I starting contributing to Maps 3 years back. From then on, it has slowly become a hobby of mine. Now I really enjoy contributing for the maps. I now wish to click more great pictures of attractions, businesses and foods for Maps rather than clicking nice selfies for me. That is level of impact Maps contributions have made in me. I feel that contributing to Maps is also like giving back to the society. I use Maps and I wish I also give back.
It is also a great feeling when I see that millions of people read my reviews and see my photos and videos. Knowing that so many are getting benifitted by the contributions I make, is a pleasance. It keeps motivating me to contribute more and more and reach more people. The periodic mails and notifications from Google about my contributions reaching milestones, feels good and motivates to reach further. In fact this motivation also drove me into Croudsource and I am a level 9 contributor there as well.
It is kind of some proud feel when I tell my friends that “I am a Google Localguide” or “I am a Level 9 Google Maps Contributor”.
It is nice and interesting when I go to small businesses in sub-towns and villages and say I am a Maps contributor and want to take pictures of the business and write reviews, the business owners give wide smile saying they are happy that their business is going to have a recognision online and they very curiously ask about Maps and happily show items that I can click pics of and put on maps.
Reading experiences and stories in localguides connect and sharing my ideas with the global localguides community and getting comments and encouragements is great. The localguidesconnect is an awesome platform for the Maps contributors.
I will continue to keep contributing more and more and encourage my friends to become a part as well.