How to Start an Email List for Your TPT Store (Even if You’re a Total Beginner)

So, you’ve opened your Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) store, made your first sale , and now you’re wondering, what’s next?! If you’re serious about growing your income and building a loyal community of buyers, the next step is simple: start an email list.

I know what you’re thinking – email marketing might sound overwhelming, but I promise you that it’s one of the smartest moves you can make for your teacher business. I’m going to walk you through why email lists matter, what tools I recommend, and how to get your first list up and running – even if you’ve never written a single email before.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through them. I only share products I truly love and recommend!

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4 Steps to Start an Email List for Your TPT Store

Here’s the truth: email marketing is the most reliable way to connect with your audience and increase sales. Social media algorithms change daily. Your TPT search ranking might fluctuate. But your email list? That’s yours. 

I’ve personally built an email list of over 90,000 people and have generated the majority of my course and product sales through emails. Just recently, I grew my TPT-focused email list to over 3,000 subscribers, and the sales impact has been amazing. 

So… are you ready to start an email list? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Choose an Email Service Provider

You’ll need a platform to collect email addresses and send messages. Here are my top two recommendations:

• Flodesk (my #1 pick): Beautiful templates, easy-to-use, and a flat fee no matter how big your list gets. Use my link for 50% off your first year!
  
• Kajabi: I use this now because it also hosts my online courses, but it’s not necessary if you’re just starting with email.

While there are free options out there, I don’t recommend starting with a free plan on platforms like ConvertKit (now called Kit). While free resources are great, once your list grows, switching platforms can break links and become a technological headache. Set your business up for where you want to go – not just where you are now.

Step 2: Buy a Custom Domain

You’ll want your emails to come from a professional address – not a Gmail or Yahoo account. That helps you avoid spam folders and builds like, know, and trust factor with your audience.

I use Bluehost to:

• Buy a domain (around $15/year)
  
• Optionally host a website later
  
• Set up your email inbox

If Bluehost’s inbox feels clunky or not your cup of tea, I recommend adding Google Workspace (usually $7/month) for a more cohesive experience.

Step 3: Create a Lead Magnet (AKA a Freebie!)

To grow your email list, you need to offer something valuable in exchange for someone’s email address. We call this a lead magnet, and for your TPT store, it should be something unique to what’s in your TPT store and connected to a paid resource or bundle you offer.

Here are some examples:

• A sampler pack of your best classroom games or printables
• 7 days of Algebra 1 or Geometry lessons
• A free mini-unit that leads into a full curriculum

Step 4: Set Up a Sign-Up Form and Workflow

Once your freebie is ready:

1. Create a form in Flowdesk where people can enter their name and email.
   
2. Design a simple landing page using already-made templates.
   
3. Set up a workflow (an automation) that sends the freebie automatically after signup.

You can also add additional emails to the workflow to introduce yourself, share related resources, and eventually guide them toward your paid products. This is how you build trust – and consistent income.

You Need to Start Your Email List Now, Not Later

You don’t need a huge following to make email marketing work – you just need to start!

If I could go back and re-do thing, it would be building my list from day one.

So let this summer be the moment you finally set up your TPT email list. You’ll thank yourself when those emails start turning into sales, even while you sleep or out to eat with your family.

Ready for the next step?!

Want the exact email marketing steps, tutorials, and templates I use?
🎉 Grab my email course for TPT sellers.

Let’s grow that list – and your income – together!

Connect with Lindsay:

• On Instagram: @lindsaybowden
• On YouTube