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Do Squidoo: A much requested guide to creating a successful Squidoo lens

SquidooKimberly by SquidooKimberly
Last updated: 01/09/2012

Are you seeking information on how to use Squidoo effectively?  Excellent, because this lens is made just for you!

Find the answers to: 

- How do I do ...?
- Why won't ... work?
- How can I ...?
- Why do you ...?
- Where is the ...?

Finally deciding to take the plunge and become a lensmaster? Click here to sign up and get started today. You can have a great lens in less than an hour!

The awesome Tiki Squid God above was designed by Monica.

What do you want help with?

First things first!

There are lots of great people on Squidoo who have taken the time to set up awesome training lenses for new lensmasters. If you're looking for a great step-by-step manual on using some of Squidoo's greatest functions, check here first.
Getting Started With Squidoo (The official overview, FAQ and TOS)
Squidoo is the popular publishing platform and community that makes it easy for you to create 'lenses' online. Lenses are pages, kind of like flyers or signposts or overview articles, that gather everything you know about your topic of interest--and snap it all into focus. Like the lens of a...
How to Make your First Lens
Damon has a detailed and kick-butt screencast on creating your first lens. If you're hung up on something tricky, never fear. Follow along with images of the screen here.
Money Making Modules
Take a quick tour of our moneymaking modules and find out how to boost your earnings and donations power through your creatively written lenses.
Special item: Sidebar widgets for your lenses
Sidebar widgets help you use prime visual real estate in the right column of your lens. Customize ads, showcase a blog feed, or promote your other lenses.
49 Ideas For Awesome Lenses
Not sure what to write about? Here are at least 49 ideas for lenses that you (yes YOU) can craft for free on Squidoo.

How do I...create text with links in the middle?

Custom format your own WRITE module

If you'd like to create a module that allows you to have text with a list of links in the middle, you can custom format the WRITE module using a bit of HTML code. (Notice how break code is not necessary - just hit "enter.")

The code below in italics:

Write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write.

<A HREF="http://www.link.com"><B>Link title here</B></A>
Info about the link info about the link info about the link info about the link.

<A HREF="http://www.link.com"><B>Link title here</B></A>
Info about the link info about the link info about the link info about the link.

<A HREF="http://www.link.com"><B>Link title here</B></A>
Info about the link info about the link info about the link info about the link.

Write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write.

Will generate the visual below:

Write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write.

Link title here
Info about the link info about the link info about the link info about the link.

Link title here
Info about the link info about the link info about the link info about the link.

Link title here
Info about the link info about the link info about the link info about the link.

Write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write write.

Links you Need to be Familiar With

There is so much to see and do at Squidoo that you need to make sure you have all the links handy. Here are links you'll want to visit, read, and remember.
Squidoo FAQ
Get the 411 on the who, what, where, when, why, and how's of Squidoo lensmastership.
Squidoo Feedback
Happy? :) Not happy? :( Report a bug or say hi to the Squid-crew by using the feedback form.
About Squidoo
Read up on all the ewey-Squidooey goodness.
Terms of Service
Read and follow these rules. They will make your Squid-life a lot easier.
Spread the Word
Use these great Squidoo buttons to create a simple image link to your lens or as a base for your own unique banner.
Get Donations for your Charity
Find out how to add a new charity to Squidoo's ever expanding list.
SquidU
The online forum and FAQ center for Squidoo lensmasters. Connect with others and learn how to improve your lenses.

What Modules does Squidoo Offer?

It's hard to get a birds-eye view of the modules in the module picker because they are so darn well organized. Here is a complete list of the modules you have to choose from.

If you see this symbol - [L] - that means that you are limited to what the module gives you. For example, if it's a blog or news site, you will get what they say you get. You can't choose which articles are shown.

If you see this symbol - [?] - the module is either new or I haven't tried it yet so I can't give you a complete rundown of the features and benefits. Try it for yourself!
  • Amazon.com - books, magazines, housewares, tools, clothes, health and beauty, toys, and more.
  • ArtByUs.com - "ArtByUs.com is an innovative auction market exclusively for real art by real artists. ArtByUs members, showcase and sell your unique artwork on a lens!" [Squidoo description]
  • BBC - front page headlines from the BBC. [L]
  • BoingBoing - a directory of weird, and wonderful, things [L]
  • Buzz Machine - from Jeff Jarvis. You will learn about some AWESOME new things here! [L]
  • CafePress - no matter what your lens is about you can find something on CafePress that is appropriate to sell. Three display options give you the flexibility to showcase great products for your readers.
  • Christian Science Monitor - news from the independent international daily newspaper founded in 1908. [Squidoo description] [?]
  • Church of the Customer - real thoughts from consumers. [?]
  • CNet News - news from CNet. [L]
  • CNN News - up-to-the minute news from CNN. [L]
  • Computer World - Get the latest on hardware, software, games and geeks! [Squidoo description] [?]
  • Cool Tools - Keep an eye on Kevin Kelly's always popular Cool Tools with this live feed. Cool Tools is a favorite spot for recommended books, gadgets, software, videos, maps, hardware, or websites. [Squidoo description] [L]
  • Dan Gillmor - Dan Gillmor's blog [L]
  • Del.icio.us - add your bookmark lists right into a module
  • Digg - where users decide the news. This module is a live feed of the frontpage stories on Digg right now. [Squidoo description] [L]
  • Dilbert - a feed of Dilbert comics (although I'm disappointed we can't just get the comic instead of a link. [L]
  • Doc Searls - The co-author of the Cluetrain Manifesto holds forth on DIY Tech. [L]
  • eBay - no matter what your lens is about, there's something on eBay for it. One of the most profitable modules!
  • Engadget - the ever and always popular source for tech and web news. [Squidoo description] [L]
  • ESPN - choose from several sports categories to get the best news for your lens.
  • Flickr - add pictures from your Flickr account or others' Flickr accounts. A great tool for how-to lenses - make your own step-by-step instruction module!
  • Gaping Void - "The market for something to believe in is infinite." From Hugh Macleod. [?]
  • Golfsmith - is your lens remotely golf related? Share and sell your favorite golf gear with this module.
  • Google Maps - showcase an address location and help your readers get driving directions.
  • Group Discussion - oooh a new one I haven't tried yet. Where shall I add it first? [?]
  • Guardian Unlimited - headlines from a UK newspaper. [L]
  • Guestbook - now readers can leave comments on your lens! Great way to solicit feedback, and you can delete comments you don't like.
  • Indeed Jobs - add a live, dynamic display of job listings to your lens. I haven't tried it but I believe you can pick your search terms.
  • JamBase Music News - Experience and explore the greatest music the universe has to offer. Add the live JamBase module to your lens! [Squidoo description]
  • Make a list - the module you're currently reading is a list module. People love lists, and it comes in three flavors: bulleted, numbered, and unbulleted/unnumbered.
  • Motley Fool - personal finance and stocks. [L]
  • Netflix - add top 25 recommendation lists to your lenses and make money when new users sign up for monthly subscriptions.
  • New York Times - live news for your lens from the NYT. [L]
  • Quick Poll - create your own survey to solicit feedback about your lens or find out what your readers are up to.
  • Rolling Stone - a live feed of the latest RS news. [L]
  • RSS: Add your own feed - or someone elses! Feature your or your favorite blog here with live updates of the most recent posts.
  • Salon - a live feed of news from Salon. [L]
  • Scientific American - science and technology news [L] [?]
  • Scobleizer - self-proclaimed Microsoft Geek Blogger, Scoble is a guy everyone loves to love. [L]
  • Seth's Blog - Seth Godin's blog, author of marketing books and inventor of Squidoo. [L]
  • Slash Dot - "news for nerds, stuff that matters." [Squidoo description]
  • Slate - "sometimes serious, sometimes slate." [Squidoo description] [?]
  • Sustainablog - Get Green on Squidoo! Sustainablog is dedicated to news, information and personal meanderings related to environmental and economic sustainability, green business, and environmental politics.
  • Technorati - find out what people are blogging about by entering search terms that are relevant to your lens.
  • The Link List - create a list of links to favorite websites, chatrooms, downloads, and more.
  • The MAKE Blog - "The MAKE blog is loaded with exciting projects that help you make the most of your technology at home and away from home. Celebrate your right to tweak, hack, and bend any technology to your will!" [Squidoo description] [L]
  • The Onion Daily - funny stuff from the Onion - warning! Not for gullible people! [L]
  • The Superstore - they have what Amazon and eBay don't. Get access to 1000 affiliate stores through one module to showcase new things online and make some $$$.
  • Washington Post - a live feed of current events news from the Washington Post. [L]
  • Watch the Olympics - a get-it-while-they-last module featuring news from the 2006 Olympics in Torino. [L]
  • Wired News - er...Wired News! [L]
  • Wonkette - a blend of satire and gossip and other random things the author makes up. [L]
  • Word of the Day - enhance your vocabulary with the randomly chosen word-of-the-day. Great module to spark creativity for authors, artists, or geeks.
  • Write! (and add a photo) - or just write! Or just add a photo. An HTML friendly module for all your misc stuff.
  • YouTube - add your own YouTube videos or find some online. Great module for the how-to lens - make your own how-to video!

The Official SquidBlog

Learn about new updates and fun Squidoo challenges at the SquidBlog
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Quit Squidoodling Around and Build a REAL Lens

Out of 40,000+ lenses on Squidoo, a lot of them were registered, set up in a hurry, and dumped. Unfortunately, many lensmasters tried to use Squidoo as a quick way to boost their traffic. While it's true Squidoo does have the power to do this, you also need to provide some real content and value to your visitors, or you'll get a reputation for someone we don't want to work with!

If you're serious about building a Squidoo lens, or two or thirty-two (which I think I've surpassed now), review the tips below.
  • Pick a topic you like. It's pretty easy to tell which lenses people created just for giggles but not out of passion. If you're not having fun, your lens will suffer.
  • Don't regurgitate Google results. There are times I'd love to have a Google module so I don't have to search for my 8 billion links to XYZ articles or whatnot, but the fact is that's not why Squidoo was designed. The intention is for people to give recommendations to resources they like and use. If you don't like it and use it, don't link it just because it's there.
  • Don't regurgitate the Amazon / CafePress / SuperStore / YouTube list. Likewise, don't get in the habit of letting the module pick for you all the time. There certainly are uses for letting the module pick, such as in CafePress (which will give you a good assortment of images without you having to narrow them down to products), but for the most part, this is just lazy.
  • BE the reader. What would the reader come to your lens expecting to find? Many websurfers are online today to take action on something. They don't want to just waste time, they want to find something to DO. Help your readers take action, whether that's in making a purchase or finding an article to read, so they can be fulfilled in their quest for knowledge.
  • Don't obsess over your rankings. There are more topics out there than there are ranks to be given. Even if you think your lens isn't ranked high enough, that doesn't mean it isn't valuable and informative. Instead of competing with others, strive to create the best possible lens. The rest will take care of itself.
  • Add a variety of modules. Pick through the modules and find creative ways to incorporate them. Visitors love to see things mixed up a bit, so draw our attention with lots of interesting displays. (It will also help your LensRank!)

How can I get more traffic to my lens?

Just like websites, CafePress shops, and blogs, many people create things on the internet thinking that if they make it, people will magically visit it. If you build it they will come does NOT apply to the Internet!

Don't cry - get some great promotional techniques!
  • Email it to people you know. Email your lenses to your friends and family (don't SPAM, that's not nice.) You can do this by viewing your lens and clicking on "email" across the top.
  • Blog about your lenses. Announce your lenses on your blog. Better yet, register your blog with Technorati so you have an even better chance of showing up somewhere unexpected, and getting a little extra exposure.
  • Add links to your MySpace page. Or your Ryze page, or your hi5 page, or your LinkedIn page, or whatever.
  • Add links from your website. This is another obvious but overlooked suggestion.
  • Use your lens link in article bylines. If your lens is written about an article-worthy topic, use your lens link in your author biography. This will send traffic to your money-making lens.
  • Create an eBook. If you designed a how-to or otherwise informational lens, create a mini ebook to distribute. You can offer it for free in free ebook directories, and create links in it to your lens. Readers will visit your lens to learn more and purchase your recommended products.

Oops...I Squidooed Up

Being a new site with an explosion of new lensmasters to keep happy, Squidoo often hiccups. Learn about the latest sneezes (the bad ones, not those Purple Cow sneezes) at the StatusBlog.
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The Squidoo Shop on CafePress

If you love Squidoo as much as I do, get yourself some sweet Squid-worthy Squid-swag from the Squid Shop.
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Super Squidoos

If you create a truly fabulous lens, you might just end up in the Lens of the Day Blog.
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Words are Fun

Yes, this is totally random. Enjoy it.

cordate: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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This SquidooHQ page written by

SquidooKimberly

I AM: Kimberly Dawn Wells I was originally captured by Squidoo's clean appearance, ease of use, and ability to read my mind and create the type of web... more »

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