Hey, friend. I am so glad you stumbled onto the blog today. I am sitting here while my toddler naps and reflecting on how much I have appreciated having an online teacher business for the last 3 years. While I share my story, I want you to dream big for 2026. Imagine what starting your own TPT business could do for you in the new year!
How I started selling on Teachers Pay Teachers
My online teacher business journey started in the summer of 2022. I had just stopped teaching (mental health), and I was looking for a creative outlet. I never really expected to make any money on TPT. I always thought there were just too many better products out there and no one would buy from me. Then I made my first sale. Then I started making sales every day. Then I made my first $500. Then I had my first $1,000 month. I was floored, and this was all in the first few months of starting to sell on Teachers Pay Teachers.
How did I do it? Two words: Keyword Research. I learned how to target phrases that teachers were searching in the TPT search bar. I used those well-researched phrases in my titles and descriptions. I learned how easy it was to find gaps in the market. When I found something teachers were looking for on TPT that had a smaller range of competition, I would create a product to fill the need! You can do this too.
Why you should start an online teacher business!
Please consider me your brand-new online teacher business buddy! I am here to tell you (with some hype) that YOU CAN DO THIS TOO. And you should. 2026 should be your year for a thriving teacher business.
Do you have problem-solving ideas in your classroom? Then you have something other people want to buy. For example, when I taught first grade, I loved math centers with easy-to-follow instructions that didn’t need to be explained over and over again. I wanted my students to feel confident in their independent work. Some of my very first TPT products were easy-to-understand math centers. See? These products solved a problem in my classroom, so I knew other teachers would appreciate them as well. And guess what? I sell math activities all the time!
How to get started
It’s easy to get started selling your resources on TPT. First, you’ll need a seller account. Then, you’ll need to decide where you want to create your resources. I personally use PowerPoint for my downloadable teacher resources and Canva for all my cover photos and thumbnails.
I actually have a free eBook that you can download today and read. This guide is stuffed full of information about starting your store, finding inspiration, using fonts and clipart, keyword research, and more! I wrote this free guide while I was filming my TPT course. I’d love for you to read it!
I have so much to teach you! I’d love for you to check out this short eBook. 2026 is going to be your year, friend!
Are you interested in reading about my seller course, Camp Create? Read about it here!
