Episode 54: What You Need to Make a TpT Resource

I have been creating YouTube videos about TpT since January and I never made a video about what you need to include in a resource.  

 Tools

• Powerpoint | Keynote | Google Slides | Adobe
• Backgrounds | Digital Paper
• Frame | Banners
• Fonts
• Clipart
• Be sure to check the terms of use

What to include in a TPT product? 

• Cover Page
• Teacher Directions
• Standards
• Resource
• Answer Page/Rubric
• Terms of Use

Extras

• B&W and Color Editions

How to Look at TpT Data

Data isn’t very much fun, but we are going to take a look at TpT data.  I’m no data master, but I am going to show you some of the very basic things I look at.

TpT Product Statistics

TpT Sales

The sales tab allows you see how many you sold of a product as well as the conversation rate and earnings from those products.

TpT Activity

Activity is a great way to see what page views, product views, wishlists and downloads for each product.  I like to see how many people have wishlisted a product.  The statistic on this page I found the most encouraging is how many people downloaded my free resources.  It was encouraging to see that people wanted what I was creating.

TpT Easel

The Easel tab lets you see if teachers are assigning your products through Easel.  I think the data about how many students your resource reaches may be inaccurate.

TpT Reviews

The reviews tab lets you see which products are bringing in reviews.  You may use quotes from reviews to help promote your products.

TpT Sales Reports 

Sales reports tab tells you a little bit of information about where your buyers are from.  I think this would be most helpful in helping you decide what state standards you want to mark.  If you have a lot of buyers from Texas maybe it’s time to mark the Texas standards in TpT.

TpT Dashboard

From the dashboard you can toggle between a lot of information like, earnings, units sold, conversation rates, and views.   All of this information is presented in a friendly graph and you can customize the dates.  

TpT Traffic

The traffic tab can be found on the dashboard page.  The traffic tab lets you see how people are finding your products.  If you want to utilize this tool, be sure to learn how to use UTM codes.

TpT Marketing

The marketing tab can also be found on the dashboard page.  This tab is where you can throw a sale (or join a site wide one), change your banners, read useful information, submit a product to the TpT newsletter and more.

How Long-Form Content and Short-Form Content Can Help Grow Your TpT Store

Content is the free material you put out into the world.  There is long-form content and short-form content.  We are going to be talking a little bit about both of these, including why you should use them and how to do it.

Long-form content should provide massive value to your customers and future customers.  There are three main forms of long-form content to choose from.  Blogging, YouTube, and Podcasting.  It doesn’t really matter which one you choose, but it’s important to start at least one of these.  It should be something you like to do. If you hate being on camera then don’t start a YouTube channel.  No matter which one you choose, it’s a good idea to have a website.  Having your own website is a space you own on the internet.  You can send your customers there.  If you are podcasting or YouTubing it’s a good idea to put your show notes on your website.

Long-form content is important because it helps your customers get to know, like, and trust you.  When you connect with your customers like that they will want to buy from you.  If your content is providing them with valuable advice and tools, they are going to be excited to buy from you because you’ve already helped them so much.

Short-form content is anything that is brief like Facebook, Twitter, tick-tock, or Instagram. Short-form content can still provide value to your customers, but it’s like the worm on a fishing hook.  You are trying to grab their attention and pull them in.   It’s an introduction.  The goal of your short-form content should be to get your customers/future customers to engage with your long-form content. 

When you are writing short-form content you should use a consistent method.  First, a hook that will grab their attention, then a story or way to connect with them, and finally a call to action. 

In my opinion email lists are in a league of their own.  A person who signs up for your email list wants to hear from you.  They are interested in what you have to say and are selling.  Emails can be long or short.  Emails can lead to long-form content.  Emails should provide massive value. 

The other great thing about email lists is that you own the list.  You are not trying to navigate hashtags and algorithms that will let some of your followers see your material.  You are not competing with other websites on google.  It’s your message and your content directly into your customers’ inbox.

Is the TPT Premium Account Account Worth It?

I just had my one-year anniversary on TpT as a seller.  I first started my TpT journey in August of 2020.  My family needed more money and my son needed me.  I thought this was a great opportunity to engage my brain, be involved in teaching, and possibly make some money.   I started off with Youtube research because that’s what my students do when they need to learn something.  I came across one seller from Becca’s Music Room who did a great job explaining how to start a TpT store.  She really helped me get started. 

I had used my TpT account as a teacher for years.  I switched to the free Basic Sellers account in August 2020.  Then while I researched, I started to create resources.  Once I had about 10 resources ready to go, I talked with my husband about maybe switching my account to the Premium Account. This was my first investment in my business.  Here are some of the differences between the two.

Some sellers wait until they make $60 on the free account before they upgrade, but I didn’t.  It was the first investment I made in my business.  I decided that it would be worth it to keep more of my money from the start.  I was confident that I was going to make my TpT store successful.

There is no right or wrong answer.  It’s really just a matter of what you can afford, or what you want to do.

Here’s a little math.  A quick google search will give you dozens of examples like this.

As a basic seller, a product listed at $2.50 will give you a payout of$1.07

As a premium seller, a product listed at 2.50 will give you a payout of 1.85

70 cents isn’t much, but when you multiply that by 100 it’s $107 compared to $185.  I’ve been on TpT a little over a year and I’ve sold 177 products.