Learning To Squidoo

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 109 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #7,525 in How-To, #78,708 overall

Find Mentors To Help You Learn Squidoo... For the first few sessions especially!!


*$#%Sh#*ucks-bleepity-bleep, Grrr :-((

Yeah... that's right...Does this not look like I am pulling my hair out???

An enthusiastic Squidoo start had ground to a tormenting, time consuming, frustrating halt!


Wait a minute? Squid what? Squidoo???... It's actually just a website with ready made modules designed to make it easy for anyone, for free, to set up a single page on a topic he or she knows or cares a lot about and have it published on the internet! Check out my lens
Let's start at the very beginning... I was introduced to Squidoo by two wonderful, lifelong friends and Squidoo Lensmasters extraordinaire: Ohme aka Nancy Hellams and Joan4 aka Joan Adams.

They kept sending me their lenses to read. (Whoa... wait a minute...what's a lens? A lens is just a blog or a web page (like this)...with ready made modules that add some bells and whistles that you don't have in a conventional blog. Once you understand the terminology, it all kind of falls in place! Anyway they liked my comments and whetted my interest and then cajoled and encouraged me to start my own lens... and that's what you are reading! I did not realize my good fortune, because at the time, I was uneducated that my friends were two of the shining stars of Squidoo! As a matter of record, their Lenses are consistently creative and top quality and their network of friends who are quality Lensmasters on Squidoo is extensive. In addition to being extremely talented, patient and helpful with the mentoring and instruction of how to create a lens, they have been extraordinary helping me to promote it! That has been a very important factor in this lenses remarkable early climb on the 2nd day into the top tier rating level. I'm convinced they could both be very successful as campaign managers for high political office!

So I reiterate... if you are, like me, at the entry level (SOAS)- Square One at Squidoo,... finding an experienced mentor willing to help you will save you time and can be invaluable to your success!

Ohme started her mentoring session with me by directing me to pose for the camera like I was pulling my hair out with frustration at not being able to upload the picture in my profile!

Of course, with my frustration still simmering, I had no trouble doing just that. She instructed that it was important in a "How to" lens to begin by illustrating and explaining the primary dilemma you encountered and the steps you took to resolve them.

Amazed to WIN RUNNER UP w/this Lens in The January Fresh Squid Contest! 

Thank you to all who visited and voted and here is the contest winner badge!

This Lens (my first) was featured as an entry in the Fresh Squid Contest for January and won second place.

This is an ongoing, monthly contest that is a wonderful forum for new squids...so visit and enjoy the lenses featured in this months contest and make it a point to vote for your favorites.

(just click this link) Fresh Squid Contest and it will take you to the contest

Thank You to all of you who visited and voted for my lens! I really do appreciate it. Thanks most of all to Michelle Willow who invests her time and talent into hosting this contest for new lensmasters!

Please, do visit the new contest each month and don't forget to rate and comment on Michelle's aka a-Willow's fine contest lens. Thank You!

p.s. FYI

The old contest results can be seen in the plexo following the visitors comments module on this lens.

Number 1: My Profile 

The exasperating picture upload dilema

Because the experts say it's an important first step...I spent five frustrating sessions trying to upload my picture (Avatar) into my profile without success. I was correctly following all the instructions I had read, but after twenty or so attempts in the fifth session, it was still not working. My wonderful mentor Ohme aka Nancy Hellams graciously invited me to her house for a brainstorm to figure out a solution. She said between SquidU, her and her sister Joan4 aka Joan Adams we should be able to resolve the problem. Ohme told me to go to the Squidu forum before our session (click here) on SquidU and to sign in and introduce myself , then post the problem and ask for help on the forum. Many experienced Lensmasters often stop by the SquidU forum to help resolve problems.

We discovered that the very help I needed came on the SquidU forum from amanda0983.... She had posted her solution on the forum by the time I got to Ohme's and it said that she was also relatively new and had experienced the same problem. She discovered that only after she entered text into the "blank" bio field, would her picture finally upload and display. I promptly put a few words into my bio field, saved everything and and then tried to upload..."Voila!"... my picture finally appeared... Hallelujah!

Perhaps, in the near future, Squidoo could initiate a "popup blurb" for newbies like me?? When the picture refuses to upload, a popup message would say that the bio must have text in it before the profile picture can upload??? I hate most "pop ups" but this one would be helpful for a raw newbie like me... especially if they did not have a wonderful mentor available like Ohme...just an idea!

Joan4 and Ohme Teach Me About All THE MODULES 

THE MODULES are a remarkable and a flexible tool

The first break we took, Ohme called Joan on the phone... spoke her piece and handed it to me. I enjoyed briefly talking over "old times" with Joan4 on the phone and then we talked Squidoo. I have grown to understand that Joan4 has an extraordinary Squidoo record of completing over 100 quality lenses in less than one year! She has been a Giant Squid, and now has just been selected into the elite "Giant Squid100" group. It goes without saying that I need to learn all I can about Squidoo from her at every opportunity. What is a "Giant Squid" you ask?

Answer that and much more...Click on the "live" blue link here to see: Squidoo Tips from Bdkz


Modules are the building blocks of Squidoo,

much like widgets in blogs. Each module has certain settings you can change or customize to fit your lens (web page). For everything you want to know about modules see: Module Mentor The following are just some of the ones I used, but there are many, many more. see: An index of modules along with a short description @ The Module Index (Click on any of the highlighted "live blue links" for a more complete explanation of each module featured!)



Ohme welcomes me to Squidoo on Video 

Ohme had received a remarkable, palm sized "Flip Ultra" video camcorder for Christmas which she used to conduct the following interview with me...

powered by Youtube

Isn't Ohme's Video Amazing? 

She received her Flip Ultra Camera for Christmas

You can own one too! It is real small and will take up to 1 hr videos and downloads directly to the USB port on your computer.

Flip Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black) OLD MODEL

Amazon Price: $129.97 (as of 11/11/2009)Buy Now

What Does Wikipedia Have To Say About Squidoo? 

Squidoo is a community website that allows users to create pages (called lenses) for subjects of interest. Squidoo is in the top 500 most visited sites in the world, and in the top 300 most viewed in the United States.Squidoo.com traffic details Alexa.com. Squidoo grew 91% in 2008, and had 900,000 handbuilt lenses as of February 1st, 2009.

Did You Have Problems Getting Started On Squidoo? 

What was it like for you to learn Squidoo?

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It was a breeze but I am very smart.

CDT says:

I found it pretty straightforward in all honesty :) I knew how to do simple HTML before I started, so that helped and other than that I looked at existing lenses to see how experienced lensmasters did it!

My tips are;
don't rush
keep it simple to start with
have a good look through all the different types of Squidoo module and try them out - you can always delete whatever you don't like!
always proof read and spell check your work
write about what you know - don't try to jump on "popular bandwagons" if you know little or nothing about the subject
and most important of all - keep your content original - don't copy what others have done!

...oh and when in doubt, The Answer Deck is your friend!

:)

aj2008 says:

Despite having a background in IT, I did find it hard to start with - it was the realisation that there was just sooooo much to learn! But I was lucky that I had the time to figure it all out

Suzie-Shine says:

I did my homework before I did my first lens.

kiwisoutback says:

I thought it was pretty easy to learn Squidoo from the getgo. The modules really make it easy.

ChineseKitesforKids says:

it was a breeze from the very start - I think I'm going to love it here!!!!

TopStyleTravel says:

Starting with Squidoo was fascinating. I expected something harder. What happened to me was information overload. Excited that so many share their knowledge, but overwhelmed with too much information. I am still having fun learning new things and referring back to many 'how to' lens.

papawu says:

The only issues I faced in getting started was figuring out what I wanted to write about first! I did stumble along a little bit at first, to be fair, but then I received some great advice from a couple of people who viewed my lenses and I even seeked advice from some squid giants. I simply contacted them through their e-mail, introduced myself, asked them to view what lenses I had at the time, and awaited contructive criticism.

Pastiche says:

I was more cautious than fumbling, but I did have some issues getting the forum to allow me in. Luckily it was a nasty bug and I persevered with pleas for help. Then it was finally caught and fixed and I was/am able to use all of Squidoo's rich set of features. You are a wonderful guy for sharing your startup problems and now, IMHO, you are qualified as a geek on Squidoo.

x3xsolxdierx3x says:

Squidoo is an awesome platform....I thought it was pretty easy to learn.....the modules are straitforward....it just takes time to get all your thoughts out there for the world to see....

Susan52 says:

I can't say that I'm so smart, but Squidoo did "click" right away with me. Of course almost two years later I'm still learning new things, but I do love Squidoo!

Ramkitten says:

I wouldn't say it was a breeze (I scratched my head so much I think I still have a bald spot), but I just jumped in and, through trial and error, at least figured out the basics within a day or so. Always learning new things, like funky new html and how to use new modules. Fun!

Tipi says:

I'm still learning so much about Squidoo. Is this going to be an on-going process? It does get easier, depending on the topic. Some topics are fun, and some topics are from a deep place in our hearts and can be emotional to create. Its all good! :)

Laniann says:

John, you make learning how to use Squidoo and Twitter so easy. I just learned the power of your popup message to Twitter it. Thanks

Laniann says:

Learning the ins and outs of Squidoo was made easier by all the wonderful Squid swimming about. It sure cut the learning curve and put me on the right tentacle.

Mtodd says:

My first lens is pretty simple. Start with the basics, right?

So frustrating I was pulling my hair out.

whitemoss says:

I just set off and did my first one quickly- then I realised it was rubbish, and had to work very hard on improving it quickly!

Sojourn says:

So glad I wasn't the only one! It was comical. :)

Momtothezoo says:

At present, I am still learning and have barely scratched the service. Ohme and Joan4 have both been very helpful to me as well...I feel I am driving Ohme crazy but she is very patient with me. I totally understand SittonBulls attempt to pull hair! I am happy to report, however, as I progress, my locks longevity is lengthening.

Four_Eyes says:

Wow! This is a great find, I'm not alone. I'll have to refer back to this as I work on my first lens.

LaraineRose says:

Thinking back..it was like falling into a big, deep pond and not knowing how to swim. I soon learned with a lot of help from my friends. I loved learning HTML from the various helpful lenses. I wish I had more time. I think that is my biggest problem. I am thankful to all who gave me a helping hand. There are so many wonderful, beautiful people who write here!

Tipi says:

I'm still learning from JagaurJulie! She's one smart cookie. Maybe I'll get the hang of it in 3 years! :)

Shelly says:

I was frustrated and all I was doing was proof reading! I'm currently reducing stress, so I think I'll remain an outsider looking into this wonderland.

Marijoyce says:

I'm finally getting most of it..well, kind of, sort of. There
are still a lot of times, though, I feel I've risked getting
pretty close to bald.

anitastoudmire says:

I am STILL learning! I have a business online and I wanted this to complement that so I am creating a new lens each and every day for the next thirty days! WHEW!

mulberry says:

The computer part was a breeze but it took me months to understand what it was all about, guess I needed a mentor!

buyingbankforeclosures says:

where do I start?

Laniann says:

I read what you had to say about Twitter -
and set up an account. That was pretty easy, but how I really use it is not clear.

C-Joy says:

I wasn't quite pulling my hair out, but I was certainly frustrated with trying to get my pictures where I wanted them. If you have a lens on images or html for squidoo, chances are I significantly boosted your lensrank as I spent so much time referring to the "how-to" lenses!

lollyj says:

I have "old lady thinning hair syndrome" so tried real hard not to pull out any more. But yeah. Squidoo was hard at first and remains hard. Lots of nice people have helped or encouraged me, and I read all the helpful lenses I can find, but still feel like a kindergarten squidlet.

salzanos says:

It seems pretty up front, but my technique is to just keep clicking on things and see what they do. I already have 58 years of stories and things I want to write about. They are bursting to be told, and what better place then right here on squidoo! Thanks for the welcome too!

 
view all 76 comments

People Are Blogging About Squidoo 

Squidoo is a hot topic on Google blogs!

Read what people have to say about Squidoo in these blogs which are updated every day!

Work At Home Business Opportunities Weblog | What's New At Squidoo
So there's still some authority to be had by having a top notch Squidoo page if you can give it the care and attention it needs, but if it's a good page, it will keep benefiting you long after you build it. ...
Back Links From Squidoo - Affiliate Marketing
I have read a few times that Squidoo is good for backlinks however I set up backlinks on the site over two weeks ago and they are still not showing on.
Squidoo Lens of the Day » Blog Archive » Stone Soup by Starly
Every day (or nearly that) Squidoo's Community & Charity Organizer, Kimberly Dawn Wells, highlights a lens that stands out from the crowd, a lens that is unique in topic, approach, personality, tools or timing. Or, you know, just a lens ...
Best Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe | Cabaret Squidoo Best Recipes ...
This cranberry sauce recipe page is another winner in the Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff (for charity) contest. The $1000.00 donation is going to Soldier's Angels. Soldier's Angels is a volunteer-led non-profit organization providing aid ...

Need to buy someone a gift, but don't want to go to the store? 

I have a variety of gift selections and only a few are displayed!

Leave me some feedback on what kind of gift you are looking for in the guest book below and I will respond in kind?

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Featured Lenses to help you learn Squidoo 

Your Invitation for Free Membership in Squidoo is below! Join the Fun!

For your Free Membership in Squidoo... click here on my link Sittonbull & then visit the featured lenses below to help you get started!

Take my word for it... you with "thirsty" intellects, You with writing skills or you who want to develop them, You with imagination and eyes for what's pertinent, meaningful and fascinating... you would enjoy it immensely. Squidoo can also be utilized to promote whatever business interests you have or can be used to start a new business, but those are just options... not requirements. It's free, it fun, and I am "blown away" by the forum format and the talent displayed in quality lenses that are out there to read and study. If you can read, If you can write, then you can review, share or promote whatever interests you are passionate about and that are important to you, all at your own pace and choosing.

You don't have to make a lens, but it's fun to do. Try a simple one here by clicking this link: sittonbull Visit the following sites and come join us... you won't regret it!

There Are Books About Squidoo Available On Amazon 

I needed all the help I could get.
Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Thank you, Ohme and Joan4 

PAY ATTENTION!

For a fast start with minimal frustration... your two most important actions are below!

(1) Search for an experienced, willing mentor to help you get started- Ohme and Joan4 continue to be my encouragement and give me the right technical advice to help me bypass being overwhelmed by the info overload of all the great how-to guides out there.

(2) Go to the (click here)...SQUIDU forum, sign in, introduce yourself and ask for help!

Lenses...(The Squid's Exceptionally Large Eyes)...are how they see the world! 

Thus...in Squidoo...We call webpages like this one you are reading...lenses!

We call it... a Lens... and it is simply the vision we see of various interests...translated into words!



squidoo, spacer, eyes

I Hope You Enjoyed your visit... 

I enjoyed having you here ...

As Squidoo members we can rank and favorite other lenses at our own discretion. Lensmaster extraordinaire and squidutil genius The Fluffanutta, has provided the rating widget below this paragraph "pro bono" for all of us to use. Visit The Fluffanutta by clicking this link and you will delight in all the wonderful squidutils he has available free for your Squidoo enjoyment!! For example, if you really like this lens, or if you dislike it... you can rate it with stars shown below to the degree of your liking. You can also become a fan and favorite it. When you become a fan of a lensmaster, you are indicating that you want to know when he/she updates or squidcasts about their lenses. As a result, you are notified in the favorites section of your dashboard when the lensmaster sends out squidcasts about new lenses and updates. If you like a lens, you can also Digg It, Stumble It, post it on facebook, twitter it, e-mail it to your friends and lensroll it to an appropriate lens of yours. If you choose to rate this lens, favorite it or lensroll it, just click on The Fluffanutta's widgets below... then scroll down to the next module and let me know your thoughts! Thanks again!

Add this to your lens »

WAIT! Before you go, I would also love to have your input! 

Your candid comments and interaction are a treasured gift to all lensmasters you visit... ... and I am no exception! I Really Appreciate you'all stopping by & would love your comments in my Guestbook below as well as your interaction in the duel module !

saritajain86 wrote...

I love squidoo but sometimes not able to understand this... THank you so much for this... This lens is full of real info...

ReplyPosted November 07, 2009

clouda9 wrote...

Refreshing look at all the possibilities to create here on Squidoo. You are certainly blessed to have Ohme and Joan4 on your side. And with all you do to promote Squidoo I think we should have a cheerleader (blue and orange work-out suit ;) badge just for you!

ReplyPosted October 11, 2009

Tipi wrote...

Just when I master one thing there are different things that I need to learn and apply. I'm hooked and I love it! If nothing else I can always work on tag and keywords, that's a good thing to do anyway...and it does help get more traffic from searches. I have so many different lenses I want to build yet, it all takes time and lots of patients. ~ We must stop to smell the roses!!! :)

ReplyPosted August 17, 2009

LaraineRose wrote...

News Flash: This lens was so very helpful, I added it to a plexo at LaraineRose

ReplyPosted August 10, 2009

whitemoss wrote...

This is a really helpful lens- If only I'd read it before I started! Seriously, its very helpful and keeps it simple which is great for non techno types like me!
Thanks for your knid comments on my lens!
Sue

ReplyPosted August 05, 2009

aj2008 wrote...

It is very helpful for new people on Squidoo to see lenses like this so they can realise they are not the only ones who can feel overwhelmed when they first try to publish a lens. I have been here a year now and I am still trying to figure some things out!

I love the video!

ReplyPosted July 20, 2009

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

I love Squidoo but there has been times I've wanted to pull my hair out.
Have a good one.
Lizzy

ReplyPosted July 15, 2009

Suzie-Shine wrote...

Super lens. I followed the advice of a friend - do your homework first. Get to know the site, how it works and read other lenses vefore setting off. Hasn't gone too bad so far,
Suzie.

ReplyPosted July 10, 2009

sittonbull wrote...

in reply to Shelly It's always great to have Happy blessings from you Shelly and no place are they needed greater than on my head ;) July 4th is such a great day to celebrate all of our blessings enjoyed under the umbrella of Liberty so thank you for adding another one!

ReplyPosted July 04, 2009

Lensmaster

Shelly wrote

Happy 4th of July blessings on your head John!

Reply Posted July 04, 2009

Lensmaster

Shelly wrote

Just rewatched your interview with OhMe, I don't care what you folks are saying--just love those Carolina accents! Those of us in the northland find the way you folks talk to be so musical--pretty!
May you continue to be an inspiration to all!

Reply Posted June 15, 2009

kiwisoutback wrote...

I had some trouble uploaded a bio pic when I first joined too. For some reason the bio module photo upload tends to fail on a regular basis. You've done very well with this lens, way better than my first or second lens. Squid Angel blessed!

ReplyPosted June 08, 2009

OhMe wrote...

Oh me! This seems like so very long ago, doesn't it.

ReplyPosted June 03, 2009

Lensmaster

Shelly wrote

Susie and I must be in the same mind stream, You've come to mind several times over the last few days and decided to stop by--it's always a pleasure to see your fun and very helpful work. I'd say that you have quite the servant's heart.

Reply Posted May 30, 2009

Tipi wrote...

Been thinking of you often. Doesn't do much good if we don't let someone they are thought of, so I wanted to let you know that. - Hope things are going well for you!
Blessed by a Tipigal! :D

ReplyPosted May 28, 2009

ChineseKitesforKids wrote...

This is very helpful. I have to admit when I first learned about Squidoo and all the cool modules I was stoked! I mean has anyone ever built a website using just CSS and HTML - Squidoo is awesome!!! I'm still learning hubpages and that one makes me want to pull my hair out big time. So write us a lens on Hubpages would you...?? Ha Ha 5****

I am entered in the Fresh Squid Contest for May, my lens Daycare School Online is tied for first place....every vote helps! As a fellow fresh squid I'm sure you already know that.

ReplyPosted May 23, 2009

Sojourn wrote...

What a comfort for us newbies. Thank goodness I have a fair amount of hair because I was at the pulling stage. LOL It was so cool, though, I was determined to figure it out. Thank goodness for great how-to lenses like this one. Great job!

ReplyPosted May 23, 2009

TopStyleTravel wrote...

Great lens for folks starting on Squidoo. And new tips and tools for lensmasters. I need to be more active with Twitter, thanks for the reminder. You are so fortunate to have direct mentoring from Joan4 and Ohme.

ReplyPosted May 21, 2009

jaye3000 wrote...

I am so sending this to my mom! Thank you :)

ReplyPosted May 19, 2009

hlkljgk wrote...

nicely done, thanks for the info!

ReplyPosted May 06, 2009

Lensmaster

Shelly wrote

Guess I'm just following the crowd here to wish you well--blessings on your head!

Reply Posted May 06, 2009

Tipi wrote...

Had to stop by to visit one of my favorite Veterans of War.
Thank you for visiting one of my lenses recently John.
I do appreciate you and what you do on Squidoo!
Thank You!

ReplyPosted May 06, 2009

OhMe wrote...

Oh me! Oh my! 95 people have 5 starred this lens. That is super and you sure are racking up on the blessings, too. Now is the time to start number 3. I can't wait.

ReplyPosted May 06, 2009

Janusz wrote...

Had to fly back to Bless this Great Lens :)

ReplyPosted May 01, 2009

AppalachianCountry wrote...

Wow. Great lens. We have jumped into squidoo with all 4 feet and we need this lens. Thank-you for putting it together.

ReplyPosted May 01, 2009

view all 237 comments

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