Before the first article is written or the first photo is snapped, successful student publication staffs throughout Ohio are laying the groundwork for the year ahead.
Advisers and editors point to five proven ways to start strong: clarify roles and expectations, plan early, build team culture, train through feedback and mentorship and promote the program both inside and outside the school.
A little planning at the beginning of the year goes a long way.
Lakota East High School editor Eliana Rau advises focusing on the first issue to establish a serious work culture. “Work first, have fun later,” she said.
The Beachcomber staff begins each year by setting goals and planning the first issue, according to Davis.
“We also try to have a staff meeting as early as possible to get the ball rolling and build some momentum,” Davis said.
One lesson the staff has learned is that goal-setting works best when it’s collaborative.
“One mistake I’ve learned to avoid is setting goals for our publication without involving the entire staff,” Kang said. “It’s important that goal-setting is a collaborative process so that everyone feels invested.”
Heckaman echoes the importance of listening to others.
“Go into every decision with an open mind and room for everyone to voice their opinion,” Heckaman said.
During this time, the Beachcomer staff begins discussing potential topics for coverage, according to Kang. As the news section editor, she compiles a list of topics in advance, which the team discusses.
In addition, staffs need to map out deadlines, work sessions, promotion, fundraisers (including advertising) and social media. They should also factor in team-building activities and trips to local, state and national conventions.
Editorial calendars — whether in Google Sheets, shared digital calendars, or even a big wall chart — help keep everyone aligned.
“Having an accessible digital schedule alongside a visible physical copy helps me in the long run,” Kang said.
Monthly meetings keep the Beachcomber staff on track as the year progresses.
“We have content meetings for each issue and editorial leadership meetings, website management meetings and/or training sessions as needed,” Davis said.
“Throughout the year, our staff consistently prepares for OSMA conventions, attends monthly meetings to discuss issue topics, and collaborates as editors to plan and finalize editorials,” Kang said.
Hume warns that meetings must be planned in advance.
“Editors tend to think calling last-second meetings will be successful,” Hume said. “They usually are not. While some people are tremendously flexible schedule-wise, many students are ‘packed’ tightly.”
To do list:
- Set goals for the year
- Brainstorm story ideas for the first issue/show.
- Create an editorial calendar and share with staff
- Set monthly meetings in advance.
Solon High School Courier editor Sam Patton emphasizes the importance of teaching the basics at the beginning of the year.
“Don’t rush into getting articles out just yet,” he said. “Take your time.”
While the returning staff at GlenOak will put up a little content on the website early in the year, the goal is not to have the website running fully until the end of September, according to Spano.
“Don’t go too quickly or you may scare people away,” Spano said. “Go slow and show students that what we do is fun and doable!”
New members at Beachwood learn the ropes with guidance from advisers and editors. Early engagement helps them build skills, confidence and a sense of teamwork that keeps the publication running smoothly all year.
“Building a strong foundation with newer members allows the publication to grow and remain successful year after year,” Kang said.
One of the most effective ways to support new members is through guided, hands-on training.
“When a staff writer submits an article, editors provide feedback by leaving comments and suggested edits within the piece, allowing the writer to learn and improve through the revision process,” Kang said.
This feedback-focused mentorship not only sharpens writing skills but also helps foster a stronger sense of teamwork and growth.
The Hoover High School yearbook staff also emphasizes mentorship.
“We do a lot of shadowing, as well as hands-on help, like co-writing stories or giving them an example, then having them make it their own,” Heckaman said.
Bowen’s staff coached role playing examples for the group and offered shadowing for those who want it by matching newbies with experienced staff. Bowen noted that it is also important not to sell new members short.
“Some may need to pair up with experienced staffers, but others are stifled by that,” Bowen said.
New staffers also need lots of encouragement from the editors and adviser, but only if they deserve it.
“Be enthusiastic and positive– but truthful,” Bowen said. “If it’s not a great article of layout, don’t act like it is — but find ways to explain how to improve it.
Advisers should keep in mind that editors also need guidance to effectively support other journalists.
“I do a lot of one-on-one training for editors on skills beyond what’s taught in class,” Davis said.
Editors must be willing to acknowledge that they don’t have all the answers.
“I have a lot to grow as an editor and many more experiences to go through this year. This journey hasn’t ended — it’s just beginning,” Pochiraju said.
To do list:
- Pair new staff with returning staff mentors.
- Hold a peer-review workshop on drafts or rough cuts.
- Teach constructive feedback strategies.
- Schedule critique sessions after each issue/show.
- Schedule time for training editors
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