Are You a Squidoo Nobody? How to Become a Squidoo Somebody in 6 Easy Lessons

The Squidoo bio really is an autobiography because you write it yourself. Your bio can be written in first person ("I am a great guy.") or third person ("Susan52 is a great gal."), whichever suits you and your style better.

Say as much or reveal as little about yourself in your bio as you want. It doesn't have to be too very personal, but it should reveal something about your personality. If you're a serious gal, it's fine to stick with the facts; if you're a funny kind of guy, add some humor. Make it interesting and fun to read. Write so people will want to know more about you and more about your areas of expertise.

To create your biography, go to your dashboard (the page you see when you log in to Squidoo) and choose the "My Profile" tab at the top (or just click here). You'll find an area there where you can type in your default bio. Save it and you're done. Later, when you make a lens, look at the upper right of the workshop for the "Lens Bio." If you click there you'll see your default bio as well as a selection for a "custom lens bio." If you do nothing, your default bio will remain on the lens after it's published. If you prefer, select the custom bio button and write a biography to suit the topic of the lens. It's up to you. Just remember to click "save" when you're finished.

Now, wasn't that easy?

Squidoo lensmasters enjoy getting to know each another and one of the ways we recognize each other as we explore lenses on Squidoo is by our lensmaster picture or avatar. Are you familiar with the term "branding"? Our avatar is our "brand" on Squidoo. If you're surfing through Squidoo and a lens catches your fancy, you probably look at the lensmaster's picture and if you recognize it as someone you are familiar with, someone who you know makes quality lenses, you're much more likely to spend time on that lens. As you choose your own lensmaster picture or avatar, remember that that's how other lensmasters are going to recognize you when you're a Squidoo Somebody, so make it something memorable and unique. The two little squids you see here are cute, but they're absolutely anonymous and just not you.

Feeling a little shy? It's okay not to use a picture of yourself or to use just a version of a picture of yourself (my picture is really of me, but one taken a very long time ago) or you can use a graphic representation of yourself.

To upload your picture, once again look under the Profile tab on your dashboard. It's easy to browse and upload a default photo from your own computer. As with the bio, you will be able to use a different picture with each individual lens if you prefer. (From the lens's workshop, click to edit your bio to upload a new picture.) Just consider that when you use multiple pictures, you may be diluting your "brand" and making yourself a little less recognizable. Remember to click on "save" when you edit your picture.

Lesson two - complete.

This morning I was looking at a lens and found a broken link. Rather than post that information on the lens's guestbook for the world to see, I chose to use the lensmaster's "contact me" button and let her know about it privately. You just never know when someone will have a good reason to contact you, and they just might. If you're a Squidoo Somebody, your "contact me" link should be enabled.

If your "contact me" link does not show on your lenses and your lensmaster page, once again go to the profile tab on your dashboard. This time look way down to the last item on the profile settings portion of the page. Look for "allow contact" and make sure it says "on." If it doesn't, change it. Simple as that.

Note that when someone does contact you it is via a form on Squidoo and that person will not see your e-mail address unless you reply to them later from your e-mail, which of course is something you don't have to do, so there is no privacy issue to be concerned about. Just do it!

Do you Squidoo? by susan52z
Buy a tee shirt online from zazzle

Visit other people's lenses regularly and leave sincere comments in their guestbooks. Please don't leave a link to your website or your lens unless their lens is totally related to one of your own, and then leave the link with great discretion. Any time you post a comment anywhere on Squidoo have a "what can I offer" attitude rather than a "what can I get out of this" attitude. What goes around comes around, especially on Squidoo, and when you comment on other people's lenses, those lensmasters are very likely to visit and comment on yours.

Start by visiting the Lens of the Day (check your dashboard page to find it), then branch out to other lenses and lather, rinse, repeat. Most guestbooks will display your lensmaster picture and people will begin to get to know you. Hey, you really are Somebody!

Have you visited the forum at SquidU? Take a look. Read the rules first, then read them again. Become familiar with the categories, read all the "stickies" and get to know the procedures. You have to register at the forum, but you'll use your own lensmaster name and regular Squidoo password. Your first post should be on the Introduce Yourself thread. Then check Kimberly's Morning Coffee to see what's new at Squidoo.

When you're ready, offer help and answer questions where you can. Ask questions, too, but only if your question hasn't already been asked and answered. There's an encyclopedia's worth of information on SquidU, so take some time and study what's there.

Dip that toe in the SquidU water. Wade on in and pretty soon you'll be swimming along with the best Squidoo has to offer.

You're almost there! Have you made a lens yet? If you have, good for you! If you haven't made a lens, choose an outstanding topic and make one. Include a guestbook. Wait a day. Revise and improve the lens.

When your lens is lookin' good, ask on the forum for a critique. Subscribe to the topic and keep an eye on the responses. Did your visitors leave comments on the forum or on your lenses? Visit those lensmasters' lenses and leave comments or stars. (Please don't leave 5 stars just because someone visited your lens; do it because the lens deserves it.)

Once again, repeat the process, then repeat it again. Before you realize what has happened, you will have built relationships with other lensmasters on Squidoo and you'll find that you really feel like Somebody, a Squidoo Somebody whose lensranks continue to rise. Congratulations! You made it!

I am honored that this lens has been featured on the Giant Squid Community Showcase! Check us out, here.

Being a Giant does come with privileges and this is one of those, and one that comes with a badge. (Like it?) Do you want to be a Giant Squid and earn some privileges and maybe some badges? If you do, then you really, really should subscribe to the So You Want to Be a Giant Squid blog. It's one of the best places to learn and be encouraged on your way.

W00t!

Baby Squid Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com




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If you've studied lessons one through six, you're ready for lesson number seven, which you can find here.

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