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Time for a little Q&A

There you have it, six quick suggestions to keep your lens squid-dewy fresh!

From the lens How Do I Keep My Lens Fresh?.

What did you think of those suggestions? Did they make sense? Do you need to know more?

Post your questions below, and I'll do my best to answer them for you here. Or leave a comment to let us know how these suggestions worked for you!

  • esvoytko Feb 25, 2012 @ 11:10 pm | delete
    Thanks for the tips; I didn't realize updating was so important!
  • poutine Feb 3, 2012 @ 7:14 am | delete
    Good reminder. I try to update almost daily, I only have 102 lenses, so that's not so difficult.
  • ErHawkns7100 Oct 30, 2011 @ 11:44 pm | delete
    Very good suggestions.
  • bhthanks Oct 3, 2011 @ 6:13 pm | delete
    Thank you for these tips!
  • Bindelstiff Aug 29, 2011 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    Very informative! Thanks!
  • CCGAL Jul 31, 2011 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    Very useful tips - this should be much higher in lens rank. Just sayin' ...
  • mayapearl Jun 1, 2011 @ 4:09 am | delete
    I am in the process of updating my lenses, thanks for the suggestions.
  • bolillie May 11, 2011 @ 9:31 pm | delete
    Very concise and helpful information. It would never have occurred to me to respond by the season and change products accordingly. Thanks for the useful tips.
  • bames24 Apr 25, 2011 @ 5:06 am | delete
    thanks for the tips :)
  • fantasticallyfictional Apr 16, 2011 @ 4:35 am | delete
    Great help & advice - thanks!
  • KokoTravel Jan 4, 2011 @ 8:01 pm | delete
    I try to keep things fresh, but sometimes months go by before I look at a lens... my bad
  • artyfax Nov 24, 2010 @ 7:27 am | delete
    Thanks for the tips, I think I have picked up some of them browsing around Squidoo lenses but this puts them nicely in one place for handy reference
  • vallain Oct 25, 2010 @ 9:18 pm | delete
    Some good tips here. Sometimes I look at an existing lens and my mind goes blank on putting anything more in it. I find it lots more fun to make new lenses.
  • Prosperity09 Oct 20, 2010 @ 4:41 am | delete
    Great ideas to implement in my existing and new lens!
  • redroses Oct 18, 2010 @ 9:14 am | delete
    Checking the calendar and planning for future events is a great idea. Must get down to some Xmas ones soon.
  • purplelady Oct 8, 2010 @ 11:42 am | delete
    I know that I have a major spiffing up job to do with my lenses. I have just been involved with too much "stuff of life" to be able to do so. But it appears that life is easing up on the "stuff" for awhile so I am setting my target to update all lenses, at least 2-3 a day. Your helpful tips and suggestions will come in very handy with this effort. Great lens as always.
  • poutine Oct 6, 2010 @ 5:36 pm | delete
    Those suggestions do make a lot of sense.
  • hlkljgk Sep 23, 2010 @ 7:32 pm | delete
    terrific tips, thanks!
  • luvmyludwig Sep 20, 2010 @ 11:48 am | delete
    great tips for updating our lenses
  • micmun Aug 10, 2010 @ 9:50 am | delete
    Thank you for all these wonderful tips. I'll favourite it so help is always just a click away.
  • susannaduffy Jun 28, 2010 @ 7:11 am | delete
    I'm sitting down right away and using these fabulous tips and advice to keep my lens fresh. Blessed by an angel today
  • aesta1 Apr 27, 2010 @ 1:52 am | delete
    You have some tips here that I have not read before so this is a visit of value. Thanks for creating this lens.
  • guardianstar77 Feb 11, 2010 @ 7:43 am | delete
    Great ideas, Susan. I have already bookmarked several of your lenses and your blog so I can study them more in depth and actually DO all the things you have recommended. I am about to plunge into Squidoo with both feet, and such wonderful information, presented in such an easy-to-understand format is awesome!
  • mistyriver Feb 7, 2010 @ 9:16 am | delete
    Thank you for the ideas! I was wondering about this as Squidoo says one of my lenses is "stale squid". That doesn't sound good, now I have some ideas for updating.
  • vallain Feb 2, 2010 @ 10:19 am | delete
    Often I think a lens is done, but when I revisit it, I'll think of new info to include. Takes time though.
  • R0954 Jan 24, 2010 @ 5:59 pm | delete
    Very informative and great advice thanks
  • eclecticeducation Jan 17, 2010 @ 1:36 am | delete
    Great tips! Blessed by an Angel! :)
  • vallain Jan 11, 2010 @ 10:20 am | delete
    I wondered if it was worth the effort to keep massaging the old lenses or just keep making new ones. This helps me know how to enhance a lens that I felt was finished. Thanks.
  • sema Jan 10, 2010 @ 6:24 am | delete
    Thanks for sharing these useful tips!
  • AngHoo Dec 28, 2009 @ 7:46 am | delete
    Thank you for sharing...
  • Miriam2008 Dec 22, 2009 @ 6:29 pm | delete
    Great lens. I added all six to my squidoo new years resolution list. Thanks for putting this together.
  • Liz226 Nov 8, 2009 @ 10:15 pm | delete
    Good to know thanks.
  • Susan52 Oct 11, 2009 @ 6:57 pm | in reply to paperfacets | delete
    I think you left the suggestion (below) to add a capital to the introduction. I like that! In fact, I just did that on this lens. Thanks for the great tip and for the lensroll!
  • paperfacets Oct 11, 2009 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    Very good. I am lensrolling with my keyword lens.
  • luvmyludwig Oct 6, 2009 @ 7:41 pm | delete
    great job here, using for the new Giant Squid Challenge.
  • blue22d Oct 3, 2009 @ 6:23 pm | delete
    Excellent lens. I have been paying more attention to updating my lenses these days. I realized I needed to do so or they get stagnate. ***** to you and a lens roll to my Best Online Reference lens.
  • jeffwend Sep 30, 2009 @ 12:03 am | delete
    Good lens for brainstorming how to update a lens. 5*, blessed and lensrolled to my "How To Promote Your Lens Outside Of Squidoo".
  • StaciJansma Sep 23, 2009 @ 12:19 pm | delete
    Great information - Thanks!
  • JenOfChicago Sep 14, 2009 @ 12:02 pm | delete
    Great tips!
  • strayspay Sep 12, 2009 @ 7:54 pm | delete
    Great Information! Food for thought.
  • ChapelHillFiddler Sep 2, 2009 @ 5:55 am | delete
    Thanks! My favorite way to refresh old lenses used to be the "ADD URLY TO A LENS" bookmarklet on Firefox - it was easy to add pertinent links to lenses when I came across them - but golly it's been broken for a long, long time...
  • GrowWear Aug 30, 2009 @ 5:30 pm | delete
    Lots to learn here, Susan. Thank you!
  • Susan52 Aug 30, 2009 @ 5:11 pm | in reply to shajo | delete
    I try to freshen a lens or two ever day, but I'll admit that I tend to pay attention to some lenses more than others. It's easy to let older or less popular lenses go stale, but freshening them as you can should produce some improvement in visibility for those older lenses.
  • shajo Aug 19, 2009 @ 9:48 am | delete
    wow daily or weekly? I try to freshen up monthly, I guess I better pick one day a week just for updating my lenses and stick to it. Thanks for the information and the link to the blog
  • jennifer2 Jun 2, 2009 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    Great way to catch our attention ....a great source of information and fun. Thanks!
  • BevsPaper Jun 1, 2009 @ 7:02 am | delete
    Very good advice! 5*s
  • DongMei Apr 26, 2009 @ 3:53 pm | delete
    Great advice to follow. I think I need to work on my tags. Nice lens.
  • Slothlover Apr 16, 2009 @ 9:17 am | delete
    Very Interesting Suggestions!!! Very great!
  • karen550 Apr 14, 2009 @ 7:05 pm | delete
    Thanks, Susan...looks like I need to follow you. You definitely have some great ideas.

    Karen
  • Jayway Apr 12, 2009 @ 5:18 pm | delete
    Hi Susan, thanks for the reminders and suggestions.
  • gurlgonewired Apr 9, 2009 @ 2:54 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for some tips that are sure to help out the new girl!
  • CoolFoto Apr 5, 2009 @ 9:00 pm | delete
    You have a delightful way of presenting this info. Thanks. 5*
  • JaguarJulie Mar 22, 2009 @ 5:41 pm | delete
    Keeping lenses fresh is important -- sometimes it gets a wee bit challenging for me -- with over 400 lenses. ;)
  • Laniann Mar 8, 2009 @ 4:09 pm | delete
    After reading your lens I put a poll on my lens. I'm still new... but two out of two voted in my poll. Good advise and easy to put in effect. 5 Stars to you and I favorite it!
  • NicheReaper Mar 5, 2009 @ 10:35 am | delete
    Great advice Susan
  • Tipi Mar 5, 2009 @ 9:05 am | delete
    Very good advice Susan. Thanks for sharing these tips! :) - Susie
  • Laniann Mar 3, 2009 @ 8:35 am | delete
    Thank you for the tips. I was wondering how you keep a lens fresh after it has been around for a bit. This is very helpful and I am going to put your tips to work for me
  • WhitePineLane Feb 14, 2009 @ 11:28 pm | delete
    Great tips! I do find, though, that the more lenses I have, the harder it is to keep them all fresh. (But I try!)
  • EuroSquid Feb 14, 2009 @ 2:32 pm | delete
    Susan

    Nice lens with great reminders! 5* Thank you for mentioning Valley of the Giants! I am so glad you are blogging with us.
  • ElizabethJeanAllen Feb 14, 2009 @ 1:11 pm | delete
    I update as often as I can...not often enough.
    Thanks for the tips
    Lizzy
  • JeffKnight Feb 6, 2009 @ 6:03 pm | delete
    I would like to put the books I talk about into a separate resource module but when I put the amazon book links with picture into the module they go diagonally not horizontal. What can I do.
  • JeffKnight Feb 6, 2009 @ 6:03 pm | delete
    I would like to put the books I talk about into a separate resource module but when I put the amazon book links with picture into the module they go diagonally not horizontal. What can I do.
  • BobbyBOOMBOOMBickerson Feb 3, 2009 @ 4:09 am | delete
    Thanks for the great ideas. I rated your lens 5 star!

    Hope you'll come to check out our lens, where Squidoo Angels can get a blessing from Bubblegum Heaven!
  • EverythingMouse Jan 14, 2009 @ 8:19 am | delete
    It is great that you have tackled this common question. Keeping lenses fresh can sometimes be a challenge but I do always try and find the time. Blessings to you for some great ideas to help others.
  • CJM1957 Jan 7, 2009 @ 9:24 pm | delete
    Thanks for the wonderful ideas. Now to see if I can freshen up my lens. I'm learning.
  • Susan52 Dec 29, 2008 @ 3:29 pm | in reply to tandemonimom | delete
    Great question! I don't have a system or a plan, really, to freshen my lenses regularly; though I probably should! I do freshen current topical lenses quite often, even daily, while some, I am sorry to say, remain as is for far too long. I need to practice what I preach a little better in that regard. Time is definitely a factor, and the fact that I need a lot of sleep - and a faster computer!
  • tandemonimom Dec 29, 2008 @ 3:19 pm | delete
    Great lens, very helpful! Thanks for putting this info together. But I'm curious - with 100 lenses you can't do each one each day; how often do you try to rotate through and freshen each lens? Once a week or every two weeks? 5**** and Featured on Squidoo How To.
  • mrsnicolaray Dec 17, 2008 @ 2:25 am | delete
    Great ideas to keep it fresh. Thanks.
  • BikoBill Dec 15, 2008 @ 10:57 am | delete
    Another very helpful lens from you Susan, thanks again.
  • TheSavvyChef Dec 10, 2008 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for sharing these ideas. Funny, as a newbie, I was just thinking exactly the same thing recently: Just how am I going to freshen my lens on a regular basis? And today I stumbled upon your lens about that exact subject. A great find indeed.
  • Marshell Dec 2, 2008 @ 10:54 am | delete
    Hi Susan! You inspire me. I have this big 2009 calendar I'm using to jump start my year...and I've went and put Squidoo on certain dates each month, with your suggestions! Thank you very much!
  • kathypi Nov 20, 2008 @ 12:36 am | delete
    up to 40 tags, i have work to do, thank you, great helpful lens, kathy
  • Kitsune64 Oct 30, 2008 @ 6:09 pm | delete
    I'll definitely be implementing some of these ideas in my lenses! Thanks for a great lens.
  • MobyD Oct 12, 2008 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    I'm spending more time lately looking for ways to improve what I already have. This lens is very helpful!
  • eccles1 Oct 11, 2008 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    thanks for your help I need it !
  • MerryM Oct 10, 2008 @ 8:34 pm | delete
    great lens, there's some really good tips in here.
  • Norma_Budden Oct 8, 2008 @ 9:39 pm | delete
    Thanks for the great tips. While I practice many of the tips, there were a couple of suggestions I will carefully consider.
  • Joan4 Oct 7, 2008 @ 3:44 pm | delete
    Great tips! Thank you! Adding to my Squidoo Favorites - Education and Squidoo Lists! Great advice here!
  • chefkeem Oct 3, 2008 @ 4:52 pm | delete
    I needed to see these tips again. I've got work to do! Thanks for making this very helpful lens, Susan.
    5*s and a hearty SquidAngel Blessing!
  • susannaduffy Oct 1, 2008 @ 9:18 am | delete
    These tips are simply the best. All of them. I've taken careful notes and an writing up a little task list in my diary to keep track of where I am. I should really get in some more polls and Thomas C's idea about the blog module is a good one too. Thanks Susan (and everyone else)for the 5* lens which has given me inspiration for keeping lens fresh
  • Sep 23, 2008 @ 11:29 am | delete
    When you you think you already have everything you can think of on a lens, updating the affiliate links is a great idea.
  • MusicMadness Sep 10, 2008 @ 3:50 pm | delete
    That's some good tips. I've been building a number of lenses lately, and am a little concerned about keeping my older ones fresh. 5 stars
  • Jewelsofawe Sep 8, 2008 @ 7:33 pm | delete
    You have lots of good tips on here for working with our lenses.
  • Aug 25, 2008 @ 10:20 pm | delete
    Hi Susan,

    Thanks for sharing your comment on my building credit lens. Your suggestions are definitely practical and sensible!I'll have to follow some of this on my own squid! Feel free to visit again any time!
  • djeneralee Aug 24, 2008 @ 12:58 pm | delete
    it is a good thing to help others...Thanks for the advise.
  • Susan52 Aug 23, 2008 @ 10:04 pm | delete
    Great suggestion, Thomas. Thanks! I'm adding it to the Plexo below.
  • ThomasC Aug 23, 2008 @ 9:34 pm | delete
    A good tip for freshness, use the google blog module, (A-Z under G) it updates daily! So you have fresh content daily and don't even have to visit your lens!!
  • a_willow Aug 2, 2008 @ 3:16 pm | delete
    Ok, this one definately go to favorites. I'm gonna need this more than once again!
  • frances Aug 2, 2008 @ 9:49 am | delete
    Some really helpful suggestions
  • annetteghallowell Aug 1, 2008 @ 12:55 pm | delete
    Thanks for the great ideas. I also like the length of this lens. Now I know it is possible to make a short lens of good quality!
  • RichLeigh Jul 30, 2008 @ 2:36 pm | delete
    Some handy little tips you've provided there! Short and to the point too, a very well created lens and a definite 5 stars from me.
  • mulberry Jul 24, 2008 @ 3:22 pm | delete
    Nicely done. Good info and concise...I like it!
  • NewRiver Jul 17, 2008 @ 9:09 am | delete
    Excellent! Thanks for joining Links Plexo Group!
  • Jimmie Jul 14, 2008 @ 9:30 am | delete
    Good tips!
  • The_Homeopath Jul 11, 2008 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    Definately some really helpful tips here, thanks!
  • rms Jul 11, 2008 @ 12:12 pm | delete
    This is fabulous and truly helpful! Nice work!
  • Susan52 Jul 11, 2008 @ 10:17 am | delete
    Beeobrien, I think that's a great question (about the keyword repetition) and one for the forum. I'd like to know, too.
  • beeobrien Jul 11, 2008 @ 10:02 am | delete
    Thanks for your great list of ideas. I have a Mother's Day lens that has the same problem.

    Regarding keywords, can you do yourself harm by repeating one word within a keyword phrase too many times? e.g. recipes, pasta recipes, lasagna recipes....
  • Susan52 Jul 11, 2008 @ 9:27 am | delete
    I can relate to the Father's Day lens dilemma; I had the same with my Easter Bonnets lens. The advice was to add more about how to make a hat and that has kept visitors coming, though not as many. I will watch and revise it further in order to make it more successful next Easter.

    You also make a great point about the generic URL. Sometimes it's easy to be almost too specific on lens URL choices. Thanks for that tip.
  • GypsyOwl Jul 11, 2008 @ 9:19 am | delete
    I like your list of suggestions. Makes me wonder how to revise my father's day lens so that it will not just linger until next JUNE! :D I also thought... maybe I could consider more generic URLs when creating a lens so that it is easy to shift from seasons, holidays, and ideas.

    For example, I was noticing that my /grab_award lens could be revised to include all of the award banners and badges I have added to my list. And, when I noticed the URL, I was glad I had created it in a generic way so it will be easy to revise.
    :D 5*FAV and lensrolling to /gypsyowl_howto lens.

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Susan52

Susan52 is a Giant Squid who loves to help new lensmasters succeed so that they can become Giants, too.

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