Home » Squidoo Community » Lensmaking Tips

Five Great Ways to Use Seven Great Squidoo Modules

Ranked #1,800 in Squidoo Community, #159,396 overall

Back to Basics: Using Squidoo's basic modules to make a big impact.

Modules are the building blocks of Squidoo lenses. They are how the authors (called lensmasters) share ideas, gather information and interact with their readers. There are some great modules out there, but don't forget about the basics. They're flexible enough to use many different ways, and can significantly contribute to the look and feel of a lens. So, if you're new to this whole Squidoo thing and want some ideas with what to do on your first lens, or are an old pro just wondering how to get more out of some old favorite modules, read on!

Let's start with the intro module. It's what your readers will see first when arriving at your lens. Here are some ideas on what to do with this space.

1. Add an eye catching picture. The picture serves several functions. It grabs your reader's attention, and it should communicate to them what the lens is all about. If you didn't take the picture yourself, make sure that it's available for commercial use and properly attributed. Click here for more info.

2.Write a teaser. At the beginning of TV shows there's usually a bit of the story before the opening credits run. It's just enough to let you know what the story's about, and hopefully leaves you wanting to watch what happens after the credits and first commercial break happens. Fortunately, here on Squidoo we don't have to deal with commercial breaks, but the idea is the same. Introduce your lens in a way that intrigues readers and invites them to keep reading.

3. Establish the tone of the lens. If the goal of your lens is to bring awareness to a serious subject, then your tone will be much different than if it's about something light and fun. The tone of the introduction should let the reader know if the lens is educational, entertaining, or a little of both.

4. Be yourself. Let your own personality shine through in the intro. Let your readers get to know you a bit. It lets them know that your lens was written by an actual person who actually enjoys writing about the subject of your lens.

5. If it's a lensography, then introduce yourself. Let your readers get to know you a bit before dumping them into a sterile list of all of your lenses. Write a few sentences about why you got involved with Squidoo and why you created lenses around the subjects you chose.

(photo from squidoo.com/squidoo-graphics)

Text Module

Not just for words


1. Post pictures. Adding pictures to a text module is a great way to attract your reader's attention. The old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words is especially true on the net. Peoples' eyes tend to skim over large blocks of text, rather than read them. A picture breaks up the blocks, encouraging your reader to pause and take notice. You can insert a picture and shake up your text modules with the easy code found on this lens: Squidoo CSS - my favorite code to spice up a lens.

2. Teach. A text modules is the perfect place to post tutorials on your favorite hobby or craft. Include photos to help explain, and make the steps numbered or bulleted for easy understanding.

3. Add your affiliate links. Are you an Amazon affiliate? Got a CafePress shop? Do you Zazzle? Work your affiliate links into a text module, and direct traffic to your account. Lay off on the canned meat, though.Click here to view Squidoo's policy about outgoing links and spam.

4. Make bulleted and numbered lists. Want to list the ten (twenty, one hundred) best things about...well, anything? The text module's the place to do it.

5. Review something. Just read the best book? Seen the best movie? Bought the best gadget? Let the world know what you think. Blab about it in a text module.

(photo by stuartpilbrow / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Video Module

They're like pictures...that move!


1. Instruct. There are so many great tutorial videos out there. Everyone from knitters to fly fishers are using videos in their lenses to show how it's done. Share some of your favorite, or make your own!

2. Entertain. Throw a little laughter into your lens. Or, share a performance from your favorite singer. The video module can be a wonderful way to entertain your readers.

3. Educate. Got a lens about a historical figure or event? Try a video about your subject to help readers understand why it was so important.

4. Raise awareness. Spread the word about an important issue or charity.

5. Promote or review. Show a video about one of your favorite books, movies, singers, artists...the list is endless.

(photo by sfj / CC BY 2.0)

powered by Youtube

Amazon Module

Books and more galore


1. Suggest further reading. Think your readers will want to know more about the subject of your lens? Direct them to books or videos that will satisfy their curiosity.

2. Provide tools or supplies for a project in the lens. Amazon's not just about books. It's also a good resource for crafters and hobbyists. You can get everything from cross stitch supplies to model airplanes there. Talk about a project in the description area of the Amazon Module, then show some suggestions for supplies below.

3. Recommend similar books or movies. Got a SquidLit lens about a great book? List some books by other authors that you think your readers would enjoy.

4. Show clothing or accessories that match the theme of the lens. Reviewing the latest techno gadget? Put up an Amazon module full of its need-to-have accessories. Sharing your love of handbags with the world? You can find those on Amazon, too. Want to be Wonder Woman when you grow up? Make a lens about her fabulousness and stick an Amazon module on it showing your readers that they, too can own an Wonder Woman Seatbelt Buckle Key Chain..

5. Promote your favorite author. Make a lens about your favorite scribe and direct people to his or her best writings.

(photo by jesse757 / CC BY 2.0)

Loading

Links Voting (Plexo)

List. Links. Vote.


1. Make a resource list. Make a list of websites where your readers can learn more or purchase supplies for the subject of your lens. The best ones will rise to the top as readers vote on your suggestions.

2. Share the lens love. Have you spent hours reading Squidoo lenses about your favorite whatever? Share the love! The links list plexo is a great way to highlight the best lenses out there. Want to really share the love? Open it up to let other people contribute their lens to the list!

3. Ask for reader contributions. One of the great things about the plexo is that your readers can contribute links. Let them. Don't worry, if it gets too spammy you can delete whatever doesn't work for your lens. Easy peasy.

4. Blogroll. Share a list of your favorite blogs, and let your readers vote on them.

5. Promote your other lenses or outside websites. A little shameless self promotion never hurt anyone. And if your readers vote for their favorite, you get some feedback about what people are diggin' about you.

(photo from squidoo.com/squidoo-graphics)

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Squidoo CSS - my favorite code to spice up a lens

I've gathered my favorite Squidoo-code for later r more...4 points

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Squidoo Graphics For Your Lenses!

Here's some Squidoo Squid graphics to jazz up your more...2 points

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

How Do I Keep My Lens Fresh?

You've made a lens. That's great! Think you have a more...2 points

4

Vote Up
Vote Down

Squidoo Co-Branding

Squidoo Co-Branding is taking an already successfu more...1 point

5

Vote Up
Vote Down

Using Creative Commons Images from Flickr

Creative Commons is a system that photographers ca more...1 point

Poll Module

Gotta know? Just ask!


1. Poll your readers' faves. Got a lens about the top ten brands of (whatever)? I bet your readers will have an opinion about what their favorite is. Want to know? Get your poll on!

2. Ask what readers want next. Got a lens about the best (insert subject here) ever and thinking of adding another (subject) to the list? Put up a poll with some options and ask your readers what the want. It's as simple as that.

3. Ask readers their opinion on a book or movie you've reviewed. Let your readers let you know what they thought about what you've just reviewed.

4. Poll reader's interest in product you're producing for sale. Got an etsy shop to sell your own creations? Designing items for a CafePress of Zazzle gallery? Did you just invent a better mouse trap? Want to know if people are even interested in what you're making? Ask them!

5. Ask about their favorite scene in a book or movie. This is the perfect poll for a review lens. It not only gives people who have already read or seen whatever you're reviewing a chance to give their opinion, but it also gives people who haven't a glimpse into the best bits of the book or movie.

(photo by secretlondon / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Guestbook Module

We thank yew fer yur support


1. Let your readers share their stories. Let your readers tell you about their experiences with the subject of your lens. Got a lens on being a parent? Let them share the funniest thing that their kid ever said. Making a SquidLit lens about a book that changed your life? Drop in a guestbook module and let readers share their inspirational stories about it.

2. Ask your readers opinions. Ask your readers what they think, then get ready for their answers!

3. Let your readers show their expertise. Everyone's an expert on something. Give your readers a chance to show their knowledge. Hey, you might learn something.

4. Let your reader's show team spirit. Making a lens about your favorite team? Drop in a guestbook module to let you readers chat about the last game, or post gripping comments such as, "Wooooo! Go team! Ya!"

5. Show your appreciation. A traditional guestbook module at the end of a lens is the perfect place to say, "Thank you for visiting this lens." Like my momma always says, a little appreciation goes a long way.

I hope you enjoyed this lens, and that it's been helpful. Got questions or feedback? Feel free to leave it below. Want to make your own lens? Click here to get started. Thank you!

(photo by 27282406@N03 / CC BY 2.0)

submit
Show All

by

MerryM

Hiya, I'm Merry. I stumbled on Squidoo while looking for ways to earn a living through writing online and was instantly attracted to the supportive co... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags