The Local Guides program has had a significant impact on my life since I got involved five years ago. To me, being a Local Guide means friendship, giving back, and friendly competition.
Through my involvement in the Local Guides program, I’ve made friends from far away places like Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Italy, and Nigeria, to name just a few. I’ve never been a part of something so global before. Through the friends I’ve made, I’ve learned so much about culture and diversity. Since I’ve only ever traveled domestically, I have a lot I can learn from others. Local Guides have introduced me to their customs, favorite treats, and passions. Ultimately, this program celebrates our differences while also uniting us by what we have in common: our love for exploring and trying new things!
I love how being a Local Guide allows me to help others. Specifically, I’ve been able to help small business owners by adding their locations to the map, and I’m able to help their potential customers by leaving reviews to help guide their decisions. One of my most helpful reviews is for Bleecker Street Pizza, and it’s intriguing that it’s been so helpful. I think it may be because of the explanation I gave about a common New York City menu item. It could also be that I provided context about what to expect within the restaurant which is different than it appears from the outside looking in.
I also love the friendly competition I get from being a Local Guide. The monthly email gives exciting information about how many people I’ve helped, and if a place I’ve been with a friend is highlighted, I love to forward the email to show them the specific difference my contributions are making. Sometimes, my boyfriend @DLappy and I will compare our photo and review views for places we visited and reviewed together. Usually, when it comes down to the numbers, I win! I always encourage him to give more details in his reviews to help him. We also each have our own lists we maintain of places to visit in New York City, and we talk about keeping our “want to go” lists fresh as we learn about new places.
Editor’s Note: This post was written to help demonstrate the kind of posts that are requested as part of the Connect Live 2020 application process but the above authentically represents my Local Guides experience
Local Guides for me , I broke up with my boyfriend (LOL) do everything with by my self , Google maps and local Guides bring me to explore many places with many experience .
Thank you for sharing the story about healthy competition between you and @DLappy @ , that’s really great that you both are giving your best efforts and guidance for millions of people. It’s a truly an inspiring story.
@brittym nice to hear your story about Local Guides program and glad to be featured in the photo as well
For me, Google Maps is a great companion when I plan to travel, while I’m on the road and after I come back from my trips (to share photos and write reviews for others). Together with Local Guides, they are perfect combination to help contribute tons of useful information to people all over the world. I made so many lovely friends from joining this program and that makes my life meaningful and incredible.
@brittym You are rights what I thought about this community. I made so many friends in a different country from this community which is my best achievement. Many guidelines, best selection ideas also got from this community. Thanks for inspiring!
Hi @brittym You are Right! I just sharing some national and international friends. I love your post and Thank you very much for great post sharing with us.
Aww. . . That’s so adorable of you and your boyfriend being Local Guides together! Isn’t that awesome?! @brittym
You totally captured what Local Guides mean to a large number of us. That monthly mail that shows your achievements and the impact of your contributions makes you want to do even more.
For me, the connections and relationships through the LG program are invaluable and now forms a family of like-minded people.
Great article @brittym . I loved the way you included a screenshot of your review so I could really understand the level of local detail included. Indeed, I would have no idea what ‘Grandma’s slice’ is, so would find a review like this very helpful. Sometimes it’s including the detail that you might think is kinda obvious that is really helpful to others. You’ve given me something to think about to improve my own contributions. Thank you!
@brittym very nice post! I am so grateful I got lucky to find this program last year… Being a Local Guide for me is pretty similar: Friendship, learning, and Fun.
I’ve got to agree with @JustineE - your special touch of explaining what a “grandma’s slice” is in your review even taught me something new, and also provides another element to think about when writing reviews. I can imagine how many people I could help by explaining what a “cafecito” is .
But really enjoyed your post as it tied the personal elements as well @brittym - I’ve also never traveled internationally (in this case, I won’t count cruising haha), so I’ve been able to learn so much about other cultures and traditions from other Guides, virtually and physically.
I think the most interesting point that I think about after reading your reflection is how critical (yes, critical) GMaps and Local Guides is in my daily life - from commuting and avoiding terrible traffic to deciding which place I want to add to my own “want to go” lists - GMaps and Local Guides is essential to my travels and exploration.
i still didn’t make any friends here. i started contributing last year and i’m almost LVL10, i’m so excited to meet Local Guides from around the world and know about different cultures! @brittym
Love to read about your friendly competition but even more about the friendship. The worldwide family, so different people and culture but just like a unique passionate family, so sweet .
Aww. I wish I can be part of this community too…I am a newbie here and I hope I am welcome here coz honestly i wanna be part here and im loving sharing something here in google map. Of course part of it is I’d love to meet new people from different places, make new friends as well
Great post @brittym ! It’s definitely a nice reminder of what we do and why we do what we do! I too have met loads of folks and made new friends through the Local Guides program and I’m always learning so much from them! So totally grateful for the experience so a massive big thanks to the community here and locally!
@NikkiNerona Everyone is a newbie at some point! Glad to have you in the community and hope you’ll be able to make new friends here too! The best way is to write a few engaging posts (ask for feedback/comment) and making sure that you reply to the comments left there. There are some interesting active folks here that you can have lively discussions And if you can attend/host meetups that can be quite fun too!
Hi @user_not_found . Making friends here can take a little time, but the key is to keep learning and keep posting. I had a look at a few of your posts and most are just one or two lines with some photos. May I suggest writing a little more about your posts in order to engage people’s interest, and perhaps think about ending some posts with a question and asking people to make a comment. Of course, also read other LGs posts, engage with them and make comments too. I hope some of these things will help. Feel free to tag me in your next post so I can read it. Take care.
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coz honestly i wanna be part here and im loving sharing something here in google map. Of course part of it is I’d love to meet new people from different places, make new friends as well 