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Fresh Squid Graduation Class April 2009

Ranked #21,416 in Culture & Society, #432,204 overall

Newcomers Are Getting Hang of Lenscrafting!

And when they do, they graduate from Fresh Squids into regular lensmasters! I'm looking forward to see what these creative people will come up next!

As you already know, Fresh Squids are all those who joined Squidoo and after that joined Fresh Squid group. One of requisitions of acceptance to group was that they make quality lenses. And they did. Now, we will see how their work will evolve with time!

MEET FRESH SQUID GRADUATES



APRIL 2009

Fresh Squids in Contest!

1st Place Winner

...is ChineseKitesforKids a dedicated mother and teacher always on quest for new teaching and learning resources!
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2nd Place Winner

... NatalieNiemi has been pretty busy lady and with so many things she enjoys, wonder why? She's really creative person and it shows in her lenses!
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3rd Place Winner

... is timmyjji really, really loves to play games! If you take a look at any of his 4 lenses that he crafted so far, you'll know it's true!
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Important!

QUESTIONS FOR GRADUATES!

Following few questions are for our graduates, to let them express their feelings and share new knowledge with those who will come!

What Brought You to Squidoo?

How did you find out about Squidoo?

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    JoinJenRoering Jun 21, 2009 @ 7:17 pm | delete
    My friend recommended Squidoo as a way to get more exposure for our travel home business. I found Squidoo, fell in love and love how much I've learned from others. I know my story of my son on a potty won't help me grow my networking business, it's just a fun way to spend time and share our experience with others.
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    ChineseKitesforKids Jun 20, 2009 @ 6:18 pm | delete
    I found Squidoo looking for some good authority backlinks for my main website Daycare School Online. When I figured out how easy to use the whole lens building process was I was amazed. Not only was Squidoo FREE but all the helpful resources and tools were too. Never have I been part of such a great community of people. Everyone is so willing to help you build a fantastic resource lens. I suggest to any new comer to get out there and read, leave comments and be social. I spend about 20 hours a week on Squidoo now. I'm an addict. Thank you for making this such a great place to work! God bless individuals like a_willow who give us newbies a chance to shine through her Fresh Squid Contest!
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    sorana Jun 13, 2009 @ 8:45 pm | delete
    I arrived at Squidoo by chance. I was searching the net for some topic and one of the lenses came up. I followed the link and ... here I am ... addicted to squidoo.
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    GreenEcoBean Jun 13, 2009 @ 1:02 pm | delete
    It is actually kind of a funny (not so funny for me) story... I decided to hire an SEO company to do some work (advertising) for a few of my websites. I like to do SEO myself too, but I had some extra cash and wanted to see if it would do any good. They charged $149 for this thing called a 'Squidoo Lens' which sounded fascinating. So I paid them to do the lens called 'Low Carb Diet' ...well I saw the lens and decided to give it a shot myself. Now I am ADDICTED and the lens that I paid for...well lets just say I don't consider it my best nor is it my highest ranked lens. But I don't really regret losing the $149, because that is how I found Squidoo which has become a great hobby.
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    NatalieNiemi Jun 13, 2009 @ 12:29 pm | delete
    My friend and fellow freelance artist, BunnyValentine, told me about Squidoo and recommended I join and start making lenses. We're both very interested in networking in our industry, as well as sharing and learning information on our craft, so we felt Squidoo would be a great vehicle for doing so! (Plus, she convinced me it was fun! And it is!)
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Have You Found Lenscrafting Easy?

Or you encountered on some difficulties? And what helped you go though them?

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    JoinJenRoering Jun 21, 2009 @ 7:20 pm | delete
    I think it's easy enough literally anyone could do it. I overwhelm easily sometimes and it's never overwhelmed me or confused me at all. Plus there are so many lenses on 'how to' write a lense I just had others guide me through the process.
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    ChineseKitesforKids Jun 20, 2009 @ 6:23 pm | delete
    It doesn't get better than this folks! Even if you have no HMTL skills whatsoever this place makes you look like a pro. "Easy" doesn't even describe it.....more like "super simple" My seven year old wants to start building her own lenses and with Squidoo it's totally possible.
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    GreenEcoBean Jun 13, 2009 @ 1:08 pm | delete
    Now I do. In the beginning it confused me, and seemed overwhelming. Now it is just fun. I also had some content I had written previously for articles, that I had never finished or published saved in my computer. I turned some of that into Squidoo lenses and was able to get some done pretty quickly. I have had writers block from time to time and I would have to say the best thing for that is to read. Type in a subject you are interested in and learn more about it. That almost always gives me motivation and ideas on creating my next lens.
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    NatalieNiemi Jun 13, 2009 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    The act of lenscrafting itself is simple and straightforward, although I tend to spend quite a lot of time on each lens I create, and generally a lot of effort as well. I can't commit to publishing a lens and letting it go live until I have quite a lot of info and visual interest laid out. But then of course I continue to edit them when I have more time or more information to add.
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    MeltedRachel Jun 13, 2009 @ 11:36 am | delete
    I found it easy to make lenses, of course, but I've had to go back and seriously edit them. I started by just shoving too many pictures up and not having enough words! It has been so helpful being a part of the Wiwon giant squid challenge team because I've learnt so much from my team members.
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What You Need to Work On?

To learn and create even better lenses?

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  • Reply
    ChineseKitesforKids Jun 20, 2009 @ 6:26 pm | delete
    I need to branch out more. I get so focused on my featured lenses always trying to make them greater that I forget to sit down and make more. I'm a perfectionist and I will sit here all night until something looks exactly the way I want it too. I joined the Rocket Moms group because I wanted to be pressured (by myself of course) to make more....at least one a week. That's not asking much and it helps me stay focused. Squidoo is full of great groups and communities willing to help you better yourself. I love it here!!
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    GreenEcoBean Jun 13, 2009 @ 1:10 pm | delete
    Following up. Going back and changing things. I enjoy creating new lenses but I don't enjoy improving lenses I have done in the past. Basically, I really need to get better with maintenance. I just have so many ideas that I have not yet turned into lenses that all I want to do is create, create, create.
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    NatalieNiemi Jun 13, 2009 @ 12:32 pm | delete
    I would really like to spend more time learning about Squidoo, gleaning tips, and networking with other lens masters. There's so much to know about Squidoo, but there is certainly no shortage of resources for learning, not to mention friendly mentors who are willing to help!
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    MeltedRachel Jun 13, 2009 @ 11:37 am | delete
    I think I need to learn to write more and be more open! I have a tendancy to hide behind my artwork and I find it easier to write fiction than anything about myself.
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Which One of Your Lenses Are You Most Proud Of?

And why? Leave a link here!

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    ChineseKitesforKids Jun 20, 2009 @ 6:42 pm | delete
    This is a hard question because I really love 4 of them equally. I don't think I can pick. I don't want to look spammy so I won't list the four. I put so much into my lenses. I spend hours perfecting my wording and layout. It was so hard choosing Daycare School Online for the Fresh Squid Contest. I have three other really good ones that could've given that one a run for it's money.
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    sorana Jun 13, 2009 @ 8:53 pm | delete
    http://www.squidoo.com/tessellations is my best lens and I'm most proud of although I feel quite happy with http://www.squidoo.com/Mathematics-Learning also.
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    GreenEcoBean Jun 13, 2009 @ 1:18 pm | delete
    You know, I think I like my '54 Things Squidoo Can Improve On' http://www.squidoo.com/better-squidoo lens the best. I am not a generally funny person (I can have a dry sense of humor that some people don't understand) and that lens makes me happy because people tell me it's funny. :-) It is a purely non-profit lens that donates to the Squidoo Charity Fund, but I was just in a silly mood one day and decided to create it. I am aiming, although it doesn't seem like I am going to get there anytime soon, for the lens to become 100 instead of 54.
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    NatalieNiemi Jun 13, 2009 @ 12:35 pm | delete
    I think I am the most proud of Life As A Creative Freelancer. It is my first lens, and also the lens I have spent the most time on, and I am really excited about helping other freelancers (or potential freelancers) by sharing what I've learned about this business. There is still SO much information to add to this lens, and I discover new things every day, so I think I will be working on it for a long time!
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    MeltedRachel Jun 13, 2009 @ 11:42 am | delete
    This is a hard question to answer because I'm still editing and learning so much, so my lenses are changing all the time.
    I recently edited my writing lens and I'm really pleased with that at the moment, originally it was lacking in words (perhaps my attempt at irony there) but now I feel like I've opened up a bit more on it. My answer will probably change next week!
    http://www.squidoo.com/Rachelwriting
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What Are You Planning To Do Next on Squidoo?

Have some plans?

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    ChineseKitesforKids Jun 20, 2009 @ 6:49 pm | delete
    I'm in the Rocket Moms group and that's going to be my focus for the next 6 weeks. I'm trying to keep up with the big boys and it's a little intimidating but it forces me (in a good way) to come out of my shell and be creative. I'm so grateful to the Squidoo Community! So many great opportunities and challenges if you want them. Everyone is so willing to help you just have to get out there and get social. Give good feedback and ask questions. It's all free, take advantage of what's in front of you right now.
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    GreenEcoBean Jun 13, 2009 @ 1:21 pm | delete
    I am probably going to create a lens right now. I have some recipes that I took pictures of the steps when I was cooking for this exact purpose...so if I can find those images on my computer my next lens will be a recipe lens.
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    NatalieNiemi Jun 13, 2009 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    I would eventually like to write A LOT more lenses (I have so many ideas!) and maybe some day become a Giant Squid. This could take a long time for me because my freelance schedule keeps me very busy, but I really enjoy spending time online, writing, researching, compiling information, and composing my lenses.

    I find that I learn even more as I compose lenses, thanks to the research I do in compiling links and info, or even just taking the opportunity to go back and review all the relevant bookmarks I've collected on different topics. So although time is tight, I always find that working on Squidoo lenses (and reading others!) is time well spent! Hope to do lots more of it in the future!
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    MeltedRachel Jun 13, 2009 @ 11:44 am | delete
    I've got a lot of editing ahead of me. I hope I become a Giant Squid at the end of this month but if not I'm going to try again ASAP. I'm also planning to get up to 100 great lenses as soon as possible.
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Fresh Squid News Blog

If you joined Fresh Squid Headquarters, you got to be featured at Fresh Squid News blog!!!
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Fresh Squids get promoted and featured on Fresh Squid Group page, Fresh Squid News blog and...
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Meet Other Fresh Squid Graduates!

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Have you met these Fresh Squids? What do you think of them? Do you have advice you would like to share with them?

Or simply congratulate them? :)

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