Five yearbook activities not to miss

“Just putting pictures on pages” and other misleading statements about yearbook production do not capture what happens in the newsroom. However, it’s easy to take a heads-down approach to design as the deadline approaches. We all just want to finish! Nevertheless, amidst the rush, there are essential skills that you shouldn’t overlook. You’re going to want to save these activities.

1. Teaching Yearbook

Because no teacher program provided the comprehensive graphic design, marketing, journalism, editing and proofreading, photojournalism, contract negotiation, and volunteer management training that makes a great yearbook adviser. Breathe! (Club leaders, you too need to facilitate students’ creative and collaborative development.)

We created the Teaching Yearbook series so you would have grab-and-go resources to enhance your yearbook classroom. 

https://blog.treering.com/yearbook-photography-lessons

https://blog.treering.com/60-yearbook-bell-ringers

https://blog.treering.com/caption-this-writing-tips-for-yearbook

https://blog.treering.com/teaching-graphic-design

2. Speaking the Language

Understanding yearbook and design terms means the team can have a conversation about the effectiveness of a dominant bleeding into the gutter without raising (too many) eyebrows. 

https://blog.treering.com/24-yearbook-terms-everyone-needs-to-know

https://blog.treering.com/yearbook-design-hierarchy

3. Creating a Plan to Cover Everyone

Creating a plan to cover everyone involves more than just taking photos. It requires thoughtful consideration of how to represent the entire student body in your yearbook, even if you don’t offer custom pages.

Every student is more important than every activity. 

https://blog.treering.com/crowdsource-content-more-inclusive-yearbook

4. Teambuilding Activities

Yes, games are important. Those forced fun activities help you break down the proverbial walls. (That’s the introvert talking.) More important: building a team of the right people. 

Time spent investing in the right people and building healthy relationships will only benefit your book.

https://blog.treering.com/yearbook-games

https://blog.treering.com/yearbook-escape-room

https://blog.treering.com/5-yearbook-volunteers-to-recruit

5. Managing Yearbook Complaints

Ouch. No one wants to field criticism of the yearbook when it is in print for all to see. No one volunteers to field emails with “friendly suggestions” for next year. From active listening to clear and transparent communication, having a plan in place for managing complaints ensures that any issues are addressed promptly and professionally.

This is one of those “better to have it and not need it” kind of things.

https://blog.treering.com/yearbook-complaints