Teacher Business School™: TPT, Homeschool, & Beyond

Lindsay Bowden
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

The Teacher Business School podcast helps teachers and homeschool moms create and sell their own digital products. Whether you're interested in selling teacher resources on Teachers Pay Teacher (TPT), selling low ticket offers, or selling online courses and memberships, this is the show for you! If you're looking for ways to make passive income, quit your 9-5, start a side hustle, and start earning income that makes an income, give this show a listen!

  1. 4d ago

    Let's Talk About the TPT Exclusive Seller Update...

    TPT just made a major announcement about its seller program, and there are a lot of questions about what this means for TPT sellers moving forward. In this special episode, Lindsay breaks down the new Exclusive Seller Membership, how it differs from the previous Premium Seller account, what the exclusivity requirement actually means, and what sellers should be thinking about before making any decisions. Key Discussion Points:[00:01:15] TPT’s Major Seller Program Announcement A breakdown of the announcement and the difference between TPT’s Basic, former Premium, and new Exclusive Seller options. [00:04:00] What Does “Exclusive” Actually Mean? Lindsay explains the biggest change: sellers who choose the Exclusive Seller Membership generally cannot sell TPT-eligible digital educational resources on other platforms or their own websites. [00:07:00] What Can You Still Sell Outside of TPT? A look at the exceptions mentioned in TPT’s information, including fonts, clip art, physical products, courses, professional development, Boom Cards, and Kindle books. [00:09:00] TPT’s Upcoming Town Hall TPT is holding a town hall on October 8, and Lindsay shares why she’s waiting to hear more information before making any major moves. [00:11:30] Should TPT Sellers Leave the Platform? Lindsay discusses why simply moving everything to another platform may not be realistic for every seller, particularly sellers who currently depend on TPT’s organic traffic. [00:15:30] What Should You Do Right Now? Don’t rush into a decision. Lindsay explains why she recommends keeping things the same for now, continuing to create and upload, and waiting for additional information before opting into anything. [00:18:00] Does TPT Own Your Resources? Lindsay addresses confusion surrounding intellectual property and explains the distinction she draws between owning your resources and restricting where resources can be sold under an exclusive membership. [00:21:00] Start Preparing Your TPT Business Now Why now is a good time to organize your resource files, covers, thumbnails, and previews so you’re prepared if you decide to sell elsewhere in the future. [00:23:30] Why Diversifying Your Teacher Business Matters Lindsay talks about developing skills outside of TPT—including growing an email list, selling on other platforms, and learning to run ads—so your business isn’t completely dependent on one marketplace. This situation is still developing, and Lindsay will continue following TPT’s updates and sharing new information as it becomes available. Read the TPT Announcement here: https://sellerblog.teacherspayteachers.com/tpt-exclusive-seller/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-10-01_0600_Core_Sellers_Adhoc_ExclusiveSellerAnnouncement_TopSellers&utm_content=link Sign Up for the October 8 Town Hall: https://click.em.teacherspayteachers.com/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjUwMTZ9AAcAAAAAB0kBbQHx1KSG4G6WBCmexhhuBvHKSyNWLr3mSfsGdnJ4uAKXwkmj2yEELTJ_QNsUz7SUy_5lM1ndxCd54G4zS5u6k7GpLIQgYFv5X8E Free 10-minute KDP Webinar: lindsaybowden.com/fire

  2. 6d ago

    133: The FREE Marketing Tool Every TPT Seller Should Be Using

    Should you have a Facebook business page for your Teachers Pay Teachers store? In this episode, Lindsay breaks down why Facebook can be a valuable free marketing tool for TPT sellers and shares a real-life example from Extraordinary Enrichment. You’ll get a peek at the types of posts that are getting engagement, simple ways to promote your products and freebies, how to use your page to grow your email list, and why setting up a Facebook page now can also help if you decide to run Meta ads in the future. Key Discussion Points:[00:01:15] Should TPT Sellers Have a Facebook Business Page? What a Facebook business page is, how it differs from your personal profile, and why it can be a simple, free marketing tool for your TPT store. [00:03:00] Using Your Facebook Page to Grow Your Email List How your cover image can promote a lead magnet and help turn Facebook followers into email subscribers. [00:04:30] What Should You Post on Facebook? Lindsay shares examples of video, static-image, and text posts and takes a look at what's working for Extraordinary Enrichment. [00:06:30] Using Automated Comments & Messages How automated tools can deliver links when someone comments on a post—and Lindsay's tip for making sure followers actually receive the link. [00:08:00] Simple Posts That Are Getting Engagement From product mockups and giveaways to simple text posts, Lindsay shares examples of content that's generating hundreds of comments. [00:10:30] Growing Your Facebook Page Why consistent posting can help build your audience and how connecting Instagram and Facebook can make posting across both platforms easier. [00:12:00] Set This Up BEFORE You Run Facebook Ads Why Lindsay recommends establishing your Facebook business page before experimenting with Meta ads, including the ability to retarget people who have interacted with your page. [00:14:30] Using Freebies to Get More Eyes on Your TPT Store How freebies can bring potential customers into your store and how tracking links can help you understand where your traffic and sales are coming from. You don't need a complicated posting strategy. Start your page, create a clear banner and profile image, and post when you can. The goal is simply to get more eyes on your resources and create another path for potential customers to find your TPT store. Extraordinary Enrichment TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/extraordinary-enrichment Extraordinary Enrichment Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Extraordinary-Enrichment-61577039464781/ Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

  3. Sep 23

    132: How I Organize My TPT Files and Resources

    If your TPT files are scattered across Canva, Google Drive, and your computer, this episode is for you! Lindsay is giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the simple system she uses to keep her Teachers Pay Teachers business organized. She walks through exactly how she organizes her Canva designs, TPT covers and thumbnails, editable resource files, clip art, and more. Plus, she shares what files she doesn’t bother saving and how she uses Airtable when working with VAs and managing resources across multiple platforms. Key Discussion Points:[00:01:15] How I Use Canva for My TPT Store Lindsay shares what she creates in Canva versus PowerPoint and Excel and why separating projects into folders makes managing a growing TPT store much easier. [00:04:00] Organizing TPT Covers, Thumbnails & Previews A look inside Lindsay's Canva setup, including how she separates cover designs by product type and keeps past previews organized so they're easy to update later. [00:07:00] Creating Templates for Your TPT Business Why templates can save so much time when creating thumbnails, previews, store banners, terms of use pages, lead magnet pages, and other repeatable designs. [00:09:30] How I Organize My Actual TPT Resources Lindsay walks through her folder system for Algebra and Geometry resources and explains why she organizes her curriculum by unit. [00:12:00] Organizing Clip Art & Digital Resource Files Ideas for organizing clip art and reusable digital files in a way that makes sense for your particular TPT niche. [00:14:00] The Files I DON'T Save Why Lindsay doesn't keep PDFs, downloaded cover images, or thumbnail PNGs once they're uploaded—and why keeping the editable versions is usually enough. [00:16:00] Using Airtable to Organize TPT Products How Lindsay uses Airtable to track products, images, prices, links, and updates—and why it's especially helpful when working with VAs or a Pinterest manager. [00:19:00] Creating an Organization System That Works for Your Niche There isn't one perfect system! Lindsay shares ideas for organizing by standards, product lines, bundles, or other categories—and even how AI can help you decide on a system. Ready to grow your TPT store? www.lindsaybowden.com/training Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

  4. Sep 16

    131: Is Teacher Resource Academy Right for You?

    Is Teacher Resource Academy right for you? In this episode, Lindsay answers one of the most common questions she gets about TRA and explains exactly who the program is designed for. Whether you haven't opened your TPT store yet, you're already selling but struggling to reach consistent income, or you've been on TPT for years and need to update your strategy, Lindsay breaks down where Teacher Resource Academy can fit into your journey. Key Discussion Points:[00:01:15] Is Teacher Resource Academy for You? Lindsay explains why she created this episode to answer one of the questions she hears most often about Teacher Resource Academy. [00:02:00] Who Can Join Teacher Resource Academy? TRA isn't only for traditional classroom teachers. Lindsay shares the wide range of educators and educational professionals who can use their experience to create resources for TPT. [00:03:30] TRA Isn't Just for Beginner TPT Sellers While the program starts with the basics, it also goes into more advanced strategies designed to help sellers work toward consistent $1,000 months. [00:04:30] What If You've Been Selling on TPT for Years? Lindsay talks about experienced sellers whose previous strategies may no longer be working and why updating older resources and learning current TPT practices matters. [00:05:45] What If You Haven't Started a TPT Store Yet? TRA also walks brand-new sellers through opening their stores and building them correctly from the beginning. [00:06:30] Who Might Be Ready for a Higher-Level Program? For sellers who have already reached the $1,000-per-month level, Lindsay explains that there are additional higher-level programs available. [00:07:15] Your Next Step With Teacher Resource Academy Learn more about TRA, Lindsay's approach, what's included in the program, and strategies for succeeding on TPT through the free training. Watch the free training: lindsaybowden.com/training Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

  5. Sep 9

    130: TRA Success Story: How Lauren Turned Her TPT Store Into a Reliable Income Stream

    In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Lauren from The Backup Teacher, a full-time middle school teacher and Teacher Resource Academy member. Lauren shares how she went from putting products in her store without a real strategy to building a growing TPT business, creating a year-long grammar curriculum, landing an affiliate partnership, and earning enough from TPT to cover the cost of an unexpected surgery. They also talk about the beginner mistakes Lauren had to go back and fix, what she chose to stop doing in her business, the importance of community, and how she prioritizes her limited time as a full-time teacher. Key Discussion Points:[00:01:15] Meet Lauren from The Backup Teacher Lauren shares how she started her TPT store while juggling teaching, health issues, coaching, and grad school—and why her early approach was pretty inconsistent. [00:04:00] The TPT Mistakes She Made in the Beginning From not understanding SEO to skipping product lines and bundles, Lauren talks about what she wishes she'd known when she started. [00:06:00] Adding an Affiliate Income Stream Lauren shares how an affiliate partnership grew out of her passion for making writing and grammar more engaging for students. [00:09:00] Creating a Year-Long Grammar Curriculum How resources Lauren originally created for distance learning eventually became a complete curriculum worth nearly $300. [00:12:30] Why She Joined Teacher Resource Academy Lauren explains why she needed to get back to the basics and improve her titles, descriptions, covers, thumbnails, previews, and overall TPT strategy. [00:16:30] Why She Stopped Trying to Do Everything Lauren realized Instagram wasn't worth the time it required for her, so she shifted her focus toward strategies she actually enjoyed—including blogging and email marketing. [00:20:00] The Importance of a TPT Community How a coworking group helped Lauren learn from more experienced sellers, get feedback, discover new tools, and figure out what to prioritize next. [00:24:00] When TPT Income Became More Than a Side Hustle Lauren shares how her TPT earnings unexpectedly covered the entire cost of a major surgery and relieved some of the financial pressure during her recovery. [00:28:30] Balancing TPT With Full-Time Teaching Lauren talks about giving herself permission to rest and using a five-hour workweek approach to prioritize the TPT tasks that actually move her business forward. [00:32:00] Lauren's Advice for Other TPT Sellers Why she believes Teacher Resource Academy was worth the investment and how her sales have continued to grow year over year. Lauren's TPT Store - The Backup Teacher: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-backup-teacher Check Out Groove Lit: https://groovelit.com/?utm_source=the-backup-teacher lindsaybowden.com/training Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

  6. Sep 2

    129: The NEW TPT Keyword Tool: What You Need to Know as a TPT Seller

    Key Discussion Points:[00:01:15] Introducing the New TPT Keyword Tool Lindsay and Johanna take a first look at the new keyword research tool now available inside the TPT dashboard. [00:03:15] Understanding TPT Search Volume & Trends How the tool displays 30 days of search data, plus the limitations of only having access to recent search history. [00:06:00] Competition & the Opportunity Score Why Lindsay doesn't recommend relying on TPT's opportunity score when deciding whether a keyword is worth targeting. [00:08:45] Using Related Keywords to Find Product Ideas Johanna explains why related searches are one of the most useful features and how they can help with product lines and bundles. [00:10:15] Finding Lower-Competition TPT Keywords How to sort by the number of resources, evaluate competition, and determine whether you have a realistic chance of ranking. [00:12:15] What We Wish TPT Would Add to the Tool Lindsay and Johanna share the features they'd like to see added, including 365 days of data and better ways to evaluate competition. [00:14:15] Using TPT's Keyword Tool With Seller Spy & AI How sellers can combine multiple keyword research strategies—including AI—to uncover more specific long-tail keywords. [00:16:00] Finding Unexpected Keyword Opportunities Lindsay shares an example of discovering a keyword and potential product idea she wouldn't have thought of on her own. [00:17:15] More TPT SEO Training Inside Teacher Resource Academy A look at upcoming keyword and SEO training inside Teacher Resource Academy. lindsaybowden.com/training Check out SellerSpy: https://sellerspy.co/?via=lindsay Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

  7. Aug 26

    128: Is Your TPT Cover Easy to Read? How to Use Color Contrast to Make Your Resources Stand Out

    our TPT cover images may look cute, but are they actually easy to read? In this quick episode, Lindsay shares a simple way to check the color contrast on your Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) covers so your resources stand out in search results. She walks through using a free contrast checker, explains why you shouldn't always rely on the score alone, and shares her simple rule for choosing text colors: dark backgrounds usually work best with white text, while light backgrounds work best with black text. Key Discussion Points:[00:00] Why Color Contrast Matters on TPT Covers Common color mistakes that can make your cover images difficult to read. [00:27] Using a Color Contrast Checker How to quickly test your background and text colors to see if they have enough contrast. [01:29] The “Stop the Scroll” Test Why Lindsay creates multiple versions and steps back from her screen to see which design stands out most. [02:31] How to Fix Poor Color Contrast Simple ways to adjust your text or background colors when a combination isn't working. [03:30] Lindsay's Simple Black & White Text Rule Why sticking with black or white text is often the easiest way to create readable TPT covers. [04:08] Get Feedback on Your TPT Covers How Teacher Resource Academy members can get feedback on their covers, fonts, colors, and other elements of their TPT stores. Check out the Coolors Contrast Checker: https://coolors.co/contrast-checker/112a46-acc8e5 Watch My YouTube Video About TPT Covers and Thumbnails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoCAweeLdhc lindsaybowden.com/training Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

  8. Aug 19

    127: Do You Need an LLC for Your TPT Business? LLCs, Taxes & Business Basics Made Simple

    Do you actually need an LLC for your Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) business? And what’s the difference between being a sole proprietor, having an LLC, and becoming an S-Corp? In this episode, Lindsay is joined by her husband Parker, a former corporate accountant and current CFO of their company, to answer common questions about the business side of selling on TPT. They break down LLCs, business bank accounts, EINs, taxes, S-Corps, and more in simple terms. Key Discussion Points: [00:01:15] LLCs vs. Sole Proprietorships What an LLC actually does, what it doesn't do for your taxes, and how it differs from operating as a sole proprietor. [00:05:00] Separating Your Business Finances Why having a separate bank account for your TPT income and expenses can make bookkeeping and tax time much easier, even if you aren't ready for an LLC. [00:09:00] When Should You Form an LLC? What to consider when deciding whether you're ready for an LLC, including state fees, your business income, and where you are in your business journey. [00:14:00] Setting Up Your LLC, EIN & Business Bank Account The basic order for setting up your business, including a business address, LLC, EIN, and business bank account. [00:21:00] Business Addresses & Registered Agents What a registered agent is, why your address matters when forming an LLC, and what information may become public. [00:26:00] When an S-Corp Might Make Sense How an S-Corp differs from an LLC, when it may be worth discussing with a CPA, and what changes when you begin paying yourself through payroll. [00:31:00] Hiring Family & Planning for the Future Lindsay and Parker discuss hiring family members, payroll, retirement accounts, and why these more advanced business decisions are worth discussing with a CPA. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional about your specific situation. lindsaybowden.com/training Connect further: Join the 1k TPT Challenge: https://lindsaybowden.com/challengeSell Education Workbooks with Amazon KDP: https://lindsaybowden.com/KDPEarn 3-4 figures per month on TPT | https://lindsaybowden.com/startStart or grow your TPT email list | https://lindsaybowden.com/emailAnd make sure to follow me! https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsay.bowden and http://instagram.com/lindsaybowdenWatch full episodes on Youtube + Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Lindsay.Bowden?sub_confirmation=1 Resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and resources I truly love and use myself.

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The Teacher Business School podcast helps teachers and homeschool moms create and sell their own digital products. Whether you're interested in selling teacher resources on Teachers Pay Teacher (TPT), selling low ticket offers, or selling online courses and memberships, this is the show for you! If you're looking for ways to make passive income, quit your 9-5, start a side hustle, and start earning income that makes an income, give this show a listen!

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