1. Go to the lens workshop of the lens you want to add the video to.


2. Click on the tab which says "Add modules". This is situated at both the top and bottom of your lens workshop.


3. Select "Starter package" and click the orange add button on page 2 next to "YouTube vids".

You can also then customise each module to show ratings, views, descriptions, the number of comments, the number of videos and your own opinions.

1. Add the YouTube module as above.


2. Click the "Edit" tab on the top right-hand of the module.


3. Click the "Display options" tab.


4. You will now be presented with 4 tick boxes to customise your display. When ticked they will display, unticked they won't.

Thumbnail videos can be used in a number of different ways. They can be used to showcase a few videos (up to 9) next to each other, to show two contrasting examples next to each other (good example - bad example) or maybe just as an alternative to full sized videos.

Thumbnails can also be used to solve embedding problems.

To add thumbnail videos:

1. Add a YouTube module as normal.


2. Click the "Edit" tab on the top right-hand of the module.


3. You will now see 3 options; "Let YouTube pick", "Let me pick" and "Pick by YouTube username". Select one of the options.


4. The bottom of the box will now extend. You are given two options "Show full-size video" and "Show thumbnails video".


5. Select "Show thumbnails video" and you're done!

See below for my example.

A little note; before I get sued, I do not endorse any of the behaviour in the below videos including but not limited to:

• Setting the sprinklers off. (Paramore)


• Trashing a superstore. (Rise Against)


• Jumping off bridges, under trucks, running through traffic etc. (Bon Jovi)


• Counting poorly in a foreign language. (U2)


• Driving while your girlfriend (or boyfriend) covers your eyes. (Stereophonics)


• Playing guitar in the sea. (Feeder)


• Playing guitar until your fingers bleed. (Bryan Adams)


• Playing guitar at all! Flying whammy bars can be seriously dangerous to your health, Herman! (DragonForce)


• Going naturally about your business...Oh we do endorse that one! (R.E.M.)

Sometimes a YouTube video will play on YouTube but it won't play on your lens. So what's gone wrong?

This is most likely due to an embedding problem.

On the right hand side of the YouTube page, underneath the submitters details, there is a box with "Embed" written above it. If in this box it states, "Embedding disabled by request", you won't be able to use this video.

Whilst there is no legal way of putting this video on your lens if embedding is disabled, it is always worth an email to the owner of the video. A fine example of this is Clouda9's lens Getting Motivated For Life.

The video on this lens had embedding disabled by request but with just one email the owner of the video permitted Clouda9 to use the video and she now has content on her lens which is incredibly rare.

You can also use a thumbnail display to show a video that won't play on your lens. If you use thumbnails to display the video, any viewers will be directed to the YouTube URL of the video.

If it is on another video hosting site the only thing you can do is email the owner and request that they put it on YouTube.

If they refuse, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do as Squidoo doesn't support any other websites.

Well you can; using a little CSS.

Credit goes to TheFluffaNutta for this solution after Treasures-By-Brenda asked the question in *this* SquidU forum thread.

1. Firstly, add a YouTube Module just like you would normally.


2. Then add this code in the description area:

<p style="float: left; width: 150px; height: 247px;"> 

When you have saved it you should get something that looks like the video below!

Credit must go where credit is due for this section; I would never have thought of this.

The_Bard informed me of a little problem which many lensmasters overlook...

You MUST check your lenses regularly because sometimes videos are deleted from YouTube.

There are many reasons for this; the most common ones are that the owner didn't want the video on YouTube anymore or that it breached YouTube's terms and conditions. Whatever the reason, if a video is deleted it won't show up on your lens. It will, however, make your lens look under-maintained and messy.

YouTube videos are great. We know that. But it's a pretty stable thing, isn't it? I mean, the videos never change do they?

How about YouTube updates to your lens? Would you like that? Here's how:

If you combine both YouTube and RSS you can get all the updates from your favourite YouTuber or many other YouTube provided RSS feeds.

To get a YouTube RSS feed:

1. Add an RSS module as normal.


2. Go to this link and choose your feed by following the instructions.


3. Copy the URL (Highlight it and press "Ctrl" + "C") and paste it in the box on your RSS module ("Ctrl" + "V").


4. Select your options and save. You should now have a fully functioning RSS feed direct from YouTube

Just like mine below; direct from the YouTube blog!

I've recently noticed that many lensmasters have started making lensographies. To be totally honest, I think they are a great idea! (I jumped on the bandwagon with mine... Rock_The_Ice's Lensography!)

I've also noticed that they are usually quite personal and give a deep insight into the lensmaster and their life.

So... here's my idea;

1. Set up an account on YouTube.
2. Submit a video of yourself.
3. Get it on your lensography!

It could be a message to your viewers, a video biography or maybe just a video of you larking about!

One thing is for sure though, it makes your lensography so much more...YOU!

OK. So by now we've established that there are many different uses and functions of a YouTube video and that by using the module in different ways we can create different affects. Much like lighting in photography.

Allow me to introduce you to your own YouTube TV channel: SquidVids

SquidVids allows you to build a lens on a topic just like you would build a regular lens. The major difference is the layout of these lenses as they are specially designed to be a video showcase.

For a great SquidVids example and a showcase of the best How-To-Squidoo videos on YouTube take a look at MrLewisSmile's How-To Squidoo Videos Showcase!

Why not make a lens/video diary?

It would be unique and could bring a whole new perspective to blogging and lens making!

Maybe instead of writing about your travels you could take videos of you whilst you are away?

Or you could write a lot then use video footage to show off those special moments...

The possibilities are endless!