(by 2 people)
What do you think about when building a lens?
So you have decided to create a Squidoo lens. Or perhaps you already have a lens or two but are not quite sure what to do with them now?
The most important thing to consider when you build a lens is your target.
Who is your target audience and what do you want that audience to receive from your lens?
All too often lenses that struggle finding a niche or traffic are those that lack a focus. Sure there is a clear "topic" but good lens builders know that you must also select the right approach to the topic and keep your audience in mind as you build so you can serve their needs.
When building a lens...
1. Have a specific purpose in mind
2. Choose a focus (narrow or broad) for your topic
3. Keep your target audience in mind
4. Match your tone to your audience and focus
"Walk a mile in your ideal visitor's shoes to help you see your lens more clearly."
Are you walking yet?
What do they need to know about your topic?
What do they want to know about your topic?
What should they take away from a visit to your lens?
Does your lens deliver the answer to these questions? What can you do to make it so?
Audience is key!
If you stay focused on your audience...and their needs...then you are well on your way to Squidoo Success!
Do you know?
If you don't know what your visitor will get out of a visit to your lens then it is just as likely they won't know either -- and they'll leave faster than you can say 1-2-3-Squidoo!
What is Squidoo?
Squidoo is a website designed to make it easy for anyone, for free, to set up a single page on a topic he or she knows or cares a lot about. Advertising revenue is shared with these content creators, and some of it is given to charity. Squidoo was launched in October 2005 by Squidoo.com, LLC based in Irvington, New York; the site came out of beta testing in March 2006.
Squidoo is a network of user-generated lenses?single pages that highlight one person's point of view, recommendations, or expertise. Lenses can be about anything, such as ideas, people or places, hobbies and sports, pets or products, philosophy, and politics. Lenses aren't primarily intended to hold content; more emphasis is placed on recommending and advice then pointing to content on the web. Annotation and organization and personalization delivers context and meaning.
Users who create lenses are called lensmasters. A lensmaster uses the tools available online to provide links, feeds, abstracts, and lists to users who are trying to make sense of a topic. For example, a single lens could point to Flickr photos, Google maps, blogs, eBay auctions, YouTube videos, and other links. Lensmasters are encouraged to promote personal agendas, expertise, causes, products, and opinions.
Squidoo has a Top 100 list by topic, by rank, by group and for Giant lenses. There are about 22 different topics like Health & Medicine, Food & Cooking, Business and many more.
Squidoo splits its revenue with its "co-op" of lensmasters: 5% goes to charity, 50% goes to the lensmasters, and 45% goes to Squidoo. Nearly half of lensmasters donate their royalties to any of 65 featured charities, ranging from NPR and the American Heart Association to smaller organizations like Chimp Haven and Planet Gumbo.
Squidoo was founded by Seth Godin. On Godin's founding team was his book editor Megan Casey, former Fast Company employee Heath Row, Corey Brown, and Gil Hildebrand, Jr.
Rwoman's Squidoo Advice
-
Squidoo Pledge
-
2008 has been a momentous year for me on Squidoo. I celebrated my first anniversary on March 11. I became a Giant Squid on May 2. I came to terms with my Squidoo Addiction!
-
Rwoman Squidoo Stats
-
An overview of my Squidoo dashboard stats to help me see the big picture as well as my progress in the long term. I have included my paydays but keep in mind though that the pay is for the 2 months previous so the March payday was for January and so...
-
Why I Squidoo And You Should Too
-
This lens shares the reasons why I Squidoo (and why other people do too), why we think you should Squidoo too, just what Squidoo is and how to get started...
-
Great Groups
-
A Squidoo Group can be anything from a random collection of lenses to a tightly-focused unit. I would argue that a great group can be either of these things and many fall somewhere in between.
-
Squidooholic
-
So that makes me a squidooholic. Check your vital signs below to see if you might be a squidooholic too! When did I first know? * Perhaps it was the day I had to create a lensography to keep track of my lensographies. * Perhaps it was the day I cr...
How To Get Started
-
Do Squidoo: A much requested guide to creating a successful Squidoo lens
-
Are you seeking information on how to use Squidoo effectively? Excellent, because this lens is made just for you! Find the answers to: - How do I do ...? - Why won't ... work? - How can I ...? - Why do you ...? - Where is the ...? Finally d...
-
What Can You Do With Squidoo?
-
Congratulations! You are the newest member of Squidoo. You have edited your profile, uploaded your picture and now you are faced with the task of creating your first lens. Or maybe you've already made a couple of lenses and now you can't think of any...
-
Newbie Guide to Squidoo Lensmaking
-
I know, I know, there are already tons of How-to-Squidoo Squidoo lenses out there and I'm going to tell you right up front, mine isn't the best. My How to Squidoo lens isn't even the brightest. I've only been squidooing for a few short mo...
-
How to Make Your First (or Second) Squidoo Lens
-
Step-by-step, here's how to get started, answers to clear up some confusion, and all the basics to help you be a GREAT lensmaster right off the bat! There are FAQs, instructions, tips and techniques, common mistakes, some strategies and some technic...
-
I'm a Lensmaster! What now?
-
This lens deals with the ins and outs and tricks and tips that will help you make your next (or first) Squidoo Lens. Other information you should read (if you haven't already)... All About Squidoo: What others have had to say about Squidoo, and it...
More Squidoo Advice
- SquidU | Where lensmasters know best!
- Helpful how to's for publishing lenses, moderating groups, supporting charities, and promoting it all.
- Squidoo : Feedback
- For bugs and feedback
- SquidooCool.com - The blog to be an expert lensmaster!
- The blog to be an expert lensmaster!
- SquidUtils - Utilities and Tools for Squidoo Lensmasters
- SquidUtils has complementry utilities and tools for Squidoo Lensmasters. Tools include: the advanced dashboard, lensmaster feeds, plus Amazon links and feeds.
- Captain Squid
- Free Squidoo Tips and Tricks from the best Squidoo Blog around... and Pirates
- Squidoography
- Tips and tricks, my lens updates, interesting news, payouts, and everything else Squidoo related.
- Squidoo : Buttons & Banners
- What to do with a badge or banner? Post one to your blog. To your Web site. To an HTML email newsletter. Link people to your lens, to other lenses on your topic, to Squidoo, to your profile... Show off your hard work. You're a star.
More advice...
SQUIDOO BASICS - HOW TO MARKET AND PROMOTE YOUR SITES USING SQUIDOO.COM
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/16/2008)
Do you have any questions about lens building?
|
tdove
Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory! Posted June 05, 2008 |
