It gives you directions. It tells you how long it takes to get to work. It even tells you if there’s a speed camera ahead. But for me, Google Maps is so much more than an app that gets you from point A to point B. It adds to the community, and it connects people.
I’ve always had a strong desire to help others, and found that people frequently looked to me for recommendations. I also became one of those people that’s always taking pictures of food…but with no real purpose. As a Google Local Guide - I get to be an influ__encer, blogger, photographer, travel expert, advocate, and connector all in one place. It’s become a platform for me to do the things I love, be a voice, contribute, and share in a meaningful way.
I love sharing all things food. What Local Guide doesn’t, am I right? I want others to light up, have their eyes roll back, and feel that endorphin high (the way I do) when they take a bite of something truly remarkable. So, even if I’m one in 60 million, and I only m__ake a difference in just one person’s food experience; I have done my part, and contributed in a small way.
I’m passionate about using Google Maps, and also love sharing the ways I make it the hub for all things travel, food, and planning. So, here are my tips on how to make it your most used app too!
-
Lists - This is how I get to be a travel expert. I share the places I’ve been, and make recommendations. I used to create spreadsheets for places I’ve been, why it’s awesome, and with addresses! Now, I can easily organize and share my list, without worrying about directions (because, Google Maps).
-
Shared places - This is how my boyfriend (Ian Macdonald, Local Guide Level 8…almost 9) and I get to connect. We collaborate on lists of places that we want to try together (he also gets all the credit for me becoming a Local Guide). We build our lists, vote on places, and then plan the next date night (now, if only we can add more than 25 places)!
-
Events and For you - This is how I get to stay in the know. I can easily see events that are happening around me, read articles about the places I love, and add new places to my “want to go” list.
-
Your contributions - This is how I get to be an influencer, blogger, photographer, and advocate. I’ve been doing this for just over a year now - I have over 6.6M views on my photos, 3K photos posted, 329 reviews made, 118 videos posted, 43 replies from businesses, and 2 free cocktails acquired (from a restaurant that knew we were Local Guides)!
I hope this has inspired you to use Maps in more ways than getting from point A to point B. I’m so proud to be a Google Local Guide. I don’t “do it for the gram”, I do it for the reviews! I hope I see you all at Connect Live 2019!
Kelly Ngo
Google Local Guide
Calgary, Alberta, Canada