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THE GIANT SQUID CLUB (and how you can join)

bdkz by bdkz
Last updated: 01/23/2012

WHAT'S THE GIANT SQUIDS CLUB?

The Giant Squids is a club of dedicated writers on Squidoo. They show up on a regular basis and perfect their craft. They are self-motivated, creative, they care about publishing original work.

They work hard to build out their portfolios of good lenses. As a result they are often our most successful lensmasters. Along the way, we at Squidoo support our Giants with extra perks, tools, assistance and hugs.

Over the last few year, the Giant Squids club has become more than an achievement -- it's now a movement. A movement of writers who believe that they can set a new standard for storytelling, opinion and recommendation online.

This lens is designed to introduce you to the story of the Giant Squids, explain the benefits of being in the Club, offer some suggestions for making Giant-quality lenses, and directions for applying when and if you're ready!

Table of Contents (a sneak peek at this page)

  1. The history of the Giant Squids
  2. Who runs the Giant Squids program?
  3. A few good examples
  4. What Giant Squids get
  5. Giant Squid Club Level 25 - Super
  6. Giant Squid Club Level 50 - Monster
  7. Giant Squid Club Level 100 - Mammoth
  8. Giant Squid Club Level 250 - Colossal
  9. Giant Squid Club Level 500 - Leviathan
  10. What Giants give in return
  11. What does it take to be eligible for the Giant Squids?
  12. Usually, you know it when you see it
  13. Things that will give you a leg up
  14. Things that could disqualify your lenses
  15. Important!
  16. The rules that really ARE rules
  17. How to apply
  18. Please Note!
  19. Giant Squid Application
  20. Busting some Giant Squid Myths
  21. Still more FAQs
  22. Remember: There's always next time
  23. Comments
  24. 9 things to know about the updated Text List module

The history of the Giant Squids

The History of the Giant Squid Program. The Giant Squids program started out with a simple question. Megan (Squidoo editor-in-chief) asked: What if we had a way to identify the lensmasters who were responsible for the bulk of our best stuff, and what if we could give them things (access, attention, promotion, tools) that would help them love writing and managing lenses on Squidoo.

The first wave of Giant Squids was inducted in September of 2007 and we've grown from there. The requirement for entry was that each needed to have at least 50 great lenses. That's a lot of people with a lot of lenses.

The idea was always that quantity and quality was something special. Once you learn the art of making a lens, it gets easier to scale it to more lenses.

The New Giant Squid Club. In June of 2011 the Giant Squid Club was restructured. It carries on the tradition of being rewarded for building quality lenses but with more flexibility to hone your craft. Instead of needing 50 quality lenses for admission we've instead created levels. You can now apply with 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 lenses. We believe this gives every lensmaster a chance to join the Giant Squid Club and advance to higher levels at their own pace.

Who runs the Giant Squids program?

We do.

Seth and Megan created the program and quickly found some wonderful Community Organizers (who were lensmasters!) to help as champions and shepherds of the Giant Squids.

Meet Bonnie and Robin. We're here to help.
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A few good examples

of Giant Squid lenses

Here's just a handful of lenses created by Giant Squids. This is the kind of caliber of goodness we're looking for, in order to play in our VIP group. Think you can make 25 lenses this good? We know you can.
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What Giant Squids get

for each level of achievement.

Giant Squid Club Level 25 - Super

As a freshly minted Giant Squid with at least 25 excellent lenses, you get:

Our Giant Squid Club level 25 lensmasters are called the Super Squids. They've worked hard to craft, update, and maintain 25 terrific lenses and we think that's SUPER!
  • 1A Giant Squid trophy. Credibility, accolades, envy... :)
  • 2A special goody sent your way, if you provide your mailing address in your application.
  • 3Your shot at making The Giant Squids Top 100 list, a list of the top Giant lenses, sorted by LensRank.
  • 4No daily lens limits. Here's another big one! You can start as many lenses a day as you want, and you can have as many unimproved lenses under construction as you need. We trust you. We know you're going to build them out eventually.
  • 5Greenlighting. Have you heard of, or run up against, any of our automated content checkers? They checks lenses for language and topics that are not welcome on Squidoo, as well as duplicate content or spam. But quite often, while we're playing it safe, there are false positives. And that can be frustrating. So we're greenlighting all our Giants, so you never get stuck again.
  • 6A Custom Lens Template tool. This one's BIG. You can have multiple customized lens templates, to help you pre-populate new lenses with modules and copy that you like. Makes making lenses faster.
  • 7A Concierge who reads all your bug reports within hours (sometimes minutes) and hurries them along the queue. This doesn't mean your bug will always get fixed faster, but it does mean you'll hear from us faster. And peace of mind is priceless.
  • 8Quests designed just for Giant Squids.
  • 9You frequently get a first look or early mover advantage with new features we roll out.
  • 10Super Squids get an invite to become a SquidAngel. The SquidAngels are a passionate force of lensmasters who get to bless and cheer on great lenses.

Giant Squid Club Level 50 - Monster

As a Giant Squid with 50 lenses, you get all the benefits of the 25 lenses level, plus:

Our Giant Squid level 50 lensmasters are called Monster Squids because it takes a Monster effort to craft, and care for 50 top-notch lenses.
  • 1A 50 trophy.
  • 2Special consideration when you send in a LotD nomination. When we know a lens has been nominated by a Giant 50, we know it must be worth checking out!
  • 3A purple star! We'll go through your account and pick our favorite one of your lenses, and will give it a purple star. Not only is it a public editorial award, but it's also a tiny LensRank boost for that lens.

Giant Squid Club Level 100 - Mammoth

As a Giant Squid with 100 lenses, you get all the benefits above plus:

Our Giant Squid Club level 100 lensmasters are called the Mammoth Squids because of the mammoth effort they take creating and properly caring for 100 lenses.
  • 1A 100 trophy.
  • 2A Squidoo t-shirt if you provided your mailing address. Overseas is fine, but give us longer on the turnaround. You'll get your shirt within a month or two of applying and getting accepted for the 100 level.

Giant Squid Club Level 250 - Colossal

As a Giant Squid with 250 lenses, you get all the benefits above plus:

Our Giant Squid Club Level 250 lensmasters are called the Colossal Squids because the amount of work it takes to craft and maintain and update 250 lenses is colossal indeed!
  • 1A 250 trophy.
  • 2You get a special email address to give out purple stars to other people! You can use it as often as you like, everyday if you want, no more waiting for purple star quests. We'll send you the link when you get accepted. (Disclaimer: we have to agree that the lenses are excellent).
  • 3Want to submit a guest post LotD selection to SquidooHQ? Write up your favorite lens (that belongs to someone else) and send the draft in to this link.

Giant Squid Club Level 500 - Leviathan

As a Giant Squid with 500 or more lenses, you get all the benefits above plus:

Our Giant Squid Club level 500 members are called the Leviathan Squids because their effort to craft, constantly update, and maintain 500 lenses is so huge, so much bigger than big, it's leviathan!
  • 1A 500 trophy
  • 2The insane natural benefit of running 500+ fantastic lenses. There's no way you're not making some good dough on Squidoo at this level. More than Monopoly money, that's for sure!
  • 3Make sure you gave us your phone number. That helps us opt you in for special conferences and such.
  • 4An extra special Squidgift. (We'll tell you when it's ready).

What Giants give in return

Mainly, inspiration.

Besides creating fantastic lenses for the Squidoo community and the world?

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 does it take to be eligible for the Giant Squids?

It takes "at least 25 really great lenses" to be eligible for Giant Squiddom. Say that again out loud: 25 really great lenses. That's a combination of quality and quantity.

If you have 400 mediocre lenses, that doesn't count. (Though, if you double back and work on adding more, personal, unique, creative content to your lenses, you'll probably be in the running soon).

If you have 8 simply amazing, masterpiece lenses, that doesn't count either. But keep at it, we beg you!

No, we're looking for that special intersection of greatness in number and in content.

The number part is easy enough. 25 lenses. Anyone can count to 25.

But the "really great" part? Wow. That's hard. So, the Giant Squid Organizers and I wanted to take a second to try to put that into words a little better, to set out some guidelines so you know what to expect (and how far to reach).

How to make Giant quality lenses

  1. The history of the Giant Squids
  2. Usually, you know it when you see it
  3. Things that will give you a leg up
  4. Things that could disqualify your lenses
  5. The rules that really ARE rules
  6. Busting some Giant Squid Myths

Usually, you know it when you see it

Kind of like a first crush

People who spend lots of time making and reading lenses know what makes a good lens. There's just something special about it. Your heartbeat speeds up and you smile a little and think: wow, this is good. Maybe you even get a little jealous that you didn't make it!

There's something to be said for editorial gut instinct.

But there's a lot more to say, beyond that.

So these guidelines are here to help do just that-- guide you--toward greatness, toward trying your best, regardless of the Giant Squids program. And hopefully they will help us be more transparent about what we're looking for in our future Giants.

But, just so you know, and since we're all real people and not computers and algorithms, we reserve the right to fall back on "you know it when you see it" when all other guidelines fail.

[Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/people/flooznyc/]

Things that will give you a leg up

Giant Squids probably do some or all of these things

* 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 25 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. If you do, tell everyone it's just a first draft and in-progress!
* Watch for typos.
* Be kind to fellow lensmasters and your readers.
* Don't spam.
* Write your lenses in English.
* 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 SquidPaws and SquidSports and SquidLit, but don't ONLY make those lenses. (Those are meant to give you starter templates to edit, not just stop with the status quo).
* Own a niche and make lots of lenses in it. But don't repeat yourself on the same topic. 20 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.

[Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lscan/451636460/

Things that could disqualify your lenses

Are you sure you have 25 amazing lenses? Are you ready to apply to the Giant Squids? You might want to look back on your top 25 lenses (and any more you have, for that matter) and make sure they're not guilty of any of the below.

Of course, we know how it goes with in-progress lenses you just haven't had time for yet. We'll look at your 25 best lenses, and then look at the rest just to see what kinds of topics you intend to publish on.

Here's the no-no list:

* Spam.
* Spamming. No matter how good your lenses are, if you spam the verb, you're out.
* Copied lenses.
* Or even worse: mean-intentioned lenses.
* Undeveloped "starter" lenses with no personalized content.
* Lenses written in a language other than English.
* Too many empty lenses in your top 25 (even if you have some good ones mixed in).
* Lenses that sell selfishly (lenses that yell at the reader, or flash BUY ME BUY ME in all caps).
* Being meanspirited or malicious on the SquidU forums. Regardless of how good your content might be.
* Having lots of, or all, X-rated lenses. (Have a few if you insist. We're not puritans. But we do hope a Giant would focus on a lot more than X-rated stuff).
* 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.
* Anonymity hurts.

[Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/forezt/]

Important!

We gathered the lists above based on what we've seen in our lens wanderings. They're not meant to be Draconian rules, just (that word again) guidelines. Chances are we won't turn your lenses down just because they have one or two tpyos (see?).

The rules that really ARE rules

not just guidelines

If you get accepted into the Giant Squids program, and then for some reason start spamming or being cruel to fellow lensmasters or kicking kittens, we reserve the right to boot you.

Also, once a Giant, you have to continue earning your Giant Squid status. We give you a lot in return, so we expect you to keep up your level of work and at least 25 great lenses. If you sell off your lenses, or delete them, or transfer them to someone else or another account, well, that will probably disqualify you as a Giant. If we hear that you've sold your entire Giant Squid account to someone else, we'll remove the status then too.

In short, the requirements will always be this: you and your Giant Squid account have to have 25 amazing lenses. Of course, once you do, it's not that hard to keep them up! And make more!

How to apply

If you have a dozen lenses that you're insanely proud of right now... go make a dozen more. If you have 80 lenses, but only a handful that you've really spent any time on... go perfect 25 of your favorites. And if you're pretty sure you have 25 or more lenses that you'd stake your reputation on, 25 lenses that match most of the above guidelines, then it's time to apply!

Here's how. And it's easier than you might think. When you're ready, any time, just fill out the form you'll find HERE. That's it.

If you don't apply, we won't be able to consider you for the program. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Please Note!

Each level of Giant Squidness (25, 50, 100, 250, and 500) requires a new application form to be filled out.

Important!

Giant Squid Application

We won't automatically know that you've reached your goal.

Once you have 25, 50, 100, 250, or 500 great lenses, just fill out this form: Join the Giant Squid Club

Busting some Giant Squid Myths

Banishing some silly notions

No, you don't have to donate all your royalties to charity. Many Giant Squids are top cash earners. That's fine. We love that.

No, you don't have to bribe us with cookies. ;)

No, you don't have to have a "lensography" lens. But it's fun!

No, you don't have to be active in SquidU. But it helps us to hear from you.

No, you don't have to have lots of star ratings or fans. No man is an island, and most Giants thrive on community interaction, but it's okay to go it your own too.

No, you don't have to have Guestbooks on all your lenses. Sometimes it's okay to not want comments. We understand.

No, you don't have to have all "maxed" lenses. We think they look better and traffic better, but that's just us.

No, getting a Lens of the Day selection doesn't guarantee you a spot in the Giant Squids.

No, you won't get booted for having some under construction lenses. Make sure you maintain (at least!) your 25 great ones, and then grow and experiment and refine your others from there.

No, we don't magically find you and make you a Giant. You have to apply! (Read on)

Even more info about the Giants

  1. The history of the Giant Squids
  2. Giant Squid Application
  3. Busting some Giant Squid Myths
  4. Still more FAQs
  5. Remember: There's always next time

Still more FAQs

Or, frequently given answers!

1. Yes, we let new Giants into the program any time but give us about a week to get back to you.
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 25 lenses (didn't the above lists help though?). Another way to think of it: 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, your lenses must be written in English.
7. Yes, you can have more then one Giant Squid account provided that the lenses in the new account are top notch but each individual lensmaster is limited to having 3 Giant Squid accounts in their name.
8. Yes, you should be a Giant. :)

Remember: There's always next time

We take new Giants every day, as a matter of fact.

Sounds a little like "Don't call us, we'll call you" doesn't it? Or maybe "No really, honey, it's not you, it's me."

Luckily, that's not the case! We're not breaking up with you.

In fact, we kind of have a crush on you and want to give you another chance.

If you don't get accepted into the Giant Squids, there are a few things to remember:

It's not personal! It's not a popularity contest, either. We're just looking at your content, the direction its heading, and for an indication of your intentions behind your lenses.

Apples to apples is not really how it works. Someone might have a lens you don't think is up to snuff, and vice versa. When there's so many subjective anomalies possible, and real human judgment and reactions, we make some case-by-case decisions. And you might not agree with them all. The best we can promise is to be clear and fair. And we will.

If you aren't accepted into the Giant Squids Club this time, you're encouraged to take a month to take another look at your 25 lenses and reapply in 30 days.

[Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/people/ilovepink]

Comments

For Squidoo lensmasters only.

Lensmasters, have a question about the Giant Squids Club? Post it here and we'll either answer directly, or work it into a FAQ for this lens. Thanks!

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9 things to know about the updated Text List module

  • 1The text list module got a long overdue update.
  • 2There is now a new "Display with large numbers" display option within the existing module. If you want to use the attractive display that you see here, just visit your existing lenses with Text List modules and select this new option, then Publish. Or take this as a reason to add a new Text List module to future lenses.
  • 3We think it looks pretty rockin'
  • 4And it's styled so that it will look good and clean no matter what lens theme you are using.
  • 5BONUS: Try using this to create new Top 10 lists on lenses. People love Top 10 lists. So do your readers.
  • 6You could give the module creative numbered titles like: "5 things not to say in front of your mother in law" or "3 reasons you should keep reading this lens" or "10 Things To Do On Saint Patrick's Day" or "5 Things You'll Learn From This Lens"
  • 7What other uses can you imagine for this new design?
  • 8Sure, it supports some HTML like bolding and itals but we hope you'll agree that this new display works best in the clean, uncluttered, natural state that we intended. You lens deserves a little refreshing whitespace.
  • 9Have a nice day.

Did you read it all? Here's a shortcut back to the top.

  1. The history of the Giant Squids
  2. Who runs the Giant Squids program?
  3. A few good examples
  4. What Giant Squids get
  5. Giant Squid Club Level 25 - Super
  6. Giant Squid Club Level 50 - Monster
  7. Giant Squid Club Level 100 - Mammoth
  8. Giant Squid Club Level 250 - Colossal
  9. Giant Squid Club Level 500 - Leviathan
  10. What Giants give in return
  11. What does it take to be eligible for the Giant Squids?
  12. Usually, you know it when you see it
  13. Things that will give you a leg up
  14. Things that could disqualify your lenses
  15. Important!
  16. The rules that really ARE rules
  17. How to apply
  18. Please Note!
  19. Giant Squid Application
  20. Busting some Giant Squid Myths
  21. Still more FAQs
  22. Remember: There's always next time

This SquidooHQ page written by

bdkz

Bonnie is a Community Organizer here on Squidoo.

She manages the Giant Squid VIP Writers program, organizes the Squidoo charity program and is editor... more »

Official news and updates from the Squidoo Team

Connect with SquidooHQ

Who runs the Giant Squids program? 

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