If you’ve reached the point where your Teachers Pay Teachers store is running smoothly, you may be wondering what’s next.
Should you start posting on social media more consistently? Open an Etsy shop? Try Amazon KDP? Build your own website?
Those are all great goals, but before you spread yourself across multiple platforms, I’d encourage you to do one thing first:
Start an email list.
Why an Email List Comes First for Your TPT Business
One of the biggest advantages of an email list is that you can build an audience you can actually reach.
It’s important to remember that social media algorithms change and search rankings fluctuate, but when someone joins your email list, you’ve created a direct connection with someone who has already shown interest in your resources.
Over time, that audience becomes one of the most valuable assets in your business.
You Don’t Have to Wait to Start an Email List
A lot of sellers think they need hundreds of products or thousands of monthly sales before starting an email list, which isn’t true.
The earlier you start an email list, the easier it is.
Imagine waiting until you have 300 products in your store before deciding you want to add an email sign-up to each resource. That’s a much bigger project than adding it as you create new products from the beginning.
Starting an Email List Doesn’t Have to be a Difficult Process
Starting an email list doesn’t mean you need to become an email marketing expert overnight.
Begin with a simple freebie that would be valuable to your ideal customer. Then create a welcome email and send helpful content consistently.
Remember, your goal isn’t to email people every day – it’s to build trust over time.
When teachers know, like, and trust you, they’re much more likely to come back when they need another resource for their classroom.
You Can Think Beyond Teachers Pay Teachers
An email list also gives you flexibility as your business grows.
Maybe one day you’ll launch a course, start a membership, sell digital products outside of Teachers Pay Teachers, or build your own website.
When that time comes, you won’t have to start from zero because you’ve already built an audience that’s excited to hear from you.
That’s why I think an email list is one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in your business.
Need Help Getting Started with Your Email List?
If you’ve been putting off starting an email list because it feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Figuring out which email platform to use, setting up a domain, creating a freebie, and knowing what to send can feel like a lot when you’re just getting started.
That’s exactly why I created my email course, Subscribers to Sales. Inside the course, I walk you through the entire process – from choosing an email service provider and creating your lead magnet to writing your welcome sequence and building an email strategy that helps turn subscribers into buyers.
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start your email list, this is it. The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll have an audience you can connect with long after someone downloads one of your resources.
Ready to Grow Your TPT Store?
An email list is just one piece of building a successful Teachers Pay Teachers business.
If you’re ready to create products teachers are searching for, improve your SEO, and build a TPT store that generates consistent income, I’d love to help.
The sooner you start building your email list, the sooner you’ll have an audience that’s yours—no matter how the platforms change.
