1. Go to storymaps.arcgis.com and click Sign In. At the bottom of the Sign In screen, click on the link that says, “No account? Create an ArcGIS public account.”
2. Enter your name and email (gmail if available) to sign up. Accept the agreements and click Next.
3. Open your email and click on the activation link.
4. Choose a Username, Password, and Security Question/Answer. Be sure to document the password so you don’t forget it.
5. Click on “Start a story” or the “Create” button in the upper toolbar (choose “Story”).
6. Choose a Cover design and Theme for your Story Map by clicking the Design tab in the top menu bar. You can also add navigational links to the different sections of your Story Map by turning on “Navigation.”
7. Start building your Story Map experience by adding a title, subtitle, and cover image or video (smaller than 50 mb).
8. Click on the Options gear button above your uploaded cover image or video to add attribution or alternative text, change the focal point of the image, and/or to allow the viewer to click on the cover image to expand it.
9. Click on the + sign button next to “Tell your story…” Scroll all the way to the bottom, under “Immersive,” and choose “Map tour.”
10. Select “Start from Scratch.” From the menu of layout options, select “Guided Tour” and “Map Focused” options.
11. For each map location in your Map Tour, add a title and description and upload a representative image or video. Enter the location (click “Add location” and click on the map to add a point or type the location name into the Search bar). You can also add a button link, audio file, or additional text to the text field.
12. Click the Edit pencil button on the map to adjust settings like your map type, base map, and zoom extent.
13. Add content to the Credits section at the end of the Story Map. This is where you include a list of your sources.
14. Preview your Story Map with the Preview tab in the top menu bar. Ready to Publish and share it? Go to Publish in the top menu bar and select the “Everyone (Public)” option so it can be viewed by others. Share the link or QR code provided.