Using the Black Box Themes on Squidoo

Want the "black box" modules on your lenses to coordinate with the lens's theme?  Now, in one simple step, it can!

Just edit your "black box" module and choose "theme" instead of a color.  When the lens is published, the black box background will coordinate with the lens theme itself. 

I've done this on several of my lenses and just love how it looks.  Today I updated a lens using the "clouds" theme and updated the black boxes on that lens.  Love how they look and wanted to share one here just in case you haven't tried doing this yet.  Isn't it pretty?  (You can see it on the lens here.)

Have you used the "theme" option for black boxes on your lenses?  Which is your favorite?

Merry Christmas from Susan52

Wishing all of my Squidoo friends a very Merry Christmas.

I hope your holiday is filled with fun and family - 

and Jesus, whose birth we celebrate!

Image Credit

New Year's Resolution: Re-Balance the Scale

It's really hard to believe that Christmas is just a few days away. It's been a nice holiday sales season and I'm not looking forward to watching the volume of Squidoo visits and sales start dropping like Santa's tired elves on December 26th.

I do have a couple of lenses that I'm counting on for after-Christmas shoppers, though, then there's the New Year's resolutions crowd and I'm hoping to profit from that as well. Valentine's Day will be next. After that, Easter will be here before we know it, then summer, then we'll start preparing for Christmas all over again. Say it with me: Time flies when you're having fun!

This year has been different for our family. We spent the first few months building a new house and the next several months getting it furnished and settling in. With all that we've had going on for the last year and a half, my concentration has been on family. And you know what? It's been nice! But now it's time to get back to business.

For me, it's time to re-balance the priority scale. Family will always be first, but I'm looking forward to having some time freed up again to dedicate to the online things that I love. Over the next several days I'll be reassessing, setting goals, and making lists and plans for 2013. It's been a very, very good year, but it's time to move on. I can hardly wait!

How about you? Have you made any New Year's resolutions? Feel free to share your thoughts and goals.

Image used via a Creative Commons license

25,000th Poll Response

I just got this message (along with 200 points) from Squidoo: "Someone just took the 25,000th poll created by you!"  Woo-hoo!

(Wish I'd have grabbed a screen shot of the message, but here's a screen shot of the poll.)

The poll that put me over the 25,000 mark is this one, on my popcorn popper reviews lens. What really impressed me when I took a look at the poll is that there are twice as many responses to the poll as there are Squidlikes on that lens. What does this tell me? A few things:

1. To Squidlike a lens, you have to be a Squidoo member. Any reader can participate in a poll - and in this case since there are far more poll responses than likes, it's clear that non-lensmaster readers are participating.

2. I wrote this poll to get an idea of why people are visiting the lens. Do they already know what popcorn popper they're looking for or do they want more general information? Nearly one-third of the visitors answer that they don't know what kind of popper they want yet (that's why they're on the lens) while just under 3% choose the "Just passing through" option. Not scientific, but rather interesting.

3. The poll is placed near the top of the lens, a place where you really can't miss it, but it isn't terribly intrusive or in the way of the main information. People do continue reading after they answer the poll (based on the fact that the lens does make sales). Had I put a "Did you find what you were looking for?" poll at the end, I wouldn't expect nearly as much participation.

4. The poll is worded well enough that people don't have a difficult time choosing an answer. Sometimes I see a poll on a lens and there's no clear choice for me or I have to think too hard to choose an answer, so I skip it. It's good to have a choice for everyone, even if the final choice is "Other."

It really is important to engage your readers and a poll is a good way to do that. I appreciate that readers take a minute or so to read the choices and register their vote. The lens does make sales, but I'd like to see the click-through rate go up a bit. I'll be watching to see how the stats change with the holiday shopping season getting into full swing.

How do you use polls? Do you think they add value to your lenses? I'd love some input on the subject.

Don't Forget Thanksgiving!

It's November 1st and already the online atmosphere has switched from the orange and black of Halloween to the red and green, chestnuts roasting on an open fire feel of Christmas.  Amazon has opened its Black Friday deals store.  Walmart has countered with its Gift of the Day and Ultimate Online Specials.  Gift shopping season is underway!

But don't forget Thanksgiving!

As you're creating your Celebrate gift guides (and I hope you're doing that) feel free to add a Thanksgiving-focused lens or two or three.  Thanksgiving may not be a huge money-maker, but there are plenty of people out there who need new turkey platters, table linens, fresh side dish recipes, cute Thanksgiving outfits for baby, and more. 

Think about how your family prepares for and celebrates Thanksgiving and turn some of those things into lens ideas.  Your audience may not be huge (although you might be surprised) but if it's targeted very specifically, your attention to this almost forgotten holiday may pay off for you in a good amount of traffic and hopefully even some nice Thanksgiving sales.

What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?  Have you made a lens about it?

Spode turkey platter available here.

How to Lose Followers on Pinterest

Please don't hijack the Pinterest home page.  Sheesh!

I follow quite a few people on Pinterest, but how irritating when one of those people pins and pins and pins, taking nearly every spot on the home page.  It's easy to tell it's one person, too, just by the similarity of the pins.  Makes it very tempting - and quite easy - to click their "Unfollow all boards" link.

If you want to keep your Pinterest friends, just pin a little bit at a time.  Then go back later and pin a little more.  Be courteous!

Please? 

(Getting off the soapbox now.)

P.S.  Wondering how this is related to Squidoo?  Pinterest is a fabulous place for finding cool stuff, including cool lenses.  I hope you're (judiciously) pinning your best lenses there for others to find. 

Why It's Okay to Make a Sales Lens

It isn't unusual for new lensmasters to worry about making "sales" lenses.  I know because I was one of those people who just wasn't sure why anyone would want to listen to me telling them what's best to buy. 

But I was looking at the subject the wrong way.  When I turned it around and put myself in the position of the shopper rather than the seller, then I remembered how appreciative I am, when I'm shopping online, to find a legitimately good product review or gift guide. 

When my outlook changed, then I became comfortable recommending products to people.  While I've made my share of awful lenses with product after product (the type of lenses that don't deserve the trust of a shopper) I finally learned to be a product reviewer, a personal shopper, a gift guide author who provides great customer service - instead of a salesperson who really doesn't care.

So if you're worried about making a "sales" lens, make a gift guide lens instead.  Research the products you present, anticipate and answer shoppers' questions, and provide a much-needed service.  This year the number of online shoppers is projected to be even higher than last year's huge number.  No doubt many of those folks will be looking for information so they can make good buying decisions.  Be their personal shopper.  Write your gift guides with real people in mind.  Pretend you're shopping with your best friend, providing advice and expert information to help her choose the best gifts.  Picture her smiling in the checkout line knowing that you, the Gift Guide, helped make her shopping - and buying - experience a good one.

Now, isn't that a great feeling? 

For more information, read 5 Tips for Creating a Niche Gift Guide.

Celebrate!

There's a new magazine in Squidoo-town. 

Well, almost. 

Are you ready to Celebrate!

Totally In Love With Autumn

Fall has always been my favorite season and this year, following a long, hot, dry summer, I've fallen absolutely in love with autumn. 

Squidoo loves autumn, too, and is celebrating with a new lens theme. It probably goes without saying that I love it!  I've switched over some of my seasonal lenses to the new theme and they look so clear and crisp and fresh, just like I feel this time of year.  I'm feeling so inspired, in fact, that today I made a new lens for the theme (and, I confess, to satisfy a Squidoo quest while I was at it). 

The Razorbacks lost today, the truck repair came to a screeching halt when the part didn't fit, the new part for the riding mower didn't arrive, in fact in many ways this has been a bust of a weekend . . . but I don't even care. 

Did I mention that I'm in love with autumn?  I hope you love your autumn, too.

Who Uses Squidoo?

Ever wonder who's on Squidoo?  Where they're from?  How they got there?  How much money they've made?

Lensmaster --Chazz wondered, too, so he made a lens about it, a page of polls that reveal these and other statistics about the users of Squidoo. 

As you participate in these anonymous polls designed for anyone who writes on Squidoo (you don't have to be cephalopodic, but it helps), you'll also enjoy the very relevant humor and practical self-help devices in between.  You'll participate in an example of excellent lenscrafting, too. 

If you've ever been curious about the demographics of Squidoo, or if you just want your tentacles tickled, don't miss Squidoo Users Poll and Stats. 

Squidoo Quick Tip of the Day - Save Your Changes!

Tip of the Day:  When you're in workshop mode, creating or editing a lens, make sure to "apply" or "save" once you've made changes.  This particularly applies to editing the workshop tools on the right sidebar, everything from the lens theme to your bio, to "How to you want to get paid?" and Dashboard Labels and tags. 

If you edit a module in the body of the lens, you have to save or cancel to continue editing.  There's no warning if you make a change in one of the categories on the right.  It's very easy to make those changes and forget to save them.  Always save and then publish the lens so your changes will take effect.

I don't have to tell you how I know.  :)  Hope your short-term memory is better than mine!

Megan Says Goodbye to Squidoo - Listen to the Words Wednesday

Thanks for everything, Megan, and best of success in your new venture!

Have You Discovered Your Dashboard?

Recently I undertook a project to examine all the information I could find on my Squidoo dashboard.  Actually, I just wanted to check out every link on there to see what information I didn't know existed and, by golly, I found some. 

So, I wrote a series of posts about the dashboard and its hidden treasures this week for SquidooHQ. 

The most useful information I found that I didn't know existed was the payout settings manager.  I didn't realize there was one place where I could see my cash and charity settings for each individual lens.  Or maybe I knew in the past but had forgotten (that happens to me a lot these days).

My favorite part of the dashboard, though, is the "sales" tab, or maybe it's just the lens list where I can see loads of statistics about all of my lenses all on one page, sorted in a variety of ways.

What's your favorite tool on the Squidoo dashboard?  I'd love to know how you use all the great information that's provided there. 

People Are Kind

I deal with lots of people online on a daily basis, mostly "newbie" lensmasters on Squidoo.

Just wanted to say here, for the record if anyone's keeping track, that there are so many very, very kind people out there.  I am touched daily by the appreciative emails that I receive and the lovely comments I get on my profile page. 

It takes time to seek out that profile page then compose an email or type a comment.  It's very, very humbling to be on the receiving end of such a generous gesture, usually multiple times a day.

I guess that's it, except just to say "thank you."  You make my day.

Summer Fun on Squidoo - With Prizes!

Have you seen SquidWoot on Squidoo?  The lensmaking challenge starts today and there will be a new one each Monday through July. With prizes!

First prize this week is an iPad so if you've always wanted one, hey, today could be your lucky day!

Visit the official SquidWoot announcement at SquidooHQ for information and rules. 

Ready, set . . . hey, where did everyone go?

Lens Promotion: How To Get Your Lens Noticed

Have you been following the How to Promote Your Lens series on the SquidooHQ blog? 

Subjects of the three posts (or steps) on lens promotion include how to make your lens promotion-worthy, promoting within the Squidoo community, and promoting a lens in other places outside of Squidoo.

It's always a good idea to start with the basics of creating a page with unique content and useful information, and many of those who commented on step 1 agreed.  It was also nice to see in the comments on step 2 the number of people who confirmed that promoting within Squidoo is a worthwhile effort, one that pays off both short-term and long-term.  One early comment on step 3 reinforces that "you have to take the time to make it work."  In this instant gratification day and age, that's a difficult lesson to learn.

My personal philosophy is that promotion has its place, and it's an important place, but when topics and keywords are properly researched before the lens is written, then the search engines will do their job and promote the lens to the top of the SERPs for you.  Watch for a tip with that theme, coming in the near future.

I'd love to read your comments on the series.  Do you have any advice to add for those looking for tips on Squidoo lens promotion?

"Liking" Our Neighbors on Squidoo

One of my goals for the week is to reach the 10,000 mark on "lenses rated."  I'm at 9749 right now.

That's a lot of lenses, but when I compare my numbers to those of Tipi (35,466) or Jaguar Julie (24,826) or KimGiancaterino (15,842) or OhMe (12,919), my number seems like small potatoes and my efforts over the years pale in comparison to lensmasters like these (and certainly there are others) who give so much back to the Squidoo community. I really appreciate their setting the bar nice and high!

There are lots of ways to be a good neighbor on Squidoo, and visiting and rating lenses with a simple click on the "like" button is akin to serving cake to your fellow lensmasters.  Leaving a thoughtful, kind comment while you're at it is the icing on the cake and only takes a few seconds more. Not surprisingly, there's a trophy for that, too!

What's your number?  Have you earned your Epic SquidLiking trophy yet?  Is it a goal?  If it wasn't before, I hope now that it is.  It's good to be a good neighbor.    

Wordless Wednesday: Woooooooo!

What is that crazy woman doing?

Irresistible Lens Titles on Squidoo

Squidoo's choice for Lens of the Day today has one of the most irresistible, "Must click NOW!" titles of any lens title I can remember, ever. 

How to Design Your Really Weird Alien

That's the title.  Isn't it awesome?  Doesn't it make you say, "Huh?" and want to click and read the lens - immediately?  Or is it just me who wants answers to all those questions the title generates in my puny brain?  ("My alien?"  "Why is it weird, even really weird?  I need to design an alien?  Did I miss an assignment somewhere?) 

I recently wrote about choosing a title for your lens, the man and machine elements to consider.  I'm not positive this title nailed the machine element; I'd have to do some keyword research to find out.  I am positive, though, that it hit the human element smack dab on the head.  At least it hit my head.  In fact, it almost knocked me over.

Are you still reading this?  If you want answers, too, then go right now and click on the title and check out the lens.  I hope you're as curious as I was about what this really weird alien thing is all about.  And I hope I can come up with a title as compelling and irresistible as this one for my next lens.  Love it! 

Man, Machine, and Better Squidoo Lens Titles

What do "man" and "machine" have to do with choosing titles for your Squidoo lenses?

You'll find the answer in The 2 Most Important Elements of a Great Lens Title, a post I wrote yesterday for the SquidooHQ blog.

I mentioned recently that SquidooHQ is the place to find great Squidoo tips, and this post is no exception.  Pardon me if it appears that I'm tooting my own horn, but I'm basing this statement on the excellent feedback this man/machine post has received.  So if you want to learn how to create a better title for your lenses and (most likely) get more traffic as a result, then just go read the post.

Then I'd love if you'd come back and leave a comment here to let me know your thoughts on the subject.

Time to Clean House on Squidoo

It's housekeeping time on Squidoo.

There's a new quest on my dashboard today - maybe you have it, too - called "Clean Up a Lens Day."  The point is to take a lens that is sitting down low on your dashboard and give it a nice freshening up.  In fact, the quest lens includes a list of 10 ways to clean up an old lens.  Fabulous tips!

If this quest doesn't apply to you, then bless you my friend.  You're a better squid than I.  As for me, I've actually been (slowly) working on freshening a few old lenses recently.  I feel better for it and the lenses I've updated have shot up in lensrank like Howard Wolowitz's rocket.

Will you accept the challenge and complete the quest?  Let me know, and feel free to leave a comment that includes the lensrank of your cleaned-up lens before and then after its freshening.  (Woohoo in advance for that!)

Where to Find the Best Squidoo Tips

Want to learn more about Squidoo and how to make great lenses?  Then check out tips like these on the SquidooHQ blog.

All this time I should have been writing (and intended to write) tips like these right here on my own blog, but (no excuses) it seems I just didn't get here nearly as often as I intended.  Now, though, I'm writing tips (among other things) for the SQHQ blog on a regular basis and really enjoying both the writing and the feedback. 

The longer I'm on Squidoo, the more I discover that Squidoo (including the HQ blog) really is the best place to learn about Squidoo.

I'll keep writing here and I hope you'll keep reading.  Just don't overlook the source of all the excitement and information, and the best tips ever, Squidoo itself. 

Wordless Wednesday: Like My Shirt?

Happy Squidiversary to Me!

Today is my five-year, one-day anniversary on Squidoo! 

Can't believe I forgot about it yesterday, on the big day.  Almost missed my new trophy, too.  Love it!

Love you, Squidoo.  Here's to many more years of squidded bliss.

Kindle's Gone But Not Forgotten

Most of those who know me also know that I'm a big fan of the Amazon Kindle.  Have been since the Kindle was first introduced.

Sad day about a week ago.  Well, it started back in July of last year when we had our house fire.  We lost pretty much everything in the fire (except lives and cars - praise the Lord for that) including my beloved first Kindle.  Now, our house has been rebuilt and we moved in about a week ago.  As we were finalizing the move from our rented duplex last week, my husband told me that he still had my burned Kindle stored in the garage.  He had found it in the rubble of the fire months ago and I insisted at that time on keeping it.

This time I let it go.  Sadly, it went out in our final load of trash. I'm determined not to accumulate useless "stuff" anymore and those remains were definitely useless. 

I did take pictures, though, in case my aging brain forgets.  I've included one of the melted keyboard here, and visitors to this lens can see the charred remains as they read about our family's new Kindles.  Yes, that's plural.  My son has one model and I have two more, the Kindle Keyboard (nicknamed "Pinkie") and a Kindle Fire tablet (nicknamed "Friendly Fire" for obvious reasons).

So long, first Kindle.  You served me well.  You'll be remembered, always.

Everyone's an Expert

Everyone's an expert (on something) and Squidoo was created as a platform for any one of those everyones to promote their cause, share their expertise, spread their influence.

If you're not entirely sure what all that means, take about 10 minutes and read Everyone's an Expert (On Something), the e-book by Seth Godin, the book that explains what Squidoo is really all about.

If you're serious about Squidoo, read this little book.  You'll learn about focusing and about why Squidoo isn't a blog.  You'll learn how to deliver what users (web surfers) want and how to get those same users to take action.  You'll re-learn, or maybe actually learn for the first time, how to be a lensmaster. 

What Are Your Squidoo Goals for February?

Can you believe the first month of the year is gone already?  Around here we've been having spring-like weather so it seems that we should have turned the calendar to April rather than February!  Be that as it may, now is the time to firm up some February goals.

Traffic to my lenses has picked up recently, partly due to Valentine's Day shoppers.  It's time to make some quick updates to my Valentine's lenses to take advantage of the buyers who may visit during the coming week to 10 days or so.

Additionally, it's time to look ahead to the next few buying occasions and do some lensmaking and updating with those in mind.  St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day are the next few special occasions on the calendar and one of my goals this month will be to see what I have to do to freshen lenses up for those holidays. 

Of course I always advice people to review their profiles, bio, and featured lenses at the beginning of the month.  I recently updated my bio and I'll be changing featured lenses soon since interest in Valentine's Day topics will drop off.  I'm thinking Spring!

How about you.  Any Squidoo goals for February that you'd like to share?

Image by YesterdayCafe on Zazzle

Blast Off With RocketSquids

Heard of RocketMoms on Squidoo?  Then you know how successful lensmasters can be when they learn together and support each other.

Now, meet RocketSquids, the latest innovation by Squidoo, especially designed for new-ish lensmasters, those with at least a couple of lenses but fewer than 25.

If you fall into that Squid-demographic and want to learn from some of the best lensmasters on Squidoo how to do what they do, then join us!

Here's more information from MomWithAHook, one of the RocketSquids mentors.

What's New On Squidoo?

Hard to believe we're headed into the fourth week of the new year.  My year's been busy and seems to be flying by.  How about yours?

I've been spending a lot of my time hanging around on Squidoo, visiting lots of lenses and checking in regularly with SquidooHQ.  I especially appreciate the weekly SquidooHQ Friday Round Up, a great place to check in every week to make sure I haven't missed something new.  If you don't visit daily, at least check in on Fridays to keep up with all the great news, tips, and information that's been provided during the week. 

Full disclosure and not meant to be a shameless plug, I've also been doing some writing for SquidooHQ, so you might run across some of my articles, too, while you're there playing catch up.

So, what's new with you on Squidoo?  I'd love to know, so hope you'll take a moment out of your busy year to leave a comment!