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Lost in Squidoo - Hot Tips for Newbies

Ranked #5,800 in Squidoo Community, #367,498 overall

Need a Squidoo Map?

How'd you find your way here? Was it a weblink, or word of mouth from someone who builds lenses? I stumbled into Squidoo one afternoon while researching a topic for a monthly column. The more I explored Squidoo lenses, the more I thought, Hmmmm. I could do this. So I clicked a link and the rest is history. One taste of lensmaking and I was hooked...thoroughly and utterly over-the-top Squiddicted.

This lens is your rest stop along the Squidoo highway. Take a break, get out and stretch, and soak up new information before you head back to work. If you're feeling lost, I'll provide helpful info to steer you back. If you have questions, please send an email, using the link over there in the righthand column===> . (Note: If you should feel lost in this lens, no worry. At the bottom you'll find "Boomerang!", a table of contents that helps you choose sections you'd like to revisit.)

Lost in Squidoo? Follow Me... 

If Your Brain Turns to Mush

Pacing your lens-building frenzy...

Like many new projects, it's easy to end up overworked, burnt-out, and unable to shut off the creative flow when you're done for the day. Plus, there's the learning curve to consider--where to turn when you feel stuck in the muck.

My best advice? Head on over to SquidU, where you'll find plenty of opportunities to ask questions, read articles, and gather feedback for your new lens. Before long, you'll develop a workflow that streamlines your efforts and showcases your lenses. Remember, lens building does get easier with experience.

Above all--enjoy the journey! You might want to prepare a week's worth of meals to freeze, too. Once you begin, your fingers are going to be glued to your computer keyboard for hours on end.




New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

Tip #1

Pick a topic that hasn't been overworked. Brainstorm a unique slant. For example,instead of writing about chrysanthemums in general, write about the history of this popular fall flower.

Become Familiar With These Tools

Any big project requires good tools. Get acquainted with the tools you'll be using before you dive into making your first lens. It'll save you time and headache in the long run.

Here are some you'll refer to often.
SquidUtils
SquidUtils is the place to find complementary utilities and tools for your Lenses on Squidoo. Here you can see all of your lenses and groups, with shortcuts to some of the most vital functions not included on your usual dashboard. If you are an Amazon Associate, then there are some exciting tools here that will spice up your lenses, and earn you more.
How to Use Your Lensmaster Feed | Squidoo Tools and Lensmaster Tips
One of the oldest tools here at SquidUtils is the Lensmaster Feeds. These are RSS Feeds that contain links to all of your lenses (or groups).
Squidoo Guide: Linking Tips
There are many ways that you can add links to your Lens, improving the experience of your readers. How you add those links often depends on what those links are for. This Lens explains the different types of links, and the techniques available to you.
Super Advanced HTML Tips and Tricks to use on Squidoo
These techniques are not really that super advanced. Anyone can do this.This lens would not be possible if it were not for the groundwork of other lenmasters: specifically, Magicality and N376 so they will be getting a lot of link love here. This lens is to expand on their lenses providing some tips
How to Add a Cool Mozilla Add-on for Squidoo | Squidoo Magic
If you use Firefox browser, there is a cool add-on for Squidoo, a real timesaver and very useful, take a look I am sure you will agree.
Squidaholic
Squidaholic
Squidoo addicts, listen up!
With one little click you can find out who's talking about your lens, keep up with the latest scoop on your topic, and get all kinds of nifty ideas for promoting your lenses. Not to mention keep an eye on your competition.
http://www.squidoo.com/ Engage!
Squidoo Guide: Linking Tips
There are many ways that you can add links to your Lens, improving the experience of your readers. How you add those links often depends on what those links are for. This Lens explains the different types of links, and the techniques available to you.
Cool Squidoo Lens Templates
A little help goes a long way.
My Favourite CSS Tricks on Squidoo
The basic tools provided by Squidoo will do pretty much everything you need to get your content out to your audience. But sometimes you want to format it a little differently, and this is where inline CSS comes into play. Here I show some of the tricks I use on my lenses, and the code that does that

Time Out for the Creative Lensmaster

...when you need an extra nudge

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When You Reach an Intersection...

Study lensmasters who have paved the way

Intersection II




Buy at AllPosters.com


Squidoo isn't about copying the next lensmaster. (Who needs a hundred lenses on the perfect cuppa coffee?) It isn't about competition or speed. It's about finding a niche and filling it. Learning how to turn a passion into a lens that will inspire, educate, or humor readers. It could also change our world, one lens at a time.

Squidoo provides an array of tools, plus you can add your own special HTML (you'll notice I've increased font size for easier reading--it's simple!), and have fun giving your lenses a custom look.

The following are links to five Squidoo lenses, each developed from a unique slant. Look them over and learn from them. Then find a slant of your own and get busy creating!

How to Donate Your Hair
What you need to know before donating your hair to charity.
Home Energy Conservation Tips - 10 Bright Ideas to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
Home energy conservation tips can help towards having a more energy efficient home. An energy efficient home is something we should all strive for...
Cool Photoshop Tips And Tricks
When it comes to entering the graphic design world, creating interesting pieces for a job or sharing artwork with family and friends, there are plenty of cool Photoshop tips and tricks to consider. Whether you are just experimenting with the tools or already know how to layout a magazine spread...
Making Lemonade
This lens is about how to easily make your own delicious, homemade lemonade. Here are recipes and suggestions for flavor variations, links to more information about lemons and lemonade, and links to fun and helpful lemonade-related websites.
Would You Trade Your Daughter for a Cow?
The very idea seems absurd, but for desperate families in parts of rural Africa, it's an all too common answer to a present-day economic problem. Thus, when a family runs out of food and sees no other solution, they will strike a deal with a neighbor who has cows.

Lenses with Flair!

Study how each is different...

I've gathered a few links without checking their lensrank, just because I want you to notice how different each one is, both in topic and style.

Your voice is unique. So are your life experiences. Think about what makes you happy...sad...curious...angry. Bring your passion--and your unique viewpoint--to Squidoo and no matter what you write about, it will be slanted differently than anyone else's.

Run a search for "chocolate". At first glance, you might think there are too many lenses on that topic. Ask yourself how you might slant it differently, and give it a try. With a little creativity, you can come up with something nobody else has thought of doing. That's the fun of Squidooing!

Edible Bouquets

Life as a Leftie

Tasty Turkey Day Cupcakes

Housework - Make It Fast, Make It Fun

Crazy Quilt

Red Hats & the Women Who Wear Them

So, You're a Lensmaster, Hmmm?

Here's proof...

Squidoo Mug mug
Squidoo Mug by SquidGear
Make promotional mugs On www.zazzle.com
Browse other Business Motivational Mugs

Tip #2

One of the first mistakes I made at Squidoo was to hurry. Take your time. Read, read, read! Here's a good place to begin.

Quotes from Busy Lensmasters

Pssst! Can you keep a secret?

Squidoo is squiddictive.

With that in mind, it would be wise to set a reasonable schedule to help manage your time. If you have a small child underfoot, don't forget to feed her. If your dog is leaping at the patio door, you might want to take him on a walk. If your phone has been ringing for days, it might be time to answer.

Squiddiction isn't debilitating or permanent. It's fun, but also hard work if you have a goal in mind and are stretching to reach it quickly.

Follow the tips of others who have taken this route, and your life will thank you.



"Find yourself."--bdkz
"Tags help you find other lenses related to yours."--MrLewisSmile
"Submit your Squidoo URL to other Web 2.0 sites"--fefe
"Create your lens around a niche."--Janet21
"Include links to related content."--Greekgeek

To-Do List for Newbies

Dream it.
Plan it.
Do it.
Update it.

(Repeat.)

Discover Your Niche

What topics switch on your creativity? Do you find yourself brainstorming them often? What are you thinking about when you're doing mindless activity like filing, ironing, or dusting furniture? Which topics circle your head while you're driving?

Go after them!

Niche writing is not news. It's what creative writers do every day. At first, it might feel like you've boxed yourself in, but as time passes, you'll pick up momentum that will carry you along. Plus, you'll be able to link to other lenses in that particular niche.

Walk out on a limb and try something new. I have begun several lens series, and it's an ongoing project. I'm writing a series called Amazing Adventures, which transports readers to places they most likely will never visit, unless they live closeby.

This fall, I've also written from the viewpoint of Tom, a stressed turkey who's trying to outrun Thanksgiving. Tom's adventure leads us from the farm where he's holed up behind the barn, to his heartwrenching Manifesto. Thanks to a caring Turkiatrist, Tom begins to see light at the end of his feather-lined tunnel. Of course there's more to come...

Niche writing can lead you in directions you might not have intended to go, like the color lens I published recently in celebration of blue. I'll be adding other color-tribute lenses in the weeks to come.

Make a list of topics that pique your curiosity or your passion. It's just a loose list, so let your mind wander. Sometimes it helps to use mindmapping as a way to jar your thoughts and discover new slants for popular topics. After all, it's not so much the topic as the one-of-a-kind slant YOU can bring to your writing.

Tip #3

Draw from your own strengths and weaknesses. If you take your time and look at your life's experiences, I guarantee you'll find something valuable to share.

There's Always More to Learn!

Topics to boost your rankings




Lens making is time-consuming. That's why it's important to set aside periods when you don't write. In other words, TAKE A BREAK! Spend time reading about lensmasters who have found shortcuts or superb ways to express themselves. Visit their lenses or drop by SquidU and ask questions.

Here's a valuable list of lenses and helpful links that will save you time as you learn your way around Squidoo. Take the advice to heart and let it be an incentive to improve current lenses and create new lenses that are attractive and useful.

Don't forget to leave a comment in their guestbook. Everyone likes to feel appreciated, right?

Are you a Stay at Home Mom (or Dad) Interested in Earning a Monthly Income?
Okay, I am sure you are all thinking, 'What's the catch?' Don't worry, there isn't one. I promise. I am a stay at home mom and I will show you how Squidoo is helping me earn a monthly income while still being home to take care of my children...
My Favourite CSS Tricks on Squidoo
The basic tools provided by Squidoo will do pretty much everything you need to get your content out to your audience. But sometimes you want to format it a little differently, and this is where inline CSS comes into play. Here I show some of the tricks I use on my lenses, and the code that does that/
How to Find and Target Long Tail Keywords for More Search Engine Traffic
The benefits of increasing search engine traffic to any website are many. For online retailers and affiliate marketers, this means a higher potential for
SEO for squidoo - getting found in google: search engine optimization
SEO - search engine optimization - has many different facets. This lens goes over the main ones - especially how they effect making successful lenses on squidoo.
Easy Ebay RSS Affiliate Feeds - A Step By Step Tutorial
Creating RSS Feeds of items on ebay is a great way of adding custom content for your lens, blog or website. The advice here is aimed at squidoo users but can be applied anywhere you place a RSS Feed.The great advantage of creating a feed this way is that you can set very specific conditions for what
Squid Etiquette
In our enthusiasm to not only publish our first few lenses but also get traffic, we may forget some very important things or we may do things that actually, if you really stop and think about it, are not very clever.Not everyone will agree with what I say in this lens but I think the Lensmasters tha
Squidoo: A Home for Good Ideas
Article from How2HQ (How-To Headquarters) about the benefits of Squidoo
The Importance of Backlinks
Why search engines love good backlinks, and how it can help boost traffic and ratings.

Hang Out @SquidU's Discussion Boards: http://www.squidu.com 

Explore the Squidoo Answer Deck

Find answers to your questions at the Squidoo Answer Deck

Have you taken time to visit the Squidoo Answer Deck? It's chock full of helpful information for lensmasters--a jumpstart to your lens-making. I've selected several examples that helped me. Visit the links on this list, and discover more on your own.
What are the most common newbie mistakes?
Read this and learn from the mistakes of others.
How can I get found on Squidoo?
So you've created a link. Who will know? How will they find you?
How can I use the Duel module?
Want to duke it out? Here's a great traffic-booster. It's fun for visitors, and fun for you as you watch guests take sides in a debate.
The Joy of Squidoo: The Official Recipe Guide
Learn how to make tasty "recipes" for Squidoo lenses. Great for Squidoo lensmasters at every level.
Who are the Giant Squids?
Here's a question that gets asked often. Find out how you can set goals and reach the level of Giant Squid.

Tip #4

Never settle for less than your best. Check for typos, then check again after you take a break. Distance yourself from your work and you'll gain a better eye for spotting errors.

Treat Yourself to CafePress

You deserve it (don't you?)

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Promote Your Masterpiece!

Where to promote your best lenses...


After all that work, where do you go next? Promotion is an important part of Squidooing. Yes, it takes time, but the payoff will be well worth the effort.

Squidoo Lenses Accepted By SquidPedia - Squidpedia - Squidoo Link Directory
The home of SquidPedia, a Hand Reviewed Squidoo Lens Directory
All About Groups at Squidoo!
I have about 40 groups, some more successful and useful than others, but working with all of them I have learned a LOT about Squidoo, my fellow lensmasters, and the wide range of possibilities and potential for groups.This concerns Group Masters (GM) AND lensmasters (LM)- if you have a group, if you
Lensroll Networking / Popular Lenses
Social bookmarking for Squidoo lens masters to share relevant content. Build links, increase traffic, make money for yourself.
Squoogle Article Link Directory
make a web directory with ease

Share What You've Learned

Videos are one tool worth exploring

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Remember to Update!

Like fresh air for your lenses...

When's the last time you rearranged your furniture? Dusted and vacuumed? Like it or not, those tasks fall under the category of must-do.

That's the approach I take with each lens I build. Updating (decluttering and cleaning) is as important as opening windows to let fresh air in. Without updates, content grows stale. Lenses sound humdrum.

How often to update is your call. You might update every week or so, whereas When you do, add a couple of new tags, fresh links, and fresh text here and there.


*Don't believe it's worth the effort? Keep an eye on your stats and watch them change after an update. In time, lensbuilding will feel like second nature. (*As I update this, I'm working on my 16th lens. The good news is that it's gotten a lot easier with familiarity.)

TIP #5

SquidUtils explains how to create RSS feeds for your lenses. It's a great way to generate traffic.

Squidoo @Zazzle

Hot items for Squidooers

If "Zazzle" means zero-nada-zilch to you, it's time for a visit. Zazzle complements Squidoo, and I've found that many Zazzlers are regular lens-makers, too.

Here are some craftsy designers who really know how to Zazzle their love for Squidoo.

A Shoe for Squidoo Addicts
You know you're a Squidoo addict when you wear shoes that say so. Check out this ultra-clever Keds design.
MakeALens Squidoo t-shirt
For the Squidoo addict who has almost everything...
Buy It and It Will Come?
Ok, here's a super-duper mug for you Giant Squid Wannabes out there (like me...ten down, forty to go).

Soothe Your Creative Mind

When too many ideas keep you awake...

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My Top 10 Lenses

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Valley of the Giants

A blog about Squidoo by Giant Squids

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Boomerang!

Shortcut to revisiting selected modules in this lens

Whenever I read a new magazine, I like to browse quickly through it, then return to read full articles that grabbed my attention. That's also how I approach Squidoo lenses. I browse them first, then go back and explore modules that piqued my interest.

Here's an easy way to return to selected sections. Just click and go.
  1. Lost in Squidoo? Follow Me...
  2. If Your Brain Turns to Mush
  3. Tip #1
  4. Become Familiar With These Tools
  5. Time Out for the Creative Lensmaster
  6. When You Reach an Intersection...
  7. Lenses with Flair!
  8. So, You're a Lensmaster, Hmmm?
  9. Tip #2
  10. Quotes from Busy Lensmasters
  11. To-Do List for Newbies
  12. Discover Your Niche
  13. Tip #3
  14. Look Who's Talkin' About Squidoo
  15. There's Always More to Learn!
  16. Hang Out @SquidU's Discussion Boards: http://www.squidu.com
  17. Explore the Squidoo Answer Deck
  18. Tip #4
  19. Treat Yourself to CafePress
  20. Promote Your Masterpiece!
  21. Share What You've Learned
  22. Remember to Update!
  23. TIP #5
  24. Squidoo @Zazzle
  25. Soothe Your Creative Mind
  26. Seedplanter @Twitter
  27. Leave a Footprint...
  28. My Top 10 Lenses
  29. Valley of the Giants

Boomerang!

A quick way to go back to selected modules on this lens

Whenever I read a new magazine, I like to browse quickly through it, then return to read full articles that grabbed my attention. That's also how I approach Squidoo lenses. I browse them first, then go back and explore modules that piqued my interest.

Here's an easy way to return to selected sections. Just click and go.
  1. Lost in Squidoo? Follow Me...
  2. If Your Brain Turns to Mush
  3. Tip #1
  4. Become Familiar With These Tools
  5. Time Out for the Creative Lensmaster
  6. When You Reach an Intersection...
  7. Lenses with Flair!
  8. So, You're a Lensmaster, Hmmm?
  9. Tip #2
  10. Quotes from Busy Lensmasters
  11. To-Do List for Newbies
  12. Discover Your Niche
  13. Tip #3
  14. Look Who's Talkin' About Squidoo
  15. There's Always More to Learn!
  16. Hang Out @SquidU's Discussion Boards: http://www.squidu.com
  17. Explore the Squidoo Answer Deck
  18. Tip #4
  19. Treat Yourself to CafePress
  20. Promote Your Masterpiece!
  21. Share What You've Learned
  22. Remember to Update!
  23. TIP #5
  24. Squidoo @Zazzle
  25. Soothe Your Creative Mind
  26. Seedplanter @Twitter
  27. Leave a Footprint...
  28. My Top 10 Lenses
  29. Valley of the Giants

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seedplanter

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Photographer & writer with a passion for God, family, and a good creative challenge. View my gallery. more »

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