Tips and ideas to set the mood.
But first things first - number one on the list of Sign Up Steps is to create a lens about your organization. If you're new to Squidoo, getting to know how lenses work is an important part of being able to promote Squidoo to your volunteers. Signing up for Squidoo won't magically bring you thousands of donors, but showing your volunteers how to get started is a strong first step.
So take some time with your first lens. Test the waters, peek around, and have fun. If you get stuck, help is just a few clicks away.
To create this very real guide, I created a fake lens. Iwannapony International is a sample lens that shows you just a few of the many things you can do with a lens to share more about who you are, what you do, why you're worthy, and how to get started helping you.
This lens will include some shortcut tips for making your About Us lens, as well as some examples from my fake Iwannapont nonprofit lens. And, of course, some real live examples of what other organizations have done, too.
Need some one-on-one help? Meet our Charity Mentors.
Shortcut!
Here are the top things you should be sure to include
What are you all about?
Tell us about your organization. When was it founded, and why? What is your purpose, your mission, your vision? What do you do on a day-to-day basis? Do you have fundraisers? Contests? Events? Training?
Include a link for your organization's website, please!
Who are you?
Lensmasters and readers are much more likely to identify with you if they know who you are and what you're all about. So post pictures, tell us your name, and give us someone real to talk to. We should also know who the main contact person is (you, probably), so we can keep you up-to-date about special stuff.
How can volunteers get involved?
Besides building great lenses, how can interested volunteers contact you and get involved? What can they do to help out? What are the time or financial requirements?
A few real live examples from other nonprofits
before we move on to the fun fake example!
-
Operation Gratitude | Putting a (BIG) smile on a service members face!
-
Welcome to my Operation Gratitude lens on Squidoo I hope you will find this handcrafted lens a unique and useful resource about the awe-inspiring Operation Gratitude organization founded by Carolyn Blashek. So grab a cup of coffee & take a look aro...
-
Are You Polar Bear Aware?
-
Polar bears are affected by habitat loss, destruction and degradation of ecosystems, pollution, over-exploitation and climate change. These factors are among the powerful and persistent impacts on polar bear populations and health. The purpose of thi...
-
A Day of Hope
-
A Day of Hope is a program of ASI, at California State University, Stanislaus which gives hope and encouragement by delivering baskets of food and turkeys to families for Thanksgiving. Baskets are delivered to needy families in Modesto and Turlock wh...
-
Longhopes Donkey Rescue
-
Our mission is to rescue, shelter, rehabilitate and find permanent homes for donkeys that would otherwise be destroyed for meat consumption overseas. These animals are often shipped in horrific conditions to processors outside of the US - many die fr...
Mission Statement
a fake one, but you get the point! We want to know what your mission and vision are.
We want to know what your mission and vision are. What goals do you have for the future? What do you stand for? How will you achieve your objectives - not just in action, but in spirit?
Who are you?
Tell us a little about yourself. You could even use a Flickr or Polaroid module to show off some great photos of your core team and volunteers.
What do you do, and how?
Almost as important as knowing there's a real person behind your lens is knowing what you do. Many organizations are insanely vague about their mission, how they use donations, and what they do on a daily basis. This is your opportunity to educate readers on the day-to-day operations of your organization. And if it takes more than a few paragraphs to explain, later, you can even create an entire lens about it!
How do you use your donations?
This is by no means required for your lens or our info, but it can help you earn a lot of trust with prospective donors if they know exactly where their cash is going.
How else can volunteers help?
If giving time or in-kind donations are options, tell users how they can get in on the fun.
Upcoming events and fundraisers
The Countdown Module is just one way to let readers know what's coming up, but it does create a sense of urgency, which can be a great thing when it comes to selling tickets or securing RSVPs!
Your contact info
When you submit your application to Squidoo, we'll check your lens for important contact info. If we can't easily figure out how and who to contact, your application might be sent back. So make sure this is updated.
Of course...
this is just a sample. Your lens can be in a totally different order and include different modules. The idea is to include the important facts and lots of fun, engaging extras.
My fake lens
To create this very real guide, I created a fake lens. Iwannapony International is a sample lens that shows you just a few of the many things you can do with a lens to share more about who you are, what you do, why you're worthy, and how to get started helping you.
Get more help creating great lenses
Our First Lens Mentor has a great lens on developing your first lens on Squidoo. And you can get tips at-
Making your First Lens Mentor
-
EVERYBODY can Squidoo! You can too! It might take you an afternoon to 'get the hang of it', but that afternoon can be LOTS of fun. You don't need to be an expert in anything 'internet-y' to be able to build a beautiful, useful and successful Squido...
-
The Squidoo Charity Answer Deck
-
The Squidoo Charity Answer Deck contains hand-selected useful lenses for people interested in promoting or raising funds for charity. Inspired by the Squidoo Answer Deck, the Squidoo Charity Answer Deck was created by Squidoo Activists to be a hub f...
-
FAQ: Donating to Charity
-
Squidoo is a great way to earn money for charity. This lens will answer our most frequently asked questions about how you can send money to charity. If you were directed here by Tisha, our awesome bug sorter outer, and you still weren't able to find...
