Hi !!!, hope you´re doing great and staying safe in this worldwide pandemic, wherever you are.
As I said in other post comments here in connect, we have the opportunity to capitalize this time staying at home, to improve our Local Guide’s skills, so when this pandemia ends we have a big chance to continue mapping the world with more power than before.
The goal of this post is to help the newcomers or maybe to refresh for the others some important items about one of my favourite section of Local Guides Connect, and is based on my personal experience.
I have divided it in three parts:
- What is the Idea Exchange board – What is the purpose?
- How can I post an idea
- My tips for submitting an Idea
What is the Idea Exchange board – What is the purpose?
The Idea Exchange Board is nothing more than a simple section of Connect where you can share your thoughts to improve something or help the community. Don´t be scared, don’t be afraid, you have the opportunity to share an idea with the community and be able to open a discuss to improve the categories that we all love. You have the opportunity to change opinion with other Local Guides, Googlers and Connect Moderators. There are six categories to submit an idea:
Google Maps |
|---|
Connect |
Perks |
Meet-ups |
Local Guides |
Other |
The ideas goes through the support of the Local Guides community by votes, always monitored by Googlers, the vote in this section is with a similar button than other sections but is a hand with thumb up.
The most popular ideas (with more thumbs up, with more votes) rise to the top, and who knows, it might become reality.
There are plenty of ideas of Local Guides like you and me that they come true and now we are enjoying these improves.
For example: 
You can now follow posts about your favorite locations on
Another example from an idea of L.G. @EmekaUlor : Introducing-new-Connect-badges-for-meet-up-hosts
How can I post an idea?
First, is very important before submitting your idea, to look into the board if another Local Guide have submitted the same idea or a similar one before you.
This step is the the most important, is essential:
first not for duplicating ideas
second cause if you find the same idea, you can support it with your vote and even suggest your own thoughts to the poster of the idea.
To find existing ideas you have to search here with key words that may describe the idea:
1° If you didn’t find a previous idea, then you have to click on SHARE YOUR IDEA button:
2° When you click SHARE YOUR IDEA it will appear six categories where you can express your thoughts.
You have to choose only one of the categories and then put a title to your idea.
Try to name your idea as close as possible what you are going to transmit in the main description, using simple words, and being clear.
3° Finally the last step, you have to make a clear description of what do you want to improve, which new feature you think it would be useful, which option do you find not clear and how to improve it, which new badge or perk do you think it would be motivational for Local Guides, etc.
My tips for submitting an Idea
- No idea is silly or useless as simple as it sounds, but remember to describe an improvement or how it would help the community.
- Always search carefully if someone has submitted a similar idea before.
- If you have any doubt before submitting the idea , ask the opinon of a fellow Local Guide.
- Post only one idea per post. Read carefully your text and if you have expressed more than one idea, do another post. ( One idea per post)
- Write your idea first in a text processor like Google Documents https://www.google.com/intl/es_AR/docs/about/ and read and re-read your idea. You can also use Google Drive https://www.google.com/intl/es_ALL/drive/ .
- The idea is going to be read by many people, so use simple words and structures and don´t forget to add examples, and if it is necessary screenshots.
- If a Googler ask you for more information , take your time to read your idea again and give soon the neccesary feedback, they are always able to help you with the process.
And if you have any doubt I let you below a very helpful post about the I/E Board :
How do I use the Idea Exchange and what happens to my ideas 
Finally please help me with your comments, If I have forgot something important?
And I would like to hear if this post helps you…?
Thank you, happy quarantine, please continue smiling at home cause all together we will beat this pandemic.
Best wishes!
¡Ojalá y tu estés bien!
