Everything you wanted to know about Giant Squids (well almost)
Greeters are a volunteer welcoming committee, who also search for and mentor lensmasters with potential. We get the satisfaction of meeting and helping new lensmasters in their pursuit of Giant Squid status. We enjoy helping others and have a sincere interest in passing on our Squidoo knowledge. Heck, we're just really nice Squids and Squidettes. You'll often find us posting in the SquidU forum or leaving comments on the lens of a potential Giant Squid.
One of the benefits of becoming a Giant Squid Greeter is that we get a free parking space, well, at least I think we do. I'm just not sure where I am suppose to park!
........... oh wait, there's a spot between Seth and Megan! LOL

Who is Kathy, aka "Pretty Bullet"?
Kathy, aka "Pretty Bullet" joined the Squidoo family in June of 2007. She's a Giant Squid also in the Top 100 Club and has been honored with 3 LOTD's including one for her top ranked lens I Love Avocados. Kathy and her husband run their own online business selling what else, pretty bullets!Kathy loves to create a wide variety of lenses and although she can be quite serious, she definitely loves to make people laugh and laugh even more.
Editors note: I love writing about myself in the third person! LOL
What's On Here
Confused about what a Giant Squid is or not sure how you become one? I've tried to provide where to find the basic information you'll need all in one place, so you dont' have to go looking for it.
And there is also a fun poll for potential Giants after the Giant Feedback section below.
- What the heck is a Giant?
- To Be or Not to Be (A Giant Squid)
- First Step to Giantism
- Lens guidelines for Giants
- Things that could disqualify your lenses
- The "Official" Giant Squid Lens
- What they are looking for when choosing Giants
- Tips on becoming a Giant
- You too can become a Giant
- Giant FAQ's
- Introducing your Giant Squid Organizers
- Introducing your Giant Squid Greeters
- Want to be a Giant Squid? Blog
- Giant Squid Community Showcase Blog
- Follow Giant Squid News on Twitter
- Giant Help and Resources
- Giant Feedback
Application dates for Giant status is every three months: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
(Next Giant Deadline is December 31, 2009)
What the heck is a Giant?
No, no, no, not the Jolly Green Giant silly, a Squidoo Giant.Although he is kinda cute (and very green LOL) ----------->
Simply put, a Giant is a Squidoo lensmaster who has created a minimum of 50 quality lenses. Giant Squid Organizer Bonnie further explains "Giant Squids are the core group of movers and shakers at Squidoo. It's a gathering of the influentials, the elite, the most passionate and dedicated on Squidoo."
A potential Giant submits a request to become a Giant Squid to the Giant Squid Organizers, who carefully hand review all their lenses before being accepted.
When you're ready, any time before the next deadline, just send an email to giants@squidoo.com. Link them to your lensmaster profile page. That's it.
As Giant Squids we do receive a few privileges; access to tools, a custom lens template, a distintive gold star, (they not only look cool, they give our lenses a little ranking boost too!) the famous prominent Giant Squid badge and several other unique and really special perks.
To Be or Not to Be (A Giant Squid)
Everyone has their own reasons for being on Squidoo; some folks create lenses for business to promote their online shops, others use them for entertainment, personal satisfaction or just for fun. Some lensmasters are very outgoing and others quietly create in the background.Not everyone has the desire to become a Giant Squid, and that's ok (but there are some sweet perks). We are all here for our own personal reasons. But if you love to Squidoo, then there are many of us willing to help you out. It's a wonderful community to be a part of.
First Step to Giantism
Stop.....
Relax......
Take a deep breath!
Don't try and learn everything at once!
Lens guidelines for Giants
Things that will give you a leg up by Megan Casey
- Make lenses about things that interest you
- Write good introductions
- Have intro photos
- Upload a photo of yourself (or your avatar) while you're at it
- Try out a bunch of different modules
- Replace the default module titles, like "New Guestbook."
- UUU - Unique, useful, updated content rocks!
- Have at least 50 great lenses (obviously). If you do, then sell your account or delete your lenses, your Gianthood also goes away
- Don't copy. Don't cut and paste. Don't plagiarize
- Keep an eye out for style. Junky lenses send readers running
- Stop by the SquidU forum and get feedback. Ask politely
- Stay relevant on your lens
- G-rated or R-rated, please
- You're an author: act like one. Don't publish half-baked lenses
- Watch for typos
- Be kind to fellow lensmasters and your readers
- Don't spam
- Sure, sell stuff; but don't sound like a snakeoil salesman when you do
- Invite readers to participate. Or not
- Recommend things you know
- Explain your topic to new readers
- Experiment with "front doors" like SquidWho and SquidSports and SquidBoo and SquidFlix, but don't ONLY make those lenses. (It's often easy to pump those out without adding much "you" to them)
- Own a niche and make lots of lenses in it. But don't repeat yourself on the same topic. 40 lenses that say the exact same thing aren't kosher
- Diversify
- Link to and feature other people's lenses. It feels good to give back
- Be passionate. Be you
- Be honest and straightforward and creative
Things that could disqualify your lenses
A list of no-nos by Megan Casey

- Spam
- Spamming
- Junky lenses
- Copied lenses
- Or worse: Lazy lenses
- Or even worse: mean-intentioned lenses
- Undeveloped "starter" lenses with no personalized content
- Too many empty lenses (even if you have some good ones mixed in)
- Too few complete lenses
- Lenses that sell selfishly (lenses that yell at the reader, or flash BUY ME BUY ME in all caps)
- Being mean spirited on the SquidU forums. Regardless of how good your content might be
- All X-rated lenses
- Typo-riddled lenses
- Empty or expired modules
- Lots of modules with generic default titles like "New Amazon Plexo."
- Tricking your readers into clicking on links they weren't expecting
- Lenses on SquidDon't topics, like pharmaceuticals and ringtones and gambling and weight loss pills and Yuwie and various affiliate marketing programs
- Empty introduction modules
- No lensmaster photos
The "Official" Giant Squid Lens
Written by Megan Casey. Pssst, Megan is a founding member and the Editor in Chief of Squidoo. Megan writes "There's a lot here. Read at your own speed!"
-
THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one)
-
No, it's not a rock group (but it might as well be). It's the core group of movers and shakers at Squidoo. It's a gathering of influentials, the most dedicated lensmakers on Squidoo. Here's how this whole thing started. One day at Sq...
What they are looking for when choosing Giants
Who is they? Why the Giant Squid Organizers of course! This lens was written by Robin (rms) has lots of great tips of what you should and should not do.
-
What We Are Looking for When We Choose New Giant Lensmasters
-
The Giant Squid Lensmasters are my superheroes because of all the hard work they put into their lenses. You see, having 50 Squidoo lenses made is NOT the only requirement for becoming a Giant Squid Lensmaster. We've raised the bar and we're only ac...
Tips on becoming a Giant
Written by Giant Squid Organizer Bonnie, she offer very helpful tips for those who would like to become a Giant, but a must read for any lensmaster.
-
bdkz's Best Squidoo Tips
-
Welcome! I'm Bonnie, lensmaster bdkz. I'm a Giant Squid & RocketMoms Organizer here on Squidoo. I have created over 400 lenses, been "Lens of the Day" twice and have had 15 of my lens in the Top 100. I have been with Squidoo fo...
You too can become a Giant
Written by Giant Squidoo Organizer Robin (rms), which includes quick answers to your questions.
-
Giant Squid Mentor
-
It's true. Squidoo is a great place to create web pages for free. But did you know that part of the magic of Squidoo also comes from the membership? Since Squidoo started in the fall of 2006, our lensmasters have continued to create great lenses and...
Giant FAQ's
This lens was written by Giant Squid Organizer Patti (GypsyPirate), and if you have questions about the Giant Squid program, I'm sure you'll find your answers here. And if not, then leave your question in "The Question Log".
Introducing your Giant Squid Organizers
These three fantastic, hardworking and dedicated gals (Bonnie, Patti and Robin) run the Giant Squid Program!
-
-
Giant Squid Organizer: Bonnie
-
Do you aspire for greatness? Are you a stellar lensmaster? Do you want to be a part of the coolest group on Squidoo? If you answered yes to any of these questions then we've got a group for you! Learn what it takes to join the ranks of the Giant Squ...
-
Giant Squid Community Organizer
-
Whether you are new to Giant Squidom, an old pro, or a Giant Squid Hopeful, I'm here to help! I'm RMS (aka Robin) and I'm proud to be a part of a wonderful team of lensmasters, the Giant Squid Community Organizers. Please feel free to use this lens...
Introducing your Giant Squid Greeters
-
Meet The Giant Squid Greeters
-
Very simply, Giant Squid Greeters are here to help! A Giant Squid Greeter is a cheerleader and a go between for The Giant Squids on Squidoo. The Greeters will also be on the look out for talented lensmasters who'd like to join the ranks of Giant Squ...
Want to be a Giant Squid? Blog
A blog by Giant Squid Organizer Bonnie (bdkz) for mentoring the next generation of Giant Squids.
Find articles and interviews that contain helpful information to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Giant Squid Lensmaster.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGiant Squid Community Showcase Blog
Showcasing lenses by Giant Squids. Need some inspiration or ideas, this is a great blog to follow.
Visit The Giant Squid Community Showcase to see some of the best lenses on Squidoo and to get detailed information about why these lenses are, and continue to be, so successful.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byFollow Giant Squid News on Twitter

- aka Twitter
- 0 followers
- 0 following
-
- The Seth Godin Boxed Set http://bit.ly/3ajTt1
-
- Official Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff for Charity http://bit.ly/2T7aET
-
- Happy Halloween from the Giant Squid Organizers http://bit.ly/1JWQfs
-
- Some Squidoo maintenance tonight. http://bit.ly/1cdt07
-
- Squidoo Lens Reviews by MiMi http://bit.ly/1eS82g
Giant Help and Resources
- SquidU Forum
- Meet, chat and learn from other lensmasters and
your place to stay current on what's happening on Squidoo! - So You Want To Be A Giant Squid Forum
- Everything you ever wanted to know about Squidoo's VIP program,
moderated by Giant Squid Organizers: GypsyPirate, bdkz, rms - Squidoo Answer Deck
- Helpful Squidoo How to and Tips lenses
that carry the Squidoo Answer Deck seal! - Squidoo Search
- Search Squidoo on any topic
and you'll usually find an answer - Kathy's Squidoo Help Library
- A few of my favorite Squidoo lenses
that I often refer new lensmasters to - So you want to be a Giant Squid eBook (PDF)
- This ebook was written just for you by the Giant Squid Organizers.
This was designed to help you join the esteemed ranks of the Giant Squid! - 50 Tips for Becoming a Giant Squid eBook (PDF)
- 50 informative links, tips, tricks, inspirational stories,
blogs, lenses and ideas that will help you on the journey to becoming a Giant.
Fun Poll for Potential Giants
Polls are just below the Giant Feedback Guestbook.
Giant Feedback
....... Existing, New or Potential Giants!

Thanks for dropping by, hope you found this helpful! Drop me a line below or just say hello.
-
Reply
- OhMe OhMe Apr 13, 2009 @ 6:21 am
- I will be referring back to this one because one day I am going to be a Giant. I am leaning toward applying this December. I will be very busy with our Freedom Fest until July and then will buckle down and get serious ... or at least that is my plans. Thank you for all this great info.
-
Reply
- Mountainside-Crochet Mountainside-Crochet Mar 11, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
- Nice lens Kathy. Since I 'just joined' and just published my very first lens, the idea of having 50 lenses is very far off in an unknown future time & place. And yet your Lens guidelines for Giants is just as helpful to a Newbie with one lens and I have saved the list as a great resource. Thank you. 5*
-
Reply
- rms rms Mar 4, 2009 @ 11:25 am
- ;o) Thanks Kathy you rock equally as well!
-
Reply
- Tipi Tipi Mar 1, 2009 @ 9:07 am
- Hi, Kathy! This is a helpful to the point lens. - Best wishes! - Susie
-
Reply
- roysumit roysumit Feb 28, 2009 @ 7:02 am
- Great and resourceful lens for the upcoming Giants. Thanks for the info. 5*****s.
- Load More
Your Thoughts on Becoming a Giant Squid
Do you think you will you reach your goal of becoming a Giant?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYou betcha, and here's why....
roysumit says:
Obviously; but haven't set the time frame yet. Looking forward
to get there soon. At present having fun squidooing.
Posted February 28, 2009
awelldressedbullet says:
Hey Nan, there is never a rush, and reaching your goals at your own pace is always the best way to get there! Best of luck!
Posted February 22, 2009
NanLT says:
Every lens I write generated 2 or 3 more ideas for new lenses. I may not make it to the 50 minimum by the end of March, but I have set my aim at reaching Giant Squid status by the end of 2009.
Posted February 22, 2009
awelldressedbullet says:
What a great attitude Crystal! By removing the pressure of a specific date, I believe you will find it much easier to create lenses! It is fun, isn't it! LOL The best of luck hun!
Posted February 16, 2009
luvmyludwig says:
Of course I will. I don't know if I'll make it on the time table I want to, but all that matters is that I do get there. I am having so much fun with this.
Posted February 16, 2009
I don't think so, and here's why....
awelldressedbullet says:
* chuckle * silly Kiwi, heck it was lonely on this side anyhow LOL
Posted February 11, 2009
kiwisoutback says:
Because I already am one! Sorry I couldn't resist filling this out. It's well worth it becoming a Giant Squid!
Posted February 11, 2009
How close are you now?
Where do you want to be?
Why do you Squidoo?
What kind of lenses do you have?
Select as many as apply to you (by voting it up).
1
Original Squidoo
9 points
2
Hey MonkeyBrain
5 points
7
- TwttrStrm
2 points
10
SquidZipper
1 point
11
Photo Phights
1 point
12
The Ever Project
0 points
14
SquidSports.com
0 points
What modules do you use the most?
What modules do you use on your lens most of the time? If you only use a module once in a while, please don't include it.
Select as many as apply to you (by voting it up), or add your own.
1
- Text
10 points
2
- Guestbook
7 points
3
- YouTube
6 points
4
- Poll
5 points
5
- Links List
4 points
6
- Polaroid
4 points
7
- Table of Contents
4 points
8
- Amazon
3 points
9
- Black Box
3 points
10
- Cafe Press
3 points
11
- Donations
3 points
12
- eBay
3 points
13
- RSS feeds
3 points
14
- Sticky Note
3 points
15
- Duel
2 points
16
- Flickr Photos
2 points
17
- Etsy
1 point
18
- Links Voting
1 point
19
- Talk Bubble
1 point
20
- The Most Important Thing
1 point
21
- Twitter Follow
1 point
What are your goals on Squidoo
Select as many as apply to you (by voting it up), or add your own.
1
- I just wanna have fun
6 points
2
- I want to make just a little side cash
6 points
3
- I would like to be in the Giant Squid 100 Club
5 points
4
- I want to make lots of money
4 points
5
- I would like to have a LOTD
4 points
6
- I would like to have a lens in the top 100
4 points
7
- I would like to be a Giant Squid
4 points
8
- I want to meet new people on Squidoo
3 points
9
- would like to have a lens #1 in a category
3 points
10
Become a contributor to the community1 point
What do you think your biggest obstacle is right now?
Select as many as apply to you (by voting it up), or add your own.
1
- the time to create lenses
7 points
2
- coming up with great ideas for topics
3 points
3
- lack of Squidoo experience/knowledge
2 points
4
- feeling discouraged
1 point
5
- feeling overwhelmed
1 point
6
- Squidoo is too complicated for me
0 points
7
- the time to learn everything
0 points
Where have you tried to find help?
1
- SquidU
7 points
2
- Squidoo Answer Deck
5 points
3
- searched Squidoo for help/tutorial lenses
5 points
4
- other lensmasters
3 points
5
- I haven't looked for help yet
1 point
by awelldressedbullet
A Well Dressed Bullet offers handmade Belt Buckles, Bolo Ties, Bullet Pens, Card Guards, Clocks, Earrings, Key Chains, Party Lights & more, made with...
(more)
