{"id":520382,"date":"2019-06-06T11:02:25","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T18:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=520382"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T18:33:28","slug":"great-arcgis-storymaps-stories","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories","title":{"rendered":"Six great stories made with the ArcGIS StoryMaps Beta"},"author":7211,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[22941,37511],"tags":[398132,23241,30711,27881,33131],"industry":[],"product":[36551,36611,380802],"class_list":["post-520382","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mapping","category-sharing-collaboration","tag-arcgis-storymaps","tag-best-practices","tag-beta","tag-storytelling","tag-tips-and-tricks","product-arcgis-online","product-story-maps","product-arcgis-storymaps"],"acf":{"short_description":"See what makes these beta stories stand out to those of us on Esri's StoryMaps team.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

This piece of content references and\/or links to a retired product; it is no longer being maintained.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In early April, my colleagues and I released a beta version<\/a> of our newest storytelling tool, ArcGIS StoryMaps. The release came with a request for you, our authoring community: Please take the beta for a spin and provide as much detailed feedback as you can, so that we can craft a product tailored to meet your exact needs. <\/em><\/p>\n

In the weeks since, we\u2019ve been eagerly reading through every question, comment, and suggestion that\u2019s been added to our GeoNet space<\/a>, relying on them to inform decisions about product design and development priorities. Sifting through these first, second, and third impressions from beta testers has been incredibly motivating, to say the least.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just tester feedback that has us excited\u2014more rewarding than anything is seeing the wonderful content you all are making while the new StoryMaps is still in its infancy. Not only have you managed to craft narratives that are both informative and delightful, but you\u2019ve made a lot of them! To celebrate your inspiring work, we wanted to share a few of the beta stories that really set our Slack channels abuzz with excitement. In no particular order, here are six beta stories we love (and why).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":520392,"id":520392,"title":"Measuring Success | Blue Raster","filename":"ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","filesize":1580827,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\/ezgif-com-optimize-17","alt":"Animation scrolling through the story to show web maps that use a color ramps made from shades of the same SDG indicator they represent.","author":"7211","description":"","caption":"Click to launch the story.","name":"ezgif-com-optimize-17","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":520382,"date":"2019-06-06 15:45:53","modified":"2019-06-06 15:48:50","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":449,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":431,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","large-width":800,"large-height":449,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":449,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":449,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","card_image-width":800,"card_image-height":449,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-17.gif","wide_image-width":800,"wide_image-height":449}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps-nextgen.arcgis.com\/beta\/stories\/ffa9380903e84bd2bfdd00deeaf46333"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

1. Measuring Success | Blue Raster<\/h2>\n

We\u2019re always telling new storytellers about the importance of having a consistent visual language; this story accomplishes that with flying colors. Bright, coordinated colors, to be exact. From the thin multicolored banners, to the repeated strip of key indicators, and even the color ramps on the web maps, every visual element in the story is designed to match the others\u2014and the Sustainable Development Goals branding, too.<\/p>\n

The story\u2019s sidecars are especially effective, using the color of the progress indicator to inform cartography. The legend, which is handily located in the narrative panel for easy reference, ties the whole block together beautifully. This unified aesthetic not only makes a story look more professional, but it helps immerse someone in the content they\u2019re reading; a win-win if there ever was one. (For more on the how any why of creating visual harmony, see no. 4 in this series of storytelling tips<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":520402,"id":520402,"title":"The Kings' Road | Mike Schoelen","filename":"ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","filesize":1921484,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\/ezgif-com-optimize-18","alt":"Scrolling through a story map reveals a repeated sequence of content blocks","author":"7211","description":"","caption":"Click to launch the story.","name":"ezgif-com-optimize-18","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":520382,"date":"2019-06-06 15:53:34","modified":"2019-06-06 15:54:40","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":446,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":259,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":428,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","large-width":800,"large-height":446,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":446,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":446,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","card_image-width":800,"card_image-height":446,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-18.gif","wide_image-width":800,"wide_image-height":446}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps-nextgen.arcgis.com\/beta\/stories\/79cff93b67cd4e1da5ab5f0fa89ed96a"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

2. The Kings\u2019 Road | Mike Schoelen<\/h2>\n

Another one of our often-shared pieces of advice is to create a clear cadence or rhythm in your story (see tip no. 3<\/a>). You can do this by arranging your content in a structural pattern that is repeated throughout the story. In doing so, you give your audience a nice fluid reading experience that lets them settle in and enjoy the ride. This summary of a four-day hike through Peru\u2019s mountains does just that.<\/p>\n

Schoelen creates a section of the story for each day of the hike, using a handful of different content blocks to establish a cadence. Each day starts out with a chart of the elevation change throughout that leg of the journey, along with a web map of the route. He provides a brief explanation of what lies ahead, then uses a series of images to draw the reader into the scenery of the Andes. The result is an easy, engaging read that\u2019s sure to trigger some wanderlust in any hiking enthusiast.<\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":520412,"id":520412,"title":"Catoctin Mountain | Hudson Geography","filename":"ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","filesize":2049325,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\/ezgif-com-optimize-19","alt":"Scrolling down to a simple, custom express map in the story map, which shows five numbered points and three arrows with text annotations","author":"7211","description":"","caption":"Click to launch the story.","name":"ezgif-com-optimize-19","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":520382,"date":"2019-06-06 16:01:29","modified":"2019-06-06 16:03:07","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":449,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":431,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","large-width":800,"large-height":449,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":449,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":449,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","card_image-width":800,"card_image-height":449,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-19.gif","wide_image-width":800,"wide_image-height":449}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps-nextgen.arcgis.com\/beta\/stories\/2d5f61f5ea3249618004b600ba671d71"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

3. Catoctin Mountain | Hudson Geography<\/h2>\n

Speaking of hiking, this next story takes a different, but equally effective approach to encouraging folks to hit the trails. The story\u2019s author puts greater emphasis on the trail maps themselves, featuring them in the media panel of a sidecar and providing helpful information, photos, and related web content in the scrolling narrative panel.<\/p>\n

What made this story especially fun for us is the creative use of express maps\u2014StoryMaps\u2019 new, simple mapmaking feature. The story\u2019s express map shows the locations of a few key landmarks in the national park while utilizing some new annotation tools.<\/p>\n

The author added arrows to the map to indicate the direction of the mountain slope, so would-be-hikers have an idea of where they\u2019ll need to expend a little extra energy. They also added some helpful bits of text to the map with more details about what to expect. Being able to make basic, contextual maps in just a few minutes is exactly what we had in mind for express maps, and seeing them used in such a creative way makes us do a little happy dance at our desks.<\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":520422,"id":520422,"title":"The Bridges of New York and San Francisco | Rachel Eu","filename":"ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","filesize":1658862,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\/ezgif-com-optimize-20","alt":"Hovering over a series of pins on an express map conjures a pop-up with a photo of the bride, its name, and some key stats","author":"7211","description":"","caption":"Click to launch the story.","name":"ezgif-com-optimize-20","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":520382,"date":"2019-06-06 16:08:22","modified":"2019-06-06 16:10:03","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":448,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":430,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","large-width":800,"large-height":448,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":448,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":448,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","card_image-width":800,"card_image-height":448,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-20.gif","wide_image-width":800,"wide_image-height":448}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps-nextgen.arcgis.com\/beta\/stories\/466e7ad2b23d4020a280fec714e17dec"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

4. The Bridges of New York and San Francisco | Rachel Eu<\/h2>\n

Another reason we can\u2019t stop talking about express maps is their redesigned pop-ups. While crafting your map, you can easily add and adjust pop-up titles and descriptions, and even add a photo that will appear on hover. It\u2019s a small feature, but we think it makes a big difference for the experience of both a story author and reader. If you\u2019re skeptical, just take a look at this next example.<\/p>\n

Right off the bat, you\u2019ll find two express maps with points representing various bridges in New York City and San Francisco. Hover over a point (or tap on it if you\u2019re reading on a tablet or phone) and up comes a pop-up with an eye-catching image of the bridge it represents. Eu has even taken her pop-ups to the next level by consistently configuring them; each one displays the year the bridge opened and the average amount of traffic that crosses the bridge daily. The result is a pair of maps that are surprisingly fun to peruse, and that look just as professional as the rest of this expertly crafted story.<\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":520432,"id":520432,"title":"Join EDSO | Sara Dougherty","filename":"ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","filesize":1969431,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\/ezgif-com-optimize-22","alt":"Scrolling through the story reveals a button labeled \"Apply Here\" placed immediately after the steps applicants must take to become a sheriff","author":"7211","description":"","caption":"Click to launch the story.","name":"ezgif-com-optimize-22","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":520382,"date":"2019-06-06 16:18:51","modified":"2019-06-06 16:20:40","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":447,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":259,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":429,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","large-width":800,"large-height":447,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":447,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":447,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","card_image-width":800,"card_image-height":447,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-22.gif","wide_image-width":800,"wide_image-height":447}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps-nextgen.arcgis.com\/beta\/stories\/16ffb390f74f434d818347040d9cc7d8"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

5. Join EDSO | Sara Dougherty<\/h2>\n

If, when we first started thinking about next-generation StoryMaps, you\u2019d asked the team whether we thought a county sheriff office would ever use StoryMaps as a recruitment tool, we probably would have stared at you quizzically. We might have said it was possible, but not very likely. We also would have been wrong.<\/p>\n

Not only is there a story encouraging applicants for a position with El Dorado County Sheriff (EDSO), but it\u2019s made with great consideration for the story\u2019s target audience. Dougherty starts off the piece by explaining the appeal of working for EDSO, then moves into reviewing some of the perks of living in that corner of the world. Once she\u2019s got her readers sold on the idea that this is a promising career move, she gets right down to business explaining the application process, and uses the new button block to add a clear action for interested applicants. What comes after that is a series of FAQs and additional information for those who might want more details.<\/p>\n

It could have been tempting to put the call to apply at the end of the story map, but by putting it where she did, Dougherty smartly provided an action at the point where it was most relevant. She knew that the big questions she needed to answer before recruiting candidates were why and how to join EDSO. The next important thing was to get candidates to actually apply. Once that was established, she could go into the remaining nitty gritty details for those who wanted to learn more.<\/p>\n

Effectively prioritizing your content is vital to the success of any communications effort, which is why my teammates and I derive so much joy from seeing members of our community get this right. It\u2019s even better when it occurs in a story map whose subject we could never have imagined. (If you\u2019re looking for advice on how to prioritize content in your own story, this article<\/a> should help.)<\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":520442,"id":520442,"title":"Two Kiwis in the Wild Wild West | Rory McPherson","filename":"ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","filesize":1766724,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\/ezgif-com-optimize-23","alt":"Scrolling through sidecar slides reveals a series of small photos that scroll vertically while a large web map moves to follow the route of the road trip","author":"7211","description":"","caption":"Click to launch the story.","name":"ezgif-com-optimize-23","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":520382,"date":"2019-06-06 16:29:45","modified":"2019-06-06 16:30:57","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":447,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":259,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":429,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","large-width":800,"large-height":447,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":447,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":447,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","card_image-width":800,"card_image-height":447,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ezgif.com-optimize-23.gif","wide_image-width":800,"wide_image-height":447}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps-nextgen.arcgis.com\/beta\/stories\/7924b63ef0814933970a6c3685d0177f"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

6. Two Kiwis in the Wild Wild West | Rory McPherson<\/h2>\n

Like the EDSO story, the final story I\u2019ll discuss here makes clever use of the new button capability in StoryMaps. I\u2019ll talk more about that in a second, but first, let\u2019s all take a second to appreciate how effectively McPherson has used multiple sidecar panels for laying out his planned travels. While the narrative panel lists off each stop on the journey\u2014along with photos that underscore the allure of each destination\u2014the media panel gives you a focused view of the route through each of these destinations. All combined, it does a really nice job of bringing a reader along for the journey, virtually.<\/p>\n

At the end, though, McPherson goes the extra mile. Not wanting to miss any must-see destinations, he\u2019s added a button that links out to a form made with Survey123. Anyone with travel recommendations can easily submit them there. A web map at the end of the story even displays these suggestions for anyone else who might be traveling in the area. Seeing this crowdsourcing effort come full circle in the story puts a big smile on our faces\u2014if you want to do this in your own story maps, this tutorial<\/a> walks you through the process.<\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

There are dozens more excellent beta stories I could highlight in this post\u2014narrowing it down to just six was a challenge. If you\u2019ve made a story with the ArcGIS StoryMaps beta, make sure you share it with us! The team is on Twitter at @EsriStoryMaps<\/a>, and we\u2019re watching #StoryMapsBeta<\/a> like a hawk.<\/p>\n

Also, we recently made some significant updates to the beta, so if you haven\u2019t tried it yet, or it\u2019s been a while since you were last in the builder, you definitely should go take a look\u2014you can learn more about testing the beta here<\/a>. Don\u2019t forget to let us know<\/a> what you think!<\/p>\n"}],"authors":[{"ID":7211,"user_firstname":"Hannah","user_lastname":"Wilber","nickname":"hwilber.storymaps","user_nicename":"hwilber-storymaps","display_name":"Hannah Wilber","user_email":"HWilber@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2018-03-02 00:19:27","user_description":"Upstate NY transplant. Former content creator for Esri's StoryMaps team. Fascinated by how storytelling affects the human brain. Lover of conservation. Overly proud dog mom.","user_avatar":""}],"related_articles":[{"ID":519742,"post_author":"9232","post_date":"2019-06-05 03:11:31","post_date_gmt":"2019-06-05 10:11:31","post_content":"","post_title":"Not too short, not too long: Explaining our mission with a perfectly sized story map","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"explaining-our-mission-with-a-perfectly-sized-story-map","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-17 12:15:07","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-17 19:15:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=519742","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":483142,"post_author":"7221","post_date":"2019-04-10 08:59:13","post_date_gmt":"2019-04-10 15:59:13","post_content":"","post_title":"A Quantum Leap for Story Maps","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-quantum-leap-for-story-maps","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2021-09-02 05:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2021-09-02 12:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=483142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":504742,"post_author":"7201","post_date":"2019-05-07 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-05-07 13:00:38","post_content":"","post_title":"Four Ways to Tell a Story with Place","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"four-ways-to-tell-a-story-with-place","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-08-09 06:06:26","post_modified_gmt":"2022-08-09 13:06:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=504742","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/new.png","wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Artboard-1.png","show_article_image":false},"yoast_head":"\n6 Great Stories Made with the ArcGIS StoryMaps Beta (And Why We Love Them)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"See what makes these beta stories stand out to those of us on Esri's StoryMaps team.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Six great stories made with the ArcGIS StoryMaps Beta\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"See what makes these beta stories stand out to those of us on Esri's StoryMaps team.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/sharing-collaboration\/great-arcgis-storymaps-stories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ArcGIS Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/esrigis\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-15T18:33:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ESRI\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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