Created by MeganCasey
Hi, I'm Megan Casey, the Editor in Chief here at Squidoo. The Giant Squids is my personal pet project, and I'm... (more...)
Your fans are waiting!
WHO ARE THE GIANT SQUIDS?
No, it's not a rock group. It's the core group of movers and shakers at Squidoo.
One day at Squidoo Headquarters, Seth and I noticed something. We noticed that many of our best lenses are built by people who have a lot of lenses. There's an art to building a Squidoo page, and once you learn it, you can scale it.
It's a rare and valuable thing when quality and quantity intersect.
And so we created a program to reward those people, to encourage more lensmasters to join their ranks, and together make Squidoo a place we can all really be proud of.
P.S. We're hooking up a whole new wave of Giants on Friday, March 28th. So roll up your sleeves and aspire to greatness.
THIS PAGE AT A GLANCE
Table of contents
WHAT GIANTS GET
It's good to be the king
Along with great Gianthood comes... great benefits!Not only do you have the natural, clear advantage of running more than 50 amazing lenses, each helping you share a passion and make money...
But you ALSO get all this stuff, and a lot more:
1. Access to our (secret) Giant Squids blog and RSS feed, full of first-looks at new features and insider tips.
2. A private email address to reach Megan about Lens of the Day submissions.
3. A Giant Squid badge on all your lenses. (And your bio/profile page too--coming soon).
4. Gold stars on all your published, featured lenses. Gold stars not only look nifty to your readers, they also give you a little LensRank boost.
5. Your shot at making The Giant Squids Top 100 list, a list of the top Giant lenses, sorted by LensRank.
6. A Custom Lens Template tool.
7. Did I mention first crack at our coolest new tools and features? For example, the Giants got to hear about HeyMonkeyBrain and Squidaholic .com days before the rest of Squidoo.
8. And lots, lots more. All coming soon.
WHAT GIANTS GIVE IN RETURN
Mainly, inspiration.
Giant Squids give inspiration to other lensmasters.
They give searchers coming from all over the web comprehensive signpost pages for learning something new, or finding what they were looking for, or meeting someone with a similar interest.
They are honest, respectful leaders and lensmasters in the community--both on and off Squidoo.
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." -- Isaac Newton
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GIANT!
In short: 50 amazing lenses.
But how to get there?
You need to have 50 or more really GREAT lenses under your belt.
So, if you have 25 lenses that you're proud of right now... go make 25 more. If you have 80 lenses, but only a handful that you've really spent any time on... go perfect 50 of your favorites. And if you're pretty sure you have 50 or more lenses that you'd stake your reputation on, and you're not a Giant yet, you'll probably be hearing from us in the next round. But just to make sure, feel free to drop a note at giants@squidoo.com.
WHEN WE'RE ACCEPTING NEW GIANTS
All the time!
You should be getting an email from us soon.
Did you miss this round? Stay tuned for the next one...
A QUICK FAQ
Or, frequently given answers!
2. Yes, we'll contact you if you qualify and hook you up with all the goodies.
3. Yes, you could ask other Giants for input and advice along the way.
4. Yes, the lenses need to be together in just one lensmaster account.
5. No, I can't reveal how we're determining the "greatness" of your 50 lenses, but think of it this way--if you're really darn proud of a lens, and you think you've got the right mix of modules and unique, useful, updated content, and if you'd stake your reputation on it, then we're probably going to agree.
6. Yes, you should be a Giant. :)
THINK 50 GREAT LENSES IS A REACH?
That's exactly why we're inviting you to participate, and not people who just pump out hundreds of junky lenses, or people who make 2 lenses and go away.
Because the intersection of quality AND quantity is a rare, valuable thing.
The Giant Squids is a challenge, not unlike applying to Harvard or auditioning for Broadway or qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It's a shot at being the best in the world. (And a way for us to help you become top earners and get your work discovered more). Oftentimes the attempt itself is the most personally rewarding part, no matter how far you make it.
MOST GIANTS ARE GREAT BLOGGERS, TOO
Lenses and blogs go together like peanut butter and chocolate.
- Hooray for Etsy!
- They started making pages about their handmade goodies, their craft, their inspiration, what techniq...
- Teaching Kids About Money on Squidoo
- ... the concept that you need money to buy things, but they don't understand the concept of having...
- US NPD sales for April - Nintendo embarrassingly far ahead
- Add to Del.icio.us Add to digg Add to Facebook Add to Fark Add to FURL Add to Google Bookmarks Add t...
- Helmut Newton Photography Books Etc. On Squidoo
- If you are searching for Helmut Newton Photography Books on the internet or almost anything else cha...
AND THEY OFTEN GET PICKED FOR LENS OF THE DAY
Lucky duckies
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySEE THE GIANT SQUIDS TOP 100 LIST
Now these are some sweet lenses.
See the Top 100 list of lenses by Giant Squids. Q&A ABOUT THE GIANT SQUIDS
Post a question
Have a question about the Giant Squids program? Post it here and I'll either answer directly, or work it into a FAQ for this lens. Thanks!
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DMedley
Megan and the whole Giant Squid Group - I wanted to let you know what a thrill it was when I found the letter saying I had become a Giant Squid. I am so humbled and honored by this. It still does not seem real on many levels. Posted May 06, 2008 |
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Applyit
Great lens!!! Ya gotta love squidoo baby! I just finished my 2nd lens! If you have a minute come check it out at: http://www.squidoo.com/CheapTravelSites Oh, and don't forget to let me know what you think! Posted May 06, 2008 |
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mariedaniels
I just found out about this. I have so many more lenses to build, and so many ideas to fill them with. Thanks for giving me a goal to reach for! Posted May 05, 2008 |
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Derrick-Ocean
First time hearing about the giant lenses thing, but it does sound challenging, but its hard enough making one great lens let alone 50 and i wonder would it really be worth the trouble i mean it sounds neat but makes you nervous at the same time. Posted May 03, 2008 |
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JonitasKalimpo
I wake up today and saw the "congratulations you're a giant squid". I was so pleased :) Thank you very much squidoo Posted May 03, 2008 |
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EditorDave
Hi Megan! Wow! The first thing I do when I get home from work (actually, after I hug and kiss my wife and then play with the dog!), is turn on my computer and check my Squidoos! And it was totally cool to see the "Giant Squid" Shield on my lenses! I had to call over my wife (the dog didn't seem interested) to show her that all my nights of messing around on the computer have paid off! The last Squidoo check helped to pay for a dinner celebration... so, I'm now heading into the wind to create my next 100 lenses! Thanks for the new "designation". Drop by and say "Hi" once in a while! Posted May 03, 2008 |
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victoria_neely
Yay, I'm a giant squid! Yay! I shall now bask in the giant squid glow... and then build even more lenses. Posted May 02, 2008 |
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MeganCasey
Congrats to all the new Giants who got hooked up today! You should have gotten an email from me a little bit ago, with the Giants handbook and some secret links ... ;) If you haven't gotten it yet, please check your spam filter, and failing that ping me at megan at squidoo.com. Thanks, and three cheers for all your good work! (Everyone else, there's always next time. Not sure what makes a standout lens? Check the Top 100 Giants list for some examples. See you next month) -- Megan Posted May 02, 2008 |
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ddixonart
WOOT! I'm a Giant Squid as of today! My mouth dropped open when I saw the Giant Squid shield on the page! Thank you so much! Posted May 02, 2008 |
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SusanVillasLewis
Yay, yay, yah!!! I have been admitted to the club. I feel so special! Posted May 02, 2008 |
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Marjo
Thank Megan! Only 49 to go...wait a minute, now I have to go back and make my first one truly great! Yikes. Posted May 01, 2008 |
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Cowy
I'm working now to make a giant squid! Now just 4 lens,,, Urgh, 46 more to to! Posted April 30, 2008 |
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blue22d
My goal is to be a GIANT...so, even though I have only two lenses with one just about ready to publish....I know I can do It! Posted April 30, 2008 |
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ThomasC
I am anxiously awaiting the next Giant Squid Day! I hope I can make the cut! I have 70 lenses and counting! Do I need to apply or anything? Posted April 30, 2008 |
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WhippetTalk
I've got 45 more lenses to go! LOL I just hope I don't run out of quality ideas. Posted April 29, 2008 |
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carrieokier
Definitely something to shoot for. I hope I have it in me! Posted April 28, 2008 |
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kellywissink
Hi Megan! Posted April 28, 2008 |
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Tiddledeewinks
Since I and my four boys all are making lenses taking turns on one computer with SLOOOOW dial-up, it's taken me some time and very sleepness nights, but I'm determined to make each one of my lenses great. I will be at 50 in time for the May Giant Squid Badge hand-outs! Hooray! Posted April 27, 2008 |
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littlesamurai
It looks like I still have a long way to go :o Posted April 25, 2008 |
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Kheng
Wow, I want to be just like you when I grow up! Posted April 23, 2008 |
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Rhonda_Holland
I'm on my way to Giant Squid status Posted April 21, 2008 |
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DimitriPreacher
Thank you, off to work we go:) Posted April 20, 2008 |
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owlperson
I'm an itty-bitty baby squid with just one lens so far, but I'm trying to make it great before I start another. I haven't even mastered all the modules yet, but I find the process fun and the potential to reach so many people from my little town is exciting. Posted April 17, 2008 |
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roysumit
Gigantic inspirations from Giant Squids. Posted April 16, 2008 |
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Amanda_Blue
Oh, I have watched, in admiration, as those great and glorious giants meander by, nearly touching the ocean floor, in stately, solitary fashion; and although I may never achieve such splendid reach, I do want to thank you, Megan, for the glory that is Squidoo and for this helpful information. Posted April 14, 2008 |
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Greekgeek
Oh, for a Giant Squid! Posted April 14, 2008 |
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triathlontraining
Boy, that's a long way off for me, but I like SemperFidelis's idea of having greater levels of Giants. Posted April 14, 2008 |
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crushwb
Wow ! I wondered what the Giant Squid thing is !! I guess I "done" good ;) Posted April 13, 2008 |
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greg2213
Well. This certainly gives me a bit more incentive to get my behind in gear and start writing. I'll just try to make them good and let the squid team sort them out. Posted April 13, 2008 |
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DrErich
I'm a baby squid... someday I hope to grow up to be a dangerous Giant Squid. I can only dream of the day. heh. Posted April 11, 2008 |
