But there's no time!
Being a great lensmaster is way easier than it looks, unlike riding a unicycle or juggling badgers, or juggling unicycling badgers while unicycling on a juggling badger.
Um, don't worry about the comparison. Just take my word for it.
The trick is to make it a gradual process. I'll show you how (gradually). You can favorite this lens to get squidcasts about my additions to the content.
1. Focus focus focus!
(Not your brain, stupid)
Well, okay, focus your brain.But more importantly, focus your lens. Don't, say, write a lens about all the fine mammals in the animal kingdom (unless you plan to just hit the high points).
Instead, write one about just one mammal. And the next day, make another lens about another mammal.
Later, on your Mammals of the World lens, you can link to all your various mammalian lenses.
2. Leave room for improvement
Don't do it all at once.
A great lens is one that has been developed for days, or even weeks. It can't happen all in one day (unless you have a whole day and you're bored).Rome wasn't built in a day-- so don't build a lens about Rome in a day and expect it to conquer the known world (or give us anything as great as caesar salad).
Instead, build in just the basics, and realize that quality lenses develop over time.
3. Design your lens for interaction
First, get the ball rolling with some excellent links, insights, and media. Then engage your reader by asking for feedback. Everyone's got an opinion, many of your readers will have excellent ideas, and Squidoo makes room for them both.
What are some ways you've found of easily making great lenses?
Linkouts
Instead of writing all the text myself, I'll just include links to someone who's said it better. It tends to make my lenses a great jumping-off point to find great content on a given subject.2 points
All-out Brawls
I added a Duel module to one of my lenses and started a fight. People keep coming back just to draw more blood. It's almost too much (but then, who doesn't love a good fight).1 point
4. Avoid walls of text
They're time consuming, and boring to read.
Ever read a 4,000-word essay for fun?
Me too. Pretty often, in fact.
Of course, only in books. But people don't use the internet for that-- they're online for something quick, interactive, and compelling.
Like pictures, which make a great addition to many lenses. Just make sure they're relevant, unlike these randomly chosen pictures tagged "random":
Hruske with thick ju...
LAsFINEST
HOLLYWOOD
GLIMPS..
METRO
PLAY
shelves, shelves, sh...
another rainy evenin...
5. Give a little Link Lovin'
And it might come back to you
Instead of drowning your readers in text, use a few (carefully chosen, relevant) links to show them around the web. Talking about a new movie? Link to IMDB. Explaining how to knit? Link to supplies or books.
Or find several related lenses and give them a shout-out:
How to Update a Lens in Five Minutes or Less!
So you've created the most magnificent lens. What more...0 points
Lensmaster Tools and Utilities
SQUIDUtils.com Utilities and Tools for the Expert more...0 points
Squidoo for Dummies -- A How-To Squidoo with Tips from Giant Squids, Squid Angels and Squidoo Lensmasters!
Well, you've come to the right place! Squidoo now more...0 points
6 ways to improve your lens, right now!
You've already done the hard part. You've had a bi more...0 points
Submit URL: Getting your Squidoo Lens noticed.
On this lens, you'll find some links to places you more...0 points
Juggling Balls
Juggling is a very attractive recreation, which is more...0 points
6. Keep a SquiDiary
I'd call it a Squid-Do list, but that's just confusing.
Use a Google Notebook, keep a text file handy on your desktop, or just make a lens about lenses you're going to make (first item: lens about lenses you're going to make).Then, whenever you browse across something that inspires you, add it to your list.
Once there are a few items on it, you'll be surprised at how often you see new content to add to your lenses. By the time you get back to your dashboard, you won't have to hesitate for a second-- just pull out your list and in a few minutes, you'll be launching yet another lens.
7. More tomorrow!
Go start a lens, then come back and tell me about it on the guestbook. And don't forget to keep updating from time to time-- a great lens is a current lens.
What's Your Newest Lens?
Don't forget the link!
Did it take long?
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LaMone18
Great idea. I'll try it. Posted August 26, 2008 |
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realtychic
My newest lens is "A step back in time with county fairs" I probably worked on it for an hour when I first sat down, then I've updated 3-4 times in the past week. Still definitely a work in progress. I'd love some input from some expert squids. Posted July 16, 2008 |
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clouda9
Great and to the point! So many of us, including moi', think it should be 'perfect' coming out of the gate! Thanks for sharing your ideas. Posted July 14, 2008 |
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ebay-grandma
Good reminder - start lens when the idea is fresh and then complete and publish when you can flesh it out a bit. Posted July 14, 2008 |
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LindaJM
Thanks for the reminder that we can start a lens with less than "everything". I have several that are close to publication now if I can just let go and remember that I'll be adding more later. Posted June 23, 2008 |
