How I helped to get started - the most interesting thing I have done as a Local Guide.

How I helped to get started - the most interesting thing I have done as a Local Guide.

A friend of mine who is a confectioner was starting her own pastry shop in 2019. She got herself a beautiful store, all necessary equipment, a website with really great photos - but how can you get recognized? She already sold her very first cakes to friends and family members. But it turned out, its quite difficult to appear in a google search when you are just starting your business. So I decided to write a review about my birthday cake that I had bought from her.
When I submitted my review I got a notification that my review was the VERY FIRST review of her pastry shop - I had no idea that mine would be the first. It felt amazing.

A few days later my friend called me and told me how much impact my review already had: three more people added a review and her business became “visible” online. A year later she gets new orders every day and has more than ten reviews. And I was part of her start - thanks to Google Maps.

But Google Maps is not just about business. It includes all facets of life. For example: I live with my family in Munich where I knew all the area around our flat. But when I moved a few corners away I realized how much I depend on the information given on Google Maps to get to know my new living area, because I didn’t want to run clueless around with my dog and my baby. So I tried to get as much information online. And this information needed to be reliable and up to date.

One day I tried to find a playground in my neighbourhood. But there seemed to be none near by - although I live in a nice living area with lots of families. So I started to ask around - my friends and neighbours.

It turned out, there was a small, but hidden playground a few minutes away. You just couldn’t find it online. Only those who already knew the playground were able to find it.

So I decided to add this place to Google Maps so that everyone could find it. It took me a few days, first adding it to Maps, then waiting to get it checked and then adding some photos so that people can get a good impression of the playground beforehand. And - yepee - I did it! Now everyone can play on it- even those who just got started living there.

Being a Local Guide means starting new things and making an impact.

2 Likes

A friend of mine who is a confectioner was starting her own pastry shop in 2019. She got herself a beautiful store, all necessary equipment, a website with really great photos - but how can you get recognized? She already sold her very first cakes to friends and family members. But it turned out, its quite difficult to appear in a google search when you are just starting your business. So I decided to write a review about my birthday cake that I had bought from her.
When I submitted my review I got a notification that my review was the VERY FIRST review of her pastry shop - I had no idea that mine would be the first. It felt amazing.

A few days later my friend called me and told me how much impact my review already had: three more people added a review and her business became “visible” online. A year later she gets new orders every day and has more than ten reviews. And I was part of her start - thanks to Google Maps.

But Google Maps is not just about business. It includes all facets of life. For example: I live with my family in Munich where I knew all the area around our flat. But when I moved a few corners away I realized how much I depend on the information given on Google Maps to get to know my new living area, because I didn’t want to run clueless around with my dog and my baby. So I tried to get as much information online. And this information needed to be reliable and up to date.

One day I tried to find a playground in my neighbourhood. But there seemed to be none near by - although I live in a nice living area with lots of families. So I started to ask around - my friends and neighbours.

It turned out, there was a small, but hidden playground a few minutes away. You just couldn’t find it online. Only those who already knew the playground were able to find it.

So I decided to add this place to Google Maps so that everyone could find it. It took me a few days, first adding it to Maps, then waiting to get it checked and then adding some photos so that people can get a good impression of the playground beforehand. And - yepee - I did it! Now everyone can play on it- even those who just got started living there.

Being a Local Guide means starting new things and making an impact.

3 Likes

Hey @AlexKrei ,

Just wanted to let you know that I merged your two similar publications just to keep the forum organized. And as it seems to me that this is your application post for Connect Live 2020, I will move it to the Local Stories section which is the right place for this type of posts. Here you can find everything you need to know about writing a post for your Connect Live 2020 application. Don’t forget to review your final post and make sure you are not missing any of the points mentioned. If you are - feel free to edit your publication from the three dots and add them.

Since you are new I recommend you to check this topic for more information on how to navigate in the forum. Another helpful thread you can find here.

Thank you!