Think Before You Link
Todd Edmands
System Engineer
Boulder, Colorado
Squidoo: How did you decide what to make your lenses about?
Todd: I picked subject areas in which I have experience -- and others that I am actively learning. My lenses reflect my interests, my knowledge and myself. As a system engineer, I use hardware and software technologies to solve problems. Home automation is an engineer’s response to their kids leaving lights on all night. Model rocketry is a hobby where I can use my engineering skills to compete with other rocketeers -- and spend quality time with my kids. And kite flying is my way of relaxing, getting fresh air and avoiding engineering entirely.
S: You mentioned learning about new subjects. Does making a lens about a new topic help you learn more about it?
T: Starting a lens is a commitment to researching and organizing content about a topic. Making a new lens definitely helps me learn about a subject because I review all of the resources I find on the topic and then pick the ones that will add the most value to my lens.
S: Do you maintain a web site or blog otherwise?
T: I've been running web sites from home for seven years, a simple one of my own and others for my clients. Being a system engineer, I get a lot of practice maintaining web sites and hardware at work. I don't have a blog yet, but after reading the Blogging Starter Checklist lens, I will try to get one started soon.
S: What about that lens inspired you to start your own blog?
T: First of all, I've been impressed by all of Rajesh Setty’s lenses. The Blogging Starter Checklist lens provides nice step-by-step instructions on what to do to enter the world of blogging. His lens sticks to its topic and contains relevant content.
S: What have you done with your lenses that you can't do elsewhere?
T: It's not that I can't recreate my lenses and their content elsewhere, it's that I wouldn't want to create them elsewhere. Squidoo provides a community where the voices of subject matter experts can be more easily heard over the chatter of pages fighting for page rank within Internet search engines. If I had not discovered Squidoo, I may not have even chosen to share my experience and knowledge. The modules allow for rapid site development and the linking of a lens into a wide range of Internet resources.
S: How do you think lenses are different than other web sites?
T: Every web site has a unique design and the organization of each site’s content differs dramatically. These differences can make locating information difficult. Within a Squidoo lens, I can locate information more quickly given the consistent page layouts -- and knowing where to expect the lens content frame. The consistent presentation makes for a more relaxing browsing experience.
S: What do you think the proximity of other lensmasters brings to the experience?
T: It gives me the feeling that I have joined a community of people who want to share information -- or their insights on the world. Squidoo has given lensmasters a palette of tools, and it's fun to watch how each of us use these tools to create a piece of the masterpiece.
S: Have you taken any cues from other lenses so far?
T: I took many cues from existing lenses based on whether I thought the lens was valuable or felt a connection to the lensmaster. I use the “Add to Favorites” button while browsing and review these lenses for ideas on how to best present lens content or build a connection with the reader before creating a new lens. Some of the best help I've received has come from reading and posting questions in the SquidU Lensmaster Lounge.
S: What about a lens makes you feel connected to a lensmaster?
T: They might be discussing a familiar topic. Maybe the lensmaster has a great presentation style. The best connections come when a lensmaster is an expert and provides valuable content. This is signified if I add the lens to my favorites or track the lens via one of the alternative methods.
S: What advice or ideas would you offer other lensmasters?
T: Please take the time to rate each lens that you visit if you have the time to evaluate it. As the Squidoo community grows, it will be increasingly important that relevant lenses are returned when a user submits a search. That will build trust in the Squidoo user community and make Squidoo a popular destination.
I have seen many lenses that just contain links to external sites on a topic, but they have very little or no comments added by the lensmaster. Establish a trusting relationship with readers by displaying your knowledge of the subject matter throughout your lens.
S: What are some simple ways people can do that?
T: State why you've created your lens in the introduction section. Are you a subject matter expert or simply building a lens as you explore a new area of interest? That can help the reader have a realistic expectation of what they might learn from your lens.
Also be sure to include relevant external links relating to the subject matter of your lens. Have you evaluated the information presented in the resource you are linking to? Does it match the intention of your lens? Does your lens content apply to all of your chosen tags?
And be sure to proofread your site and verify that your links work correctly. Readers may not return to your lens if it's not a valuable use of their time.
