Your viewbook is a classic education publication designed to serve as a recruiting tool. It paints a pretty picture of academic achievement, thriving arts programs, athletic success, and student life. People who want to learn more about your school come away with a reminder of their campus visit or are inspired to arrange a tour.
However, in most cases, the current school community rarely sees the viewbook. How can an overview of the school year be presented to the entire school community? Shouldn't everyone from faculty to students' grandparents hear about achievements on campus?
So, how can your school capture the year’s highlights and share them with the entire community in a way that’s both impactful and memorable?
Enter the school magazine. Published at regular intervals, a school magazine is a unique opportunity to connect with current families, alumni, alumni families, and prospective students. By blending the storytelling strengths of annual reports, viewbooks, and social media, your school magazine becomes a powerful extension of your communication and marketing strategy.
Why Publish a School Magazine?
- Building Community: A well-crafted magazine fosters a sense of belonging among students, parents, faculty, and alumni. By celebrating shared achievements and experiences, it strengthens the bonds that define your school’s culture.
- Showcasing Excellence: Highlight student achievements, innovative programs, and faculty contributions. This not only bolsters school pride but also attracts prospective families looking for an exceptional educational environment.
- Marketing Impact: A beautifully designed publication showcases your school’s mission, values, and unique strengths. It can reach audiences that may not engage with your email campaigns or other digital efforts.
- Preserving History: Each edition becomes a snapshot of your school’s journey, documenting key milestones, events, and transformations. Over time, these magazines create a rich archive of your institution’s legacy.
- Encouraging Engagement: Through captivating stories, interviews, and features, the magazine keeps your community informed and involved, sparking participation in school events and initiatives.
- Inspiring Support: Featuring donor contributions and fundraising successes can motivate others to give, bolstering your school’s financial stability.
- Student Development: Involving students in the magazine’s creation offers hands-on experience in writing, design, and project management, fostering critical skills for future success.
Most importantly, a high-quality school magazine has staying power. Unlike ephemeral digital posts, it’s the kind of piece that families proudly display on coffee tables and bookshelves for years.
With a long history of assisting The Montgomery Academy in its marketing efforts, Stamp was asked to create a publication that would capture the year’s highlights to share with the entire school community, including current and former parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends of the school.
To maximize the publication's impact, Stamp also identified opportunities to extend its content across other marketing channels. We adapted the lead article from the inaugural edition into a stand-alone brochure, planning it as a 16-page reprint to be distributed to potential students during recruitment events. This strategy helped increase the value of the publication’s content beyond its original purpose.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Publishing a school magazine is no small feat, but the rewards are worth the effort. Here’s how to ensure your magazine meets your goals:
- Start with a Plan: Begin by determining your budget—this will guide decisions about page count, publication frequency, and design quality. Factor these expenses into your annual marketing budget.
- Content Strategy: Identify key topics and stories to highlight. Create a calendar that aligns with major school events, so you have compelling content ready to go.
- Invest in Quality: Work with a skilled photographer to capture high-quality images that bring your stories to life. Select writers from your faculty and staff to contribute pieces in their areas of expertise.
- Build a Timeline: Start planning at least a year in advance. This gives your team ample time to gather materials, craft narratives, and ensure the final product is polished and professional.
A school magazine isn’t just a publication; it’s a reflection of your institution’s spirit and achievements. With careful planning and a commitment to excellence, your magazine can become a cherished keepsake that inspires pride and connection for years to come.