The guestbook module is a fundamental part of most Squidoo lenses. Offering your visitors a place to leave their thoughts and even ask questions is important and that particular module is the simplest way to allow readers an opportunity to do those things.
Most lensmasters place their guestbook towards the bottom of the page, which is a sensible approach since usually the question asked in the module is along the lines of, "What did you think of my lens?" While that isn't necessarily a clever title, it's pretty clear (at least to other lensmasters) and gets results.
But what comes after the guestbook? When you make a lens, do you follow the guestbook with more content? A sales module of some sort? Or maybe your bio with a link to your other lenses? For the most part I add an "About Me" module and then a link back to the top of the page after the guestbook on my lenses. Some lensmasters add a lot more.
It used to be that after submitting a comment, the lens page would "jump" to below the guestbook which served as a reminder (at least to me) to keep scrolling. But the guestbook works differently now and that "jump" doesn't happen anymore, so now it's up to me to remember to scroll on down to see what's there. I'm sorry to say that sometimes I simply forget and, instead, do a quick Ctrl+home to get back to the top of the page to leave a thumbs up or bookmark the page. (Never mind that you can do those things now at the bottom of the lens; old habits die hard and I've been a lensmaster for a long time in squid years.) So, sometimes I simply forget to look below the guestbook and I'm sure that sometimes I miss some good content.
I'm trying to change my habits, but I'm curious what other people do - so I thought I'd ask. After you sign a lens's guestbook, do you scroll on down to look for more content? Do you rate the lens at the bottom or do you go back to the top of the page? When you make a lens, what do you include below the guestbook? If you have a minute, I'd love if you'd leave your answer in a comment below because inquiring minds want to know - do you read below the guestbook?
P.S. If you have no idea what I'm talking about in this post, it's easy to find out by visiting Squidoo, checking out a few lenses - and signing a few guestbooks!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Summer Sunshine - We Have a Winner!
Many thanks to those who nominated my "Summer Reading Fun: Great Books for Boys" lens for a Squidoo Summer Sunshine charity award, which the lens received this week! The charity "First Book" will be receiving an extra-special donation and I'm so pleased I had a small part in that.
It's not too late for you to make and enter a lens in the contest. Maybe you and your charity will win a cash award this summer, too. Jump on down to this post for more information.
It's not too late for you to make and enter a lens in the contest. Maybe you and your charity will win a cash award this summer, too. Jump on down to this post for more information.
P.S. Remember reading Encylopedia Brown books when you were a kid? It's one of our favorite series books for boys.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Big Change at ISDY
I've been wanting to give this blog a facelift for some time. Today I found new templates on blogger and, voilá, you're looking at the result. (The picture shows the old look.)
I think I like the new look.
Hope you do, too.
I think I like the new look.
Hope you do, too.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
How to Refer a Lensmaster and Earn a Bonus on Squidoo
My Squidoo dashboard was updated this week with a "You've earned a $5.00 bonus for referring a friend" message. That was nice!
Each of your Squidoo lenses comes equipped with a "Create Your Own Lens" link at the top of the page as well as a big, orange "Create a Lens" link in the right column. Both of those links are referral links that will associate a new lensmaster's account with your account. When the new lensmaster's total Squidoo payout reaches $15, you'll receive a note on your dashboard that you've earned a $5 referral bonus. That money will be added to your next Squidoo payout. And all you did was make a lens!
Another way to refer new lensmasters is by using the "Refer a friend (and earn a bonus!)" link in the left margin of your dashboard. Squidoo will email referral links to your friends or you can add the code provided there to any or all of your lenses. I sometimes place that code near the bottom of a lens since Squidoo provides the links at the top.
To find out if anyone has joined Squidoo through your referral link or one of your lenses, look under the "My stats" tab on your lensmaster dashboard. Scroll down a bit to "Lensmaster Referrals" and click on the arrow to expand that section. Lensmasters that you or your lenses have referred are listed by date, most recent at the top, so you can see not only how many have signed up but who they are as well.
In fact, it isn't a bad idea to check that list from time to time to see how the new lensmasters are doing. You'll find that some haven't made a lens yet, and many never will. But when you find someone who's making an effort, it couldn't hurt to visit their lenses and encourage them along the way. Note that only you are eligible for the $5 bonus. Formerly, the new lensmaster received a bonus as well, but that has been discontinued.
I likely won't get rich from Squidoo referral bonuses, but you won't hear me complaining about those periodic extra $5 payments, either!
Have you received referral bonuses from Squidoo? Tell us about it in a comment.
Each of your Squidoo lenses comes equipped with a "Create Your Own Lens" link at the top of the page as well as a big, orange "Create a Lens" link in the right column. Both of those links are referral links that will associate a new lensmaster's account with your account. When the new lensmaster's total Squidoo payout reaches $15, you'll receive a note on your dashboard that you've earned a $5 referral bonus. That money will be added to your next Squidoo payout. And all you did was make a lens!
Another way to refer new lensmasters is by using the "Refer a friend (and earn a bonus!)" link in the left margin of your dashboard. Squidoo will email referral links to your friends or you can add the code provided there to any or all of your lenses. I sometimes place that code near the bottom of a lens since Squidoo provides the links at the top.
To find out if anyone has joined Squidoo through your referral link or one of your lenses, look under the "My stats" tab on your lensmaster dashboard. Scroll down a bit to "Lensmaster Referrals" and click on the arrow to expand that section. Lensmasters that you or your lenses have referred are listed by date, most recent at the top, so you can see not only how many have signed up but who they are as well.
In fact, it isn't a bad idea to check that list from time to time to see how the new lensmasters are doing. You'll find that some haven't made a lens yet, and many never will. But when you find someone who's making an effort, it couldn't hurt to visit their lenses and encourage them along the way. Note that only you are eligible for the $5 bonus. Formerly, the new lensmaster received a bonus as well, but that has been discontinued.
I likely won't get rich from Squidoo referral bonuses, but you won't hear me complaining about those periodic extra $5 payments, either!
Have you received referral bonuses from Squidoo? Tell us about it in a comment.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Squidoo MeetUp Day
The first Worldwide Squidoo Meetup Day is Thursday, June 10, 2010. It's not too late to sign up!
If there isn't a meetup scheduled near you or you can't make it to an in-person event, how about attending a virtual meetup! The Squidoo chat room will be open for an online meetup Thursday evening, U.S. time. Check the Squidoo's Chat Schedule lens for details.
If you do make it to an official, or even unofficial meetup with other Squidoo lensmasters, take pictures! Make a lens! Post the link here in the comments so everyone can see!
But if not, let's make the online meetup the biggest ever. See you there!
If there isn't a meetup scheduled near you or you can't make it to an in-person event, how about attending a virtual meetup! The Squidoo chat room will be open for an online meetup Thursday evening, U.S. time. Check the Squidoo's Chat Schedule lens for details.
If you do make it to an official, or even unofficial meetup with other Squidoo lensmasters, take pictures! Make a lens! Post the link here in the comments so everyone can see!
But if not, let's make the online meetup the biggest ever. See you there!
Monday, June 7, 2010
First Squidoo Summer Sunshine Charity Winner Announced
Congratulations to Camp Quality of New Jersey and lensmaster hlkljgk for being the first charity and lensmaster to win in Squidoo's Summer Sunshine contest!
If you'd like to enter and maybe even win $99 for your charity and $99 for yourself, make a new lens with all earnings set to your favorite Squidoo charity. Read the rules and see the list of winning lenses here.
Prizes will be awarded each weekday for the rest of June, July, and August, so there's still plenty of time to enter. My advice? Go for it!
Then share your qualifying lenses here in a comment so we can take a look.
Hope you win!
If you'd like to enter and maybe even win $99 for your charity and $99 for yourself, make a new lens with all earnings set to your favorite Squidoo charity. Read the rules and see the list of winning lenses here.
Prizes will be awarded each weekday for the rest of June, July, and August, so there's still plenty of time to enter. My advice? Go for it!
Then share your qualifying lenses here in a comment so we can take a look.
Hope you win!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Purple Star Quest
I'm exhausted.
You already know that I've been serving as Purple Star Queen this week. That means I had to find 20 great lenses worthy of the Squidoo purple star award.
It was easy to find good lenses. It was hard to narrow them down to 20 great lenses!
But I did it.
And I wrote about it on this new lens, a fairy tale in real life.
This queen is worn out from having so much fun. She's happy to retire her crown. She'll cherish the memories and all the amazingly wonderful comments she's received.
If you find a lens that is purple star-worthy (here are the rules), be sure and nominate it. It'll make the full-time queen's job much easier.
It was easy to find good lenses. It was hard to narrow them down to 20 great lenses!
But I did it.
And I wrote about it on this new lens, a fairy tale in real life.
This queen is worn out from having so much fun. She's happy to retire her crown. She'll cherish the memories and all the amazingly wonderful comments she's received.
If you find a lens that is purple star-worthy (here are the rules), be sure and nominate it. It'll make the full-time queen's job much easier.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Who's the Latest Purple Star Queen?
A few days ago, I blogged about the Purple Star contest going on over Memorial Day weekend at Squidoo. I was excited because during the contest non-Giant Squids were eligible to receive purple stars for their lenses. We have so many talented almost-Giants and this would be a great opportunity for them.
I also mentioned that one purple star recipient's name would be drawn from a hat and that person would become Purple Star Queen (or King) for the week. Royal duties would include choosing the week's 20 purple star lenses.
Well, guess whose name was drawn.
It was mine! Can you believe it? I just found out and I can't stop smiling!
For the next week I will wear an imaginary crown (unless there's another perk I don't know about - I'll be watching for a package) and search for 20 of the best lenses in the Squidoo kingdom. Ooh, what fun! Oh, what work! In fact, how will I choose?
It won't be easy narrowing the best down to 20, but I'll manage. I can't wait to get started.
Let the royal festivities begin!
I also mentioned that one purple star recipient's name would be drawn from a hat and that person would become Purple Star Queen (or King) for the week. Royal duties would include choosing the week's 20 purple star lenses.
Well, guess whose name was drawn.
It was mine! Can you believe it? I just found out and I can't stop smiling!
For the next week I will wear an imaginary crown (unless there's another perk I don't know about - I'll be watching for a package) and search for 20 of the best lenses in the Squidoo kingdom. Ooh, what fun! Oh, what work! In fact, how will I choose?
It won't be easy narrowing the best down to 20, but I'll manage. I can't wait to get started.
Let the royal festivities begin!
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