- A key to a successful yearbook is a well-managed staff. Begin early in the school year to create an organized staff. Essential staff members include an editor, writing staff, photography staff, layout staff, and marketing staff. While students have well-defined roles to play on the yearbook staff, each member should interact with other staff members in other areas so that everyone keeps the final goal on track. Staff members need to learn all aspects of business, including business management techniques, communication skills, problem-solving strategies and time management techniques.
- Early on in the school year -- preferably the summer before school begins -- choose a theme for the high school yearbook. Many schools choose a handful of themes at the end of the year and have the entire school population vote on the theme for next year's yearbook. When choosing a theme, consider what events are occurring in the world at the time of your publication and events that are important to the school. Perhaps it is a presidential election year or the high school has moved to a new location. Use these events to shape the theme of the yearbook. In addition, decide on layout design early in the year and stick to it. View many samples of various layouts and keep the number of them to a minimum. You don't want to overload the book with too many different layout designs.
- The backbone of the yearbook is money. Without money the yearbook cannot be produced. Begin right away on fund-raising. Send out yearbook staff to participate in car washes, candy sales and raffles. Work with the yearbook publishers to find out the best methods for raising money for the yearbook. Staff will also want to keep scrupulous accounting records of fund-raising revenue and expenses, yearbook sales and any other money coming in or going out of the yearbook room. Involve all staff members in marketing, advertising and bookkeeping skills.
