Let’s face it—we’re all busy. And the students, staff and parents have a lot competing for their attention and dollars. Even if a student or parent intends to purchase a yearbook, it is easy to get distracted and miss the yearbook sale. This is why it is so important to develop a yearbook sale that will really get their attention.

Set Sales Goals
A goal makes it easy to measure progress and success. Yearbook sales goals will be different for every school. Some schools may aim to increase the numbers of yearbooks sold by a certain percentage while others may set fundraising goals to offset the price of the final yearbook.

Determine a Budget
As you begin to develop a budget, talk with your Yearbook Representative about the anticipated cost of this year’s book. When your Publication Agreement is first signed, the school is given a cost per book (please note that if any of the specifications change, the cost per yearbook will change). Once you have figured out the base cost per book, you can determine your final price. You may want to add a percentage mark-up to each book to cover any unexpected costs encountered throughout the year. Consider what the school charged last year in determining a reasonable price.

Timing of the Sale
The timing of your yearbook sale(s) could be one of the biggest factors in your success. Generally, the earlier you sell the yearbook, the better. School spirit is highest during the first three months of the school year. Plus, early sales will help you decide how many copies to order.

 Early Sale Ideas:

• Yearbook Sale at Registration: Registration is a great time to sell the yearbook because you will have a chance to make contact with everyone in the school. After all, everyone has to register.
• Include the Yearbook in Enrollment: Talk with your administrator about the possibility of including the sale of the yearbook in the enrollment process. Parents expect to pay fees at this time of year and appreciate the opportunity to pay for everything at once.

Location of the Sale
When choosing a location for the yearbook sale, try to find a spot where you will get the student's undivided attention. Here are some ideas:

• An Assembly: This is a very efficient method of getting the entire student body together. It can also be a fun way to build excitement around this year’s book. Pass out yearbook order forms during this event and have volunteers collect them as students leave.
• Sales Booth in the Lunch Room: This works well in a school where a majority of students eat lunch at school. The time constraint of a lunch period may make this a bit more difficult.
• In the Hallway Before and After School: If you go this route, locate the booth/table somewhere convenient while not getting in the way. Many students will be in a hurry during these times, making sales more difficult.
• Open House or Conferences: A great way to target parents.