Make, Manage & Promote a Squidoo Charity Group

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How to Run a Squidoo Charity Group

Creating a Group on Squidoo is another way to help raise funds and promote your favorite charity. A Squidoo Group is a great way to organize and feature lenses made by your supporters and help spread the message of your charity.

You can also set the Payment Options on your Group Page so the proceeds from the group benefit your charity, so Groups are great for highlighting, organizing lenses and raising funds.

Let's take a look at how to make, manage and promote your Squidoo Group for Charity.

 

Make

Make a Group 

Squidoo Groups are another way that you can benefit your favorite Squidoo Charity.

Making a group to benefit your favorite Squidoo Charity is simple. It just takes a bit of time to get the group set up.

You can have a group set up in less time than it takes to read the instructions on this lens.

Steps for Getting Started 

To get started:
  1. Pick a Topic for Your Group.
    You may want to select something related to the charity you are supporting.
  2. Pick a Category for Your Group.
    Many of the groups that I develop for NonProfits, I classify under NonProfits & Volunteering. This will probably work for most groups. Check the categories to see if there is another one that works better with your group.
  3. Go to the Group Main Page.
    Follow the links below or go to the Group Tab section of your dashboard.
  4. Click on Start a Group.

Start a Group 

To get started making a Group, click on the link below, or follow the Browse Groups link first to see the different Squidoo Groups.

Squidoo : Browse Groups
The Squidoo Groups page with all of the Categories and a link for getting started.
Title & Tag Your Group
The direct link for getting started making a Squidoo Group. The screen shot for this page is shown below.

Screen Shot of Group Starting Page

Information to Have Handy when Starting 

In order to complete the first page for starting a group have the following information handy. These are the sections you will need to fill in for the Title & Tag page.
  1. Pick your group address (URL).
  2. Give your group a title.
  3. Write a short description of your group.
    This is what is seen when people browse through the groups.It also shows up in the right side bar of the group.
  4. Pick a Category for your Group.
    Many of the groups that I develop for NonProfits, I classify under NonProfits & Volunteering. This will probably work for most Charity groups.
  5. Add a tag or tags.
    Include tags that describe your group page. Be sure to include "Fundraiser," "Fund Raiser" "Charity" and "NonProfit."
  6. Pick a Primary Tag.
    Choose the tag that best represents your charity, probably the name of your charity.
  7. Upload your Group's logo or picture.
    Be aware that the main graphic for the group gets resized down to 116 pixels for display in the top area.
  8. Decide on Group Membership.
    The choices are
      Yes, absoloodle I want to approve all new lenses. (and you're cool with getting email alerts when someone wants to join)
      Nope: I want anyone to be able to join right away, without checking with me first. (you can always boot those lenses out later).
  9. Rate your group.
      G RATED MATERIAL: Safe for all ages and eyeballs.
      R RATED MATERIAL: Think Victoria's Secret ads, strong language, or cable TV.
      X RATED MATERIAL: Nudity, sex tips, etc. (If it feels X-rated, it probably is!)
  10. Save Your Group.
    Click "Save" at the bottom of the page. At this point the group is saved and available in your "My Groups" tab, but it has not been published.

Save Your Group 

After you have entered all of the information you need on the Title & Tage page, be sure to click on the "Save" button at the bottom of the page.

Your group is then saved with the initial information you provide on the Title and Tage Page.

To finish your group and publish it you need to go back and Edit Your Group HQ Page. This is covered in the next section on Manage the Group.

More Lenses about Squidoo Groups 

featured lens A Guide to Groups for Lensmasters

Groups are collections of Lens, usually focused on a particular theme or interest. Groups are run by Groupmasters, to maintain and promote them. The are a large number of Groups on Squidoo now, so deciding which ones to join can be a difficult task,...

featured lens Creating a Group to support a charity

Welcome to Oniyagi's "Creating a Group to Support a Charity" class. Here you will find not only a written tutorial of how to create a group to support a charity, but I've included a video tutorial as well. The video is first, and can walk y...

 

Manage

Managing Your New Group 

Now that your group has been saved, you need to go back and finish editing your group HQ page.

To find your new group, click on the "My Groups" tab in your dashboard.

Dashboard's Group Tab

Getting Started Managing Your Group 

Once you open up your Group Tab in your dashboard you will see the "Groups you run."

Find the group you want to work on and click "Manage."

You will be taken to the Group Administration Page shown below.

Group Administration Page

Functions on the Group Administration Page 

  1. Group Settings
    Edit preferences, decide who can join your Group, and set special defaults for new lenses created just for your Group.
  2. Edit Your Group HQ page
    This is your Group's main page. Feature top lenses, people, stage challenges...it all happens here.
  3. Send Invitations!
    Invite existing lensmasters and first-timers alike.
  4. Manage Members
    Add co-admins, ban naughty misbehavors, etc.
  5. Manage Lenses
    See a report on lenses in your Group; accept or reject pending lenses; boot bully lenses.
  6. Close This Group
    Every time you click this link an angel loses its wings. Actually, this just closes your Group for good and disassociates all lenses from it.

Edit Your Groups HQ Page

A List of the Modules Available for Groups 

Groups do not have all of the modules available to them that a normal lens page does.

However, groups also have a few modules that are not available in normal lenses to help feature group lensmasters and group.
  1. Amazon Voting (Plexo)
  2. Featured Lenses
  3. Featured Lensmasters
  4. Fresh Lenses
  5. Fresh Lensmasters
  6. Group Discussion
  7. Links Voting (Plexo)
  8. Poll Module
  9. RSS: Add Your Own Feed
  10. Text / Write module
  11. Text List Voting (Plexo)

Screen Shot of a Sample Test Group Page

Pick a Co-Administrator 


Because the Job is easier when you share it.

I have found that the groups where I have a co-administrator are much easier to keep up to date and current than the ones where I am the only one running the group. Two sets of eyes are better than one.

Also having two Groupmasters, it is a good way to share opinions on which lenses should be accepted to the group.

Admins will get access to edit the HQ page, approving lenses, booting lenses and other general maintenance.

Add a Co Administrator

Select a Payment Option 

Be sure you select your favorite Charity (fill in which one) from the pull down menu as the beneficiary for the Group Payment Options.

Adding Graphics to Your Group 

The images of the examples follow.
  1. Example of a Simple Group Header
    A single graphics was uploaded to this Group Header.
    The graphic measured 116 x 115 pixels.
  2. Example of a Group Header with a Nested Banner
    Two graphics were uploaded to create this Group Header.
    The first measures 116 x 177 pixels.
    The second 'nests' withing the first (by aligning the image on the right side). It measures 580 x 245 pixels.
  3. Example of a Group Header with a Full Banner
    Two graphics were uploaded to create this Group Header.
    The first measures 116 x 119 pixels.
    The second spans the entire width of the top module and measures 730 x 250 pixels.

Example of a Simple Group Header 

Example of a Group Header with a Nested Banner 

Example of a Group Header with a Full Banner 

Publish Your Group 

Once you have all of the information that you need for your group, the main heading module, the criteria for group membership, lenses and lensmasters to feature, any additional tags and setting your Payment Options, you are ready to hit "Publish"

Please be sure that you create a quality group that gets a lot of traffic to generate funds for your favorite charity.

Manage Group Members and Lenses

Managing Members and Lenses in a Group 

Different Groupmasters have their own idea of how to run groups. I based running my groups after the examples set by Kim, Patti and Margaret.
  1. I generally set the group so that I am notified of any new lenses that are added to the group, usually requiring that I approved them before being added.
  2. I check the new lenses to see if they qualify for admission to the group before approving them. For lenses that I am not sure of, I will let them 'sit' for a while and recheck them later to see if they have changed the lense.
  3. The new lens is approved or rejected.
  4. I try to leave a welcome to the group greeting in the lensmasters guestbook.
  5. If I like the lens, I will also make it a favorite and rate the lens.
  6. On the group page, I add new lensmasters to the page as a Featured Lensmaster.
  7. I add the new lenses need to the group page by some kind of sections, putting headings on the "Featured Lenses" module. One easy way of doing this is to group lenses by the lensmaster who has submitted them.
  8. When needed new sections (new featured lenses) need to be created.

Examples of Groups Donating to Charity 

If you want to see how it's done, take a look at some of these existing groups supporting charities.
The Charity Giants Headquarters
The Charity Giants This group is all about letting Giant Squids give something back through their lenses.
The Squidoo Activist Group Headquarters
The Squidoo Activist Group is to highlight lenses made by Squidoo Activists. All of the lenses in this group support Squidoo Charity Fund or other Squidoo charities.
We the People - Support the Troops Headquarters
We the People - Support the Troops Group was created to show our support for those who are serving in the Armed Forces.
Help Africa Headquarters
This group supports anyone striving to improve the lives of people living in Africa. We have many hard working and dedicated members, and invite you to view our lenses, rate them, link to them, and help us spread the word.
HIV / AIDS Awareness Group Headquarters
The HIV/AIDS Awareness Group was created to highlight lenses about people, organizations, events or other useful information and resources regarding HIV or AIDS.
SquidAid Group Headquarters
SquidAid Group Headquarters Enabling the Squidoo Community to Use the Internet and Aid Survivors of Disaster by Making Lenses. Generosity lies less in giving much than in giving at the right moment. Jean De La Brutere
Squidoo Activist's Animal Charities Headquarters
The Squidoo Activist's Animal Charities group is made up of a group of lensmasters who have created lenses to help save the world's animals.

A Featured Lens on Great Groups 

Spirituality (Katinka Hesselink) offers her thoughts and picks for some of the Great Groups on Squidoo.
featured lens This group was awarded the Great Group Award

This lens was started because I just got tired of all the groups out there that just aren't great. So this is dedicated to groups that ARE great. These groups are ALL great - but within the collection I would advise anybody to join especially t...

How to Encourage Group Particpation 

Margaret offers some great suggestions on her group lens for how to encourage group participation and good Squidizenship.
    GMs ESPECIALLY like LMs who participate! Do you VOTE on their plexos or polls? Do you leave comments on their group page? Do you visit the GM's lenses, the group lenses, and rate and leave comments? Have you favorited any? Joined any fan clubs?

    If a GM posts a challenge, it is very encouraging to see LMs participating. If nobody does, the GM may quit doing contests or challenges.

    If the GM blogs about you or your lens, be sure to leave a comment on the blog! Participate in the 'extra-curricular' things the GM does to help promote you and the group. Promote the group as well as your lenses whenever you can.
All About Groups at Squidoo!
I have about 40 groups, some more successful and useful than others, but working with all of them I have learned a LOT about Squidoo, my fellow lensmasters, and the wide range of possibilities and potential for groups.

More Lenses to Help You Manage Your Charity Group 

featured lens Make your Group's Headquarters Interesting and Beautiful!

You've created a group, and it's sure to be the next big thing. Now, what do you do with it? We all want our group pages to be a favorite landing spot of many visitors. THE place they'll want to visit again and again.  I've studied the best groups...

featured lens Information on the Old Squidoo Groups

Squidoo Groups are no more. If you had a Squidoo group, it's still there only now it's a lens instead of a group with all the members listed in a plexo, or link list. The url is still the same, it just doesn't have the link functionality...

featured lens All About Groups at Squidoo!

I have about 40 groups, some more successful and useful than others, but working with all of them I have learned a LOT about Squidoo, my fellow lensmasters, and the wide range of possibilities and potential for groups. This concerns Group Masters (G...

 

Promote

Promote a Group 

You want to promote your group not only to help spread the word about your charity, but to help people interact with the page, which increases lens rank and increases revenue for you page.

There are three many ways to promote a group on Squidoo.
  1. Invite other Lensmasters to Join.
  2. Announce Your Group in the Squidu Forum.
  3. Blog about Your Squidoo Charity Group.
  4. Encourage Group Discussion/Posting Messages.
  5. Add a Links Voting (Plexo).
  6. Add a Poll.
  7. Host a Group Challenge or Contest.

Invite other Lensmasters to Join. 

An easy way to promote your new group is to use the "Send Invitations!" function and invite other lensmasters to join your group.

You can find the "Send Invitations!" function on your Group Administration Page.

Invite Members to the Group

Announce Your Group in the Squidu Forum 

Questions about joining Groups, running Groups, promoting Groups? Stuck somewhere? Looking to recruit? You're in the right place.
SquidU | Where lensmasters know best!
Squidu is a place where lensmasters learn to build better lenses. It includes a forum for posting messages and reading about the latest Squidoo information.
Groups!
The official discussion thread for Groups on Squidu.

Blog About Your Charity Group 

If you don't have your own blog for charity you can create one for your Squidoo Lenses on SquidTop.
SquidTop
SquidTop is a way that lensmasters can quickly and easily set up a blog to post about your Squidoo lenses or experiences.
Cheerleaders for Charity Blog
Nonprofits work for Squidoo! Find here highlights of all the great things Squidoo can do for charities. Want me to feature your lens? Let Anne Reidy know!

Encourage Group Discussion/Posting Messages. 

The Group Discussion module is like the Guestbook for lenses.

You can encourage discussion among the Group Members or simply encourage them to stop by and say 'Hi.'

Add a Links Voting (Plexo) 

The links plexo is a great way for members to submit their lenses to the main page of the group.

Good for the Group, Good for the Lensmaster and Good for the Lens Rank.

Add a Poll 

Come up with a Poll for your group and encourage members to respond.

Maybe you can poll them about what kind of challenge or contest to hold.

Host a Group Challenge or Contest 

Find a fun challenge for your group or hold a contest.

Many of the Squidoo Activists Groups were created in response to a Squidoo Activist Fundrasier.

Once you've decided on a challenge or contest, be sure to post it in the Squidu forum
Challenges and Contests
For Official and unofficial contests alike a place to announce them in the Squidu Forum.
Nonprofit Nook
A place for Squidoo partner nonprofits to swap ideas and missions, share their lenses, support, and feedback.
Groups!
A place in the Squidu forum for promoting groups.

For Everything (Else) You Wanted to Know about Squidoo Charities 

This lens is a great place to learn about creating and promoting a lens for charity on Squidoo. Find your answers to Charity questions on the Squidoo Charity Answer Deck.
featured lens The Squidoo Charity Answer Deck

The Squidoo Charity Answer Deck contains hand-selected useful lenses for people interested in promoting or raising funds for charity. Inspired by the Squidoo Answer Deck, the Squidoo Charity Answer Deck was created by Squidoo Activists to be a hub f...

Learn How to Create a Charity Group on YouTube 

This is a great resource from lensmaster Oniyagi on how to create a group on Squidoo.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Another Lens on How to Create a Squidoo Group for Charity 

featured lens Creating a Group to support a charity

Welcome to Oniyagi's "Creating a Group to Support a Charity" class. Here you will find not only a written tutorial of how to create a group to support a charity, but I've included a video tutorial as well. The video is first, and can walk y...

The Squidoo Answer Deck 

Hundreds of pages of useful answers. Run by community experts

The Squidoo Answer Deck is a series of lenses created by the people who know Squidoo the best, the people who use Squidoo day in and out, the lensmasters.

The Squidoo Answer Deck comes from the community experts. There are hundreds of lenses with FAQs, how-to's, tips and tricks about using Squidoo from the Squidoo experts.

More Answer Deck Lenses on Charities 

FAQ: Donating to Charity
Squidoo is a great way to earn money for charity. This lens will answer our most frequently asked questions about how you can send money to charity.
Make A Lens, Make A Difference
This lens is your guide to fundraising or spreading awareness on Squidoo.
6 Ways to Help a Charity
Squidoo make it easy for lensmasters to support a variety of charities, simply by making a lens or a webpage.
Who are the Squidoo Charities?
Squidoo has partnered with dozens of incredible charities and nonprofits, who are leading the Org 2.0 revolution to harness the power of the Internet to raise funds for charity.
Who are Squidoo's Charities and NonProfit Partners?
Squidoo.com currently supports more than 90 nonprofit organizations, from the country's most popular causes right down to tiny local animal shelters.
How to Become a Squidoo NonProfit Charity
Squidoo was founded by Seth Godin for one purpose, to raise a hundred million dollars for charity. To do this Squidoo would like to help NonProfits raise money, drive traffic to your website and spread your story about your charity.
What is the Squidoo Charity Fund?
The Squidoo Charity Fund is a general charity fund on Squidoo. The fund was developed for those lensmasters who want to donate their royalties to charity but are unable to decide which one.
The Squidoo Charity Answer Deck
The Squidoo Charity Answer Deck contains hand-selected useful lenses for people interested in promoting or raising funds for charity.

Time for a little Q&A 

Post your questions and suggestions on the Make, Manage and Promote a Group for Charity below.

I'll do my best to answer them for you here.

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P.S. Still stuck? 

Drop by our SquidU.com forum. Ask for help, don't be stingy, be sure to smile, and we're betting someone will come to the rescue.

Created by a Squidoo Activist 

The 6 Ways to Help a Charity lens was created by one of the Squidoo Activists as one of a series support lenses with information for the Squidoo Activists.

This series of Charity Focused Answer Deck Lenses was developed to help these Champions for Charity to do even more for charities and NonProfits using Squidoo.

Benefiting the Squidoo Charity Fund 

This lens benefits the Squidoo Charity Fund, created for lensmasters who want to donate their royalties to charity, but can't decide where to send them.

Doesn't that make you feel good?

Image: Squid Donating. © Kirsti A. Dyer. Some Rights Reserved.

by Comfortdoc

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...

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