~ by Erica Salemink, Yearbook Print Consultant, British Columbia
We understand that yearbook sales and promotion can feel like a lot. Between deadlines, page layouts, and photo wrangling, it’s easy to forget that selling the book is just as important as making it. That’s where a Yearbook Ambassador Program comes in!
Think of it as your school’s hype squad…these are students who are on the Marketing Team, or who aren’t on the yearbook team but are passionate about school spirit, love connecting with others, and want to help make the yearbook a success. Trust us…they can make a big difference.
WHY START A YEARBOOK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM?
- Boost Visibility & Sales: Ambassadors help spread the word in places your posters and announcements might not reach. They talk to friends, share updates on social media, and remind classmates to order their books before the deadline. It’s peer-to-peer marketing at its best.
- Build School-Wide Ownership: When students outside the yearbook team get involved, the book feels like a school-wide project, not just something a few people worked on. That sense of ownership leads to more excitement, more pride, and yes, more sales.
- Tap Into Diverse Voices: Ambassadors come from different grades, clubs, and social circles. They bring fresh ideas, help ensure the book represents a wide range of students and can even suggest fun features or photo ops that the yearbook team might not think of.
- Lighten the Load for Advisors: We know you already have enough on your plate. Ambassadors can take on tasks like distributing flyers, running contests, or helping with events, freeing up time for the core team to focus on production.
HOW TO SET IT UP
- Recruit the Right Students: Look for students who are enthusiastic, reliable, and well-connected. You don’t need a huge group…five to ten ambassadors can do wonders. Ask teachers for recommendations or run a quick application process. Maybe your school has a Marketing or Business class and this could be a real-world example project, or perhaps the Drama Club can be brought in to make reels for social media.
- Give Them a Mission: Make it clear what you want them to do. It could include promoting the yearbook on social media, organizing photo stations or selfie contests, helping with distribution events, or encouraging classmates to submit quotes or photos.
- Provide Tools & Support: Give your ambassadors posters, sample posts, and talking points. If you’re using Friesens’ SellIt Guide, you’ll find ready-made materials like banners, lawn signs, and social media templates to help them succeed.
- Recognize Their Efforts: Celebrate your ambassadors! Give them shout-outs in the announcements, feature them in the yearbook, or offer small perks like pizza parties or school swag. Recognition goes a long way.
A Yearbook Ambassador Program isn’t just about selling more books, it’s about building community, celebrating student voices, and making the yearbook something everyone feels proud of. So go ahead, start your squad. Your future self (and your sales numbers) will thank you.
Erica is our Friesens Yearbook Print Consultant in British Columbia, from Burnaby to Mission. She loves all things yearbook and helping schools create their best books ever! She’s a proud mom and stepmom to two great kids, and they enjoy long walks to the neighborhood park, dips in the wading pool, and capturing all of life’s little moments on camera!
