If you're wanting to add a bit more sparkle (and support) to your yearbook, offering paid ad and dedication space is a great way to do it while helping cover production costs. It can be parents writing messages of congratulations, local businesses looking to cheer on grads, or staff wanting to sneak in a few inside jokes, these pages are a win-win. With a bit of planning, your team can turn these spots into some of the most memorable parts of the book.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU CHARGE?

That's entirely up to you. Do you want to help make the book purchase cost lower for students? Or do you want to invest in some snazzy book enhancements like sprayed edges? Here's an example to give you an idea of how to start:

Total cost to produce the books: $15,000
Number of pages: 104
Example Multiplier: 2.5 (this is a markup based on the base cost per page to generate profit.)

$15,000 / 104 = $144 (Base cost per page)
$144 x 2.5 (multiplier) = $360 (Cost per page with a profit of 1.5)

This means you could charge $360 for a full-page dedication to cover costs and make a small profit. From there you would adjust the prices based on the dedication size. For example:

• Full Page Ad: $360
• Half Page Ad: $180
• Quarter Page Ad: $90
• Eighth Page Ad: $45
  
  
  
  
  

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Promote Early: Remind parents well in advance and remind them again closer to the deadline to encourage more submissions.
• Set Clear Deadlines: Speaking of deadlines, give parents and businesses ample time to submit to avoid last minute scrambling.
• Create Dedicated Sections: Plan a specific section for parent dedications or ads. This keeps them organized and separate from other content.
• Keep Track of Payments: Organize a system for tracking payments and submissions so nothing is misplaced.