Methods of Story Collection

Capturing stories in Folktale can be done in different ways, depending on the needs of your project. Whether you're gathering insights from individuals or enabling ongoing contributions, this guide will help you understand the available collection methods and how to use them effectively.

📍   Who is this for?

This guide is for anyone managing story collection in Folktale, helping you choose the best method to gather meaningful contributions while keeping the process simple and organized.

🔑 What permissions are needed?

  • Log in required
  • Admin or Insights Manager access

Collection Methods in Folktale

Folktale offers three ways to collect stories:

  • Story Invitation – Directly invite individuals via email to submit their stories.
  • Community Link – Share a public link to gather stories from a broad group of contributors.
  • Story Preset – Provide a structured template for Field Reporters to capture and submit multiple stories anytime.

Each method serves different needs, so understanding how they work will help you streamline your collection process.

Story Invitation

A Story Invitation is sent directly to Contributors, specifying the type of story requested, its purpose, and the deadline for submission.

Key Features:

  • Sent via email or shared as a Community Link.
  • Contributors must submit their story before the invitation expires.
  • Admins and Insights Managers can track responses and send reminders.

🎓  Learn more: Create a Story Invitation

Community Link

A Community Link is a shareable URL or QR code that allows anyone to submit a story without requiring an invitation.

Key Features:

  • Ideal for broad participation without manual invitations.
  • Contributors can submit their stories as a Guest or with a Folktale account.
  • Helps gather insights from larger groups quickly.

🎓  Learn more: Create a Story Invitation

Story Preset

A Story Preset provides a predefined template that Field Reporters can use to capture and submit multiple stories over time.

Key Features:

  • Field Reporters can submit stories whenever needed without waiting for an invitation.
  • Stories can be recorded offline, allowing collection in remote or low-connectivity areas.
  • Presets remain active until disabled by an Admin or Insights Manager.

🎓  Learn more: Create a Story Preset

FAQ:

Story Invitations vs. Story Presets

Understanding the difference between Story Invitations and Story Presets helps ensure stories are collected in the right way:

  • Story Invitations → Sent directly to Contributors for one-time submissions before a set deadline.
  • Story Presets → Available to Field Reporters for ongoing, multiple story contributions.

Both options support meaningful storytelling while ensuring clarity, privacy, and ease of use.

By choosing the right method, you can ensure a smooth and efficient story collection process in Folktale. Need help? Visit our help center or contact support at support@folktale.io.