How To Recycle Your Squidoo Lens - Plan Ahead - Great Idea For Seasonal Lenses

One of the main reasons I started recycling lenses was because I saw them lose interest. And I realized that I could save a lot of time in building a lens if I didn't need to load all the modules again.

This works great if the recyling lens is going to be similar in layout as the one previously on that page.

This works great if the plan is in place ahead of time and the lens actually 'evolves' more than really going through a major transformation overnight.

So the major reason Why to recycle is to save time.

Another great reason is that Overall (average) Lens Rank.
That may play a part in technical things but from my point of view it simply dosn't feel good to see an average gradually falling when there is something I can do about it.

Why not just delete the one that is falling out and start over?
Again it is a matter of time. If starting over works better for you, than, maybe that is the way to go. But, how will you really know until you try it.

What about Giant Squids? They get a template right?
Well yes. When I first became a Giant Squid I was allowed one template. I used it one time. I found that I have about 6 different kinds of lenses and they are set up differently. So the template hasn't been helpful.

OK, but, A Giant Squid can make more than one template now right?

That is true. When I found out that I could make more than one template I tried it out. Then, when I started to make a new lens, only one template was available. This may be a great idea (if I knew how to access the other templates), but, there are still times when recycling is a better option than building a new lens.

Recycling has been extremely helpful as I can look at what is already published a few times and plan the evolution process so I will have a new lens in no time. While still preserving the best of the previous lens.

Which is another reason that recycling is better than starting from scratch or using a template (remember a template will not save any content within the modules).

When you recycle, you do get to keep content that you like to have on several lenses. You get to keep your recommendations (your lensrolls), you get to keep any content you want, and only change the content you want to change to better serve the changing theme.

Back to the concept of Christmas to New Years to Valentines Day...

Think of your lens like a brick and mortar shop. They do not change the address or the name of the shop several times a year. They simply change the contents of the store to meet the events and seasons throughout the year.

They have planned a name and address (location) that will evolve throughout the year. That is what Recycling a Lens is really all about. Creating a lens that will evolve through time regardless of the seasons or changing events.

Remember... Your lens will be going back to Christmas again after it evolves through the seasons... so you will also have the potential of returning visitors who favorited your Christmas Lens. They may have watched the evolution as well and have already decided you are the expert on

GIFTS

PARTYS

WEDDINGS

DECORATIONS

or

Whatever YOUR_URL specifies.

You have become an expert in a

generic specific.

kind of way.






Love

Tin Sign

7 in. x 12 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

One idea that comes to mind is a Sports lens. You may have a favorite Baseball Team, and a Football Team and these are most active at different times of the year.

So rather than select a URL football or baseball why not choose a generic specific like Sports News or even more specific Game Scores or Sports Gear.

Think of your lens as an expert on Sports News and Gear for example and you can evolve the lens throughout the year from everything between Pro Golf to NFL or TBall.

You can allow the lens to evolve between different seasons and only remove outdated content after the season is well past by. Some folks will want to read about last months scores and maybe even two months ago, but past that time it is long overdue news.

News on any topic can also be a candidate for recycling. For example: The Political Landscape is ever changing. A lens about the Elections for President are going to go dormant for 4 years ... why not create a political lens that will evolve around different stages of a specific area of politics. Using President rather than Elections, or even Leaders rather than a particular office.

1
When choosing your URL be very

generic specific.

In other words, you would choose a URL that is specific to what your lens is about but generic enough to evolve over time to be effective throughout the year for many seasonal and event lens topics.

2
Recycling a lens saves time.

When you recycle, you do get to keep content that you like to have on several lenses. You get to keep your recommendations (your lensrolls), you get to keep any content you want, and only change the content you want to change to better serve the changing theme.

3
You retain your traffic stats and over time have become an Expert in a specific area. Your readers will look to you to update them as your lens evolves. You may find yourself with a growing readership and higher traffic stats.