Actually, it's not at all secret
Lens of the Day (LotD) is a blog, a newsletter, and a bit of a phenomenon. The latter is not because of me. It's because of the Squidoo community.
Here's what I've said on the blog: "Every weekday (or nearly that) Squidoo's Editor in Chief, Megan Casey, highlights a single page (called a "lens") that stands out from the crowd, a lens that is unique in topic, approach, personality, tools or timing. Or, you know, just a lens that made her guffaw a little."
This lens is an effort to explain more about Lens of the Day, and will hopefully bust some of the more colorful myths that have sprung up around this little blog.
Figured it might help, since after all, you guys are the ones who get to have all the fun when you're featured!
Thanks for reading.
Megan
Your Ever Faithful Editor in Chief
November 2008
If Lens of the Day were a party...
here's what the invitation would say:
WHAT: You're invited to follow Squidoo's superpopular Lens of the Day blog. And to throw your own hat in the ring by sending in your favorite lens. You might just get picked!
WHO'S INVITED: You. Yeah you. If you're not a Squidoo lensmaster, you can still have fun following along with this daily dose of rocketfuel. Just sign up to get the email every morning. And if you are a lensmaster, what are you waiting for?
YOUR HOST: Me.
WHY: Cuz. (Well, more below).
WHEN: Every week. Every day. Except when not.
WHERE: http://blogs.squidoo.com/lensoftheday
The story of Lens of the Day
how it started, how it works
Because I sometimes believe in showing instead of explaining, in early 2006 I came up with a Lens of the Day blog. Every day (or thereabout) I would pick one lens, just one, and spotlight it.
New lensmasters could see what "great lenses" actually look like. And experienced lensmasters could get a shot at wearing a crown for a day and getting a little extra exposure for one of their lenses.
The blog has been running for over two and a half years now. That's a double a couple of hundred very diverse, topnotch lenses featured to people who care.
Some weeks on Lens of the Day are busier and more blogged than others. There are times when Lens of the Day has gone on hiatus for technical updates or holidays (like when I went traipsing around the deep wilderness of Montana and Wyoming for my honeymoon!). But for the most part it is a regular, popular, and perhaps enlightening way to discover some really interesting uses of Squidoo.
You can follow the blog by bookmarking it, subscribing to the RSS feed, or best: subscribe by email, so you get the Lens of the Day selection in your inbox every morning.
Here's the link again. Go check it out. I'll be here when you get back.
The best way to get picked
is to stand out.
16 (yes, 16!) things to know about Lens of the Day
busting some myths, clearing the air on old wives' tales, and generally aiming for clarity
2. Yes! You can absolutely email your favorite lens (your own or someone else's) to lotd at squidoo.com and I'll check it out. It helps if you include a little writeup.
3. Lens of the Day does not a Giant Squid make. And vice versa.
4. I don't take bribes. Do peanut butter cookies count? Hmm.
5. Yes, we've had guest LotD editors before, like when we had a charity coodinator working with us, or smartypants interns. Or when your Giant Squid Organizers lend a hand. But for the most part, it's just me.
6. It's hard to pick a lens, one lens, out of the thousands and thousands and thousands (did I mention thousands?) of really smart, helpful, moving pages. I wish I could feature them all. If yours doesn't get picked when you want: a)it's not personal! b) hey, there's always tomorrow.
7. No, you don't have to have a Guestbook on your lens to qualify for Lens of the Day. But yes, Guestbooks and other interactive modules like the Duel and Prediction modules are pretty darn cool.
8. No, I'm not really a guy pretending to be a chick so people online will like me. Yes, people have actually accused me of that. Guess that's what I get for liking horror movies, video games and kung fu.
9. Your lens does not have to be in the top 100. There are no lensrank requirements for LotD. But yes, it just so happens that lots of the best lenses on Squidoo also perform well in LensRank.
9.5 No, Lens of the Day is not my only job. Someone asked me that once. It's probably 1/100dth of what I do here. But I do love it.
10. Yes, you could get featured more than once. I make a concerted effort not to do that much, since there are just so many people making such great stuff, and I'd love to give lots of diverse people a chance to get discovered. But sometimes it happens.
Chances are if you were picked recently, though, you won't get Lens of the Day again for a long while. Doesn't mean you shouldn't keep making great stuff!
11. Who knows what number 11 was going to be.
12. If you trick people into thinking you were picked for Lens of the Day, but you really weren't, we'll lock your lens. Trickery doesn't fly.
13. Hi! I'm Megan. I drink more coffee and tea than I should, I'm listening to embarrassingly bad music right now, I chew my fingernails when I think (gross, I know) and I'm fanatical about working on Squidoo. In other words, I'm a real person and I love being here. But if you yell at me in all caps, or spam me with your LotD nomination every day for a year, or curse me out about the selections I've been making, I'm probably gonna shrug and just walk away.
14. Yes, I've been known to skip a few days of LotD. I'm sorry for that. I really am. Please reference number 9.5 above.
15. Please don't promise Lens of the Day to anyone. If you're running a lensmaking contest, that's great. Really great. But LotD isn't a guaranteed prize to give away. Of course, you can send a lens my way for a looksee, and who knows...
16. Last, a note about personal opinion. Since I run Lens of the Day, I feature lenses that I like or admire or find intriguing, or lenses that I think the community might want to see or learn from. My agenda is simply this: Show diverse, interesting lenses, personalities, topics and tools.
In fact, many times I've featured lenses on topics or people that I completely disagree with, because there's something else about the lens (likely, the discourse) that struck me.
The best way to get picked, really, is just to be kind, highly creative, try new things, and make lenses that are true to you.
Sure, nominate your own lens
But nominating someone else can feel good, too.
What do Lens of the Day selections look like?
these, just to name a few. refresh to see more.
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Pema Chodron
-
She's funny, she has kids and grandkids, she has an opinion about how Cher looks after all the plastic surgery. She's not your parents' Buddhist nun, in other words. I'll put Pema Chodron up as the greatest Buddhist teacher today (w...
-
If you were a robot, and I knew but you didn't, would you want me to tell you?
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If you were a robot, and I knew but you didn't, would you want me to tell you? This question was posed on The Big Bang Theory. I have spent quite a while (mostly while driving) contemplating this issue and attempting to to come up with my answer. It i...
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Bee beard!
-
A bee beard is really something to behold. It is a mass of honey bees crawling on your face. And it looks like a beard! (Usually, at least. Sometimes people are just covered in bees!) Are those really bees? With stingers? Did you get stung? What's...
-
Bruce Lee - The Little Dragon
-
Bruce Lee is my all time favorite martial artist! He was the quickest fighter in the world in my opinion. If he was alive still today I am sure he would have developed his fighting style Jeet Kune Do into the best fighting style ever. Bruce's full na...
-
Deborah Kerr
-
Born Deborah Jane Trimmer in Scotland in 1921. Golden Globe award winning Scottish actress. Best know for her roll as Anna in The King and I and a certain sexy kiss in From here to Eternity
Stuck for ideas?
Want to make a new lens but need an idea to get you started?
- The Squidoodlr: A lens idea generator
- Lots of fun. More form than function, but it gets your mind working!
- 49 Ideas for Awesome Lenses
- Of course, there are more than 49!
- The Giant Squid Showcase
- A great place to see what super lenses look like.
The latest LotD posts
go go little RSS feed!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byIf you didn't like today's LotD
jam a fork in your eye.
i'm KIDDING. truly.
what i meant to say was:
hang in, and maybe you'll like tomorrow's pick more.
maybe it will even be yours. :)
What catches my eye
A list of words that describe lenses that really impress me
Do you have lots of really great lenses?
Say, more than 50 of them? that you'd be proud to sign your name to?
Then you might be ready to be a Giant Squid, a VIP lensmaster on Squidoo. Only a few hundred of our best lensmasters are Giant Squids... but we accept more every quarter. Check out this lens to find out how you can become a Giant.-
THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one)
-
No, it's not a rock group (but it might as well be). It's the core group of movers and shakers at Squidoo. It's a gathering of influentials, the most dedicated lensmakers on Squidoo. Here's how this whole thing started. One day at Squidoo Headquarte...
How to nominate a lens
easy!
If you'd like for your email to be off the record, please let me know. Because otherwise I like to offer hat tips and shout outs when people send me good stuff.
Hey, your chances are a heck of a lot better than winning the lottery.
Here it is one more time:
Say hi
or even say hello!
Thanks for stopping by. -- Megan
howtogetridofspam wrote...
Great info, now i understand about the lens of the day, thanks Megan !
Posted June 01, 2009
debnet wrote...
LOTD is a great priviledge and a great feeling to receive. Thanks for awarding LOTD to 'Fish & Chips' last summer ;)
Posted May 13, 2009
RunwayModels wrote...
Megan, I wish I was a puppy so that you would like me more, but since I am typing this without the use of paws I am only human. LOL...I have read through many of your favorites and I LOVE the one about Goldie. That beautiful Golden Retriever! Such a touching tribute to a wonderful animal.
Anyways, since I have no chance of being nominated (and I'm not fishing for compliments or being self-deprecating towards my lens) because let's face it, a 44 year old man playing with diescast airliners with on tiny scaled down airports is the stuff that "creepy old guy movies" where the main character is a confused misunderstood man in a quiet neighbourhood who everyone avoids until Christmas and then while the Family is away two robbers try to break in, but what they didn't expect was that Family left the litle boy at home and he had a plan for them! But in the end the crazy old guy wasn't so crazy and they reunited with the boy and eventually invited the misunderstood neighbor man over! The end
Posted April 19, 2009
Teddi14 wrote...
I am back again just seeing what is going on here. I nominated my lens Severe Weather Phobia
Posted March 31, 2009
inkyuboz wrote...
I already bookmarked this for future re-readings. I have skimmed through the page and I see you've written a lot of cool tips. Thanks a lot for sharing the "secret" to the community.
Posted March 24, 2009
MysticTurtle wrote...
Thanks, Megan, for picking 12,000-Mile Bicycle Tour for lens of the day. What an exciting way to start the morning -- seeing that jump in traffic to my lens!
Posted March 13, 2009
dc64 wrote...
I was shocked at the response to my LOTD! Not only did I get a lot of Squidoo visitors, but visitors from other places as well. Thanks for everything to all of you!
Posted March 08, 2009
FunGifts4All wrote...
I'm fairly new here, about a month now, but I'm hooked. I've seen some of your LotD but there is so much information out there it's hard to get to all of it. So, I try to look at something new everyday(while still going back to the old stuff and taking it all in). One thing I can say for the lensmakers here at squidoo, everyone is so willing to help. Thank youfor explaining LotD and you made a lot of information fun to read.
Posted March 06, 2009
MysticTurtle wrote...
Ha! So that's what it's all about. Been having the time of my life here, trying to read every single tip and how-to...and I finally got to LotD. Thanks for the explanation.
Posted March 06, 2009
purplelady wrote...
Megan,
Wasn't sure how to send a Thank You to Lens of the Day. I was surprised when I went into my Dr. Seuss lens over the week-end to update a birthday song and saw that I had had a huge jump in visitors and in feedback comments. It was in the comments that I discovered that my lens had been chosen LOTD. I am subscribed to LOTD to get word about the new ones, but had no emails for awhile and when I went into the LOTD blog, I saw that the last lens chosen was the end of January 2008.
People just keep visiting and commenting so I am going to assume that they are right and my LOTD is for real. So, since that is my assumption, I want to Thank You so much for the honor. Dr. Seuss would be very proud, especially today on his birthday.
(I have to admit I was hoping that I would get an official notice so that I could get one of those LOTD "thingie" to gift to Dr. Seuss, as he is the person who was really responsible for it.)
Posted March 02, 2009
cflick wrote...
This is like my umpteenth time here and I realized I've never said Thank You. I came here to learn about LOTD and that's exactly what I got. So Thank You! I can't imagine how much work you put into Squidoo and still have time to check out lenses for LOTD. You my lady are what I guess I will call a Squid Hero! :-) Thanks for all you do.
Posted February 26, 2009
BlackroseBugg wrote...
Another great lens to help baby squid navigate the squidoo see! Thanks so much Megan!
Posted February 10, 2009
OhMe wrote...
Thank you for all your hard work. I always enjoy seeing who is picked and enjoy reading that lens.
Posted January 07, 2009
Lakota429 wrote...
Great tips!!!! Maybe it should be LOTD!!! :) So...now how do I nominate myself? Kidding!!! But you 'can' come and check out my Christmas Tree and Snowman Earrings lens. It short and to the point...nothing extravagant. (you already gave me LOTD on my other lens. Thanks!!!!) 5 stars to you!!! Annie~
Posted November 29, 2008
Tracey_M wrote...
Great information and helpful. It's great to see people get it. LOTD is such a joy bringer for members. I love the idea.
Posted November 27, 2008
poutine wrote...
Useful to know all those tips for us newbies.
Hope to have a LOTD at least ONCE.
Posted November 27, 2008
nycelady13 wrote...
Thanks for all the great tips to make it to the LotD...I just hope I could be on the list soon..More Power! 5*****
Posted November 19, 2008
kiwisoutback wrote...
Great work in picking the LOTDs, they really are always interesting. Keep it up!
Posted November 18, 2008
0ctavias0fferings wrote...
I discovered my LotD award just after a long journey home and it picked me right up. Can't thank you enough for choosing my poetry. It's a wonderful surprise. I love this lens, explains it all so well. Lensrolling with my How Do You Squidoo lens.
Posted November 17, 2008
RinchenChodron wrote...
Someday I hope to have a Lens of the Day. Maybe wishing can make it happen?
Posted November 16, 2008
Tipi wrote...
Lensroll to all of mine! Hugs & kises! Thanks! (polishing your stars)
Happy Holidays!
Posted November 15, 2008
Joan4 wrote...
Good to see all this officially in writing -- I think everybody wonders about all that, especially when they first join Squidoo. Great explanation. Thank you - and thank you for my LOTD earlier this year! It is great fun!
Posted November 14, 2008
kab wrote...
I know what #11 was....LotD has a big L and a big D, but a little o and a little t because the L and the D are more important than the o and the t. There is nothing wrong with o and t, in general. It is just that in this particular circumstance the L and the D take precedence. If you are an o or a t, do not be offended.
Posted November 14, 2008
Reggie_Marigold wrote...
Darn....you really were kidding about the fork thing...bummer :( heeheehee Timely lens! #11 is pretty much my life.
uhmmm...egglust? Has the security word thingy changed? squidlust - sure, but egglust? :D
Posted November 14, 2008
Susan52 wrote...
Another example of why you're the esteemed editor in chief: You do it so well! (Choose lenses of the day and explain things, I mean. Oh, and make lenses; this one's a keeper!)
Posted November 14, 2008
w00t for footnotes!
if you made it this far (and look, you did!), I just wanted to say thanks. thanks for reading, and for making lenses worth talking about. (and i really was kidding about the fork thing).
by MeganCasey
Before starting Squidoo, Megan spent 6 year... (more)
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