Congratulations New Giants and Thank You, Carol!

Today is new Giant Squid day on Squidoo once again. Congratulations to all the new Giants and Giant 100's! I remember very well when it was my turn, so I know exactly how excited you are!

I am honored and humbled to be the subject of a tribute lens by my friend, new Giant Squid lensmaster strayspay. Carol, you've given me more kudos than I deserve. Thank you so much!

New Giant Squid Challege Supports Baby Squids

'Way back when I was working to become a member of the second-ever class of giant Squids, the only support we had was an occasional "You can do it!" on the SquidU forum. We supported each other, of course, but there were no small groups and no organization. Wow, has time changed things!

Now, with the help of the Giant Squid Organizers and an ever-growing team of Giant Squid Challenge Group Leaders, baby Squids have so much support! There's a Ning group, countless challenges and competitions, and group chats. Now you can also subscribe to Giant Squid Tips on Twitter to get daily quick tips and assignments that will help you swim your way to Giant Squiddom in no time!

The new Giant Squid Challenge will be starting soon. Learn all about it on this lens and don't be shy about getting involved no matter how many, or how few, lenses you have. I promise, you'll be glad you did.

What Makes a Great Lens?

The question comes up often: What makes a great Squidoo lens?

Today it came up again in the SquidU forum, asked by lensmaster TheMedievalNun. She received some great responses. Here's mine:

Reading the lenses that Robin (rms) suggested is a great place to start. I would also suggest visiting and rating lots of lenses; it doesn't take long to recognize bad lenses, good lenses, and really good lenses. Then do what the really good lensmasters do!

As for what I think is a "great" lens, I like to see original content and interesting, useful information that is laid out in a way that flows and makes sense. I don't like extra modules that have nothing to do with the topic, and I don't like an over-the-top amount of graphics (though I know that "over the top" is in the eye of the beholder). And, of course, default module headers are a definite no-no.

I agree totally with what Paul (pkmcr) said above. It's always encouraging when people ask and genuinely want to know what they might need to do to improve their lenses. It's so easy to get stuck in a lensmaking rut, digging yourself into a hole of mediocrity. Interesting that so often it's the people who ask for help that are already making high-quality lenses. By glancing at a few of your lenses, Nun, I'd say you fall into that latter category. Congratulations!

Squid Grads and More Squid Grads

Lots of goings on at Squidoo this week, as usual. On Monday, the second-session class of RocketMoms celebrated their graduation. Wednesday was graduation for Giant Squid Summer School students.

Each member of the two groups was required to complete one lens assignment per week for eight weeks in order to officially graduate. A total of 140 RocketMoms participated, as did over 70 Summer School Giants. Of the 56 RocketMom grads and 47 Summer School grads, 20 lensmasters were on both lists!

All in all, Squidoo is now richer by about 500 new, first-class lenses as a result of these two projects.

Congratulations to all the grads, and thanks for your hard work from which we all will benefit!

Where is the Journal of the Traveling Squid?

Have you heard about the Journal of the Traveling Squid? It's a project created by lensmaster JaguarJulie connecting Squidoo lensmasters worldwide.

A journal and a Giant Squidoo t-shirt are making the rounds of the world, from the hands of one Giant to another. Each leaves his or her own mark on the project by writing a page in the journal, signing the t-shirt, and taking a picture which is then posted in a special photo album on Flickr.

The project has been so successful that there is now a second journal and t-shirt in the mix, this one traveling the United States (the first volume is still traveling the UK). Volume 2 is currently in the capable hands of Squidoo HQ folks Gil, Kimberly, Seth, and Corey. I'm happy to report that the next lensmaster in line happens to be me, the humble Susan52 herself. Woo-hoo!

The project is being chronicled by JaguarJulie on this lens. You must check out all the amazing pictures and read the journal posts. Then bookmark the lens and visit regularly for updates.

Where will the Journal of the Traveling Squid end up? Read the lens to find out!

A Special Shining Star on Squidoo

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again: I love lensmasters on Squidoo.

We have givers, helpers, teachers, leaders, and mentors far too numerous to name. They all shine like stars, but some stand out like the sun in a clear, blue summer sky. One who does is lensmaster Kim Giancaterino.

This week Kim published her 250th lens. To celebrate, she decided to use her SquidAngel powers to squid-bless 100 lenses chosen from those belonging to her nearly 1000 fans. She features all of those, plus a few bonus choices, on the lens she calls A Day of 100 Squid Angel Blessings.

Congratulations, Kim, for reaching that amazing 250 mark, and thanks for bringing sunshine into my day more times than I can count.

Have You Caught the Spirit of Squidoo?

I love Squidoo, love the lensmasters, love the whole spirit that permeates the place.

What I love best is the way that lensmasters cheer each other on, and there are no better cheerleaders than the Giant Squid Organizers (GSO's for short). Frankly, I don't know how Bonnie, Robin, and Patti do it. They run a very popular section of the SquidU forum, they have blogs that promote the Giant Squid program on Squidoo, they review lenses and award purple stars weekly, and they continue to make high-quality lenses of their own, just to mention a few of their regular activities.

Besides the GSO's, the whole Giant Squid community, as well as the wannabe Giants, promote challenges and other activities designed to encourage excellence in lensmaking. If you're new to Squidoo and don't really understand what I'm talking about (yet) then you must visit the So You Want to Be a Giant Squid? section of the SquidU forum and see the spirit of Squidoo in action.

Catch the spirit of Squidoo! Your lensrank will thank you for it.

Watch the (Purple) Stars Come Out On Squidoo

Have you noticed that "purple star" label on the left side of your lensmaster dashboard? It's been there for a very long time, always with a little mouse-over message explaining that purple stars aren't working yet, but they will be soon. Well, soon has arrived and the purple star program is now active, and was it ever worth the wait!

If you're not a Giant Squid and this program doesn't motivate you to make those 50 lenses and qualify for Giant, then I don't know what will. Only Giants are eligible for the purple star award and, indeed, only a few giant-made lenses will receive a purple star each week. When you see a purple star on a lens, you will know that it's a top-notch, high-quality lens, quality worth emulating. Purple star lenses will be showcased, announced on Squidoo weekly, so they won't be hard to find. If you're still trying to learn what makes a quality lens, seek these out and study them to learn what makes a really, really good lens.

Want to see the first group of recipients? They're included in this SquidU forum post, along with a link to the Purple Star lens with more details about the program. If you're serious about succeeding on Squidoo, this is material you will want to spend some time with. Enjoy!

How Serious Are You About Squidoo?

If you're serious about Squidoo, Giant Squid should be a goal. Fifty lenses might sound like a lot, but the reward is well worth the work.

Deadline for Giant Squid applications is at the end of each quarter, so if you're getting close to having 50 good, quality lenses, set March 31st as your goal. If you're just getting warmed up and need more time, the end of June is an achievable target.

If you seriously want to learn ways to reach the goal of 50 good lenses then you should plan to attend the online workshop being held this Thursday afternoon by the Giant Squid organizers. It's an RSVP event, so hurry and check it out, here. Bonnie, Robin, and Patti know what they're talking about and an hour or so spent with them will be well worth your time.

If you can't make it to the workshop, at least make sure that you visit the So You Want to Be a Giant Squid blog on a regular basis for valuable information to help you reach the awesome milestone of becoming a Giant Squid.

This Lensmaster Shares the Love

My Squidoo friend Arthur, aka Pantherart, is another lensmaster who prefers using his blog to showcase other lensmasters rather than himself. Seems there's a lot of that going around on Squidoo.

Arthur asked me for an interview and I was happy to comply. Here's the result.

Why not share your love with another Squidoo lensmaster, or a few. Leave a comment. Rate a lens. Send a note of encouragement to a lensmaster whose work you particularly enjoy. You might make someone's heart beat a little happier.

Big News On Squidoo. Make That GIANT News!

Today's Giant Squid Day on Squidoo.   The most recent class of Giant Squids has been announced.  Congratulations to all of you!  I don't think I'll ever forget the day I found out I was a Giant Squid.  When the badge appeared on one of my lenses, I did a double take, checked a few other lenses just to be sure, then ran into the kitchen where I had no witnesses and jumped up and down for a long time!  I know exactly how all of you new Giants feel.  Oh, so good! 

It's also Giant Squid 100 Club Day, and I'm jumping up and down yet again because now I can display that badge, too.  I qualified!  Hooray for me and for all the new 100's!  As the honors get better, the rewards (and responsibilities) get bigger.  With so many excellent lensmasters on Squidoo, I have to wonder what will come next. 

In the meantime, W00t! 

(Learn how you can become a Giant Squid.)

A Challenge and a Cheerleader

Back in mid-October I received the following message via email:

"I'm going for the 100 club too (although I am behind you by a few lenses) and I'm going to be keeping my eye on you and your lenses! Susanna"

Thus began the challenge. Susanna was challenging herself, but little did she know how she would challenge me! Susanna had a plan, which included four lenses a week in order to make the 100 Club deadline of the 31st. Wow, four a week. That's a lot of lenses!

Guess what. She did it. And, after giving up on my goal with nine to go, then receiving a kick in the tentacles by (guess who) Susanna herself, so did I. I published my 102nd lens last night at a few minutes before midnight. Susanna is up to at least 110 (Squidoo hasn't updated totals in a couple of days). That's more than four lenses a week and, I might add, hers are good, quality lenses. No junk in her lensography, that I can guarantee! Here's her latest; just check it out to see what I mean.

Susanna Duffy, you're a shining star in the Squidoo sky, or is it sea? Either way, thank you for being my cheerleader. You're going to make a wonderful member of the Giant 100 Club!

Announcing the 2008 Giant Squid Awards

It's official. Today was announcement day. The 2008 Giant Squid best of the best lenses by category, along with the Giant Squid of the Year, have been announced.

Choosing which lenses to vote for was actually quite a challenge. Every lens nominated was a good one, and every one is a winner by virtue of being nominated. Congratulations to every lensmaster represented among the nominees!

Then there was Giant Squid of the Year. Talk about difficult. It's just very tough to narrow down the best of the best. The winner was lensmaster JaguarJulie, first runner-up was thefluffanutta, with ChefKeem following closely behind. Congratulations to these three, as well as the other deserving lensmasters who were nominated.

Thanks to all who voted for my Kindle lens which, I am happy to say, did capture the prize for Tech Lens of the Year. What an honor!

If you're looking for Squidoo lenses and lensmasters to study and learn from, the 2008 Giant Squids Award Ceremony lens is the perfect place to start. Be prepared to be inspired!

Ninety-Nine!

I just published my 99th lens! I'm shooting for the Giant Squids 100 Club and it looks like I'm almost there, but actually I have a lot of work to do. The criteria is 100 "quality" lenses and, although all of mine were quality at one time, I'm behind in updating several lenses and I must find time to refresh and renew probably half a dozen before the end of the month.

In the meantime, I haven't had a chance to promote numbers 97 or 98 at all. Number 100 is started, so hopefully I'll find time to put some really good finishing touches on it and start promoting it as well.

Think I'll make it? I hope so. Thanks for all the help and encouragement along the way!

Non-Geek Gets Best Tech Lens Nomination

What an honor! My Kindle lens has been nominated for the 2008 Giant Squid "Best Tech Lens" award. Very cool!

It's kind of ironic, though. I'm not exactly known for my technical prowess and I'm rarely mistaken for a geek. In fact, I'm rather technologically challenged. Actually, that's what has made my Kindle lens a pretty good lens; I designed it from a "Why would a non-techie type person like me want a Kindle wireless reader?" perspective. Happily, that approach has worked rather well.

The prize for the winner is basically bragging rights on Squidoo, which is a great reward. I'd be thrilled if you'd consider voting for my lens. The link to the voting module is on the Kindle lens, which I'd love for you to visit to make sure it's award-worthy, or you can go directly to the tech lens module on the 2008 Giant Squid Awards lens here. Be sure to take a look at all the lenses nominated in each of the different categories - all 21 - and vote for Giant Squid of the year while you're at it. (Good luck with narrowing that one down.) Voting deadline is December 21, but go ahead and vote now while it's fresh on your mind, and thank you very much for your support!

People Are Watching

I've discovered something rather interesting on Squidoo. People pay attention. They watch you. Having a fan club is fun and cool, even flattering, but it's actually a big responsibility. Add Giant Squid to your lensmaster status and people really start watching. Add SquidAngel to the mix and lensmasters start seeking you out. Sometimes it can be a little scary.

I used to think that I was a rather anonymous soul on the internet and, in fact, I pretty much was with a couple of nondescript websites that were easily overlooked. Then I started blogging and found a few people who began listening to what I had to say, but even that was on such a small scale it seemed that what I said or how I said it wasn't particularly important.

After Squidoo came along and one lens grew to two then 10 then, suddenly, I had 50 lenses and became a Giant Squid, by golly, people began to know who I was and what I said began to matter. Hiding behind my childhood-picture avatar was somewhat comforting, but as time has passed and I've built not only my brand on Squidoo but a reputation, the comfort level has really changed. Now I regularly get contacted with questions as well as getting asked for advice. I've even done a couple of interviews. Whoa, people actually care what I think!

That's pretty humbling, you know? I may be a Giant Squid and may, for awhile, have SquidAngel as part of my job description, but I'm really still just little ol' me. I take the responsibilities seriously and try to do my best and not let anyone down, though I might from time to time. I'm still that little girl in the picture, just a bit older. Okay, a lot older. When you do see me around, just remember that behind that orange halo lies a regular squid person who puts her pants on one tentacle at a time, just like you.