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If you’re anything like me, you may find it hard to get started on projects that you haven’t figured out how to do perfectly. Lenses are actually a weak point with me. If I’m not sure what I’ll be saying, it’s hard for me to get started. Yet one of the keys to success with Squidoo is to create great lenses and lots of them.

So how can you get started when you’re not sure what to get started with? Here are three secrets I use to break through my perfectionism and get moving on lensbuilding:

1. Reserve the lens.
“What? Squat a lens?” Not exactly. This is only the first step.

1.5. Fill out the biggies.
*sigh of relief* It’s true that URL squatting happens when you reserve a lens URL and don’t do anything with it, but filling in all the basic info is actually a huge step towards getting a lens in publish-friendly shape. It helps you narrow down your focus and decide what you’ll be talking about.

2. Write your intro.
Writing your intro helps you express what you want to cover in your lens, and sets the tone and style for the rest of your content.

2.5. Use your intro to brainstorm.
In the pre-publishing phase, I often blab on and on about what I want to cover in the lens. Make notes. Write lists. Then assign each line item a module type. This will help you spend less time figuring out what’s next. (Just remember to delete this after you’ve pasted it in the appropriate modules below.)

3. Add your modules and title them.
Even if you don’t put them in order, add the modules you know you want to include and fill in the titles. This will make them easier to reorder later and give your copy direction.

3.5 Write what you know.
As long as you’re adding modules and titling them, go ahead and fill in the easy ones. Just like putting together a puzzle, constructing the border first makes the middle less daunting.

Ok, so there are actually six tips here, but by being oh so sneaky and packing them into three numbers on your to-do list, you can take a promising idea and easily put it into action.

What next? Plan to work on your lens for 20 minutes every day until it’s done. I bet you’ll find that once you get started, knowing you have permission to quit will reduce your stress and open the creative floodgates.

Now you have the “how.” Stumped on the “what?” Make Great Holiday Lenses (and mega Christmas moola) with more simple tips.

Make it a productive weekend!
~Kimberly Dawn Wells
YOUR Community and Charity Organizer

With election hype focusing on the future and Christmas trees popping up in stores all over the US, you can tell that one special holiday is quickly edging closer - Thanksgiving.

For many, Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy a great meal, great TV, and a nap.

For others, Thanksgiving is a time to show off extreme domestic skills. (I’m so jealous.)

For some, myself included, this Thanksgiving will be a first opportunity to whip up the perfect meal, cram an additional 20 people into the living room, and find a way to keep 8 kids ages 3-15 entertained for four hours. Thanksgiving newbies like this are perfect readers for your holiday how-to lenses.

These are just a few of the Thanksgivingy things I’ve searched for over the last few weeks:

* kid-friendly centerpieces
* elegant centerpieces
* table decorations
* table settings
* finding extra seating
* alternative main courses
* freezer-friendly side dishes
* pumpkin deserts
* crafts for kids
* invitation patterns
* football rules
* Thanksgiving family movies
* fall decorations
* scented candles
* bulk baking supplies
* leaf cookie cutters
* non-perishable meal kits
* Black Friday shopping

If you know anything about making Thanksgiving awesome, simple, and stress-free, help a newbie out. Share your knowledge! But do it quickly…Thanksgiving will be over in less than three weeks - just in time for Black Friday shopping!

Make it a productive week!
~Kimberly
YOUR Community and Charity Organizer on Squidoo

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Hi Squidooers!

Aw nuts! First we had a rogue newsletter go out and then the Halloween special was a day late. The goblins sure are out to get me! But there’s one thing you can always count on, and that’s family.

We’re celebrating November as Family Stories Month for Charity! And we need your help.

http://www.squidoo.com/family-stories-month

We’re looking for great family-oriented lenses that are sending their earnings to one of three very special charities:

Oxfam America
Covenant House
Modest Needs

So if you have a great family tradition to show off, or know of the best video games for families, or want to share your tricks for getting along on a family vacation, make a lens! Set it to one of these charities, and add it to our list. It could end up featured, and you know you’ll be helping a good cause.

Thanksgiving is coming up. What better time to think about family?

Until next time,
~Kimberly
YOUR Community and Charity Organizer on Squidoo