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Amazon Module Basics

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Rated G. (Control what you see)

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 Rating

Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $25.95
Used Price: $4.10

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 Rating

Amazon Price: $17.16 (as of 07/26/2008)
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
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: $10.20 (as of 07/26/2008)

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.

Pokemon Fire Red Version

Pokemon Fire Red Version

Pokemon Fire Red lets you return to the world of K more...4 points

Good Debt, Bad Debt: Knowing the Difference Can Save Your Financial Life by Jon Hanson

Good Debt, Bad Debt: Knowing the Difference Can Save Your Financial Life by Jon Hanson

<b>Debt is just like cholesterol. Too much o more...0 points

Hot Wheels: Beat That

Hot Wheels: Beat That

Choose your car, grab the wheel, and send Mattel's more...0 points

Hot Wheels: Beat That

Hot Wheels: Beat That

Choose your car, grab the wheel, and send Mattel's more...0 points

The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack

The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack

<b>Note: This is an expansion pack for The S more...0 points

Need For Speed 3: Hot Pursuit

Need For Speed 3: Hot Pursuit

Few racing games for the PlayStation can approach more...0 points

The Sims Mega Deluxe

The Sims Mega Deluxe

The Sims Mega Deluxe bring home the fun and laught more...0 points

Wii Play with Wii Remote

Wii Play with Wii Remote

Bundled with a Wii Remote, Wii Play offers a littl more...0 points

Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter

Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter

Designed for versatility and ease, the Xbox 360 Wi more...0 points

7 more products: See all

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: $16.49 (as of 07/26/2008)

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.

What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) by Ted Demopoulos

What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere (What No One Ever Tells You About...) by Ted Demopoulos

As all these people become publishers – and even more...0 points

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin

The old saying is wrong—winners do quit, and qui more...0 points

Start Your Own Blogging Business (Startup) by Entrepreneur Press, J.S. McDougall

Start Your Own Blogging Business (Startup) by Entrepreneur Press, J.S. McDougall

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Turn Your Blog I more...0 points

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly by David Meerman Scott

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly by David Meerman Scott

The Internet has profoundly changed the way people more...0 points

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

What do you do? Tim Ferriss has trouble answering more...0 points

More Ideas 

What things have you tried to improve your Amazon modules? What questions do you have?

Tiddledeewinks

Thanks mucho for the help here! I gave you 5 *'s!

Posted July 25, 2008

ginabower

Great and Thanks for the information. I'll need this on my next lens.
http://yourneedtoknow.com

Posted July 24, 2008

youhavegottobekidding

Thanks for all those tips. I could really use them.

Love your Lens. 5 stars for you.

Posted July 21, 2008

BABYKITTY

Great information. This explained how to use a couple of the modules I wasn't sure of.

Thanks!

Posted July 20, 2008

globalwriter

Hi,
I have learned a lot here!

Posted July 20, 2008

 
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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 CLI-8 4-Color Multipack Ink Tanks

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $34.01 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $50.99

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Canon PowerShot SD750 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $167.92 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $199.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS 8.0 MP Digital Elph Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $229.94 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $299.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PGI-5 BK 2-Pack Pigment Black Ink Tanks

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $29.19 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $29.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $179.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

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boredofeducation

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