Written by Brenda K. Johnson, Author, Coach & Speaker
Brenda K. Johnson is a multi-focused retired U.S. Army Officer and businesswoman who has lived and worked internationally. Brenda grew up in a single-parent home with a business-owning mother. She has volunteered with many veterans and prison reform organizations and is currently a Keystone College in Pennsylvania board member.
I never consciously planned a path to online prominence. My Google Maps involvement began organically, a simple act of documenting my travels with photographs. The impetus remains elusive. I didn't aim for photographic mastery. I’m no professional. My purpose was far humbler: to communicate the essence of the places I visited, highlighting culinary delights (and disappointments), accommodations, and overall ambiance.
I've often secured budget-friendly hotels only to confront stark discrepancies between their online imagery and reality. However, I have initiated meaningful dialogue with numerous establishments by contributing up-to-date photographs that directly challenge misleading representations. My candid reviews have prompted both apologies and expressions of gratitude, transforming a personal project into a surprisingly impactful platform. By the way, I no longer stay in budget-friendly hotels!
How to start
Embark on your journey to becoming a Google Maps authority by establishing an account. Then, start sharing compelling imagery of noteworthy places. Document your encounters at restaurants, both those deserving accolades and those needing improvement. Chronicle your fast-food experiences, highlighting culinary triumphs and disappointments. Offer candid assessments of hotels, celebrating havens of hospitality and exposing underwhelming accommodations.
Detail your gas station discoveries, noting fuel bargains, appealing concessions, or unsanitary restrooms. Share your opinions on unique boutiques, differentiating between exceptional finds and those that fall short of expectations. Evaluate airports, lounges, eateries, waiting areas, and other noteworthy amenities. Finally, contribute your insights on any location you believe warrants public attention, whether your experience was positive or negative. Your authentic perspectives will shape the Google Maps experience for others.
Authorization unnecessary
Permission is not required. Most enterprises, particularly new and small businesses, eagerly welcome the enhanced visibility my service provides. While I currently offer this assistance free of charge, I am exploring the feasibility of future monetization.
My experience shows that approaching small companies with my proposal, especially when I highlight my substantial online reach, consistently leads to positive results. I have yet to encounter a refusal.
How do I know what will get views?
Predicting which businesses will attract significant or minimal online attention is impossible. I was astonished to discover that several of my photographs garnered over 100,000 views.
Google Maps consistently provides me with monthly performance updates via email. For example, I recently received approximately 400,000 photo views in a single month, which was both remarkable and unexpected. Google’s emails detail photo viewership and the number of reviews, showing top engagement.
How most people get paid
Many individuals generate income through Google Maps by directly approaching local businesses and proposing a valuable service. This service often entails a fee in exchange for comprehensive business profile optimization and Google Business Profile (GBP) claim management. Claiming a GBP involves accessing Google Maps via a computer or mobile device, locating the specific business, and initiating the claim process. After clicking "Claim this business," the claimant navigates the verification procedure.
Some entrepreneurs leverage this strategy by preemptively contacting business owners to secure payment before undertaking the optimization and claim work. However, this highly localized and individual approach inherently restricts scalability due to geographical limitations and proximity constraints. While functional, this method felt profoundly inadequate. I sought a more efficient and impactful solution.
A groundbreaking technique has been discovered. However, this approach will remain undisclosed in my forthcoming publication, How to Become a Google Maps Influencer: Unlocking the Secrets of Google Maps, a comprehensive guide poised to redefine the landscape of online mapping dominance.
The influencer age
We inhabit a world dominated by influencers, many of whom are handsomely compensated for their online presence. A potent strategy for cultivating a significant following and enhancing your reputation is leveraging the power of Google Maps. By consistently contributing high-quality photographs and insightful reviews, you organically ascend Google's ranking system, expanding your reach and visibility.
Geographic limitations are irrelevant. Everyday locations offer abundant opportunities. Document your experiences, whether it is a gas station with an attached convenience store, your local supermarket, or a brief shopping trip. Capture compelling visuals and craft concise, engaging reviews to upload to Google Maps.
My own experience is a testament to this approach. I meticulously photograph my surroundings, uploading images promptly or as time permits. The results have been astonishing. Several of my contributions have garnered over 135,000 views, and I consistently achieve over 400,000 monthly views. The growth potential is truly remarkable. The journey begins with a single step.
Read more from Brenda K. Johnson
Brenda K. Johnson, Author, Coach & Speaker
Brenda K. Johnson uses her years of experience as a military training officer and business owner to write and share her professional heartfelt experiences as a co-author in Intuitive Living. Her chapter entitled “S + S = Success” elevates women leaders, providing them with the tools to achieve their ambitions. As the founder of Advice4good, Brenda coaches and mentors people, empowering them to live their business dreams and contribute to the world by assisting others.
