Help and support

Uploading a photo

OK, let’s create your story with words and a photo. Remember, you must add a photo to your story. We do have photos available to use if you don’t have one to upload yourself, or don’t want to use one of your own. We’ll show you how to add a photo in a moment.

But first, click on the START SHARING button here on the home page. Then go to the panel here where you can type out your story. Your story can be as short as five words or as long as 750 words. Just write it in your own words. Don’t worry if you’re not the word’s best speller or you’re not sure about grammar. It doesn’t matter. It’s all about the story.

Remember to click on the SAVE DRAFT button regularly to be sure you don’t lose your story.

When you’re happy with the words, click on the NEXT STEP button.

To make your story personal, we recommend using your own photo. If you have a photo on your computer you want to use, click on the USE OWN PHOTO option. Then click on BROWSE, so you can search your computer for the photo. When you find it, click on UPLOAD.

Next, you’ll be asked to crop your photo. This is so we can add it to our homepage banner. It’s easy to crop. Just mouse over the small yellow RESIZE square and adjust it to how you want it.

If you don’t have a photo you’d like to share, that’s fine. You can click on the SITE PHOTO option then click on one of the photos in our gallery that you’d like to use.

Now add a caption that best describes the photo. For example: My brother Brett or, The beach was our favourite place, if you choose our beach photo.

Once you’re happy with your photo, click on the NEXT STEP button.

This is where you can create you own video, slideshow or video. This is optional. You’ll find a separate tutorial on how to create a video on the Help page.

The next step is to label your story.

You must tick at least one box in the YOUR CONNECTION section. For the other sections it’s a good idea to tick any box that applies to your story to make it easier for people who are searching for stories they can relate to.

When you’ve done that, click on the NEXT STEP button, which takes you to the preview page. This is exactly how your story will appear when it’s published.

If you’re happy with your story, make sure you read and agree to the community guidelines and terms of use, then click on the PUBLISH button.

Your story then goes to the site moderator who checks that it complies with the site guidelines. Once it’s approved your story should appear within two working days.

Remember, even when it’s published, you’re free at any time to SIGN IN and edit your story as you please.

Thank you for sharing your story. It will make a difference.

Take care.

Uploading a video

OK, let’s help tell your story with a video or through original music.

Click on OPEN MEDIA EDITOR and we’ll take a look at how to create a video, slideshow, use web cam, or upload original music.

First, do you have existing video you’d like to upload? Uploading video is the same process as uploading a photo. Click on ADD MORE within the CLIPS LIBRARY. Then click on VIDEO. Remember, you can add more than one piece of video, but to you can’t edit videos on this website.

Do you want to make a slideshow? This is great if you have a few photos you’d like to use.

Click on ADD MORE, then PHOTO then BROWSE to locate the photos on your computer.

Click on the photo then SELECT and UPLOAD. Then repeat this process until you have uploaded all the photos you want to use in your slideshow in your Clips Library.

Next, drag the photo thumbnails onto the timeline below.

Beside the CLIPS LIBRARY button is the TRANSITIONS button. Click on it to add an interesting change between photos, a page turn effect for example. There are plenty to choose from, so see which one works best for your story.

You’ll notice a pencil icon appears on your clip once you drag it onto the timeline. Click on it to add text to your image. There’s also a range of tools that let you change the size, colour, typeface and positioning … plus a few others. Feel free to try out the different options.

Below the timeline are three helpful functions.

DRAG HERE TO REMOVE FROM STORYBOARD makes it easy to remove a single frame from your storyboard, while the original photo remains in the clip library.

Click on CLEAR STORYBOARD and you will clear the entire timeline. And clicking the pencil icon OPTIONS allows you to change timings on images and transitions.

Back to the top of the menu is the SOUNDTRACK button.

This is where you can add music to your story. Click on ADD MORE AUDIO to upload copyright free music from your computer. Or go to SELECT SOUNDTRACK where we have a range of soundtracks you can use.

Once you’re happy with your story, click on SAVE. When you do, you’ll be asked to create a thumbnail.

This is a frame from your story that will appear on your PREVIEW page. Other visitors to the site will see that frame along with your story title, so choose one that best sums up your story.

Just scroll along your story until you find the best one. Click on CREATE THUMBNAIL then FINISH.

You will then get the chance to preview your creation.

Remember, you can go back and make changes at anytime in the future by clicking on the pencil icon on your MY STORIES page.

Webcam

If you want to share your story through web cam, that’s simple too.

Click on WEB CAM and you’ll be given 3 options. Choose the option compatible with your computer, and click RECORD. When you’re happy with your story, click on STOP, then NEXT.

You’ll be asked to give it a title, then your story will be added to the VIDEO CLIP LIBRARY. Then just click on SAVE.

You’ll be asked to create a thumbnail. This is a frame from your web cam story that will appear on your PREVIEW page, other visitors to the site will see that frame along with your story title.

Just scroll along your story until you find the shot you’d like to appear with your story title, then click on CREATE THUMBNAIL then FINISH.

You will then be able to preview your creation.

This will take you back to the ADD EXTRAS page.

Once you’re happy, click on the NEXT STEP button. This will take you to the page where you label your story. You must tick at least one box in the YOUR CONNECTION section. For the other sections it’s a good idea to tick any box that applies to your story to make it easier for people who are searching for stories they can relate to.

Next, click on the NEXT STEP button, which takes you to the preview page. This is exactly how your story will appear when it’s published.

If you’re happy with your story, make sure you read and agree to the community guidelines and terms of use, then click on the PUBLISH button.

Your story then goes to the site moderator who checks that it complies with the site guidelines. Once approved, your story should appear within two working days.

Thank you for sharing your story. It will make a difference.

Take care.