Squidoo WHO? Learn from Successful Lensmasters

Ranked #1,633 in Squidoo Community, #148,323 overall

Stop, Look, & Listen!


I'm not the type to jump into something without reading about it first. I don't sign petitions at the mall. I don't pass on cautionary emails without checking them out first to see whether they're spammy. And I'm certainly not going to waste time creating lenses without studying the work of those who have mastered the process.

Squidoo is a huge community. It's growing every day, and shows no signs of slowing. The sheer volume of lenses is remarkable, as are the ideas these lensmasters hatch. Without their expertise and encouragement, I might have disappeared into the fabric of Squidoo, but instead I feel challenged.

Squidoo WHO? turns the spotlight on some top lensmasters whose work I admire. Check out their lenses. Study them closely to see if you can spot a pattern. I hope this lens will inspire and encourage you to turn your creative energy into a great lens of your own.





New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

Squidoo Factoid #1

Squidoo was launched in October 2005 by Squidoo.com

Four Who Grabbed My Attention...

We used to own a crazy cat who would chase her own tail. She noticed her tail circling around her body as she slept one sunny afternoon, and tried to bite it when it moved. That led to a mad dash to try and catch the runaway tail. That determined feline ran in circles until she was too dizzy to stand.

Here's a list of lensmasters who don't have time to run in circles. They're too busy creating new lenses...sharing what they know...encouraging others, and showing the rest of us what works and what doesn't. Theirs were the first four lenses I visited on the day I discovered Squidoo.

Bonnie Diczhazy aka bdkz, has created over 300 lenses, and is a Giant Squid Organizer--someone who is actively involved in encouraging potential Giant Squids (those who reach 50 lenses or more) in the craft of creative lens-building. Click the link above and read her tips on building successful lenses. I guarantee, Bonnie's advice will help you decide which creative lens ideas to chase after, and which to trash. Don't miss her The Coolest Blogs Featuring Squidoo Ever. It's a treasure chest!

Victoria Neely won my heart when I first visited Squidoo. I mean, anyone who can create a lens about rubber ducks and keep my attention all the way to the bottom of the page...well, let's just say she's got the Squidoo touch.

ThomasC is a chef at a popular Southern restaurant by day and an avid lensmaster and graphic artist by night. He's also a well-respected Giant Squid who just completed his 200th lens and is shooting for 300. His lenses are an example of how a little creativity goes a long way!

Deb aka Flowergardener is a single mom with a disability as a result of contracting rheumatic fever at age 9. During recent flooding in her state, Deb's home received major damage, adding to her everyday challenges. I'm blessed by her cheerful attitude, in spite of the things she has faced head-on. Her lenses are a joy to visit!

More Successful Lensmasters...

Study their lenses and learn

William James (January 11, 1842 - August 26, 1910) was a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher trained as a medical doctor. He spoke of the importance of lending a helping hand to others, which is what Squidoo's lensmasters do on a regular basis.



"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

Here are some wonderful lensmasters whose helpfulness I noticed immediately. This is by no means a complete list, and I will add to it in the weeks ahead.
Joan4
Joan writes: "I am a happy grandma and a total Squidoo addict! :) I am having fun writing and publishing, especially with Squidoo. The community here is wonderful. Great support. On a personal level, I have been happily married for over 40 years. We have 2 married children and two grandchildren! I enjoy reading,writing,dancing and laughing."
a_willow
"I work as supply manager in firm dealing with food products. I have great husband and beautiful baby girl. I like drawing, experimenting with new stuff and I am pretty much free spirit that can't stay in one place a long time."
nancyoram1
"I discovered Squidoo in March of 2008. I loved it, but I had to research it thoroughly to see if it was worth my time. You see, I had to make money, and no time to waste. I didn't have to make it overnight, but the potential had to be there. From friendly people willing to share I determined this would work--over time and with good quality content. That's for me!"
Susan52
Susan52 is happy being a writer - and a Giant Squid on Squidoo! Her passions include her husband and children (including the four-legged ones), who lovingly put up with her as she tends to Squidooing, blogging and business, sometimes when she should be tending to them.
Clouda9
Who am I? A wife, a mother, a pet lover and tattooer, a medical receptionist, and a Squidooer, a college graduate, a sister, a daughter, and committed to making a difference come hell or high water!

I make lenses here on Squidoo because it's my addiction, my passion, and a way for me to get things out of my head and onto something...
Chef Keem
Hi, I am Chef Keem, sentenced to Squidoo-for-life. Born and raised in Munich, Germany. First career in pop music as A&R Director, record arranger and producer for CBS and Jupiter Records. Came to the States in 1981 and settled in Austin, Texas. Graduated from chef school, worked as chef and pastry chef in restaurants and hotels.
Janusz
Janusz, born in Poland & now living in Soest Germany. I played Soccer in the 2nd Division & was in the U16 Polish National team. My greatest hobby apart from Family, is Designing Squidoo Logos, Headers & Avatars for the Squidoo Community
rms
I'm one of your Giant Squid Community Organizers and the Squid Citizen, Giant Squid Mentor here to help you become a Giant Squid Lensmaster.

In addition to that, I'm the creator of The Giant Squid Community Showcase, where the Giant Organizers feature, the best and most helpful lenses made by the Giant Squids.
Grama Barb
I am a Canadian senior and Grandma and as you scroll through my lenses my hope is that you will enjoy the journey and learn something new along the way.
mulberry
Hi, I'm Mulberry. I've lived a number of places in my lifetime but now call a small town in Indiana my home. I am the owner of Home Media Store and have been creating Squidoo pages on the side since 2007. Be sure to check out my articles on Qassia where you too can get backlinks and more traffic to your website without any cost.

Books to Help Nurture Creativity

Creative minds sometimes run in circles, like the cat chasing her tail. Read how others have turned good ideas into action.

Loading

More Good Advice from the Pros

Read & learn...your new lens will thank you!

Submit URL: Squidoo Lens Promotion
On this page, you'll find some links to places you can submit your Squidoo lenses to so that you can get more web traffic to your lens.Google is usually the main source of traffic to my lenses, but to rank well in Google takes other websites linking to you.
Squidoo Tagging Tricks: (how to get more visitors and a better search engine ranking using only tags)
Adding tags to your lens is a great way to get found by more people. Through Google, through Squidoo Search, and through lensmasters clicking on their own tags links.Basically, tagging is very very good.But only if you know what you're doing.So... get learning :)
Easy Ebay RSS Affiliate Feeds - A Step By Step Tutorial
Creating RSS Feeds of items on ebay is a great way of adding custom content for your lens, blog or website. The advice here is aimed at squidoo users but can be applied anywhere you place a RSS Feed.The great advantage of creating a feed this way is that you can set very specific conditions for what
Valley of the Giants
Here's a blog authored by Giant Squids. Learn tips and techniques, and find encouragement in lenscrafting at Squidoo.

Squidoo Factoid #2

Squidoo was founded by Seth Godin, joined by his book editor Megan Casey, former Fast Company employee Heath Row, Gil Hildebrand, Jr., and Cory Brown.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!


Captain Squid aka Loyolis aka Joe has earned $1,000 on a single lens. Yes, you read it right, folks. He made that on ONE LENS.

I would like an afternoon to pick his brain (are you listening, Joe?), but since I can't, I thought I'd ask all of you eager Squidooers to help me pick it long-distance.

What do you think? Please take a moment to register your thoughts in the poll. Together we can unscramble the mystery of this Giant Squid.

Loading poll. Please Wait...

What NOT to Do on Squidoo

I'm still in learning mode big-time. In fact, I figure I'll be learning something new for a long as my brain keeps cooperating. It's a life-long process and I love it. Learning is fun. It opens up new possibilities. That's why I spend so much time studying the work of lensmasters who have paid a lot of sweat equity to make their lenses rise to the Giant Squid level.

So, as I pondered this lensbuilding thing, I decided there had to be a flip side--a list of no-no's that would save me time if I could only locate them. Sure enough, I found some lenses where they laid it all out--a sort of precautionary guidebook to help the rest of us.

You gotta love someone whose pride doesn't get in the way of good, sound advice. Thanks, guys.

Probably the Hardest Way to Make Money Online
Common Newbie Mistakes
Making a Squidoo lens is easy. Making a good Squidoo lens, well, that's another story. A lot of Squidoo newbies ask veterans to critique their lenses, and most of these lenses are not nearly as good as they could be. (There are exceptions!)
How (not) to write a Squidoo lens
I recently deleted four of my Squidoo lenses and in the days ahead will review my other lenses with a view to reworking or fine-tuning them. Why? This was after reading a lens, Confessions of a Squid Angel, by KimGiancaterino (see photo).

"The value of an idea lies in the using of it." ~Edison 

A Celebration of Good Ideas

These lenses called my name...

Do you automatically gravitate towards certain topics? I think we all do. I also have a habit of chasing down links on a site I really enjoy. So if you were to peek over my shoulder at the computer, you'd find me bookmarking new sites like crazy, so I can go back when I have more free time to explore them.

Here are some of my bookmarks. See what I mean? Aren't they great?

50 Ways To Use Twitter
Twitter is an amazingly powerful tool for promoting your Squidoo Lens, Blog, Business and more. So check out these cool ways to educate, inform, enlighten and amuse people. Just remember, you've only got 140 Characters so stay on your topic!
Oh Rubber Ducky!
What bathroom would be complete without a lovable rubber ducky? Even the Queen of England is rumored to have her very own rubber ducky!Here you'll find pictures of rubber ducks, rubber ducky trivia, rubber duckies for sale, and more.
Squidoo Love
I'd like to show you what being at Squidoo is like, if you've got a few minutes; but I'd like also to state up-front my synopsys of Squidoo:It's an honest place on the internet where you really can earn an income.It's a 'real' place online. People here don't make up false lives.People at Squidoo tru
How to make glass beads
If you are a creative person and are looking for the "perfect" medium - one that you love and leaves people in wonder about what you do - then you should read on and learn about making glass beads. The upside of making lampwork beads is that relatively speaking, not a lot of people
My Flower Garden
I'm Deb the Flowergardener, and I'd like to share my flower photos with you!I've designed and created a 2,000 square foot flower garden in my back yard which is truly unique, matching my personality and life style. Yep, that's me above left, in my flowergarden, holding one of my larger rhubarb leave
On My Way to 300 Squidoo Lenses
Hello fellow squidoo lensmasters. My name is Thomas Carlson. By day I am a cook for a well known southern restaurant, at night I am a Squidoo lensmaster and a t-shirt and gift designer with 4 cafepress stores.I have reached a goal here at Squidoo with this 200th squidoo lens!To celebrate I want to f
Tornadoes - Safety Tips and Tornado Videos
I live in the middle of tornado alley. Every spring the radar lights up almost nightly it seems! This year so far I have dodged 4 tornadoes, with 3 of those being deadly. The furthest tornado from my home so far has been 13 miles. The closest tornado this year was only a mile away. So, what do you d

Learn the Ropes

A Helpful Squidoo YouTube video

Ode to Squidoo Lensmasters
by chefkeem | video info

2 ratings | 388 views
curated content from YouTube

Shorten Your Learning Curve

Helpful Lenses from Seasoned Lensmasters

Check Your Stats!

Thanks to a fellow lensmaster, here's info on how to keep track of stats on your Squidoo lenses.

Stuck in Squidoo?

How to Get Unstuck

More tips & techniques for expanding your Squidoo experience.
49 Ideas For Awesome Lenses
...or 10 or 100!It's pretty easy, non-techy, and of course, free. Right? Right.Sure, to make your lens a real knockout it takes some time, but chances are you've already learned the basics and are looking to do more.Congrats. That's the best place to be. You've already learned the art of making a le
MySpace Made Easy: Simple CSS to personalize your page
When I set up my first MySpace page I was soooooo confused! As a web designer, I kept looking for the freakin HTML entry form. Four hours later, I realized that there isn't one. You just stick the code ANYWHERE. Well...duh! Since then I've discovered dozens of great ways to personalize my MySpace pa
The 9 Free Things Every Site (or Lens!) Should Do
Rule #1: If you have a site or Squidoo lens, you want more traffic. Rule #2: You don't have enough money to buy as much traffic as you need. Rule #3: You've already made your site/lens as compelling as you know how to. So, what now? Read on for the (free) details.
Squidoo CSS - my favorite code to spice up a lens
I've gathered my favorite Squidoo-code for later reference. I'm tired of trying to find that specific lens I used a css effect on and then having to go to edit-mode, copy paste, and then go back to the lens I was working on. This lens will help me be a better lensmaster and perhaps it will help some
How to make a living on Squidoo
Making a living on Squidoo just from Squidoo's monthly payouts is a long-term process - expect to take 6 months to see significant monthly earnings. BUT it is possible to almost immediately start making money and to make a GOOD living using lenses to promote affiliate products and the money directly

Treat yourself to something Squiddy...

Loading

Squidoo Factoid #3

According to Wikipedia, Squidoo lenses can be about anything, such as "ideas, people or places, hobbies and sports, pets or products, philosophy, and politics." They emphasize web content that further explains or illustrates a topic.

Thanks for visiting!

submit

Your turn: Add your favorite tips for making great lenses.

Go niche!

Lenses on niche topics, like a comparison list of the 10 best organic peanut butters, or your personal review of Lost Odyssey, or a debate over who the final Cyclon is in Battlestar Gallactica--these lenses do better than generic mainstream pages like "Buy an iPod here."261 points

Share your passion!

Assuming you're passionate about your topic, you're probably always talking about it, reading about it, finding out new tidbits. When you learn something new, add it to your lens. If you see an interesting discussion in a forum, turn it into a poll or a debate. Passion shows!221 points

Reread your lens

When writing, its easy for the eyes to skip over silly little typos. If you go back and really read it a few days later... The little things will jump out at you.
Liz142 points

Link Link Link Link!

Link from your lens to other lenses and websites, and more importantly link TO your lens, from your website, blog, forums, comments on other peoples blogs, other peoples lenses, web directories, your email .sig file, and - basically - whever you can place a link on the WWW!137 points

Update Your Lenses Frequently

I keep a notebook with a running list of various ideas to add/change my various lenses.
http://www.squidoo.com/kidsandmoney130 points

Add Link in Your Bio

Put links to all your lenses in your Bio115 points

Share what you know!

I have been trying to do online marketing for the past three years with some success, but when I started my demon drawing lenses and other related stuff elsewhere on my blogs, the traffic I have recieved is just impressive than all that has gone before..77 points

Guestbook Please

I'm really disappointed when I read through a lens, like it, but there is no guestbook to add my two cents worth. See there isn't one on this lens ... but you've allowed us some room here. Thank you!71 points

Add a Table of Contents

Especially if your lenses are content-rich (as they should be, of course!) and broken into multiple modules in digestible-size chunks of information (ditto), a Table of Contents gives visitors to your lens a great preview of what they can expect to find in your lens, and why it's worth reading on. Or, for someone who's looking for a specific type of information on your lens, a TOC lets that visitor jump directly to the relevant content on your lens with just one click.68 points

Variety is good

Mix up different types of modules. I try to have a module with only text followed by a module with pictures (say the amazon-module). Just to mix things up a bit and create a more visually appealing lens.66 points

Give Credit where credit is due

Be sure you link to other people's web sites or lens if you use their material.61 points

Relevant, Relevant, Relevant!

Though this may seem fairly obvious...focus on it, and keep your content "relevant." It doesn't ALL have to be about "one thing" as long as it is relevant to the the main topic of your lens, and that gives you more keywords and tags. You can also do a keyword search and see what keywords will work best with your content, and utilize them.55 points

Write it from the heart

No one can surpass the writing of the heart. When it comes deep inside from the heart, your lens will really stand out. Your lens will be the genuine of all lenses....You can see if the writer wrote it for money alone or not...We can make profits in Squidoo but if you can write it straight from the heart, you will gain more than just money....49 points

UPDATE LIKE ALL THE TIME!

I can't stress this enough, I've been neglecting mine lately and boy does it show!41 points

Write Like You Speak

Be yourself and others will reward you for it.41 points

Offer Something to your readers - an online award

I'm really passionate about my subject. And I started the Purple Paw award at my lens to give to other lenses that I find to be exceptional and dog related. People submit their links in the Plexo and I get more exposure. A win win for everyone.40 points

ADD A GREAT PROFILE PICTURE

I just joined, and it seems that the profile picture captures people's attention more than text.

By the way, I am looking forward to lensing away my weekends!37 points

Save Your Visitors Time

If your lens offers some services or products - do not just describe them. Remember to link exactly to where the services / goods can be purchased.37 points

Dont try to make it perfect

If you do this then you will lose the real reason your makeing it!36 points

Research your Titles

do keyword research before writing your titles... it really helps to have keyword focused (not keyword stuffed) titles35 points

Remember to click the Publish Button!

Are writing your lens remember to click the Publish button, as it has taken me a extra week to get my site published, I thought after saving it, that was all there was to it, and could not understand why every time I check it, it was under construction, I got very annoyed, but I finally made it.
There now I feel better about this program, as I have it published now35 points

This helped me! =)

It is a very good article to read, it really helped me. I will start to use your methods wright away ;)34 points

Find relevant books to share on your site

Adding books for sale from Amazon on your topic, or highlighting a particular book adds links from your site and also can add income if purchased.
www.squidoo.com/hotrealestateseattle34 points

Don't put off creating a lense

Like they say, "There is no time like now!".
Just Do It!

Submit, Experiment, Test and go with what works.34 points

Another Great Tip

Another great tip is to think about adding links to your other lens'. In fact when you think about starting a new lens, try to create a flow with all of your lens', then you can link them so people can travel within your lens'. www.squidoo.com/howtobuildyourownlens32 points

Squidoo Tips

These tips are amazing to improve your squidoo lenses and will drive targeted traffic to your page.32 points

Definetly Change Things Up

Update your Lens to keep people coming back to it and checking for updates that are relevant to your Lens.28 points

Don't Monopolize Lens with ADs

It looks tacky and unprofessional.28 points

Convey Your Passion for Your Subject

If you are anything like me, when someone writes about a subject with an obvious interest or passion then I feel much more engaged. Write in such a way that your readers feel compelled to keep reading,27 points

Add a Coundown Clock

Using a countdown clock it puts emphasizes important information and deadline time to participate. Visit my lense at http://www.squidoo.com/dnavitaminlaunch and click on Countdown link to see if you like it. I've received some great feedback. I would like your feedback.27 points

Keep it readable!

Please try to keep your content readable by checking for grammatical and ortographic errors! Some of us get very annoyed when we find a misspelt word or something that doesn't make much sense. It takes our concentration away from what we're reading! So don't forget! :)27 points

Using Firefox spell checking

Firefox has a built in spell checker. Use that to eliminate many of the typos.26 points

Featured Lenses

Make more then one lens and link them together using the Featured Lenses modules.26 points

Pay it forward

Offers a fine gift to others sites but also allows you to be able to give something back.25 points

Do the Research for a Specific Audience

If someone is looking for something, put a list of links and reviews on your lens. You can use mine as an example if you want, notice the update notes.
http://squidoo.com/livesuccess21 points

Write about something your interested in and get your link out there!

I use twitter and forums I am on to get my link out there for others to check out. I like what I write about and that helps!20 points

Hubpages

Build a few hubpages and use anchor text link to your great Squidoo Lens. This will boost your traffic in a matter of days.5 points

Not to long

I cant tell you how many times ive stopped reading something important cause I was impatient. Sometimes you just have to give them the straight up.3 points

Love Your Own Lens

It's redundant, but oh, so important. Write with passion. Love what you're writing about, the people you're writing for, and the content you're providing.3 points

Remember the net is world wide

Spelling is different in different countries. Your keywords may not be my key words. I'm Canadian so I spell odour rather than the U.S. odor and neighbour rather than the U.S. neighbor.2 points

Where topic allows (most) - use HUMOR!!!

People like to laugh, or at least chuckle, or at least smile. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine! Why not? Everyone seems to be LOL all the time anyway!!!!1 point

Participate

The more you participate on Squidoo the higher rank your lens will receive. This includes everything from updating your own pages to voting and sharing feedback for others. Everything helps a little bit.1 point

Comment on others Squidoo Pages

You always like it when someone takes the time to comment on your page, so comment on others! Share the love.1 point

Pertinent pictures

Make sure your images are relevant to the lens topic1 point

Our hearts are our best niches!

After struggling for content and niches and topics like something I must get from somewhere "outside" of my head, I've found out that the results of my effort were far from what I've expected. Then I've simply decided to give myself a break and write from my heart. And guess what! It all somehow became easier! Now my head is full of ideas and topics I'm gonna write about and it won't be just a hard work anymore, but a huge joy too. Results? You'll see:-)1 point

Add lots of tags

Add tags (search words) to your lens that are on on your subject. You will find them in the search section of Squidoo. Make sure when you test them that your lens is on the first page of the search.1 point

Do something your interested in, and do it alot!

Sounds silly,but if you do a lense or site on a topic you are really interested in, you will find it easy to create alot of compelling and intresting content, which in turn will get linked to because it's good... hey presto, a busy lense/site. Inertia Reel1 point

Contribute, contribute, contribute!

By adding contributions that are not self promoting you will build up a degree of confidence. If all you do all of the time is promote your own lenses or write complete drivel, people just will not take you seriously. After you have gained confidence and proven to people that you are willing to make good contributions to discussions, you can slip in a bit of self promotion. People like to see things that are helpful and so if that is what you provide. people will appreciate your work and share i...1 point

Update Early Update Often

Make new friends by grabbing content and linking to it. It's an easy way to build links for fellow webmasters and get noticed when you update.0 points

Think of your lens as a valuable resource

Include the what, when, where, why, where and how about your subject. Define words. Provide resources. Include everything relevant to the subject your are making a lense about so that when a reader comes across it the lens serves as a valuable resource of educational information.0 points

Continue to tweet your lens

if you keep in contact with your twitter account it will boost your ratings0 points

Capture Your Inspiration Immediately

When an idea hits you that you can share through a lens, write it down, email it to yourself, put it in a sticky, or whatever you have to do to remember that fleeting inspiration.0 points

Enrich and Empower Others

When you have dug, researched, and spent much energy in finding an answer to a problem for yourself, share your results with others. That latest breakthrough in cancer research, the online school that allows you to use career/life experience toward your degree, the mega deal you found on a quality laptop.... Sharing your knowledge is a rewarding way to help other people.0 points

Share your proffesional secrets

what's your occupation? you should know some interesting things, secrets or tip... why don't you share it with others!0 points

Add Lots of Great Photos and Images

Use the informative lens put together my master Squidders to find out where the free ones are, then use their techniques to place the in various modules -- not just the ones that have an upload button.0 points

White Space

Allow for some extra white space on your pages.0 points

Write high quality and extremely useful content

If your content is good enough you should be able to add a few links on your own and begin acquiring new links from others readers, lenses, blogs, websites, etc....The more links you get....the more traffic your lens will get.0 points

http://www.squidoo.com/closertosane

DIAMONDS ON FIRE is sourcing Diamonds from the manufacturers and sight holders. This facilitates DIAMONDS ON FIRE to get more competitive and cost effective polish diamonds. Highly skilled and experienced as sorters grade the Polish Diamonds into various lots as per their Cut, Color, Clarity and Sizes.0 points

http://diamondsonfire.com/

DIAMONDS ON FIRE is sourcing Diamonds from the manufacturers and sight holders. This facilitates DIAMONDS ON FIRE to get more competitive and cost effective polish diamonds. Highly skilled and experienced as sorters grade the Polish Diamonds into various lots as per their Cut, Color, Clarity and Sizes.0 points

Certified Diamonds

Diamonds on fire inc is one of the best
GIA diamonds, GIA certified diamonds, solitaire Diamonds, Emerald Cut Diamonds, Princess Cut Diamonds, engagement ring diamonds seller.0 points

created by MeganCasey

by

seedplanter

Author, nature photographer, & product reviewer. Happily married 37 years to my college sweetheart.
I write books, greeting cards, articles, stories, and...
more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!