Want to upload a product to TPT but not sure where to start? In this video, I walk you through my entire process—from saving your resource correctly to creating covers, previews, and optimizing your listing for search—so you can confidently upload and sell on Teachers Pay Teachers!
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How to Create an Optimized TPT Listing
Uploading a new product to Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) can seem overwhelming, but breaking down the process into manageable steps makes it much easier. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key elements of creating a strong and attractive TPT listing, including the title, cover photo, thumbnails, descriptions, and more.
Preparing Your Resource for Upload
Before diving into TPT, it’s essential to prepare your resource files and visual assets. Here’s what you need to gather:
- Resource Files: Ensure that all files are ready and appropriately named. For example, for a set of notes and worksheets, each page should be clearly labelled, and any answer keys or extra materials should be kept separate.
- Visual Assets: Create a high-quality cover photo and thumbnails that reflect the content of your resource. Make sure these images are visually appealing and easy to read, even in smaller preview sizes.
Creating an Eye-Catching Cover Photo
The cover photo is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it must capture attention. Here are some tips for creating a standout cover:
Choose a Bold Background and Clear Text
Contrast is key. Whether you go for a dark background with white text or a light background with dark text, your goal is to make the text pop. Ensure that the title is easy to read at a glance. Avoid cluttering the cover with too much text, as this can make it difficult to read, especially in search results where the images appear small.
Use Visuals to Represent the Resource
If your resource includes worksheets or activities, include a small preview or screenshot of the content. If it’s a digital resource, show how it looks in action—this helps teachers envision using it in their own classrooms.
Thumbnails: The Next Level of Selling Points
Once your cover photo is complete, create additional thumbnails to highlight key features of your resource. Thumbnails are smaller images that give teachers more detailed information about what’s included. Here’s how to use them effectively:
Focus on Key Features
For each thumbnail, highlight a specific selling point of your resource. For example:
- What’s included (notes, worksheets, answer keys)
- Digital versions or video lessons
- Topics covered in the resource
Keep the text minimal and make sure the visuals are clear and easy to interpret, even when the thumbnails are small.
Writing Your Product Description
A strong product description is crucial for converting views into sales. Here’s a basic structure for writing an effective TPT description:
1. Start with a Clear Introduction
In the opening lines, briefly describe what the resource is and what it covers. Use relevant keywords to help improve SEO and make your resource easy to find. For example, “Looking for a no-prep way to teach algebra? This resource includes notes and worksheets on relations and functions.”
2. Detail What’s Included
List out the elements that come with the resource. If applicable, mention the number of pages, video lessons, or any other special features.
3. Explain Why Teachers Will Love It
Highlight the benefits of your resource. Does it save time? Is it adaptable for different teaching styles or grades? Include a few key selling points to persuade teachers why they should buy.
4. Include Key Learning Objectives
This section outlines what students will be able to achieve by using the resource. Use bullet points for easy reading.
5. Terms of Use
Make sure to include your terms of use, such as whether the resource is for personal classroom use or if it can be shared.
Preview and File Upload
Once you’ve created your thumbnails, cover photo, and description, it’s time to upload the files to TPT. You can upload a preview PDF that showcases what’s inside the resource, such as a few sample pages or images from your content.
Save as PNG for Visual Assets
For the cover photo and thumbnails, save your images as PNG files to ensure high quality and clarity.
Organizing Your Files
When naming your files, use keywords that align with your resource to help with search optimization. For example, “Algebra 1 Relations Notes” or “Functions Practice Pages.”
Pricing Your Resource
Pricing is a critical step in your TPT listing. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, consider the following when setting your price:
- The amount of content included: How many pages, lessons, or videos does your resource have?
- The time it took to create: If you’ve put a lot of effort into creating the resource, factor that into your pricing.
- Market research: Check similar resources on TPT to see what other sellers charge.
Typically, worksheets and notes can range from $3 to $10, depending on their length and additional materials such as video lessons.
Finalizing Your Listing
After setting the price and filling in other details like grade levels and standards, make sure your listing is well-organized and easy to navigate. Don’t forget to review your work before hitting “submit” to ensure everything looks great.
Tags and Categories
Make sure to use relevant tags and categories to increase the visibility of your listing. TPT allows you to tag your resource with standards, grade levels, and other relevant terms. Use as many tags as possible to increase the likelihood of being found by buyers.
By following these steps, you can create a professional, optimized TPT listing that stands out to potential buyers. Good luck with your TPT journey, and remember that creating high-quality resources takes time—but it’s worth the effort!
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