A new school year is upon us, and it’s time to get that yearbook started! It seems like there’s a million and one things to do when the year starts, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things you should be doing to start the yearbook off on the right foot.
- Meet with your Friesens Print Consultant to talk about any training needs you think you may have, as well as yearbook specifications (size, number of pages, orientation, etc), the price, prepayment, deadlines and delivery date, and your SellIt Marketing Plan.
- Check all of your equipment, like cameras, computers, software, recorders, etc. Nothing would be worse than going out to photograph an event and learn that the camera is broken!
- With the help of school administration, create a list of all school teams and clubs, along with a list of all activities that will be taking place throughout the school year. This is essential for completing the Planning Calendar (which you should also do this month).
- Select and recruit your Editors (if you haven’t already done so). Students should be chosen according to their known strengths and talents…check with administrators, teachers, and even other students to determine which students excel in areas of creative writing, journalism, photography, art, graphic design, leadership, and student involvement. Seek out these students and encourage their involvement in the yearbook.
- Meet with your entire yearbook staff as early as possible to evaluate last year’s book. You’ll want to assess what you liked, disliked, and would like to change. This will help you on a clearer path to knowing what you want (or don’t want) in this year’s book.
- Start to think about the theme for the book. The theme will affect all elements of the book, like the cover design, font choices, photography treatments, and more.
- With the help of your yearbook team, create an internal production schedule to meet deadlines. You’ll want to include specific milestones, weekly, and daily tasks, as well as the person or team responsible for each.
- Begin working on the Page Planner. This provides the entire yearbook team with the general structure needed to stay organized and keep things on track.
- Start coverage of the school year, including any fall events, sports, clubs, and academics. You don’t want to scramble to get organized for Homecoming!
- Plan and launch your yearbook marketing campaign. Consider implementing an “early bird” sale to get things rolling.
Remember, if you get stuck on anything, your Print Consultant and Service Specialist are just a phone call (or email) away!
