When starting a Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) store, one of the smartest things you can do is offer a freebie (or two!) to attract potential buyers. But not just any freebie—you need to be strategic. Your free resources should serve a purpose beyond just being “free.” They should help build your brand, showcase your expertise, and ultimately lead to sales.
So, how do you pick the right freebies for your store? Let’s break it down!
1. Make Sure It Represents Your Store
Your freebie should align with the types of paid resources you plan to sell. If you’re creating middle school math resources, don’t offer a random classroom decor freebie. If your store focuses on phonics, don’t give away a science worksheet. Your freebie should serve as a preview of your paid products so that customers who download it are likely to return for more.
For example, one of my first freebies was a small grammar worksheet that complemented a full ELA resource I had in my store. Guess what? That freebie led buyers straight to my paid products!
2. Keep It High-Quality but Not Too Big
Your freebie should be well-designed and useful, but you don’t need to give away a huge, multi-day unit. A one-pager, a short game, a sample of a larger resource, or a simple but valuable tool works best.
Why? Because you want teachers to love it and think, Wow, this is great—what else does this seller have? rather than Why would I buy anything when they’re giving away so much for free?
3. Solve a Problem for Teachers
Teachers love resources that make their lives easier. Think about common pain points in your niche and offer something that solves them. Is it a time-saving tool? A fun student activity? A resource that simplifies a tricky concept?
One of my best-performing freebies was a no-prep vocabulary activity that teachers could print and use immediately. It saved them time, engaged students, and naturally led them to my related paid resources.
4. Use It to Grow Your Audience
Your freebie isn’t just about getting downloads—it’s about building connections. A great strategy is to link your freebie to your email list or social media. For example, inside your freebie, include:
✅ A link to a related paid product
✅ A sign-up for your email list (with an extra freebie as an incentive!)
✅ Links to your social media for more tips and resources
This way, your freebie does double duty—helping teachers while also growing your audience and future sales.
5. Test and Adjust
Not every freebie will be a hit, and that’s okay! Pay attention to how many downloads it gets and whether it leads to sales of related products. If one isn’t converting, try another approach. Maybe a different design, a better preview, or a new type of resource will perform better.
Final Thoughts
A well-chosen freebie can be a game-changer for your TPT store. It attracts potential buyers, showcases your expertise, and helps build your audience. Just remember:
✔️ Keep it aligned with your store’s niche
✔️ Make it high-quality but not overly large
✔️ Solve a common problem for teachers
✔️ Use it to grow your email list and social media
✔️ Analyze and adjust if needed
Choosing the right freebie is a small but powerful step in building a successful TPT business. Need help getting started? Let’s chat—I’d love to help you grow your store!