How to Talk Yourself Out of Starting a TPT Store

My all-time favorite chick flick is “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Like that film, this is going to be a “How-To in Reverse” for starting your Teachers Pay Teachers store.

5 Things to do to Talk Yourself Out of Starting Your Own TPT Store

Compare Yourself to Someone Else

I believe comparison is the number one dream-killer. You will be so much happier if you stop looking at someone else’s stats. Own what you create by finding what you want your brand to look like. This means choosing fonts and graphics that bring you joy. Instead of trying to match what another seller is doing, try to stand out with your own ideas and style.

Don’t Believe in Your Abilities

Maybe you’ve been thinking, “I’ll never be able to do something as good as them.” or “They do that so much better than I ever would, I shouldn’t bother to try.” It’s time to reframe those thoughts. Here are some affirmations you could tell yourself, recite to a bathroom mirror, save it as your phone wallpaper, tape to your desk, etc.

Don’t Invest Time or Money

When I first started my TPT store, I was only using free fonts and graphics because I was a senior in college and a first-year teacher, I thought I couldn’t afford it. I’m here to tell you, you can’t afford not to invest in your business. You have to spend money to make money. This doesn’t mean go crazy on things you don’t need, but here are things I wish someone had told me to spend money on earlier in my TPT journey:

1. TPT Premium: I know the fee sounds like a lot upfront, however, it is absolutely worth it! You will make more money on each sale, so it will pay for itself eventually.
2. Fonts: There are a lot of beautiful, free fonts out there! I have a list of my favorites here. Just make sure you choose fonts that are easy to read, appropriate for the grade level you are creating for, and show your personality.
3. Graphics: There are so many cute graphics available on TPT! When selecting graphics, I type what I am looking for into the search engine and then add clipart. For example, “Back to School Clipart.” You might have to sift through the pages in the beginning stages of starting your TPT store, but I would recommend sticking with the same 1-3 sellers to create a consistent brand for your products.

Listen to People Who Claim They Can Speed Up the Process

There’s not a doubt in my mind that if you have explored the possibility of starting your own TPT store, you have seen “experts” out there who claim they can expedite your success. The promise that you will make x amount of money in x amount of time. Save your money, friends. Don’t buy their courses. I’m sure you will learn some great tips from that expert, but the truth is, TPT is a process. There isn’t a fast track that will create instant sales for you. It takes time to create, market, and share your ideas with the world.

Expect Perfection and Immediate Success

It’s true what they say, the best things in life take time. You are going to have a learning curve deciding what products to sell in your store, who your ideal customer is, and finding the time to prioritize your store. You’re going to have products flop, you’re going to have typos, you’ll spend time re-doing things you spent hours creating – but honestly, that’s how everything in life is! Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and just have FUN creating!

Talk to you soon, friend!