Squidoo for fun and non-profit

Although I've dabbled with some HTML on my own sites, I'd be the first to admit that I'm far from an expert on the subject. I do know many of the common tags so it enables me to add some of the extras myself such as links and basic text embellishments, but I've noticed there are plenty of Squidoo sites that offer tons of help. If you're willing to do a bit of reading, you can generally find what you're looking to do and accomplish it easily.

The modules make the lay-out much easier to handle, and if you can find photos and graphics on your computer, the browse and upload feature make adding pictures rather painless. Looking for special graphics or effects? Again, if you check some of the lenses from the more experienced lensmasters, they gladly offer help and some even provide banners and graphics you can use for free.

Perhaps I was just lucky, or my first lens caught an interested ear, but one of the more prominent Giant Squids offered help from the beginning and after a few e-mails back and forth, was a tremendous asset and helped me get on the right track for my charity.

In no time at all, you can easily fill several modules with information. When it's a subject you're familiar with, or have a sincere passion for, the words start to come easy. I never considered myself an author per se, but with a little tweaking and tuning, it's not difficult to come up with a lens that has something to say!

Once you're set, the Squidoo folks again make it easy. Simply click the "Publish" button in the right hand corner of your lens, and Voila!...your lens is now live on the Internet and ready to be indexed by the search engines. It takes a day or so to show up in them, but once they do, you're off and running with a geat opportunity to raise money for the cause of your choice!

Throughout the Squidoo community, there is a plethora of tips and tricks available. If you take the time to read some of them, they can be a huge help in getting your lens not only set up properly, but also as high as possible in the ranking.

One thing you'll want to do is join groups that are applicable to your subject and category. You'll not only get more exposure, but you can also take the opportuntiy to see others that might have similar interests. Some will simply take anyone and everyone, while others have to visit your lens and approve you first. A great way to get comments as well as any critiques on your work.

If you're like me, there's probably little chance that you'll publish your lens and just leave it alone, nor should you. It's always easy to spot areas that need some touching up, or you find a better way to say something. Don't be afraid to go back and edit as necessary. Those changes as insignificant as they may seem at times can often be extremely beneficial and help improve or maintain your rank!

If you've been around to many of the lenses, I'm sure you've seen some designated as "Lens Of The Day". When the Squidoo powers that be find a lens that captures their attention or their hearts, they feature them as what most Squids call the LOTD. I'm extremely proud and humbled to say that my very first lens (albeit after a little touching up). received that honorable designation on September 15, 2008. I hope that in time, I can prove worthy of getting another chance at having ones of lenses honored!

Of course, even for those lenses that don't make it, they can always attract the attention of the SquidAngels as they gracefully glide about, searching for those lenses crafted out of caring with a sincere desire to inform, delight and entertain. Those worthy receive the coveted Angel blessings and get a little extra boost up the ranks!

As the old saying goes, simply mind your "P's and Q's", and the rewards you're seeking can start heading your way. The Angels themselves have lenses that give great advice for what they're looking for so be sure to check them out!

One day, when you're going about your normal routine, you'll remember that you forgot to check your "dashboard" and the thought that your lens needs company comes to mind. The bulb lights up and before you can say Squidaleedoo, you're well on your way to filling more modules and eagerly looking forward to publishing another!

Yeah, you should have been paying attention to something else, but now you're starting to have just too much darn fun! Although in retrospect you can't pinpoint the exact moment it happened, the reality sinks in...you're a Squidaholic!

Oh, all of the warnings were there, they tell you right on the home page..."watch out, it may be addicting!"

The only thing missing is a 12 step program to help you along the way!

Well, now that you've got the bug, there's a few slots open for more Giant Squids. You just have to write at least 50 lenses, and you'll fit right in! Many, including myself hope to reach that depth some day and get the nod from community leaders.

So, why wait? There's a lens out there with your name on it, it just needs to be written....and the best part is that you can bring in money for your favorite charity. What's not to like about that?

C'mon in and join us...the water's fine!

If you're interested in using any of these graphics, please see the fine print below. For other Squidoodles and Squid graphics, a collection has been started on my Squidart Lens, followed by five others. The entire list is shown below, and all of them are available for use on lenses. Be sure to check them all as you never know what you'll find!

Squidoo logo is a trademark of Squidoo LLC. Graphics and Squidoodles © 2008 by tagsforkids (Steve Thompson) . Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License.

If you would like to use any of these graphics, or those on the subsequent SquidArt lenses, you may do so providing it is not for commercial use (i.e. you can not sell the images or use them for advertising products etc). You must include credit and a link back to the Squidoo for Fun and Non-profit lens. Please note that I am not affiliated with, nor endorsed by Squidoo LLC. Thanks!