An annual publication giving
current information and
listing events or aspects
of the previous year.
A school yearbook is a publication with a ready audience, eager to purchase the volume, even doing so in advance. Yet a wise yearbook advisor knows that there are many things to attend to. Poor decisions along the way can lead to an entire student body that is unhappy with a book that they had hoped to cherish. How can such a catastrophe be avoided? All of the tips any yearbook advisor should take to heart begin with planning.
Plan who will do the work
Early in the school year the decision should be made as to the yearbook publisher. There is no way to overcome problems that will arise due to procrastination.
Plan what the book will look like
This is the most critical issue to students. The yearbook should contain all the important memories of the school year. It is the advisor's responsibility to see that these are presented in an organized and complete way. A yearbook can be made interesting by tying all the sections together with a theme. The theme can be almost anything, but it should be consistent throughout the volume. The sections of the book should include all of the activities that are important to school life. Even if only 2% of the student body participates in a certain club, there will be unhappy customers (and their parents) if that organization is left out of the yearbook. Create a sample layout for the sections, planning the number, size and style of pictures. This plan will guide the actual work.
Plan and execute the collection of materials
Decide early on aspects of data collection. What software will be used to lay out the volume? The publisher will have formats that they will accept. Make sure that the editors know how to use the software and do a test run to be sure the publisher is receiving sample pages accurately. Choose who will do the photography, writing, and recording of names for labeling the pictures. Individual shots will usually be taken professionally, and at least one backup date will need to be scheduled for retakes and to cover absences. Who will take candid shots, and what will be their general style?
Plan for and meet all deadlines
Create a time line with the various deadlines prescribed by the printer. Know when photographs, copy and art work is due and submit it on time, even early. Things always go wrong and publishers can be most flexible when errors are discovered early. Be sure the editorial staff understands when their portions of the project are due.
After years of experience of creating printed materials such as yearbooks we here at ActsCo are confident that we can bring together your printing project on time, contact us today to start planning and schedule a consultation for your yearbook project.
