Google for Nonprofits Blog: Get started with Google Earth through step-by-step tutorials

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Get started with Google Earth through step-by-step tutorials

Friday, April 5, 2013

Using maps is a powerful way to visually share data and truly make your story come alive. Our partners at Google Earth Outreach are constantly helping nonprofits share those stories. For the last two weeks, they’ve joined us and shared how your nonprofit can get the most from Google Earth Outreach through tips, stories and Hangouts on our Google+ page. In case you missed any of that information, check out the tutorials below to learn step-by-step how to build, not only maps on Google Earth, but also presentations and movies.
1. Create your own interactive map on Google Earth. Follow the tutorial below to show your users and donors the impact you’re making in a particular area. Enhance your map by adding placemarks, paths, polygons, photos and YouTube videos.
2. Overlay an existing map in Google Earth. If you have a map image such as a trail map or political map that you’d like to bring into Google Earth, check out this Hangout to learn how to overlay your map in Google Earth and customize it to better tell your story.

3. Build powerful presentations using Google Earth. Google Earth can help you make compelling presentations by adding unique views and perspectives to your locations. Check out this video to see how you can visually walk stakeholders or the public through your story.

4. Make your own movie with Google Earth. Guide your viewers through an issue or project by creating an animated movie in Google Earth. This Hangout will show you how to record your movie and share it with your users.

Need a few more examples to help you get started? We hosted a fifth Hangout with previous recipients of Earth Outreach Developer Grants. The grantees discussed the work their organizations do and how they're each using Google Earth and Maps for good. To learn more about how they are using these products, watch the Hangout. To find out more about the Google Earth Outreach Developer Grants, visit this site.

If you want to see more Google Earth Outreach tutorials, visit the Google Earth Outreach site. And if you have questions as you use Google Earth, check out the Google Earth User Forum and post your question there.