Home » Squidoo Community » More Squidoo Tips » More Squidoo Tips for Newbies

Confessions of a Peeping Giant

Ranked #5,357 in Squidoo Community, #346,001 overall | Donates to Squidoo Charity Fund, A Day of Hope, FIV Cat Rescue

I Have To Confess... I'm a Squidoo Peeper!

Yup, it's true; I just can't resist the urge to visit and critique Squidoo lenses.
I love to read 'em. Lenses built by rookies, lenses built by Squidoo Masters, and lenses built by Team Squidoo.

My only regret about my time spent as a Squid Angel is the fact that I didn't keep track of the lenses I rated. I'm that crafty gal who likes to scrapbook special memories, so I wish I had kept track of those lenses.

I won't make that mistake again!
I'm on a mission to lend a guiding tentacle
(err; hand, that is!) to Squidoo newbies, and this is the scrapbook page for me to share my findings with you!

Squid Angels Are the Wind Beneath the Wings of Lensmasters...

A fellow Squid Angel and Giant inspired me to build this lens!

Semper Fidelis leaves a tag when she visits a lens that says you've been blessed by an angel. I know that the brush of her angel wings through some of my lenses has lifted my spirits on more than one occasion. Many thanks, Semper Fi!

Why Peep?

Great lenses are a joy to visit, and it's even more fun to provide some tender loving support for newbies.

I'm heading off to the Critique Me Forum at Squid U
to check out the new arrivals. I'm all mom at heart, and it's impossible for me to resist Baby Squid!

In the tradtion of Semper Fidelis, I'll leave a little note that say's
You've Been Peeped By a Giant Squid

Coming Soon....

Connie's Giant Squid School!

What Will I Find When I Visit YOUR New Lenses?

I won't promise to post all of the lenses I visit here...
(coz a Squidoo Giant's got a LOT of work to do!)
but, I will post the ones that are a good example of the most frequently asked questions about what makes a good lens.

So, Would You Like a Little Clue About What Makes a Peeping Giant Smile on Your Lens?

Okay, you asked for it; you got it!

I happen to love Flickr... it's the photo sharing service provided by Yahoo, and it's an easy way to fill your lenses with great photos.

We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words!

Here's an example of one of my how-to lenses. The step-by-step instructions for creating a silk floral swag are easy to follow in full-color photos.

Flickr makes it easy for me to put them in my lens, and easy for you to see the construction details.

If you build how-to lenses, just add a Flickr module to your lens, and show us your best how-to shots!

How-To Make a Silk Floral Swag

Loading

Here Are Some of My Personal Recommendations for Building Great Lenses

A Well-Laid Out Lens Establishes Credibility

* Completed Biography With a Photo or Avatar

The platform of Squidoo is built to allow you to establish yourself as the resident expert at whatever it is that you are the resident expert!

Introduce yourself, tell us why we should look you up when we are looking for information in your niche.

* Contact Feature is Enabled

Your email is kept private, but members can contact you with questions, comments or accolades. Your lens is a labor of love, and it's nice to receive a thumbs up in your inbox!

Guest Book
Guest book entries build camaraderie amongst fellow lensmasters. It's also a great way for you to measure the impact of your good advice!

A Well Laid Out Lens is Consistent

ALWAYS include a photo in the introduction module of your lens.
If you don't, you'll be lost in a sea of orange anonymity!

* Titles Are Specific and Applicable to Your Content

Modules come with pre-formatted titles. For aesthtic appeal; make them personal, make them compelling, and keep them gramatically consistent.

For Instance:
* If You Capitalize Your Main Words, Capitalize Them In All of Your Modules

* Great Lenses Stay on Topic
If you are selling real estate, it's frustrating to have to surf through a maze of ads for toys, tips on monetizing your lens, or blog feeds from marketing gurus.

The information superhighway can be chaotic... Squidoo gives you the ability to streamline the information that is applicable to your subject matter. You can take the pain out of a steep learning curve by providing people with clear answers to their questions.

A Well Laid Out Lens is Organized

* The Introduction Module
Use it to give a brief overview of what your lens is about, including a photo.

* The Table of Contents Module
Makes it easy for your reader to skip directly to the information they are looking for.

* Good use of available modules adds interest and variety to your prose.
For instance:
The countdown module can build excitement and generate anticipation for an event you are writing about.

* The information is presented in a logical sequence.
Introduce your topic, share the details, draw a conclusion, and direct your reader to external links that make your point or sells your product, and tell your reader where they can reach you.

A Well Laid Out Lens is Passionate

Good grammar, order, and organization are key elements to lensbuilding, but the magic ingredient is passion!

Let your love for your topic shine through... don't be afraid to be enthusiastic in your presentation.

Enthusiasm is contagious, and the world is waiting to engage with a voice of passion and integrity.

Paying attention to details shows that you care about your presentation as much as your content! Order and organization create well refined lenses that capture the attention of your audience.

Be the one to brighten your reader's day with your whit, charm, style and expertise... you will soon be the established expert in your arena, with a devoted audience to cheer you on!

Here's One of My How-To Recipe Lenses

It's a step-by-step tutorial that includes my running commentary and recommended kitchen products

Loading

Watch for Giant Footprints at Squid U... It's the Favorite Watering Hole For Many of the Squidoo Giants!

Well, that's it for now... I'm headed over to the forum to greet some of the newest members of the community.

Keep building, keep learning; have fun, and I'll peep ya later,
Connie
: )

Squid U

The Following Lenses Have Been Peeped by Giant Squid Me!

Looking for some giant tips about how to improve your lens?

I'll be hanging out at the
Critique Me Forum at Squid U.

Feel free to let me know if you would like a critique on some of your new lenses.

I'll be featuring lenses that include some of the most frequently asked questions about lensbuilding...AND becoming a master lensmaster!

Breaking the News of a Mental Health Diagnosis Can Be Frightening...

Othercat offers practical advice and great mental health resources

Othercat has chosen to harness the power of Squidoo to share her story about an important topic.

When more people speak out like she has, people will begin to lose their fear about mental health issues.
BRAVO!
Loading

If This Lens Doesn't Make You Laugh, You're Taking Yourself Way Too Seriously!

I had to laugh out loud at the story of Joshua, and his wee-wee and poo-poo. This lens is an example of a great beginning, we just want more of the same great content.
Great job, Lensmaster Amkatee... welcome to Squidoo!
Loading

Karate Pooh's Lens Offers A Crayon Recycling "Tut, Tut"

Lenses are a great way to share your favorite tutorials...

Karate Pooh is off to a kickin' start at Squidoo!
Loading

The Theme at Squidoo Is To Share Your Passion and Expertise...

Rewards4Life has done just that!

This is a lens filled with everything you need to know about kitty care... and some great photos and vids...
Enjoy!
Loading

I Couldn't Pass Up Jean's Lens on Writing

Jean's lens offers practical advice for aspiring novelists. Her writing strategy is engaging, and she also points us to the page to purchase her book. Good advice from someone who knows from whence she speaks!
Loading

Get the Facts About Skunk Spray

This lens is filled with quality information from a lensmaster who obviously knows his skunks... er; stuff!

Our lensmaster dispels the urban legends about skunk spray by sharing his personal experience with skunk'd pets.

He also shares his experience with the product that actually works for the world's most odiferous dilemma!
Loading

Inna is a New Lensmaster Who Shares Great Stories & Spectacular Photography!

Loading

Ernie Presents His Topic With Clear Focus and Excellent Writing

Hurray... Great lens photo!

Ernie doesn't clutter his message with irrelevant ads or merchandise. He also includes a plug for his new book... that's a smart move, and good use of his lens!

Ernie added a lens photo after my intial peep at his lens... and I think it looks great!
Loading

This Lens Does a Great Job of Picquing Your Interest About Her Product...

...then increases the potential for sales by pointing you to her website

Loading

This Lens is Filled With Great Information

I recommend a lens photo to add more impact to the information, and lose the orange anonymity!

Loading

Sparkling Fresh Fruit

I love the way Tamara engages her audience with her virtual conversational skills! Beautiful photos showcase her chosen topic, and she has made her lens interactive with a poll module... and of course, a guest book for sharing our mutual thoughts on fresh fruit!

I encourage you to drop by and welcome our budding new Lensmaster...
Loading

Time for a Little Q&A

Post your questions on this Squidoo topic below, and I'll do my best to find the answer for you.

submit
  • Reply
    Bellwood-Antiques Sep 11, 2011 @ 9:02 am | delete
    Your lens is very helpful and I will go back and look at mine and see how many mistakes I have made. I will probably be better off starting a new lens! Thanks for your great ideas, now I have got to put them to work for myself!!
  • Reply
    OldStones Jul 11, 2011 @ 5:54 am | delete
    Thanks for the great info. I am on my way to make sure I have the main words in caps on all of my module titles because I know I do on the intro module.
  • Reply
    TamaraKajari Nov 8, 2010 @ 2:44 am | delete
    Wow! My lens is on the above list! Thank you so much Connie! This is double inspiring; my lens being peeped and this whole idea of yours being presented so nicely. And this comment just before me, about not making money at Squidoo sounds so worth reading that I'm going to visit that lens right away. Thanks for peeping!
  • Reply
    ChapelHillFiddler Nov 24, 2009 @ 11:34 pm | delete
    I agree, this is a sweet and helpful lens. I also agree that the main thing that keeps people (like me) attached to squidoo is the community. Have you seen Chef Keem's lens on "Make no money at squidoo" - I think you'd like it.
  • Reply
    Frankster Jan 5, 2009 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    Great idea for a lens and terrific info. Glad to have you peeping! ;-) Bear hugs, Frankie aka Bearmeister
  • Reply
    JDWheeler Oct 24, 2008 @ 9:13 am | delete
    This lens is the essence of what makes Squidoo great. It's a community. People helping people. We are all in this together. The sea of Squidoo is big enough for us all. It's nice to know giant squids and community leaders are there for guidance and advice. Everyday on Squidoo is a new one...
  • Reply
    Othercat Oct 22, 2008 @ 7:38 pm | delete
    I can't thank you enough for your supportive comments. It's great that you use your 'giant' position to encourage us squidlings. And of course this lens is a 5*.
  • Reply
    chefkeem Oct 7, 2008 @ 4:57 pm | delete
    I love the personality of this lens (yours). Makes one feel to be in good hands (yours). A hearty SquidAngel Blessing for your giant gentleness.
  • Reply
    OhMe Oct 4, 2008 @ 9:03 am | delete
    Very clever. I didn't even know there was a Peeping Giant. I will have to make my way to the forum and see if I can get peeped. Thanks.
  • Reply
    icjackson Sep 24, 2008 @ 11:12 pm | delete
    Very cool practices on your part...which makes a hip and unique subject for a lens!

    A new favorite :-)
  • Reply
    erniechu Sep 15, 2008 @ 12:43 pm | delete
    Thank you for the visit and kind review. I enjoyed looking at this lens as well.

    In love & light,
    Ernie
  • Reply
    vbright105 Sep 9, 2008 @ 1:25 pm | delete
    Thanks for the visit and the thumbs up!!
Show All

Connie's Giant Squid School

My Latest Project Is To Teach...

I'll be showing my friends in business how they can use social media to drive traffic to their websites, AND their brick and mortar stores!

Chris and Stacey Siekman

Balanced Body Reflections

Loading

This Lens Was Built With Tender Loving Care By a Giant Peep!

Loading

P.S. Still stuck?

Drop by our SquidU.com forum. Ask for help, don't be stingy, be sure to smile, and we're betting someone will come to the rescue.

by

gods_grace_notes

Hello World! Have you ever endured a season in your life when you just couldn't seem to find yourself?  I certainly have!  I found the answers... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

 

Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers

Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers

by: Seth Godin

Amazon Price: $9.73 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

 

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

by: Seth Godin

Amazon Price: $11.62 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

Giant Squid Connie 

Loves To Squidoo

Loading

Related Tags