If you’re reading this blog, more than likely you’ve found your way into the wonderful world of yearbook. First things first, welcome! Doing the yearbook is an exciting and special opportunity to be a part of your school’s history. At the same time, it can be an overwhelming project. If you’re like many yearbook advisers, you’ve probably asked yourself a series of questions similar to the one above.
Where do I start?
How do I sell books?
Who do I contact?
I do the yearbook, so now what?
We’re here to answer those questions, guide you through the yearbook journey and help you have a successful yearbook delivery, whether it’s your first time doing yearbook or you’re a seasoned pro.
The first day of school has come and gone, and fall weather is making its appearance. As you start thinking ahead to what the year has in store, take a moment to check these items off your yearbook to-do list.
Meet with your rep
Set an appointment to meet with your representative in person. Along with your in-plant account executive, your rep will be your lifeline to all things yearbook. They can guide you through the process, calm your fears and walk you through the software you’ll be using to design your yearbook pages. In addition to your rep, you also have an in-plant account executive who is assigned to your school. They help coordinate the production of your yearbook pages inside the plant as well as help with software support.
Recruit a yearbook team and photographers
The yearbook is more fun with friends. Reach out to parents or teachers who are willing to help with creating and editing layouts, taking photos and coordinating sales on campus. Be sure to take advantage of Balfour’s ImageShare app which allows anyone in the school to submit photos for consideration in the yearbook right from their smartphone. Keep track of everyone on your team as well as other important school contacts with this handy sheet from the Balfour Adviser Guide sent in your starter kit.
Set 3-5 goals for your yearbook
What does success look like to you? Setting your goals now will establish expectations for yourself and your yearbook team as you tackle the rest of the year. Goals can include the number of books you wish to sell, the amount of money you intend on raising and the number of times you wish to picture everyone in the yearbook. Other goals might include spelling every student’s name correctly (hint: request a student list from the front office now) and meeting your deadlines so stress stays out of sight.
Set up online sales
Setting up an online store is a convenient way for parents to purchase yearbooks and student ads/dedications. Schools that offer online stores consistently sell more books, so set your store up early and begin promotions during the first month. Before setting up your store, your rep can help with budgeting to establish your sales price. Use flyers, posters and web buttons to promote your store and guide parents to the right location to make their purchases. Need more selling tips and ideas? Sign up for Balfour’s Yearbook Sales Manager Program.
Focus on photos now
Photo opportunities are happening every day, so your focus during the first couple of months of the year should be on capturing as many photos as possible. Having your yearbook team helping to cover as many events as possible makes designing pages easier once you’re ready to get started.
