Responsibility, Having Fun, Friendship: What does the Local Guides program mean to me?

[myparmaksiz]

Although I have been a local guide since April 8, 2018, it feels like Google Maps, and I have known each other for so long . Therefore, being a successful Local Guide means so much to me. But the first three significant things are responsibility, having fun and pioneering.

Responsibility:

Thanks to the local guides program, I feel much more responsible both for the Google Maps users and businesses​:adult:‍ , and trying to “make the world a better place.”

Right now, I have 224 followers, 316.433 review views, 442 likes , and 9.2 million photo views on Google Maps. People in Turkey are using my reviews as a signal for their decision before visiting any restaurant, cafe or park. Especially after attending Connect Live 2019, I became a much more careful reviewer and a better photographer (I mean my badges :)). Considering that people from all kinds of demographics use my reviews for their decisions made me a pickier local guide as times goes by. For example, I started to use emojis in my reviews just to be understood by all ages.

Having Fun:

The best part of being a local guide is, of course, having fun . Local Guides program allowed me to discover new places to earn more points via “quality over quantity” contributions. Through this goal in mind, me and my wife always looking for new places to visit on weekends, and it makes our life much more colourful , fun and refreshing.

Friendship:

I have organized many meetups to increase the awareness of the local guides program and increase the quality contributions in Turkey. Through these meetups, I have come across many like-minded and friendly people that I would not have to meet them without the Local Guides program even we’re all in Istanbul.

Also, I met many friends from all around the world , thanks to Connect Live 2019, and it is fantastic that we still talk to each other via messaging apps and support our local meetups.

In conclusion, local guides is a total game-changer for my life. I hope we can survive the coronavirus pandemic asap and meetup in the Bay Area in October 2020. #connectlive2020

Connect Live 2020 Application, Google Local Guides Yalcin Parmaksiz, #LocalGuidesConnect

My list for Connect Live 2020 > https://goo.gl/maps/3mzbHwcVCWnNBDyT8

[myparmaksiz]

Hi @TheEagleEye & @Carioca_local & @ShahriarAzadEvan .Thanks for liking my post

[LuigiZ]

Hi @myparmaksiz ,

very nice post with a lot of dedication, you are definitely a successfully Local Guides! Keep it up, good luck and hope to meet you again … we will survive to the virus .

[Cecilita]

Hi @myparmaksiz !!

Nice post!! As you say… Local Guides program change our lives! It is incredible!

I love the loughs at the begining of your video!

Good luck and I hope to see you in the Bay Area this year!!

[myparmaksiz]

Hi @Cecilita ,

thanks a lot. I hope both of us can attend Connect Live 2020

[myparmaksiz]

Hi @LuigiZ , thanks from your positive comments. If we have a chance to go to Connect Live 2020 together, I would like to take many selfies with you

[myparmaksiz]

Hi @ShahMdSultan & @SaifIS , thanks for liking my post. By the way, I will post “Turkey Virtual Meetup” recap in a couple of days

[OSAMA]

Bro @myparmaksiz ! It was amazing meeting you in connect live, wish you all the best,hope to meet you again this year

[SaifIS]

@myparmaksiz Waitng for the recap. It was great meeting Turkey local guides.

I hosted a virtual meet-up today. Here is the recap.

[myparmaksiz]

Thanks @OSAMA , I also wish to see you again on SF. Fingers crossed

[myparmaksiz]

I have just read your recap @SaifIS .Next time, I would like to attend your meetup as well

[SaifIS]

@myparmaksiz Me too. Looking forward to meeting again.