How to Begin Building Your TPT Marketing Plan
Marketing Plan on a board with post it notes.
Getting Started
Building a marketing plan for your Teachers Pay Teachers store can feel intimidating, especially when you’re already juggling lesson planning, grading, and real life. The good news is that a TPT marketing plan doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It simply gives you direction, helps you stay consistent, and allows your hard-created resources to actually be seen by the teachers who need them most.
Get Clear With Your Purpose
The first step in building your TPT marketing plan is getting clear on your focus. Before thinking about social media or blog posts, take a moment to define who your resources are for and what problem they solve. Whether you support grades 3–5, intervention groups, or print-and-go activities for busy teachers, clarity here makes every marketing decision easier. When you know your audience, you stop trying to market to everyone and start connecting with the right teachers.
Look at your existing products
Once your focus is clear, it’s important to look at your existing products and choose which ones you want to promote first. You don’t need to market your entire store at once. Start with one or two strong resources or a seasonal product and build your content around those. This keeps your marketing plan manageable and prevents burnout. Over time, you can rotate products and repeat the same process.
Show Up Consistently
Next, decide where you will show up consistently. A strong TPT marketing plan doesn’t require every platform. Choose one or two places that feel realistic for you, such as a blog, Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook. Consistency matters far more than being everywhere. When teachers see your content regularly, trust begins to build, and that trust often leads to clicks, saves, and purchases.
Focus on Supporting Teachers
Creating helpful content is the heart of any successful TPT marketing plan. Instead of focusing on selling, focus on supporting teachers. Blog posts about how to use your resources, classroom tips, or skill-based activities naturally lead teachers to your products without feeling pushy. When your marketing feels helpful, it becomes easier to show up and share.
Think Long-Term
As you build your plan, it’s also important to think long-term. Marketing isn’t just about today’s sale—it’s about building relationships. Offering a free resource and starting an email list allows teachers to stay connected with you beyond one visit. Over time, your email list becomes one of your most valuable marketing tools, helping you share new resources, seasonal ideas, and special promotions directly with your audience.
Your TPT Marketing Plan Will Grow and Change With You
Finally, remember that your TPT marketing plan will grow and change with you. You don’t need everything figured out from the start. Begin with small, intentional steps and give yourself permission to learn as you go. Progress matters more than perfection, and consistency will always outweigh doing everything at once.
Building your TPT marketing plan is really about creating systems that support your creativity instead of draining it. When you approach marketing with clarity, purpose, and a focus on helping other teachers, it becomes a natural extension of the work you already love.
Bye for Now!
Johanna
