Tips for Starting and Maintaining a Group

All you need to do to get started is click on the Groups drop down menu and select "My Groups." Click on the "start a group" button.

The next page is pretty self explanatory. You'll select your URL, title, group description, category, tags, and logo.

You'll also choose whether you want to approve lenses before they are added or allow anyone to add any lens.

Finally you'll select "family-friendly" or "adult" for your group.

Making your group pretty is simple and just takes a few steps! You don't even need to upload any images - Squidoo handles it all for you.

There are two places where you will want to insert information about your group. There is the description and avatar, which will show up in searches for your group and on the "My Groups" page, and the header on the actual groups page.

To insert your custom description and avatar, go to the "My Groups" page and click on "manage this group" for the group you wish to manage. Click on "Group Settings" which is the first link in the module.

Here you can change the title of your group, insert your custom description, and insert your avatar.

Next, to create your custom header, go back to the "manage this group" page. For the group you wish to edit, click "Edit Your Group HQ page."

This is the page where you can edit your group header just like you would edit the description and image on your lenses.

There are two ways you can invite lensmasters to join your group. You can email them directly using the Group Invitation feature of the Manage this Group page (or email them on your own), or by contacting them through their individual lenses.

To find lenses that fit your group, search for relevant terms using Squidoo's search feature. When you find lenses you like, contact the lensmaster and write them a short note inviting them to your group. Most lensmasters are very excited to hear from you, and will happily join.

What if they have the contact option turned off? This can be tricky. If they have a guestbook, try leaving a message there. If you know them on SquidU, email them from there. If they have another website, try contacting them there.

If nothing else - you'll have to wait! Chances are good they'll eventually find your group on their own as groups become even more popular.