Squidoo Spotlight

RULES OF ACCEPTANCE:
Don't add your lens to this group unless you have been invited!
Trust me, if you make outstanding lenses, you will be here!

LENSMASTER UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
WordCustard

Q: How you found out about Squidoo?

A: The first time I really became aware of Squidoo wasn't until September this year (2009). I think a Squidoo lens was thrown up in a search result, then I heard about Squidoo again on a UK forum where someone dismissed it as a serious way to make money online! I'm not so easily put off, and liked the look of what I saw. I'd been toying with the idea of a genealogy blog but doubted I had enough material for regular entries, so a Squidoo lens seemed the perfect place to share this interest with others. I signed up and my first lens - How To Do Your Family History Research For Free - was born on 23 September. Of course, looking back, 'family history' was way too big a niche. But it got me started!

Q: You have completed 50 lenses and you're going for Giant status now... Why you want to become a Giant?

A: It's been quite an experience going from 1 lens in September to 50 by mid-December. I started off slow and so most of the effort was concentrated over the final 6 weeks. However, becoming a Giant really matters to me. I soon learnt that it is the mark of a lensmaster who is committed to producing quality work. I never do things by halves and so that was a goal I could identify with. Having quite a tight deadline gave me the motivation to produce the quantity of lenses required. The quality requirement ensured that I didn't take short cuts and will go on working on my lenses to make them the best they can be. If I reach Giant this time round, it will be a very proud moment for me.

One of your lenses have been added for voting in Giant Squid Award 2009. How this makes you feel?

A: This was a complete surprise - all the more so because it was a very early lens of mine, created before I had made any Squidoo contacts or joined any of the groups. It's good to know I was on the right track. It's also quite an honour to be listed among so many great lensmasters - many of whom are also new friends. I know it has been said by many others, but the Squidoo community is second to none and I have been amazed by the level of support given to new lensmasters here. I've just had my first payday and made a grand total of 60 cents in royalties, so needless to say it's not the money that has kept me here so far! :)

Q: You and Squidoo - what's next?

A: A couple of months ago I'd have laughed myself silly if someone had suggested going for the 100 club. But Squidoo gave me the motivation to rise to the challenge of 50 quality lenses, and I still have plenty of ideas to explore, so why not? I'm not in a hurry though. I'm just happy to continue learning and growing as a lensmaster, and also want to focus on nurturing my existing lenses to build on my traffic. When I think of how much I learned between lens 1 and lens 50, I am sure there is still plenty to learn between 51 and 100. And, while I don't expect to ever be done learning, I'm looking forward to taking my turn at giving something back too.

Can I take this opportunity also to say thanks to the Ning group 'Fresh Wonders' and the awesome people who mentor and share their knowledge there. The encouragement and feedback I've received there has been fantastic and I'd encourage any new lensmaster who is serious about Squidoo to join.