Balancing
A Yearbook Budget
www.MyYearbookSolution.com
YEARBOOKS, DVD's, & MORE!
Off: 1-888-316-1408 · Fax:
1-888-972-5329
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Balancing
A Yearbook Budget |
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Helping schools/groups of ALL sizes make school time moments into memories that will last a lifetime! |
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..... If you would like to learn more about my yearbook solutions, call me at 1-888-316-1408 Last Update: 07/29/2010 ©2010 Office: 1-888-316-1408 Fax: 1-888-972-5329 |
If you do not print a yearbook with us, but would like to know more about our offerings, please contact me so I can follow-up with you. Would you like a quote for a school yearbook, memory book, photo book, or team book? Here is all the info I will need:
Another way to receive a quote is by setting up a budget. The best way to do this is to let me know how many books you need at a set price...I can then put together specs that can fit your price program. Example:
Should we do a yearbook or ais a photobook better?Determine if there is enough interest in your school. The minimum number of books for a yearbook order is 50. This could be a GRADE LEVEL BOOK or EVEN A GROUP BOOK...but we prefer a school-wide level YEARBOOK. The key is making sure you can sell them all and collect the $ for payment to the publisher...no copies can be returned for credit from the original order. Only a school official or authorized representative can initiate an agreement for the school. If a PTA or PTO is initiating a program, CLUB OFFICERS must initiate the agreement.
Consider sending home a survey with the students asking their parents if they are willing to purchase a yearbook and how much they are willing to spend. Make sure your parents have some realistic choices like $15 - $20 - $25. Also, make sure to list what is included in a yearbook. Determine if you want a color or a black and white book.
Black & white yearbook average sale price to students is as follows:
Color yearbook average sale price to students is as follows:
Can I pay for a program I have no idea I can afford?Setting up a realistic budget is important as you review your process. The easiest way to set up a budget is to answer a few questions based upon the revenue you think you will raise.
Add up all the revenue and then see what your forecasted budget is...divide the total amount by the number of books you plan on ordering and you have a per copy price of how much you can spend. Provide us your estimated budget and we will produce a yearbook program to meet your budget with your copy count. What plan will work best for us?Most companies offer three to four plans in creating a yearbook. Here are the most common yearbook plans available:
How do we put it together?If you have decided to produce a specific size yearbook outside of consideration of budget, then you must come up with answers to some very specific questions. Determine the approximate number of pages you will need in the book. This information is based on the number of students and staff members, number of grades, extra curricular activities and other pages you might want in the book. If you plan to use portraits from your school photographer, we suggest you contact the photographer at the beginning of the school year. Arrange to have your portraits available as early as possible, as you will need them to begin page layout. ASK FOR YOUR PORTRAITS ON CD in COLOR (if possible). If your plan includes using candid photos taken by staff and/or students, be consistent as to the kind of film you use. This will assure better reproduction. Specifications you must consider are as follows:
You will probably receive a total price as well as a per copy price. For example, you may want to order 200 yearbooks and you receive a quote of $3,000 or $15.00/book. Once you receive a quote and you review deadlines, you will be asked to enter into an agreement to produce a yearbook with the publishing company. This means that you have selected your OFFICIAL Yearbook Provider.
How do we organize our yearbook staff?Assign committees: coordinator, publicity (advertising and sales), photography, design and layout, editing, bookkeeping. We suggest the staff include both an adviser and an assistant adviser. It's best if the staff meets at the beginning of the school year to schedule times and dates for regular staff meetings. Weekly meetings are recommended to keep your yearbook on schedule. If your staff is made up of only two adults, may we recommend a designer and a bookkeeper. Using your committees you can put the book together in stages. For example, at the beginning of the school year you could put together the classroom pages, and then as each activity, school event or sporting season goes by add those pages to your book. The most common sections in a yearbook are as follows:
When can I receive my Yearbook?All publishers will provide you a deadline schedule for page submissions so as to meet a delivery date to your school. Make sure you secure a guaranteed delivery date for your yearbook and then inquiry when the yearbook must be submitted. Other deadline might exist like a cover deadline, final book order deadline, and more. Make sure to review all deadlines from the publisher. Who will print my yearbook?I would like to hope that by the time you reach this question, you will have the answer...MY OFFICE. I have been involved in yearbooks since 1989. I have seen the introduction of the computer, desktop publishing, digital camera, DVD's, internet publishing, and e-commerce, and more into the world of yearbook. Since 1989, I have been involved in over 1000 different yearbook productions...no one in the area has as much experience and expertise and passion.
Be aware...not all companies & representatives are the same or equal. I have seen many other companies disappear and/or destroy school yearbook programs. BEWARE OF SALES REPS THAT TRY TO SELL YOU EVERYTHING WITHOUT EXPLAINING ANYTHING. Also...beware of the "WE GOT THAT TOO" statements...EDUCATION is the KEY...and exercising your knowledge to make wise choices is critical. Remember, the cost of terrible service & poor quality are long remembered after the excitement of low price fades away...."
You can always trust my office with your memories because we care about you and your school, & we are committed to doing the best for all. We will always be fair about every situation...including price & service! I hope this info has been very useful for your review...Call me if you have any questions...1-888-316-1408
How To Finance Your Yearbook From Ground ZERO! When it comes to dealing with finances in a yearbook program, most people fear that the bill can't get paid...much of this fear revolves around the fact that you are running a business that must break even or at least show a profit to cover expenses and operations. Below, you will find the most common method schools use in planning a budget and making sure it is sound and stable.
EXPENSES: Always consider the most common expenses in any yearbook program. They fall into two categories...PRINTING EXPENSES & OPERATIONAL EXPENSES.
PRINTING EXPENSES:
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES:
Once you have all your expenses listed, the next step is to layout your income opportunities. Here is a list of the most common income opportunities... PUBLISHING INCOME
The simple thing to remember is that your income needs to outweigh your expenses. All changes you do in your program and publishing plan should be done in writing with your yearbook company....that way, you can always keep a paper trail of all authorized expenses... |
