This is the first of a series on casually contributing content to Local Guides. Open communities such as Google Local Guides Connect and Google Maps offer users the opportunity to contribute their original content to promote locations that they love, help showcase under-sung local heroes and celebrate businesses that make living where you do more meaningful. At a glance, it seems like you need to be a 20-something techno-savvy young person with an expensive camera and lighting equipment in order to contribute, these posts are about casually contributing photos and videos that you take quickly and without any forethought.
I’m not interested in becoming a YouTube star, but rather to demonstrate that with minimal effort, you too can participate in a thriving online global community, receive feedback and a sense of connection with the world at large that just feels really great. It’s an amazing hobby with a low cost barrier to entry. All you need is the phone you most likely already own and access to the Internet. Perfect lighting and sound are less important than a knowledgeable guide sharing localized insights about a place in the world. Take a photograph/video using your smartphone on your next hike or walk to the grocery store and start contributing today!