How to Make a Successful Yearbook

Student Lead
One of the greatest contributing factors to a successful yearbook class is the students leading it. It's important for the students to be in charge, and not the advisor. Without their essential buy in on the ground level and their commitment to the project there is no way that your class will be successful.

Advisor as a Supervisor
It's your job as the class Advisor to supervise, not control. Many teachers and staff members will often have trouble with this. It's about the kids running the yearbook, and the school you're at. It isn't about you or trying to enforce your vision. It's your job to create an environment where the class can and will succeed in their goals.

Yearbook Should be Fun
Yearbook needs to be fun, it's an incredibly stressful activity as at its core its publishing. You along with a group of students will be capturing the year in a book which is a huge load to have on so few shoulders. You need to do your best to keep the class enjoyable, and avoid slumps in morale.

"It's a Business"
Remember that as fun as everything might be, as important as skills and learning are in your class it is still going to be a business. It's important to remind every member of the class that yearbook may be fun, that what they're doing is important but at it's essence its a business. Yearbook is bout selling enough ads and books, to afford purchasing those books in the first place.

Organization
Maintain organization, don't let things just fly free-form. Yearbook needs structure, and it needs to be enforcable by your student Editors. You need to back them up. As they are students, you need to discuss and support them with your own experience without impinging on them.

Creativity
Stay creative, encourage creativity. Do your best to not say "No" and do your best to encourage your class Editors to do the same. Instead of being negative try to encourage change or alterations. You'll still have to say no on occasion but do everything you can to get those collective creative juices flowing. Creativity makes great yearbooks.