The Telling Our Story Initiative

1. How will the missions benefit from the Telling Our Story Initiative?

Answer: The Telling Our Story initiative gives missions the opportunity to add impact to their communications, to document successes using story-telling techniques and tools, and to share these stories with a global audience. USAID Washington has created this web-based tool and is providing additional resources and support for using these standard formats to raise the visibility of mission programs. In addition, all of USAID will have access to a bank of all success stories in a standardized format accessible online.
2. What are the options for the Telling Our Story Formats?

Answer: The Telling Our Story system provides simple, clear, standardized formats that effectively communicate success by focusing on how USAID has benefited a person, community, or country. The Telling Our Story formats, including Success Story, Case Study, First Person, Photo & Caption, and Before & After, are easy tools for quickly producing ready-to-use multi-purpose communications products.
3. How can missions use these success stories?

Answer: Missions can use the formatted stories for multiple communications needs such as speech writing, newsletters, media interviews, and public outreach, etc. In addition, the formatted stories are an excellent way to document the mission's rich history for years to come. The Telling Our Story team will provide guidance on using the stories in the field and will keep missions updated on how the stories are being used by USAID in Washington, DC as well as by missions worldwide.
4. How can I learn more about the projects featured on the Telling Our Story site?

Answer: 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.
5. Will this type of documentation replace any of the current system and databases USAID employs or will it just be added on?

Answer: The Telling Our Story initiative has been developed to make writing stories easier and less time-consuming. The formats will help missions improve how they document successes and will be another tool that Missions can use in their outreach efforts. Missions may choose to use the Telling Our Story tools as a replacement for their current system.

In addition, the Telling Our Story initiative is replacing the old "success story" submission in the annual PPC-led APR data collection process. The Telling Our Story database will not replace other success story databases used by USAID. Existing success stories will be converted into the Telling Our Story formats as communications products made available in an online searchable database.

Using the Telling Our Story System & Online Tools

1. How can our mission learn the Telling Our Story system?

Answer: The Telling Our Story system is designed as a user-friendly system which will help in the documentation of mission successes. For access to the tools, visit the Telling Our Story website at stories.usaid.gov. In addition, the Telling Our Story team is available to provide online help, assistance on using the tools from Washington, DC.
2. How do I get started using these tools?

Answer: Getting started is easy: Go to stories.usaid.gov. Choose the preferred story format to communicate or document your story. Make sure the content is cleared before submitting to Washington. Complete the easy-to-use story submission form using the online help and guides. You may want to preview the story before submission by clicking the preview button. Submit your story to the Telling Our Story system by clicking on the submit button. If you have any questions about using the system, contact the Telling Our Story Project Officer at tosinquiries@usaid.gov
3. How should I draft my story using the Telling Our Story formats?

Answer: First, choose a format in which you would like to write your story. Then review the components of the story in the submit form. Instead of entering your draft text initially into the Telling Our Story online submit form, you may prefer to create the content as a draft using a text editor, such as MS Word. Once the content has been approved and finalized by your Mission, then return to the Telling Our Story System's online submit form. Cut and paste the information from the text document into the online submit form within the appropriate sections. Click on the submit button to send the story to the Telling Our Story database.
4. Is there an expiration date for entries or are they kept indefinitely?

Answer: The Telling Our Story submissions are kept indefinitely and accessible by all mission personnel and USAID Washington.
5. How can missions access the stories once they are submitted?
Answer: Missions will be able to access their stories and stories of other missions from a searchable public database at stories.usaid.gov.
6. Is there an easy way for the missions to incorporate the story formats into their websites?

Answer: Yes. Missions can link to their stories on the Telling Our Story website at stories.usaid.gov from their websites. In addition, missions can create their own web pages based on their specific story's content.

Clearing Stories

1. What is the process for clearing the information submitted to Washington, DC?

Answer: The Telling Our Story project officer in Washington, DC will review all stories submitted using the online system. The story will then be cleared through the mission, bureau and desk officer.
2. Can partners submit stories and if so, how can I ensure that the information is cleared?

Answer: Anyone can submit stories using the Telling Our Story tools. When USAID Washington receives information from an identified partner, the Telling Our Story project officer in Washington, DC will clear the content with the mission, bureau and desk officer.