Squidoo Lenses That Don't Sell A Thing

Ranked #1,459 in Squidoo Community, #136,651 overall

Just For The Sake Of Sharing

Okay, so maybe they get a share of Squidoo's pooled advertising revenue, but I'm talking about lenses without sales modules or product pitches. I'm talking about Squidoo lenses that exist primarily to make us laugh, to inform and entertain us, to inspire or just make us think.

Not that there's anything wrong with selling!

I have an internet-based business myself. On this lens, however, I'd like to celebrate and highlight Squidoo lenses that, in and of themselves, won't make more than a share of Squidoo's pooled ad revenue, because they don't sell a product or have affiliate links.

So be sure to add yours to the links "plexos" below in the proper categories and check out some non-selling lenses by your fellow Squids. Don't forget to vote for your favorites.

There's also a duel near the end of this lens for you to weigh in: Are lenses that don't sell anything worth the time it takes to make them?

And thank you, GreekGeek, for providing the fun Rainbow Squid graphic, which you've shared in Squidoo Graphics For Your Lenses, without a sales module in sight. Below, you'll see more graphics from GreekGeek belong, along with some by TagsForKids.

First, A Thank You To Two Squidoo Lensmasters

A_Willow And Shindig

Squidoo lenses that don't sell anythingThe idea for this lens really wasn't my own. I was reading a thread in the SquidU forums about Shindig's great new, philosophical lens (see below), when A_Willow replied, "This is probably the 1st time I've seen a lens without a single selling module! ... Forgot to put them in or what?"

And that's when I thought, hmm, I have some like that, myself, and I know I've seen others ... somewhere ... so why not make a lens about that. Now, let's just hope I can find enough lenses that fit the bill. Hmm....
So here are two fantastic, non-selling lenses, one each by the two squids who sparked the idea for this lens.
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Now Some By Me, The Ramkitten

Only 'cuz this is my lens

These are SOME of my creations that have no sales modules.

Appalachian Trail
A Man Called "Screamer"

Standing thirty feet away or thirty inches, he spoke in the same loud voice. That's why we called him Screamer. "We" were hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Each...

Squidoo
Squidoo Fan Clubs

Well, okay, I guess there are stinkers out there who don't deserve any fans -- naming no names of course -- but let's not talk about them, shall we? This is...

Thanksgiving
100 Things I'm Thankful For

Writer Claudette Mitchell started a discussion in the SquidU forums titled, What are you thankful for?  She wrote: Although I knew how important it was to...

Lensography
Ramkitten's Life & Lensography

Some people laugh at my nickname, but, me, I'm proud of it. And it makes me smile. Why? Because "Ramkitten" reminds me of special times and fun adventures.

Flagstaff
Social Dancing in Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff may be a small city, but there's a LOT to do here. Something for everyone, really. And if you like to dance or want to learn, there are plenty of opportunities...

And Let's See Some More

Lenses That Don't Sell

No sales modulesNow, this doesn't mean you don't have links in your lenses that lead to other lenses or websites that DO sell something. After all, I don't want to be TOO nit-picky here. But the basic rules for adding to the following plexos (lists) are that the lenses:

  • contain no Squidoo sales modules, such as those for Amazon, Ebay, Cafe Press, Zazzle, Etsy, etc.

  • contain no affiliate advertisements

  • aren't about a particular product or brand for sales purposes

If not, then add away. Just look for the most appropriate category below and add as many lenses that you have that fit the bill. And feel free to add those by other lensmasters that you'd like to share, as long as they too meet the requirements.

And, uh ... (whispering in your squid ear) if your inspirational, biographical, educational, entertaining, instructional, philosophical and/or otherwise product-free lens happens to include just an itty-bitty text link to, oh, a book maybe or some such well-disguised promotion nicely streamlined within your wonderful content, I--and perhaps others--may just blink and miss it. :)

Thank you, Tracy_M, for the code for the above nifty numbered Squid list you've shared in your ad-free lens, Lens Candy.

Plexo Categories

Does your lens fit into more than one category? If so, choose the one you like the best, that's most fitting, and add it there.

**Unfortunately, I do have to add:

These plexos are for Squidoo lenses only. Links to other websites will be deleted. (No offense 'r nothin'.) And no fair hiding those sales modules all at the end, below the guestbook. They're still part of the lens, and this is all about LENSES WITH NO SALES MODULES, so no dice.


Okay, sorry, I just had to point that stuff out in bright yellow, because I really don't enjoy deleting otherwise good stuff from these plexos (but I've had to).
  1. Now Some By Me, The Ramkitten
  2. Personal & Biographical Lenses & Lensographies
  3. Inspirational Lenses
  4. Entertaining & Creative Lenses
  5. Philosophical Lenses
  6. Just For Fun Lenses
  7. Educational & How-To Lenses
  8. Opinion & Political Lenses
  9. Discussion & Duels Lenses
  10. Adventurous Lenses
  11. Squidoo Tips, Tricks & Info Lenses
  12. Miscellaneous Lenses

Is It Worth The Time?

Making lenses that don't sell anything, that is.

This "duel" appears to be listing heavily to one side. Anyone want to weigh in and keep it from capsizing? (Only if you really feel that way, of course!)

What do you think, is it worthwhile to make Squidoo lenses that don't have sales modules?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Yes

tandemonimom says:

Of course! That's the beauty of Squidoo - write what you want, what is worthwhile for YOU.

mannasugar says:

You sold me on "Checking out your Lens"

ajgodinho says:

Yeah, I think it's perfectly ok not having sales modules in a lens!

paminaz says:

Absolutely!

nukemdomis says:

Yes it is very worthwile!

BobbyBOOMBOOMBickerson says:

Mine isn't about selling stuff. Its about showing people the biggest bubble gum bubbles ever blown and getting them interested in doing it themselves and who knows, maybe even become sports heroes.

Lenses that don't sell anything probably in many cases have owners that are a lot more passionate and interesting about the subject then lenses that are just there to sell things.

Peregrina says:

Some fun topics don't really go with sales modules--and it doesn't make sense to add them if they don't fit.

lravidlearner says:

Yes - it's a great way to get the word out and share what you know.

vallain says:

I've been busy making lenses on all sorts of topics, just for the fun of it and to get the information online. Then I look it over to see if somehow a sales module fits in somehow.
I guess I'm doing it backwards.

_Joan_ says:

Absolutely! You're already getting a monetary value just by using Squidoo! Remember, everybody, this is free web hosting! You get to say everything you've ever wanted to say to the world, absolutely free!

kcbaker1 says:

Yes! Lenses that don't sell a thing are the best lenses.

HorseAndPony says:

Yes. I enjoyed making them.

ImproveMeU says:

I think it is, even though I don't have any. You never know what people are interested in and it could be your highest lensrank

Wednesday_Elf says:

I joined Squidoo because I have a whole bunch of stories I want to tell. I've just done 5 selling lenses for RocketMoms as assignments, and while I've learned a lot, shopping lenses are not (yet, anyway) comfortable for me. As soon as my 'class' is over, I plan to do some story lenses and most of them probably won't sell a thing. I'll be back then to post in a plexo for your consideration :-).

rlmodranski says:

I enjoy writing . . . just for the sake of writing! Hopefully I inspire others with what I share. I'm really grateful to Squidoo for this outlet that actually can generate traffic. I do have a related Amazon module on most of my lenses, but I've never (not once) sold a thing and don't really count on it. That's not what I'm here for!

ChapelHillFiddler says:

I'm completely convinced that nothing I love to do will ever make me any money, so more than half my lenses have no sales modules. Why am I doing this? I have no clue.

Sojourn says:

Absolutely - all work and no play make us a dull set of squids otherwise. :)

Chadrew says:

It definitely is, although I usually put in at least one sales module even if the lens is highly unlikely to make any sales.

jaye3000 says:

Yes! Some of the best lenses don't sell anything.

mulberry says:

Yes, I definitely think lenses without sales modules can have a purpose, NO DOUBT, but I sure wouldn't put the majority of my time in to lenses with nothing on them to buy if I wanted to make money.

No

BFuniv.com says:

Money is a good way to judge the commitment generated in those who read your lenses. I should have more sales modules than I do. It's great to be able to get your voice heard on subjects you care about, but offering other ways for readers to participate is important. I have a few that don't even link to the BFU student store (unsolicited plug), but maybe I'll add something to them.

CoolFoto says:

I don't know. All of mine have sales modules of one kind or another.

sandyspider says:

I believe all my lenses have sells modules. I will have to check through all 61. But only a few of them have made me a little bit of money.

Janusz says:

To tell you the truth, although I have a few Lenses that haven´t any Sales Modules.. I have payments set at 100% Charity, I could help those more when I add Sales Modules, which I am now considering.

KimGiancaterino says:

All of my lenses have sales modules, but several are raising money for charity. On those I have links to Seth Godin's books or a friend's CafePress store (she raises money for cancer patients). Every bit counts!

says:

Gee, it's lonely over here on this side. Keeping tipping, though. I could use the money. :)

 
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Ramkitten

I'm glad you've stopped by! So what's with the Ramkitten thing, you ask? Well, that's my trail name in the long-distance backpacking community (and now... more »

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