OMG! She disappeared!
No, not really.
I started this blog a few months ago to launch a new level of involvement as a lensmaster with Squidoo.
Then a funny thing happened. They hired me!
So the blog kind of went kaput as I figured out what to do with it and how to learn all this awesome new Squidoo stuff.
But all is not lost. Just being re-vamped.
So don't disappear. I'll be right back!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
ACK! A bug!
Don't you hate when you're full force into a project and something goes wrong? I was just publishing my MAFD lens when everything went dark. Literally. ACK!
What's a lensmaster to do when Squidoo isn't working? Relax! You can still work on things in the background:
1. Update your Flickr photos.
Take this time to clean up your titles, descriptions, and notes on Flickr photos. Tell your story, like I have here: MAFD Portrait
2. Find great new links.
...and bookmark them with a special secret del.icio.us tag. That way when you want to update your link list, you don't have to redo the lens. Just add it to your special del.icio.us tag.
3. Type it up in Word or NotePad.
Clean up your copy and get it all ready to upload.
What's a lensmaster to do when Squidoo isn't working? Relax! You can still work on things in the background:
1. Update your Flickr photos.
Take this time to clean up your titles, descriptions, and notes on Flickr photos. Tell your story, like I have here: MAFD Portrait
2. Find great new links.
...and bookmark them with a special secret del.icio.us tag. That way when you want to update your link list, you don't have to redo the lens. Just add it to your special del.icio.us tag.
3. Type it up in Word or NotePad.
Clean up your copy and get it all ready to upload.
Monday, August 13, 2007
45 Lenses to Review
After a short break from this blog, due to an unexpected, last-minute, very welcome, awesome trip, I have come home to find 20 lensmasters are taking me up on my offer to review their lenses! I have 45 lenses to review and I'm excited. Some of these brave lensmasters might let me
Random tip of the day:
I just went through about 50 lenses that were created in the last few days (out of nearly 2000). Please! I hate seeing "new guestbook." It's sloppy. It confuses readers who aren't used to Squidoo lenses and those of us who are click our tongues at you. Even if all you do is remove "new," it's ten times better. :D
Random tip of the day:
I just went through about 50 lenses that were created in the last few days (out of nearly 2000). Please! I hate seeing "new guestbook." It's sloppy. It confuses readers who aren't used to Squidoo lenses and those of us who are click our tongues at you. Even if all you do is remove "new," it's ten times better. :D
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Personalized Lens Biographies
For a long time I used the same biography for each of my lenses. It included links to my "about me" lens and a few other relevant lenses, but not much else. This month, I've decided to write a personalized biography for each and every lens.
Updating your lenses over the course of a month is an easy way to make a single (or two or three, more than that can get overwhelming) change to each lens. The new dashboard makes it easy to put your lenses in order by when they were last updated. To view lenses that haven't been updated in a while, simply click on "edited" at the top of your dashboard grid.
Republishing your lenses regularly keeps them fresh, and they should all be checked monthly to see if new content should be added. When you're planning major updates to each lens, using a monthly system is a great way to keep from getting overwhelmed and bored - especially when you have several dozen - or hundred - lenses.
Throughout the course of the month, visit 3-5 lenses each day to make your updates. By starting with the lenses that haven't been updated in a while, you'll keep your lenses in a natural rotation for updates, so none should be more than a few days old at any given time.
Updating your lenses over the course of a month is an easy way to make a single (or two or three, more than that can get overwhelming) change to each lens. The new dashboard makes it easy to put your lenses in order by when they were last updated. To view lenses that haven't been updated in a while, simply click on "edited" at the top of your dashboard grid.
Republishing your lenses regularly keeps them fresh, and they should all be checked monthly to see if new content should be added. When you're planning major updates to each lens, using a monthly system is a great way to keep from getting overwhelmed and bored - especially when you have several dozen - or hundred - lenses.
Throughout the course of the month, visit 3-5 lenses each day to make your updates. By starting with the lenses that haven't been updated in a while, you'll keep your lenses in a natural rotation for updates, so none should be more than a few days old at any given time.
Friday, August 3, 2007
FREE Chance at THREE Lens Reviews
Each day I get dozens of requests for personal reviews. Since I don't have a lot of time, most of them are sent off quick with a link to the forums. It's not that I don't want to help, I just don't have time. Plus, getting reviews from ten sets of eyeballs at the forums really is more helpful than just my one set.
But to celebrate my new blog, you asked for it, so you'll get it!
Through Sunday, August 12th, I'll take up to THREE lens links from any interested lensmaster, to be reviewed the last two weeks of August. You'll get a few quick notes based on my first impression that are written as actionable items, so you can make changes right away and create better lenses. The notes are private, but if you're happy, I'd love to have you post a comment on the official lens with your links and thoughts.
Here are the rules for applying:
1. You MUST have the "contact me" option turned on. Visit your dashboard, click on your My Profile tab, and under Email Preferences turn allow contact on. Any lenses not allowing contact will be automatically discarded. After all...that's how you'll get your review!
2. Select up to three lenses that you think need some work, or that you're not sure about. Post them in the guestbook here to enter. Just submit your links once. They won't show up after you post them.
3. Anyone can enter, newbie or veteran. If there is something specific you want comments on, let me know. Otherwise it will be an all around first impression review.
How can you get the most out of this review?
Since this is just a quick review, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. These are the top five things I immediately notice in a lens. They apply to everyone and are easy to change. They create the cornerstone of a solid lens; any lens, simple or complex, will look lousy without them. So start here, then feel free to experiment.
Top five deficiencies (and pet peeves!):
1. Module titles haven't been changed.
New Amazon Module, New Guestbook, and New Links List are dead giveaways of a newbie, or someone who just hasn't put the effort into changing it. Titles need to be relevant and descriptive. Great Stuff on Amazon doesn't cut it.
2. Irrelevant moneymakers
A LOT of lenses have four or five related modules, and then a random moneymaker at the bottom that has nothing to do with the rest of the lens. Get rid of it. This disappoints readers.
3. Awful intro
Your intro should have, at the very least, two or three sentences describing your lens. I also highly recommend an image. There are many places to find free ones, or take your own. We'll even host it for you.
4. You've joined every group in existence
While participating in groups can generate traffic and boost Lensrank, it only works if your lens truly belongs there. Credibility is big with lensmasters on Squidoo. Staying in their good graces is beneficial to you, and creates a clean global Squidoo community.
5. A mountain of tags
Having a lot of tags can get you a lot of visitors, but if they tags are irrelevant, your credibility quickly spirals. Use relevant tags that are carefully researched. See #4.
By making sure your lens is clean of these five issues, you'll reduce the chances of ending up with this very same list as your review. Trust me, I don't want to have to tell everyone to clean up these little things. I want to help them do new and creative things. So do us both a favor. ;)
Ready to get started?
But to celebrate my new blog, you asked for it, so you'll get it!
Through Sunday, August 12th, I'll take up to THREE lens links from any interested lensmaster, to be reviewed the last two weeks of August. You'll get a few quick notes based on my first impression that are written as actionable items, so you can make changes right away and create better lenses. The notes are private, but if you're happy, I'd love to have you post a comment on the official lens with your links and thoughts.
Here are the rules for applying:
1. You MUST have the "contact me" option turned on. Visit your dashboard, click on your My Profile tab, and under Email Preferences turn allow contact on. Any lenses not allowing contact will be automatically discarded. After all...that's how you'll get your review!
2. Select up to three lenses that you think need some work, or that you're not sure about. Post them in the guestbook here to enter. Just submit your links once. They won't show up after you post them.
3. Anyone can enter, newbie or veteran. If there is something specific you want comments on, let me know. Otherwise it will be an all around first impression review.
How can you get the most out of this review?
Since this is just a quick review, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. These are the top five things I immediately notice in a lens. They apply to everyone and are easy to change. They create the cornerstone of a solid lens; any lens, simple or complex, will look lousy without them. So start here, then feel free to experiment.
Top five deficiencies (and pet peeves!):
1. Module titles haven't been changed.
New Amazon Module, New Guestbook, and New Links List are dead giveaways of a newbie, or someone who just hasn't put the effort into changing it. Titles need to be relevant and descriptive. Great Stuff on Amazon doesn't cut it.
2. Irrelevant moneymakers
A LOT of lenses have four or five related modules, and then a random moneymaker at the bottom that has nothing to do with the rest of the lens. Get rid of it. This disappoints readers.
3. Awful intro
Your intro should have, at the very least, two or three sentences describing your lens. I also highly recommend an image. There are many places to find free ones, or take your own. We'll even host it for you.
4. You've joined every group in existence
While participating in groups can generate traffic and boost Lensrank, it only works if your lens truly belongs there. Credibility is big with lensmasters on Squidoo. Staying in their good graces is beneficial to you, and creates a clean global Squidoo community.
5. A mountain of tags
Having a lot of tags can get you a lot of visitors, but if they tags are irrelevant, your credibility quickly spirals. Use relevant tags that are carefully researched. See #4.
By making sure your lens is clean of these five issues, you'll reduce the chances of ending up with this very same list as your review. Trust me, I don't want to have to tell everyone to clean up these little things. I want to help them do new and creative things. So do us both a favor. ;)
Ready to get started?
You lucky lensmaster you
Welcome to the brand spankin' new How do YOU Squidoo? blog! Here you'll find exciting information about becoming a superstar on Squidoo.
Stay tuned: in honor of the "grand opening," I'm doing a special FREE lens review.
Stay tuned: in honor of the "grand opening," I'm doing a special FREE lens review.
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