Should I Start my TpT Store Now in Light of the Coronavirus Crisis?

Times are strange.

Schools across the nation are closed, with most doing some form of distance learning while a few have decided to start summer break early.

We’re quarantined and social distancing while the economy struggles and people are losing their jobs.

Is it really the best time to start your side business? Is now a good time to open your TpT store?

I asked myself these questions, and wrestled with it. I started my TpT store long ago, but was scheduled to start an online course teaching teachers how to start their own TpT store to start making money. Should I cancel it? Is now really the best time to be starting a TpT store?

The answer to all these questions is a resounding yes!

Now is a great time to start a TpT store. Let me tell you why.

Teachers are still working

They still need great resources. In fact, now more than ever, they need extra help because we’re all doing education in a way we’ve never done before – distance learning.

Teachers are transforming their instruction into a virtual setting. They’re learning new technology, adapting to new circumstances, and trying to create resources that work in a way we’re not used to.

So teachers are looking for support and help, and you can provide them with it.

You are creating resources anyhow

You probably fit into the category I mentioned above, creating new resources or creating them differently.

So you can take those resources and allow them to help other teachers.

Teachers Pay Teachers is the best platform to share your resources with other teachers. You can upload them for free or for a great price and share them around the world easily.

Time

Many teachers are feeling overwhelmed and burdened by distance learning. They say they’re actually working more now than they did when we were in the classrooms everyday.

It will get better. Remember, everything has a learning curve.

But for many, they find themselves with extra free time. They’re not having to spend time getting ready for work everyday (since they’re working from the living room), no long drives to work, etc. Plus, for many, the work load has lightened.

If you have found yourself with extra free time, instead of binge watching TV shows you’ve never heard of, how about using that time to do something that can bless you, your family, and other teachers.

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A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today

Making money on TpT is like a snowball rolling downhill.

It starts slow and small as you will have few items for sale in your store and not many people who know who you are. So your products won’t easily be found, and when they are you’ll have few reviews so you’ll convert a smaller percentage of customers then you would otherwise.

But overtime, you’ll create more products and improve your craft. You’ll get sales and reviews, and start to build a following. All of this will result in more sales and that snowball will grow.

So the sooner you start, the better.

Conclusion

I know these are strange times. And many teachers are pressed for time or money. But starting a TpT store is a great thing that you can do to share your resources with others and make extra money. As Ben Franklin said, “Don’t our off til tomorrow, what you can do today.”