*Confirmed again on Feb. 20, 2019*
I never understand why companies continuously change their procedures. What’s worse, most don’t explain the new procedures to their customers. Google is guilty of this when it changed how to make a Google map with pinpoints. As of March 5, 2015, here are the new steps:
Log into your Google account (e.g. Gmail). Note: all maps you create will be saved to your Google Drive.- Go to google.com/mymaps or google.com/maps/d.
- Choose Create a New Map. From here, there are numerous ways to begin.
- For example, you can type in a location in the search bar at the top of the screen. That location will be noted with a green pin. To add it to your map, click on the green pin and choose “Add to map.”
- Repeat step four until you have all the pinpoints added.
Google allows you to have multiple layers, each with its own set of pinpoints, on one map. You automatically start with an “Untitled layer” (rename by clicking on the three dots and choosing “Rename this layer”). Add more by clicking on “Add layer.”
In addition, Google allows you to import a list of locations saved as a CSV, XLSX or KML file. Under your layer, before you add any pinpoints, click on “Import.”
We’ve been hired last-minute to generate publicity for numerous projects and events–for example, we were brought in to do PR only a few days before a restaurant’s grand opening–so we know it is challenging, but not impossible, to work under such a short timeline. However, individuals and businesses should do themselves a favor and plan well ahead to lay the groundwork for marketing and PR.