The Hidden TPT Costs: TPT Chats Episode 9

When you think about selling on TPT, you probably picture designing fun activities, uploading them, and seeing the sales roll in. Easy, right?

Well… yes and no.

In Episode 9 of TPT Chats, we (Annette from Count on Kupe and Malia from Malia Rivera LLC) talked about the not-so-obvious side of running a TPT store: the hidden costs. We don’t mean just money—though, yeah, there’s that too—we’re talking time, tools, and all the little things that pop up as your store grows.

Here’s a peek at what came up in our convo:

1. Creating Isn’t Free (Even If You’re Using PowerPoint)

To make a product, you usually need:

• PowerPoint (which requires a business license if you’re selling—school accounts don’t count!)
• Fonts and clipart
• Design tools or memberships (sometimes Canva Pro is just easier)

We both laughed about how those “tiny” TPT costs sneak up on you. One font here, one clipart set there… suddenly you’ve spent $100 and haven’t even uploaded the resource yet. It’s totally normal—and honestly, it’s part of the creative fun.

2. Time? Oh Yeah, That’s a Cost Too

You think it’ll take an hour to make something. Then it’s three hours later, your coffee is cold, and you’re still fiddling with margins. It is a TPT cost you don’t think about!

But don’t worry—it gets faster as you go. In the beginning, there’s a learning curve (like with anything new), but once you get in a groove, you’ll find your flow.

3. Marketing (But Not Right Away)

Yes, marketing matters—but it doesn’t all have to happen on day one.

Start simple: share your resource on Instagram, mention it to your teacher friends, or just focus on creating great products that people will want to talk about.

Down the line, you might want to explore:

• Email platforms
• Reels, pins, and previews
• Maybe even investing in some courses or stock photos

But none of that is urgent. You can build your systems slowly, one step at a time.

4. Even the Platform Comes with Fees

TPT has a premium membership that many sellers opt into (because better earnings). And each sale has small transaction and processing fees.

It’s just good to know what those are so you’re not surprised—but they’re manageable and part of doing business.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Yes, there are some hidden costs—but don’t let that scare you off. You can grow your store at your own pace, invest a little at a time, and build something meaningful along the way.

Want the full behind-the-scenes scoop? Watch Episode 9