I fell into local guides by accident as I was working with a couple of local businesses getting their Google Business Profiles set up.
Also at the time I was working for a popular tourist location in San Antonio, Tx and found a lot of value in using both the Google Business Profile and in conjunction Google Maps to get wandering tourist to my location by promoting the weekly events on both.
It turned over the clientele and even the local business bureau noticed the difference pre-Covid.
Since then it’s my best kept secret and I’m willing to share with anyone who is willing to listen. Lol!
As a business I work to get small businesses online and create their digital footprints; which in San Antonio their is still a huge digital gap.
I take it day and day but as an individual I’ve enjoyed how Local Guides work and how it does make you a part of the community with other digital users.
Lately people ask, “why do you look familiar,” and my response has been, “did you look this place up on Google Maps? Probably saw a photo or video of me there.”
I love my city and while I’m looking to move, I think promoting San Antonio will always be a goal of mine. Especially the little places that might not have a budget to compete with corporations.
That’s how local guides can help preserve the uniqueness of their cities.