When sophomore Echowan staffer Sophia Davenport began to sell yearbook ads, she found herself struggling to sell enough to meet her quota.

According to Davenport, it can be very difficult to sell ads. She said businesses aren’t always responsive and selling one ad can involve multiple trips to the business itself.

“You might have to go in multiple times just so you can talk to a manager, and talk to all the different people in charge to get them to actually buy (an ad),” Davenport said.

Echowan adviser Julianne Herbert said ad sales help the staffers develop important business skills because businesses often don’t prioritize ad purchases.

“The students learn the persistence of making sales and fundraising,” Herbert said. “Working with people they don’t know and adults they don’t know is a really important skill.”

Junior Echowan staffer Jack Dooley said he also finds selling yearbook ads challenging.

“Local businesses normally can’t afford the prices and also (yearbook ads) don’t really appeal to specifically high school students”

Davenport said business ads and the money from yearbook sales contribute to the making of next year’s yearbook.

“We have a certain number of yearbooks that we have to sell. I think it’s 700 and we still have quite a few to sell,” Davenport said. “It’s really important we hit that number so we can make a really good yearbook next year.”

According to Herbert, the ads help keep the yearbook’s price affordable for students.

“It’s really important for local community businesses to be part of things in the school. This is one way for them to have a lasting impression on students in the community,” Herbert said.

According to Davenport, ad sales end Dec. 15.