SHARE YOUR STORY

A How-to Guide for Digital Storytelling

SUPPORTING THE RECOVERY AND HEALING OF SELF AND OTHERS 

THROUGH MESSAGES OF HOPE

1
Contents

Overview..........................................................................................................................................3

Getting Started.........................................................................................................................4

Making a Digital Story..............................................................................................................................6

Step 1: Develop Idea............................................................................................................................7

Step 2: Plan.........................................................................................................................................11

Step 3: Outline/Script.........................................................................................................................21

Step 4: Storyboard............................................................................................................................31

Step 5: Film and Record...................................................................................................................40

Step 6: Finish......................................................................................................................................44

Step 7: Publish and Share................................................................................................................48

Step 8: Review...................................................................................................................................54

A Note for Organizations.....................................................................................................................64

Summary................................................................................................................................................68

Resources...............................................................................................................................................69

2
Overview

Digital storytelling is all around us; videos, podcasts, 

and commercials use words paired with images to 

share meaningful stories with a wide range of people. 

Digital storytelling helps us connect to people no 

matter where they are located. We can learn a great 

deal about each other from our smart phones, 

tablets, and computers. 

This guide is designed to help individuals living with 

mental and substance use disorders share personal 

stories of recovery using a digital format. 

Why should you share your story? Because:

• It helps to reduce negative attitudes and 

stereotypes,

• It may encourage others to seek help, and

• It can be a healing and empowering experience 

for you, too. 

Using a digital format allows you to share your story 

in a powerful way with a wider community online. 

Digital storytelling may seem intimidating, but really 

there are simple tools you use in your daily life that 

can also be used to create a digital story. Many other 

resources are available and identified in this guide.

Using the information in this how-to guide, you can 

plan, organize, and make your own digital story of 

recovery, even if you’ve never done it before. 

In this guide you will find:

• Ways to choose your story idea, frame your 

message, and write your outline

• Step-by-step planning tools to help you prepare 

and make your final project 

• Tips for recording video with your mobile device 

• Free and easy places where you can post and 

share your story online

Happy storytelling!

3
Getting Started

Sharing stories is a great way to connect with people. In hearing a story, you 

may relate to another person and identify with their situation. Digital 

storytelling adds to regular storytelling by allowing the storyteller to include 

images, pictures, music, and other things to their story. 

This guide can help you plan, organize, and make a digital story. It includes 

helpful, easy-to-use resources for each stage of the process.

How to Use this Guide

The great thing about digital storytelling is that you don’t need to be an expert 

to do it. Anybody can develop a short video that shows their unique 

experience, using tools they already likely have. If you are interested in sharing 

your story, this guide can help you create a digital story that reflects your voice 

and your story. 

Impact 

Stories engage people by making a topic relatable. Digital storytelling uses 

different things like video, audio, and pictures to show the story in a unique 

way. The format of digital stories and the way they can be shared creates an 

emotional connection to the topic, inviting people to engage with a story and 

take action as a result of seeing it. 

Beyond being a fun 

and rewarding 

experience for you, 

your story can help 

others by showing 

them that they are 

not alone, treatment 

works, and recovery 

is possible.

4
Getting Started(continued)

Benefits

Digital storytelling is something anyone can do no matter what level of 

experience they have telling stories or using technology. It allows people to 

share their stories of recovery in creative ways. In sharing their own 

messages of healing, storytellers can support the recovery and healing of 

others. 

Negative attitudes about mental health are reduced and help seeking is 

increased when people have positive interactions with other people who 

have behavioral health conditions. The process of sharing one’s recovery 

experience can be a healing and empowering exercise for storytellers, as 

well. 

Think about a time when 

someone’s story helped 

you. How did it help? 

What made the story 

useful or memorable?

5
Making a Digital Story

6
STEP

1

DEVELOP IDEA

7
Step 1: Develop Idea

STEP

1

The first step in making a digital story is figuring out an idea for the recovery story you’d like to tell. If you’re not 

sure, you can do different activities to get the creative juices flowing, like:

• Brainstorming or drawing your ideas

• Listening and reading for topics

• Scanning lists and photos

• Thinking about your personal knowledge, experience, and recovery journey

• Asking friends, family, teachers, or coworkers

Once you have a few topics, ask yourself the following questions about each one:

• What is my connection to this topic?

• Is it motivating to an audience?

• Is it relatable?

• Can I tell this story in just a few minutes?

• What sort of work do I need to do to be able to tell this story? (e.g., do I need to do background research 

or gather details from other people?)

• Is there supporting material (e.g., photos, data, video) that I can use to help tell my story?

The answers to the questions will help you decide which story idea may be right for this project.

8
Step 1: Develop Idea 

YOUR TURN

STEP

1

What are some story ideas you’d like to share?

What is your connection to this topic?

• Is it motivating to an audience?

• Is it relatable?

• Can you tell this story in just a few minutes?

• What sort of preparation do you need to do to 

be able to tell this story? (E.g., do you need to 

gather details from other people or conduct 

any background research?)

• Is there supporting material (e.g., photos, data, 

video) that you can use to help tell your story?

9
Step 1: Develop Idea

YOUR TURN(continued)

STEP

1

What is your story topic?

10
STEP

2

PLAN

11
Step 2: Plan

STEP

2

Develop a plan

Once you have an idea for a story, you can develop a 

plan to help organize both your thoughts and 

resources. Think about how you would like to tell your 

story and the people that would benefit most from 

hearing it. Set goals that connect with your 

storytelling process but remember – the main goal is 

to share your experience of recovery. Some helpful 

first steps might be:

• Set a timeline for each step of the digital 

storytelling process

• Create check-in days to track your progress

• Record your successes 

See page 16 for a planning guide.

Define the purpose 

Why do people share personal stories? Think about a 

time when you were inspired by someone’s story. 

What made the story unique? How did it make you 

feel? What was the message? Reflect on what you 

hope to achieve by sharing your story and frame your 

message to answer questions like the ones 

mentioned above. For example:

• What impact might your story have on other 

people? 

• What makes your story unique? 

• Are you trying to inform, convince, or question 

your audience? Think about other meaningful 

stories and what purpose they served.

• What do you hope your audience will do, think, 

or feel after watching your video? For example, 

do you want people to sign up for an activity or 

join a group? Do you want them to seek 

treatment and/or services? Would you like 

people to contact you about your story? Do you 

want others to share your story a certain way, or 

inspire them to share their own story? 

12
Step 2: Plan(continued)

STEP

2

Set goals

Set goals for your planning process. These goals help 

to track your progress and provide a snapshot of the 

project from start to finish. Your goals can include 

items like finishing an outline or finding a tool or 

resource. Simple goals will help keep this project 

manageable. 

Identify audiences

Your story can show people who have behavioral 

health conditions that there are hopeful, inspiring 

stories of recovery out in the world. It is important, 

then, to think about people as you frame your story. 

Decide who you are trying to reach so you know how 

to speak to them on a more personal level. 

Focus on who you think your story speaks to most 

and share details of your recovery journey that they 

can relate to. Does your story include views of a 

certain age group? A particular community of color or 

religion? Knowing your target audience is an 

important part of creating a relatable, successful 

story. 

Get resources

This guide identifies some resources to help with 

making a digital story, but there are many other 

things available on the internet, at your local library, 

or even where you work. There are often people in 

our life who can help, too – ask around if you need a 

certain expert or tool. 

Some basic technology resources include: 

• A recording device (such as a smart phone, video 

camera, or microphone)

• A way to put the pieces together (such as 

PowerPoint or editing apps) 

• An online home for your video (such as a 

YouTube account) 

• A way to share it (such as social media accounts 

or email)

13
Step 2: Plan(continued 2)

STEP

2

Think about access

As you make your digital story, think about how it will be accessed. How might people who are not able to hear 

or see experience your story? You can take a few extra steps (such as providing a transcript) to make your story 

available to them, too. 

Section 508 is a law requiring the federal government to offer all people, including those with disabilities, the 

ability to access government products like videos or reports. For a video to be accessible, the person watching 

it must be able to understand what is happening in both the visual and audio portions of the video. An 

accessible video means that a person can understand the message, no matter his or her disability. Step 7 

explains how to do this.

Must your story be accessible? No, unless you are creating it for a government organization. Is it a 

recommended best practice? Yes.

14
Step 2: Plan(continued 3)

STEP

2

Disclosure

Deciding whether to share your recovery story publicly is a very personal decision, and you 

are the only person who can decide whether it is the right choice. Think about what might 

happen after sharing your story and weigh the pros and cons. The Honest, Open, Proud 

Program* recommends the following activities:

Consider the pros and cons of sharing your story

• Identity. Think about your identity and your mental illness and/or substance use 

disorder. Do you view yourself as a person with a behavioral health condition? You can 

decide how you frame your identity.

• Costs and Benefits. Write down the costs and benefits of disclosing your story so you 

can decide whether or not to share, or how much to share. Costs include reasons why 

you might regret sharing your story. Benefits include reasons why sharing your story 

will help you or others.

• Goals. What do you hope to achieve by telling your story? Write out your goals.

• Expectations. What do you expect will happen after you’ve told your story? In what 

positive or negative ways are you expecting people to react? How will you handle their 

reactions?

• Support. Sharing your story of recovery publicly is a big deal, especially if this is the 

first time you’re sharing it. With so many emotions involved, it can be a difficult 

decision to make alone. Is there someone in your life (e.g., family members, 

counselors, peers) who can support you in making a decision?

*For more information, see page 70.

“Don’t dismiss 

any cost or 

benefit no 

matter how silly 

it may seem. 

Put them all on 

the list so that 

you can 

consider all 

advantages and 

disadvantages 

together.” 

Honest, Open, 

Proud to Eliminate 

the Stigma of 

Mental Illness 

manual, 2015, p.26

15
Step 2: Plan

YOUR TURN

STEP

2

Purpose: Why are you telling this story? 

What impact might your story have on other people? 

16
Step 2: Plan

YOUR TURN(continued)

STEP

2

Goals: What do you want to achieve by telling this story?

Audience: Who must you reach to achieve your goals?

17
Step 2: Plan

YOUR TURN(continued 2)

STEP

2

Permission: Step back and ask yourself if you’re ready to share your story publicly. Make a list of 

the benefits and drawbacks if you’re not sure.

Benefits:

Drawbacks:

If your role is to help another person tell his or her story, make sure you have informed them 

about the process and received permission (preferably signed permission) to film and share the 

story.

18
Step 2: Plan

YOUR TURN(continued 3)

STEP

2

Resources: What do you need to complete this project?

Note: you may want to review all of the steps in the guide first and then return to answer this 

question.

19
Step 2: Plan

YOUR TURN(continued 3)

STEP

2

Timeline: By when do you want to complete this project? List your target deadlines for each step:

Step 1: Develop Idea

Step 2: Plan

Step 3: Outline/script

Step 4: Storyboard

Step 5: Film and Record

Step 6: Finalize

Step 7: Publish and Share

Step 8: Evaluate

Note: you may want to review all of the steps in the guide first and then return to answer this 

question.

20
STEP

3

OUTLINE/SCRIPT

21
Step 3: Outline/Script

STEP

3

The outline for a digital story is a key part of the process. Having a well thoughtout, written or drawn outline helps reach goals related to time and purpose. If 

you plan to use an interviewer, develop the outline together so that you and the 

interviewer are comfortable with the script and can create a great product. 

Storytellers often seem the most honest if they are able to speak off the cuff from 

an outline rather than reading word-for-word from notes. Choose an outlining 

method that is comfortable for you and helps you reach your goals.

An outline template is available on page 30.

Frame your story

You want to set up your digital story to be engaging for people. As a storyteller, it 

is helpful to give details for your story to help people understand your view. 

Here are things to keep in mind when framing a story of recovery:

• What is unique about your story?

• Remember that you own your story. While it is important for the story to be 

honest, it is also important to share your experience in a way that feels 

comfortable for you. 

• Digital stories are only a few minutes long, so you should think about which 

details are most important to include in order to communicate your 

message. 

EXAMPLE

Sarah struggled with 

substance abuse for years, 

from high school into 

adulthood. It wasn’t until she 

became a mother that she was 

finally able to get treatment 

and begin her recovery 

journey. Rather than explain 

her earlier struggles in her 

story, she chooses to focus in 

on the time before and after 

becoming a mother – where 

the combination of a great 

recovery program and the 

experience of raising a baby 

inspired her to leave drugs and 

alcohol in the past. She feels 

this part of her story is 

relatable. Sarah wants to 

reach out to young women 

and young mothers, especially 

those who face addiction 

challenges, with her story. 

22
Step 3: Outline/Script(continued)

STEP

3

Writing and drawing exercises

Writing and drawing exercises, like any kind of warm-up routine before playing 

a sport or a musical instrument, help loosen up your imagination while honing 

your writing muscles. Exercises can be done alone or in small or large groups. 

These exercises can be an easy way to help storytellers think creatively about 

how to tell a story of recovery. For example, if you are feeling stuck while 

writing, try one of these exercises: 

• Shift to another of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

• Look at things from close to far away or from high to low (or vice versa)

• Tell the story from another person’s point of view 

• Answer who, what, when, where, why, and how

• Draw out your ideas and use them to create a story

• Create a scrapbook to organize photos, words, and other materials

• Select a photo and write a story about it

An organized story will 

help people to:

• Understand it

• Believe it

• Remember it

23
Step 3: Outline/Script(continued 2)

STEP

3

Tips for making great digital stories

Truthful

Stories are powerful if they are honest and real. While you don’t want your story to feel rehearsed, you should 

still plan what you want to say and how you would like to say it. The story should show your voice and 

personality. A thoughtful and organized story allows for a smooth delivery. It will also give your story a polished 

and truthful feel. 

Strength

In order for stories of recovery to have a positive impact on others, storytellers should share their experience 

from a strong foundation of recovery. When framing your story, you should honestly talk about your 

experience, but also focus on the strengths that have helped in your recovery.

24
Step 3: Outline/Script(continued 3)

STEP

3

Tips for making great digital stories

Plot

Digital storytelling allows for creativity. While there is no single format that stories 

need to follow, here are some things to consider. Including these parts helps to 

engage audiences. For example:

• Stories with impact have an “attention getter” early on that and draws people 

in. Maybe this is a memory or emotion that grabs a storyteller’s experience. 

• A storyteller might choose to link their personal experience to something that 

may be shared by a community, or by the viewers, to show how things can be 

accomplished together.

• Good digital stories include messages of hope or a “call-to-action.” A call-toaction is an instruction to the audience that inspires a response, such as “call 

now,” “find out more,” or “visit our website.” A call-to-action can help people 

understand that they can recover too, just like you. Examples include:

– Recovery Month Stories (SAMHSA)

– Campaign to Change Direction (Coalition)

– Start the Conversation. End the Stigma (Bring Change 2 Mind)

– Make the Connection (Department of Veterans Affairs)

– Be Ready to Talk with Your Family (Time to Change Campaign, Mind and 

Rethink Mental Illness)

CALL-TO-ACTION 

EXAMPLES

“A Chinese proverb says 

‘a journey of a thousand 

miles begins with the 

first step.’ I hope you 

can take your first step 

and keep moving 

forward in your recovery 

journey.”

“If you or someone you 

know has a mental 

health problem, there 

are ways to get help. 

Please visit 

mentalhealth.gov for 

more information.”

25
Step 3: Outline/Script(continued 4)

STEP

3

Tips for making great digital stories

Length

Digital stories are usually short. StoryCenter, a nonprofit organization that 

partners with organizations on digital storytelling projects, recommends a length 

of two to five minutes with no more than 20 images or video segments and a 

word count of between 250 and 375. These guidelines help make sure that 

stories capture and hold the attention of their audiences, especially if they are 

shared on social media. Viewers should be able to easily watch digital stories and 

feel empowered to take action as a result. 

The ideal digital story: 

• Two to five minutes 

long 

• No more than 20 

images or video 

segments 

• Word count of 

between 250 and 

375.

26
Step 3: Outline/Script(continued 5)

STEP

3

Practice telling your story

On your own

Once you’ve jotted some notes or an outline for 

your story, you’ll want to practice telling your story 

out loud. As you talk, you’ll notice areas that might 

need to be fixed. Work on the rhythm and tempo of 

your story to create interest. In the book “Digital 

Storytelling: Capturing Lives, Creating 

Community”*, author Joe Lambert said, “Good 

stories breathe. They move along generally at an 

even pace, but once in a while they stop. They take a 

deep breath and proceed.”

With others

Story circles are a place where you can share your 

story with others. Circles are used to create a place 

for storytellers to express their personal stories and 

a support space for those going through recovery. 

People can learn to listen and learn to understand 

others through story circles. 

Story circles are good for practicing or sharing your 

stories and receiving feedback. The story circle is 

like a screening of a video used by film producers to 

find out how audiences respond to their story and 

how they can make it better. Feedback can range 

from how the story is being told to the how it is 

organized. This gives the storyteller new views and 

ideas.

If you don’t know of any story circles in your 

community, you can create an informal one by 

sharing your story with a small group of friends or 

coworkers to gain helpful feedback. Going through a 

storytelling exercise will help you to organize your 

thoughts and improve your skills.

*For more information, please see page 69.

27
Step 3: Outline/Script

YOUR TURN

STEP

3

Frame: What is unique about your story of recovery?

What are the most important points to tell in just a few minutes? 

28
Step 3: Outline/Script

YOUR TURN(continued)

STEP

3

Writing and Drawing Exercises:

• Shift to another of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

• Look at things from close to far away or from high to low (or vice versa)

• Tell the story from another person’s point of view 

• Answer who, what, when, where, why, and how

• Draw out your ideas and use them to create a story

• Create a scrapbook to organize photos, words, and other materials

• Select a photo and write a story about it. 

29
Step 3: Outline/Script

YOUR TURN(continued 2)

STEP

3

Sample Outline:

1. Beginning

a. Get your audience’s attention and motivate them to listen

b. Offer some background information about the topic

c. Highlight your experience

d. Set the tone for the story

e. Preview main ideas

f. Move to the body of the story

2. Body

a. Organize your main points (usually 2-5 for a story that is less than 5 minutes long)

b. Make sure main points support the purpose of your story

c. Include support material

3. End

a. Summarize your main points

b. Finish the circular journey by connecting your beginning and end

c. Use a strong closing statement to show the video is over 

30
STEP

4

STORYBOARD

31
Step 4: Storyboard

STEP

4

Storyboarding refers to a way of planning for all the things that will appear in the digital story, such as music, 

pictures, words, text, photos, and video. Storyboards help storytellers to picture the entire story from start to 

finish.

Storyboards are created in the order of things that happened and help to show what things will appear in the 

video, and when. They often inspire new ideas for organization or visual effects, show gaps, and help improve 

the video’s quality. Think about the place where you will be filming or recording and any challenges you may 

need to address (e.g., lighting, noise, background).

Creating a storyboard can be as simple as sketching out your plans on paper. If you prefer to use your 

computer, Microsoft Word or PowerPoint are other options, along with many software programs or apps for 

the more advanced developer. 

32
Step 4: Storyboard(continued)

STEP

4

This example storyboard shows all the things that will appear in the digital story, such as music, pictures, 

words, text, photos, and video. Storyboards help storytellers to picture the entire story from start to finish.

33
Step 4: Storyboard

YOUR TURN

STEP 

4

What does your story look like visually? Sketch out your ideas below, or create your own. 

What’s your first shot: 

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

34
Step 4: Storyboard

YOUR TURN(continued)

STEP

4

What’s happening 

now: _____________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

35
Step 4: Storyboard

YOUR TURN(continued 2)

STEP

4

And now: 

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

36
Step 4: Storyboard

YOUR TURN(continued 3)

STEP

4

And now: 

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

37
Step 4: Storyboard

YOUR TURN(continued 4)

STEP

4

And now: 

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

38
Step 4: Storyboard

YOUR TURN(continued 5)

STEP

4

Last shot! How does 

your story end? 

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

39
STEP

5

FILM AND RECORD

40
Step 5: Film and Record

STEP

5

Sometimes you’ll want to film yourself, or a storyteller, or a 

storyteller and an interviewer together. For this step, you’ll need 

some tools, including a way to record video and audio (e.g., 

video camera with microphones). You can certainly use a smart 

phone or tablet, but a video camera and microphones usually 

result in better quality.

Before recording, practice using the tools so you know how to 

use them. Film in a quiet place and make sure the lights are 

bright enough to see the person but not too bright that they 

appear washed out.

If you are using a microphone, move its position to get the best 

sound, usually about seven inches from the speaker’s mouth. If 

you’re filming someone rather than yourself, show the person 

where to look at the camera (i.e., at the lens) and talk with them 

about how you’ll start and stop the filming. 

Try filming a few “takes” (brief test shots) to work out any issues 

with sound, video, or delivery. Don’t worry about making small 

mistakes as they can be fixed later. If you’ll be recording audio, 

remember to test the tools first before recording. 

TIPS FOR APPEARING ON CAMERA

• Try practicing your questions and answers 

aloud before the interview.

• Keep clothing simple and “you”; avoid 

busy patterns 

• Avoid noisy jewelry or attire; these can 

disturb microphones and be distracting to 

viewers.

• Be relaxed and have fun! Your message is 

the most important part of the interview. 

41
Step 5: Film and Record(continued)

STEP

5

Adding visual and audio parts 

Digital stories can have different visual and audio 

options, such as photos, video clips, text on the 

screen, voices, or a video of the storyteller. These 

things add interest to a story and help give attention 

to certain things. 

• Visual parts: This includes taking photos and 

video, scanning old photos or drawings, and 

collecting images and materials from other 

locations.

• Audio parts: This includes recording and 

editing voices, and recording or finding music 

or sound effects. 

Know the limits and abilities of your video tools so 

you can plan properly in the storyboarding phase. A 

sample of tools is available on page 46.

You should also be aware of copyright rules. While 

it’s tempting to include photos, music, or videos 

you’ve found on the web, many of these items may 

be protected by copyright. If you plan to use things 

you’ve found online, get permission first. You can 

contact the owner directly, or try to contact the site 

where you found the content. You should also cite 

your sources so the owner gets credit and the 

viewers know where the material came from. There 

are many ways to cite work – you could say it in a 

video, or create a caption for a photo – whatever 

works best for your story format. 

For more details about fair use and copyright laws, 

please review www.copyright.gov and 

www.creativecommons.org. 

42
Step 5: Film and Record

YOUR TURN

STEP

5

Resources. What tools do you have? What tools do you need?

Visual and audio parts: Are you including sound clips, photos, or music? What are they and 

where will you get them? How will you add them to your story?

Prepare and test: Remember to film or record a few tests to make sure things work.

43
STEP

6

FINISH

44
Step 6: Finish

STEP

6

Editing

The editing phase is where the planning and 

recording come together. This is where you combine 

visual and audio parts to create a final product. 

Choosing the right tools

There are many tools available to make and share 

stories; it is not limited to any particular technology. 

Storytellers do not have to use professional tools –

sometimes a smartphone is all you need. Free 

software or apps might fit your needs just as well as, 

or better than, paid software or apps. Mostly, you 

want find a tool that matches the purpose of the 

project, the skills of the storytellers, the available 

resources, and the needs of the target audience. 

There are many resources available on the internet, 

at your local library or college, or likely even where 

you work. There are probably people in your life 

who can help, too – ask around if you’re unfamiliar 

with these sorts of tools. 

Helpful tools for new storytellers 

Some storytellers might already be comfortable 

with certain tools, software, or apps. Others might 

be new to digital storytelling and nervous about the 

learning curve. The good news is that there are 

many tools available for digital storytelling that 

provide basic features a novice can typically master 

in a short period of time. 

The tools listed in the following tables are 

commonly-used options for novice- to intermediatelevel computer and app users. They provide basic 

tools to edit and produce videos on different 

platforms, such as Mac, PC, or mobile devices. There 

are many options available beyond this list– if 

storytellers are interested in (or already comfortable 

using) certain tools they should go ahead and use 

them. 

45
Step 6: Finish(continued)

STEP

6

Video Editing Software Description

iMovie • Free video editing software for Mac Operating Systems

Windows Movie Maker • Free video editing software for Windows and PC

Animoto • $10 monthly subscription fee 

• Available for use on OSX, PC, Android, and iOS platforms

Blender • Full production suite for post-production effects, graphics, etc.

• Steep learning curve, must understand video editing and production

Audio Recording and Editing Software Description

Audacity • Creates high quality MP3 files

SoundCloud • Record up to 3 hours of content directly to your phone

Photo Editing Software Description

Aviary Photo Editor • Free mobile apps for Android and iOS

Paint.net • Evolution of the original Windows Paint program

Pixlr • Works with Windows, OS X, iOS and Android platforms 

46
Step 6: Finish

YOUR TURN

STEP

6

Tools: What tools are you using to edit and put your story together?

47
STEP

7

PUBLISH AND SHARE

48
Step 7: Publish and Share

STEP

7

Creating a home online

Once your video is done, you need to create a home 

for it. Video files are very large, often too large to 

share via email. Optimally the home will be online, 

such as a personal website or blog, social media 

pages, or a video-specific hosting tool such as 

YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia. It is useful to create a 

home base for the video and to share links with 

people to view it. 

Access

The video sharing site YouTube is not only a free and 

common way to publish your story online, but it also 

offers tools to make sure your video is accessible to 

people who may have disabilities and use assistive 

devices. You can include a typed transcript to be 

published with your video. Transcripts appear as 

“closed captioning” on YouTube’s website.

Engaging your audiences

Digital stories are great for reaching people through 

social media. Compared with text or image posts, 

social media posts that include videos receive more 

interaction such as likes, comments, and shares. 

Hashtags (#) on both Facebook and Twitter are used 

to mark keywords or topics and categorize posts. 

You can use several hashtags to link digital stories to 

conversations on behavioral health, or create a 

hashtag of your own. Examples include:

• #mentalhealth

• #suicideprevention

• #recovery

• #mhsm (mental health social media)

• #SoberUSA

• #CADAchat (open community of individuals 

speaking out about addiction, behavioral 

disorders, treatment, recovery, and more)

49
Step 7: Publish and Share(continued)

STEP

7

Share a link to your 

story on a variety of 

channels. The key is 

to use channels that 

connect you with 

your target audience. 

EXAMPLE:

Sam’s story is about treatment and recovery related to PTSD, and he wants to reach people who also 

may have experienced PTSD. Sam doesn’t have a large online presence but he wants to give it a try. He 

opens a YouTube account and uploads his story. Then he shares his story on his Facebook page (his 

only social media account). 

How can Sam share his story more widely to help achieve his goal? He could:

• Ask coworkers and professional and personal contacts to share his story to help reach more people.

• Contact local or national behavioral health organizations through their Facebook pages to alert 

them to his story.

• Email or call organizations and ask if they would consider sharing a link to his story in their 

newsletters or on their social media channels. Sam makes a list of organizations in his community 

that have access to people who would benefit from hearing his story. They include:

• Veteran Service Organizations

• University counseling centers

• Social services

• Mental health clinics

• Hospitals

• Non-profit organizations

• Influential bloggers related to your story topic

• Members of the media

• Peer-run programs and/or organizations

50
Step 7: Publish and Share(continued 2)

STEP

7

Reflection

After you’ve told your story, take a minute to reflect on the experience. How did it feel to tell your story? How 

do you feel about responses from others? How will you use this experience to move forward in your recovery 

journey?

51
Step 7: Publish and Share

YOUR TURN

STEP

7

Video Home: Where is your video going to “live” online?

Sharing: What options do you have for sharing your story?

• Personal website

• Personal blog

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Tumblr

• Other? _________________________________________________

Who can help you to share your story and reach your target audiences? (For example: Veterans 

Service Organizations, University counseling centers, social services, clinics, hospitals, non-profit 

organizations, influential bloggers, members of the media)

52
Step 7: Publish and Share

YOUR TURN(continued)

STEP

7

Reflection: How did it feel to tell your story? 

How do you feel about responses from others? 

How will you use this experience to move forward in your recovery journey

53
STEP

8

REVIEW

54
Step 8: Review

STEP

8

Now that you’ve made and shared your story, would you like to know what sort of impact you had? 

Start with your original goals for the project. What did you hope to do? You can collect information on how 

many people viewed your video, where those people are located, and many other details. You can also review 

comments (if available) to see how your story is being received and shared. There is no single measurement 

that defines how engaging your digital story is. But there are many things you can review to see if your video 

did what you hoped it would do. Reviewing your work doesn’t mean comparing your digital story to another 

person’s digital story, either. It is a measure of how well you met your goals.

55
Step 8: Review(continued)

STEP

8

Reach

What you need to understand first is whether your story is reaching the right people. You need a tool or tools 

that will answer the following questions:

• Is your digital story being viewed?

• Is it getting to people in a timely manner?

• Is it reaching the right people?

Three ways to get that data include:

• Social Media Stats: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and most other social media platforms have 

ways for users to be able to understand how people are engaging (or not) with their content. Some simple 

measures include the number of likes, retweets, or comments you receive when you post something. 

More complex measurements are also available for advanced users. 

• Email Stats: When sharing a digital story via email, using an emailing tool such as MailChimp allows you to 

view useful information such as how many times people opened your email, how often they clicked 

through to the video, and if any of the email addresses didn’t work. 

• Traffic Stats: You can track traffic on your personal or organizational website using tools like Omniture, 

Google Analytics, or WebTrends. Are people clicking on stories posted on your site? How long are they 

watching videos? Are they downloading, commenting, sharing, etc.? Are they clicking into other areas of 

your site?

56
Step 8: Review(continued)

STEP

8

Results

Now that you have gathered 

information on the numbers of 

people your story has reached, let’s 

discuss how you might measure the 

results of sharing your digital story. 

This helps you figure out what people 

remember after viewing your story of 

recovery. 

The following questions help us get a 

better understanding:

How did the audience understand the 

message, and did they understand it 

correctly?

How did the message change their 

feelings, habits, opinions, etc.?

How did the story impact the way 

they think about something (e.g., 

recovery, behavioral health)?

Here are some options to do this:

The simplest method of gathering this 

information is to ask these questions 

of the people with whom you shared 

your story. 

Create an easy poll or survey on social 

networks

Review what’s being said about your 

story online (this is called “social 

listening”) 

The idea here is to look at everything 

from whether people can and do 

remember your story in association 

with other relevant ideas or concepts. 

It can be an interesting look at 

whether the story is in people's minds 

in the ways that matter to you.

Regular “pulse 

checks” of audience 

attitudes may be 

able to show how 

thoughts change 

over time. 

57
Step 8: Review(continued 2)

STEP

8

Action

When you shared your story, what did you hope 

people would do with what they learned? As a 

storyteller, not only can you take someone on a 

journey by having them listen to your story, but also 

you can inspire them to reflect, change, and act. 

Some questions to consider:

• In viewing your story, do people feel recovery is 

possible? 

• Are they changing their thoughts on recovery 

or making life changes towards recovery? 

• Do people feel connected to your story, and 

does this help them feel supported in their 

recovery? 

• Do people feel hope for their loved ones who 

may have behavioral health conditions? 

Sometimes people share their story for a specific 

reason; they hope to bring attention to something, 

or launch a program or event, or connect with a 

certain group of people, or promote healing and 

recovery. You can issue a call-to-action that best fits 

your message. Do you want people to sign up for an 

activity or join a group? Would you like people to 

contact you about your story? Do you want others 

to share your story a certain way, or inspire them to 

share their own story? 

A call-to-action is an instruction to the audience 

that inspires a response, usually using a verb, such 

as “share this story,” “find out more,” or “visit our 

website.” For example, an outcome for a digital 

story about PTSD recovery may be to increase 

audience awareness by inspiring them visit a page 

on your website to get more information. Another 

outcome might be to inspire audience members to 

share their own story of recovery with you or with 

others.

58
Step 8: Review(continued 3)

STEP

8

One way to measure the success of your call is to 

give people a few options for action and see which 

of those actions gains the most traction. This way, 

you give people the option to select a way to 

engage with your story that is most comfortable for 

them, and you can also see which of your options 

performs the best (and get rid of actions that do not 

perform as well). 

Another outcome may be to increase the number 

of people who show treatment-seeking behavior for 

a condition; such as college students getting help for 

binge drinking. The call-to-action would be to 

encourage them to call a certain phone number or 

take a diagnose quiz on a website. Ways to measure 

action could include clinic intake information (e.g., 

rates of people citing the video when asked “how 

did you hear about us?”), and reviewing the number 

of quiz takers.

If you have website, you might also want to take a 

look at website traffic (available through Google 

Analytics or your web log files). Data such as how 

long people spend in each area, what pages they 

visit, and how much they download or share the 

information you provide are all measures of action. 

How much time is spent on a page can show us 

what viewers find most interesting or where they 

find helpful information. The number of downloads 

or shares can show whether you have made it easy 

for people to do these things. 

59
Step 8: Review

YOUR TURN

STEP

8

What were your original goals for this project?

60
Step 8: Review

YOUR TURN(continued) 

STEP

8

Reach: Is your story reaching your target audience?

Sample questions:

• Is your digital story being viewed?

• Is it getting to people in a timely manner?

• Is it reaching the right people?

How are you going to gather this information?

What did you find out? 

61
Step 8: Review

YOUR TURN(continued 2) 

STEP

8

Results: What are the takeaways from the message you’re trying to tell?

Sample questions:

• How did the audience understand the message?

• How did the message change their habits, opinions, etc.?

• How did the story impact their view towards something (e.g., recovery, behavioral health)?

How are you going to gather this information?

What did you find out? 

62
Step 8: Review

YOUR TURN(continued 3) 

STEP

8

Action: Did you story cause people to act or react in a certain way?

Sample questions:

• In viewing your story, do people feel recovery is possible? 

• Are they changing their ideas on recovery or making life changes towards recovery? 

• Do people feel connected to your story and does this help them feel supported in their 

recovery? 

• Do people feel hope for their loved ones who may be have behavioral health conditions? 

• Did you story cause people to act or react in a certain way?

How are you going to gather this information?

What did you find out? 

63
A Note for Organizations

Digital storytelling is something anyone can do no 

matter what level of experience they have telling 

stories or using technology. Digital storytelling is a 

way for people to share their experiences in creative 

ways. By sharing their own messages of healing, 

storytellers can support the recovery and healing of 

others. 

Storytelling is also a useful way to help organizations 

advance their missions and conduct outreach. 

“Contact-based” interventions connect people with 

other people who are in recovery from a mental 

illness or substance use disorder. They can be used 

to reduce negative attitudes about mental illness 

and substance use disorders and encourage people 

to seek help, treatment services, and/or support. 

The process of sharing one’s recovery experience 

through stories can be a healing and empowering 

exercise for storytellers, as well. 

While individuals can create their own digital 

stories, organizations can play an important role in 

coordinating storytelling efforts, supporting 

storytellers, and improving the reach of digital 

stories. 

64
A Note for Organizations(continued)

Resources

If digital storytelling is something you wish to do on a regular basis at your organization, you may want to 

consider dedicating the time of one or more employees to coordinate this project. The process of planning, 

making, and sharing stories needs focused time and attention. 

If you are planning to assign someone in your organization to coordinate a storytelling project or collect 

multiple stories, the following skills can be helpful: 

• Facilitation

• Communication

• Interviewing

• Listening

• Managing space (e.g., a classroom)

• Ability to help frame stories

• Cultural sensitivity 

• Comfort with learning about and using storytelling tools

If assigned by your organization to coordinate storytelling, you should work together and develop an informed 

consent process that aligns with the organization’s policies that would support digital storytelling efforts.

65
A Note for Organizations(continued 2)

Informed Consent

Disclosure (i.e., informed consent) is more than 

signing a form—it’s about helping storytellers to 

understand the risks and benefits involved with 

sharing their stories publicly. If you are collecting 

digital storytelling on behalf of your organization, 

some recommended steps may include:

• Share information about the storytelling 

process so storytellers can make an informed 

decision about whether to share their stories. 

This information should include (but is not 

limited to): 

– A detailed explanation of the steps of the 

story development process

– A detailed explanation of how their story 

will be used, including the potential 

audiences it might reach

– Identification of the potential benefits 

and drawbacks of sharing their story 

publicly, as well as a plan to protect them 

as storytellers (e.g., making social media 

profiles private, how you’ll handle 

requests from the media)

– Ideas on what to expect after their stories 

are shared

• Get signed permission from storytellers

• Get signed permission if the nature of the story 

development or distribution process changes 

from the way it was initially described (e.g. in 

the case of media requests)

• Regularly check in with the storytellers and 

providing opportunities to update the 

information in the stories when possible 

• Allow the storytellers to end their disclosure 

permission at any time

A sample consent form is included as a reference. 

You are also encouraged to follow your 

organization’s informed consent policy and 

procedures.

66
A Note for Organizations(continued 3)

Sample Video Consent and Release Form

I agree to allow [organization/person] to use my image and likeness and/or any interview statements from me in its publications. This 

includes but is not limited to:

(a) Permission to interview, film, photograph, tape, or make a video copy of me and/or record my voice; 

(b) Permission to use my name; and 

(c) Permission to use quotes from the interview(s) (or parts of such quotes), the film, photograph(s), tape(s) or reproduction(s) of me, and/or 

recording of my voice, in part or in whole, in its publications, for education and awareness.

I’ve received an explanation regarding how the story will be developed and used, and am aware of the potential benefits and drawbacks to 

sharing my story publicly.

This consent is given indefinitely, and does not require prior approval by me. However, I am able to withdraw my consent at any time by 

contacting [organization/person].

Name: Signature:

Address: Date: 

The below signed parent or legal guardian of the above-named minor child hereby consents to and gives permission to the above on behalf of 

such minor child.

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian: 

Print Name: 

Date: ________________ Signature of Person Responsible for Digital Story __________________________________________

67
Summary

Digital storytelling is a great way to share your 

personal story of recovery, as it can reach many 

others who can relate to and can be helped by your 

experiences. Your story can educate and give hope 

to people who are on their own path to recovery, 

too.

A few important reminders as you begin:

• Use this guide to develop a plan – think about 

your purpose and who you’d like to reach. 

• Explore resources and select what works best 

for you. 

• Develop a simple outline and storyboard to 

help you organize your thoughts and 

presentation.

• Create your digital story using simple tools like 

your mobile phone, a digital camera, and free 

apps. 

• Upload your story to the web, share it with 

your network, and ask for feedback from 

people you trust.

Using this guide, you can make a compelling digital 

story that can be shared with family, friends, and 

community members. It can help them understand 

that your recovery story is an important part of your 

life and that it can also be encouraging for others. 

With the help of simple technology tools and tips 

for structuring your words, making your digital story 

of recovery is an exciting and rewarding project that 

can be shared and used in many ways. Your voice 

will bring the project to life, so go ahead and get 

started! 

68
Resources: 

Videos and Articles

Here are some helpful tools, links, and resources

Videos

• SAMHSA Personal Recovery Stories 

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/personal-stories

• Inspire: How One Member Found Support and 

Hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy66CdIfpaA

• Mentalhealth.gov: Stories of Hope and Recovery

http://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/recovery/index.h

tml

• Your Voice: Share Your Story

http://www.your-voice.org/

• AboutFace: Learn about PTSD from Veterans Who 

Live with it Every Day. Hear Their Stories. Find out 

How Treatment Turned Their Lives Around.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/AboutFace/

Articles

• “With Help Comes Hope” 

http://lifelineforattemptsurvivors.org/turningpoints-survivors-tell-how-they-made-it-throughtheir-darkest-hour/

• “Personal Stories by People with a Mental Illness, 

Their Families and Friends” 

http://www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/mental_illness_

and_health/stories.aspx

Book

• Digital Storytelling: Capturing Lives, Creating 

Community By Joe Lambert

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-StorytellingCapturing-Creating-Community/dp/0415627036

69
Resources: 

Organizations and Initiatives

Here are some helpful tools, links, and resources

• Stories for Change: www.storiesforchange.net

Online meeting place for community digital storytelling 

supporters

• Narrative Matters: 

www.healthaffairs.org/narrative-matters

Features personal stories about experiences with the 

health care system and the people in it, using the power 

of stories to highlight an important public policy issue.

• Honest, Open, Proud Program: 

www.comingoutproudprogram.org

This program aims to reduce “self-stigma” associated 

with mental illness.

• Talk, Text, Act: 

http://creatingcommunitysolutions.org/texttalka

ct

Join a nationwide conversation on mental health and 

learn how to help a friend in need through text 

messaging.

• SAMHSA Recovery Month: 

www.recoverymonth.gov

Every September, SAMHSA sponsors Recovery Month to 

increase awareness and understanding of mental and 

substance use issues and celebrate the people who 

recover.

• Faces & Voices of Recovery: 

www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org

Whether you’re a person in recovery or a family member, 

share your story to demonstrate that recovery works for 

over 23 million Americans and offer hope to people who 

are still struggling, their families, and communities.

• StoryCenter: www.storycenter.org

StoryCenter creates spaces for transforming lives and 

communities through the acts of listening to and sharing 

stories. Since 1993, they have partnered with 

organizations around the world on projects in Storywork, 

digital storytelling, and other forms of digital media 

production. They offer public workshops to support 

individuals in creating and sharing stories

70