Planning your yearbook is one of the most tedious parts of the whole yearbook project, but it's also one of the most important! Content and coverage can't be random or unfocused…a plan must be developed to bring all the stories together.

START WITH THE CORE

Every yearbook has a foundation of must-cover content. These are the big buckets that help organize your book and ensure you're covering all the bases:

• Academics: Think classrooms, labs, libraries, and learning support. Don’t forget about off-campus learning like dual credit courses, tutoring, or test prep.
• Athletics: Cover school sports teams, but also include club sports, rec leagues, and even students who stay active in their own way.
• Lifestyle: This is where you capture the everyday moments, like part-time jobs, hobbies, pop culture, and school traditions like Homecoming or the spring musical.
  
  
  
  
  

LAYER IN SECONDARY COVERAGE

Once your core structure is in place, it's time to add depth. Secondary coverage is where your book really comes to life…it's the quotes, polls, infographics, and sidebars that make your pages pop. The best part is that you can gather this content at any time. It lets you:

• Add personality and student voice
• Include content that doesn't fit traditional layouts
• Reinforce your theme in creative ways

SOME IDEAS:

• Surveys that tie into your theme (e.g. "What's your power up song?" for a Level Up theme)
• Infographics that use your theme's colour and fonts
• Sidebars with mini profiles, timelines, or fast facts
• Quote collections that highlight student opinions or reactions
• Lists that are quick to read and easy to design
  
  

DON'T FORGET THE HIDDEN STORIES

While it's easy to focus on big events like football games or prom, the real heart of your yearbook often lies in the quieter moment. Hidden story coverage is all about digging deeper and finding the stories that might otherwise go untold. They can be featured in a secondary coverage or even given their own spread as a showstopper. Look for:

• The student who quietly runs the school social media account.
• The assistant trainer who tapes ankles before every game.
• The alum who returned to teach after discovering a passion for education.