About Treering

Recreating the wheel is exhausting. Having Treering Live (TRL) experts provide all their tips and tricks saves time and energy and brings the fun back to yearbooking. (Yes, yearbook is a verb.) Treering tailored TRL for yearbook volunteers, educators, and aficionados of all levels, offering 18 sessions so you can engage with various aspects of the creative process. In anticipation, we compiled our top reasons TRL is the yearbook event of the season.  

1. Leave with a road map

Figuring out how to get started when you're new to the school yearbook is daunting, especially when the person who used to do it is no longer at the school. Learn how to start and finish your yearbook.

Recommended sessions: I’m the Yearbook Coordinator… Now What? and Teaching Yearbook

2. Live event

Real-time sessions mean your questions get asked and answered promptly. Between the live Q&A during each session and the chat throughout, there are plenty of opportunities for shared learning. 

Recommended sessions: Ask Us Anything with Treering’s Co-Founder Brady McCue and Keep, Change, Stop

3. Connecting with other advisers

Because two—or four hundred—heads are better than one, working together turns terrifying yearbook mountains into easy-to-approach small hills. TRL is not just about knowledge acquisition; it's about building connections within the yearbook community during National School Yearbook Week. You'll collaborate with fellow yearbook enthusiasts, sharing your triumphs, learning from your challenges, and forging bonds beyond these three days online.

Recommended sessions: Fundraising and Crowdsourcing and Social Media for Yearbook

4. Making a plan

From a ladder and coverage calendar to the next marketing campaign, you’re leaving TRL with concrete steps to make the best yearbook yet. 

Recommended sessions: Getting Organized and Creating a Marketing Plan

5. Design inspiration

Yearbook Hero Lauren Casteen introduced us to mild, medium, and spicy design. Wherever you fall on this scale, you will gain an understanding of layout, typography, and color and how to go to the next level. You’ll also be able to help your yearbook team produce robust designs. Because, seriously, no one should yearbook alone.

Recommended sessions: Design 101 and Design 201

6. Three days of training

Joining TRL for one or all 18 sessions is a testament to your passion for preserving the memories and historical record of the school year, one page at a time. 

7. cash

Kind of. Because we love a theme, there will be some sort of game in many sessions. Prizes include pizza parties, art supplies, and gift cards for coffee or Amazon.

8. 6+ hours of PD

Treering loves teachers. You’ll see learning outcomes in the session descriptions, and some of us, unabashedly, speak in teacher-ese. We know the importance of pro-grow opportunities. We know how annoying it is when someone reads their slides. 

9. The Treering difference

Many schools consider changing their yearbook program and need to see Treering’s software firsthand. Busy schedules make it difficult, so we have four opportunities to dive in.

Recommended session: Live Demo

10. The journey isn’t over

In keeping with our game theme, your next winning move can take the form of weekly posts on the blog, monthly webinars, and 24/7 support with the Help Center. These myriad options allow flexibility in scheduling and enable you to revisit content or learn something new at your own pace. 

Share your top moments during TRL: 23 by tagging us on social using @treering (Facebook and X) or @treeringcorp (Instagram and TikTok) using #trl23.

‍

It's time to roll the dice and level up your yearbook game with three days of Yearbookopoly! This National School Yearbook Week, attend all three days of our flagship training event, or pick sessions matching your gaming style. 

Tuesday, October 3 - speed round

A few sessions to start you off strong. A practice session, if you will!‍

October 3, 2023 - Meet Sandy Hook Promise

‍Meet Treering's philanthropic partner, Sandy Hook Promise, and hear about this free program that builds empathy and social awareness across all grade levels.‍

1:00 PM PT

October 3, 2023 - Fundraising with Yearbooks

‍If you’re checking things out to take one thing (e.g. wrapping paper sales) off your list so you can raise money doing what you already do, this session is for you. And if you are looking for a yearbook fundraiser to afford your book, this is also the session for you.

1:30 PM PT

October 3, 2023 - Live Demo

‍Experience how easy it is to create, market, and sell a yearbook using Treering's all-inclusive software. This session is designed for advisers looking to learn more about Treering Yearbooks.

2:15 PM PT

Wednesday, October 4 - yearbook player’s manual

We’ve scheduled concurrent sessions of back-to-back training to answer all your burning yearbook questions.

October 4, 2023 - Pass Go!

‍Kick off the day, see a few sneak peeks, and win prizes.

1:00 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - I’m the Yearbook Coordinator, Now What?

‍Volunteer or volunTOLD? However you ended up as the Yearbook Coordinator, you'll leave with solid strategies to help you start and finish your yearbook.

1:30 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Teaching Yearbook

‍In your teacher prep program, did you ever take a course on how to teach yearbook? No? We got you. In this session, we'll go over a checklist of people and things you'll need to know as an adviser, then talk about how to build your team, set goals, teach first skills, and set up your calendar for the year.

1:30 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Design 101

‍We like to tell people using Treering is as easy as click, drag, drop, and done. Follow along as we go from theme selection to final product.

2:15 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Design 201

‍Want to take a more creative direction for your yearbook? Maybe you’re thinking of submitting your book to a contest and need more student-driven design. Whichever your motivation, we’ll show you tips to simplify creating layouts from scratch using Treering’s software, including the alignment and grid tools.

2:15 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Live Demo

‍Experience how easy it is to create, market, and sell a yearbook using Treering's all-inclusive software.

2:15 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - CAT Genius Hour

‍Need a quick Treering account checkup? Did you just see something you want to review? Join your Community Advocate Team for some 1:1 support. Please note: Live agents are first-come, first-served. Treering support is also available at help.treering.com

2:15 PM PT

‍October 4, 2023 - Getting Organized

‍Structure is the name of the game and with a few practical tools, you can win this one.

3:00 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Crowdsourcing and Social Media for Yearbook

‍Adding social media to your yearbook marketing strategy can only help increase the visibility of your staff and your product. It can also help the stories and photographs in your yearbook be more representative of your student body. You’ll create a plan to use both Treering’s crowdsourcing options and your existing social channels to make your (yearbook) life easier.

3:00 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Ask Us Anything

‍Join Treering co-founder Brady McCue for a candid conversation as he answers your questions live.

3:45 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Creating a Marketing Plan

‍It may seem backward to start marketing a book that hasn’t been finished yet, and we believe this is the best time to create a plan and put it into action. Learn tips to market your program (hello, new recruits) as well as sell more yearbooks. For those who learn by doing, we'll have some work time to create and share.

4:30 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Live Demo

‍Experience how easy it is to create, market, and sell a yearbook using Treering's all-inclusive software.

4:30 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Design 101

‍We like to tell people using Treering is as easy as click, drag, drop, and done. Follow along as we go from theme selection to final product.

5:15 PM PT

October 4, 2023 - Design 201

‍Want to take a more creative direction for your yearbook? Maybe you’re thinking of submitting your book to a contest and need more student-driven design. Whichever your motivation, we’ll show you tips to simplify creating layouts from scratch using Treering’s software, including the alignment and grid tools.

5:15 PM PT

Thursday, October 5 - cards against editorial sanity

Meet some of the legends in the yearbook game. Our Treering Yearbook Heroes will spill their secrets and tackle your questions.

October 5, 2023 - Live Demo

‍Experience how easy it is to create, market, and sell a yearbook using Treering's all-inclusive software.

2:15 PM PT

October 5, 2023 - Keep, Change, Stop: A Conversation with Seasoned Advisers

‍Four yearbook advisers discuss getting out of yearbook debt, structuring class/club time, grading, real-world marketing tips, and answer your questions live.

3:00 PM PT

Register now for TRL 23. Cost to join? Free! Prizes? Of course!

Disclaimer: Attendees may experience an uncontrollable urge to shout "Checkmate!" during sessions.

TRL 23 FAQs

How much does it cost to register?‍

Treering Live is a free training event.

I'm not a Treering customer, may I attend?‍

Yes, please attend. Treering loves to share.

How do I get on Zoom Events?‍

For best results:

• Use the link provided here to register for TRL 23
• Use Chrome for the best results
• Make sure your Zoon desktop or mobile app is updated to the latest version
• Look for emails from Treering with your event details and links to get to the event portal

What do I need to prepare for TRL 23?‍

Make sure you have the latest version of Zoom, so you don’t miss out! If you are having tech trouble with Zoom, be sure to visit our day-of TRL Support.

Some sessions, such as Teaching Yearbook and Creating a Yearbook Marketing Plan, have work time. To maximize your takeaway, please have your school calendar on hand.

If you’re old school, have paper and a pen to take notes. New school, live post on X, formerly known as Twitter, or Facebook and hashtag #trl2023, #BiteSizedPD, #treering

Will TRL be recorded?‍

We will record and share all group TRL sessions on the blog. Those who attend the live demos will receive a recording of their session. 

Are TRL sessions captioned?‍

YES! In the toolbar at the bottom of your Zoom screen, click the Show Captions icon.

To enable it for every TRL session, click your profile picture then click Settings.
1. Click the Accessibility tab.
2. Under Closed Captioning, click the checkbox to enable Always Show Captions.

This is my first year leading the yearbook. What should I do?‍

Welcome! We recommend beginning with either

Is this only for first-year advisers?‍

Returning advisers have curated sessions on social media, marketing, and advanced design.

Can my yearbook students attend?‍

Student privacy is always our utmost concern. Yearbook classes are welcome to attend together; the adviser must be present to model responsible online engagement.

What is CAT Genius Hour?‍

The Genius Hour is a drop-in 1:1 session designed to help acclimate first-year advisers/editors to their Treering account. Bring your Treering questions.

Can I get professional development credit?‍

For our teacher friends who need to apply for professional development or are looking for a yearbook PLC, TRL attendees with gain fundamental knowledge and skills related to yearbook creation, marketing, volunteer management, and effective engagement with students and parents, preparing them to support the yearbook team and contribute positively to the school's yearbook project. (You can quote us on it!)

Upon request, we will offer a TRL 23 certificate of completion for three or more sessions of attendance for attendees.

Since 2009, you’ve trusted us to capture and print your priceless memories, and we reflect on this honor every holiday season. In addition to helping schools raise nearly $2 million in the 2022 school year, we printed over 600,000 custom pages in 2022—that’s a lot of joy. Thank you for trusting us with this invaluable task. We wish you all the best this holiday season and we can’t wait to get to work in 2023. Happy holidays!

What to expect in 2023

• Semi-monthly training through Yearbook Club
• Design contests for editors and parents
• Your memories arriving within three weeks of clicking Print Ready
• New predesigned “About Me,” “Year in Review,” and “Best of…” pages
• Superior support as you design, market, and distribute your best book yet
• Weekly blog articles to provide inspiration and resources – subscribe and have them sent to your email

Staff pictured

Top: Chrissy K. (Customer Success Manager), Jason S. (Customer Success Manager), Jen C. (Customer Success Manager), Niri B. (Customer Success Manager), Brian M. (Director of Engineering) with Titan

Bottom: Melizza T. (Community Advocate Team Supervisor), Codey V. (Community Advocate Team – Quality Assurance), Daneesha B. (Community Advocate Team), Ramona E. (Community Advocate Team), Robelyn O. (Community Advocate Team)

Since 2009, you’ve trusted us to capture and print your priceless memories, and we reflect on this honor every holiday season. In addition to helping schools raise nearly $2 million in the 2022 school year, we printed over 600,000 custom pages in 2022—that’s a lot of joy. Thank you for trusting us with this invaluable task. We wish you all the best this holiday season and we can’t wait to get to work in 2023. Happy holidays!

What to expect in 2023

• Semi-monthly training through Yearbook Club
• Design contests for editors and parents
• Your memories arriving within three weeks of clicking Print Ready
• New predesigned “About Me,” “Year in Review,” and “Best of…” pages
• Superior support as you design, market, and distribute your best book yet
• Weekly blog articles to provide inspiration and resources – subscribe and have them sent to your email

Staff pictured

Top: Chrissy K. (Customer Success Manager), Jason S. (Customer Success Manager), Jen C. (Customer Success Manager), Niri B. (Customer Success Manager), Brian M. (Director of Engineering) with Titan

Bottom: Melizza T. (Community Advocate Team Supervisor), Codey V. (Community Advocate Team – Quality Assurance), Daneesha B. (Community Advocate Team), Ramona E. (Community Advocate Team), Robelyn O. (Community Advocate Team)

We made magic happen

Beginning the evening with a conversation on themes, a tour of the new look for Treering Yearbooks app, and a magic show, we transitioned to expert-led breakout sessions. The Magical Katrina wowed us with her close-up magic and improv skills.

Breakouts to make your stress disappear

Attendees had their choice of four breakouts:

Fundraising with your yearbook

I’m the yearbook coordinator… now what?

Teaching yearbook

Selling more books

Bag of Tricks

While magicians don’t usually reveal their secrets, we gave up a few of ours. Scan the QR Code below to access them.

Check out the full list of upcoming Yearbook Club webinars for even more training opportunities.

Wouldn't it be great if your yearbook could help buy your school new Chromebooks or iPads or fund a new STEAM program? We think so too! Treering has already helped schools raise more than $11 million (and counting) and funded all kinds of wonderful things for schools. Make money from something you already do: add any amount to the price of your yearbook as a fundraiser.

Our books are so fairly priced that you don't need to feel guilty about adding a fundraiser to the cost of the book. Let's say the core price of your book is $45, and you add a $5 fundraiser. If you sell 500 books, you will have raised $2,375 for your school! That could cover the cost of a few educational field trips!

Full disclosure (because, hi, we love transparency): Treering charges just 5% processing to cover the credit card and bank fees.

Fundraising in Action

Mercury Mine Elementary

"Treeing's fundraising tools helped my school build a yearbook program that no longer creates a drain on our finances. Now with Treering we MAKE money on our yearbook program. Funds raised from the yearbook go to our school's 501c3 Parent Teacher Group and help us to support the school’s programs and services. Our PTG strives to promote communication, understanding, and cooperation among students, parents, faculty, and the Miner community. Our goal is to promote a supportive and engaging community atmosphere and Treering helps us reach those goals." - Erin

Augusta Circle Elementary

"We use Treering’s fundraising tool in two ways. First, we add to the cost of the book, making $1 off each book sold. We also sell celebration ads to parents. We use our extra funds to provide yearbooks to 5th graders who may otherwise not be able to buy one, so that all graduating students leave with a yearbook. Last year, we raised enough money to refinish the outside basketball courts, which were worn down, cracked, and had become hazardous, plus added two new basketball goals! This year we hope to add a large sunshade over part of the playground with the money we raise through the yearbook. We are so grateful for Treering!" - Ansley

Presidio Middle School

"We give books to 8th graders who are moving up to high school. I give away about 60 books to 8th graders. We call it a contest, [students have to fill out an online form to enter] but it susses out students who might not be able to afford a book and don’t want to ask for a free one." - Janet

PSA on Fundraising With Yearbook Ad Sales

Typically, yearbook ad sales are one way teams do their fundraising.

Generally speaking, schools sell yearbook ads for one of three reasons:

1. To pay back existing publisher debt
2. As an opportunity to teach business skills (sales, advertising, negotiation, and more)
3. As a fundraising effort to purchase new equipment

Number one can happen for myriad reasons: perhaps you bought far too many books last year, maybe your budget was slashed, or you inherited a yearbook program in the red. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate with your publisher for more school-friendly terms. (Thank you for coming to our TED Talk.)

While selling ads is a good way to teach students about business, it’s not a necessity for every yearbook program. Virtually any fundraising opportunity can be turned into something teachable, and selling ads is probably the most resource-intensive of the bunch. This reality is what makes ad sales particularly alluring because they quite literally become part of the finished product.

If you want to add business development consider teaching:

• Problem-solving
• Goal-setting and project management
• Team leadership
• Social media marketing to promote your program, book sales, and crowdsourcing

All that and a bag of chips

We started the night Clueless about yearbooks, and then with a Full House on October 6, 2021, we got Jiggy Wit It: from theme brainstorms to marketing plans, and photo and collaboration tips in between, this is how we do it!

Watch our first-ever live training event for five questions to help develop your theme. Also, you’ll hear actionable ideas to get more photos from your community as well as how to get more yearbooks in more people’s hands. Lastly, learn to take one subject and get eight photographs.