My TeachersPayTeachers Seller Story | How I Got Started + My Best Tips

[@mariaroyval2753]

Hello Michelle. I am veteran teacher starting my 36th year next year! I have been following you since you first started. I totally understand young teachers leaving the profession to do other things. My niece just resigned after 7 years of teaching kindergarden. She was a fantastic teacher but burned out. I feel sad that we are loosing great teachers such as you and my niece but I totally understand. I am very close to retirement but I can say I still love teaching and I know once I leave I will miss the kids the most. I am so glad you are doing well with your business, I understand teachers needing to make extra money believe me! I don't see anything wrong with teachers selling their products to other teachers. I have bought your products and I have loved them. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas, tips and wisdom with other teachers.

[@amandawilkins8403]

My coworkers and I have purchased several of your TPT products. We especially like Trashketball, the sub plan binder, and checklists. Keep up the awesome work; you are helping so many educators out there!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, I LOVE hearing that Amanda! Thank you so much as always! 🖤 You're the sweetest!

[@TheUrbanFamily1]

Great video, I am in my second year of tpt sales and I'm thrilled that my sales have gone up by 50% this year. It is a lot of hard work, but well worth it. Looking forward to seeing all the tips you have ❤️

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, that's awesome! You hit the nail on the head... it's a lot of hard work but completely worth it! Hopefully you will find this series helpful! 🖤

[@nicolaelliott7064]

One of my all time fave videos you've ever done! So engaging, funny and informative. Can't wait for the rest of the videos in the series 😊

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, thank you so much Nicola! 🖤 I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment!

[@frenchwithmadameg1116]

So excited for this mini-series! I have been waiting for this! Can't wait for the next one! Thank you for your dedication to helping teachers. I have been teaching for 24 years and I have learned so much from you!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, yay! I hope you will love this series! Thank you so much for watching as always 🖤

[@ooopsiedaisy]

I come for the information, but stay for The Office references. Thanks for what you do!

[@mary-ashleythies1677]

I used your teaching portfolio template and SO many checklists & sub plans. The teaching portfolio got me hired on the spot! ❤️ Love you and what you do!

[@katieweicht4719]

I started my tpt store 6 months ago. So excited for this series!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Ahhh perfect timing! Hopefully this series will be helpful for you! Thank you so much for watching Katie! 🖤

[@annwoodruff6383]

This was super interesting....thanks for sharing your journey. I especially love how you shared the reality of your experience too...the hard work and long hours. This is one of the reasons I keep watching your videos, Michelle. You are one social media presence who shares from your heart, but without "toxic positivity"....if it is HARD, you tell us that. It is refreshing.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, thank you so much for your feedback Ann! I am so happy you see it that way... I've always tried to be very transparent with the realities of my experience so I really appreciate when it's noticed! Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment! I appreciate your support! 🖤

[@claraescobedo786]

Listening to this made me remember my 5th and 6th-grade teacher Mr.Williams. He was a "paperboy" all week, he was very passionate about teaching, it always saddened me to think he was working so much just because teachers' pay is so low(talking about Az) I'm not an expert on this. We will see a change in humanity when teachers get better pay than politicians.

[@Alyssasahleen]

Thank you for sharing! It's good to know how much success you've had. At first it can be overwhelming, as an outsider looking in, but knowing more of your history is especially helpful. Success doesn't come without the work being put in.

[@sylwiafalarczyk5356]

I’m so grateful I’ve found your channel - it’s pure gold 🙂👍

[@kathrynmacgown6575]

Thank you for posting! Again, you are providing more food for my thoughts.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching Kathryn and for the kind feedback! 🖤

[@debreale5236]

You are awesome, Michelle! Thank you for another fantastic video.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Deb! I really appreciate you taking time to watch and comment! 🖤

[@audrichavez]

Totally unrelated topic but my dyslexic daughter is reading and old 1989 Houghton mifflin literary reader and I decided to look it up on tpt and I saw your product and now I’ve seen your channel.. super cool…

[@azh5111]

Thank you for making this video!! I have created my own teacher resources and would love to share them on TPT!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Ahhh, that's GREAT! Hopefully you will find this series helpful! Thank you so much for watching Ashley! 🖤

[@khanhfident]

Thank you for the transparency!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Khanh! 🖤

[@tealazzoclipart]

Thank you for sharing your journey! I loved listening to the details! I’m excited for the mini series too☺️ I have 2 stores and it definitely took a lot of learning to navigate the platform. I dived right in without knowing too much at the beginning but do wish I learnt a bit more about it to begin with as I had to learn the hard way! On YT there are more people speaking out about there journeys which is also super helpful to others just starting out 🥰 Have an awesome day Michelle! Thanks for letting us in to the details of your progress and story! 🥰

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your kind feedback! I'm happy to hear that you are excited for this mini series! 🖤

[@alysonserenastone2917]

My first TPT purchase was your "Word Work" templates. They were so simple to use for independent spelling work. :)

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, that's AWESOME! I'm honored to be your first purchase and I am happy you loved them! 🖤

[@kristinal2451]

Yay! I’ve been binge watching tpt starter videos lately so I’m excited to get one from you!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

That's perfect timing! Thank you so much for watching Kristina!

[@KathyHutto]

You’re amazing! Thanks for all these great tips. I’m a TPT seller too and this is very motivating to keep working at it even more! 😊Looking forward you more videos!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for your kind feedback Kathy! I'm so excited you're looking forward to this series!

[@leahking4976]

I’ll be here for your lessons. Thanks for creating upcoming series.

[@gweisa899]

Thank you for sharing your story. This great idea for future teacher to get an idea if they want to sell product too.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Gwei! 🖤

[@gweisa899]

@@PocketfulofPrimary Your Welcome

[@melissathibodeaux8418]

I first discovered you when you made a video about your boot camp! The next year I went down to an army story and bought the whole outfit...even the boots! I used Amy Lemons "Writing Bootcamp" and the kids loved it so much. Now I am teaching first grade and still love your videos! I think you should make an updated video of Bootcamp. You are fabulous! :-)

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, that's awesome Melissa! I'm so happy I could inspire you! Thanks for watching! 🖤

[@pattiesposito3122]

Thank you so much for being so candid. I have purchased many of your products from TPT. Wow you are so thorough.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, thank you so much for your kind feedback Patti! 🖤 I appreciate you watching!

[@terrywright4112]

OMG! Thank you so much for this video, Michelle!! I have been with you almost from the beginning with tpt, your blog, your vlog, etc. I still use the rainbow milk (your first free tpt product) with my class each year and they are amazed at it each time! There are so many more of your products that I have purchased since then that I don't even know where to begin. Thanks, Michelle!!! Keep doing what you are doing and I look forward to your future videos on about tpt.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Awwm thank you so much Terry! I really appreciate all your support over the years 🖤 You're awesome for following along this long! Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to comment!

[@vwilliams1009]

You're awesome! Great video with good info! I'm a tpt seller too and it's been a wonderful journey. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@ab4th]

Loved this video and am looking forward to the series! Passing this along to my daughter who is a first-year teacher. She's very creative and tech savvy. I think she would do well as a TpT seller. 😊

[@jesslynnclanton]

The part that scares me is the copy-write issues with images & fonts.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

I completely understand that... and honestly, I think it's okay to have a little fear surrounding copyright and trademarks considering there are legal repercussions (it's better to take them too seriously than not seriously enough). But, there are many resources available online to make the process easier to understand!

[@lauriegrissom672]

Hi Michelle, Thank you for your content, products, and positive outlook on teacher life! Excellent video...looking forward to more from you.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Aww, thank you so much for watching and for sharing your kind words Laurie! I really appreciate you!

[@Eduardo_Music8560]

It's a great video in quality (audio, voice, passion) to practice my speaking skill in English. I like her, greetings from Sonora, México 🇲🇽👍💖

[@UrLocalOne]

Thank you for sharing the TPT info to us. Thank you michelle.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching! 🖤

[@porsched.8739]

Love The Office clips. My favorite show paired with great content

[@horse_chick]

This video was so informative and you answered so many questions I’ve had, already! I can’t wait for your next video!

[@rachaeliggulden1203]

I’m a big fan of your portfolio template. :)

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much Rachael! 🖤 I'm so happy you like it!

[@rachaeliggulden1203]

@@PocketfulofPrimary It looks very professional and saves so much time :)

[@homegrownlearningandliving]

I'm wanting to start but so concerned that I'm too late. I guess I'll never know if I don't try haha! Thank you for this series!

[@goeagles25]

Ready to learn and earn $$$!!! I’ve made so many things for my classroom over the years. When I worked in data entry for an educational assessment publishing company, I saw how much teachers made as item writers, passage writers and consultants. I thought it would be nice to make that kind of extra money outside the classroom! Thanks, Michelle!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Ahhh... yes! This series is going to be perfect for you Betsy! Thank you so much for watching and I hope it will be helpful for you! 🖤

[@specialeducationrebranded]

I am so thankful for this, please keep the videos coming.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Raven! 🖤

[@geraldinealcalde2229]

Thank you so much, Michelle.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Geraldine! 🖤

[@StaceyHowarth]

I'm on maternity leave for 2024 - my goals are to start TPT, and run a 5km. I'll be leaning on your vids for both!

[@heathercharlton6528]

Great video!! I haven’t bought anything from you because your products are more for primary grades and I teach 8th grade. However, I did download your free Ketchup n Pickles during the 2020-21 school year. I watch your video faithfully every Sunday. I want to support you so the only thing I can do to support you is buy your teacher planner. I will be honest, I don’t really use it because I like writing. My goal is to utilize it more during this school year. Thank you so much for all that you do for us. If you are planning on making a new product, I would love something for vocabulary.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Hi Heather! I completely understand... my products are definitely geared toward elementary but I'm happy you were able to use my Ketchup and Pickles slides. Also, for the teacher planner, you can always type instead 😉 We have a Google Slides version that is made to be typed but you can also insert text boxes on the tablet version! I'm with you... sometimes I just can't stand my handwriting lol. Thank you so much for watching and for all your support! 🖤

[@apriln.1765]

I have wanted to learn more about this! So excited about this! Thank you, Michelle! 💕

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching April! 🖤

[@firefly930]

Can you talk about taxes with a TPT store? I think that's something else most people don't realize or think about when starting. Thanks, so excited for this series!!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

YES! I will definitely be touching on taxes because that is a HUGE challenge that most people aren't prepared for (or at least I wasn't).

[@thisiseve2051]

Love you ❤ You’re amazing 🎉 Thanks so much!!!

[@naomimarie6396]

This was so interesting and helpful. Thank you for sharing with us :)

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Naomi! 🖤

[@suecastillo3898]

Yayyyy!!!! Thank you for this content 💕🌺💕🫶

[@wendynapier7132]

Hello Michelle🙂 in several of your videos you have mentioned creating virtual or digital anchor charts. Do you have a video on this? I would love to see how you would create one and how to print it poster size for display afterwards. Thank you so much for all that you do!

[@Cathee45]

SO EXCITED FOR THIS SERIES!!!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching and hopefully it will be helpful for you! 🖤

[@teachnchatter]

Awesome video and tips, thank you!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching! 🖤

[@crystalblue6519]

@Pocketful of Primary Thank you for making this video I really love your content !! I have created my own TPT store , uploaded my first product ( freebie ) and created so many resources .. like puzzles , cliparts , lesson plans templates in three different languages & I would love to share them on TPT & start my journey as TPT seller cause I'm broke 😭 & need a source of income But I've heard that in order to make your store show up & make decent sales the teacher needs to pick up a niche & work on it There is so much going on on my head ,I couldn't pick a profitable niche .. I've been hesitating what to upload & what not Do you have any suggestions ? I really needed help

[@margaritamonserrat4597]

Thank you so much!

[@user-ty1dv1tl7y]

I am loving all of the videos in this series! How did you create the logo you use on TpT? I see that there are some sites that can create logos almost instantaneously online. But my concern with that is that I'm guessing the images that are available are likely used by many different people, so they really aren't unique logos. I definitely want something that is unique to me. Thanks!

[@95RangerGirl]

Thank you for this

[@joyolanda3805]

Hi, Michelle. I've loved your videos since I found them when we were forced to teach online and use Google products when the pandemic hit back then. Thank you so much for creating this video and sharing your TpT journey. :) I have some questions about the copyright/trademark. Can we sell the digital products that we create on Canva? Is there any regulation about this? Thanks, Michelle. :)

[@ms.miller9167]

Michelle, this is great!!!!! I have a tot store- one successful product. $17 earnings a year🤣🤣 In this series will you cover advertising or promoting on Pinterest?

[@Thatgeekishfamily]

Check into Simple Pin Media - they have a few podcasts / posts about teacher-specific marketing on Pinterest.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

I will definitely cover advertising and marketing but won't be focusing too much on Pinterest because honestly I have never invested too much time in it. But, I do know some teacher authors who have had GREAT success with it! I did see someone else recommended Simple Pin Media so hopefully that will be helpful for you!

[@anastasialorraine1500]

So helpful! Love this video

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Anastasia! 🖤

[@victoriaLL345]

Thanks for this. Great information.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Victoria! 🖤

[@ilylove1]

Thanks for sharing this info! Here’s a question for you, although you don’t have to answer because it’s personal. Since you are not in the classroom and you have more time to work on the other parts of your business, do you project that you will make more , less or the same amount of income by the end of the year than you did while teaching? Just curious. Again, you don’t have to answer!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching! That's a great question... with my business, income can vary SO much from month to month and even year to year. For the past year, it pretty much evened out because I was able to make a little more but I also had to pay out of pocket for more expenses (such as health care... I now have a plan from the marketplace and it is far more expensive than what I was paying before).

[@cuturrungaful]

Thank you for this very informative video!!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much for watching Nora! 🖤

[@jag2333]

Thank you 🥰😊🥰

[@rebecadacosta3836]

Love this video! I’ve been on TpT for just over a year. It’s definitely a lot of work!!! Would you mind sharing where you got your shirt? It’s so cute!

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you so much Rebeca! I hope this series will be helpful for you! 🖤 My shirt came from TJ Maxx so unfortunately it isn't something I can link.

[@ELAinTaipei]

I was also chevron-obsessed back then. 🙋🏼‍♀️ 😂 😳

[@melissaskunca478]

Can you please go into detail and explain the trademark and copyright stuff please that would be wonderful thank you so much

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

I will definitely go into it in more detail in my future videos but I also strongly encourage each seller to do his/her own research because I am not a lawyer or an expert in the area.

[@emilykarva7907]

How many free products before you change it to make it prices

[@95RangerGirl]

I have an old account from years ago I sold a little on. Should I make a new account

[@HappyDIY9]

May I ask a question, comparing to Amazon KDP, is it easier to sell here?

[@alitanicholas9579]

I hope so!

[@rinau2971]

Hi, Michelle. I saw your video where you show how you make your slides. Do you have something like that in your TPT store?

[@BB23573]

I want to create resources for speech and language. Can I create that on this platform?

[@razaulkarim7323]

You are a successful tpt seller. Do you market your product outside tpt?

[@scientific_teaching]

From a scientific standpoint (middle school level at least) niche can be pronounced both ways depending on what part of the world you're from will dictate how you pronounce it. Like crayon or other words. The definition remains the same.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Great to know! Thanks for sharing!

[@abbeybrooks739]

What computer program do you use to create your products? What computer do you use?

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Hi Abbey! I'm definitely going to cover program options in this series so stay tuned! As for the actual computer, it honestly doesn't matter... any computer will do (so long as it is a personal device and not school issued). I personally use a Macbook Pro 🖤

[@brittaniebriggs7138]

where did you download your clip art and how can you tell if a site is safe to download from?

[@michelemichele6387]

The fact that teachers are grossly underpaid is appalling. This is the USA. All have the right to create content and earn more money! Let's take the money stigma off of the table and focus on the fun! 💯

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

I definitely agree! Thanks for watching! 🖤

[@michelemichele6387]

@@PocketfulofPrimary Can you please, kindly do a video on classroom organization for a Ladybug? Just use the room that you film in since you don't have your own classroom. I am trying!!!

[@arozeisarozie]

Thank you.. I make my own stuff all of the time and I genuinely want to share it, but I get so confused about copyright regarding icons and fonts and how that works so I have been at a standstill for years now. 😂 Could you go into depth about this?

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Hi Rosie! I COMPLETELY understand! Yes, I will be covering that in future videos in this series! Hopefully you will find it helpful!

[@anndoody5201]

Thanks for sharing your story! I have a question about your statement about not developing any materials on a school computer. Can you explain why? I don’t have a personal computer of my own but I have a removable hard drive that allows me to store my personal files.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Hi Ann! That's a great question! Most districts have clauses in their contracts that state any files created on a school issued device are owned by the district (which means you would not legally be able to sell it). In your situation, you would need to check your contract but just to be cautious, I would recommend getting a personal computer to use if you plan on creating products to sell.

[@susieknits]

If you can put aside the funds, you can get a nice little Chromebook for around $250. It would probably be enough computer to create your content on, especially if you're using Google Docs/Slides etc.

[@Onlinetheatreandvoiceacademy]

Hello, you shared that you have around 170 products in your store. Does that mean you are no longer creating new products? I’m wondering if you are focusing more on marketing what you already have, or perhaps not really promoting TPT at all?

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Hi Ehleshea! I'm still creating new products but at a slower pace than when I first started. I definitely spend more time marketing what I've already created and I'm also creating more freebies for my audience here on KZbin. Hopefully that makes sense!

[@Cathee45]

I like "NEESH" better than "NITCH" personally.

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

I literally switch it every time I say the word LOL!

[@olivafortich6430]

Hello..

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Thank you for watching Olivia!

[@kavitalalla226]

Can any teacher worldwide sell on TPT?

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Yes! There are many sellers from countries other than the United States!

[@godisgood678]

Why can't teachers just share for free? Downloads and printables, anyway!