Is Selling on TPT Worth It? 5 Critical Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Once people find out that I sell on Teachers Pay Teachers, the question that I am usually asked is, “Is selling on TPT worth it?” It is a fair question, in an age of AI, boxed curriculum, and a platform that boasts having over 200,000 active stores, it is really easy to question how TPT could ever be profitable.  

But the truth is, TPT can still be a great source of passive income for teachers- when it is done right and well.  Like anything done right, success comes not from the “post and pray” method, but rather from some well thought out, researched, and planned methods.  

Today I am going to share with you the top 5 critical mistakes TPT sellers make and what you can do to avoid these mistakes so you can have a successful store  in 2026. But first, let’s briefly talk about why selling on TPT is still worth it.

Selling on TPT- Reality vs. Fantasy

If you have been buying teacher created resources for the last 20 years, then you have likely heard of TPT and possibly have even bought resources from the online market place.  Back in 2020, Teachers Pay Teachers hit a high and sellers were making more money than they ever had before- it was the “TPT Gold Rush”.

The reality is, that is not the story for TPT sellers in 2026.

That takes us back to the original question, if we aren’t in the middle of the “TPT Gold Rush”, then is selling on TPT still worth it?

Yes! I think it is.

Selling on TPT is still worth it because teachers and homeschool parents are still purchasing teacher created resources.  The demands on classroom teachers have never been higher- they are facing large class sizes, limited resources, AI mandates- teacher burn out is real and those time saving, no prep, high quality resources are more valuable than ever!  

In a recent survey done by TPT 86% of teachers plan on spending the same amount or more purchasing teacher created resources in 2026.  The demand for teacher created products is still high.

Selling on Teachers Pay Teachers can still be successful, but sellers need a plan, sellers need a strategy, sellers need to know the moves that build success and the mistakes to avoid that hurt sales. 

I want to share with you the 5 mistakes that I know I made when I first started selling on TPT.  These mistakes slowed growth, left me feeling discouraged, and some days made me question why I was even making a store in the first place. I am so glad that I worked through these mistakes and can now share them with you so that you can create a successful store too!

5 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:

Mistake # 1- Just Make What You Love- “The Guesswork” Niche

When I first started my TPT seller journey, I read everywhere, “just make things you love using in your classroom and other teachers will love them too” or “post materials and grow your store”.

Back in the early 2000s when TPT was started, I don’t think this advice was wrong.  Teachers were going to TPT to find resources, the competition was low, and the number of products were minimal.  Being able to make things you loved as a teacher and post them into your store WAS a strategy. In the early days of TPT, you could upload a 2nd-grade math worksheet on Monday and a high school biology lab on Tuesday and see success. 

But, in 2026, the algorithm—and more importantly, the buyers—have changed. This method doesn’t work anymore.

❌ The Problem: A Store Without a Vision

Many sellers start by creating resources based on whatever they happen to be teaching that week or whatever holiday is around the corner. While this feels productive, it creates a confusing store.  It creates inconsistency for buyers. It doesn’t highly an area of expertise or build trust with buyers.  It creates chaos. And chaos loses sales.

When a teacher finds your 3rd-grade fraction game and loves it, their first instinct is to click on your store name to find more. If they see high school graduation diplomas and preschool coloring pages instead of more 3rd-grade math, they leave. You haven't just lost a sale; you’ve lost a "Store Superfan." 

Chaos also confuses the TPT algorithm.  The number one predictor of success is being able to rank in the TPT search algorithm. Creating products all over the map not only confuses the algorithm but it harms your store’s searchability. The TPT search algorithm struggles to categorize you. If you don't have a clear niche, the search engine doesn't know which teachers to show your products to.

✅ The 2026 Solution: Niching Down

The most successful sellers in 2026 aren't just selling products; they are solving a specific problem for a specific teacher. This is called Niche Authority or Niching

Down.

Niching Down is the narrowing down of your area of expertise to one very clear topic.

Instead of guessing what might sell, you need to build Store Pillars. A pillar is a core topic or grade band that you "own" in the eyes of your customers. For example, instead of being a "K-5 Teacher," you become "The Go-To Source for 2nd Grade Science of Reading Centers."

Niching down was one of the hardest things for me to do as a seller.  I had taught multiple grades for so many years that I felt like I could easily make 100 products for each of these grades. I was spending so much time creating these thoughtfully woven K-3 units, but not getting buys or return buyers because my store was chaotic- there was too much going on.

How did I fix this and Niche Down? I followed these simple steps.

How to Niche Down Your Store:

• The 80/20 Audit: Look at your current sales. Which 20% of your products are bringing in 80% of your revenue? That is your niche screaming at you.

• Horizontal Expansion: Horizontal expansion is how your niche skill grows for a learner over time.  If my niche is phonics, it is the scope of how students learn different phonics skills. Another example would be, if your best-seller is a "Main Idea" task card set, don't jump to a "Multiplication" set next. Create "Inference" task cards, "Summarizing" task cards, and "Context Clues" task cards.

• Vertical Expansion: Vertical expansion is how your niche develops within the scope of learning from skill introduction to independence.  For example Create a "Main Idea" PowerPoint for direct instruction, then a "Main Idea" assessment for the end of the unit, and create some independent practice opportunities.

The "Niche Depth" Checklist

To ensure you aren't making the "Guesswork" mistake, ask yourself these three questions before creating your next resource:

1. Does this serve my "Ideal Customer"? (e.g., A busy 1st-grade teacher who needs low-prep centers).

2. Can I bundle this with at least four other items in my shop?

3. Does this resource build on a topic I already have good reviews for?

Why "Going Small" Leads to Bigger Sales

It feels counterintuitive to limit yourself. You might think, "If I only make 5th-grade resources, I'm missing out on all the other grades!" I deeply felt this when I had all of this knowledge of how reading and math skills build from grade to grade. 

In reality, by specializing in one area, you become an expert. Teachers are willing to pay a premium for a resource created by someone who clearly understands the specific nuances of their grade level standards.  

When you stop guessing and start building a cohesive ecosystem, your "Is it worth it?" question changes. It’s no longer about whether the platform works—it’s about how fast you can scale the niche you’ve mastered.

Mistake # 2- Not Using Teachers Pay Teachers SEO

This is probably the biggest mistake new TPT sellers make, they underestimate the power of SEO or they simply don’t understand what SEO is or means for their store.  I know this was me. I’d crank out products, create cute titles, list them and then…crickets, nada, nothing.  It was so frustrating.

When I started getting serious about my store a few years ago, I had never heard of SEO, key word research or how to work the search algorithm. If I am being honest, I am still learning about SEO, even today- it is complicated, but it is a game changer.  Understanding SEO can make or break your sales each month.

If you’ve ever uploaded a resource you spent weeks perfecting, only to see "0 Views" in your dashboard after seven days, you haven't failed as a creator—you’ve failed as a search engine optimizer.

In 2026, the TPT search bar is more sophisticated than ever. It doesn't just look for keywords; it looks for relevance, authority, and buyer intent. Many sellers treat SEO as an afterthought, throwing a few words into the title and calling it a day. This is the quickest way to make your shop invisible. Being successful with the search bar requires understanding, skills, and a strategy- it is no longer about cute titles or overstuffed keywords, there is a game to play.

❌ The Problem: The "Cutesy Title" & Keyword Stuffing

I have noticed there are two extremes when it comes to poor TPT SEO. First is the "Cutesy Creator" who titles a product "Snowy Day Fun!" instead of "First Grade Winter Math Centers." A teacher is never going to type "Snowy Day Fun" into a search bar when they are looking for a subtraction activity, which means “Snowy Day Fun” is never going to convert into a sale, even if it is a great product.

The second extreme is the "Keyword Stuffer" who writes a title like: "Math Math Math Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Subtraction Addition Fun Activity Worksheet." This looks like spam to both the algorithm and the buyer. This also actually tells a buyer very little about the product, what they are getting and any benefits the product might offer, like no prep or differentiation. 

Both of these approaches lead to the same result: your product is buried on page 40.

✅ The 2026 Solution: The "Triple-Threat" SEO Strategy

To get your resources onto one of the first three pages, you must optimize for three distinct areas: the Title, the Snippet, and the Technical Metadata.

1. The Title Your title should lead with your strongest, most descriptive keywords that will actually rank in a search.

• Poor: Apple Picking Activity

• Better: Apple Themed Kindergarten Counting to 10 Centers

• Best: Apple Counting to 10 Centers - Kindergarten Math - Hands-On Fall Activity

See how the best example clearly identifies the skill, the grade, what the product is, and how it benefits students? This title would hit if I searched “apple math”, “kindergarten counting to 10 centers”, or “fall math centers”. If I stick with the “poor” title, those searches wouldn’t find the product.

⭐Bear and Bug Pro-Tip: TPT gives you 80 characters to use in the title, try to use all 80 to craft meaningful, descriptive titles.

2. The 160-Character Snippet The first two sentences of your product description are the most important words in your entire store. This is what Google displays in search results, and it’s what the TPT algorithm crawls first.

⭐Bear and Bug Pro-Tip: Stop starting your descriptions with "Hi teachers!" Use those first two lines to repeat your primary keywords in a natural, problem-solving way. Example: "Looking for a no-prep way to teach long division? This 4th grade long division packet includes 10 worksheets with answer keys, perfect for math centers or sub plans."

3. The Power of Technical Metadata TPT allows you to select "Grade Level," "Subject," "Resource Type," and "Common Core Standards." These aren't optional. If you don't select "4th Grade," your product will never appear when a teacher uses the "4th Grade" filter on the sidebar—no matter how many times you wrote "4th Grade" in your title.

The SEO Audit: A Quick Win

Go to your TPT dashboard and look at your "Traffic" report. Look for products with high "Previews" but low "Sales," or products with almost no "Views."

• Low Views? Your SEO (Title/Tags) is the problem.

• High Views but Low Sales? Your Cover or Description is the problem.

Fixing your SEO is the single most effective way to answer the question, "Is TPT worth it?" with a resounding yes. When the traffic starts coming in automatically while you sleep, that is when the platform becomes truly profitable.

Mistake 3: Designing for Desktop (The "Unreadable Cover" Trap)

One of the main selling points of TPT is the ability for buyers to see the product through visual thumbnails and a product preview.  TPT provides you with 4 square thumbnails to visually highlight your product. There is also a space for a PDF or video preview where you can market all of the things that make your product better than anyone else’s.

This space essentially is your store front- your big windows where buyers can stop, see what is inside and come in for more.  And yet, so often I see sellers skip this part of their listing or not fully use these preview tools in the best way possible.

What makes this visual marketing tool even harder is that more and more TPT purchases are being made on a mobile device. Think about it- you see a cute reading center on Instagram while scrolling, you click the link, and you are in a TPT store ready for purchase…but the visuals are not mobile device friendly, you can hardly read the font and within a few seconds, you abandon the cart…sell lost.

In 2026, the majority of TPT traffic—from initial discovery on Pinterest and Instagram to the final "Add to Cart" on the TPT app—happens on a mobile device. When your cover is reduced to the size of a postage stamp on a smartphone screen, that elegant, thin cursive font and that detailed border you spent an hour on become a cluttered, blurry mess.

❌ The Problem: The "Desktop Delusion"

The "Desktop Delusion" is the belief that if a cover looks beautiful on your laptop, it will perform well in search. However, the TPT search grid on mobile is narrow. If a teacher is scrolling quickly during their 20-minute lunch break, they won’t stop to squint at a cover they can’t read.

Common design "sins" that kill mobile conversions include:

• Small, Scripted Fonts: Cursive and thin serif fonts "disappear" when scaled down.

• Cluttered Backgrounds: Busy "doodle" backgrounds that compete with the product title.

• Too Much Text: Trying to list every single feature on the cover rather than the one main benefit.

✅ The 2026 Solution: The "Squint Test" and Big Brand Design

To dominate the mobile market, you need to adopt a "Big Brand" design philosophy. Think of your cover like a billboard on a highway—it needs to be understood in three seconds or less by someone moving at high speed.

1. The "Squint Test" This is the most effective tool in a TPT seller's belt. Open your cover design in Canva or PowerPoint and zoom out until the image is about one inch wide. Now, squint your eyes.

• Can you still read the main subject (e.g., "LONG DIVISION")?

• Is the grade level clearly visible?

• If the answer is no, your font needs to be larger, bolder, and higher in contrast.

2. High-Contrast Color Palettes In 2026, neon brights and harsh primary colors are being replaced by "Modern Educational" palettes—muted earth tones, deep navy, or "Boho" vibes—but the rule of contrast remains. Use dark text on light backgrounds or white text on a very dark "color block." Avoid light yellow text on a white background at all costs; it’s invisible on mobile.

3. The "Rule of Three" for Cover Text To keep your mobile design clean, limit your cover text to three main elements:

1. The Primary Hook: (e.g., Reading Comprehension)

2. The Specific Topic/Format: (e.g., Main Idea Task Cards)

3. The Authority Signal: (e.g., 3rd Grade or Science of Reading Aligned)

Why Mobile Design Proves TPT is "Worth It"

When you optimize for mobile, your "conversion rate" (the percentage of people who see your product and actually buy it) will skyrocket. It’s one of the easiest "quick wins" for a struggling store. You don't necessarily need more traffic; you just need to stop losing the traffic you already have because they couldn't read your covers.

Mistake 4: The "Post and Pray” Product Trap (And Why You Must Think in Bundles)

Imagine spending five hours creating a single worksheet for your TPT store.  You have already spent 5 hours in creation, so you cut time by quickly throwing together a few thumbnails, pasting “preview” all over your PDF file, and just hitting “upload” in your store dashboard. You post your product, pray it’ll take off and move on to the next worksheet product because you have to hit the goal of 50 products before you become successful. Sound familiar? 

While it makes sense to look at TPT success as individual sells, it actually is not the best strategy for building and growing a successful TPT side hustle. Here’s why- most products sell on TPT for around $3-$4.  If you are relying on individual sales, you’re working for pennies an hour.

We can’t look at earnings through the lens of individual sales.

In 2026, the most successful stores have moved away from the "Worksheet Factory" model, where they crank out worksheet after worksheet in the “post and pray” method. Instead, they embrace The Bundle Mindset. If you are making one-off products, you are forcing yourself to find a brand-new customer for every single $2.00 sale. When you bundle, you increase your sales profit per order and solve a much larger problem for the teacher. 

❌The Problem: Solving a "Moment" vs. Solving a "Unit"

A "one-off" product solves a moment. A teacher realizes at 7:00 AM that they need a quick activity for their sub, so they buy a $1.50 crossword puzzle. That’s a "transactional" relationship.

A Bundle, however, solves a Unit. It tells the teacher: "You don't have to worry about planning your math block for the next three weeks." Teachers are famously "time-poor." They aren't just looking for content; they are looking for reclaimed time. If you only offer one-offs, you are making them do the work of hunting for the next piece of the puzzle.

✅ The 2026 Solution: The "Backwards Mapping" Bundle Strategy

To maximize your revenue, you should stop creating products and start creating Product Bundles. Use the "Backwards Mapping" method:

1. Start with the "Mega Bundle": Imagine a full year of 4th Grade Science. What does that look like?

2. Break it into "Unit Bundles": (e.g., The Life Science Unit, The Earth Science Unit).

3. Break those into "Individual Resources": (e.g., The Photosynthesis Lab, The Parts of a Cell Diagram).

By designing this way, every small resource you upload is already a "piece" of a larger, more expensive puzzle. You can then choose to offer “individual resources” AND a larger bundle.

The Psychology of the "TPT Discount"

Why do bundles work so well? It’s all about the perceived value. In 2026, the industry standard for a bundle discount is usually 20% to 30% off the price of the individual components.

• The Individual Path: A teacher buys 5 resources at $3.00 each = $15.00 (and 5 separate "checkout" decisions).

• The Bundle Path: A teacher buys the "Unit Bundle" for $10.50.

Even though you "discounted" the price, you just made $10.50 in one click instead of hoping that the teacher would come back five different times to buy the $3.00 items.

Actionable Steps for "Bundle-Fying" Your Store

• The "Buy-In" Bonus: Include a "Bundle Exclusive" file that isn't sold anywhere else—like a unit planning calendar or a final assessment. This gives teachers a reason to buy the bundle even if they already own one of the smaller pieces.

• The "Growing Bundle" Hack: This is a 2026 power move. Upload a bundle that is only 50% finished at a deep discount. As you add more resources, the price goes up. This creates "urgency" for the buyer to get in at the lowest price, and it gives you a boost in the TPT "Recent Updates" algorithm every time you add a new file.

• Internal Linking: In the description of every $2.00 one-off product, you must include a bold link that says: "Save 30% and get the entire bundle here!"

The "Worth It" Math

When you shift to bundles, your math changes. Instead of needing 1,000 customers to make $2,000, you only need 100 customers to buy a $20.00 bundle. It is significantly easier to find 100 people than 1,000. This is the moment selling on TPT stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a professional career.

Mistake 5: Ignoring the Post-Purchase Journey

Teaching is such a relational job.  Teachers work with people all day long. The same thing is true for your Teacher’s Pay Teacher’s store- it is a relational job.  You are selling to people who value relationships and want more than just a transaction. 

If you think your job is done the moment a customer clicks "Buy," you are leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Many sellers ask, "Is TPT worth it?" because they are stuck on a treadmill, constantly hunting for new customers. They don't realize that it is 5 to 10 times more expensive to acquire a new customer than it is to keep an existing one.

In 2026, the marketplace is shifting from "Transactional" to "Relational." Teachers don't just want a file; they want a creator they can trust to save them time week after week. If you "ghost" your buyers after the sale, you are forcing them to go back to the search bar and find someone else—likely your competitor.

❌The Problem: The Dead-End Download

Most TPT resources end with a simple "The End" or a flat, uninspired credits page. This is a dead end. When a teacher finishes your resource and loves it, their engagement is at its peak. They are thinking, "That was easy/effective/fun—what else does this seller have?" If you don't provide a clear path forward, that "buying heat" cools down, and the opportunity is lost.

✅The 2026 Solution: Turning Buyers into "Store Superfans"

The solution is to create a deliberate Post-Purchase Loop. You want to move the teacher from the TPT platform (where you are one of millions) to your own ecosystem (where you are the expert).

1. The "Bonus" Thank You Page Don't just include a "Terms of Use" page. Create a high-converting Thank You File.

• Hyperlink Your Store: Don't just say "Visit my store." Use a button that says "Click here for more 4th Grade Science Labs!"

• Remind Them About Credits: Many teachers still don't realize TPT pays them to leave reviews. Remind them: "Leave a review on this product to earn TPT credits for your next purchase!" Provide a direct link to their "My Purchases" page to make it frictionless.

2. The Lead Magnet Funnel In 2026, an email list is your only insurance against algorithm changes. Use your product download to offer an "Exclusive Bonus" (like a pacing guide or a free sample of a related unit) in exchange for their email address.  Growing my email list has been a game changer for my TPT business.

⭐ Bear and Bug Pro-Tip: Include a "Product Insert" page as the very first page of your PDF. This ensures the teacher sees your invitation before they even start printing the activity.

3. Strategic Upselling in the Description Use the "People Also Bought" psychology. At the bottom of your product description, include a section called: "Teachers who used this [Topic] resource also loved..." followed by 2–3 links to complementary products.

The "Human Experience" Advantage

In an era of AI-generated content, teachers are craving a Human Experience. You can stand out by being a real person:

• Respond to Every Review: Even a simple "Thanks for the feedback, I'm so glad your students enjoyed the maze!" builds a massive amount of brand loyalty.

• The "Update" Signal: When you update a product (adding a digital version or fixing a typo), TPT notifies everyone who bought it. This "pokes" your old customers and brings them back to your store for free.

Why Retention is the Key to "Worth It"

When you focus on retention, your "Is it worth it?" math shifts again. Instead of a $3.00 sale, you are looking at the Customer Lifetime Value. A teacher who buys one unit, joins your email list, and then buys your $150.00 Year-Long Bundle is worth more than 50 random "one-off" buyers.

Retention turns a hobby into a predictable, scalable business. It’s not just about selling a resource; it’s about becoming a partner in that teacher’s classroom.

Looking for More TPT Seller Tips?

Want to learn more about my Teacher’s Pay Teacher’s journey? Check out my post about how to start selling on TPT. 

Every week I am hoping to drop a new blog about selling on Teachers pay Teachers, teaching 1st grade, or balancing teacher life, football coaches wife, and my most important job- being a mom.  Want to hear more about my story- sign up today for our weekly Newsletter, Bear Necessities or find me on Instagram. 

Is Selling on TPT Worth It?

So, is selling on TPT worth it? If you look at it solely as a "get rich quick" scheme or a place to dump unpolished worksheets, the answer might be disappointing. But if you see it for what it truly is—a platform to amplify your impact as an educator while building a life of financial flexibility—then the answer is a resounding yes.

Success on TPT in 2026 isn't about luck; it’s about the intentional shift from being a "hobbyist" to being a "CEO." By narrowing your niche, mastering the technical and visual side of SEO, thinking in bundles, and treating every buyer like a long-term partner, you aren't just selling PDFs—you're building a brand.

Remember, every resource you upload has the potential to save a fellow teacher an hour of sleep, a stressful Sunday night, or a difficult lesson plan. That is the real value of what we do. Don't let the technical hurdles or the "post-and-ghost" trap keep you from sharing your classroom magic with the world. Take it one mistake at a time, refine your process, and watch your store (and your confidence) grow.

What is the first "quick win" you’re going to tackle in your shop this week? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to cheer you on!

Valerie

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