How to become a Microsoft MVP, find a Microsoft MVP, nominate a Microsoft MVP, and more

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imageLast week there were a number of announcements and congratulations being made and passed around online as numerous announcements of new and renewed Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) we being made. It is always an exiting time when these announcements are made and quite often, it is also a time when several questions seem to come up. This past week was not exception.

For instance, here are a few of the questions I have seen or received:

  1. What is a Microsoft MVP?
  2. How does someone become a Microsoft MVP?
  3. How many Microsoft MVPs are there?
  4. What type of Microsoft MVPs are there?
  5. How can I see who the current MVPs are?

To help answer these questions, not only for those that have asked me directly, but also for all of those who might have these questions but haven’t asked yet, I thought I would post this information here on the blog.

1) What is a Microsoft MVP?

MVPs are independent experts who are offered a close connection with people at Microsoft. MVPs reflect Microsoft's global customer base and the breadth of Microsoft's technologies. The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is an annual award given to outstanding members of Microsoft's technical communities based on contributions made during the previous 12 months to offline and online Microsoft-related technical communities. MVPs are independent of Microsoft, with separate opinions and perspectives, and are able to represent the views of the community members with whom they engage every day.

2) How does someone become a Microsoft MVP?

The MVP Award recognizes exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who voluntarily share their deep, real-world knowledge about Microsoft technologies with others. MVPs make exceptional contributions to technical communities, sharing their passion, knowledge, and know-how. In total, Microsoft MVPs answer more than 10 million questions each year. Potential MVPs are nominated by other technical community members, current and former MVPs, and Microsoft personnel who have noted their leadership and their willingness and ability to help others make the most of their Microsoft technology. You can find out more about becoming a Microsoft MVP, as well as how you can nominate someone to become a Microsoft MVP HERE.

3) How many Microsoft MVPs are there?

Of more than 100 million users who participate in technology communities, around 4,000 are recognized as Microsoft MVPs.  

4) What type of Microsoft MVPs are there?

Currently, there are MVP awards awarded in over ninety technology areas. You can see a list of many of the Microsoft technologies that MVP awards are granted HERE.

5) How can I see who the current MVPs are?

Microsoft provides an online Microsoft MVP Awardee directory that contains a listing of all the MVPs that want to share their information publicly.

For more information on the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) program, you might also want to check out:

Congratulations again to all of the newly named and renewed Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals and thank you for all that you do!

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Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

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