July 6th, 2008
Hey Happy Squidooers!
Here in the US, summer has barely begun, but for some kids, it’s nearly half over! You know what that means: back-to-school season.
This year, don’t be boring with your back-to-school lenses. Try something new. Here’s a short list. Steal ideas and enjoy!
- college related movies
- themed paper supplies
- gifts for teachers and bus drivers
- healthy classroom snacks
- holiday craft projects
- school uniform resources
- best camouflage backpacks
- personalized stationery
- dorm-room cookware
- tips for working your way through college
- microwavable recipes
- fun science projects for kids at home
- after-school snack recipes
- online reference materials
- emergency contact tips
- calming kids’ fears
- memorization study tips
- best books for age levels
By starting your back-to-school lenses now, you’ll have a chance to build them over time and promote them. So pick a niche, make a lens, and get started with Casts and Tweets!
Learn more at SquidU.com.
Squidfully yours,
~Kimberly
Squidoo’s Community Organizer
May 9th, 2008
Hello Lensmasters!
The question is often asked on the forum, “How long is too long for a lens?” The answer varies, depending on the topic of the lens, the target audience, the types of modules, etc. However, if you are thinking about breaking your lens into smaller parts, or creating new ones to showcase new information, additional lenses can boost your linking power and give you new opportunities to get found online.
This week, Giant Squid Jaguar Julie teaches us how to expand your lens repertoire by creating new lenses from old ones.
***
Making New Lenses Out of Old Lenses
As Squidoo fanatics, many of us have loooooong lenses that we developed on our favorite topics. Is this the best way to go? There’s nothing wrong with a few long lenses, but many smaller lenses to compliment them can be very powerful as well.
When your readers notice that you have several lenses on one topic, they’ll be more interested in seeing what you have to say. “The more you have to say about one topic, the more people will think you know about it.” says Kimberly Dawn Wells. And, not only that, but “more lenses equals more links equals more opportunity to be found.”
You can take what Kimberly says “to the bank” as your Squidoo royalties will increase with more focused lenses too! How does that work? Read on to find out.
Making multiple lenses from an EXISTING longer lens
What is a ‘long’ lens anyways? While you can see top-rated lenses that have 30-40 and even more modules, that can be a bit too many modules for a focused lens. It’s a matter of whether or not each and every module within that lens contributes to the lens primary topic. If some of the modules appear to deviate from the primary topic, than these modules would be great for a second or third more focused lens! Once you have identified your long lens that you want to split, let’s get started!
- TIP: Print a copy of the long lens first!
- Mark up the printed copy, identifying which modules will be copied to the new lens(es).
- Use the printed copy as your guide to keep track of your progress.
At the moment, there is not a utility that can copy modules from an existing lens to a new one. You will need to manually copy and paste, but this is a pretty easy task if you have a great long lens to work with.
- Open your long lens in edit mode so that you will have access to any special code in your modules that you want to copy to the new lens.
- Open a new browser tab or window and create the new lens.
- Add and rearrange the modules in your new lens that you want to copy from the long lens.
- Copy and paste from the long lens to the new lens.
- Add any necessary new copy to your new lens and publish!
- Delete the modules you no longer need on your long lens, rearrange modules if necessary, and publish.
- TIP: Be sure that you have added the featured lens module to both lenses so that you can reference the other lens!
- Don’t forget to lensroll to AND from the new lens for more traffic!
Making multiple NEW lenses
For those of you who have access to the Create a Lens Template**, this is a super easy way to create multiple lenses which focus on different aspects of a single topic.
- Select and rearrange specific modules
- Write your customized biography and upload your portrait
- Add your tags
- Set up your charity and cash options
Once you have finished setting up your custom template, you publish it. Your template is then available for using with the lenses that you want to have the similar modules.
** - only Giant Squids currently have access to the template. Learn more here!
Some examples of shorter, more focused lenses
A popular type of lens is the lensography, a compilation of a lensmaster’s lenses. However, a lensography can get to be the epitome of a long lens especially for Giant Squids who are quite prolific! Jaguar Julie Lensography was my first lensography and it has a lot of modules.
While it does meet the criteria of a focused lens, it also benefited by being split into more focused lenses or lensograpies. So, I opted to create several lensographies that were more focused in topic.
- Jaguar Julie Fashion Lensography — variety of trendy fashion and accessories lenses.
- Jaguar Julie HMB Lensography — Hey Monkeybrain lenses.
- Jaguar Julie Hungarian Lensography — variety of slightly ethnic, definitely EasternEuropean, and very HUNGARIAN lenses.
- Jaguar Julie Jewels Lensography — varietyof artsy jewelry lenses.
- Jaguar Julie Video Showcase Lensography– video showcase lenses.
Examples of longer lenses
To know me is to know that one of my passionate core topics is Eastern Europe. My “made in” lenses have been some of the most passionate lenses that I have lovingly created. These are the lenses that have some of the most modules of any of my lenses. Made in Bulgaria — Francesco Biasia, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste and Perry Ellis is the shortest of the long lenses in that I split out a portion of this lens to create a second, more focused lens, Made in Bulgaria — Lalo Orna.
In summary
More good lenses = more good content = more good exposure = more good readers.
Learn more about how Jaguar Julie is expanding her publishing power through highly focused lenses and categorized lensographies.
***
How do top lensmasters keep up with a constant flow of new lenses?
1. Make a list of specific topics you want to cover.
2. Schedule days for new lenses.
3. Create a system - claim and fill in basics on day one, add new content on day two, fill in links and moneymakers on day three, publish and promote on day four, lather, rinse, repeat.
Several lensmasters have recently announced their goals and successes for making money and boosting traffic with Squidoo. Ready to join the ranks? There’s never been a better time to get started!
Enjoy and prosper,
~Kimberly
Your Community Organizer on Squidoo
May 4th, 2008
People. They are the driving force behind what makes Squidoo the awesome place it is. This week, it’s only fair we pay tribute to them.
1. Five fabulous people we know and love
2. How to create a lens about YOU
3. Tips to consider for protecting your online security
People suggest new tools, share new ideas, and help each other become better. This week, consider sending a note of thanks to the people who have helped you.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
~Kimberly
Your Community Organizer
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
1. Five Fabulous People We Know and Love
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
The SquidU forum is a great place for getting to know your fellow lensmasters. This week, we have interviews from five fabulous fellow forum frequenters to share with you. In just a few minutes, you’ll get to know these extraordinary lensmasters and learn tons of tips about traffic and tagging, making more money, and reasons to stick around.
- Jazzing it up with Janet21
- QuippingQueen’s Mental Floss
- Highly Focused with Oniyagi
- Passionate Potter KilnGoddess Tells All
- Interview with RMS
Be sure to leave them a note to say hi!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
2. How to create a lens about YOU
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Imagine. Your boss goes online to Google you and see what a great job you’ve been doing. Gasp! Nothing comes up! Could this be? It doesn’t have to. With Squidoo, you can create your own custom online presence in no time.
- Create an “about me” lens
- Try SquidWho on for size
- Give a Lensography a shot
Squidoo makes it easy to create a lens about yourself. In fact, make several!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
3. Tips to consider for protecting your online security
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Lensmaster and safety expert kellfinder shares some tips for keeping your information safe online, while still letting people get to know you:
The Internet has become so many things to a huge population of people. It is a source of entertainment, a source for news and information and a whole new way to do business. As with most things in life, there is usually some bad to go along with the good, and the Internet is no exception. Once something has become the norm, it is easy to let your guard down and that could cost you a lot.
The biggest threat to you comes from releasing your own personal information. The degrees of harm vary from receiving non-stop spam mail to actual identity theft. There are many individuals that prey on this type of information. However, some violations of privacy come from actual websites themselves.
As social networking sites have grown in popularity, some of those sites have found ways to use your information to their advantage. One way to protect yourself would be to read the terms of service and privacy agreements very carefully. Although this might seem like a very tedious task, it is important to discover if they have something buried in their fine print that is not in your best interest.
Another way safety has been violated through the Internet is from the use of online classified ads. Advertising in this manner can be extremely effective and safe as long as you take the proper precautions. Never give out your whole name, your phone number or your address. If you meet someone after a purchase, always do it in a public place and with a friend. A classified ad site that has a community to go along with it also adds protection by taking away the anonymity factor.When it comes to building and managing your lenses on Squidoo, there are some precautions to be taken as well. First, the golden rule applies of not providing personal information on the lens. Second, take care when responding to an inquiry made through your lens. It would be a good idea to do a Google search first of the name of the person who contacted you, their email address and their company’s name. Find out who you are dealing with before responding.
Quick Tips:
- Read the terms of service and privacy agreements before joining any site
- Keep your address and any financial information to yourself
- Use a social classifieds network rather than anonymous classified ad sites
- Do some research on who you are dealing with before responding
You can find further information on protecting your personal information and privacy in the links to my lenses. They also contain information about safe site choices and groups for advocates of safety.
Learn more about kellfinder through her Internet Privacy and Safety Advocates Group.
April 25th, 2008
Want more traffic to your lenses? Who doesn’t! Giant Squid and veteran lensmaster jeffwend has put together a list of several sites he uses to generate traffic to his lenses.
***
After using Squidoo for about a year and a half, I have found there are several things users can do to help generate quality traffic to lenses from other websites and search engines. One of the most important things you can do is create incoming links to your lens through various Web 2.0 sites.
The first step is to get organized. I created a folder in my browser tabs called Web 2.0 sites. From there, I place the various Web 2.0 sites that I use after signing up and creating accounts. As soon as I publish a lens, I make my way down the list and create links to my lens from each of these sites. Give it a try!
The sites I use most often are listed below:
- Facebook.com – This is one of the best ways to get traffic to your lens. After creating an account, search for groups on your topic. Once you join the group, you can often add the link to the group page. If this option is not available, start a discussion and ask a question with your link as a reference or you can do the same thing on the wall. The key is to not spam the group! Be sure to make quality, relevant comments that add to the group and not take away. Remember that both your name, and Squidoo’s name is at stake. I have seen several lensmasters get chastised for posting spam comments with links to their lenses. This really looks bad and is a big no-no.
- MySpace.com – MySpace is another popular and effective way to gain traffic and links. Post a link to your lens in your intro or any of the other About Me modules. Start a blog through MySpace and leave reviews of your lenses as you create them. Again, the key here is to add quality content. Quality content is the way to captivate viewers and get them to take action by visiting your lens.
- YouTube.com - It is insanely easy to make a video and post it on YouTube. Sign up, add your video, and insert several keywords and keyword phrases to attract viewers from search engines and YouTube searches. Add a link to your lens and give a call to action in the video’s description. YouTube is well loved by the search engines and a great way to pick up traffic.
- Answers.Yahoo.com - You need a Yahoo email address to log in (free to get). Then, you can either ask a question about your lens’s theme or topic and add a link and wait for the answers to pour in, or you can search for questions on your lens’s topic and post an answer with a link to your lens. Again, the key is NOT to spam. Make your comments or questions sound “real” and remember to add to Yahoo Answers with quality input.
- Clipmarks.com – Clipmarks is very easy to use, and even comes with a button you can add to your browser. To use it, click the button, highlight some text from your lens, and hit save. From there you add a quick review and keywords.
- Del.icio.us - Del.icio.us is a popular bookmarking service. Squidoo makes using this site easy – there’s a Del.icio.us button on every lens! Don’t forget those relevant tags.
- digg.com – On digg.com, people share what they feel is the best stuff on the Net. Squidoo has a digg.com button on each lens. You might generate a little bit of traffic through digg, but the trick to getting real long-term traffic, and links from blogs that pickup on digg, is by putting up plenty of quality links and news stories. You want to digg more than just your own lenses. digg what you consider to be the best of what the web has to offer and others will soon follow you by friending and reading your posts.
- Faves.com – Faves is a really easy way to pick up links, and also offers a browser button. After publishing a lens, I hit the Faves button and add it to my list. When you Fave your lens, you can rate it, add tags and leave a review.
- Feedbite.com – With Feedbite you create what is called a bundle, or news blog. Write a couple of paragraphs on the topic of your lens and put the link to your lens in the title of the short article. Others will vote up or down your article and the most popular articles get a pretty decent amount of traffic.
- Gather.com – Gather is a very active community of writers. To use Gather effectively it is best to write a short article of original content. You can add links to your lens in the keywords placed within your article. Here, you will find nice and helpful people who love to read and review articles and stories.
- Hubpages.com – Hubpages is a popular site where you create a Hub, which is basically an article. Within the article you can place a link to your lens in a keyword. The key to Hubpages, like Gather, is writing quality original content and not abusing the link system by over doing it. Hubpages shares their AdSense revenue with members, which is a nice perk.
- Mixx.com - Mixx.com’s tag is “your blend of the web”. Submit a link to the mix for others to vote up or down and leave comments. This site is extremely easy to use and it only takes a moment to add a link. Remember to use good keywords when submitting your link, as this helps the right people find your lens.
- Reddit.com – Reddit is much like Mixx.com. It is very easy to add your link, a quick review, and keywords.
- Stumbleupon.com – There is a Stumbleupon button on each Squidoo lens and you can also add Stumbleupon to your browser. Give a lens a thumbs up or down, add keywords, and leave a comment. Stumbling your lens can really bring in a decent amount of traffic if used effectively.
- Twitter.com – Twitter is a site where people meet, share their thoughts, make friends, and talk about what they are doing. The key here is to take part in the community. Do not simply post link after link to your Squidoo lens. Instead, join in discussions, talk about what you are doing, and from time to time, talk about the lens you may be working on. (Learn more about using Twitter for Squidoo)
- Zimbio.com – Zimbio is great! It is very easy to submit your lens and add it to a related group. You can also use your RSS feed from squidutils.com to put your lenses on autofeed - bonus!. Search engines like Zimbio, and I have been able to track sales directly coming from Zimbio traffic.
There are other sites to help build links and traffic for your lenses, but these are some of my favorites. You can use these to help your lens get indexed quicker, to gain traffic, and to become more search engine friendly.
One last thing: I cannot stress enough how important it is to be responsible with Web 2.0 sites. Megan made a great post about this on the Squidblog. Do not spam, and do not pester others. Instead, contribute with quality content. Be nice to others and leave comments and reviews of others work, as this will help to gain the trust and have others follow your work in return.
Thank you jeffwend for sharing your traffic tips! The three keys are:
1. Quality content is mandatory
2. Don’t spam!
3. Contribute as a useful user
Get started with any of these services today, and watch your readership grow.
See what jeffwend is up to!
April 3rd, 2008
Goooood morning Squidooers!
It’s a brand new month, and to kick things off, how about a rejuvenated version of the SquidU Review? While in Wisconsin it’s still snowing (yes…crazy!) spring fever has attacked Squidoo, and lensmasters are furiously dusting off old topics and bringing them back to life. What’s more, they’re finding new ways to promote themselves and their lenses by participating in new, interactive promo opportunities through Squidoo! Keep reading to find out more about what I mean.
What else is going on at Squidoo?
1. Become a master of the new max layout
2. New month, new Angels!
3. Quick note on WIP
4. Oh, Zuzanna…interview of a lensmaster
5. Where are we, and what’s in it for you?
Our lensmasters aren’t just on Squidoo, they’re on MySpace, Twitter, Blogger, and a dozen other places. Read on to find out how you can benefit from spreading out on the internet.
Happy Squidooing!
~Kimberly
YOUR Community Organizer at Squidoo
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
1. New Max Layout
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
We’ve had a lot of great feedback about the new maxed layout. This new design incorporates our standard features and a few new ones into a sleek Web 2.0 friendly interface.
Feeling lost? Check out our new Maxed Lens Anatomy map.
And for finding tools on your dashboard, check out:
- The Anatomy of your Main Dashboard
- What’s on your My Profile Page?
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
2. New Month, New Angels!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
You’ve probably seen our Angels fluttering around Squidoo, blessing deserving lenses and offering selfless advice to lensmasters. This month we have a new crew of Angels that are working hard to sort through the good and the great, and give those awesome lenses a little boost.
Welcome kab, bdkz, jeffwend, semperfidelis, thinkbig, webnh, KimGiancaterino, jaguarjulie, peoplelive, barkley, elee, loyalis, and DutchBlogger! These fine folks will be taking over the good work of SquidAngels by taking requests for blessings on the Angels Forum and keeping our top 100 lists sparkling clean.
These lensmasters are new to Angeling, but are by no means new to the lensmaster arena. In fact, almost all of them are Giants! (And the ones who aren’t are right at the top of the list.) As such, many of them have created lenses and guides on how to get the most out of Squidoo. Check them out, to see what new tricks you can pick up from these veterans.
* Fifty Ways to use SquidCasting, So, You Want to Make a Lensography, and Squidoo Tips from a Giant Angel by BDKZ.
* Confessions of a Squid Angel by KimGiancaterino
* Jaguar Julie SquidAngel and Jaguar Julie GiantSquid by Jaguar Julie
* SquidAngel by Semper Fidelis
* Getting the Best Results in the Squidoo Ebay Module and Guide to SquidWho by kab.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
3. Quick note on WIP
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Q: “Recently, a lens I hadn’t updated in a while became (-) instead of a (+) on my dashboard. Doesn’t that mean that people can’t view it?”
A: Keep in mind that ANY lens that has been published can be viewed by visiting it directly, whether it’s in WIP status or not. For more information on initial and re-WIPness, visit Glen and Kimberly’s Guide to WIP.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
4. Oh, Zuzanna! Interview from a Lensmaster
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
“It all started with an email from Dr. Mani…” and the rest is Squidhistory! Find out how top ranking lensmaster Zuzanna generates traffic, employs simple HTML, and develops superb lenses based on her passion for history.
Oh, Zuzanna!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
5. Where is Squidoo?
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Never fear, Squidoo hasn’t disappeared. But now, you can find us in even more places!
Here are a few spots online where you can hook up for some Squidlovin’:
- MySpace
- Facebook (look for the group Squidoo News and Chat)
- Twitter
- and more!
Why does it pay to pay attention? We’re always surveying lensmasters for blurbs and links for articles, promos, and even Lens of the Day awards. Your contributions can get you mega exposure online!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Until next time…thanks for being a Squidoo lensmaster!
Three random lens ideas:
1. How-to paint ____________
2. The best online newsletters for ______________
3. Books that got me through ______________ class
February 15th, 2008
Kimberly is a real Squidoo Community Organizer, not an actress, so to help tell her story, we’ve pretended to hire that announcer guy from the movies.
*Enter Don LaFontaine voice*
Should smoking be banned in all public places?
Is paper really better than plastic?
Are cats the hip pets to own? Or do dogs take the cake?
These are the burning questions our lensmasters have. Now, they have a place to ask them.
The key to a great debate on Squidoo is the Duel module, where you can invite readers to key in on the important issues, like whether Iowa really is a great place to live (not looking good) , or if Peets really IS better than the almighty Starbucks (right now it’s Peets 3, Starbucks zip!)
Hey MonkeyBrain isn’t so much about picking a fight as it is about promoting your passionate and informed opinion. Use the lens to state your case with links, photos, and video back up. Help readers learn more about the issues with books (a top selling product on Squidoo), and use news and blogs to solidify your case.
The next time you come across that urgent argument, argue smart.
Now playing on the Internet.
And now back to your community organizer.
*End Don LaFontaine voice*
*****
Howdy Doody lensmasters!
If you’re a frequent forum-er you know that in December, we posted some awesome stats about how well our top earners are doing and how you can cash in on our most popular products. This month we have even more awesome info for you.
1. Fun February Financial Facts
2. Etsy Bitsy PDF
3. Interview with a Writertiff
Kimberly Dawn Wells
YOUR Community Organizer
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
1. Fun February Financial Facts
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
1. We paid 1,500 top lensmasters more than $32,000 in cash total for their December royalties (paid out in February)
2. It pays to be the best: our Giant Squids were the top earners
across the board (people with more than 50 great lenses) — most of
them earned more than $100, or close to it
3. Lensmasters donated nearly $10,000 to the Squidoo Charity Fund in
December. Hooray for the power of many people with a similar goal!
4. Tens of thousands more dollars were donated to specific charities.
The top 5 charities getting the most direct donations were:
#1 Room to Read
#2 Save the Children
#3 ASPCA
#4 Acumen Fund and
#5 Donors Choose
5. BONUS: there’s a bit of a revenue report on here that basically
says… if you’re in it for the money, sell books!
http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-bestselling-books-2007
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
2. Etsy Bitsy PDF
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Are you an Etsy user? Do you know someone who is? Are you wondering how to make the most of your Etsy shop by using Squidoo? This ebook is for you!
http://cobrand.squidoo.com/SquidooHeartsEtsy.pdf
Feel free to share it, post it, email it, distribute it, or otherwise use it to get the word out about Squidoo and Etsy. Have fun!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
3. Interview with a Writertiff
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Join us on SquidU as Guest Editor N376 aka Glen secures a killer interview from frequent forumer, and prolific lensmaster, Writertiff!
http://www.squidu.com/profiles/writertiff
Ttttttthat’s all, folks!
Make it a splendid Squidoo day!
February 7th, 2008
Howdy doodie, lensmasters!
In 2007, thousands of lensmasters created thousands of new lenses on thousands of new topics. From newbies to dedicated veterans, our Angels sorted through the best of the best that were developed last year and nominated 11 of their favorites to be in the running for 2007’s Lens of the Year.
Who was nominated, and who won the top honors? You can visit http://best.lens.ever.com to find out.
Winning contests is always a fun honor, but what makes a winner? Angels and top lensmasters know that these nominees all contribute a variety of traits to their lenses and Squidoo that everyone can appreciate.
1. They are passionate about their topic
Passion, passion, passion. It’s what oozes out of each of our top lenses. Our best lensmasters love their topics, and love to talk about them, share tips, research new resources, and teach others. When you’re passionate about your topic, you’re rarely at a lack for new ideas and engaging copy.
2. The lenses are in “learning order”
In grade school we learn the basics, and as we grow we learn the finer details. On our best lenses, lensmasters start out with an introduction to their topic that will have even the most novice reader saying, “Oh, cool! I get it!” Often left out, the introduction IS a very important component of your lens. Start with the basics, and build up on them.
3. They add new information often
Even static topics can be rejuvenated by adding new information you discover online, new research to back up old thoughts, or new theories that creative people are applying. Someone who loves Elvis will continue to seek out new information about him, even though Elvis himself is no longer around (or is he?) That new information could come from you!
4. They use appropriate money makers
Many new users test the water by adding money making modules. Our top lensmasters have monetization down to a science. They know exactly how to pull the most relevant products from our dozens of cash producing gadgets and create a great mix that keeps the reader guessing. A visitor may not need another Elvis t-shirt, but tempt them with a great deal on airfare to Graceland, and you have a winner.
5. They share and share alike
Top lensmasters know they can’t do it alone, and that when they share, everyone wins. How and what can you do to share your knowledge? Link to relevant lenses and websites. Join groups and participate on the headquarters. Us digg, del.icio.us, stumble, and other social networks. Direct visitors to websites where they can buy what they really want. You may not make money off every single click-out, but the reputation you’ll build will be priceless.
You many also notice that most of our nominees are active forum members and prolific lensmasters. This is no coincidence. In all walks of life, success breeds success. By hanging out with peers at the SquidU forum and building, building, building, you too will learn the hottest tips for developing the best Squidoo lenses out there.
What else are we learning from our top lensmasters?
1. It’s ok to be a little long
While some lenses are best split up, these lensmasters have perfected the balance of quantity with quality, and leave the door wide open for additional lenses to be built.
2. They love visuals
Great original photography is coveted eye candy. There are thousands of resources for getting free and low-cost photos that will add a mint to your lens. Or, try your hand at the shutter. (And remember those credits!)
3. Update and publish often
Readers are more likely to return to websites they know are frequently updated. With SquidCasts it has never been easier to keep your fans informed.
January 25th, 2008
Howdy lensmasters!
January 24th was National Compliment Day in the US. A little known holiday, this symbolizes a conscious effort to acknowledge and reward the work of others. Everyone loves getting compliments on their lens, but did you know there are some specific things you can do to “complement,†as in “add things to make complete,†your current lens content, which can lead to more compliments? Read on to find out how.
Compliment: an expression of praise
Complement: to complete
First things first
Before you can complement something, you need to have it. By that we mean the basics. It’s tempting to get excited about building lenses and skip to the interesting and exotic parts, and often the most important foundations get left behind. Squidoo is built to help lensmasters do what most webmasters forget, which is to include those hundred little things that attract search engine attention, give readers value, and give the author rapport.
There’s a great list already started in the Critique Me forum at our SquidU Learning Center: http://www.squidu.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7887
Picking the right monetizers
Oooh. Money. I’m often asked, “How can I have so many clickouts (500, 1000, 3500) but no sales?†Ninety percent of the time the lens is not designed to sell products that further support the reader’s goal. Readers WANT to take action after reading your lens, and selling products can help you do that. Choosing which products to sell can be tricky.
We’ve all seen lenses that plop together some content and add a bunch of money-making modules in a last-ditch effort to make a quick dollar. (Enter buzzer noise here.) We also know how we feel when we see this happen, but too often, we do it ourselves. If you can’t logically relate what you’re selling to what you’re talking about, you’re doing a disservice to your readers and to your reputation.
If you’re having a hard time deciding what to add to your lens, consider three points: the main event, accessories, and the unobvious. If you have a lens on Crocs, a recently popular shoe brand and style, of course you’ll want to sell Crocs (your main event). Your readers might also be interested in the various laces and buttons that can be affixed to Crocs (accessories). For the unobvious addition, did you know that Crocs are very popular in the nursing profession? Add a few links to additional nursing footwear or uniform resources, and you’ve completed a full circle of shopping resources for your niche topic.
Expanding your comfort zones
Many lensmasters limit their suggested books, links, and lenses to what they already know. This can seem like a lot of information to you, but to your readers it’s just scraping the surface. Part of growing your own knowledge and becoming an expert, and helping your visitors find what they’re looking for includes branching out into the unknown. Make a commitment each month to finding one totally new piece of information to add to your lens. You’ll learn something, your visitors will learn something, and you might get a nice LensRank boost. Triple bonus!
Time has shown and top lensmasters agree: great lenses create great results. Part of building a great lens involves adding content that fits together and makes the reader feel whole. By complementing your current lenses with new and improved additions, we’re sure you’ll enjoy lots of compliments on your results for the years to come.
BTW - if you do an awesome job this year, you might just be able to claim this prize for your own next year: Best.Lens.Ever.com
Happy lensmastering!
Kimberly
YOUR Community Organizer
January 3rd, 2008
Ohmmmmm…
Oh wait, that’s a meditative thing, right? Ah yes, a crystal ball is what I need. Wait as I peer into my garden orb to bring you my predictions for 2008.
That easy? I wish! Even though some people make oodles of money by being professional predictors and statisticians, the rest of us can often only guess. Do you know what I have found to be the best way to predict your future?
By planning it and doing it yourself. By deciding what you want to happen and making it a reality.
Keeping that in mind, here are my predictions for Squidoo for 2008! (And great ideas to get you started on lensmastery for the new year.)
Animals & Nature
I see “going green at home” and “maintaining exotic pets” in our future, along with personal camping and hunting vacation experiences.
Arts & Literature
I predict more lensmasters will bravely show off their creativity with portfolio and learning lenses on arts and words of all flavors.
Business
In 2008, lensmasters who own and operate businesses will get real with their readers about who they are and what they do. They’ll make friends with their customers and learn new ways to offer solutions.
Cars & Trucks
This year it’s all about pimping out your ride and being comfortable. Ideas for stylish and functional accessories, in and out, will make a debut.
Computers, Gadgets, & Tech
Lensmasters will go beyond selling the hot products and delve into creative ways to use them. Which will give readers ideas and boost interaction. Lesser known technologies will receive part of the spotlight.
DIY & Hobbies
Weekend warriors will become master teachers with their own online TV channels and tons of ways to create their own pattern slash video slash supplies lens.
How To & Education
Homeschooling resources will flourish. As will collegiate portfolios, teacher lenses, and self-learner lenses.
Entertainment
In 2008, we’re going to learn to party right with board games, Broadway and Vegas shows, and all things wild in between.
Food & Cooking
This year is hot for kitchen tips, restaurant reviews, and recipe collections. You’ll also learn about the exotic side of dinner and drink.
Health & Medicine
We’re getting fit and healthy in 2008 with nutritional and fitness tips to last a lifetime. Uncommon conditions will become familiar with awareness made possible by Squidoo.
Parenting & Kids
The latest crazes in potty training, baby sign language, and meal planning will hit the ranks, and personal experiences with Autism and dyslexia will be shared.
News & Politics
US Presidential election coverage will be big, as well as personal ‘vote for me’ lenses, things to do besides watching commercials, and many many lenses where readers can duel out the issues that matter to you and me every day - not just once every four years.
What are you in to? Pick three of your favorite categories and commit to putting yourself on the Squidoo map this year by building up the perfect set of resources for your most exciting topics.
Check back next week for part two of Kimberly’s Predictions for 2008, and have an awesome weekend!
December 28th, 2007
Whew! Here in Wisconsin I’m halfway through a very busy holiday season, and looking forward to hitting 2008 running - with all good things of course. Everyone has a wish list at Christmas, and Squidoo brought me a very special present this year with my favorite new thing to date. Check out #1 to find out what I mean!
I hope you got everything you asked for, and will get everything you wish for next year!
~Kimberly
Your Community Organizer
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
1. Read my lens: SquidLit.com is here!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
New books, old books, black books, blue books. Dogeared books, highlighted books, books with notes in the margins, books from the library, books everywhere! No matter what shape or size, we all love books. Now, you can tell the world about the books you love, or the books you wrote, or even the books you’re going to write, with SquidLit.
Like our other recent front doors, SquidLit is an easy way to get started on a fan lens for those multi-paged creations that make us laugh and make us cry. Just enter your book title and author, and we give you a framework to start with! Then you get to make it your own.
* Talk about the awesome book you just read.
* Share what you learned from the latest book you read.
* Reminisce about books from your childhood.
* Promote your book by building an online fan club.
* Hold a virtual reading.
The possibilities are endless. How will YOU use SquidLit?
Get started today! SquidLit.com
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
2. Don’t forget about SquidWho, Bids, Vids, Flix, and Ever!
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
The new stuff Squidoo comes out with is so exciting to use that sometimes the lenses from weeks past get neglected. But did you know how well all our front doors work together? Consider these most popular categories:
Art and Literature: This one’s a gimme. There are unlimited ways to connect your authors and actors and characters between Lit and Flix and Vids! Don’t forget about fan merchandise on Bids, and start your own fan club with Ever.
Business: Business doesn’t have to be boring. There are tons of fun ways to promote new ideas with Lit, Bid on supplies, talk about who’s Who in CEOdom, and relay ideas in motion with Vids.
DIY & Hobbies/How-To & Education: Showing is so much better than telling. Some of the most successful people have built their empire on taking their know-how to TV, books, and beyond. Think Rachael Ray and Ty Pennington. Then put their best work on display with Lit, Vids, Bids, Who - and link them all together!
Food and Cooking: Be someone’s hero! Not everyone is born a chef, and now there’s no reason not to be able to find great step-by-step recipes live on Vids and for the home on Lit. And don’t forget tastiest.______.ever.com!
Health and Medicine: Health is hot, but who knows what to believe? If you have a testimonial you’d love to share for a Who or what, let us know. Exercise can be made fun on Flix or Vids, and the most patient-friendly books are made for Lit.
Movies & TV/Music: Another gimme!! But instead of doing a simple discography, why not kick it up a notch with a trivia or karaoke contest?
Sports & Recreation: Nowadays, people don’t want to just sit around and watch sports, they want to experience them - even if they are just sitting around and watching them. What does every sports enthusiast need? Gently used gear from Bids? How-to guides from Lit? Follow through tips from Vids? Greatest bloopers from Flix? And don’t forget, the best.flatscreentv.ever to watch it on!
Video Games: Whether you’re an old school Nintendoer or a hard core WoWer, Squidoo makes it easy to share what you know, learn from others, meet new friends, and become the Xbox champion of your block. How will you combine our front doors, grasshopper?
Bonus: Three-way link your lenses.
1. Lensroll them to each other.
2. Place a featured lenses module to categorize options.
3. Use in-text links for smooth flow and pertinent suggestions.
Try a new lens combination today!
Who - Bids - Vids - Flix - Lit - Ever
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
3. Is your lens the best?
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
Psst! Our Angels have been hard at work scouring the web for the best lenses of 2007. Will yours make the grade? Keep an eye on the forums for updates on the 2007 Lens of the Year Contest!
Good luck!
~Kimberly Dawn Wells
Squidoo’s Community Organizer
Search SquidU Review
Archives
- July 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- October 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- SquidU Review (37)
About | Terms & Privacy | Site Status | Bugs & Feedback
© 2008 Squidoo, LLC. All rights reserved.
SquidU Review is proudly powered by
WordPress
Subscribe to our RSS feed
