My Squidversary

Say it Loud and Say it Proud!
If you are a Squidoo Lensmaster, you have a lot to be proud of!

I was not invited to Squidoo as many others have been. I just showed up like an ant to a picnic. When I found Squidoo, like many people, I was searching through free sites to create pages where I could advertise my affiliate links. July 18, 2008 I happened on Squidoo and I finally found my home in cyberspace. Though I hold title to many websites, this is where I can be me and have fun!

I admit, my first lenses were trial runs. I had not one clue what a lens really was and jumped in with both feet. One of those lenses is consistently in my top 3. The other is consistently at the bottom of my list. I keep it to learn what NOT to do.

I am one of the shyest people you will ever meet so, when I found SquidU quite by accident, I was in Squid heaven. I am still, one year later, bracing myself for my first post there. SquidU is a forum to get your questions answered. Because of the vast array of intelligent squids there, you may find your question is answered before you ask it.

THIS IS KEY***When someone visits your lens and leaves a comment, return the favor. This will get you more visits in the future and start a possible friendship between you and that Lensmaster. If you never visit your reader's lenses, they will not come back. It's that simple.

Engage your reader. Even if you are trying to sell something, people want to be treated as people and not a potential sale.

Be kind to new Lensmasters and Fresh Squid. You were one too at one time. A kindness is rarely forgotten. I am still friends with the first two people to comment on my lenses and will go to great lengths to help them in any way possible.

Make friends along the way. This is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a Squid. You will not believe who will come to your rescue (and bring all their friends with them!) when you need help and all you will have to do is ask. Be helpful to other lensmasters. I cannot begin tell you how much you will get in return for this. You may find a lifelong friend in the process, maybe more. I should know, I did it.

Make Quality lenses. Write about something that inspires people. Even if you are trying to inspire them to buy something, make them feel good that they are doing so from your lens.

Pick a charity or two to donate part of your Squidoo Royalties to, even if it's only 5%. It shows on your Lensmaster bio and some people are more apt to look at lenses that donate a portion of their lens royalties to charity. Make a lens about it to explain WHY you donate to them and link it to your lenses. If you choose not to, it is certainly up to you.