How to Get Started on Teachers Pay Teachers

So you’re interested in selling products on TpT? That’s great. I encourage every teacher to do this. But I understand that sometimes the task may be daunting. It’s hard not knowing exactly where to begin.

Here are a few things you will need to do to get started. After that, I have a free e Book that will walk you through the steps of How to Start Selling on Teachers Pay Teacehrs.

Download the Free eBook to walk you through all the steps

Decide Your Business Name

When you open your TpT seller’s account, you are actually creating a store on their website. So what do you want this store to be called?

Lots of people try to make their store name specific to the type of teacher that would be interested in their products (this is called a niche). This is a really good strategy, and what I do recommend, but it’s not the only strategy.

Many successful TpT sellers use their personal name or something very generic – like Mrs. Watson’s classroom.

So pick your name as soon as possible.

Create a business email

I strongly recommend you go to Gmail and start an email with the business name – like MrsWatsonsClassroom@gmail.com. (Unless you have a website, then you can use the email that came with your website).

You’re going to want a business email to interact in and out of, and you’ll want to keep it separate from your personal email.

You will also be using this email to open accounts, so start one before you open your TpT store if possible.

Create a PayPal account using your new business email

TpT will pay you through your paypal account. So go onto PayPal and open an account using your business email.

You should not use your personal PayPal account, if you already have one, because you will need to keep a record of your income for tax purposes. So keep the business money separate from your personal money – and use a separate PayPal account.

Side note – if you will be selling other products or on other platforms (like on Amazon, or a book, or on your website) you will want that money to go in and out of your business PayPal account as well. Same with expenses. Use your business PayPal account for any business expenses (like the Premium Seller Membership cost of TpT).

Sign Up for a Seller’s Account on TpT

Go to Teachers Pay Teachers and sign up for a seller’s account.

There are two types of seller’s accounts: Basic (free) and Premium ($60 a year).

Read this article to help you decide between the premium and free membership.

Start Creating Products

The next thing you need to do is start creating and uploading products on to Teachers Pay Teachers. Remember that your first product upload has to be something that you will give away (for free). So try to make it something that lots of teachers can use – something that most teachers in your niche will find beneficial.

Read this Article to learn more about your free product uploads

Watch this video to see how to upload products to TpT