Before you post your lens here for a critique, check out the list below.  These are the most common mistakes made on lenses.  Going through your lens and making these changes first will ensure that your critique is full of helpful advice that moves your lens forward (instead of the same stuff found here!)


1. Are all your modules retitled?  No "New Netflix Module" or "Great stuff on Amazon" titles.  Don't forget the guestbook.  When visitors read this they think you've abandoned your lens or don't care.

2. Are your moneymakers relevant?  If the Amazon, eBay, etc. moneymaking modules don't have anything to do with your topic, get rid of them.  They add that icky, spammy appeal to your lens that no lensmaster wants.

3. Have you added a lensmaster photo?  Not having a photo adds to the "fly by night" look. 

4. Have you added a lensmaster bio?  Tell us a little about yourself!  We want to get to know you.

5. Have you described your topic?  If you're trying to promote another website or product, make sure you've adequately described what you're selling on the lens.  Lots of "click here" links won't do it for most readers.  You need to educate them and gain their trust FIRST.  Then they may consider clicking on your links.

6. Check your spelling and grammar.

7. Are your Flickr and YouTube videos relevant?  If not, they just confuse readers and dilute your message.  Focus!


Also, when you're posting a request for a critique, generic titles often get ignored.  "Looking for help with bird hunting lens" will draw more of the right interest than, "critique me!!!"

All caps and lots of exclamation points are hard on the eyes, so a lot of people ignore them.  Please refrain from using them.

If you have more than one lens you would like to have reviewed, after you've gone through the list above, post just one lens.  Apply all the advice you get to your other lenses, then consider posting another one.


Have fun!!