Thinking About Starting a TPT Store Over Winter Break? A Realistic Guide for Teachers
What I wish someone had told me before I uploaded Product #1.
There is something about school breaks, especially a long December one (oh hey 2 WEEKS OFF!), that finally gives teachers enough breathing room to dream again. You rest a little, drink coffee while it is still warm, catch up on your laundry, and somewhere in the middle of all that quiet a thought pops up:
“Should I start a TPT store?”
“Could I actually do this?”
“Would anyone use the things I make?”
If you are wondering the same thing this year, you are definitely not alone. Breaks have a way of waking up the creative part of you that loves designing lessons, building classroom routines, and making resources that actually work. I personally dove in HARD on my TPT store in the summer of 2023.
So here is a realistic, teacher-friendly guide to starting a Teachers Pay Teachers store over break, without turning your break into a second job. If you’re a parent, know that it’s possible!
I am now a top 1% seller on TPT - something I cannot believe!
1. Start With One Simple Product, and Make It a Freebie
Your first product on TPT has to be a freebie. This is a TPT rule, but it is also a gentle, low-pressure way to learn the entire upload process.
A simple freebie idea is a rubric you already use in your classroom. This is actually one of the easiest freebies to create.
How to Export a Rubric From Google Classroom
Open Google Classroom and go to the assignment that uses your rubric.
Click “Rubric” to open the full scoring criteria.
Click the three dots in the top right corner.
Select “Export to Sheets.”
Google will create a spreadsheet version for you.
Open the sheet and clean up any formatting if needed.
That is your editable version.
How to Make a Polished PDF Version in Canva
Open Canva and search for “rubric template.”
Pick a simple design that is easy to read.
Type your rubric directly into the template.
Adjust fonts, spacing, and colors so it feels clean.
Export as a PDF.
Now you have two versions: the Google Sheet (editable) and the PDF (ready to print).
How to Package It as a Freebie on TPT
Create a new folder in Google Drive.
Add both versions of the rubric to the folder.
When you go to post your TPT resource, click “Select File from Google Drive”
Select the folder.
Teachers appreciate having both editable and print-ready versions, and this entire process takes very little time. My freebie is a rubric - here’s what it looks like.
2. Aim for 50 Products Over Time
A realistic long-term goal is working toward 50 quality products.
Not all at once. Not in a year. Just slowly building.
Why 50?
Because around that number, most sellers start to see real traction:
TPT search begins showing your store more
Teachers can find you for multiple reasons
Your product lines start connecting
Sales become more consistent month to month
Fifty products is where your store becomes a helpful resource hub rather than a single page shop.
3. Revisit Your Current Lessons and Make Them More User Friendly
You do not have to create everything from scratch.
Most teachers already have tons of valuable materials.
Ask:
Could this be formatted more clearly?
Should I make the layout easier to follow?
Does this need a better cover or cleaner instructions?
Would another teacher understand this without me explaining it?
Improving existing resources is one of the fastest ways to build your store.
And the mindset that helps here is simple and true:
“If I am already planning great resources outside of school, I might as well get paid for it.” - My Internal Mantra at All Times (lol)
4. Understand What TPT Premium Is and When to Upgrade
TPT has two account types:
Basic (free) and Premium (paid yearly).
Here is the difference in simple terms.
Basic Account
Free
Higher fees
You keep less money per sale
Good for getting started
Premium Account
Paid yearly
Much lower fees
You keep a significantly larger percentage of each sale
Worth it once you have consistent products and traffic
When should you upgrade?
Most sellers upgrade when:
They have uploaded 5 to 10 paid products
They know they want to keep building
They are working toward a product line
They are ready to take the next step toward the 50-product goal
You do not need Premium right away.
Let yourself grow into it.
5. Start Building Product Lines Instead of One-Off Resources
A product line is a family of resources that share a theme or purpose.
For example:
Product lines help you:
Build consistency
Look more professional
Bundle products (which increases earnings)
Create multiple items from one core idea
It is easier than creating random individual resources. Bundles are my highest sellers because it offers a discount for customers and gives the most bang for their buck. It also shows me what’s doing the best in my store.
If you see a bundle of items trending, keep adding to that bundle!
6. Keep Your Google Drive Organized From Day One
Before you upload your first product, make a dedicated folder in Google Drive for your TPT store.
Include subfolders like:
Drafts
Finished Products
Covers and Previews
Editable Files
Freebies
Product Lines
Ideas
And the most important rule:
Never delete a file you have uploaded to TPT.
If you delete or move the file, your TPT listing will break.
The only time you can safely delete a file is if you remove the entire listing.
Your Drive folder becomes your store’s home base.
7. Use Notion to Track Your Store Growth and Stay Organized
Notion is optional, but it is one of the simplest ways to stay organized once you begin creating regularly. AND IT’S FREE!
Think of it like a digital planner for your TPT business.
Here is a simple setup that works well.
Notion Section 1: Product Master List
Make a table with columns like:
Product Name
Status (Idea, Drafting, Editing, Ready to Upload, Live)
Freebie or Paid
Product Line
Grade Level
File Links
TPT Listing Link
Last Updated
This becomes your dashboard.
Notion Section 2: Content Calendar
Helps you plan gently and realistically.
Include:
Upload goals
Blog or social ideas
Update reminders
Seasonal products
Notion Section 3: Product Development Template
A reusable page you duplicate for every product.
Include:
Purpose
Teacher Instructions
Student Pages Needed
Cover Notes
Preview Notes
Keywords
File Checklist
Future Updates
This keeps your product lines consistent.
Notion Section 4: Idea Dump
A place to add every idea you have, even the tiny half-formed ones.
You will refine later.
This keeps you creative and motivated.
Notion Section 5: Store Maintenance Log
A running list of updates and improvements:
Products that need new covers
Listings that need preview upgrades
Items to bundle
Old freebies that should be refreshed
Notion Section 6: Business Notes
A spot for:
TPT rules
Branding choices
Fonts and colors
File type reminders
Tax notes
Expense tracking if needed
It keeps everything in one clear place.
Here’s a free Notion template I made to get you started!
You Do Not Need To Be Perfect. You Just Need To Begin.
If you are thinking about starting a TPT store over winter break, this is your gentle nudge. Not to hustle or grind, but to take one small step.
Upload one freebie.
Polish one resource you already use.
Start one product line.
Create one Notion table.
Work slowly toward 50 thoughtful products that help real teachers.
Your experience matters.
Your ideas matter.
And another teacher out there may be waiting for exactly what you are about to create.