How to write a company history book for an anniversary
How to write a company history book for a 25th, 50th or 100th anniversary, from research and interviews to design, budget and timelines.
A company history book marks an anniversary, honours the people who built the business and tells clients, staff and partners what the company stands for. Done well, it is far more than a commemorative brochure. Here is how to plan one.
Decide who it is for
The audience shapes everything:
- Staff, past and present, want to see themselves and their colleagues in it.
- Clients and partners want to understand your values and your track record.
- Family owners often want a record for future generations.
- The public, if you plan to sell it, want a story with drama and character.
Most company histories serve the first three. Very few need to be sold in shops.
Start the research early
Allow at least nine to twelve months before the anniversary date. Research always takes longer than expected.
Gather:
- Board minutes, annual reports and old brochures
- Photographs, adverts and product samples
- Press cuttings and trade journal articles
- Letters, diaries and personal papers from founders
- Records from local archives, if the business is long established
Appoint one person inside the company to coordinate access. Many projects stall because nobody owns the search for the boxes in the basement.
Interview the people
The best material comes from people, not paperwork. Interview founders and their families, long-serving staff, retired staff, key clients and suppliers. Ask for stories, not summaries: the night the factory flooded, the order that saved the company, the boss everyone remembers.
Record every interview. Older interviewees are often the most valuable, so speak to them first.
Find the story
A list of dates is not a history. Look for the arc: how the business began, the crises it survived, the decisions that changed its course, and what has stayed constant. Most good company histories are organised around five to eight turning points, not a year-by-year timeline.
Be honest about the difficult periods. A history that admits to setbacks is far more credible, and more interesting, than one that reads like an advert.
Plan the design
Company histories are usually highly visual. Budget for:
- Professional design and layout
- Photo restoration and scanning
- Picture permissions for any images you do not own
- A quality print run, often hardback
Typical length is 30,000 to 60,000 words with generous illustrations.
Who should write it?
An insider knows the business but rarely has the time, and may struggle to be objective. A professional writer brings structure, interviewing skills and an outsider’s eye for what makes the story interesting. Many companies combine the two: a ghostwriter interviews and writes, while a small internal team checks facts and gathers material.
A realistic timeline
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Research and archive gathering | 2 to 3 months |
| Interviews | 1 to 2 months |
| Writing and approvals | 3 to 4 months |
| Design, proofing and print | 2 to 3 months |
Start a year out, and the book will be ready for the celebration.
