Small businesses have been struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic, and so getting paid ads placed in your yearbook is harder now than ever before. In a meeting between yearbook advisors Johnna Stanton, Eric Hartman, and Joon Kim, different partnership ideas were discussed, particularly taking into account the compromised financial position of most businesses in America right now.
Supporting Small Businesses
Johnna reports asking her yearbook team to check in with businesses rather than trying to make a hard sell, just to test the waters and see where the businesses are at financially.
It does not seem fair to ask small businesses to give money for ads at this time, and Johnna reports asking her yearbook team to check in with businesses rather than trying to make a hard sell, just to test the waters and see where the businesses are at financially.
Eric reports a smart idea he saw on Facebook, namely that, instead of selling ads to businesses, the yearbook team can offer small ads in exchange for photos of students at the business's location. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, with the business receiving advertisement while the school gains additional photos for the yearbook.
Time To Give Back
Struggling businesses aren’t in a position to be giving cash right now, but chances are they won’t mind giving gift cards, since the gift cards alongside the yearbook ads will help pull in more customers.
Another idea comes from Joon, who states that his team has asked for gift cards in exchange for ads in the yearbook. As a result, he got $300 worth of gift cards from one location alone, and his team was then able to advertise the business in the yearbook while also distributing the gift cards to the community. Struggling businesses aren’t in a position to be giving cash right now, but chances are they won’t mind giving gift cards, since the gift cards alongside the yearbook ads will help pull in more customers.
How have you personally been compiling paid ads for your yearbook? Follow us on Instagram (@unitedyearbook) and let us know what’s worked for you!
Alyse Mgrdichian, Senior Editor
Alyse Mgrdichian holds a B.A. from Biola University, having majored in psychology and minored in philosophy. She is a senior editor for TSE Worldwide Press, the parent company of United Yearbook Printing, and she applies her expertise and love of stories to the role.
Eric Hartman, Content Contributor: Yearbook Advisor at St. Anne School, Laguna Niguel, CA
Joon Kim, Content Contributor: Yearbook Advisor at Garden Grove High School, Garden Grove, CA
Johnna Stanton, Content Contributor: Yearbook Advisor at Morse High School, Maine, ME