The #1 Way to Boost Sales on Teachers Pay Teachers

Hey there, fellow teachers! If you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling overworked and underpaid. Maybe you’ve started a store to make a bit of extra cash, and now you’re wondering how to get those sales rolling in. You’ve seen all the tips on YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, and email lists, and it can feel totally overwhelming. Trust me, I’ve been there.

I’ve been running my store for three years now, and it’s been a great source of income for my family. Here’s the thing: growing your store is simpler than you might think. The secret? It’s all about churning out resources.

Focus on Quality

You need to list quality products and resources. Yes, it’s time-consuming, but this is what separates the stores making a few bucks a month from those making a hundred or more. If you have 25 resources, aim for 50. Got 50? Try for 100! Yes, creating quality resources takes time, but that’s what your customers are paying for. They want something they can download, print, and use right away in their classrooms.

Be Consistent

Consistency is key. Adding new products regularly makes a huge difference. Sure, fancy thumbnails, previews, and social media are great tools, but what’s really driven my sales up is consistently adding new resources. Even if you’re a full-time teacher and your schedule is crazy, make time to create and post new products. Or, even better, post the products you are already using with your students in your classroom every day!

The Magic Number: 50

People often ask, “How many resources do I need to see good sales?” While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, I’ve found that hitting around 50 products can be a game-changer. Whether it’s due to the algorithm or just having more to offer, sales tend to pick up around this point. If you have not hit the 50 product mark yet, keep going!

Diversify Your Offerings

If you’ve got some resources and made a few sales, you might be wondering how to boost them further. My advice? Diversify! Expand what you offer by adapting successful resources to different grades or subjects. For example, if you have resources for 9th grade, try creating similar ones for 10th or 11th grade. If you’ve got great sub plans for your 9th grade English classes, could they be tweaked to work for an 8th grade ELA class? … what about for a 7th grade reading class? Think outside the box here. You have a wealth of knowledge to draw from.

Listen to Your Customers

Customer feedback is gold, especially in the first year. It helps you figure out what works and what doesn’t. For example, I started with English classroom decor, but when a customer asked for US government decor, it became one of my best-sellers. Don’t box yourself into one niche. Let your customers guide the path of your store. You might be surprised where they take you.

Embrace the Grind

Creating, checking for errors, tweaking thumbnails, and reposting can feel monotonous, but it’s worth it. Start before you feel completely ready, and don’t let perfectionism hold you back. Even a simple worksheet that took you 15 minutes to make can be valuable to someone else.

Believe in Yourself

Don’t undervalue your work. Charge fairly for your resources. Avoid overthinking—just get started, believe in yourself, and have confidence. You’ve got this!

So, the key to boosting your teacher store sales is to consistently and intentionally post quality resources. Embrace the hard work and let your customers help shape your store’s direction. With dedication and persistence, you can grow your store and make a real difference in your income.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step.”

Martin Luther King Jr.