Many of us who would like to begin making some extra money on TpT, fight this common misbelief; the idea that none of our content is original, or worth selling on TpT. While I find this hard to believe, I think that this idea comes from a few misconceptions that I would like to address here.
1 – The Confusion Over Originality
Have you seen these task cards that everyone is currently selling on Teachers Pay Teachers? I’ve yet to do it because I just can’t believe that people are putting simple questions on one sheet of paper, and other teachers are buying them! It’s crazy to me. I could make them in ten seconds.
But let me ask you this, the person who puts 50 triple-digit addition problems on 50 task cards, is any of that original?
He’s not the first person to create task cards. Nor is he the first to create 50 task cards.
The questions on the task cards are surely not never-before-seen questions.
So is his work original?
Yes. As long as he didn’t steal his artwork, or plagiarize something. If he created the task cards and put the questions on them, then it’s his original work.
What about you? Have you created a worksheet? Written a lesson plan? Made a PPT presentation? Then you have something original that you can sell.
2 – It’s More than Lesson Plans and Worksheets
Many people think that the only things being sold on TpT are worksheets and lesson plans.
But the variety of items that can be sold on Teachers Pay Teachers is astounding! Anything you could use in the classroom (and way more) is available on TpT.
Did you know that on TpT you can sell:
- Digital Books
- Videos
- Note templates
- Logs
- Professional developments
- Worksheets
- Lesson Plans
- Anchor Charts
- Games
- Activities
- PowerPoint Slide Decks
- Labs
- Centers
- Calendars
- Clip Art
- Classroom Decorations
- Newsletter Templates
- Syllabus
- And so much more!
Is there anything that you’re doing that’s really cool in the classroom?
Maybe it’s not your lesson plans, but you do really fun learning activities. You could type up the instructions (or make a tutorial video) and sell those along with any resources you need to do the activity in your class.
Maybe you have a great talent for cutting the images out of popular children’s books and turning it into a board game. You could sell those templates or instructional kits. Or you could create a video that teaches teachers how to do the same and sell the tutorial video.
Maybe you have a great teaching strategy to implement yoga in the classroom. You could write a short book, and sell digital copies on TpT. Or make informative posters of the different breathing activities (like a word wall).
Have you developed a course that’s specific to your school? Perhaps a class on common tasks students should know before leaving high school (like tying a tie and changing a tire). A home ec. class, wood working, STEM, computer programming, drone aviation, or something else? You could sell the syllabus and all its resources.
If you’re doing something really cool in the classroom, that could be a benefit to other teachers. Then you have a resource worth sharing.
3 – It’s Okay to Recreate
The first item that I started selling on TpT was a maze worksheet. Students started at the beginning of a series of boxes, and answered questions to get them through the different questions on the maze worksheet until they reached the end by correctly answering the questions.
I did not invent maze worksheets. I saw one online, by chance, for an English concept and thought it would go well with the math skill my students were working on. So I took the concept of a maze and adjusted it. Besides making it for math (and I’m sure I wasn’t the first person to make a math maze worksheet), I changed the formatting and added some enhancements that I thought made it a better resource.
This is not stealing, plagiarism, or copyright infringement. This is taking a good idea and making it my own.
I recently created a handout for teachers to give students who want to play integer war in their classrooms. I’m sure I’m not the first teacher to ever have his students play integer war with a deck of cards. In fact, if you scan the TpT website, you’ll find several other sellers selling the same product. But I created my own instructional handout – I didn’t steal anyone’s words, template, or artwork. So I can sell it. And I like the way mine works compared to other teachers. Plus, I bundled it with another game for the same skill and sell them both for less than anyone else is selling it.
4 – Don’t Settle for Excuses
Like many other things we say, this is just an excuse that keeps us from starting.
When I opened my TpT store, I was out of the classroom and in administration. So I am no longer creating lesson plans, worksheets or other resources for my students. Thus, = I can’t even borrow my great ideas from the classroom. But TpT has been a game-changer for me. That little bit of extra income helps my family do so many things and I am so grateful for it.
That’s why I encourage you – you have a great opportunity in front of you to change your life for the better. Don’t settle for excuses.
You can start creating products today.
Pick something from the list above and start working towards selling it.
Want some help walking through the process of creating a product, uploading it TpT, and getting people to come see and buy it? I have a free eBook and an online course just for you. Let me be your guide as you work towards earning that little bit of extra income that can change your life.
