Build Your Very Own One-Stop Fursona Resource!
This is great. Now how are you going to tell me and the rest of the world about them?
- You could write stories.
- You could start a webcomic.
- You could roleplay your new character.
Well... Say hello to Squidoo! If you're not familar with Squidoo, it's a place where you (yes, you) can write about lots of great things (including your fursona, but why stop there?) that can bring you extra attention, authority, and even cash. But there's no reason to worry about all that right now.
You have a fursona, and your fursona needs a lens! Let's show you how!
Already Crafted a Character?
This lens isn't going to tell you how to build your fursona -- I'm going to assume you've already visited my lens on How To Make Your Fursona in the first place. (And even if you haven't, it's still worth a look, mmki?)
Actually, this article is really a glorified showcase into all the nifty modules available on Squidoo and how you can use them specifically for promoting your character(s). Why?- You'll be more inspired if I show you what all these things can do rather than just using them in this article.
- Your fursona may involve LOTS of different aspects of your online life, and I don't want to limit you to only seeing a few examples, or treating Squidoo like it was just a glorified online Character Reference Sheet (although you can certainly HAVE one as part of your lens...)
- Lots of segments of Squidoo are designed to be automated by you, so you can actually update your pages CONSTANTLY without having to come back into Squidoo all that often! And it's not just stuff you do that can update it, but also judicious use of some of the more interactive modules like Polls, Duels, and Plexos that your fans and readers can add their input to. In short: your lens can take on a life of its own with only some initial effort on your part!
The one you're reading now is actually called the Text/Write Module. It has a lot of details that I've added to it for this article, but it basically functions as a general spot for ranting and putting in bits and pieces of HTML, like images, bolding, or little attention boxes (like this one!) Use it for when you just have stuff to say and you're not adding any special functionality to a section. Almost all modules have a section similar to this, but this is just that section by itself (and you can say a lot more in it, too!)
Spice Up Your Lens with a Poll!
When it comes to getting your readers thinking right away, some early interactivity is key! A Poll Module is a simple way to get some light interaction in by asking your readers a quick question you're pretty sure they'll be able to answer.
You can ask them why they're interested in you, or where they know you from, or even if they think your character is cute!
Squidoo Tip:If you just want to make it a really quick question, you can use the title of the lens as your question and leave the real poll question blank. It still works and it looks great!)
And Don't Forget the More Specialized Lenses!
A nice, big, bold BLACKBOX module is just the thing to break up lots of text or make a quick statement that you think is important!
Use Flickr For a Cascade of Photos!
Draw much art of your characters? Or maybe you get lots of gift art and commissions?
This module works with Flickr Photos to allow you to show it off! You can show off just a few pictures, or set it to a dynamic mode and the pictures will change as often as new ones are uploaded! It's a great way to keep your page fresh!
Check out these pictures on fursuits for an example! It's dynamic, too; come back tomorrow, and you'll see new images!
Want People to Vote for Their Favorites instead? Look for the Flickr Plexo module instead -- you won't be able to keep it constantly updated like this one, but it looks just as great!
Arex Husky would lik...
A fursuiter
Fursuit heads
Whitefeet gets ready...
Fursuiters posing
Fursuiters posing
Fursuiters posing
Fursuit heads
Fursuiters posing
Omnibahumut fails
Moon Mochi bowls
Keapano bowls
Include Slideshows on Squidoo!
Have a set of photos on Squidoo from the latest con or your recent work? Include it as a Slideshow and show off!
Pit Your Readers Against Each Other!
Want to get people's blood boiling? How about some friendly competition?
A great staple of Squidoo, the Duel Module is a great way to get people riled up over a question that can really only go one way or the other -- your readers can sound off against each other, and it not only gives you great feedback, it encourages readers to keep coming back to see how their side of the argument is doing!
Want more Feedback? Random readers may not always be Squidoo members -- but they're also more likely to respond to Duels than Guestbooks! If you're desperate for an opinion, a Duel is often more inviting because it gives people more fuel to respond to!
The question is, Do you Want Them to Argue on YOUR Special Lens?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand bySure! Duel Modules are Great for Feedback!
Envy says:
Ah, I don't really care.
Posted March 22, 2009
A random spaz says:
Sure why not? It can be entertaining, I guess, if you have alot of people!
Posted October 01, 2008
I'd rather not have a module where people can disagree with me...
Have Something SUPER Important to Say?
This one's called the Most Important Thing module!
It's big, it's loud, and it's sure to get your reader's attention! Use it to make them do something or go someplace important to you!
Hey... Do you Have an RSS Feed?
If you keep up a special character journal, a blog, or anything that has an RSS feed, you're in luck!
Squidoo has an Add Your Own RSS Feed module that you can plug right in so that whenever you update your RSS feed, it also updates IN THIS LENS TOO! It's an AWESOME way to keep potential readers always seeing your newest, best material, and from there you can lead people to go where they can find more!
Let's see it in action! Right now it's pulling in the latest page of my cyberpunk webcomic, Last Resort, but it's more than enough to show you how useful it can be!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
Show Off Special Images Like Reference Sheets with the POLAROID Module!
Maybe You Just Want to Show Them Your Twitter Feed instead?
Once again, I'm using my own Twitter feed as an example, but it's just as easy to imagine yours too! Or you can even direct it to a friend's Twitter feed!
Jigsaw's Tweets!
- lastres0rt
- aka Rachel Keslensky
- 423 followers
- 236 following
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- Made it to the campus library... sssh ;)
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- Psst! Want a shot at a free commission? Take this survey on your favorite character(s)! http://short.to/j8hh (RT please!)
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- New Last Res0rt! At this time, we would like to remind you this may be awkward: http://is.gd/1vgri (Love it? Retweet please!)
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- @fesworks This includes the Webcomic Beacon?
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- @faris What do pirates grow in their vegetable gardens at sea? Arrrrrugula.
Want to Post Just a Tiny Reminder?
A StickyNote Module is perfect for little reminders, URLS, and other things that you don't want dominating the page but still find important enough to mention!
Or Maybe Some YouTube Videos of Yours?
This one can be just as dynamic as the Flickr module -- let's see what furry video the module picked today!
"Text Bubble Modules are great for quotes, quick jokes, or blurbs that deserve lots of attention!"
Want to Sell / Buy Stuff?
Ready to Direct People Elsewhere?
You've led your readers this far, so let's give them someplace else to go that you like, especially if its another Squidoo lens of yours!The Featured Lenses Module is my favorite way to do this!
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How to Create Your Own Fursona for the Furry Fandom!
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Welcome to the Furry Fandom! You've already done the hard part -- you've decided that you enjoy cartoon characters as much as the rest of us. Maybe you're even willing to draw, write, or whatever creative fun you do best with rest of us while having...
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How to Get the Most Out of Furry Conventions!
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They're unlike any other sort of convention, because unlike Comic or Anime conventions where everyone's chasing after only a few stars, at a Furry convention, you can be a minor celebrity all unto yourself! Be careful, though... this also means you...
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Last Resort: The Deadliest Webcomic Ever
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The 41st Century has lots of things; the key to happiness isn't one of them. Sure, we've got awesome technology, faster-than-light travel, floating robot assistants, and even more types of food on a stick than you'd know what to do with, but after a...
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Your Furry Convention Guide to AnthroCon 2009
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Welcome to Anthrocon! We're glad you're thinking about coming here and seeing all the furries you know and love on the internet in one great place! Anthrocon is the largest of the furry conventions, and there's plenty here for all ages! Check out al...
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The Best Furry Comics Ever!
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They're webcomics featuring cartoon animals, animal-like characters, anthropomorphics... whatever you call 'em, we got 'em! If you're a fan of the furry fandom, you can't go wrong reading these! It's just the tip of the iceberg, but we've got summar...
Don't Forget the Guestbook!
Right at the end, a Guestbook is a great way to get a little more interaction out of your readers, and it makes you feel great!
If you've liked my demonstration of how you can use all these modules for your own furry lens, say something here!
melissa wrote
you've inspired me to make one
Posted June 22, 2009
There's More Lenses I Haven't Covered!
You can sell other things on Squidoo like your CafePress Shirts, or recommend books and video games on Amazon...
But I've not covered these lenses for you. If you want to sell things on your lens, more power to you, but you can try to figure it out from here!
Good Luck!
