, what was your result? 🙂

 #teacherseller #teacherhustle #teacherbusiness #businessbasics #teacherbsn #teachercreator #tptsellers #tptauthor #teacherpreneurcommunity  #tptteachers #tptseller #tptteacher #tptstore #teachersoftpt #teacherpreneur #teacherpreneurtribe  #teacherssupportingteachers #teachersoninstagram #educatorsofinstagram #elementaryteacher #elementaryeducation #educatorsofinsta #igteacher  #igteachers #educatorsofig #teachersconnect #iteachelementaryschool #teachertalk #teacherblogger #teacherbloggers
So instead of sharing a sales graphic, talking abo So instead of sharing a sales graphic, talking about how your whole store is on sale, and just listing the dates of the sale…

…share a gorgeous product photo, talk about a specific resource, and say why your buyer needs this resource! Oh it happens to be on sale? How amazing!

Before you get mad at me for dissing sales graphics and TPT sale announcements, 😂 put yourself in your buyers shoes. 

How do you feel when you’re scrolling through Instagram and you just see hundreds of sales graphics with the same captions? Do you just keep scrolling by? I know I do!

Comment below and let me know your thoughts! Will you be trying any of these ideas this time? 🙂

 #teacherssupportingteachers #teachersoninstagram #iteachkindergarten #iteach1st #educatorsofinstagram #elementaryteacher #elementaryeducation #educatorsofinsta  #igteacher  #iteach2nd #igteachers #edugram #educatorsofig #teachersconnect #iteachelementaryschool #teachertalk #teacherblogger #teacherbloggers  #teachersofthegram #instateachers #instagramteacher  #instagramteacher #elementaryschoolteacher #teachinglife #teachersofaustralia #teachersoninsta #teachersrock #teacherinstagram #teachergoals
Pricing is so tricky on TpT! If you ever second-gu Pricing is so tricky on TpT! If you ever second-guess yourself, you’re not alone! 

I do recommend evaluating your prices every now and then. Just to check that you aren’t overcharging or undercharging! 

Here are a few ideas -

• First, do some market research and just keep a little eye on what others in your niche are charging. I don’t recommend spending too much time doing this, but knowledge is power and it would be good to know if you were drastically different from everyone else.

• Next, look at your own store and check that your pricing is consistent across the board. As the years go by, you might find that for your old products you were drastically undercharging compared to your new products etc.

• Finally, think about the value that your resource provides to teachers. How much time is it saving them? How many activities will they get? How long will they be able to use the resource for? These thoughts can really help you guide your pricing.

I hope this post has helped! Be sure to check out this week’s podcast episode on the terrific teacherpreneur, and the previous episode I did about pricing a while back!

Tell me, how do you feel about pricing?
👍🏻 I set prices fairly easily
😭 Pricing is so tricky
😐 It’s a bit of both!

 #teacherspayteachersresources #teacherauthors #teachersidegig #teachersidehustle  #teacherentrepreneur #lifeafterteaching #teacherpreneurs #tptauthors #teacherpreneurlife  #marketingforteachers #sidehustleideas #tpttips #teacherauthor  #teacherspayteachersstore #tptnewbie #teacherboss #teachertiptpt #teacherpreneurship  #teacherseller #teachercreator #tptsellers #tptauthor #teacherpreneurcommunity  #tptteachers #tptseller #tptteacher #tptstore #teachersoftpt #teacherpreneur #teacherpreneurtribe
Also, here’s your reminder to check out episode Also, here’s your reminder to check out episode 68 of The Terrific Teacherpreneur podcast where I talk about the better way to market the TpT sale!

Are you ready for the sale next week? 🙂

 #teacherspayteachersresources #teacherauthors  #teacherentrepreneur  #teacherpreneurs #tptauthors #teacherpreneurlife  #tpttips #teacherauthor  #teacherspayteachersstore #tptnewbie #teacherboss #teachertiptpt #teacherpreneurship  #teacherseller  #teachercreator #tptsellers #tptauthor #teacherpreneurcommunity  #tptteachers #tptseller #tptteacher #tptstore #teachersoftpt #teacherpreneur #teacherpreneurtribe
Yes, yes, and yes! ✅ There are certainly occasi Yes, yes, and yes! ✅

There are certainly occasions where your prices will change. 💰

Sometimes you’ll find that you are undercharging, or you have a great conversation, and a price increase is just what you need! 

At other times, you might find that you have made a pricing faux pas and you are extremely expensive in comparison to everyone else in the marketplace, and you might want to drop the price slightly.

So yeah, your pricing can and will change over time! It’s no biggie 🙂

Check out this week’s podcast episode on The Terrific Teacherpreneur, where I list occasions where you should raise or drop your prices 💸

Tell me below, do you find yourself tweaking your pricing? What makes you increase or lower a price? 💵

#teacherbusiness #teacherpreneurs #teacherpreneurship #teacherpreneurtribe #tptsellers #teacherauthors #tptauthor #tptauthors #tptsellertips #tptseller #tptteacher #teacherauthor #teacherpreneur #tpt #teacherspayteachers #teachertips #teachertip #teachertalk #teachertruth #teacherhack #teacherhacks #tptpodcast #theterrificteacherpreneur
You have until August 1st to join Terrific Pinning You have until August 1st to join Terrific Pinning before it closes! It will not be opening up again for quite a while. 

Definitely check out the link in my bio to learn more about the course. 

Don’t be shy, you can also message me with any questions! 🙂

#pinterestcourse  #tptteachers #tptseller #tptteacher #tptstore #teachersoftpt #teacherpreneur #teacherpreneurtribe  #teacherseller #teacherbusiness #teachercreator #tptsellers #tptauthor #teacherpreneurcommunity
Even the best reel, TikTok video, fb ad, pin, blog Even the best reel, TikTok video, fb ad, pin, blog post, or email can’t work miracles on a product that isn’t converting.

This is a reminder that yes, marketing platforms are magical and they can bring you views. But they cannot work miracles once a buyer lands on your product listing.

❌ If your product isn’t what people want or need, a reel or TikTok video can’t fix that.

❌ If your TpT description is weak, an Fb ad or pin won’t fix that.

❌ If your thumbnails and previews are lackluster, a blog post or email won’t fix that.

So, this is just a reminder that getting views is the first hurdle but getting a sale is about what happens when the buyer is on your TpT listing.

If they don’t like what they see, they won’t purchase. 🥲

So, don’t forget to prioritize product creation and optimizing your listings this back to school season. 

Let’s increase those conversions!

💡My personal suggestion is to prioritize updating thumbnails and previews in order to increase conversions.

Let me know in the comments if you agree 🙌🏻

 #teacherssupportingteachers #teachersoninstagram #iteachkindergarten #iteach1st #educatorsofinstagram #elementaryteacher #elementaryeducation #educatorsofinsta #teachersrule #igteacher #teacherlifestyle  #iteach2nd #igteachers #edugram #educatorsofig #teachersconnect #iteachelementaryschool #teachertalk #teacherblogger #teacherbloggers  #teachersofthegram #instateachers #instagramteacher  #elementaryschoolteacher #teachinglife #teachersofaustralia #teachersoninsta #teachersrock #teacherinstagram #teachergoals

Copyright © 2022 · Website + Branding Design by Christi Fultz

We noticed you're visiting from Australia. We've updated our prices to Australian dollar for your shopping convenience. Use United States (US) dollar instead. Dismiss