Most yearbook teams start thinking about next year’s staff in the fall. But by then, it’s often too late. Schedules are already set, students have committed to other activities, and you’re left trying to fill gaps instead of building a strong, intentional team. Relieve the stress and find the best candidates by taking a different approach. The most successful yearbook programs take a different approach; they start recruiting before the current school year ends.

By late February, most yearbook teams aren’t lacking motivation. They’re lacking clarity. Deadlines are approaching, spreads are incomplete, and proofs are circulating. The pressure isn’t solely emotional; it’s also logistical.

Valentine's Day reminds us that relationships are the key component to building strong programs and producing the strongest yearbooks. Not just design skills or deadlines, but trust, communication, and collaboration. Behind every memorable book is a network of relationships: advisers guiding students, photographers capturing moments, designers shaping stories, and partners supporting the process behind the scenes.