Teacherpayteachers.com Sales Expectation Versus Reality

Can you make money on Teacherspayteachers.com?

This question has been asked of me several times and I decided to address it today.

Simply put, the answer is yes.  You can make money on Teacherspayteachers.com

However, it is absolutely NOT a get-rich scheme.  If it was, I’d never be involved in it.

If you are looking for quick cash, you will have better luck with selling some used items on a website.  Do us a favor, and stay away if that’s your goal–in my opinion, you just muck up the website and confuse the buyer. Teacherspayteachers sellers understand this is a marathon, not a sprint.  We spend an inordinate amount of time creating a product and keeping it updated. If you become a long term seller, we are super serious about it.  We pride ourselves on our resources.

Who sells on Teacherspayteachers.com?

Generally, sellers are classroom teachers, retired teachers and graphic artists.  No offense, but unless you’ve been a teacher you don’t really understand what is needed in the classroom.  Occasionally, you see someone trying to sell a product which they think educators would want.  The product sticks out like a sore thumb and I’ve noticed over time the seller drifts away.  That’s a good idea.

These sellers who stick around have resources are either time-tested (like mine for thirty-eighty plus years of teaching) or brand spending new straight from the classroom.

These are professional educators.  They have studied in college and universities, many with advanced degrees (even doctorates), or trained in a particular area such as reading, math, STEM or the arts.

Teachers must re-certify their license to continue teaching during their career.  In other words, they don’t just receive their teaching certificate and that’s the end of learning.  Quite the opposite–they take classes about every six years to stay fresh.  They are required to keep their license up just like other professions such as medicine, law enforcement, hairstyling, etc. Consequently, the Teacherspayteachers sellers know their stuff!

Occasionally, someone will grumble about the lesson they purchased was poor. It is hardly fair to blame the entire website just because one person didn’t receive what they expected.

Haven’t you read a book you didn’t like for whatever reason?

In defense of TPT sellers, perhaps the buyer didn’t look closely at the product.  The buyer needs to check out the previews because the choice is always on the buyer.  So just because one buyer doesn’t like something doesn’t mean all TPT products are below average.

I’ve been a Teacherspayteachers seller for two and a half years.  From time to time, I review seller’s products that I’ve purchased or found for free. Let me tell you folks, be happy if your child’s teacher purchases a Teacherspayteachers lesson.  I can say with absolutely honesty I review more excellent products than not so.

Are there free lessons?

There are many free lessons and resources available on Teacherspayteachers.  Sellers are very generous. Sometimes too generous.  If you are interested in something free, check out: Free Teaching Resources Blog Hop.

Or check out my freebies at Free Stuff!

We Are Here to Help

We don’t claim to be the foremost authority in our subject area.  We offer one perspective for teaching a concept.  There are many angles a teacher takes to complete a benchmark.

We are offering help, period.  At least, that’s where I come from.

Do we make money?  Yes.

Is it a lot of money?

It can be, however that’s subjective to the person selling.  It depends upon the seller’s goal–to make a little extra cash for vacations and gifts?  To make enough to stay home once their baby is born? To send their child to college?  The reasons are many.

My Why

I stayed home with our daughters when they were young.  Because of this decision, I lost half of my pension by making this decision.  Now that I’m retired, my hope was to catch up that pension by selling through my DramaMommaSpeaks store.  I’m pleased to say my products sell well. I’m constantly comforted and pleased knowing I’ve helped some overly busy teacher saving them some time and their sanity.

If you think you may want to begin a store on Teacherspayteachers, check out my post How to Make Things to Sell on Teacherspayteachers This post will give you insight about the various steps I take when creating a product.

Boom Learning

Understandedly, on-line businesses are booming now.  There is another company you not be know–Boom Learning.  Boom Learning is an educational marketplace where teachers sell digital task cards.  If you’d like more information about them, check out my post How Do I Use Boom Cards in My Drama Class? I have several Boom cards sets–drama vocabulary, set design, hybrid lesson for the Broadway musical Wicked with more to come.  Check out my Boom lessons at:  Dramamommaspeaks at Boom Learning

Boom Learning is fairly new and growing like a weed.  Most of the Boom cards are created with elementary students in mind, however I’m beginning to see more secondary grade level resources.

I’ll leave you with this thought, Steve Maraboli says, “Get-rich-quick schemes are for the lazy and unambitious.  Respect your dreams enough to pay the full price for them.” Steve Maraboli is a life-changing Speaker, bestselling Author, and Behavioral Scientist who lends his popular voice to various topics.

I so agree.  Respect your dreams enough to pay the full price for them.  It is always worth it.  Everything I’ve ever accomplished which took work and dedication has paid off handsomely for me.  My teacherspayteachers.com store is my latest example. 

Do you have an idea for a lesson?  I’d love to know more about it.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net