And of course, if people are remarking about YOUR lens then more eyeballs are going to land on YOUR lens and if you're touching people through your lens you WILL see more click thru's to YOUR remarkable products and services. ;-)
So I just have to share a bit more about how you can build the best lens ever. Find out what the people who know and love Squidoo lenses look for when looking for a great lens.
Sound difficult?
Not at all... you simply go search out a 'Squid Angel' or two... or three... or more! Not only do they have a lot to teach us... if you are very good, and/or very lucky... you might just even end up with a 'blessing'! ;-)
I'll save you a bit of time and share what I discovered from a couple of those marvelous Angel's. I hope that serves you and I still encourage you to seek out more!
Oh... what is a Squid Angel you ask?
How do you get a blessing? Well, you can go to The Angels Forum or to The Squid Angel Group and post a request. They look at a lot of lenses every day so you might find an angel has been by anyway! You'll find what the Angels look for in a lens there as well. *hint, hint...goldmine here*
Gods Grace Notes says:
Squidoo has created the basic structure, allowing us to decide which "modules" we want to use in our lens, then fill it with our personalized content...
The pages are uniform...things like the orange header, each frame contains basic information and the tools you need to create and edit your content...
Like a tool box....everyone gets the same tools; you just have to decide how many of them you choose to master!
A Squid Angel's "job" is to evaluate lenses based on how effectively the creator has used the tools at their disposal...
- Did you create an informative, engaging lens about your topic...
- Did you give the who, what, where, when and why's?
- Did you provide contact information?
- Is your lens interactive? (for instance; email, guestbook)
- Does your lens make people want to know more about you, support your cause; or click out to your resources and make purchases?
- Did your audience find your work compelling enough to coax them to your website?
Those are the criteria that determine a great lens!
*******************************
Flaming Lacer says:
If you want a blessing check out my top ten list of do's and don'ts - it will give you an idea of what we look for.
1 - Proper titles given to the modules - default titles are just plain lazy in my opinion. If you don't care enough about a subject to give the modules a proper introduction, then leave it alone!
2 - Lensmaster Bio - I do like to see something in here, even if it is a general bio for all your lenses, it gives me a feel for the person and how/why they are dealing with the subject. I prefer to see an image (not necessarily a photo) because it makes the lens look more cared for. A specific bio for that lens gets extra points as it is indicative of the Lensmasters interest in the topic.
3 - The Introduction should be just that - short, sharp and to the point. I don't like to see all / most of the lens content in here and I particularly don't like to see it all in bold. It is hard on the eyes and aesthetically unpleasant.
4 - A good variety of modules which are suitable to the subject. Interactivity via Polls, Plexos, You Tube etc is always a plus - where it is appropriate. Sometimes I feel modules have been put there just because the Lensmaster thinks it's a must have and it doesn't add to the lens.
5 - Appropriate images - they help break up large blocks of text and make the lens more attractive visually but again, only if appropriate.
6 - Good grammar, punctuation, spelling are an absolute must - no need for a reason here!
7 - A good flow to the lens, a logical progression of information and content. Monetised modules should be appropriately placed so that they follow the natural rhythm of the lens.
8 - Length of lens - I don't have an issue with long lenses (I have a tendency that way myself!) but I don't like encyclopedic lenses. If you have that much content - split it! Viewers lose interest after a while.
9 - Visually attractive - spending a little time to make sure your modules are properly formatted and look good is always worth it, viewers prefer it and will spend time browsing a lens that is pleasing and easy on the eye. Technical wizardry is not necessary - it doesn't win or lose 'points' and should only be used if it adds to the lens.
10 - Most important with all the bells and whistles you can muster is CONTENT. Good content is the most important thing of all. I try never to judge the subject - that is not the role of an Angel in my view. If I read a lens and feel at the end of it I have knowledge that I did not have before, or that my knowledge has been enhanced (even just by being presented well) then it is a good lens. If I have been entertained as well, so much the better.
Okay... I hope that gives you another idea about what steps you can take to tweak and hone your lens... and perhaps you'll be inspired to search for even more 'how-to' information over at Squidoo and come back and share with us. There are only so many hours in the day, ya know? The more we put our heads (and eyeballs) together the more we ALL gain!
Thanks, I appreciate you even more than Squidoo...
and I LOVE Squidoo!!!! ;-)
--Mary K
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EXPECT MIRACLES!
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