Tips on How I Made My First Squidoo Lens

• Problems Already!
  
• Get Yourself Some Squidoo Wear
  
• What Goes Down Must Come Up
  
• My Little Divider-Banner-Thingey
  
• Learning How to Make a Squidoo Lens - Adding a Polaroid Module
  
• Squidoo Lens Tips
  
• Finding New Modules
  
• Have a Look at These Helpful Links
  
• Say What You Think
  

Here is the HTML code I used to make this beautiful Table of Contents:

<ul style="background: url(http://www.istad.org/squidoo/toc/octopi.jpg) repeat-y; padding-left: 110px;">
<li> <a href="#module49899882">Problems Already!</a>
</li><li><a href="#module49917362">My Little Divider-Banner-Thingey</a></li>

Notice there are module numbers for each link. You'll have to change my numbers to your own to make your Table of Contents work. You can find these numbers by opening the source code. To do this, click on "View" in your toolbar at the top of your page. Click on "Source" in the dropdown menu.

Now scroll down about half-way through the code (Line 2700 or so) and you should see a listing of the modules with each module number showing like this: Value = 123456. Copy these numbers, being sure to keep track of which module goes with which number, close the "Source" and add the numbers into your Table of Contents HTML code list as I've done in the example above. Fun, fun!

Here's something else I've just learned while making my first Squidoo lens. Hitting "Save Draft" apparently isn't enough. You have to save each module you've edited individually or it goes bye-bye. After about the third time of losing my Introduction, I looked around a bit more and noticed the "SAVE" at the bottom of each module.

So type, save, add a picture, save, type some more, save. Yes, I think I'm getting the hang of this.

And, I know you probably realize this, but just a reminder. On all my instructions when I say "enter this code" or some such thing, you have to be in "Edit" mode. And don't forget to "Save" the module when you're done editing it!

If you want to look at your "Stats" or "Health", etc., be sure to "Save Draft" first to update these areas.

Now I need to figure out how to put one of those cute divider-banner-thingeys in between my modules.

Back to the Table of Contents

You'll notice a little "Back to the Table of Contents" link at the bottom of most of my modules. Yes, I did that myself. (Of course, I had help from some of the great Squidooers here!)

The steps are really pretty simple, not steep and slippery at all! Before we do this, I want to be sure you realize what a fantastic job I did on selecting a picture for this module. Since it's a stairway, it not only coordinates with the module's title, but it also fits in with the "steps" for making your "Back to the Table of Contents" link work! Please, hold the applause for later.

OK, so back to work we go, here's how to have your own "Back to the Table of Contents" link:

Find the module number of the Table of Contents module. See the instructions on the bottom of the Table of Contents module just above here for finding the number if you don't have it already.

Now, with number in hand, go to the module where you want your readers to be able to return to the Table of Contents from, go to the bottom of the text, and add this HTML code, substituting the proper module number:

<a href="#module12345">Back to the Table of Contents</a>

Once you've added your module number, you can copy and paste this piece of code into all the text modules you have listed in your Table of Contents. (Well, not actually all since only certain modules accept html code.) Now your readers can get back to where they came from with ease.

Back to the Table of Contents

Hopefully, you noticed the stream of little squids swimming across the screen just above and below this module. Since I'm learning how to make a Squidoo lens as I go, I want everyone to see what I've done and how you can do it too.

So to create your own little divider-banner-thingey, first, you have to have the image you're using to create your banner hosted somewhere such as Photobucket. Then get the HTML code from the photo host folks. They usually create it for you right there on the spot! They're so sweet.

Add a "Text Module" and remove the default title.

Now, here's the biggie I didn't realize. You can just type HTML code right into the module. You don't have to go somewhere else, such as "View Source" to put in the code. Duh! Maybe you all knew that already but it was news to me!

OK, so the HTML code to put this little banner in there is as follows (of course, you'll have to substitute your own URL):

<p style="height:4px;background-image:url(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s170/dppackard/Squids.jpg); color: white;"></p>

Save it so everyone can see what a genius you are!

Back to the Table of Contents

As mentioned above, I used the Polaroid module and the StickyNote module. You can find these and lots more by clicking "Browse all modules" on the bottom of the "Add Modules (Shortcut!)" Workshop Tool.

Voila, just like magic, a new page will open. Go to the blue menu on the left side and click on "All Modules". This will give you an A-Z list of 163 modules (yes, I counted each and every one of these little critters). Hover over one you find interesting, and you'll get a description of what you can do with it. Awesome!

When you find one you want to use, and believe me you will, just click on it. This will automatically add it to the "You've Added..." section on the right. When you've added all you want this trip, click "Done Adding" and they're put in the module list on your main lens page with the others.

As my 9-year-old grandson would say, "Sweet!"

Back to the Table of Contents