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!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Purple Star-Studded Opportunity
What are you doing this long Memorial Day weekend? I hope you have something fun planned, but I also hope you can fit making a new Squidoo lens into your schedule. Here's why.
Full details and rules are on the Squidoo blog but, bottom line, if you make a really great new lens between now and midnight Monday, May 31st, 2010, you can also nominate it for a purple star. Then, if the lens is deemed worthy, not only will it receive a purple star, but your name will be entered into a drawing to become Purple Star Queen or King for the week of June 7th and you will get to choose all 20 purple-star lenses for that week. What fun!
Full details and rules are on the Squidoo blog but, bottom line, if you make a really great new lens between now and midnight Monday, May 31st, 2010, you can also nominate it for a purple star. Then, if the lens is deemed worthy, not only will it receive a purple star, but your name will be entered into a drawing to become Purple Star Queen or King for the week of June 7th and you will get to choose all 20 purple-star lenses for that week. What fun!
The exciting part is that this challenge is open to all lensmasters. It's a rare occasion that non-Giant lenses are considered for purple stars, so if you're not a Giant yet this is a golden, well actually a purple, opportunity for you to get your new lens noticed.
Not familiar with the purple star program on Squidoo? Read all about it here (but remember that you don't have to be a Giant for this event) then put your very best work into a new lens and maybe, just maybe, your lens will receive some of that magic purple stardust.
Giant Squids can play too, of course, but it's particularly exciting that this challenge is open to everyone.
Remember, read the rules first, then get started on your next, or maybe your very first, purple star-worthy lens!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
To Do: Get Motivated!
I find that a daily to-do list motivates me to get more done, both on Squidoo and elsewhere.
Be realistic about your time constraints, but make a short list every morning (or better, the night before). Mark things off as you accomplish them. The motivating part is seeing the line marked through the things you've accomplished, but the secret is to keep the list short to start with.
Seeing how much you actually got done at the end of the day will be a motivator for the next day, while helping to avoid the deadly procrastination trap.
Remember: Motivate. Don't procrastinate.
Be realistic about your time constraints, but make a short list every morning (or better, the night before). Mark things off as you accomplish them. The motivating part is seeing the line marked through the things you've accomplished, but the secret is to keep the list short to start with.
Seeing how much you actually got done at the end of the day will be a motivator for the next day, while helping to avoid the deadly procrastination trap.
Remember: Motivate. Don't procrastinate.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Missing a Squidoo Friend
I wasn't close online friends with Sherry Holder Hunt, but when I found out yesterday that she had died, it hit me hard.
Sherry was one of those people you just loved hearing from. Whenever our paths crossed, usually leaving comments on lenses, her contagious sweet spirit made me smile.
Sherry was an artist, a very talented one, and an encourager. She was also a wife, a mom, a daughter, a friend.
She left a comment on her facebook fan page on April 9th; by the end of the day she was in Heaven. Life is so short and nothing can be taken for granted, especially life itself.
Tributes to Sherry can be left on her facebook page, on this special tribute blog post, or on this thread at SquidU.
Sherry, you touched my life and you will be missed.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Everything You Want to Know About Squidoo Payday
It's Squidoo payday again today. Yee-hah!
Today lensmasters got paid for money earned from ad clicks and commissions on sales made during the month of February, which means that payday is about a month and a half behind earnings. The reason for the delay is to enable Amazon, eBay, and the other sources of our income to pay Squidoo and then to give Squidoo a chance to distribute earnings to the various lensmasters and lenses. That has to be an absolutely huge job no matter how automated it is.
Payday is never promised before the 15th of any given month, although Squidoo almost always beats that by a few days. Anticipation of payday usually rears its head on the SquidU forum by around the 10th of each month with anxious newbie lensmasters hoping to see their first-ever earnings and some veterans waiting for money to pay the rent.
If you're new to Squidoo, or even if you've been around a while, you may have questions about Squidoo payday. If you're wondering just how income is calculated or even where the money comes from, one of the very best sources to find out is Squidoo Payday Questions & Answers, a lens by veteran lensmaster Christene. Christene is always on the job with updates to her lens within minutes (it seems) of payday figures being posted.
If you have questions about tiers, payouts, or how to find the earnings on your own lensmaster dashboard, check out Christene's lens. Then leave her a comment to thank her for her faithful efforts in keeping everyone updated in such a timely manner.
Then go make another lens - for free - in anticipation of a bigger payday next month, and the month after and the month after that.
Today lensmasters got paid for money earned from ad clicks and commissions on sales made during the month of February, which means that payday is about a month and a half behind earnings. The reason for the delay is to enable Amazon, eBay, and the other sources of our income to pay Squidoo and then to give Squidoo a chance to distribute earnings to the various lensmasters and lenses. That has to be an absolutely huge job no matter how automated it is.
Payday is never promised before the 15th of any given month, although Squidoo almost always beats that by a few days. Anticipation of payday usually rears its head on the SquidU forum by around the 10th of each month with anxious newbie lensmasters hoping to see their first-ever earnings and some veterans waiting for money to pay the rent.
If you're new to Squidoo, or even if you've been around a while, you may have questions about Squidoo payday. If you're wondering just how income is calculated or even where the money comes from, one of the very best sources to find out is Squidoo Payday Questions & Answers, a lens by veteran lensmaster Christene. Christene is always on the job with updates to her lens within minutes (it seems) of payday figures being posted.
If you have questions about tiers, payouts, or how to find the earnings on your own lensmaster dashboard, check out Christene's lens. Then leave her a comment to thank her for her faithful efforts in keeping everyone updated in such a timely manner.
Then go make another lens - for free - in anticipation of a bigger payday next month, and the month after and the month after that.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
How to Research Keywords - Learn How Live!
Finding the best keywords is a very hot topic on Squidoo and elsewhere around the web. You've probably read plenty of advice about how to research keywords, but you may still have questions. If so, tune in to Giant Squid Open Mike with Joan, Kate and friends as two of Squidoo's top lensmasters do a keyword research project live on the air. You'll be able to follow along on your own computer and ask questions in real-time.
The program will be broadcast live on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at 5 p.m. Eastern time. In case you miss it, the show will be recorded and available to listen to, free, in the podcast archives.
Before you make your next lens, select a new domain name, or write your next blog post or article, be sure to listen to this very special edition of Giant Squid Open Mike to learn everything you need to know about how to do keyword research. This 45-minute broadcast could change your keyword research method - and your bottom line - forever.
UPDATE: Here's a direct link to the archived program. Don't miss it!
The program will be broadcast live on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at 5 p.m. Eastern time. In case you miss it, the show will be recorded and available to listen to, free, in the podcast archives.
Before you make your next lens, select a new domain name, or write your next blog post or article, be sure to listen to this very special edition of Giant Squid Open Mike to learn everything you need to know about how to do keyword research. This 45-minute broadcast could change your keyword research method - and your bottom line - forever.
UPDATE: Here's a direct link to the archived program. Don't miss it!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Should You Own Your Own Blog? Join the Debate
I've been following a rather intense discussion the last couple of days having to do with the differences in owning your own blog versus using a free blogging platform or participating in a multi-user blogging community. It's been a very lively debate and quite informative from a technical standpoint. The two main participants have their own definite preferences, but they've remained quite gentlemanly in the discussion.
The bottom line sticking point between the two is retention of total control of the individual blogger's content, layout, promotion, and rules. One prefers to maintain total and complete control; the other is satisfied that each individual blogger in the community that he established and oversees does have complete control over his or her own blog (within certain guidelines). Both have conceded, while standing firm in his own beliefs, that each method has its benefits and that it's up to the individual to decide which type of hosting arrangement is right for him/her.
So now I'm wondering: What do you think? Do you have experience, good or bad, with multi-user blogs? Are you happy with simply using a free Blogger blog or have you moved on to hosting your own? What is your preference and why? Click on the comment link and join the debate.
The bottom line sticking point between the two is retention of total control of the individual blogger's content, layout, promotion, and rules. One prefers to maintain total and complete control; the other is satisfied that each individual blogger in the community that he established and oversees does have complete control over his or her own blog (within certain guidelines). Both have conceded, while standing firm in his own beliefs, that each method has its benefits and that it's up to the individual to decide which type of hosting arrangement is right for him/her.
So now I'm wondering: What do you think? Do you have experience, good or bad, with multi-user blogs? Are you happy with simply using a free Blogger blog or have you moved on to hosting your own? What is your preference and why? Click on the comment link and join the debate.
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