by 630 people |
Get the most out of Squidoo's Amazon Modules
Squidoo's Amazon module can be used in a lot of ways. It can, obviously, feature books, toys, games, etc.
You can also modify the look with html, hyperlinks, and graphics.
Read on to see what features are available with examples.
Update:
Squidoo has added some variations on the basic Amazon module. Sample modules are included below.
If you like this lens please give it 4 or 5 stars above.
The Basics Part I
Title
Although it seems obvious, you want to have a title that gets the reader's attention. It could be the title of the book like in the next module.
Subtitle
This field is optional. For my example I used the author's name.
Module Description
Although this field is optional, it makes a big difference if you tell your visitors why you recommend the book.
Small is the New Big
by Seth Godin
Seth's newest book is a collection of essays from his blog and his Fast Company column. The entries are arranged alphabetically and not chronologically. So they don't need to be read in order. Read them backwards and you will still come away with new ideas for your business or other venture.
Small Is the New Big: and 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas
After reading Seth's book I am even more convinced that Squidoo is going to be REALLY BIG.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 11/22/2009) 
List Price: $25.95
Used Price: $1.25
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Basics Part II
Pick Your Products
You can let Amazon pick the products to be displayed based on keywords you enter. Or you can choose your own. Personally, I feel more comfortable recommending items that I picked rather than deferring the decision to the Amazon search engine.
Display Options
The Small is the New Big module includes all of the display options which are
* Title
* Picture
* Rank
* Availability
* Release Date (if available)
* Amazon Price
* List Price
* Used Price
Some of these options may not be best for you. You can see in the module that there is almost too much information. Think about what your visitors really need and limit it to that.
Item Description
You can also add a short description of each item which is displayed in italics. Personal recommendation goes a long way.
Getting Fancy: Basic HTML and Hyperlinks
Basic HTML
The following tags are supported in the description section.
<b>Bold</b> looks like Bold
<i>Italic</i> looks like Italic
Adding Hyperlinks
Adding links in your description section can help visitors get more information about the items. The HTML for the link in the following module looks like
<a href="http://www.morrisinstitute.com/">Morris Institute for Human Values</a>
Harry Potter and Philosophy
The philosopher Tom Morris started out writing an essay for a friend about Harry Potter's courage. He couldn't stop writing and ended up with If Harry Potter Ran General Electric. It explores the philosophy that is evident throughout the Harry Potter series.
Tom also created the Morris Institute for Human Values "to bring a re-energized vision of philosophy into the lives of as many people as possible" especially in the business world.
If Harry Potter Ran General Electric: Leadership Wisdom from the World of the Wizards
Essential reading for leaders in any field.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $17.16 (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price: $26.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Getting Fancy: Adding Images
Pictures and More
You can also add pictures in the description field using the <img> tag. All you have to do is find an image hosting site such as photobucket. Upload your pictures and then link to them in the Amazon module. The image hosting site usually gives you the code you need.
The Speed of Trust
Stephen M.R. Covey is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center. Under his leadership the company's revenues doubled to $112 million dollars and his father's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People became one of the bestselling business books ever selling over 15 million copies in 38 languages.
Covey is the co-founder and CEO of CoveyLink, which is a consulting practice that helps leaders and organizations increase trust. The Speed of Trust represents over a decade of research and practice on the results of creating high trust organizations. Covey outlines 13 behaviors of trust-inspiring leaders.
The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/23/2009)
The Plexo Module
The Plexo Module allows you to select several books to display. The cool part is that visitors can vote for their favorite items and even add their own.
All of the tools mentioned above will still work.
Vintage Night Driving Safety Film: Knights on the Highway DVD (1938)
Knights on the Highway is a vintage driving safety more...2 points
Computer Learning Made Easy CD-ROM
This one-of-a-kind training software contains over more...1 point
Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket AM/FM Radio, Silver
Take me out to the ball game... If you can't get t more...0 points
Amazon Spotlight
Amazon Spotlight allows you to highlight a single book or other product. The module description you are reading allows you to, perhaps, describe what is in the book.
For example: Clear Blogging illustrates with examples and interviews the power of blogging for individuals and for businesses. Bob Walsh also gives you the fundamental knowledge you will need to create a successful blog.
Clear Blogging: How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them
Amazon Price: $15.16 (as of 11/22/2009)
You also can insert an item description here. I like to put my own personal touch.
See page 290 to see what famous Squidoo lensmasters made it into the book.
Amazon Recommendations
Amazon Recommendations lets you choose a product and displays Amazon's recommendations for other products. A Plexo module is then created. Visitors can still add to the list and vote for their favorites.
Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection
More Ideas
What things have you tried to improve your Amazon modules? What questions do you have?
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Reply
- World-Energy World-Energy Oct 31, 2009 @ 6:57 am
- Thank you. There is more to Amazon modules than meets the eye.
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Reply
- JuneMary JuneMary Oct 26, 2009 @ 6:41 am
- Much useful info. Thank you.
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Reply
- theherbivorehippie theherbivorehippie Oct 24, 2009 @ 1:33 am
- Such a helpful lens! thanks so much!
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Reply
- JuneMary JuneMary Oct 23, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
- Good explanations of WHAT each one does BUT Saying WHAT a module will do, is NO USE unless you say HOW to do it! I tried to make the Amazon module work last night and the part I wanted to fill in wouldn't work. There were no instructions anywhere. I gave up wasting my time. Very frustrating.
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Reply
- AndyPo AndyPo Oct 21, 2009 @ 4:19 am
- Very useful. Thanks
- Load More
More Than Books
Finally, don't forget that Amazon has a lot of products other than books. There are DVDs, video games, electronics, etc. Here are five products chosen by Amazon when I used the keyword Canon.
Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Canon PowerShot SD780IS12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Black)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $199.00 (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Silver)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch Articulating LCD
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $359.00 (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price: $399.97
Usually ships in 24 hours
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Did You Know 4.0
by boredofeducation
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