2020 Esri Federal GIS Conference Presentation Presenter, Christina Nordling Learn how GIS specialists, communication professionals, and subject matter experts are sharing their work through ArcGIS StoryMaps. Also get some best practices and tips for creating StoryMaps.

1. Federal Agency Stories
And Best Practices
Christina Nordling
Blue Raster

2. Implemented Across the US Government

3. NGOs / Global / Academia

4. • Taking GIS and re-tooling it for
public understanding
• Optimized for mobile
• No hassle creation (Friendly
builder, no HTML/CSS)
• Integration capabilities
Why StoryMaps?

12. Classic  Next-Gen

13. Best practices

14. Your StoryMap is only as good as your process
Before you start:
• What is the purpose of your StoryMap?
goals, objectives
• Who is your audience?
• What are your indicators or metrics for success?
• What do you currently have?
existing apps, maps, data, media

15. Skills for Building an Impactful StoryMap
• Good design eye
• Write compelling content
(that’s non technical)
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Online
• If working in a team, only one
person should be editing!

16. Storyboarding
Storyboarding Inventory
Content
Design Create and
Refine
Launch and
Promote

17. Inventory Content
Storyboarding Inventory
Content
Design Create and
Refine
Launch and
Promote

18. Layout & Design
Storyboarding Inventory
Content
Design Create and
Refine
Launch and
Promote

19. Build it
Storyboarding Inventory
Content
Design Create and
Refine
Launch and
Promote

20. Launch
Storyboarding Inventory
Content
Design Create and
Refine
Launch and
Promote

21. Title Banner
Introduction/Hook
Maps & Data
Subject Background
More Subject
Background
Visual Break
Pexels for Free Video Footage
The Noun Project for Icons
Resources Used:
Unsplash for Free Stock Photos

22. Images
• Where to find good images? Unsplash
• Optimize your image dimensions for the
storymap
• File size  Imagecompressor.com
• Mobile
• Clear your cache & test

23. Image Dimensions

24. Compress your image!
• Big images: target 500 KB
• Smaller images: 50 – 300 KB
• Imagecompressor.com
• Tinypng.com
• Google PageSpeed Tools
• Clear Your Cache & Test

25. • Out-of-the-box accessibility features
(keyboard nav, design themes)
• Headings
• Alt text for all visuals
• Caption your videos
Accessibility

26. Embedding in Your Website
Classic StoryMaps
http://story.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Storytelli
ngSwipe/index.html?appid=fc64e3596bbd
4d3caf865da6d77c386e&embed
Next Gen StoryMaps it’s built in!

27. Social Media
• Use a consistent hashtag
e.g. #OhioRiverStories
• @ArcGISStoryMaps
• Fill out StoryMap item details
in ArcGIS Online
• Use a shortlink
• Gifs or animations

28. Social Media
• Use a consistent hashtag
e.g. #OhioRiverStories
• @ArcGISStoryMaps
• Fill out StoryMap item details
in ArcGIS Online
• Use a shortlink
• Gifs or animations

29. Tracking Traction
Use analytics!
• Google Analytics
• Bitly
• Understand what users like
about your StoryMap
• Understand how they’re
viewing your story

30. Esri Blog

31. Contact Us
Christina Nordling
cphang@blueraster.com
www.blueraster.com @blueraster