The Savvy Teacher Seller with Kristen Doyle

As TPT sellers, we are always looking for what's next in business, and the next step often involves creating courses or memberships. These next steps allow you to diversify your income while serving the same audience. But how do you choose which course platform will be best for you? I had the same question when going down the course creation path. Luckily, I did the hard work for you and tried them all. This allowed me to learn the ins and outs of each course platform, and now I get to share it with you before you begin. In today's episode, you will compare the TPT community's three most popular course platforms. I am sharing all the pros and cons in the most important categories, including cost, user experience, affiliate marketing options, sales and marketing, customization, and so much more! 01:55 - The difference between Kajabi and Thrivecart Learn 04:34 - The affordability of each course platform 08:48 - All the ins and outs of marketing and scalability 03:30 - Options for selling on all three platforms 22:18 - My top pick for the course platform as a TPT seller Resources: KajabiThriveCartThinkificEpisode 23, 6 things to consider before opening a website storeFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode75

Are you tired of burning the candle from both ends? As TPT sellers, juggling many roles is common, and finding flow as an entrepreneur can be challenging. One way to find flow in your business is to learn how to work with your body and cycle instead of against it. Our guest, Tiffany Souhrada, is a productivity mentor, tech strategist, and certified period coach. Her mission is to tackle the taboo and bring more flow into our lives as entrepreneurs. She helps her clients channel the strengths of each phase of their cycle and embrace the consistency that technology and automation can bring to their business. Today, she shares with us the story behind what led her to become a period coach, how the fluctuations of our cycles impact our energy, why things sometimes feel complicated and sometimes feel effortless, and how we can use these phases to our advantage. 02:00 - Tiffany shares how she got into Period Coaching 04:02 - The best question to ask yourself when you’re struggling to find flow in your business 07:04 - How to tap into this idea of phases of your cycle when you’re cycle is irregular 08:22 - The four phases of our cycle and how we can use these phases as entrepreneurs 15:51 - How to use the phases when planning your calendar to embrace your natural flow Resources: Episode 63, Refuel & Refocus: Navigating TPT Seller Burnout and SlumpsGet Tiffany’s Free Guide for Phases in FlowFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsConnect with Tiffany: Visit her Website@tiffanymariestudiowww.facebook.com/tiffanymariestudio Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode74

There are a few things in my business that I can look back and say, “I wish I did that sooner”. One of those things is writing an email welcome sequence. A welcome sequence, otherwise known as a nurture sequence, introduces your business, builds trust, sets clear expectations, and offers your audience quick wins. Once I created my email welcome sequence, I saw more email replies, more clicks, and more sales for things that I promote in my emails. This transformation showed me how important it is to show your new subscribers some extra love when they first sign up for your list. Tune in to hear the importance of email welcome sequences, how to set one up, what to include, and more. I hope it helps you discover the power of a welcome sequence so that you can welcome your subscribers with open arms and keep them coming back for more! 01:18 - Five reasons that your email welcome sequence is so important and benefits that it can bring to your business 04:02 - Specific tips for creating your email welcome sequence 08:53 - What exactly goes into writing your welcome sequence, including exact topics you can use for each email! 14:32 - Where you can find a helpful plug and play email welcome sequence that will make this process feel easy Resources: 52 weeks of emails + Nicole’s amazing “red carpet welcome sequence” (affiliate link)Episode 53, Elevate Your TPT Product Descriptions with Copywriting Tips from Nicole KepicEpisode 42, Adding Lead Magnets to Your Site and Managing Multiple Lead MagnetsEpisode 41, From Writer's Block to Inbox Gold: Email Marketing with Kate DosterEpisode 40, Start an Email List in 3 stepsFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode73

You probably hear the word “funnel” thrown around a lot in the online business space. It might even be one of those terms that you feel like you’re supposed to understand, but you actually have no idea what it means. So, what is a funnel anyway? To put it simply, a funnel is a path that we use to guide potential customers through that converts them from browsers (or scrollers!) to buyers. I’ll explain more about what a funnel is, how it can benefit your TPT store, and how to create a funnel that feels warm and inviting in today’s episode. 02:30 - The components, or stages, of a funnel 04:30 - Big benefits of a funnel and how to start out simple 06:40 - Three quick tips for your funnel emails and a common mistake I see sellers make 08:35 - Using your funnel to guide people to the right resource without being pushy Resources: Episode 67, 8 Ways to Get More Eyes on Your TPT ProductsEpisode 42, Adding Lead Magnets to Your Site and Managing Multiple Lead MagnetsFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode72

🧟‍♀️ We’re getting into the Halloween spirit today by taking a close look at your zombie resources on TPT. If you’re wondering what a zombie resource is, they’re those resources that were once popular but are now outdated and collecting cobwebs inside your store. It’s time to bring them back to life! I’m sharing reasons why some of your resources may “go zombie” and how to assess whether a resource is even worth reviving. Plus, you’ll gain valuable tips and tricks for refreshing the design, updating information, and making resources evergreen. Don’t let your hard work on old products go to waste. Tune in to hear how to resurrect those zombie resources and boost your sales! Don’t forget to share your transformations with me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co. 01:45 - Why TPT resources “go zombie” in the first place 03:01 - How to use your TPT dashboard to identify your zombie resources 04:06 - What to consider when deciding if a product is worth bringing back to life or not 06:05 - Tips for getting your zombie resources to move back up your top-seller list 10:43 - My favorite way to market a revived resource without being salesy Resources: Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode71

I recently had a listener share a story about someone they knew who faced a lawsuit due to their website not meeting ADA compliance standards. It quickly reminded me of how crucial it is for all business owners to ensure their websites are accessible to everyone. This listener story is why I’ll be breaking down exactly what ADA compliance is and practical tips on how to make your website accessible. While achieving 100% ADA compliance may be a challenge, every step you take toward accessibility makes your content more inclusive and helps you reach a wider audience. Add this to the long list of things we must be aware of as teacher sellers, right? Be sure to check the links below to learn the official ADA guidelines, how to check your website for compliance, and more. 01:56 - What is ADA compliance and why is it so important? 04:42 - How you can check to see if your website meets ADA compliance requirements 08:07 - Two reasons why you need to be using a text alternative for all of your images 11:34 - Avoiding automatic media play on your website Resources: accessibilitychecker.org accessibe.comOfficial guidelines on what your website needs to be compliant Color contrast checkerHow to turn on auto alt-text on RankMath for WordpressFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode70

As TPT sellers, finding ways to make your store stand out from others is important. One way to do this is to find a niche you specialize in. Or, even better, find a niche within your niche, like our guest Ashley Rossi! Ashley has found great success in her SLP niche on TPT, focusing on a literacy-based approach to speech therapy. Today she shares her story with us, including how she organically grew her audience over the years and serves them with valuable content. With the current challenges affecting the TPT community, including declining sales, Ashley shares her insights on how to navigate these tough times and continue building lasting success as a TPT seller. Although many of us are going into panic mode, there are things you can focus on to save your sanity and continue seeing sales. 04:13 - How Ashley makes herself stand out in the SLP niche on TPT 07:40 - Strategies that had worked for Ashley to grow an engaged audience 12:42 - Ways that Ashley has used SEO to increase her sales 16:40 - Practical tips for dealing with challenging seasons on TPT 20:25 - Following your data to make decisions in your business 26:23 - Advice for someone just starting out as a TPT seller (and how outsourcing has been a game-changer!) Resources: Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsConnect with Ashley: Website@ashleyrossislp@literacybasedspeechtherapyTPT Store: Ashley RossiPodcast: The Literacy-Based Speech Therapy Podcast Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode69

If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure about how to approach creating a new product, this episode is for you. I’ve put together a TPT product creation checklist that will help you streamline your product creation process and ultimately boost your sales. We’ll cover the importance of market research, creating a product outline, design and layout, SEO, quality control, pricing strategies, and more. Plus, I’ll share what to look for when it’s time to re-evaluate your product after it’s gone live…because we all know this is a continuous process! 01:04 - Why you need to do market research, and what to look for during the process 04:47 - My go-to tools for creating high-quality TPT products 07:30 - What to consider when making decisions about pricing your product 08:47 - Tips for planning a new product launch that will build buzz and give you a boost in SEO Resources: Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode68

Let’s go ahead and address the obvious. TPT sales are down right now for a lot of sellers. But guess what? Your hands are not tied. There are things we can do to increase sales. We just may need to get a little creative with our strategies in order to get more eyes on your TPT products. I have eight strategies to share with you today that will help you amp up the traffic coming to your store. Even if you’re a veteran seller and feel like you’ve tried all the things, I’ll bet that there will be at least a couple of strategies in this list that you haven’t yet considered. 01:04 - Getting strategic about your freebies 04:42 - What an ambassador program is and how it can help you get more eyes on your TPT products 09:25 - Why you may want to consider running retargeting ads 12:22 - A fun way to use gamification to drive people to your TPT store Resources: Episode 22, Choosing the Best Opt In Freebie for Email List BuildingEpisode 21, Free Resource Library vs. Individual Opt InsEpisode 20, Making the Most of Your Email Marketing with Melissa SeidemanFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode67

Let’s look at a roadblock that every TPT seller has faced at some point - when those products in our stores just aren’t converting. We’ve all looked at our dashboards wondering why a great resource isn’t selling as well as it should be. I’m sharing the top five reasons your TPT product isn’t converting and providing you with straightforward fixes to turn things around. From bad-quality thumbnails to missing previews and ineffective product descriptions, we’ll address it all. Plus, you’ll gain tips on utilizing social proof to build trust with potential buyers. Get ready to learn how to turn your products into conversion machines and boost your TPT sales! After listening, start implementing these strategies right away. Choose a product that isn’t converting as well as you think it should be, and give it an overhaul using these strategies. 01:07 - Why bad-quality thumbnails are a top reason why your TPT product isn’t converting, and how to improve them 04:05 - How important thumbnails are and mistakes I see people make with thumbnail creation 06:04 - My top tips for writing a compelling product description 08:03 - Why social proof matters and places to put social proof in your listings 10:12 - Determining if price point plays a factor in why your TPT product isn’t converting Resources: Join The STS Insiders!Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode66

You may have found that it’s often a better use of your time to optimize and update your current TPT listings rather than constantly cranking out new resources. Well, the same is true for your existing blog posts. If you have an SEO strategy plan, updating old blog posts can bring in traffic faster than creating new ones. If you have no idea where to start when it comes to implementing an SEO strategy, you’re in the right place. I have a step-by-step process to help you identify which blog posts need some SEO love and how to make the necessary updates. By implementing these small changes, you’ll be amazed at the big difference they can make in driving traffic to your site. While SEO shouldn’t be your sole marketing strategy, it is a passive way to attract more of your ideal customers to your content. Ready to give your blog posts a traffic boost? 02:06 - Why you should connect your website to Google Search Console and how to use it 06:00 - 4 simple updates that you can make to your old blog posts and the SEO strategy behind them 07:53 - My best tips for improving your meta descriptions 09:24 - What to do after implementing this SEO strategy plan Resources: Google Search Console Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode65

Have you ever seen a new review pop up for one of your resources and felt an anxious knot in your stomach? With TPT feedback comes a roller coaster of emotions. When the reviews are positive, it’s the best feeling in the world. But when you see those negative reviews, it’s the total opposite. The truth is, getting reviews (whether they are negative or positive) is a part of our business that we have to deal with. Sometimes it has absolutely nothing to do with our actual resources, and sometimes it can provide us with constructive feedback. Today we’re going to explore how to navigate this TPT feedback from how to process it, whether or not to respond to it, and everything in between. 1:14 - Why you should expect negative TPT feedback 3:12 - Strategies to implement for processing TPT feedback without taking it personally 7:09 - Examples of “out there” negative feedback that other sellers have received 9:49 - Answering the question, should I reply to negative TPT feedback or ignore it? 13:51 - How positive testimonials on any product can be a very powerful tool, and ways to leverage them Resources: Polite Post AIJoin my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Rate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode64

It’s no secret that it’s a tough season on TPT right now. For many of us, sales are way down and that can quickly lead to feelings of frustration, stress, and TPT seller burnout. Trust me, I am experiencing the effects of this as well, with my own sales down. However, I’m here to provide you with strategies and insights to help you stay motivated and navigate through these difficult times. While our store earnings might not be ideal right now, that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel. There are practical things we can do that are in our control, and our mindset plays a big role in our ability to move forward in business. So, take a deep breath and join me as we tackle the challenges of TPT seller burnout and slumps together. 01:25 - A transparent update on where my TPT sales are compared to last year 02:48 - Why you need to remember WHO you are serving and impacting with your resources 07:03 - A reminder to focus on what you can control (and examples of what these things are!) 10:42 - How to know if you’re experiencing TPT seller burnout and what to do if you’re feeling this way 14:33 - A tip about revisiting your goals Resources: My Canva templates to help you improve product listingsJoin my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher SellersMore resources for growing your TPT businessFollow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Rate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode63

As teacher authors, most of us are ‘accidental entrepreneurs’ and did not have any experience in business before creating our TPT stores. That’s why we are always learning about how we can not only scale our business, but also protect it. Today we’re delving into arguably one of the most important things that we should have an understanding of: copyright & trademark for TPT sellers. You’ll hear all about how to navigate the world of intellectual property so that you have the tools to protect your TPT business and avoid issues down the road. Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and this episode is not legal advice. Instead, I am sharing information drawn from my own research and experiences as a TPT seller based in the United States. 02:40 - Defining copyright & trademark for TPT sellers 06:26 - What to know about copyright and trademark infringement 08:33 - The major law that affects us as TPT sellers 12:44 - How we can protect our own businesses so that we’re not infringing on resources Resources: US Copyright OfficeUS Patent & Trademark OfficeUSPTO Trademark Database SearchList of companies who've submitted their terms of use to TPTSpecific copyright notice from Warner Brothers about Harry Potter, DC Comics, etc.Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: TPT and Website SavvyRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode62

As a TPT seller, I know you’re constantly looking for ways to improve your product creation strategies. Sometimes learning from our mistakes can be the best way to move forward and scale our sales. Last week, in episode 60, I shared a big mistake that sellers often make when creating TPT products. This week, you’ll hear four more product creation mistakes that you’ll want to avoid in the future. I can speak from experience when I say that avoiding these pitfalls will set you up for success in the competitive marketplace. From steering clear on trends that may fade out quickly, to identifying gaps in the market, these tips will allow you to focus on creating TPT products that are high-quality and what your audience actually needs. 00:50 - Mistake #1: Jumping on super trendy ideas when creating TPT products 02:40- Mistake #2: Diving headfirst into “the red ocean” 06:17 - Mistake #3: Cranking out quantity over quality 07:49 - Mistake #4: Competing with yourself by creating too many of the EXACT same thing 10:51 - How to take action and avoid making these mistakes in the future Resources: Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: TPT and Website SavvyEpisode 60, The TPT Product Creation Mistake That's Slowing You DownRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode61

There’s always a cost when it comes to TPT product creation, whether that’s your money or your time. So let’s avoid getting stuck on the same details time and time again that drag out our projects WAY longer than they need to be. You know how it goes. You’re searching for new fonts, colors, and clipart for every new product that you create. Suddenly hours have passed by and you’ve made zero progress on actually getting the product created. Little by little, these time wasters really chip away at your productivity - and your wallet depending on the clipart and fonts you’re buying. Today I’m sharing one simple solution that can change the game for you and speed up your TPT product creation once and for all. 01:02 - Why your current TPT product creation process could be hurting you and your buyers 03:25 - The simple solution to the TPT product creation mistake that’s slowing you down 04:59 - Challenging the idea that the branding on your TPT products needs to match your website branding 08:05 - What to consider when choosing the right clipart 10:04 - The main elements to include in your brand board Resources: Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: TPT and Website SavvyRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode60

How do you even begin to prioritize everything that is on your to-do list as a busy TPT seller? You want to grow your sales but only have so many hours in the day…so where do you focus your energy? I’m taking the guesswork out of everything and telling you EXACTLY how to prioritize your TPT tasks based on where you are in your seller journey. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned TPT seller with a full catalog of resources, I’ve got you covered. Depending on your level of seller experience, your recommended priorities could be building a brand that stands out from the crowd, taking a deep dive into your sales data, or refining and updating your existing products. Tune in to hear how to zone in on the right tasks, ignore others, and transform your TPT seller journey. 3:27 - Your top three priorities if you’re a newer TPT seller 5:54 - What makes a resource ‘high quality’ 10:03 - Your top three priorities if you’re a veteran seller 12:36 - What to do if you’re not getting enough traffic to your existing products 15:10 - Why buyers may be clicking on someone else’s resource instead of yours Resources: Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: TPT and Website SavvyEpisode 58, Quit Stalling and Post the Product Already!Episode 57, 7 Mindset Shifts That Separate Top TPT Sellers From the RestRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode59

Have you ever struggled with perfectionism when it comes to creating TPT products? For many sellers, getting started with products isn’t the problem. It’s actually finishing them and posting them in our store. According to a poll that I posted on Instagram, the majority of you hit a roadblock when it’s time to create the preview and thumbnails. Today I’m sharing my best advice on how to embrace the “done is better than perfect” mindset when it comes to creating TPT products, and how to save time and mental energy during this process. It’s time to quit stalling and post those products! 01:47 - Finding your confidence so that you can overcome your perfectionism 05:00 - What you can do to build momentum in order to finish creating TPT products and get them posted 06:52 - The importance of eye-catching previews and my favorite tool for creating them 09:26 - A resource that will help you create your previews, covers, and thumbnails Resources: Canva templates for TPT sellersJoin the STS Insiders!Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co Join my private Facebook community: TPT and Website SavvyRate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode58

What separates the top TPT sellers from the average TPT sellers? You might be surprised to hear that it all comes down to mindset! To take your business to the next level, critical mindset shifts have to be made. Many TPT sellers are very different from other entrepreneurs because they often fall into the "accidental entrepreneur" category. Because of this, it’s common for teacher sellers to have mindset roadblocks that hold them back from becoming one of the top TPT sellers. In today's episode, I am sharing the lessons I've learned along my journey, the seven critical mindset shifts you can make to succeed as a top TPT seller, and how you can apply these shifts to your TPT business. 02:02 - How to transition from a teacher mindset to a business mindset 03:46 - The difference between abundance mindset vs scarcity mindset 06:41 - The top TPT sellers avoid the comparison game 08:39 - How to embrace negative feedback and failures as learning opportunities 10:34 - Adopting a long-term mindset and planning for sustained success For all resources, head to the show notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode57

Have you ever wondered if starting a podcast would add value to your business? You might be unsure about what of tech is involved, what kind of time investment it will be, and whether or not it’s even worth it. In today’s episode, we’re giving you all the details of what to consider when it comes to determining if podcasting is right for you! Our guest, Sara Whittaker, is a teacher turned podcast strategist and the host of the Podcasting for Educators podcast. She helps teachers and TPT sellers start and leverage podcasting to grow their businesses and connect deeper with their audience. Tune in to hear us dig into the benefits of podcasting as a TPT seller, how to know whether or not it's the right move for you at this time, what you need to get started, and Sara's practical first steps for getting started. 02:21 - The most common reasons that people decide to start podcasting 09:13 - The most significant benefits of starting a podcast as a Teacher or TPT Seller 11:44 - Two questions to get clear on before committing to a podcast 17:29 - Essential items and programs needed to get your podcast started For all resources, head to the show notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode56