Premium vs Basic Teachers Pay Teachers Seller Accounts

Teachers Pay Teachers Seller Accounts - Premium vs Basic: Which One is Right for You?

If you're just starting your journey as a Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) seller, you've probably stumbled upon the question: Should I stick with the Basic account, or is it really worth it to upgrade to Premium? 

This decision can feel quite overwhelming, but don't worry -- I'll break it all down with some straightforward math and real examples. I am a math teacher, of course! 

Grab your favorite drink, and let's dive in! 

What's the Difference Between Basic and Premium?

TPT offers two seller account types: Basic and Premium. Starting in early 2024, the Basic seller account is no longer free. TPT now requires a one-time payment of $29 to start your store. With a Basic seller account, you earn 55% of your list price and pay a $0.30 fee per resource - not per transaction! The Premium seller account, on the other hand, costs $59.95 per year and lets you earn 80% of your listing price, while reducing the transaction fee to $0.15 per transaction IF the buyers cart total is less than $3. 

If you decide to upgrade to Premium from Basic, you'll need to pay the full $59.95, as the $29 Basic account fee does not count towards the Premium upgrade. The Premium seller account also unlocks a marketing tool called UTM codes which allow you to track the traffic coming into your store from outside of TPT. 

While the Premium seller account might seem like a bigger investment, let me crunch the numbers to show you how quickly it can pay off. 

Let's Do the Math

Let's walk through a couple of examples to see how much you'd earn with each account type. For a $3 resource sold from a Basic account, you'd keep $1.35 after TPT's commission and fees. Whereas the Premium seller account would take home $2.40. That is a difference of $1.05. Now, it may sound like a small difference, but it can really add up! Especially once you start making consistent sales. 

When Does Premium Pay for Itself? 

I know that that $59.95 annual fee may not be feasible for many, especially when you haven't made any money yet. To justify the $59.95 annual fee, let's calculate the break-even point. Using the $3 resource example from earlier, you'd need to make 25 sales (each $3) to cover the cost of Premium. That's selling just one resource a week for 6 months! For most active sellers, who are in it for the long haul, this threshold is easily achievable. 

Keep in mind, if you've already paid the $29 for the Basic, the Premium fee will be an additional investment. However, the long-term earnings potential definitely outweighs the cost! 

Who Should Stick with the Basic Seller Account?

A Basic seller account might be the better choice if you're just starting out and want to test the platform before committing to a yearly fee. If you only have a few products listed or aren't sure you'll make enough sales in a year to justify the Premium seller fee, starting with Basic make sense for now. 

Who Should Upgrade to Premium?

I recommend you consider upgrading if you have a growing catalog of resources in your store and are making consistent sales. If you're serious about turning your TPT store into a steady income stream, Premium is a smart investment that will maximize your earnings! 

Choosing between a Basic and Premium TPT seller account boils down to your goals and where you are in your journey. If you're just starting out, Basic can be a great way to dip your toes in the water. But if you're ready to grow and maximize your earnings, I highly recommend going Premium from the start! 

Remember, every sale brings you closer to breaking even and profiting from the upgrade. And trust me... when you start seeing those extra dollars add up, you'll wonder why you waited so long!