by 981 people |
Boost your lens with these quick tips
So, this lens is about what comes next. It's a quick, 30 second overview of just a handful of easy things you should do to make your lens even better.
If you're already an all-star lensmaster these tips might seen a little elementary for you. But hey, sometimes going back to basics is a good thing!
1. Introduce yourself (and your topic)
Same thing with a lens. Readers stopping by your page want to know why you made it, why you have a unique perspective (and you do!) on your topic, and what they can expect to find when they scroll down the page.
Friendly, clear, personal, authentic introductions get readers to stick around and keep reading. 9 out of 10 experts agree!
P.S. Bonus tip: Be sure to upload an intro image. It makes a world of difference for the first impression.
2. Add photos
Yep, it's worth saying again. Web surfers love photos. We humans are naturally attracted to visuals. Make sure every one of your lenses has an intro image, and a few pictures to illustrate (or just cleverly punctuate) the rest of your lens. Try uploading a photo to your "Text/Write" modules, add a Flickr module, or try out the Polaroid module for bigger pics.(And we'll be adding a bunch more photo modules soon, so stay tuned).
Oh, yeah, and if you don't have a profile photo uploaded, your page winds up looking pretty darn anonymous. And anonymous on the web = untrustworthy, at least as far as first impression goes. Your photo also becomes your avatar within the community.
If you don't want to show the world that bikini-clad picture of you circa 1988, try some fun cartoon avatars. This Lego one is lots of fun, as is the Simpsonize Me widget.
3. Add some UUU
The most successful Squidoo lenses, like the most successful blogs and the best stores, are all filled with unique stuff. Stuff worth talking about. Collections of recommended links. Opinions that are all YOURS. Lists of information that actually make a point. Debates worth engaging in. Hand-built organization that teaches. Copy that's worth reading.
If you stick remarkable stuff on your lens, stuff that's useful to readers who stop by, something that's exclusive to you, and you update it now and then, well, guess what? You've just created something that search engines gobble up with a spoon.
So, if you think your lens is already as good as it could possibly be, look again with UUU in mind. When was the last time you updated the page? Is there some unique, you-only content on there? Is it useful, and easy to access, for your readers and fans?
4. Get feedback from your readers!
Squidoo offers a whole bunch of modules that help you interact with your readers, and vice versa.You can use the poll module to... poll... them on specific data and ideas.
Try the superhot (and very spreadable) Duel module to encourage them to sound off on one side versus another side of your argument -- see who agrees with you.
Any of our "Plexo" voting modules make it easy for you to set up your own favorite top 10 lists (of books, blogs, websites, movies, whatever) and let people vote on the list, or add their own to it.
Finally, you can re-name the Guestbook module for your purposes. Turn it into a petition, or a Testimonials box, or just a Facebook-style Wall.
Hint: When you let your readers add to your lens, you wind up with some golden user-generated content -- so you don't have to do all the hard work yourself!
5. Don't give up
Unless you get on Oprah, or you're the Star Wars fanboy, instant success is pretty much a myth.On Squidoo, success accumulates over time. With more lenses, more remarkable content, and more time comes more traffic, more readers, more royalties. And the great news is that it works, for lots of people.
So, go easy on yourself when you don't have 10,000 people reading your lens by tomorrow. Work through the dip, make little improvements bit by bit, share your lens elsewhere on the web, and soon enough you'll see it pay off.
6. People really ARE looking for you
Where do your potential readers hang out? Are they finding your lens through Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter, blogs, forums, Google search, your other lenses, where?Check out Seth's Top Free Things Every Site (or Lens) Should Do for a good look at powerful ways to get (and better yet, earn) traffic to your lenses.
GreekGeek has a great roundup of tips for getting your lens found, too.
And if you're REALLY fired up and looking to do more with your lens, don't miss BDKZ's Squidoo Tips from A Giant Squid.
Bonus!
There's always a bonus
Be kind. Be kind to yourself, and give yourself a break. Give others the break that you deserve.If you find a lens that you like, drop the lensmaster a note and thank her for it! If you have a blog, blog about it. If you have a friend who would like it, email it.
The more you give, the more you get.
Your turn: Add your favorite tips for making great lenses.
Go niche!
Lenses on niche topics, like a comparison list of the 10 best organic peanut butters, or your personal review of Lost Odyssey, or a debate over who the final Cyclon is in Battlestar Gallactica--these lenses do better than generic mainstream pages like "Buy an iPod here."181 points
Share your passion!
Assuming you're passionate about your topic, you're probably always talking about it, reading about it, finding out new tidbits. When you learn something new, add it to your lens. If you see an interesting discussion in a forum, turn it into a poll or a debate. Passion shows!147 points
Reread your lens
When writing, its easy for the eyes to skip over silly little typos. If you go back and really read it a few days later... The little things will jump out at you.
Liz98 points
Update Your Lenses Frequently
I keep a notebook with a running list of various ideas to add/change my various lenses.
http://www.squidoo.com/kidsandmoney91 points
Link Link Link Link!
Link from your lens to other lenses and websites, and more importantly link TO your lens, from your website, blog, forums, comments on other peoples blogs, other peoples lenses, web directories, your email .sig file, and - basically - whever you can place a link on the WWW!80 points
Submit Your Lens
Add your lens to social bookmarking sites like Digg and Stumbleupon. Also, remember to read my tips on http://www.squidoo.com/TreasureTrooperGuide76 points
Add a Table of Contents
Especially if your lenses are content-rich (as they should be, of course!) and broken into multiple modules in digestible-size chunks of information (ditto), a Table of Contents gives visitors to your lens a great preview of what they can expect to find in your lens, and why it's worth reading on. Or, for someone who's looking for a specific type of information on your lens, a TOC lets that visitor jump directly to the relevant content on your lens with just one click.51 points
Share what you know!
I have been trying to do online marketing for the past three years with some success, but when I started my demon drawing lenses and other related stuff elsewhere on my blogs, the traffic I have recieved is just impressive than all that has gone before..47 points
Variety is good
Mix up different types of modules. I try to have a module with only text followed by a module with pictures (say the amazon-module). Just to mix things up a bit and create a more visually appealing lens.44 points
Relevant, Relevant, Relevant!
Though this may seem fairly obvious...focus on it, and keep your content "relevant." It doesn't ALL have to be about "one thing" as long as it is relevant to the the main topic of your lens, and that gives you more keywords and tags. You can also do a keyword search and see what keywords will work best with your content, and utilize them.37 points
Guestbook Please
I'm really disappointed when I read through a lens, like it, but there is no guestbook to add my two cents worth. See there isn't one on this lens ... but you've allowed us some room here. Thank you!36 points
Give Credit where credit is due
Be sure you link to other people's web sites or lens if you use their material.34 points
Join Squidoo Secrets to find out step by step ways.
Get videos showing you how to increase your lens ranking and have other Squidoo Secrets members vote for your lens.33 points
Tip to Add Value to Your Lens
Be as specific as possible by defining who your lens is dedicated to providing value to and refine your original and new content as tight and focused as possible to ensure that those who appreciate it the most, get the most value from it.
Really enjoy the "give others a break" tip!
Thanks for all the tips!
Doug32 points
Save Your Visitors Time
If your lens offers some services or products - do not just describe them. Remember to link exactly to where the services / goods can be purchased.31 points
Offer Something to your readers - an online award
I'm really passionate about my subject. And I started the Purple Paw award at my lens to give to other lenses that I find to be exceptional and dog related. People submit their links in the Plexo and I get more exposure. A win win for everyone.29 points
UPDATE LIKE ALL THE TIME!
I can't stress this enough, I've been neglecting mine lately and boy does it show!28 points
ADD A GREAT PROFILE PICTURE
I just joined, and it seems that the profile picture captures people's attention more than text.
By the way, I am looking forward to lensing away my weekends!27 points
This helped me! =)
It is a very good article to read, it really helped me. I will start to use your methods wright away ;)25 points
Write it from the heart
No one can surpass the writing of the heart. When it comes deep inside from the heart, your lens will really stand out. Your lens will be the genuine of all lenses....You can see if the writer wrote it for money alone or not...We can make profits in Squidoo but if you can write it straight from the heart, you will gain more than just money....24 points
Squidoo Tips
These tips are amazing to improve your squidoo lenses and will drive targeted traffic to your page.23 points
Definetly Change Things Up
Update your Lens to keep people coming back to it and checking for updates that are relevant to your Lens.22 points
Research your Titles
do keyword research before writing your titles... it really helps to have keyword focused (not keyword stuffed) titles22 points
Another Great Tip
Another great tip is to think about adding links to your other lens'. In fact when you think about starting a new lens, try to create a flow with all of your lens', then you can link them so people can travel within your lens'. www.squidoo.com/howtobuildyourownlens21 points
Dont try to make it perfect
If you do this then you will lose the real reason your makeing it!21 points
Find relevant books to share on your site
Adding books for sale from Amazon on your topic, or highlighting a particular book adds links from your site and also can add income if purchased.
www.squidoo.com/hotrealestateseattle20 points
Remember to click the Publish Button!
Are writing your lens remember to click the Publish button, as it has taken me a extra week to get my site published, I thought after saving it, that was all there was to it, and could not understand why every time I check it, it was under construction, I got very annoyed, but I finally made it.
There now I feel better about this program, as I have it published now20 points
What is the meaning to words
Define the words and it will help others to learn new words and express it themselves. After all we are on the PC more than ever and some may NEVER pick up a book!!19 points
Add a Coundown Clock
Using a countdown clock it puts emphasizes important information and deadline time to participate. Visit my lense at http://www.squidoo.com/dnavitaminlaunch and click on Countdown link to see if you like it. I've received some great feedback. I would like your feedback.19 points
Pay it forward
Offers a fine gift to others sites but also allows you to be able to give something back.18 points
Using Firefox spell checking
Firefox has a built in spell checker. Use that to eliminate many of the typos.18 points
Don't put off creating a lense
Like they say, "There is no time like now!".
Just Do It!
Submit, Experiment, Test and go with what works.18 points
Convey Your Passion for Your Subject
If you are anything like me, when someone writes about a subject with an obvious interest or passion then I feel much more engaged. Write in such a way that your readers feel compelled to keep reading,17 points
Keep it readable!
Please try to keep your content readable by checking for grammatical and ortographic errors! Some of us get very annoyed when we find a misspelt word or something that doesn't make much sense. It takes our concentration away from what we're reading! So don't forget! :)17 points
Awesome Tips!
Thanks for creating this lens and thanks to everyone for responding with your helpful tips! After making a sale, I always send a Thank You email, and add my lens for them to check out.15 points
Do the Research for a Specific Audience
If someone is looking for something, put a list of links and reviews on your lens. You can use mine as an example if you want, notice the update notes.
http://squidoo.com/livesuccess14 points
Featured Lenses
Make more then one lens and link them together using the Featured Lenses modules.14 points
Start a Squidoo Group - Invite Like-minded Folks to Join
There is power in being a part of a group. Groups are still relatively new in YouTube and/or Squidoo and give value to your internet ranking.
Plus, its a great way to meet others and that's what online and offline networking is all about.
Building relationships, leads to great business results.13 points
Misspelt Key Words
Consider using Misspelt keywords throughout your content as an additional source for traffic.
Take for example the word Accommodation or is it Accomodation or Acomodation or Acommodation, whatever it is, you know what We mean.
Another example of Misspelt words are same words, different Countries....Optimisation or Optimization, Organise or Organize.
End of the day though...relax, have fun and enjoy....
If you found this useful then please visit http://www.squidoo.com/AustralianWebHosting12 points
Write about something your interested in and get your link out there!
I use twitter and forums I am on to get my link out there for others to check out. I like what I write about and that helps!12 points
http://www.squidoo.com/lensref
This lens contains a list of all the lenses I go to often and what makes them special enough to visit over and over again.9 points
Did you know lenses raise money for charity? (For free)
Acumen Fund is a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty.
P.S. Grab some inspiration from your fellow lensmasters
a la Lens of the Day
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