Frequently Asked Questions
Submitting Stories
How do I submit a story?
Who can submit stories?
Do I need a photograph to submit?
I submitted a story two weeks ago – where is it?
What is the clearance process for submissions?
How should I draft my story using the Telling Our Story formats?
Using the Stories
How long do the stories stay on the website?
How can missions access the stories once they are submitted?
Can missions incorporate the stories into their websites?
Can bureaus incorporate the stories into their websites?
How can missions use these success stories?
The Telling Our Story Initiative
How can I learn more about the projects featured on the Telling Our Story site?
What is the difference between the Telling Our Story formats?
Submitting Stories
How do I submit a story?
First, review our Guidelines and Prep Sheets to guide you in preparing your narrative and gathering the information you will need before you can submit. Please not that submissions must be correctly formatted in one of the Telling Our Story templates. Once you have drafted everything, please send the story to your USAID Mission communications specialist, otherwise known as DOCS.
Who can submit stories?
Anyone who has worked with USAID - including beneficiaries, partners, and staff - can submit a story. When USAID Washington receives a story through the mission communicator, the Telling Our Story project officer will clear the content with the appropriate mission, bureau, and desk officer before publication on the website.
Do I need a photograph to submit?
Yes. Photographs are integral to USAID's effort to show the impact of its work. Photographs must be sent as graphics files (preferably JPEG). The JPEG should be submitted separately along with the story, as well as be pasted into the template.
I submitted a story two weeks ago - where is it?
Your story is awaiting editing, clearance, or uploading. Once your submission is received, it is edited, formatted, and sent to the appropriate mission, desk, and bureau for clearance. Once all necessary clearances are received, the story is submitted to the web team for uploading. This process takes several weeks, but can take longer depending on the number of submissions and the availability of clearance officers. The Telling Our Story team appreciates your patience.
What is the clearance process for submissions?
The Mission Communicator will choose up to two stories a month to send for posting on USAID's external website. This limit is intended to give all missions the chance to highlight their best examples of sustainable development impact stories. The Communicator will work with USAID Washington Bureau communicators and the Telling Our Story project officer in Washington, DC to review all submissions and get the appropriate clearances. Once a story is cleared at all levels, it is prepared for online publication.
How should I draft my story using the Telling Our Story formats?
First, choose the format in which you would like to write your story. Then review several examples of submissions in that format to get a sense of the appropriate style, language, and tone used in successful stories. Once you have chosen your format, consider using our Guidelines and Prep Sheets to help draft the appropriate sections of your story in preparation for online submission.
Using the Stories
How long do the stories stay on the website?
The Telling Our Story submissions are kept indefinitely and accessible to all on USAID's public website.
How can missions access the stories once they are submitted?
Missions can access their stories through the main Telling Our Story database at www.usaid.gov/stories/.
Can missions incorporate the stories into their websites?
Yes. Missions can either create a link on their websites to their stories on the Telling Our Story website or create their own web pages based on their specific story's content.
Can bureaus incorporate the stories into their websites?
Yes. Bureaus can create a link on their websites to their stories on the Telling Our Story website. Links can include thumbnail photos and summaries, but bureau websites should not duplicate pages on the Telling Our Story website.
How can missions use these success stories?
Missions can use the stories for communications needs including speechwriting, newsletters, media interviews, and public outreach. They can add impact to their communications efforts and raise the visibility of mission programs by sharing these stories with a global audience. Also, the formatted, professionally edited stories are an excellent way to document the mission's rich history for years to come.
The Telling Our Story Initiative
How can I learn more about the projects featured on the Telling Our Story site?
Please contact Telling Our Story at tosinquiries@usaid.gov. The Telling Our Story project officer will put you in contact with the appropriate USAID staff and partners for further information and to share best practices.
What is the difference between the Telling Our Story formats?
The Telling Our Story system provides five simple, clear, standardized formats that each focus on a different element of success. The different formats-Snapshot, Case Study, First Person, Photo & Caption, and Before & After-enable authors to highlight certain angles of a story. If the most dynamic element of story is an individual, the First Person story might be the most appropriate format. If the story's focus lies within the content of a striking photograph, the Photo & Caption might be the best format. The other difference between the formats is length. See the Guidelines and Prep Sheets and for a detailed breakdown of story lengths.
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