Hello everyone!
My name is Natalie and I am new to the Local Guides Community. I did not even realize I belong to such a community until recently I got an invitation to apply to attend Connect Live 2020 (hopefully we all survive and the event won’t be canceled). From that invitation, I found out that I am a contributor level 5 (saying this proudly!). Probably you are the one reading these lines and smiling right now (please, like this post and add a comment to let me know you hear me): “Listen, girl, you are a beginner level contributor. There is no chance you will be picked to participate in the event. There are so many major contributors.” But you know what - I still want to try.
I think I started to contribute actively to Google Maps about 5 years ago when I moved with my family to the United States from Ukraine (Kharkiv). We knew nobody and we have never been to the United States before, so we were like aliens that first landed on Earth. We started exploring a new beautiful place we have chosen to live in. We were blessed to settle in Bellevue in Washington state, an evergreen state with fantastic nature and kind friendly folks. So, because we were new, we had to find out where to go shopping, where to buy food, where to go for fun and what are the most amazing outside activities. I used different sources of information and shortly I realized that the only reliable source of information I can trust is Google Maps.
By the time I started actively using it I felt I want to give back. I have a habit to check companies information, especially working hours because usually, it is crucial when you make plans. Then I started adding my reviews which were more like travel notes. I used to read the reviews to understand what is the reason for negative comments and often the reason for the low rate is wrong expectations (mostly high expectations). I don’t feel good by writing negative public reviews on Google maps. I always give the chance to the owner to improve by sending a private message. Once I wrote an email with feedback to one small WA local coffee chain. I got an answer in 10 min. And in a week they send me a gift card as an appreciation of making efforts to help them grow. So, my mission in Google Maps is leaving comments - notes with tips, ideas that could help to plan the visit to this particular place. Sometimes one simple photo can be more vocal than thousand of words.
I love sharing information. It is like connecting dots in connecting dots puzzle. I feel I contribute to the huge databank, open to anybody who is looking for the information.
All Local Guides contributors bring magnificent value to Google Maps by investing their time, thoughts, efforts, feelings. My only motivation is being aware that my reviews or photos do help somebody.
I like these monthly reports and highlights Google Guides sends to us and thank you to everybody who is standing behind it. Thank you for the invitation to apply to attend Connect Live 2020. After I got it I feel more committed to keeping posting on Google Maps and feel belonging to the great community of Local Guides contributors.
I thought you might enjoy the beautiful views of Washington State.
