I know, it’s already late-July and I’m over here telling you that you can get a TpT store up, running, and ready to take advantage of the big TpT Back-to-School sale. I’m not totally crazy. You can do this! Just set realistic expectations for this one and be ready to hustle.

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Have you been thinking about opening a TpT store… but now it’s July and you’re telling yourself it’s too late?

Let me stop you right there.

If you’re a teacher with ideas, resources, or lessons you know could help someone else, you’re not too late. Not even close.

Yes, the TpT Back-to-School Sale is coming. But no, you don’t need 50 products or a polished brand to start making sales. You just need a few simple pieces in place to be ready enough.

Here’s how you can go from “thinking about it” to “I’ve got a store up and running”, in time for the biggest sale of the year.

1. Start with ONE Great Product

Don’t try to build a full storefront right now. Just pick one resource, something you’ve used in your own classroom that’s easy to prep and helpful for other teachers.

Ask yourself:

Would I use this during the first few weeks of school?
Is it printable or digital (or both)?
Can another teacher open it and use it right away?

Make that your first product. Done is better than perfect.

💡 Pro Tip: Products like bellringers, first week activities, or sub plans do really well this time of year.

If you can, try to build this first product into a small product line. For example, teaching the scientific method using hands-on labs. You can sell the individual labs and the full product line bundle. Think up five engaging labs. Make a template and just edit it for each activity.

So doable and needed!

Download the Free TpT Playbook to help you with this!

2. Skip Fancy Branding and Focus on Clarity

You do not need a perfect color palette or a trendy logo right now. What you do need:

A clear product title
A thumbnail that shows what’s included
A preview or description that explains what the resource helps with
Easy hack…ChatGPT can help you write up a quick and legal Terms of Use page for your products and help optimize SEO titles and product descriptions.

Copy & Paste Prompts for ChatGPT:

TpT Terms of Use Page:

I’m a new TpT seller creating educational resources for [insert grade level and subject, e.g. high school science or 4th grade ELA].

I need a Terms of Use page that I can include in my downloads. It should sound professional but friendly, be easy to understand, and clarify what buyers can and can’t do with my resources.

Please include:

What’s allowed for personal classroom use
What’s not allowed (e.g., sharing, reselling, posting online)
A note about copyright and protecting my work
How they can contact me for questions or additional licenses

Optional: Add a short thank-you message at the top and make it feel encouraging to fellow teachers.

TpT SEO Resource Titles and Descriptions:

Pretend you are both the TpT search algorithm and a marketing strategist for new TpT sellers.

I’ve just uploaded a resource that helps [insert subject area, grade level, and what the resource helps with].

It’s a [type of resource: worksheet, activity, lesson plan, bundle, etc.] designed for [specific audience, e.g. 8th grade math teachers or homeschooling families].

This resource includes [brief list of key features or benefits].

My store is brand new. I have no followers or reviews yet.
Help me:

Write an SEO-optimized title, description, and tag list
Suggest 1-2 simple freebie ideas I could create to drive traffic to this product
Recommend quick visibility tips I can try before the next TpT sale (with very limited time or resources)

Always reread and edit or tweak what ChatGPT spits out. Do not just copy and paste. Everyone here knows what is AI-generated and what isn’t.

That’s it. Keep it clean, helpful, and easy to shop.

Want something even easier…I did this all for you in the TpT Start Kit. It's going to spring launch you past the branding and store setup and allow you to focus on creating your products and product lines. Just click here to view the kits.

3. Join the Sitewide Sale (Even If You Only Have One Product!)

The TpT Back-to-School Sale is the biggest traffic moment of the year. All you have to do is set your store to 20% off and you’ll be included in the extra 5% sitewide discount.

That means more people will find your product and more will buy, yes, even if your store is brand new.

It’s your best chance to get eyes on your store early. Take it!

Be realistic in your earnings expectations. This is not a “get rich quick” type of gig. In fact…I’m still not rich lol. This is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll be earning more than you expect soon enough. Take advantage of this golden time of year on TpT.

4. Add a Freebie That Builds Trust

Freebies aren’t just for being generous; they help teachers sample your style, join your email list, and come back for more. In business, this is referred to as a loss leader. I love to include a flyer or advertise my other products in my freebie download. Get the word out whenever you can.

Make your freebie something small but valuable:

A sample of your larger product
A checklist, form, or printable that you already use
Something seasonally relevant, like a classroom label or welcome activity
A super fun academic game that’s easy to make

Upload it, link it in your paid product, and watch what happens.

*The Premium TpT Store Kit has freebie templates ready to edit and upload.

5. Use What You Already Have

You don’t need to spend hours building something new. You’ve already written lessons, created handouts, or designed slides. Look through your files, there’s probably something you can polish and post in a day.

Remember, most teachers buying on TpT aren’t looking for perfection. They want something helpful, easy to use, and classroom-tested. And you’ve got that.

Here’s the truth:
You don’t need to “launch.” You don’t need to wait. You just need to start.

By uploading one strong resource, joining the sale, and getting your storefront ready enough, you’ll be way ahead of where most people ever get.

And when your first notification pops up, “You made a sale!” you’ll be so glad you didn’t wait until next year. Screenshot that moment!

Want a shortcut? Start off with a TpT Store Kit and then…Stay connected and join the email list below!

Here’s a quick list of Amazon buys that are always in stock at my home office for TpT product creation and listing images.