How Many Free Resources Should You Have in Your TPT Store?

If you've ever caught yourself staring at your TPT dashboard wondering, "Should I have more freebies in my store... or fewer... or none?" you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions newer sellers ask, and the advice floating around the community is all over the place. 

Some say zero. 

Some say 10%. 

Some say "as many as you want."

The truth sits comfortably in the middle, so let's break it down in a way that's practical and easy to apply to your store. No matter how big or small it is. 

There's No Hard Rule for How Many Freebies You "Should" Have

 This is the part nobody really wants to hear, but it's the most honest answer: There is no magic number.

The right amount of free resources depends on your goals, your store size, and your product lines. 

But here's the reality behind common opinions you'll hear: 

Some sellers prefer to have no freebies

And yes, it's technically an option. But I don't recommend it. Freebies build trust, they help teachers sample your style, and they often lead to followers who later become customers. Having nothing free works against most new sellers rather than helping them. 

The "10% should be free" rule

You may have heard people swear by this. But the guideline really only makes sense if you have: 

• a large number of products in your store, 
• with established, complete product lines, 
• a strong mix of bundles and individual resources

If you only have 15 resources, you absolutely do not need to worry about making one or two of them free. That math just doesn't make sense for your revenue or your long-term catalog. Your focus during this time in your TPT journey should be product creation and adding resources to your store, free or paid, for teachers to find. 

So what should you do? 

Use freebies with intention. They should help buyers understand your value, build trust, and gently lead them toward your paid products. That's the real strategy. 

What Is a Free Resources, Really?

A free resource isn't just something you toss into your store because you feel like you "should." A true freebie serves with a purpose. 

A free resource is your store's first impression to some.

It's the moment shoppers get to see what you do well. Your clarity, your formatting, your rigor, your creativity. A good freebie proves that if a teacher buy from you, they're going to get something polished, reliable, and will support them or their students. 

This is why your free products aren't the place to cut corners. They should be strong samples of the quality buyers can expect from your paid products. When you do this well, a freebie becomes the bridge between "just browsing" and "add to cart asap!". 

Free Resources Can Also Be "Experiments" for Your Store

Freebies aren't only for buyers! They're also surprisingly helpful for you as a seller. 

Think of a free resource as a low-stakes experiment. You're putting something out into the world and watching how buyers respond. If teachers download it, save it, leave feedback, or come back to buy the full version, that tells you one thing loud and clear: 

There's demand. 

This is especially valuable when you're trying out a new idea, new product format, or new topic area. Instead of building a full unit or bundle right away, you can release a small sample, monitor downloads and feedback, and use the results to decide whether to expand into a full product line. 

If the freebie gains traction, you've validated the concept. If it doesn't, you saved yourself hours of work on a product line your audience isn't looking for. It's built-in market research and it's free for you, too! 

What Should You Make Free?

You've got a few solid options here, depending on what you sell and how your product lines are structured. 

Option 1: Make Any Type of Resource Free

This is the simplest approach. If you have an item in your store that naturally lends itself to being a freebie, maybe it's shorter, lighter, or a good "getting to know your style" resource, you can make it free just as it is. 

This works especially well for new sellers who don't yet have full product lines or bundles. 

Option 2: Offer a Sample of a Larger Product

This is one of the most effective strategies. 

Think of it like giving shoppers a chip to try before buying the whole bag. I mean it works for Costco, why not your teaching resources?! 

Examples: 

• 6 task cards out of a 20 card set
• A shortened guided notes from a full unit
• A single worksheet from a packet

The key is making sure the sample is good enough to get them excited, not watered down. If a buyer loves the sample, they're far more likely to return and purchase the complete version. 

Option 3: Offer One Full Resource From a Bundle

This is like option 2, but bigger. 

Instead of sampling a small slice, you're giving them one full product that lives inside of a bundle. The goal is simple: They download the free resource. They enjoy how well it works. They realize buying the full bundle would save them time and money! 

If your bundles are strong (and you know yours are!), this can be a powerful upsell strategy. 

Use Free Resources to Build Trust and Guide Buyers

Freebies aren't about giving away your hard work for nothing. They're about building a relationship with buyers who are finding you for the first time. 

A good, solid freebie can: 

• increase your followers
• build trust
• guide buyers toward paid products
• help validate new ideas
• show off the quality of products in your store

There's no perfect "number" to aim for. Start with one or two strong freebies and expand as your store grows. The goal isn't quantity, it's about quality!