Passion is undeniably the driving for behind every successful individual. Passion for reviewing is my case and it has lead me to explore and reveal a lot which my not have ordinarily be known timely.
Southern Nigeria is a City called ‘Port Harcourt’ where I currently reside. Due to it high metropolitan status, some buildings ain’t structurally arranged accordingly, making it difficult to locate many places.
Gladly, I was born with a desire to research and grew up to be a blogger at ‘Xycinews’ where I use my SEO knowledge to review sites and products.
Discovering the Google Local Guide program changed things drastically, and I will mention seven (7) awesome things I have being moved to do.
1- Visual and Media Invitations
Honestly, if I knew nothing about the Google local guide program, I will never have invited anyone. With my WhatsApp TV, Blog and Visual interactions with friends, am proud they are deriving joy in helping map users navigate easily wherever they are.
2- Aerial View and Better Photography
I well know image tells a lot, as a local guider, I have gone the extra mile to pay for photography class. This has helped me aimed at the best shot which will be clearly visible to users looking for a particular location.
3- Faced Threatening Charges and Arrest
This is a long story. I actually use my mobile device for blogging and photography due to unavailable funds for a camera.
Once I took images of a hotel without permission, my phone was seized and I was threatened to be arrested. I almost regretted be a Local Guide, but I keenly explained to the manager and her was happy with me. He approved his guards let me go and commended me.
“When I was your age, I was gambling not helping people find hotels and roads” - Hotel Manager.
4- Remote Journeying
What do you do when free ? As a Medical related student, I have a lot on my desk to read before the next lecture. Anyways, unregreatable I have spent some of those precious time to walk to remote shops in my campus to verify their names, website, phone number to help students trying to locate any of them. Charitable work for passion “lol”.
5- Recognition
Proudly, I am well recognized as “The Blogger Scientist”, reasons are obvious. From among my fellow students, to the Departmental President and his Excos and including my HOD and fellow Lecturers, am know for blogging and Map Reviewing.
This paved a way for me to represent my University in a National Departmental Debate where I took first (1st) Position.
6- Google Recognition
Conclusively, this is the most important thing that has happened to me as a Local guide. Sometime early this year, Google rewarded me with a Parcel. I felt so cherished and happy my hardwork is truly noticed and I was rewarded.
Thank You Google, I will always make you proud.
To you reading, being a Local Guide is an unregreatable decision and I commend you. If you ain’t in yet, take the bold step now.