How to become a Microsoft MVP for beginners

Do you know what a Microsoft MVP is and how to become one of the best professionals in the Microsoft technology community? The Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award is a prestigious title given to individuals who do not work directly for Microsoft but have made outstanding contributions, shared knowledge, and supported the Microsoft technology community worldwide.

In this article, you'll discover how to leverage every opportunity – from participating in forums and industry conferences to creating content on YouTube – to showcase your passion and expertise. Tiptory will also guide you on how to build relationships with Microsoft employees and current MVPs to get nominated, as well as the secrets to professionally maintaining your MVP title for 12 months.

Part 1: How to impress Microsoft: Building a standard MVP profile

Step 1: How to become a Microsoft MVP?

If you are passionate about and deeply knowledgeable about Microsoft products, you can absolutely become a Microsoft MVP – an award given to those who widely share their knowledge and experience about Microsoft.

The main criteria for becoming MVP:

1. You must not be a Microsoft employee: You must be an external Microsoft employee.

2. Microsoft expert: You have in-depth knowledge of a Microsoft product, technology, or research area.

3. Passionate about sharing knowledge: You actively communicate and help the community using your Microsoft knowledge.

Step 2: Focus your expertise on the right MVP award categories.

• The Microsoft MVP award is divided into different professional categories.

• There are currently 11 categories, such as “Windows Development,” “Artificial Intelligence (AI),” and “Technology for Developers.”

• Each category is further subdivided into numerous “contributing areas” (ranging from 5 to over 15 areas), making it easier for you to focus your expertise on the field you excel in.

• For example, the “Microsoft Azure” category includes areas such as “Azure Backup & Recovery” or “Enterprise Integration.”

• The list of award categories may change, so you should regularly check for the latest updates at: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/Pages/mvp-award-update

Step 3: Answer questions on technology forums to build credibility.

• A simple and effective way to demonstrate your passion for helping others is to answer Microsoft-related questions on technology forums.

• This is also a great way to build your reputation and become a trusted source of information for many Microsoft users.

• Since the MVP award is categorized by expertise, you should focus on answering questions in the area you are most knowledgeable about.

• However, occasionally providing additional support in other areas also demonstrates your enthusiasm and passion.

Step 4: Participate in presentations or technology workshops to increase credibility.

• Participating as a speaker or guest speaker at technology conferences and events is an effective way to share knowledge with the Microsoft community.

• You can reach dozens to hundreds of people at the same time, helping to spread your influence quickly.

• This is also important evidence to impress the MVP award organizers.

• Don't forget to record information about the events you attend, such as location, time, topic, and number of attendees.

Step 5: Write a blog post, article, or book to share your knowledge.

• Writing blog posts, professional articles, or books is a great way to showcase your passion and expertise.

• The content you write will help you impress the nominators and the MVP award organizers.

• Keep complete records of your published articles and books as proof.

• For example, if you "write a book" about OneDrive, that would be a huge plus!

• Don't underestimate blogging – it's a quick and valuable way to reach a large audience.

Step 6: Share the technology tutorial video on YouTube and other platforms.

• If you're good at explaining Microsoft products like Office 365, leverage this skill to create tutorial videos, reviews, or share your knowledge on YouTube.

• Videos help you build a large following and enhance your credibility within the community.

• Connecting with the community through various channels is a plus, but more importantly, it allows you to reach a wider audience.

• If your videos are getting a lot of views, focus on developing that channel to increase your influence.

Part 2: How to get an MVP nomination from Microsoft?

Step 1: Build relationships with current MVPs and Microsoft employees.

• To be nominated for the Microsoft MVP award, you need to be nominated by an MVP or a current Microsoft employee.

• Therefore, the more connections you have with these people, the higher your chances of being noticed and nominated.

• Technology conferences are ideal places to meet and introduce yourself.

• Prepare a brief introduction to highlight the qualities that make you worthy of being the MVP.

• You can look up the current MVP list (over 3,200 as of June 2019) at: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/MvpSearch .

Step 2: Ensure you get nominated for MVP.

• When you impress an MVP or Microsoft employee enough, they may nominate you to the MVP committee.

• Being nominated is a huge achievement, but it's just the first step on the journey to winning the award.

• You can proactively ask for nominations, but think carefully because some people may not like this approach.

• If the nominator is unclear about the procedure, direct them to the official nomination page: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/Nomination/nominate-an-mvp .

• Don't forget to send a sincere thank you to the person who helped you with the nomination – they've been a great help!

Step 3: Prepare supporting documents for your MVP nomination.

• After being nominated and passing the initial screening, the organizers will ask you to provide evidence to support your nomination.

• They need to see concrete evidence to confirm that you deserve the MVP award.

• Microsoft keeps the review process confidential, so you can't know the details of how they make their decisions.

• Ways you can prepare your application include:

  • List the seminars you have presented at, along with the number of attendees.

  • Statistics on the number of tutorial videos on YouTube and their views.

  • Clearly list the articles and books you have published related to the field of contribution.

  • Select the best answers from the technology forums you've participated in.

Step 4: Answer questions from the MVP organizing committee.

• After your application is reviewed, the organizers may contact you for further information.

• Please answer fully, honestly, and confidently, highlighting your achievements and passion for sharing knowledge.

• For example, they might ask for more details about the topics of the presentations you attended or your opinion on a specific Microsoft product.

• The process from nomination to final decision typically takes at least 90 days due to the large number of nominations.

Part 3: Microsoft MVP: The 1-Year Journey and How to Successfully Renew

Step 1: Adhere to the Microsoft MVP Code of Conduct.

• Becoming a Microsoft MVP isn't about joining a "club," it's about receiving a prestigious award.

• This award may be revoked if you do not behave professionally in accordance with the code of conduct.

• The rules contain nothing surprising, and you can view the details at: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/Pages/mvp-code-of-conduct .

• Some reasons why an award might be revoked include:

  • Harassing, insulting, or discriminating against others.

  • To defame Microsoft or its employees.

  • Violation of confidentiality agreement.

  • Plagiarism or impersonating a Microsoft employee.

Step 2: Take advantage of the benefits of being a Microsoft MVP.

Besides the prestigious title, Microsoft MVP also enjoys many practical benefits such as:

• Early access to new Microsoft products.

• You will have the opportunity to work directly with Microsoft product development teams in your field.

• I accepted the invitation to attend the Global MVP Summit, held annually at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, USA.

Step 3: View the MVP award as a one-year term title.

• The Microsoft MVP award is valid for one year.

• You can hold onto this title for longer by being nominated for and winning the award consecutively each year.

• The prize will end if you:

  • Return the prize yourself.

  • The license was revoked due to a violation of the code of conduct.

  • Join Microsoft.

• For example, when someone calls themselves the "8-Year Microsoft MVP," it means they have received the award eight times in a row, or not eight times in a row, not that they have held the award once for eight years.

Step 4: Strive to win MVP next year, just like you did the first time.

• Immediately after receiving your first MVP award, plan your next contributions to secure further nominations.

• Each year, your profile will be re-evaluated based on the enthusiasm, knowledge, and expertise you share.

• Those who hold the MVP title for multiple consecutive years are always striving to improve and maintain their influence within the community.

Step 5: Participate in the MVP Reconnect program for former MVPs.

• During their tenure as MVP, they often build both professional relationships and friendships.

• To help former MVPs stay connected, Microsoft created the “MVP Reconnect” program—an online forum that makes it easy to stay in touch.

• You are eligible to participate if:

  • As a former MVP, he left the program in good standing (without having his award revoked).

  • Still adhering to the MVP code of conduct.

  • I don't work for Microsoft.

• If you receive the MVP award again or work at Microsoft, you must leave this program.

• You can come back if the status changes again.

Translated by: Rene Lee Nguyen .