Interview with RMS
Guest Editor Glen spends some time raving with Robin, as they discuss ideas, traffic, and advice for newbies.Glen: Where did you first hear about Squidoo?
RMS: I heard about Squidoo in a private forum, from a colleague of mine. Thanks Pondlady! Her lenses were bringing a substantial amount of traffic to her micro site and she was kind enough to share that information with the group. I started Squidooing as a way to grab more traffic of my own but quickly realized the earning potential Squidoo offered. I made more in my 3rd month at Squidoo, then I did at the site I had worked 4 years to build. That’s when I got serious about Squidoo and making lenses.
Glen: Where do your lens ideas come from?
RMS: My lens ideas literally come from everywhere. I’m beginning to think it’s a sickness and I might need help. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t look at anything without thinking of it in terms of creating a lens. Most normal women will go shopping for clothing or accessories, I go shopping to see what’s new or different so that I can rush home and be the first to grab that great URL name. I ask my kids what’s popular with their age groups. I listen to my friends, neighbors, family and even strangers for new ideas. I’ve gotten ideas from magazine articles, news broadcasts and television shows. Reading the subject lines of newsletter emails I receive is another great way to determine what is popular at the moment. When I got 3 emails in a row all shouting about ways to save money at the grocery store, I couldn’t help but make a lens called Budget Friendly Meals. Glen: Do you start with an idea and then figure out how to monetize it, or start with a product and then figure out how to promote it?
RMS: My best lenses always come from ideas first. The monetizing part comes later on and is always the hardest part for me. In fact, I usually publish new lenses with very few money-making modules, then go back and edit to add the saleable items. I’ve experimented with making lenses based around products but unless it is a product that I am highly excited about, I usually find I have very little to say and those lenses never see as much traffic as my idea based lenses.
Glen: What is your own favorite lens and why?
RMS: I only get to choose one? That’s hard. At my Our Favorite Squidoo Lenses Group, I give the group members three choices and they find that difficult. I favor many of my lenses for different reasons but if I’m pressured into choosing only one I’d have to say Tuscan Gardens-By Design. That lens was one of my first. It basically wrote itself and has consistently done very well both in ranking and sales. In retrospect, I think Tuscan Gardens is to blame for my Squidoo addiction.
Glen: What are you doing to generate traffic to your lenses?
RMS: I try to get as many backlinks out there as possible. I use Squoogle, Lensroll, and Isle of Squid in addition to Zimbio, and Squidu. I also use links in my signature lines at any forums I visit and I include a link to my lensmaster page at the bottom of my outgoing emails. Promotion is not my strong point and I’d appreciate any useful suggestions offered.
Glen: What success secret can you divulge?
RMS: Ask specific questions at Squidu. Don’t just drop into the forum and say, “Hey come check out my cool new lens.” or “Come critique my awesome lens.” Ask specific questions, such as, “Do you think the duel module on this lens should be placed above or below my guestbook?,” and you will receive many different useful opinions and advice from experienced lensmasters pertaining to the placement of duel modules. Not only will asking specific questions help you make the lens in question better, but it will help you make all of your future lenses better too. I have learned most of what I know about quality lensmaking and html this way.
Glen: What three things would you impart to a brand new Squid newbie that will set them on the right path from the start?
RMS: Make lenses on topics you are passionate about. Keep your lens on topic, don’t wonder off into other areas. If you find yourself wondering away from the original topic, make another lens. Ask good questions at Squidu.
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