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My Squidoo Journey

Ranked #4,796 in Squidoo Community, #335,710 overall

Drinking from a Fire Hose - 1

Whenever my dh is doing something that involves a lot of new information he says it's like "Trying to drink from a fire hose." Well, for me Squidoo has been like that. There' a ton of Squidoo help lenses out there and not enough time to read them all and still have time to build lenses and tend to the other responsibilities in your life. This page is not an attempt to reinvent the wheel, but to share my journey and the sites that have been helpful to me. As I learn more, I'll add more.

Click here to sign up and make your first lens. By using this link I'll get credit for referring you.
If you're already a member, you can find your own referral link in the lefthand column of the dashboard. It's towards the bottom under Don't Miss These Tools.

Art Courtesy of SquidVille

Thank You Steve - 8

For Your Generous Contirbution.

You've gotta love these Squidoo Arts that he makes. Who knows, you might find one that suites your Squidoo lens.
Check his lenses

Squid Graphics
Squid Art Too
Squidville
And more

Seth Godin - 2

Squidoo's Founder

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, and author and the founder of Squidoo. Here are a few of the books he has authored.
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What Is Squidoo? It's a/an - 3

Community
Web Page Building Platform
Hobby
Addiction
Business Tool
Income Opportunity
Fundraiser for Charity
and more

Why I Started Making Lenses. - 4

Plus, my first Squidoo mentor.

I first heard about Squidoo on a yahoo group. Being the curious soul that I am, I clicked on a link at the bottom of a post hopping down yet another bunny trail. I clicked this same link several times over the course of a year or so. I enjoy doing research and learning new things and often wondered could I get paid for doing research? So, in June of 2008, I contacted this person, Susan52 and she graciously responded. Below are my questions and her responses.

I'm wondering how feasible it is to earn money doing what you do through Squidoo?
I read on a Squidoo blog that last month how many lensmasters made over $100 from Squidoo. Wish I could find that right now, but it wasn't a huge number. BUT, that is only the money made directly from Squidoo. In addition to the money I make from Squidoo for my lenses, I also make money from places where I make affiliate sales, where I get to keep all the revenue (and not share it with Squidoo).

The most financially successful people on Squidoo have found really good markets/products and have sort of been in the right place at the right time. This lens (not mine, unfortunately) will give you a whole lot of insight into how it all works and what the potential is. You might also check my Squidoo blog and read from beginning to end (it isn't all that long!) for some additional suggestions from my point of view.

Bottom line, people are making money on Squidoo. I make more each month than I did the month before and it's beginning to make a nice difference in my monthly budget. I feel like I'm on the right path.

Also, what's the connection or need for blogging in correlation with Squidoo?
As for blogging and Squidoo, if you have a blog, read this lens: which is mine. I need to follow my own advice and make more lenses using my blog posts as resources. Time, keeps me from doing it. Well, time and all the other GREAT ideas I have for lenses (I have a very long list!). How long did it take before you started earning money here, and what are reasonable expectations?

Approx. how many hr. a week do you spend on your Squidoo venture?
I love Squidoo and the time I spend on it varies... I celebrated my one-year anniversary with Squidoo in April and now have over 50 lenses... It doesn't happen overnight and I can tell you I've spent a LOT of hours! (For example, I had a day off this week and made two lenses about Julie Andrews - it took me the entire day.)

Her last bit of advice.
If you think you're interested in getting involved in Squidoo, go for it. You have nothing to lose - it's absolutely free. If you like it, do some more. But read and study LOTS of how-to-squidoo lenses. Follow the advice in this lens: immediately (it's mine, but it's good advice) and follow the links to other good how-to lenses. Time spent studying successful lensmasters and what they do will make you a successful lensmaster.

Susan52's Recommendations - 5

In case you just skimmed above these are the lenses mentioned above.

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Squid Dos - 6

Use SEO when choosing your URL

Change default titles

Provide Quality Content

Break up content w/pictures, polls etc.

Get Started

Do You Squidoo? - 13

Photo used by permission from tagsforkids

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Help For Beginners - 5

Below are some sites that I've found helpful in building lenses.

So, because I enjoy research, and after checking all the links that Susan52 sent, and finding a few more I jumped in and made my first lens, In the Beginning. Note: This my first lens has had one major overhaul and will get another after I make Giant Squid.
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My Journey Continues - 4

Check back for updates.

My Squidoo Journey began the summer of 2008. I made a few lenses that summer, then school started again and I didn't get much done.

In 2009 I joined a group called RocketMoms. Since I'm a deadline person this group was helpful with its challenges, but more important was the wealth of knowledgeable and helpful lensmasters. I would highly recommend joining a group to help you on you Squidoo journey.

In June of 2010 I graduated my youngest daughter from homeshooling. I've been working more on the lenses and am shooting for the December Giant Squid deadline. I'm not making a lot of money yet ($5-$10 per month), but the paydays a slowly increasing as is my traffic (200 to 250 visits per week).

Yeah! I made Giant Squid in the Dec. 2010 batch of applicants. In Jan. 2011 I received my largest payout yet, $15+. Not much I know, but its moving in the right direction and I haven't done that much promotion either. I have notice that my traffic is down not sure if that's an after Christmas thing or something else.

I'll keep you posted.

Photo used by permission from Squidville

Match number in title to list below. - 6

Modules Used In This Lens.
1 - Intro
2 - Amazon
3 - Blackbox
4 - Text
5 - Featured Lens
6 - StickyNote
7 - Links Voting (Plexo)
8 - Featured Lensmaster
9 - Guestbook
10 - About Me
11 - Twitter follow
12 - Big Arrow Link
12 - Poll

Important!

As a new lensmaster I'd often wonder how'd they do that? The StickyNote above is to help you know which Modules I used to get that affect. - - This orange box is the "Most Important Thing" module with nothing in the title.

What Site Do/Did You Find Most Helpful? - 7

Add The Beginner Site You Think is Most Helpful for the Newbie.

Is your favorite site already listed? Then vote it up.

Photo used by permission from Greekgeek

1

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Advanced HTML for Squidoo

The techniques shown here aren't much more advance more...2 points

2

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using Basic HTML in Squidoo lenses

Before you start reading all this, you may want to more...2 points

3

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Why Not Turn a Blog Post into a Squidoo Lens!

I had a bit of a revelation today, one of those 'd more...1 point

4

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I Squidoo, Do You?

Susan52's blog1 point

5

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The Official Squidoo Blog

News and Tips from those in the know.1 point

6

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Are You a Squidoo Nobody? How to Become a Squidoo Somebody in 6 Easy Lessons

Who is this little orange guy? That's what everyon more...0 points

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Squidoo Tools, Resources, and Guides

Squidoo Tools, Guides, Lens addons, Linkbuilding t more...0 points

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bdkz's Best Squidoo Tips

Welcome! I'm Bonnie, lensmaster bdkz. I'm a Commun more...0 points

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Fresh Squid Headquarters

As you already know - Squidoo offers you a chance more...0 points

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Share your Passions Join Me on Squidoo

Come discover the possibilities on Squidoo...0 points

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Make a Fancy Table of Contents

A clickable Table of Contents helps visitors navig more...0 points

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How To Earn Money On Squidoo

I've made a lens, but I'm not a millionaire yet! S more...0 points

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Swimming With Giant Squids

I am a Giant Squid 100 club member and also a Rocket more...0 points

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How to Sell Zazzle Art

Yes, you can sell designs from Zazzle, on Squidoo, more...0 points

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Build a Squidoo Lens

So you've decided to build a Squidoo lens. What's more...0 points

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Helpful Lenses to Squidoo

I have been bookmarking numerous lenses to help me more...0 points

What's A Giant Squid? - 5

The Main Requirement is 25 Quality Lenses.

I've mentioned Giant Squids earlier in this lens so you may be wondering "What is a Giant Squid?" The lens below will explain it better, but basically you need a minimum of 25 good quality lenses. Giant Squid status use to require 50 lenses and was only awarded quarterly. Recently that change and you can apply as soon as you have 25 quality lenses. Quality is the keyword.
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Lensmasters Who Make Squidoo Great - 8

Just a few of the lensmasters who encouraged me in my journey.

I could add more as there are many lensmasters who have helped or encouraged me along the way. There are many who are becoming online friends as well. So, in limiting it to five here's why I chose these lensmasters.

Susan52 is obvious if you've read this lens.

ChefKeem encouraged me early on and even answered a few newbie email questions.

SemperFidelis gave me my first Angel blessing. (You can do a squidoo search to learn more about them)

bdkz is the head of RocketMoms. This group of women and the challenges have been instrumental in many, many ways.

Jimmie is a fellow homeschooler and was a great encourager when I was a newbie.

Explains Squidoos Newest Addition - Monsters - 12

Thanks For Stopping By, Would Love to Hear About Your Squidoo Journey. - 9

  • TheCureForYouthMinistry Apr 22, 2011 @ 4:23 pm | delete
    Super lens. Thanks for the info.
  • bygproductions Apr 22, 2011 @ 7:01 pm | delete
    Thank you & you're welcome.
  • SemperFidelis Nov 21, 2010 @ 6:44 am | delete
    Thank you Valerie for featuring me on your lens. What a great honor! - Colleen :)
  • bygproductions Nov 22, 2010 @ 12:15 am | delete
    Colleen, you're welcome, thank you for your contributions to the Squidoo community.
  • chefkeem Nov 20, 2010 @ 8:07 am | delete
    I can tell you one thing for sure, Valerie...if not BYG - I wouldn't be here, either. Thanks so much for the mention and all the best for your Squidoo journey! :)
  • bygproductions Nov 21, 2010 @ 12:35 am | delete
    Thanks chefkeem, for everything. I remember you answering some of my emails in the early days.
  • CreativeArtist Nov 18, 2010 @ 6:54 pm | delete
    It is definitely a process, and Squidoo has grown so much since I've started Squidooing. Just stay focused on your goals and keep taking action, based on your goals.
  • bygproductions Nov 18, 2010 @ 8:17 pm | delete
    Good advice. It's easy to get sidetracked, I'm working on staying focused.
  • sheilamarie Nov 18, 2010 @ 4:32 pm | delete
    RocketMoms sure do help us learn the ropes! You've got some great lenses, Valerie.
  • bygproductions Nov 18, 2010 @ 8:16 pm | delete
    Thanks Sheilamarie.
  • Nenkai Nov 18, 2010 @ 3:51 pm | delete
    You have mentioned some super folks. You can't be a rocket mom and not LOVE Bonnie. I have had a lovely time with Chef Keem when Triiibes first got rolling. I've lost touch since then, but what a nice man! Colleen's a really terrific person, and so busy it makes my head spin, every time I come across her work.

    Hey, nice lens, Valerie. It's great to have things all in one place.
  • bygproductions Nov 18, 2010 @ 8:15 pm | delete
    Thanks Nenkai, hope others find it helpful.
  • sandyspider Nov 17, 2010 @ 11:04 pm | delete
    Glad that you are having a fun journey here.
  • bygproductions Nov 18, 2010 @ 8:13 pm | delete
    Thanks Sandy, you help make it that way
  • Evelyn_Saenz Nov 17, 2010 @ 7:58 pm | delete
    Susan52, ChefKeem, SemperFidelis, bdkz, Jimmie were some of the first Squids I met when I started on Squidoo. Each one of them has helped and supported me on my journey as well. I started in Sept. of 2007 and I remember the first time I ran across one of your lenses, bygproductions.I knew you would quickly become one of the best lensmasters here and my prediction has certainly come true.

    Delightful lens and a wonderful way to introduce newbies to the various Squidoo modules. :)
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About The Author - 10

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bygproductions

First and foremost, I'm a sinner saved by grace, which is what the "byg" stands for, "by grace". Next I'm a wife, a mother, a homeschooler, and a jack... more »

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