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How to Make a Preview on Teachers Pay Teachers

Hey teacherpreneurs,

In this blog post, I want to talk all about product previews on TPT. I’m going to tell you what a preview is, answer the question of whether you need them, tell you how to make them and upload them, and help you protect them.

Previews on TPT

What is a preview?

If you’re new to TPT, you may not know what a preview is. Essentially, we are given lots of ways to help buyers understand our product before they purchase. We have the cover, thumbnails, description, and preview. The cover and thumbnails are small square pictures. The preview is often a PDF (although you can also upload a picture).

The difference between thumbnails and previews is the size. Thumbnails are very small and they are made slightly blurry by TPT in order to protect our work. Previews are big and clear close ups.

You can use a TPT preview to show a full page (or more) of your product. You can also overlap screenshots and show everything included in your product.

Do you need a preview?

The short answer is YES.

The slightly longer answer is YES YES YES!

TPT has confirmed that over 60% of buyers won’t purchase without seeing a preview. This is because buyers want to know exactly what they are going to get. Thumbnails are small and blurry. Descriptions are just words. Buyers need a clear visual look at your product to help them make their decision.

What holds people back from making previews is often laziness or paranoia of theft. My advice is don’t be lazy and miss out on those 60% of buyers. Theft, however, is a genuine concern. But don’t worry, we’ll talk about protecting our previews at the end of this post.

Previews on TPT
Be like this cute and smart dog. Make previews!

How do you make a preview?

It’s simple! You can create TPT previews using whatever program you use to create your products. Personally, I use PowerPoint.

I simply copy and paste some of my product into a new PowerPoint and use it as a preview. I often show a few full worksheets. Occasionally, I create a page with overlapping screenshots of all my worksheets so that a buyer can see how many activities are included. I save my PowerPoint as a PDF and upload it to TPT.

Here’s where to upload a preview on your tpt listing. The gray box is where you can upload your PDF or JPEG.

Previews on TPT

How do you protect TPT previewS?

A sneaky buyer could easily download, print, or screenshot a preview. They could lift clip art (which violates most clip artist’s terms of use) or edit your pages. That is why we must protect our work.

The first step is to add a watermark to your pages. I create a circle shape in PowerPoint and adjust the transparency (go to format shape) so it is slightly see-through but still colored enough to cover my work. I write the word ‘preview’ across the shape too.

Pro tip – Create a PowerPoint template with your watermark. You can copy and paste it into your previews, which is quicker than making a watermark from scratch every time!

Make sure you flatten your work so that the watermark has value and can’t just be removed. The free option is to simply save your PowerPoint slides as jpegs. Then re-insert the jpegs into your PowerPoint. This flattens the clip art and prevents editing.

It is also important to secure your work by password protecting it. Flat Pack and Adobe Pro are ways to flatten and secure your work if you are willing to invest.

I hope you’ve found this post about previews on TPT useful! If you’re looking for explicit tutorials, check out my TPT seller course.

P.S – I hope you’ve found some useful tips in this post! Sign up to my email community here or follow me on Instagram for MORE free advice. I also have lots of free tips in my TPT Facebook group. 

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Comments

  1. nadine says

    October 4, 2022 at 11:32 pm

    Thanks, Alex, this exactly answered my question. Heading off to make some now.

    Reply
    • Alex says

      October 5, 2022 at 2:38 am

      That’s great to hear!

      Reply

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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…

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The first school that I ever taught at didn’t pr The first school that I ever taught at didn’t provide me with a writing curriculum, which sucks! But I hear stories of teachers being forced into using crappy curriculum…and yeah that sounds even worse 🤦🏼‍♀️

Share an emoji in the comments to tell me your thoughts? Which is worse? 
❌ no curriculum or 🤢 bad curriculum?

#Iteachk #iteachkinder #kindergarten2 #kindergartenwriting #kindergartenteachers #kindergartenlife #kindergartener #thirdgrade #thirdgradetribe #thirdgradeteacher #thirdgradeteachers #thirdgraderocks #thirdgradeclassroom #iteachthirdgrade #secondgrade #secondgradeteacher #secondgraderocks #secondgradeteachers #secondgradeclassroom #secondgradetribe #secondgradewriting #secondgrader #secondgraders #secondgradelife #2ndgradehomeschool #2ndgradeadventures #iteach2 #secondgradeliteracy #firstgrade #firstgraderocks
Hi! For anyone new around here, I’m Alex (and th Hi! For anyone new around here, I’m Alex (and this is my little one, Lily) 🙂

I’m a former teacher and now a work from home mama. I play peekaboo most of the day and try to make teaching activities for my TPT store during nap time 😂

Lily is nearly 8 months old, if you have little ones, let me know how old they are in the comments! And tell me if it’s gets easier 😂

#firstgradeteacher #firstgradeclassroom #firstgradetribe #firstgrader #firstgraders #firstgraderesources #firstgradecenters #1stgrade #1stgrader #1stgraders #iteachfirsties #secondgrade #secondgradeteacher #secondgraderocks #secondgradeteachers #secondgradeclassroom #secondgradetribe #secondgradewriting #secondgrader #iteachsecond #iteachsecondgrade #iteach2nd #2ndgradeteachers #2ndgrader #2ndgradefun #2ndgradelife #2ndgraders #2ndgradehomeschool #2ndgradeadventures #iteach2
I’ve never tried flair pens, can you believe? Ev I’ve never tried flair pens, can you believe? Everyone is always giving them a lot of hype, so I got some. Are they that good? 

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Comment TACO below and I’ll send you a link to t Comment TACO below and I’ll send you a link to these delicious ‘how to’ writing prompts! 

There’s 13 prompts and they each come in 4 versions (dotted and plain lines, with and without ‘First, then, next, last’).

These are perfect for procedure writing lessons, but also as writing centers, morning work, early finishers, or homework!

#firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #firstgradeclassroom #firstgradeliteracy #firstgradeteachers #firstgraderocks #firstgradewriting #firstgradeart #firstgradecrafts #firstgradetribe #firstgrader #firstgraders #firstgraderesources #firstgradecenters #1stgrade #1stgradeteacher #1stgradeart #1stgraderocks #1stgradeteachers #1stgrader #1stgraders #1stgradelife #1stgradefun #iteach1st #iteach1 #iteach1stgrade #iteachfirst #iteachfirstgrade #iteachfirsties
Students love to write about magical and imaginary Students love to write about magical and imaginary things! 🌟 As well as extinct! 🦖 

I highly recommend getting your students to write stories about fairies, dinosaurs, aliens, unicorns, monsters, magicians, and pirates 🙌🏻

Also, if the season calls for it, leprechauns, witches, Frankenstein, etc!

This can be so engaging, especially if your students are interested in the particular topic ✅

Save this post for later! 💗

 #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
Comment SPACE and I’ll send you a link to these Comment SPACE and I’ll send you a link to these sentence writing worksheets! 👽🪐

#sentencewriting #sentencestructure #grammarlesson #grammartips #teachinggrammar #grammarlessons #firstgradewriting #firstgradeclassroom #firstgradeactivities #firstgradeliteracy  #firstgradeteachers #1stgradeteachers  #kindergarten2 #kindergartenwriting #kindergartenlife #kindergartener #kindergartenrocks #kindergartenfun #kindergartenhomeschool #kindergartenready #kindergartenactivity #kindergartenideas #kindergartencenters #kindergartenclass #teachingkindergarten #teachingkinder #kindergartenlearning #kindergarteners #kindergarteninspiration #kindergartentips
Do NOT just dive into your first writing unit! ❌ Do NOT just dive into your first writing unit! ❌

Even with second and third grade, you need to review foundational skills first! 

You’ll be surprised how many students aren’t using capital letters or punctuation. Their sentences won’t make any sense! They may still be struggling with handwriting or phonics 😬

Jumping straight into your writing unit will be a disaster for everyone! You’ll be frustrated with what your students produce and your students will hate writing lessons 🥲

Instead, put off your writing genres for a sec. Spend a few weeks focusing on teaching sentence writing ✍🏻

If you teach second grade, I do have a sentence writing unit I think will really help! 

Comment SENTENCE below and I’ll send you a link 🙂

#secondgrade #secondgradeteacher #secondgraderocks #secondgradeteachers #secondgradeclassroom #secondgradetribe #secondgradewriting #secondgrader #secondgraders #secondgradelife #secondgradefun #secondgradehomeschool #iteachsecond #iteachsecondgrade #iteach2nd #iteach2ndgrade #2ndgrade #2ndgradeteacher #2ndgraderocks #2ndgradeclassroom #2ndgradeteachers #2ndgrader #2ndgradewriting #2ndgradefun #2ndgradelife #2ndgraders #2ndgradehomeschool #2ndgradeadventures #iteach2 #secondgradeliteracy
If you’re a 2nd grade teacher, this is for you! If you’re a 2nd grade teacher, this is for you! 

My new personal narratives writing unit is here! 🎉 

If you like the look of this cute craft, comment UNIT below and I’ll send you a link so you can check out the unit 💗

 #Writingcurriculum #writingprompts #writingteachers #writingteacher #writinglessons #writinglesson #writingcenter #writingactivity #writingactivities #secondgradeteacher #secondgraderocks #secondgradeteachers #secondgradeclassroom #secondgradetribe #secondgradewriting #secondgraders #secondgradelife #secondgradefun #2ndgradeteacher #2ndgraderocks #2ndgradeclassroom #2ndgradeteachers #2ndgrader #2ndgradewriting #2ndgradefun #2ndgradelife #2ndgraders #2ndgradeadventures #iteach2 #secondgradeliteracy
Whatever you do, don’t just jump into your narra Whatever you do, don’t just jump into your narrative unit or whatever genre you’re supposed to teach first.

Start with drawing and labeling for a while. Focus on teaching phonics and then take the time to explicitly teach sentence writing.

This will take a few months and that’s okay!

It is not developmentally appropriate to tell your kindergarteners to write a narrative straight away. ❌

Take it slow and teaching writing will be far more bearable! 🙌🏻

#Iteachk #iteachkinder #iteachkindergarten #iteachkinders #iteachkindy #iteachk12 #kindergarten #kindergarten2 #kindergartenteacher #kindergartenactivities #kindergartenclassroom #kindergartenwriting #kindergartenteachers #kindergartenlife #kindergartener #kindergartenrocks #kindergartenfun #kindergartenhomeschool #kindergartenready #kindergartenactivity #kindergartenideas #kindergartencenters #kindergartenclass #teachingkindergarten #teachingkinder #kindergartenlearning #kindergarteners #kindergarteninspiration #kindergartentips #kindergartenathome

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Idea pins don’t seem to be hot anymore so it’s Idea pins don’t seem to be hot anymore so it’s back to video pins I think! 

Have you noticed this?
And let me know if you have any questions about video pins!

Psst! Want to learn more about Pinterest? Definitely check out my Pinterest course! There’s a link in my bio 💗

 #Teachingtip #teachingideas #teachingresources #teachingart #teachingtips #teachingisfun #teachinglife #teachingreading #teachingtools #teachingstrategies #teachingmath #primaryteaching #teachinginspiration #teachingmusic #teachingscience #teachingspanish #teachingandlearning #teachingismypassion #teachingtuesday #teachingwriting #teachingphonics #teachingmaterials #artteacher #preschoolteacher #teacherquotes #teacherstatus #englishteacher #teacherorganization #teacherlife #hpeteacher
You can’t sell it if it isn’t posted! Tell me You can’t sell it if it isn’t posted!

Tell me in the comments, how many products do you have on your computer right now that you’re procrastinating from posting? 😂

 #Peteacher #peteachers #peteachersofinstagram #peteacherlife #healthteacher #healthteachers #iteachpe #iteachhealth #artteachersofinstagram #artteachers #artteacher #artteacherlife #artteachersofig #iteachart #musicteacher #musicteachers #musicteachersofinstagram #musicteacherlife #musicteachersrock #musicteaching #iteachmusic #socialstudiesteacher #socialstudiesteachers #iteachsocialstudies #teacherlibrarian #scienceteacher #scienceteachers #scienceteachersofinstagram #scienceteacherlife #iteachscience
Have you ever thought about becoming a virtual ass Have you ever thought about becoming a virtual assistant?

You can do this alongside your TPT store (to supplement your income) or instead of running a store (if it lights you up)! 🎊

My friend Chloe Tascoff is like the VA version of me 😂 she loves helping teachers become VAs! She's been on my podcast twice (if you want to see what she has to say).

Anyways, I'm SO excited to see that she's lauching a program to help teachers become VAs. 🙌

If you're a seller, you know how hard it can be to find good help sometimes! Chloe is gonna make sure she creates QUALITY VAs in the TPT space and I'm all for it.

FYI - She's a massively successful VA herself (6 figures a year), so she knows her stuff.

Anyways, be sure to check out Virtual Assistant School For Educators (VASE) that's open for the next two weeks! It's a beta launch (so at its most affordable).

I really think Chloe knows what she's talking about so I'm gonna share my affiliate link in my stories. I very rarely do affiliate stuff but honestly I wanna support Chloe AND as a seller I want quality VAs in our space!

Comment below with any questions and @teachervamentor Chloe Tascoff and I can answer them :)

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A sense of paralyzing dread hits me when I see the A sense of paralyzing dread hits me when I see the email! 😂

Let me know in the comments how it makes you feel 😂

#Teacherjokes #teacherjoke #teacherfunny #teacherfunnies #teachingjokes #teacherhumor #teacherhumour #teachinghumor #teachermemes #teachermeme #teachingmemes #teachingmeme #teacherquotes #teacherquote #teachingquotes #teachingquote  #teacherlaughs #teachertribe #teachertalk
Little Lily May is precious but oh so time consumi Little Lily May is precious but oh so time consuming 👶🏼😂

With such limited time to juggle everything, I have made the tough decision to take a hiatus from the podcast for a while 💔

This also means I’ll be a bit quieter when it comes to emails and Instagram posts.

Listen in to the farewell episode if you want to hear more about my decision.

The good news is that I’m still going to be around on Instagram stories and in my Facebook group. 

I hope you understand! 

Let me know in the comments if you can relate. If you are busy these days, have there been things that you’ve had to press pause on?

#Teacherhustle #teachersidehustle #teacherbusiness #teacherpreneurs #teacherpreneurship #teacherpreneurtribe #tptsellers #teacherauthors #tptauthor #tptauthors
Are you too nervous to record reels, TikToks, FB l Are you too nervous to record reels, TikToks, FB lives, or course videos?

Instagram stories are a great way to get confident on camera on a much smaller scale! 📸 

Listen in to this week’s episode of The Terrific Teacherpreneur podcast to hear all of my tips! 

Tell me in the comments with an emoji, how confident are you on camera? 
Are we talking 👍🏻🙌🏻🎉 or 😬😭🥺?

 #Igteachers #igteacher #instateacher #instateachers #instagramteachers #instagramteacher #teachersofig #teachersofinsta #teachersofthegram #teacherig #teacherinsta #teacherinstagram #educatorsofig #educatorsofinsta #educatorsofinstagram
I earned $2.70 my first month on TPT! 😂🤦🏼 I earned $2.70 my first month on TPT! 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

I shared these kind of fun facts during last week’s podcast episode! 

As I was recording, I contemplated whether I should do an episode for years three and four and five and six etc someday, what do you think?!

#Teacherhustle #teachersidehustle #teacherbusiness #teacherpreneurs #teacherpreneurship #teacherpreneurtribe #tptsellers #teacherauthors #tptauthor #tptauthors
Has this ever happened to you? 😂 #Teacherjokes Has this ever happened to you? 😂

#Teacherjokes #teacherjoke #teacherfunny #teacherfunnies #teachingjokes #teacherhumor #teacherhumour #teachinghumor #teachermemes #teachermeme #teachingmemes #teachingmeme #teacherquotes #teacherquote #teachingquotes #teachingquote  #teacherlaughs #teachertribe #teachertalk #teacherhustle #teachersidehustle #teacherbusiness #teacherpreneurs #teacherpreneurship #teacherpreneurtribe #tptsellers #teacherauthors #tptauthor #tptauthors
I’m SO embarrassed to admit this but… I used I’m SO embarrassed to admit this but…

I used to be anti flatpack. As in I ‘didn’t think you should pay to flatten and secure resources when you can do it for free’ (ten million times slower 😂).

I remember arguing with someone in a Facebook group about it 🤦🏼‍♀️😬

I had some real mindset issues back then around investing in my business. I wasn’t buying good quality clip art and I didn’t understand why people took courses or got coaching.

I didn’t treat TPT like a business and my sales reflected that 😭 thank goodness I came out the other side!

When I think of hugely successful TPT sellers, they always have a business mindset. 

Anyways, we are constantly growing and evolving as business owners.

I’m willing to admit that I was wrong and I don’t mind laughing about it either! 😂

Is there anything that you realize you were wrong about when you first started? 

#Iteachscience #spedteachers #iteachart #musicteachers #iteachela #mathteachers #iteachreading #socialstudiesteacher #iteachlanguagearts #eslteachers #iteachpe #middleschoolteachers #iteachhighschool #primaryschoolteachers #iteachprep #prekteachers #schoolslp #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #iteachk12 #iteach345 #iteach789 #teacherfollow

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