Squidoo Modules for Interacting

The Group Discussion module is a great method for interacting with your visitors. But it's extra-useful because it gets groups of visitors interacting with one another as well.

So, add the module to your page. You can check out my Squidoo Writing Modules lens to learn how to do this if you're not sure.

Then click the orange "edit" button to enter your editor.

In your editor, you can write a title, a subtitle (optional) and a description (optional). I use the description box to write an introduction to my topic of discussion. I usually ask a question for people to discuss, but you can simply state a topic. I have also learned that it's useful to state something like, "This is not the Guestbook. If you'd like to sign my Guestbook, please scroll down to the bottom of the page." Otherwise, people will often assume that your Group Discussion module is, in fact, your Guestbook and they'll leave comments there that should be in the Guestbook.

Once you've completed this portion of things, you can choose who you want commenting (logged in Squidoo members or anyone), when blurbs are posted (right away or after you approve them), if you want to receive an email to notify you of blurbs, how many blurbs to show on a page, whether or not you want the photos of the commenters displayed and whether or not to strip out the HTML from blurbs.

When you're done setting things up, be sure to save it.

You can see a Group Discussion below. Please participate!

Photo from iStockphoto (I purchased a license).

The Duel module is so much fun! Get your readers debating a subject! Let them "fight it out" and see which perspective wins!

So, add the module to your page. You can check out my Squidoo Writing Modules lens to learn how to do this if you're not sure.

Then click the orange "edit" button to enter your editor.

In your editor, you can write a title, a subtitle (optional) and a description (optional).

Then you'll see three tabs:

1. Options:

This tab will let you do all you need to do in order to get your Duel up and running.

Type in the question you want to ask as the basis of the fight . . . I mean, debate.

Choose the two options that your visitors can "fight" over.

Then choose the settings - - who can comment, when the blurbs are posted, whether or not you receive a notification email, how many blurbs you want displayed per page, whether or not commenter's photos are shown, and whether or not you want HTML taken out of the blurbs.

2. Pending Blurbs:

You can see any blurbs awaiting your approval.

3. Current Blurbs:

You can see your current blurbs.

Click "save" when you're done.

You can see a Duel below and be sure to get involved in the debate!

Poll your readers to learn what they think about certain things!

Add the module to your page. You can check out my Squidoo Writing Modules lens to learn how to do this if you're not sure.

Then click the orange "edit" button to enter your editor.

In your editor, you can write a title, a subtitle (optional) and a description (optional).

Create your poll question.

Insert a selection. Click the "Add Another" button to add more responses.

Click "save" when you're done.

You can see a Poll module below. Let me know what you think!

Picture Credit: FunnyBiz on Flickr (Creative Commons).

Make a prediction related to your lens topic. And let your readers contribute their own predictions!

Add the module to your page. You can check out my Squidoo Writing Modules lens to learn how to do this if you're not sure.

Then click the orange "edit" button to enter your editor.

In your editor, you can write a title, a subtitle (optional) and a description (optional).

You can type in your own prediction.

The rest is then pretty much the same as the Group Discussion module in terms of setting it up.

You can choose who you want commenting (logged in Squidoo members or anyone), when blurbs are posted (right away or after you approve them), if you want to receive an email to notify you of blurbs, how many blurbs to show on a page, whether or not you want the photos of the commenters displayed and whether or not to strip out the HTML from blurbs.

When you're done setting things up, be sure to save it.

You can see a Prediction module below. Let me know your predictions!

Photo from iStockphoto (I purchased a license).

Quizzes are fun. Especially if your readers learn something about themselves from it. If you can create a quiz like that, it'll be great on your lens. I'm usually pretty linear and organized in my thinking, so it's easier for me to think up questions that are simply factual. Regardless, quizzes are a fun way to interact with your visitors.

Add the module to your page. You can check out my Squidoo Writing Modules lens to learn how to do this if you're not sure.

Then click the orange "edit" button to enter your editor.

In your editor, you can write a title, a subtitle (optional) and a description (optional).

Then create your questions. Click "Add." Type a question. Type the possible answers. Select which one is the correct response. Click "Add" to create more. Click "Done Adding" when you're finished.

Remember to save.

Your quiz will then go live on your lens and your visitors will be able to cycle through the questions, one at a time.

You can see a Quiz module below.

Photo from iStockphoto (I purchased a license).

The Guestbook module is one that you should include on every lens. It's important to engage your readers this way and get their feedback.

Add the module to your page. You can check out my Squidoo Writing Modules lens to learn how to do this if you're not sure.

Then click the orange "edit" button to enter your editor.

The instructions are basically the same as for the Duel module:

In your editor, you can write a title, a subtitle (optional) and a description (optional). I usually add something to the description box to let people know what to do here, or to ask a specific question.

You'll see three tabs:

1. Options:

Choose the settings - - who can comment, when the blurbs are posted, whether or not you receive a notification email, how many blurbs you want displayed per page, whether or not commenter's photos are shown, and whether or not you want HTML taken out of the blurbs.

2. Pending Blurbs:

You can see any blurbs awaiting your approval.

3. Current Blurbs:

You can see your current blurbs.

Click "save" when you're done.

You can see a Guestbook below. Please sign and let me know what you think of this lens.