Squidaholics
Ranked #3,411 in Squidoo Community, #250,540 overall
Squidoo Tips or Cures Or Encouragement For those Suffering from Squidmania
This lens contains all my Squidoo Tips, Squidoo's Own Tips, other people's Squidoo Tips and everything else I learn about Squidoo. I'm using this lens to store all my Squidoo knowledge and experience. I've found that practically anything can be turned into a lens, your vacation, your town,local history, nothing can too niche in fact. If I learn a new skill , technique or sport whereas previously I'd just have made notes for myself on my PC, now I do a lens. The advantage of this is of course that I can access my information from anywhere in the world and if it is useful to others then I will earn a little passive income (or even a lot).
Now as in my experience you cannot tell which lens are likely to take off, I just go ahead and create a lens whenever I get the itch and just see how it goes.
If I see traffic building on a lens (sometimes months later) I will then start giving that lens some TLC ie Tender Loving Care.
A lot of the things I now Squidoo I was doing for fun before or were even costing me money in the form of website costs.
Funny to think that at one stage I couldn't think of any more Lens I wanted to develop while now I can't create them fast enough.
This lens started off as a "joke" but has become one of my serious lens recording everything I learn about Squidoo; and I learn something everyday!
My Best Squidoo Tips
Squidoo Tips Repository
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Images
Use lots of images and use a keyword rich name eg for this lens how-to-become-a-squidoo-expert.jpg. You can now enter Alt Tag information for each image, you must do this for good SEO (essential). -
Regular Updates
Don't put up too much information straight away, I mean leave some information to add regularly. Squidoo and Google like pages that are frequently updated. For instance I have a Shakespearean Quotes Lens which I (try to) add a quotation to every day -
Lens You Don't Love
Sometimes you will create a lens that you lose interest in and that you avoid updating, well just let it go, it's best to only work on lens that enthuse you. -
Concentrate on your Successful Lens
I once had a top 300 lens, thought complacently that I'd leave it alone and put my energy into creating new lens. Unfortunately my top 300 Lens has now dropped out of sight. The moral of this story is that if any of your lens starts to climb in the rankings then keep adding quality content to it, ride the wave. -
Don't Over Egg the Commercial Modules
Don't have too many Amazon, eBay, CafePress modules it's too in-your-face. Wait until people have been drawn to your interesting content. Also you don't have to include 5 books in Amazon module try one or two instead -
Traffic
Everyone wants traffic, which you can build by blogging about your lens, and requesting comments in Squidu however in the end you have to attract qualified traffic from the Search Engines which means your Lens must have real content and be interesting (Content is King/it must be Unique,Useful,Updated) -
Use Google to Search Squidoo
The Squidoo Keyword Search is to say the least quirky. When I want to see how my lens is doing or how well its rivals are doing, or when I am researching to see what competition there might be for my latest lens idea, I prefer to use Google, I type in say "squidoo slankets" then see which Squidoo lens appear in the first few pages (SERP) -
If You Have Different Squidoo Identities: Use a different Browser for each
Say use FireFox for your main identity, and then Opera for the second and IE for the third. Saves you logging in and out, and more importantly avoids you getting confused as to which identity you currently in -
Not an Expert in Your Subject? Nevermind!
You can gradually become an expert in any micro-niche even one you knew absolutely nothing about, you have all the resources of Internet available. But will need enthusiasm otherwise it will become hard work. I have found that if a Lens starts to get traffic (sometimes months later) that helps my enthusiasm -
There are now Lens Themes eg Xmas
Try changing a Lens Theme to liven it up (Theme Pulldown on Top Right in Edit mode) -
Tags, Tags , Tags
These are the keywords that are used by Squidoo's own Search and also by Google. Keep refining and perfecting your tags this is very important for SEO -
Multiple Identities
If you created a bunch of Lens on say fishing it would increase traffic between your lens and also your credibility if you had a Fishy user name say "FishermansFriend" -
Labels
When you have a lot of lens with the same identity you can organize them by attaching labels to them say "seafishing" or "flyfishing" to allow you to just list the relevant lens -
Draft Version
When creating a new lens it is probably better to click "Save Draft" rather than Publish when it is still too raw. -
Find a Good Squidoo URL which is Still Available
I type in the domain I'm looking for eg http://www.squidoo.com/box-carting-in-nevada and hit return to see if there's an existing domain that's how I found Squidaholic domain name was still available -
Brighten up your Lens with CSS
Squidoo won't let you use many standard HTML tags including iframes, but does allow a lot of CSS Tags. Visit the Squidoo CSS lens to see examples of CSS which draw pretty boxes around your text or images etc. -
Hyperlinking or Bookmarking within your lens
Each Squidoo module has a module number which can be used to allow jumping about your lens eg http://www.squidoo.com/everything-i-learn#module13471513 goes directly to a particular module. You find the module number from the table of contents or from the link next to the edit button -
Watch for sudden increases of a Lens Traffic/Visitors
If a notice a lens picking up traffic I make sure I update that lens and keep doing so while the traffic increases -
Comments
You want to select "Any one can comment" and "You must approve". -
Reorder Modules
The Reorder Modules Panel makes it really easy to reorder your modules. Do this to better space the commercial modules as well. -
Use Reorder Modules to Delete Unwanted Modules When You Create a New Lens
When you create a new Lens you sometimes get a whole bunch of commercial modules included which you might not want. You can delete these all in one go using the Reorder Modules Panel
Always Respond to a Comment
I always return the favor if someone comments on my lens -
The First Image is Critically Important
Now that Squidoo have added the side-menu "Explore related pages" it is vital that the THUMBNAIL of your first images is really relevant and striking so that it GRABS the attention of the person reading the other lens -
Your Main Tag
It is critical that this is a well used (but not too general keyword). It MUST not be your lens title but should be clear and simple ie "dog training" and not "puppy dog training in Texas". Get the Workshop add-on ,see tip below, as this will indicate if your Tags are worthwhile. -
Get Squidoo Workshop Add-on
http://www.squidoo.com/lens-workshop-addon adds all kinds of useful extensions to Squidoo Editor and Dashboard. -
Keep your Lens Tightly Focused
Don't confuse the search engines keep your lens tightly focused on one subject so that all the keywords are in the same area! -
Recommend ONE particular product on your lens
If it's a commercial lens try and focus on selling just one product but do this two or three times in the lens. -
Build a web of similar lens and interlink them (A cluster of Lens)
If people like one of your lens they will look for others by you. -
Keep learning about Squidoo/SEO, I do!
Invest time in visiting other people's lens, especially those in categories SEO and Squidoo Tips. Visit the top 100 lens in each category to get ideas. See below for more info. -
Bottom Module
After your bottom module which is normally the Guest Book module have an About Me module to a Lens Link Module to your other Lens. (Keep the traffic) -
New Modules
There always new modules appearing, Google Maps, shopping lens, keep up to date -
CSS
People are definitely using more CSS to make their lens stand out, don't be scared of CSS it's just something that you copy and paste into your lens. (There are several lens which specialize in showing how to do CSS) -
Interactivity
Visitors LOVE simple quizzes and polls. I'll be adding more and remember you get points every time someone fills one in. -
Content is King
Your lens must not be all dazzle you do need real, thoughtful,original and researched content. -
Subtitles
Many Squidoo modules have a subtitle, if it's there you must use it, that's what SEO is all about it will make your lens just that little bit more attractive to the Search Engines. I often find it tough to think of a good subtitle but it must be done -
Polls
Polls are really popular on Squidoo right now because people quite simply love polls. I'm trying to retroactively put a poll on all my lenses. Make it relevant of course -
Introduction Text
Your introductory text is probably the MOST import thing on your lens with the first sentence being the most important part of the introduction.
This is because it is the HOOK which will determine whether someone clicks the link to your lens. The rest of the introduction will determine whether the visitor will stays on your lens! -
Introduction Text Bottom Hook
At the bottom of your introductory text there should be a second hook as a single sentence paragraph giving some compelling reason to continue reading! -
Squidoo View Source : Check your Title, Meta Tags , and H1 Tags
Underneath a Squidoo Lens is just a normal HTML webpage, use the View-Source function of your browser to check that your Title, Meta Description and Meta Keyword Tags , and H1 Tags are optimal, ie solidly reflecting the main focus of your lens. Do this with all your lenses and you will be in for a few surprises. -
Squidoo Tags become your HTML Meta Keywords
Make sure you have good relevant TAGs. Don't stuff your tags with unrelated keywords -
Squidoo Title equals HTML Title
So that's straightforward. Recently there is a trend to split up the title with the pipe symbol "|" eg
SEO Tips | Get more Traffic -
Squidoo Title is also first H1 Tag
That's good really as they should be the same. -
Introduction Module Title is first H2
It is often tricky to think of suitable title -
The importance of the Squidoo Primary Tag
It took me ages before I understood this. The Primary tag is used by SQUIDOO to determine which other lens will appear in the Right Hand Column "Explore related pages" this is a very importance source of traffic as people are naturally interested in "Similar Lenses". Similarly it determines on which other lenses your lens will appear. Choose it badly and you appear on nobody's "Explore related pages. -
Amazon Module: Don't use Amazon's own product title!
Everyone is using that, try and think of something that is closer to what buyers might be entering into the Search Engines.
What is a Lens?
What is the difference between a lens and a website?
Squidoo Experience Points system
Boost your Squidoo Rankings with Experience Points
A good way to start is to back-pat those lensmasters who have already commented or voted for your lenses.
Squidoo was developed by Seth Godin who is the absolute of Modern Marketing; I missed the being in on the start of eBay , I was a few months late on the start of Squidoo but I'm not going to miss the Tide on this: Get commenting!
How Important is SEO Poll?
Squidoo's Own Tips
* Write good introductions.
* Have intro photos.
* Upload a photo of yourself (or your avatar) while you're at it.
* Try out a bunch of different modules.
* Replace the default module titles, like "New Guestbook."
* UUU - Unique, useful, updated content rocks!
* Have at least 50 great lenses (obviously). If you do, then sell your account or delete your lenses, your Gianthood also goes away.
* Don't copy. Don't cut and paste. Don't plagiarize.
* Keep an eye out for style. Junky lenses send readers running.
* Stop by the SquidU forum and get feedback. Ask politely.
* Stay relevant on your lens.
* G-rated or R-rated, please.
* You're an author: act like one. Don't publish half-baked lenses. If you do, tell everyone it's just a first draft and in-progress!
* Watch for typos.
* Be kind to fellow lensmasters and your readers.
* Don't spam.
* Sure, sell stuff; but don't sound like a snakeoil salesman when you do.
* Invite readers to participate. Or not.
* Recommend things you know.
* Explain your topic to new readers.
* Experiment with "front doors" like SquidWho and SquidSports and SquidBoo and SquidFlix, but don't ONLY make those lenses. (Those are meant to give you starter templates to edit, not just stop with the status quo).
* Own a niche and make lots of lenses in it. But don't repeat yourself on the same topic. 40 lenses that say the exact same thing aren't kosher.
* Diversify.
* Link to and feature other people's lenses. It feels good to give back.
* Be passionate. Be you.
* Be honest and straightforward and creative.
Squid Angels Tips For Blessing a Lens
by KimGiancaterino Squid Angel and Squid Giant 100
Ten Tips for a Bless-Worthy Lens* ONE: Get Rid of the Default Stuff
* TWO: Add Some Gorgeous Pictures & Graphics
* THREE: Check Spelling & Grammar
* FOUR: Interact with Your Visitors
* FIVE: Don't Begin with a Sales Pitch
* SIX: Make Sure Your Lens has a Guestbook
* SEVEN: Spice Up Your Lens with New Modules
* EIGHT: Feature Other Relevant Lenses
* NINE: Lensroll with Related Lenses
* TEN: Make the World a Better Place
From squidoo.com/squid-angel-blessing
Choosing a Subject for a New Lens
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Choose a Catchy Title not a Generic one
Not Christmas Decorations but say "How to decorate your tree with 1950's candy" tip by Megan Casey -
Seasonal Lens
You need to plan and create a seasonal lens at least 6 months in advance! -
Think About What the Word Lens Means
Lens implies focus, you focus on single subject or niche or rather micro-niche. So a Lens is not like a website which can encompass a wide subject. So successful lens are on a very narrow subject eg "Stuffed Cabbages" which was at one stage number one Lens!
Business Opportunities on eBay
Get to the Top of Google
In Praise of Squidoo and Seth Godin
My Experimental Quirky Lens
I haven't made a fortune from Squidoo but it is a regular passive income stream.
Squidaholics ClickBank Ads Module
Squidaholics should always investigate new modules
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMore Squidoo Tips
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Text Modules
Make sure every text module has an image with a relevant rich-keyworded name eg best-dog-kennels-in-kentucky.jpg not dogkenn1.jpg -
Proofread Your Lens
Review your lens every now and again you may be horrified by typos and other errors. Letting a little time go by allows you to see your lens as others do! -
Going to Buy Something from Amazon Yourself?
Remember to visit Amazon VIA an Amazon module in one of your lens, that you'll earn commission! -
End of Lens
If people have read down to the end of your lens they probably like your stuff, so give them a list of your other lens using the Featured Lenses module Important Tip
Squidoo The Most Important Tip : Commenting Other Lenses
Why should you comment or promote other people's lenses?
As I value my time I choose to read and comment on lenses that interest me or further my goals and learning program.
Why?
With any new lens you start from zero ranking, zero traffic you have to find a way of booting these up and the easiest way is visit other peoples's lens develop relationships with other people. Of course you should be Twittering , Facebooking and generally creating backlinks to your lenses as well but that's another story. Squidoo lens score highly in Google so I've found that I get traffic from Google even without doing much external promotion. Anyway to sum it up commenting on other good lens is interesting, educative, surprising and is the easiest way to attract attention to your lens, especially if you get those Squidoo Angels to bless your lens.
Which are the the Best Squidoo Lens
Finding and learning from the Best Squidoo Lens
Here's the answer:-
Go to http://www.squidoo.com/browse/top_lenses
and you see the top 100, now here's the tricky bit on the right of this page are the top hundreds by category!
Images are Mega-important for your Lens SEO
Always include images in your Lenses
eg If you promoting a fan lens for Pirates of the Caribbean don't name the image skull.jpg but rather pirates-caribbean-dead-mans-skull.jpg
It is now possible to set ALT tag information for images in Squidoo (An Alt Tag Attribute allows you to supply a description of the image, it is what is displayed if you disable images on a website). Although it may appear tedious you should always put in a nice description, you may be able to copy and paste a suitable description from your text.
(look how I've name the accompanying image)
Now finding a suitable image can be time consuming see how below:-
Finally Learn to Create Graphics for Websites
Create Images Quickly for a Squidoo Lens
Not being a graphics expert I frequently use http://en.picjoke.com to create a quick image. See the accompanying image as an example. All I had to do was create the text with a simple graphics program MSPaint will do.
I also use www.cooltext.com
About Me What I'm trying to Do here on Squidoo!
SEO Traffic Conservation
More Squidoo Help Lenses - squidoo answer deck etc.
Vote for your favorite squidoo answer deck lens (well, mine anyway)
squidoo css - my favorite code
I've gathered my favorite Squidoo-code for later r more...41 points
Lensrank explained (really)
Well, squidoo lensrank has, by common consensus, t more...38 points
SEO for squidoo - how to get google search traffic
SEO - search engine optimization - has many differ more...20 points
Advanced css for squidoo - spice up your lens MORE
My lens about css for squidoo often gets the quest more...15 points
Editing your squidoo lens - ideas
It's the last week of the month. To get your lense more...11 points
All Posters.Com the cutest affiliate program EVER
I do love this affiliate program. allPosters.com g more...11 points
How to do Keyword Research for squidoo
It is an under statement to say that keywords are more...10 points
Stumbleupon explained for lensmasters
Stumbleupon is great fun, and a tool for self-prom more...9 points
Squidoo money makers
This lens is meant to investigate what ways people more...9 points
If you want to become popular on squidoo...
In some ways squidoo is like a popularity contest. more...7 points
Would you rather have a squidangel blessing or a quality link?
Would you rather have a squidangel blessing or a q more...6 points
Cute modules to spice up your lens
Cute modules that will help your lens stand out. G more...5 points
The Introduction Module in Squidoo
Squidoo recently changed the Introduction module. more...5 points
Optimizing tags for squidoo
Tags are a great way for websites like squidoo to more...5 points
SEO traffic stats: ranking report for squidoo lenses
Someone asked me to make a lens about my traffic s more...5 points
10 tips to get found in Google
SEO = Search Engine Optimization. In practice SEO more...5 points
How to get found on Google - FAQ
Sorry people, I've become too busy to answer all y more...5 points
My Lenses Module on squidoo
My new favorite module is the My Lenses Module. No more...5 points
Human Forum Promotion
This lens is a list of tips for promoting your onl more...4 points
Google Blogsearch Module
I love to make a lens better by using google blog more...3 points
How to make a banner for your website or myspace
I make my own banners because I just don't want an more...3 points
Why did I suddenly lose google traffic?
I hear this question so often in the Squidoo forum more...2 points
Squidoo Tier Payments
These alter with time as Squidoo grows
Roughly these are the tier guidelines:
Tier 1 is for lenses with an overall lensrank of 1 up to 2,000.
Tier 2 is for lenses with an overall lensrank of 2,001 up to and including 10,000.
Tier 3 is for lenses with a lensrank of 10,001 up to 85,000.
Tier 4 is for lenses with a lensrank of 85,000+. (no money)
There are also two other ways besides Adsense to get paid: Infolinks and Chitika ads.
Lens Love Widget
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
Feedback Your Comments or Tips
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Reply
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DANCINGCOWGIRLDESIGN
Oct 21, 2011 @ 5:59 am | delete
- Thanks for all the info. Like you said, you left me with plenty more links to other lenses. Off to check out a couple more. Best Wishes
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JaguarJulie
Dec 14, 2010 @ 5:59 pm | delete
- OMG, that's what I really love about "the place" is that you can learn something new everyday ... it's like getting a GED on Squidoo!
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vallain
Feb 2, 2010 @ 3:37 pm | delete
- Some new ideas for me. Thanks for telling me about CSS and borders. I'll go check that out.
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clemency
Dec 5, 2009 @ 3:41 am | delete
- Thanks for the tips, they really helped.
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Essential Squidoo Sites not actually at Squidoo
- Isle of Squid
- The number one Squidoo Lens Directory
- SquidUtils - Utilities and Tools for Squidoo Lensmasters
- SquidUtils has complementry utilities and tools for Squidoo Lensmasters. Tools include: the advanced dashboard, lensmaster feeds, plus Amazon links and feeds.
The Importance Discovery Tool Lenses
Explore related pages
When you create a lens in a hurry it is easy to forget to enter these. ==> Go back and fill these in
If it was an early lens you might not have had really relevant lenses ==> Go Back and change the links to more relevant lenses
What Are the Discovery Tool Links?
They help determine what Lens Appear in the "Explore related pages" section which appears to the top right of your lens. If you viewing a Lens on Cats then other Cat lenses will appear here. People click these Explore related pages very frequently. They bring lots of traffic so it's vital that links to your lenses appear here. It is vital that they relevant because unless people are randomly surfing they will want to follow their theme of interest.
(My first posting here: hope it's not too obvious)
Plagiarism
Site Scrapers
You can do this or at least minimize the risk if you rewrite the article which shouldn't take too much time.
by thesuccess
Why not Measure your Squidoo Progress Here find out what your Squidoo Goals are!
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