Hello Connect!
I can’t really remember how and why I became a Local Guide, but I somehow found myself in those shoes! I have been contributing to Maps since last year or 2017 and it has been a wonderful experience for me so far. Now, onto the subject of the post - what I love sharing most on Google Maps.
How it all began
One day in 2018, I opened my app while in a local beverage store and noticed that the store wasn’t listed on Google Maps. I was surprised because it was a fairly large store with some reputation in the area. I did not want to bother the owner about the details so I simply decided to add it myself. A few typing and photos later, I had successfully added my first location online! It got approved some minutes later and I received a congratulatory mail from Google saying that my addition was live. That was how my ‘quest’ began.
I know that Businesses have to leverage on the technology around them and even include tech in their business model. According to a digital marketing course I took with Google, businesses that are listed online are more likely to drive traffic to their stores. That is why I make time to list as many small businesses as possible - and that is what I love doing most.
Photos of some places I added and edited (photo alert!)
1. Kobis Eatery - this place is great for delicious jollof rice, fried rice and other food and snacks. You can grab a quick bite or eat a full meal here. It’s one of the places I enjoyed editing.
2. O.K. Fashion House - this place may not be the most glamorous fashion shop on the grid, but it does make great custom outfits. This is one of the small businesses that are going out of their way to make things work.
3. Klin Kut Gaming Center - this is where most young people come to spend idle time on FIFA and PES video games. It was interesting to note how many customers Klin Kut gets every hour.
So what part of this do I love?
I am an introverted extrovert who finds it easy to talk with strangers - and I love talking to the owners of the businesses I am listing on the Map. Most of them are grateful to me for helping to enhance their business, but some of them do not care (a very tiny percentage!). I love being able to help people achieve their dreams and business goals, and I know that Google Maps is a sure fire way to give these businesses visibility and hopefully, competitive advantage in the very competitive business world.
Sometimes it feels weird to sit in a shop and take pictures to upload, but the love I have for small businesses pushes me to keep adding them up and expanding their opportunities on Google Maps and online.