Be the Action that Creates Results
"Never confuse movement with action."
Creating a lens is a bit like setting a New Year's Resolution. It can seem daunting up front, but if you work at it a little at a time, it's easy peasy.
The reverse is also true. At the end of the year, do you think of a hundred times you could have put just a LITTLE more effort into reaching your goals, or building your lens? In the case of a charity, that's a lot of potential donations you didn't make!
That's why every small opportunity to take action, share your passion, and engage users is vital.
Here are five easy steps for becoming an action-oriented charity on Squidoo.
This chick is ready for action. Courtesy of micah.e through Creative Commons.
Drip, drip, drip...
One drop at a time can flood the kitchen.
Send this lens to your boss, mother-in-law, bff, and anyone else you know by clicking 2. Rub it in
Not only can you set your lens commissions to go to charity, you can add the Donations module (and plug in your own charity, of course) to maximize your donations. Donations sent through this module go directly to you - we don't even see them! It's a great way to earn a buck or two at a time from readers who might not otherwise buy something from your lens.Image courtesy of jonboy_mitchell via Creative Commons.
3. Say hi
The Non-Profit Nook is your special place to get hooked up with excited lensmasters and prospective donors on Squidoo. Stop by, introduce yourself, say hi, and shout out for your cause.Image courtesy of *Karen via Creative Commons.
Contests are a phenomenal way to kick our lensmasters into action! They're always up for a good challenge. There doesn't even have to be a prize, although it doesn't hurt! ;)5. Just be you
Besides toejam and belly button lint, there's nothing worse than a volunteer organization that sounds stuffy. Be you. Lensmasters luvvvv stories, so tell them one. Tell them about the kids' art projects, or the road trip to the senior center, or the event that turned into a total flop, but everyone had a great time anyway. Be real. We love real.Image courtesy of Tomás Fano via Creative Commons.
The $640.18 tennis ball?!
My dog Rosie is a black lab/collie mix. She looks like a petite rottweiler and is totally adorable. But she has a problem. She loves tennis balls.
Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. Except for the fact that she chews them into tiny pieces for her own entertainment. They don't last long.
In 2007 I created a lens, mostly as a joke, on finding cheap tennis balls for your ball-chewing pup.
I didn't think anything would happen, but I set my royalties to go to the Humane Society.
That was over $640 ago. What could you do with five lenses that made $640 a year? With no maintenance involved (I haven't changed a thing), and little work on your part.
All you need is the call to action. Ask for the lens. You can do it.
The photo above, alas, is not of Rosie. She's shy. But it's used under Creative Commons from lpettinati, whose dog is not camera shy.
This SquidooHQ page written by
SquidooKimberly
I'm Kimberly, your Community Organizer on Squidoo. These official lenses will help you be more successful on your favorite internet service - Squidoo!... more »
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