You may think your story is unimportant. However, how many times have your kids asked what the world was like when you grew up? They love to hear stories of you and themselves. By documenting your own story, not only can others experience your stories, they can see how you interact with your world.

 NOTE: This badge program builds on “Tell My Story” which encourages sharing stories of your life through storytelling.

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Steps

1. What do you want to leave behind?

Perhaps you want to leave stories of your life? Dreams you have achieved? A special experience that changed your life? Make a list of the items you wish to share with future generations. This might be your own stories or from your family.

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Telling your story

2. Short stories.

You might be interested in telling short stories. Think of a funny or embarrassing moment in your life. Make notes about how you might tell that story.

3. Long stories.

Perhaps you want to go beyond just a moment in time. Create a brief outline of a longer event such as a vacation or sport season you participated in. Make notes about how you might tell the story.

4. Writing.

Most people think of written stories when they think of telling a story. Write a short story about yourself. It can be short or long, encompassing something as simple as the first time you did something or complicated like experiences during a week at summer camp.

5. Storytelling.

Oral traditions have been around longer than written ones. Tell your story to others. Record your telling as well as the questions you are asked afterwards. Use the questions to help improve your oral story.

6. Skit or plays.

Skits or plays allow you to tell your story through many mouths. After documenting your story, ask others how they perceived the same events. Create a skit trying to keep to the authenticity of many points of view.

7. Puppets.

Create a puppet show based on your story. You can use shadowgraphs, sock puppets, marionettes or any other movable personification of yourself to tell your story. Perform your story for others.

8. Art.

Create a piece of art that reminds you of a story. Share your story with someone else. Ask if they can see the links between your art and story.

9. Photography.

You can have photos of people and locations in your stories. A series of photos can allow you to tell a story as well. Try telling your story through photos alone. Add brief quotes or comments as triggers to remember the story behind the photo.

10. Combining words and art.

Journals, whether written or art, are a great way to tell your story. When you open a diary or journal, you feel like you are taking a glimpse into someone else’s life. Start a journal to tell your story.

11. Digital.

Tell your story with digital media. Record your story as an audio or video file. Perhaps you might want to start a personal blog or podcast. Perhaps digital photos can be included in your legacy. Send these files / links to friends or distribute on YouTube.

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Creating a story

12. Mundane?

If you feel like you don’t have a story to tell, start one today. Find a way to start making a change in your life, the lives of those you love or your community. Explore your passions and start now. Keep track of your story as you create it.

13. Service.

Giving service to others affects your life as well as other in a positive way. Find ways to give service that allow you to start creating a story.

14. Build.

Start and build a business. Build your reputation with organizations where your expertise can benefit them. Start your own cause or significantly improve another. Build a garden to share with your community. Move beyond “Service” in Step 13 and push yourself to make a difference.

15. Create.

Create art. Create music. Create a blog that offers inspiration and hope. Create something from your own mind that you can share as a story.

16. One on one.

Choose a person who needs help and build a relationship. Help them start their own legacy. Document their stories. Or perhaps just spend time to brighten someone’s day and record their stories to carry on their traditions instead of your own.

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Combining stories

17. Participate in an event.

At a family reunion or get-together, have a few stories prepared and ready to go. Record the event to get additional ideas, stories and more. Once started, you’ll find many people like to share their stories.

18. Contest.

Select a theme for your stories and ask others to contribute their own stories. Create a contest for your family and friends to join. You can give serious or silly awards for your contest. Create a montage of stories and share it with others to vote on so even if someone doesn’t participate, they can be part of the fun.

19. Online archive.

Create an online archive for yourself or allow others to join. You can have as much or little control over submissions, organization and more. Ask others to help maintain the archive if they are better at certain tasks than you.

20. Publish.

Collect your stories and publish them to offer inspiration for others to start building their own legacy. You might want to publish a single story or a group of them. You might instead choose to share how you took your own journey or help others to start theirs.

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Sites to Explore

www.storyofmylife.com

www.therememberingsite.org

www.lovely-life-plan.com/create-your-own-story.html

www.facebook.com/about/timeline

creatinglegacynetwork.com

www.mystoryart.com

Find your own voice to add your personal stories to your storytelling repertoire. In addition, you may find that storytelling doesn’t completely convey your story. You can add props in the form of drawings, dance, puppets or more to add another layer to your oral presentation.

 NOTE: To create a legacy for future generations, please see “Build My Legacy” as a continuation of this badge program.

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Steps

1. Why tell a story?

Stories can be used to inform, teach, entertain or just to keep a story alive. As you look through different ways to tell your own story, decide what your story ultimately does. If it doesn’t do as you’d like it to, think of ways you can add or remove things from your story to do reach your desired outcome. For example, if you’re looking to entertain, you may want to embellish some of the funnier parts of your story or use exaggerated movements to get a chuckle from your audience.

2. All in the family.

Family stories are often entertaining because we can relate to the stories through our own family members. List stories you’ve been told. Which would you like to retell?

3. It’s my life.

Each person’s life is unique. Your experiences and choices have created stories only you can tell. List memories that might make good stories.

4. Journals and scrapbooks.

Review any journals or scrapbooks you have for additional stories you might have forgotten. Add these to your list of personal stories.

5. Explore other possibilities.

Explore beyond your personal life. Ask friends for stories, ask for community tales or research cultural stories. Add your own voice to these stories. You may also find public domain works that you can incorporate into your own stories.

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Crafting your stories

6. Are you a comedian?

Some people find it easier to tell a funny story. Some never seem to get it right. Explore ways to bring humor into your stories. Is this something you’d like to include?

7. Non-fiction?

You do not have to admit a story is based your own life / experiences. You can embellish and change it from a non-fiction story to fiction. You can add elements that give it a genre flavor. Look through your stories and brainstorm adjustments that would change it to fiction.

8. Change your point of view.

Why tell the story from your point of view? Use an animal or inanimate object and tell it from another’s point of view. You can tell the story as it happened or pull the kernel of truth / moral you want from the story and adapt it to make it more “audience friendly.”

9. Single or series.

Your story may be single and self-contained. You may also find upon telling it that you want to make it part of a series. If you plan to create a series, keep notes so the flow of your stories are seamless and consistent. You might also want to record your stories and transcribe them for even more detail.

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Share your story

10. Telling your story — orally.

Review the variety of ways you can tell your stories orally. Choose at least two and try them out. Do not feel limited by this list.

• Oral live presentation
• Oral recording
• StoryCorps
• Puppet show
• Mask show
• Skits

11. Telling your story — artistically.

You don’t have to tell your story with words alone. Try at least one of these to embellish your oral story.

• Art journal
• Mixed media crafts
• Animated shorts
• Drawing / painting
• Dance / performance

12. Telling your story — written.

Writing your story allows it to last longer. You will have a place to go back when you can’t remember the particulars of your story. While you’re exploring the written word, explore the possibility of using written materials as part of your oral story as well.

• Traditional publishing
• Digital publishing
• Cartoons
• Word props
• Blogging
• Scrapbooks

13. Archive.

After all this work, you don’t want to lose your stories. Find a way to archive your stories.

14. Ask for feedback.

If possible, get feedback from your audience. Find ways to improve your performance, art or written works.

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Sites to Explore

createyourlifestory.com

createyourlifestory.com/podcast/difference-life-story-oral-history

createyourlifestory.com/2010/07/storytelling-skills-technique

www.tellingmystory.org

www.katedudding.com

www.storytellingarts.org/blog

Teabag folding is also known as miniature kaleidoscope origami. Originally, squares of patterned paper were folded and assembled to create a kaleidoscope effect. This is where we will begin our journey into teabag folding.

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Steps

1. History.

Teabag folding is a relatively new paper craft. It originated in Holland. Find out about the story of Tiny van der Plaas and how looking at materials in a new way can lead to something new.

2. Tea bag envelopes.

The first folded shapes were done with tea bag envelopes. Find out about what tea bag envelopes are available to you. Can you collect enough to start folding?

3. Equipment.

The equipment you need is very basic. Collect these items from around your house.

• Cutting mat
• Metal-edged ruler
• Craft knife
• Bone folder
• Paper adhesive / double-sided tape

NOTE: You can replace the cutting mat, ruler and knife with a cutter that has all these features. Depending on the model, having a light beneath the board can be beneficial.

4. Tea bag paper.

You can purchase teabag folding papers or use patterned paper, including gift wrap. You need to be sure that each square looks exactly the same. This will give the kaleidoscope effect.

The biggest issue you’ll have with your paper is where you will use it. If you intend on placing your item into a scrapbook or other media that requires archival control, you will need to purchase pre-printed or blank paper with this in mind. Most gift wrap papers are not archival.

5. Find tea bag squares / sheets online.

You can find free squares and sheets online. Do a search online to find a design / color you like and print it out. Make sure you have multiple squares of the same size.

NOTE: This badge has a supplement sheet, SUPP_GSTeabag.pdf, with a sheet and sample medallion.

6. Tips.

Here are a few tips before you start folding. Find additional tips online.

• Cut square as straight as possible
• Crease folds with bone folder for sharper edges
• Make sure you fold the squares the same way
• Runny glue will make your paper wrinkle
• If your squares aren’t perfect, do a bit of trimming after folding

7. Start folding!

There are a multitude of ways to fold squares. Start with the five folds on the AEP Supplement, SUPP_TeabagFolding.pdf. Check the links below or do a bit of surfing and find one that looks interesting to you. Fold a square and determine if you like the look.

8. Medallions / rosettes.

To create a medallion, you’ll typically need eight (8) squares of paper. They look best when the eight squares are identical. If you plan to place your completed medallion on a card, your square sizes should be between 1.5 and 2 inches. When assembling, some people like to do one at a time, others will do a set of two or three and allow them to dry before putting them together. Find what works best for you.

NOTE: Some patterns require a different number of squares.

9. Frames.

Frames are similar to medallions, except instead of making the pieces adjoin snugly at the center, you slide them out a bit, making the inside circle larger. Create a frame from your folded squares. You can use more than eight to make a larger frame.

10. Adding more variety.

You can adapt your basic teabag square with special scissors to give the outside edge a more “rugged look” or add a gem to the center of your medallion to hide the hole. Explore ways to adjust a basic teabag folded element with embellishments, creative edging and more.

11. Usage.

You can put your teabag folded items on cards, invitations, scrapbook pages, or give away as gifts. I’ve used them to embellish artistic trading cards and standard frames as well. Experiment and find more ways you can use this technique.

NOTE: If you plan on using these in a scrapbook, be sure to use archivally safe products.

12. Ornaments.

Add a string to the medallion in Step 8 create an ornament. You can add a special button, photo or other item to the center of your medallion to make it more festive. You can also use a frame (Step 9) to place photos into your ornaments.

13. Moving beyond.

To help advertise my first teabag folding class, I took 12-inch pieces of scrapbook paper and made a medallion. I placed clockworks on it and created a teabag folded clock. Though this craft is based on small items, don’t let it stop your experimenting.

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Supplement

SUPP_GSTeabag.pdf

     9-up squares with Girl Scout logo.

SUPP_TeabagFolding.pdf

     Five folds to start creating medallions.

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Sites to Explore

www.cardinspirations.co.uk/section.php/428/1/an_introduction_to_tea_bag_folding

pages.prodigy.net/rubyburns/foldtips.html

www.stamporium.com/html/instruct1.html

www.craftsitedirectory.com/craft/card-making/tea-bag-folding

britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/teabag/teabag.htm

mystudio3d.tripod.com/teabagnewfold.htm

www.squidoo.com/teabagfolding

www.ehow.com/info_8657436_tea-bag-folding-crafts.html

www.lilystubbs.co.nz/tips.html

Cryptozoology studies cryptids or animals whose existence is or has been questioned by the scientific community. Some people refer to it as “monster hunting.” Finding and proving the existence of these creatures is a great mystery to stimulate our imaginations.

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Steps

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Cryptids

1. Big Foot, Yeti, Sasquatch, Abominable Snowman — one cryptid, many names.

This cryptid is the most famous. In North America, it’s referred to Big Foot. In the Himalayans, it is the Yeti. The exact description varies, but in all descriptions it is a bipedal ape about 7′ tall. There have been numerous reports around the world. Find out more about this type of cryptid.

2. Loch Ness monster.

Nessie lives in Scotland. It is a dinosaur-like creature. A photo was taken and published in 1934, but there still is no proof that it exists. Many people have tried to find proof in Loch Ness (lake). Another dinosaur-like creature supposedly lives in Lake Champlain in the US. Find out more about this type of cryptid.

3. Chupacabra.

In relation to other cryptids, the chupacabra is new with first sightings in 1995. It is supposed to be between the size of a dog and small bear. It has been reported in Latin America and up into Maine. Some believe they are diseased coyotes. Find out more about this cryptid.

4. Ogopogo.

The ogopogo is believed to be in Lake Okanagan in Canada. Sightings have been reported since 1860. It looks like a cross between a dinosaur and a serpent. Find out more about this cryptid.

5. Jersey Devil.

The Jersey devil is believed to be a winged bipedal horse in the United States. It dates back to the 1700s. Claims of red eyes and a high-pitched squeal as well as many more claims are made every year. Find out more about this cryptid.

6. Mokele-Mbembe.

The mokele-mbembe is believed to be a reptile in the Republic of the Congo. This is a modern dinosaur with a body like an elephant and a long neck. Sightings go back to 1776. Many expeditions have failed to bring back proof. Find out more about this cryptid.

7. Mothman.

The mothman is believed to be a winged biped in the United States since 1966. It is man-sized and gray with glowing red eyes. Find out more about this cryptid.

8. Naga.

The naga is believed to be a large snake found in Thailand and Laos. It is a serpent which creates fireballs which raise into the air and disappear. Find out more about this cryptid.

9. Merpeople.

Many believe merpeople (mermaids and mermen) are hoaxes. They are said to be a combination of humans and fish that can be found in waterways worldwide. Find out more about this cryptid.

10. Do you own search.

Find out if there are any cryptids in your area. If not, find one that interests you and research it. How does it compare with the other cryptids? What proof exists?

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No longer cryptids

11. Platypus.

The platypus was isolated in its Australian habitat. George Saw wrote about in 1799. Its unusual physical characteristics prevented it from zoological acceptance for a long time. Find out more about the platypus.

12. Okapi.

The okapi in central Africa looked like a zebra or donkey. It is related to giraffes. It wasn’t officially described until 1901. Find out more about the okapi.

13. Giant squid.

Found in the ocean depths, reports of giant squid date back to Aristotle. The first confirmed carcass was in 1870, but modern researchers didn’t obtain one until the 2000s. It can grow over 40 feet in length. Find out more about the giant squid.

14. Komodo dragon.

This previous cryptid from Borneo wasn’t accepted until 1910. Living in an isolated area helped keep it hidden. Find out more about the komodo dragon.

15. Do your own search.

Find out a creature that was previously listed as a cryptid. Find out what happened to give it authenticity to the scientific community.

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Activities for kids

16. Color sheets.

Coloring sheets are a great way to introduce cryptids to kids. Pick a cryptid or two and find color sheets for them.

17. Design a cryptid.

Using Legos, clay, drawing or any other materials, create your own cryptid. In addition to a physical representation, also create a habitat and other descriptive elements for your cryptid. Remember the following:

• Cryptids tend to be found in isolated areas
• Cryptids tend to be solitary and avoid humans
• Cryptids tend to be small on land
• Cryptids can be animals believed to be extinct

18. Trading cards.

Make trading cards of existing or imagined cryptids. Include information to help identify your cryptid. Make copies to share with others.

19. Finding proof.

What kind of proof is needed to prove a cryptid exists? Explore the following:

• Eyewitness testimony
• Historical evidence
• Expert interviews
• News reports
• Footprints or other physical evidence
• Photographs
• Bones / parts of creature
• Actual creature

20. Collect evidence.

Learn how to make footprint casts, collect hair samples, document sightings and collect other evidence for scientific research. What tools do you need to collect evidence? Create a field journal to document your work.

21. Believers versus skeptics.

Pick a cryptid and look at both sides of a specific cryptid. If you are working with others, create two groups and have one present a believer’s point of view and one a skeptic’s.

22. Cryptid hunt.

Create a cryptid hunt for others to try. What “evidence” can be placed to find on the adventure? If you are unable to provide the actual experience, roleplay a cryptid hunt.

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Sites to Explore

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptids

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MonsterQuest

www.squidoo.com/legendary-monsters

www.newanimal.org

www.lorencoleman.com

www.unknown-creatures.com/index.html

listverse.com/2010/07/25/top-10-bizarre-cryptids

listverse.com/2010/08/13/top-10-cryptids-that-turned-out-to-be-real

www.toptenz.net/top-10-cryptids.php

io9.com/5814976/cryptids-that-turned-out-be-absolutely-real

www.thecolor.com/Category/Coloring/Cryptids.aspx

www.talesofthecryptids.com/content/blogcategory/4/3

I’m working on a badge program featuring activities you can do on a weekly, monthly or even staggered schedule with a varying number of people.

What do you do for fun with your friends?

When you are telling stories to others, you need many skills. Telling stories has a long tradition of passing information orally to listeners. Let’s learn about becoming a storyteller.

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Steps

1. Listen to storytellers.

Find a storytelling group or event in your area and listen to others tell stories. Keep note of what you like / don’t like about their presentations. This will help you craft your own presentation.

2. Keep a list.

As you hear or read short stories, keep a list of those you think would be good to create your own unique voice. Do not limit your story list to those you hear live. You can also check out audio books, YouTube videos and more.

3. Stories of the past.

Before stories were written down, they were kept orally. Look through stories of the past — tales, legends or even mythology. Explore beyond your own culture. If you find any that fit your tastes, add them to your story list.

4. Why tell a story?

Stories can be used to inform, teach, entertain or just to keep a story alive. Explore how you can change a story to make it inform instead of entertain, entertain instead of teach, etc.

5. Review your list.

Make sure your list includes a variety of stories. A mix of genres will give you more opportunities to tell your stories. Expand your list into additional areas if you feel you need to add other types of stories.

6. Working within a theme.

You may be asked to tell a story as part of a themed event. Make sure your list has more than just a list of names. Add in genres each story could fill as well as a brief description. Are you limiting yourself to one theme? If so, look to expand your list even further.

7. Know your audience.

The story you tell is greatly dependent on your audience. You don’t want graphic details for kids, but most adults are fine with them. Keep notes on how to adjust your story for a younger audience or how to add more depth for an older audience.

8. How to tell a story.

Learn how to orally tell a story. Read a book, follow a blog, etc. to see how others do it. Look at your list from Step 1 showing what you liked / didn’t like about the presentations you saw. See how others deal with these issues.

9. Join a storytelling group.

Join or start a storytelling group. Review the things you learned, notes you have, stories you’ve enjoyed, etc. How can your storytelling group help you or others?

10. Find a mentor.

If you’re uncomfortable with a group, find a mentor to help you with your storytelling skills.

11. Props.

Props allow you to have your story told by others, such as puppets, or to help set an atmosphere. It also helps your audience if you have multiple characters in your story. Younger audiences love props they can help with. Look through your stories and determine which can utilize props.

12. Adding actions and sounds.

Adding repeatable actions, sounds or phrases allows your audience to participate in your story. It grabs their attention. It gets them motivated. Find a story with these elements or create these in your own story.

13. Participate in a storytelling event.

Participate in a storytelling event. Discuss with others how they prepare to minimize stress and stage fright.

14. Create a storytelling event.

Create your own event and invite others to tell stories as well. Perhaps start with a small group and invite creative criticism.

15. Track of the past.

Keep track of your past storytelling activities including location, event name, date and ways to improve your performance / story. You may choose to archive your stories as well via audio or video recordings.

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Sites to Explore

www.storyteller.net

createyourlifestory.com/podcast/difference-life-story-oral-history

www.eldrbarry.net/roos/eest.htm

www.ehow.com/storytelling

www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/index.html

www.loc.gov/folklife/source/index.php

www.storytelling-nyc.org/tips.html

www.youtube.com

Earn badges by sharing your photos!

Harry Potter merchandise? They’ve got a badge for that.

Favorite mug? They’ve got a badge for that.

Early bird? There’s a badge for that too!

This application gives you a reason to get up and move. Best of all, you can share your ideas for new badges you’d like to earn.

Check it out at . . .
Got Badge!

Most social media sites are based on conversations, content and links. Pinterest allows you to share what you find on the Web by pinning the images on a board. Since Pinterest emphasizes images, make sure you choose images for your pins that are high-quality. Let’s visit Pinterest and find out more.

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Steps

1. Web content.

www.pinterest.com

Pinterest allows users to organize and share content they find on the Web. It’s more than a bookmark site, though. Go to the site and select “Everything” under the logo. Find one or more categories that interest you and browse to get a feel for the site.

2. Join Pinterest.

Currently, you need an invite to become part of Pinterest. You can email the site directly or get an invite from a friend who is already on Pinterest. Get an invite to Pinterest to continue exploring its features.

3. Tweak your profile.

Go to your profile and place information you want to share as well as your profile picture.

4. Boards.

Boards are similar to folders where you can place information into a system that makes sense to you. Want to collect ideas for your wedding? Create an event for your scout troop? Plan a trip? Share your favorite artist? Make a board for your interest.

5. Pins.

Each piece of content you place on a board is a “pin.” You can pin content you find on the site itself, called a “repin”, or you can pin anything you find on the Web. Go to “About > Pin It Button” and place the pin application in your browser. Pin some content into your board. Flash sites do now allow photos to be pinned.

NOTE: Make sure you select the board you want your pin on when you pin / repin to keep your organizing time to a minimum.

6. Description for your pin.

Leave yourself a note as to why you pinned it. That way, when you return later, you’ll have a reminder. Also, keywords will allow others to find your pin. Feel free to add hashtags at the end of your description as well.

NOTE: For items tagged from your own site, add a link back.

7. Follow.

You can follow people, they can follow you. You can follow one or more of their boards. Check out your friends and find out who is already on Pinterest or find others who are interested in the same things you are. Follow one or two people.

8. Videos.

At the time this badge program was created, YouTube videos could be pinned but Vimeo could not. Check some of the video offerings.

9. Etiquette.

Pinterest has a few rules you need to follow in regards to etiquette:

• Do not obnoxiously self-promote.
• Do not leave mean / hateful messages on other people’s pins.
• Do not share / tweet everything you pin.
• Do give credit to others.
• Do share / collaborate within Pinterest.
• Do pin individual post pages from a blog, not the homepage.

10. Collaborative boards.

Collaborative boards allow more than one person to pin items to a board. You can work together, plan a trip or any other collaborative project you can think of. Learn about collaborative boards.

11. Be aware of business.

Some people feel that business is too prevalent on Pinterest. While it is recommended not to pin your own materials / site on Pinterest and it is bad form to do so, some people do it anyway. You are free to follow / unfollow people and as well as individual boards. Compare businesses on Pinterest.

12. Invite a friend.

Now that you know a bit about Pinterest, invite a few of your friends to make the experience more enjoyable.

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Sites to Explore

www.pinterest.com

www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-tips-for-using-pinterest-for-business

mashable.com/2012/02/24/pinterest-non-profits/#view_as_one_page-gallery_box4427

makeanddogirl.com/2011/11/tutorial-how-to-collaborate-on-pinterest

Information in this issue:

• Open  Badge project
• P2PU
• Visual of all Adult Enrichment Project badges
• Argument for badges

Scribd is an excellent site to store and share files — or in their words — social publishing and reading. With over 50 million readers every month as well as more than 50,000 new documents uploaded daily, it can claim to be the largest social publishing company. Others have called Scribd the “YouTube for documents.” While not all content is free on Scribd, the variety of materials there is staggering — from fan fiction to music to activities you can do with your kids.

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Steps

1. Scribd account.

To download or upload items, you must be logged in. If you don’t wish to create an account, you can log in with your Facebook account. This will also allow you to follow organizations and individuals within Scribd who feature materials you want to follow.

2. Learn about Scribd.

Scribd has a few “Scribd 101” files that you can use to quickly get an overview of what is possible on the site. Look through one or more before continuing.

3. Free or not free.

Many of the documents on Scribd are not only free, but you can download a copy to your computer if you wish as long as you are logged into Scribd. Some documents are not free. Some are not downloadable. Look at the difference between the offerings that are “free” and “for pay.”

4. Explore.

You can explore the documents hosted on Scribd or the people associated with them without logging in. In addition, you can further narrow your search to categories, trending and topics. Explore one or more areas on Scribd to find documents that interest you.

5. Browse.

Unlike many readers, Scribd allows you to navigate their documents with your browser’s native functions. This feature works across all web-enabled devices including mobile devices and eReaders. Try browsing a few documents and see how easy it is to move through the document.

6. Readcast.

Readcast allows you to share what you’re reading across other social networks — Facebook and Twitter. This only works if you are signed up with them through your account. Readcasts are also posted in your Scribd feed.

7. Follow and be followed.

As you explore Scribd’s offerings, you’ll find people you want to follow. This is the same as any social media site. To follow (or to be followed) you will need to be logged in. Find a person who has more than one document that interests you and follow them.

8. Tags, collections and more.

Organization makes it easy for readers and search engines to find documents on Scribd. This is done in a variety of ways.

• Title
• Description
• Categories
• Tags
• Collections

Want others to find your files? When you upload, the information you provide helps others find your documents. Look how others have organized their offerings.

9. Upload.

Upload a PDF you have created. You can do this individually or use the Uploader for Windows with drag-and-drop capabilities. Files that can be uploaded to Scribd include:

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)
• Adobe PostScript (.ps)
• Microsoft Word (.doc)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)
• Microsoft Excel (.xls)
• Open Office Text (.odt)
• Open Office Presentation (.odp)
• Open Office Spreadsheet (.ods)
• Plain text (.txt)
• Rich text format (.rtf)

10. Revision.

No matter how careful you are, there is a possibility that a typographical error may be overlooked. Your industry or hobby may have changes that you need to include in your document. There are many reasons why you need to update your file. Scribd allows you to update your document without losing the stats already recorded by people who have looked at it. Follow the steps to post a revision to a file you’ve already uploaded.

11. More information.

After uploading or revising a document, you can do a variety of additional tasks to your files from placing them in collections to noting the copyright information. Review the types of information you can include with your files.

12. Selling.

If you are interested in selling your documents, Scribd will handle order processing, collecting money, reporting earnings and sending your payments for 20% of the sale price. You will need to set up a seller account. Read the terms in the Scribd Store seller agreement and determine if this is something you might want to do in the future.

13. Dashboard.

Dashboard is where you can get stats for the files you have uploaded. You can see who is looking at your files, where in the world they are and more. Check out your dashboard and find out what activities have happened with your files.

14. Float.

In July 2011, Scribd launched Float, an iPhone application. It allows you to read and share the digital reading service in coordination with Twitter and Facebook. It also allows you to read content from more than 150 publishers. They are adding mobile devices to this list. See if you have access to Float.

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Sites to Explore

www.scribd.com

www.scribd.com/scribd101

www.scribd.com/doc/60328014/Introducing-Float-Scribd-Blog-7-19-11

www.float.com

www.imguru.biz/search-engine-marketing/link-building/41-scribd-marketing-basics.html

www.pbs.org/mediashift/2010/05/how-to-pair-smashwords-and-scribd-for-ideal-e-book-strategy123.html

www.techiediy.com/how-to-embed-scribd-documents-in-wordpress