So...for some bizarre reason...I have the internet still! It is going in and out all day, but I don't have to go to the coffee shop just yet! My plan today is to work on making things on my to-do list and then have a really nice post for you all tomorrow with some freebies too:)
At the end of the school year last year I met with my AMAZING assistant principal to do my summative evaluation! It went very well and we talked about adding more professional development to my portfolio by giving a workshop. She felt I am very strong in the organizing and creating department and knew I had just opened an online store and blog. She asked if I would be interested in giving a workshop about blogging and selling!
So I am planning on giving a workshop to about 10 teachers at my school who have shown interest in learning how to blog and open a TPT store. I myself have only been doing it for almost 3 months. I am by no means an expert in this blogging world!
I started off by getting some help from Ginger over at Ginger Snaps and Tania from My Second Sense. From there, I just figured it out on my own. I am asking YOU to help ME...please:)
Can you leave me a comment about blogging...a tip, suggestion, something to know, how to do something, where to find great free resources, ...ANYTHING! I plan on making a PowerPoint Presentation!
For your help, I will give you ANYTHING(except my writing workshop packet because I don't have rights to give Scrappin Doodles away for free yet) from my TPT store for FREE:) AND I will email you my workshop PowerPoint when it is done. I only ask that you do not post something that someone else has already said! Try and think of something new!
-Tell me what you would like
-I will email it to you for free:) It might not be right away because of my internet fiasco!
If you would like TWO things for FREE, post the picture above on your blog and link back to my blog:) Ask for help from your followers!
Thanks in advance for all of your help! I am off to do some work! See you all tomorrow:)
My suggestion would be to start following and reading teaching blogs for a little while before starting your own.
ReplyDeleteAlso, be friendly! Participate in linky parties, leave comments, etc.
Claire
Live, Laugh, Love, Teach
Oops! Forgot to add....
DeleteComparing Fractins Task Cards
claire.kwolek@gmail.com
Thanks and good luck!!
~Claire
My advice would be that Powerpoint is wonderful for making creations to sell in your Teachers Pay Teachers store. It's very easy to use. I would also suggest to give away a few freebies of your products before selling them on your blog so readers can get an idea of the quality of your products. :) Good luck with your workshop!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
fsuteach81@yahoo.com
Lisa stole mine. Haha I would suggest looking at the tutorials and videos offered by Ladybug Teacher Files. I learned so much from her about how to do different things on my blog. The tips and tutorials she has are great if you already have a blog and want to add things to it by yourself.
ReplyDeleteHeidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
mynotsoelementarylife@yahoo.com
(I would like your Poppin Multiplication Facts.) Thanks alot :)
As a new blogger myself, I think keeping a list of things you like and don't like from various blogs is a good idea before creating your own blog. There are so many choices out there of how to set up your blog and what to feature on your blog that it can be overwhelming. (Ex. layout of the blog) You also need to decide what you want to accomplish from your blog.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
The First Grade Jungle Room
liz_lovelace@yahoo.com
(I would like your Equivalent Fraction Task Cards.)
Here are some sites that helped me alot:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2012/05/blogging-tutorials-for-teaching.html
http://virtualteachingexpo.com/blogging101.php
Another tip that I've had to start doing, is having a notebook to write down ideas, giveaways, etc because I'm always forgetting where I see things!
Brandi
Success in Second Grade
(I'd like your Overused Words Pack. Thanks!)
I just found you from Primary Possibilities, and I LOVE that you're putting together a workshop on this. My advice is mainly for creating a TpT store since everything I can think of for blogging has already been taken.
ReplyDelete- Don't spend any money creating your first few items. There is great clipart out there for FREE! Just make sure it can be for commercial use.
- Start with things you know you want for your own classroom. If you want it, chances are other teachers will too!
- Use pretty fonts!! www.kevinandamanda.com has a ton of adorable fonts for free!
- Make a pretty cover page. Teachers like pretty things, and they will be more interested in checking it out if there's a cute border and some clipart included on the front.
I love your BFG novel study. Let us know how the workshop goes! I want to use it for some of my co-workers!
Melissa
The Dalton Gang
melissa.dalton@live.com
My advice for TpT is to start by posting things you know have been successful in your own classroom. Look around to see what kind of competition your products will have. Don't be afraid to offer people a freebie for help in getting free advice, suggestions, reviews, and help in pricing. I love your Fact & Opinion board game. Thank you for doing this. I'll be back to keep reading more advice since I'm still VERY new to all of this, too!
ReplyDeleteStorie
atozscrapbook@gmail.com
Stories by Storie
My advice would be sure to check the terms of use on all graphics, borders, fonts, etc. I get so scared I'm not crediting properly. I like having free stuff to giveaway but some clipart stores DO NOT allow free items to be given away.
ReplyDeletemissnelsonattpt@yahoo.com
I'd love your listening task cards
Deletemissnelsonattpt@yahoo.com
Wow, people have already left some great tips. My tip is a selling tip: Open a Pinterest account and begin to pin your products onto your own board. Also, join collaborative teaching boards. Pinterest has helped my business a lot.
ReplyDeleteNicole
nmrios@hotmail.com
Scratch off tickets - owl theme (thanks!)
How do you find collaborative interest boards to join? I'm trying to look in to that.
DeleteWOW such great tips, ideas and resourses! I can't wait to get started. I probably will have these tips right in my workshop packet! Plus, if some of you don't mind, I plan on having some pages dedicated to Great Blogs that I like. Thanks again...keep em' comin!
ReplyDeleteBe unique, be yourself! I stand out from the crowd because I'm a man, but develop your own identity in blog land!
ReplyDeleteGreg
Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten
I like the monster theme scratch off tickets!
gregsmedley@gmail.com
I just downloaded a blogger app for my iPad so when I am out of town -I can blog and add pictures. The thing I don't like about it is that I can't figure out how to write after each picture. You do. The text part first, then the pictures
ReplyDeleteTerri
thefirstgradeprincess.blogspot.com
I need your email and what you would like for free:)
DeleteYour aloha scratch offs please
Deleteprincessleigh1st@yahoo.com
Thank you
My suggestion is to look at all the things you have made for your classroom. Check out TPT stores and see what they have to offer. What do you like about their items compared to your items. Do you need to make any changes to what you have already made or can you change it to make it a little better so it will appears to be a better product and teachers are willing to buy. Offer freebies so others can see your work.
ReplyDeleteI would like to start my own blog but don't know where to start. These comments are great.
I like your ALOHA scratch off tickets.
Cindy
CL14Mentor@oh.rr.com
My suggestion would be to really be committed. It is really time consuming, but so rewarding. And of course to hook up with someone who can help you along the way. Someone like...Tonya!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I know you received it already, but I had to put you at the top of my list!
Tracey
http://thirdgradeallstars.blogspot.com/
Hey Tracey...can I get your email again? I am using my personal email to send these all out:)
DeleteSure, teachtb@sbcglobal.net. :)
DeleteMy suggestion is to not bombard your readers with ONLY your TPT products. Give them advice and teaching tips, show pictures of your classroom, give away freebies, talk about a great lesson, and once in a while you can promote your product. You will get more readers that way.
ReplyDeleteI love the over used words packet.
Adventures in Room 5
cgeiser@gmail.com
DeleteThanks!
My advice as a new blogger - do it for yourself. Do not blog to make other people happy - it is an outlet for yourself. If you're not happy doing it, it'll become a chore! So, make sure you're happy and blogging for YOU. I really can't wait to see this PowerPoint - as I'm still relatively new to blogging and I haven't made anything for my own yet!
ReplyDeleteSara
Miss V's Busy Bees
What is your email and what would you like for free???
DeleteOh! I would absolutely love to see your Scratch Off Tickets in Pirate theme! I love them!
DeleteSara
ventrellasara@gmail.com
Miss V's Busy Bees
PS. Thank you for doing this, also!
I am loving all the comments! Thanks SO much! Please make sure to leave your email AND what you would like for free:) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would say to add yourself to grade level link ups you can find on many blogs so others can find you.
ReplyDeleteYearn to Learn Blog
taskcard123@yahoo.com
I'd love your BFG unit
Great suggestions out there for sure! I am so excited to see your PP presentation because I need to learn a thing or two! My suggestion is to be personable. If your readers find you to be relatable they will commit to reading your blog. Talk about teaching, include personal stories, or talk about your life. Blogging is all about making connections and you must be personable to make connections! Don't forget to have fun too! :)
ReplyDeleteAlways A Lesson
gschultek@gmail.com
** Fact and Opinion key words :)
Hi Tonya,
ReplyDeleteI'm excited too about your PP presentation, I really need to learn more!!!!!
By the way I also awarded you for the Versatile Blogger Award, as you can see you are quite important for a lot of people out there ;)
Lili
itsalwaysapicnicinfourthgrade.blogspot.com
Aww thanks:) That means a lot!
DeleteMy advice to new bloggers (or current bloggers who need a pick-me-up) would be to get a blog design that is unique to you! There are TONS of great freebies out there to help get you started, but once you're comfortable and in your own blogging rhythm, contact someone to have a blog design personally created for you and to your taste. This way your blog doesn't blend in and get lost in the shuffle... you want to stand out and be memorable! There are so many great digital scrapbooking kits out there that make some super cute blog designs!!
ReplyDeleteI'm off to check out your store now to see what I'd like to snag :-) Then I'll be back!
~Laura
First Grade FUNdamentals
iheartfirstgrade@gmail.com
I would love a copy of your mystery scratch-off reward tickets! I was going to work on some of my own this summer, but this will save me the time! :-)
DeleteGood luck with your presentation... I can't wait to see how it all comes together!
My advice to new bloggers is to try to not get caught up in the awards and tagging games! Try to post about topics that are relevant and purposeful. Most people tend to skip over the post where you tell us 15 things about yourself and go straight for blogs that have good content or freebies! Also, it is important to have an awesome freebie to showcase your work. Don't skimp on the quality just because you're giving it away. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this at my school so that I could suck more people into blogland but I don't think anyone would be interested! :)
I would like your Overused Words set please.
Casey
secondgrademathmaniac@yahoo.com
Second Grade Math Maniac
Hey Tonya! I also blogged about your workshop here: http://successinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/2012/07/currently-and-giveaways-galore.html
ReplyDeleteBrandi
Success in Second Grade
successinsecondgrade@gmail.com
(I'd love your writing task cards)
When I first started blogging I had trouble being consistent. So this school year I decided to blog once a week about what we were doing in the classroom. I take lots of pictures so this was easy for me to do. It also helped me to be able to remember some of the fun things we did that I should talk about. I started blogging for my students/parents but seems that now I have lots of teacher followers.
ReplyDelete~Michelle
mwhite@madison.k12.al.us
http://mesmrswhitesclass.blogspot.com/
What did you want for free?
DeleteMy advice would be sure to have pictures in your post. Otherwise, your eyes start to glaze over.
ReplyDeleteI have a new page on my blog called Blog Baby Blog full of how tos.
I'd love the Fact and Opinion board game!
Megan
meganfavre@gmail.com
I Teach. What's Your Super Power?
Wow, so many tips! My advice for creating TpT products is to stick to creating things that you have used/plan to use for yourself. This way you know you are putting a great deal of thought into it and the end product is likely to be well received by your customers.
ReplyDeleteThere were so many great words of wisdom with regards to blogging and I agree with all of them! My advice with blogging would be to enjoy the process without expectations. Yes, we want followers and we want people to read and comment on our posts, but to expect that a certain number of people will do so by a certain time only sets you up for failure. Be grateful for your growth no matter how fast or slow going it is and aim to post things that interest you and your readers. Slow and steady wins the race!
Aimee
amslzr@gmail.com
(I love your fact and opinion board game-it would be a great challenge for second graders!)
Primarily Speaking
I am very new to the blogging world and google became my best friend! Anything and everything you need to learn to do or make regarding blogging can be found with a quick search and a lot of patience :). I also discovered The Organized Classroom Blog. Charity offers tutorials and posts on blogging. When on her home page, scroll down - on the left is her Fairy Blogmother - click her to be brought to many posts re: blogging.
ReplyDeleteCarla
carlamshane@gmail.com
Playful Learning Brooklyn