The Yearbook World of Scott Geesey

from Jostens Yearbooks of central/northern Pennsylvania

ARCHIVE - January 2023

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE JUST NOT THAT INTO YEARBOOK - Is this you?? 

Hello! In a New Year 2023 here's hoping you have a great year. Maybe we can finally put that virus and its disruptions behind us. Maybe?

There's plenty to do in a new year, though. But - if you're dragging right now and yearbooking has turned out to be too much of a chore...read on...

When you're less than enthusiastic about this yearbook stuff...

Years ago there was a popular movie, "He's Just Not That Into You." The film featured the exploits of several couples and their romantic problems. Some matchups just weren't working.

Sometimes the connections just weren't there, despite their efforts. Lots of struggling going on.

Sound familiar? No, not your personal life but your yearbooking life.

Some folks, both advisers and students, sign up for yearbook not realizing the work involved or the passion needed to really be successful with this project.

For students it's probably about thinking no real work was involved. Or that yearbook means an easy "A" grade. Or that their real aim was to see how many times they could insert THEMSELVES into the yearbook.

For advisers perhaps it's much the same - you're the new teacher in the building and they forced yearbook adviser on you. Or just do the bare minimum, take the stipend check and that's it. Yeah, that's harsh but also rather honest for some advisers out there.

But your IMPORTANT yearbook project still needs to be completed, preferably on time. So what are some tips and things to keep in mind?

DON'T WASTE THEIR MONEY: And remind the kids of this frequently as well - people are paying their hard earned $$ on your yearbook, and in an inflation year to boot. Let's not waste their money - instead let's give it the best effort you can to remember the people and the year.

And don't forget the "for life" part. Most students especially never realize that people keep their annual yearbooks forever. Don't provide them with a cheap product that favors only a few.

LET TRUSTED KIDS DO THE LEADING: Advisers, you have enough to do with your teaching day job. Very very few advisers are full-time journalism teachers.

Instead of making all the decisions yourself, form a student editorial group and give them much of the responsibility of staff leadership. So many people say "well, it's the kids' book" but then the kids only do what they're told. Boring for them, stressful for you.

And it's not too late to form such a group. One student as editor in chief, several others either as section chiefs (sports, people, ads, etc.) or by role (photo editor, design, copy, etc.) Set the table for next year now and make your life a LOT easier.

Main role of an editor? Making sure everyone else is doing their jobs. Advisers, you're just the supervisor.

THE TWO KEYS TO A GOOD YEARBOOK: Organize and plan. And it's NEVER too late to do that. If your effort is rather messy right now, take a day to reorganize - what's left to do, who's doing what, what's still needed. Empower your student editors with a lot of this effort.

MISSED A PAGE DEADLINE?: In some respects this has become an epidemic in recent years. And when you don't feel very energetic about yearbook it's probably no surprise.

But it's crucial for your success - no one wants extra charges or a book that delivers late. What to do?

It’s catch up time – and don’t wait for the next official deadline date. As spreads are finished and proofread and DONE, submit them. Don’t wait. Gradually catch up to that deadline amount – and then surpass it, jump ahead before the next official deadline date approaches.

Work in smaller portions, not always big gulps. That might be a big reason why so many staffs stagger along - they see a huge deadline and get overwhelmed. The old riddle - how do you eat an elephant? Not all at once, instead one bite at a time. As pages or spreads are done let's get them submitted and off your plate.

PRACTICE FREQUENT CELEBRATING: Many staffs don't do this so it's no surprise that yearbook is viewed as a chore. All work and no play makes for a dull effort, right?

Instead celebrate successes large and small. Large = nailed a page deadline, so have a mini party to celebrate your achievement.

Small = staffer found an interesting story about someone, or a page spread looks terrific, or someone took a great photo – offer some small reward or at least some recognition to let them know they've done well. Keep doing that and the good work continues.

ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVE: Ask for guidance from your rep and regularly. After all it’s what we do. Don't fly alone, you don't have to. Instead let us help you, either directly or indirectly.

Make your rep a constant member of your team, giving feedback and advice to you and your students. No they can't attend every meeting but that Zoom thing works pretty well, or maybe just a phone call or text or regular email messages.

Yearbook doesn't have to be a chore - and maybe over time you may find you ARE "that into yearbook." Fire up a real passion for this very important project, and do the same with your students.