The Yearbook World of Scott Geesey
from Jostens Yearbooks of central/northern Pennsylvania
ARCHIVE - April 2023
IT'S TIME TO TRANSFORM YOUR YEARBOOKING EFFORT - But what? And how?
Hello! Posting this in the spring but really looking to summer and the new school year in the fall. Never too soon to plan ahead.
For the graduating Class of 2023 - congratulations! For those seniors that I've had the pleasure to work with this year - good luck in your future endeavors. And keep on storytelling, it's a lifetime skill that will serve you well both at work and at home.
Feeling stuck with your yearbooking efforts? Then it's time for a transformation...
The last three years have been rough for schools, in too many ways. Apathy, declining enrollments in some places, overworked teachers, no substitutes. And is the cafeteria food any better?
Then there's your yearbook. Be honest - does it just look the same as past years' books? Are students enthusiastic about creating it? Or in buying one?
Let's hope you never get caught in quicksand, where it feels like you just keep sinking. No fresh ideas, no energy, too many headaches. Like no one really cares.
So if your current yearbook situation gives you that sinking feeling, it's time for a real transformation for next year's effort.
MAKE YEARBOOK EDUCATIONAL: Here's a key that many advisers miss. Yearbook should be just like any other class in school, meaning kids should actively learn things as part of their work. Class or club, use lessons to improve their writing, design, photography and overall journalism.
Sound too difficult? It isn't. Our Jostens curriculum tools on the Yearbook Avenue website has any adviser fully covered with lesson plans and materials at your fingertips.
And for JEA member advisers the curriculum from the organization is outstanding. An annual membership, just $60, offers a ton of benefits. Get more information at www.jea.org.
EVERY BOOK IS DIFFERENT: Every school year is different - just look at recent years. That means every yearbook should be different, not just the same looking book year after year.
Yes, this takes work. It's easy to just repeat what you did last year and then keep doing that. But you're shortchanging your audience by doing the same old same old.
The people change. The stories change. And the world is literally changing around us. That means we need to customize your look and coverage for that particular school year.
Lean on your yearbook company resources and experts to help guide you in how you should present your coverage this year. Your theme changes every year - so should your book.
THOROUGHLY ORGANIZE YOUR EFFORT: Never fly by the seat of your pants. Before the new school year even begins, start planning with your student staff on every aspect of your effort for the year. Who's doing what, coverage, changes and improvements, deadlines, everything.
And write it all down. Yes, there will certainly be changes during the year. Things happen. No problem - adjust accordingly. But you will do that from a basic plan as a starting point so changes can be easily handled.
LET THE KIDS LEAD: Here's one that is so difficult for many advisers. Teachers are used to leading their regular classes, so why not just lead yearbook?
Because it's the KIDS' book, their year, their stories. And yearbooking is a tremendous leadership learning opportunity. All the aspects - teamwork, mentoring, organization, planning, support. All those things that educators say they want their students to learn so they can thrive in the future.
Set up an editorial staff with a student editor-in-chief (or even two) and either section editors (sports, student life, people, etc.) or role editors (photo, copy, design, managing, etc.) Editors then work with the rest of the staff on their specialty - or for really small staffs, each editor fulfills that part of the book.
And my favorite - create the position of fun editor. Don't let yearbook work become a chore. The fun editor's job is to keep the staff working well together with occasional games, treats, jokes and camaraderie. They could actually be the most important editor of all.
PRACTICE FREQUENT CELEBRATING: Speaking of the fun editor - many staffs don't celebrate 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.
TELL STORIES: Make this a main goal each year. The yearbook is the annual storybook of your school, and the stories change every year. Always view the project that way.
And not which stories but HOW MANY stories will you tell this year? Every student in school has stories to tell, either big or small. Tell as many of them as possible, in your book, via social media, on school video boards, any way you can.
Easiest way to tell stories? With just a picture and a caption. Or a quote related to a story topic or survey. Stories are easy to tell and everyone wants to be noticed.
DO REGULAR PROMOTIONS ALL YEAR: And finally, this is one most staffs never do. Start doing yearbook promotions from BEFORE Day One of the new year. And then every week until summer break. Utilize social media regularly, maybe even every day, and other outlets like school video boards that people will see.
What are promotions? Your book sale of course, as well as any ad sales or fundraisers. And promote yourselves and your activities, let your audience know what you're doing and covering. Wish students and sports teams good luck for upcoming events. Let students know that they're being covered in the book by showing them. Never ever be a secret at school.
Want to really transform your yearbooking effort next year? Follow those steps above, and get your yearbook representative involved as a member of your team. Do all of that - and then watch the magic happen...