How to Create a Squidoo Lens

Are you familiar with Squidoo.com? It is a relatively new social networking site, comparable with myspace, but advertisement and promotion of businesses are encouraged, and allowed.

Do you have a website or product for sale? Create a lens, write some informative articles about your product, or business. You should not use the lens only to promote your product, the lens should also provide useful, and interesting information, to the reader.

Do you have a passion? Create a lens about your passion. Do you love dogs, horses, or American Idol? Create a lens and let the whole world know what you are passionate about. Create a lens about your husband, wife, city, or state.

Do you want the world to know about you? Create a lens, and display your great writing abilities. Write a few informative articles, and show the world your writing style. Are you an artist? Let the world see samples of your work.

How To Create A Squidoo Lens> Getting Started

Sign up for an account, then you are ready to go. Start by reading some of the other lenses that are already on Squidoo. Search for topics that interest you, and check out what other people have written. While you are reading rate others, and sign their guest book. When you have your lens set up, you will want others to visit your lens. Reading other lenses is a great way to get a feel for how the lenses can be set up, and how to set your own lens up.

Now you're ready to dive in and create your lens. Click on the green words MAKE A LENS, then type in what your lens is about. In step two Squidoo will ask, "What do you want to do with your lens?" If you are not sure pick the easiest option, you can always add more to your lens later. When you get to step three pick your URL. Choose a topic from the drop down menu you would like your lens to fall under. Add more relevant key words, and you are ready to start building.

Click on the text "edit this lens" and you are off and running. SquidU has some great information on creating your lens, take a look there for more useful tips and tricks. Don't forget to create a profile for yourself, this is located on the right side of the lens screen. This will add a personal touch to your Squidoo lens. You can create your profile and use it for every lens, or create a special profile for each lens.

How To Create A Squidoo Lens> Adding and Editing Modules

The first module in the lens is the Introduction Module. This is basically a text module, with a place for a clipart of photo in the upper left hand corner. Use this module to introduce your topic, and tell a little about the subject, and why it is important to you. This is your first chance to grab the readers attention, and draw them in to check out the rest of your lens. Upload a photo to help catch the readers eye, and add interest to your lens.

Here are a couple of other common modules you can add to your Squidoo lens, and how to use them:

The SquidooText/Write Module > This module is very similar to the Introduction Module. Use the module to talk more about your subject, or if your lens is about multiple subjects, such as the different ways a person can work from home. Use the text modules to introduce each of the ways you would like to share about working from home. Include a photo whenever possible.

The Squidoo Guestbook Module> This module gives your guests a chance to say hi, and comment on your lens. You can change the beginning text to say whatever you want. If you have a lens on working from home you may want to say, "Please leave your own favorite work from home ideas here." This will encourage people to leave a message, and add useful information to your lens.

The Squidoo Links Module> Use this module to link other important websites to your Squidoo lens. Websites containing information you would like your readers to see. There are also link modules available, allowing your guests to vote on the links, and add links they think would be relevant to your topic.

The Money Making Squidoo Modules> Squidoo also has several lenses which allow you to possibly earn money. You can add products from Amazon, Ebay, and many other online retailers to your lens. If you have a favorite book on the subject, add it to your lens, and let everyone know why you love the book. You can earn commission on what you sell for yourself, or your favorite charity.

There are many more Squidoo modules to check out. Click on the add modules button at the top, or bottom of your lens to check out other possible modules for your Squidoo lens. Just add the modules you are interested in having on your lens. If you later decide a module doesn't work, click the delete button next to the module to remove it.

You can also click on the Reorder Modules button, to change the order of your modules. This will take you to a screen, where you can drag the modules up or down, until they are in the order you prefer.

When you are done with your lens click on publish to make the changes to your lens public. Click on the groups button at the top of the screen. Here you can check out the groups available on Squidoo. If any interest you open them up, and take a look. Some groups are closed, and others are open for anyone to join. Add your lens to your favorite groups that are relevant to your lenses subject matter. Do not spam your lens into a group that has no relevance to your subject matter, this will only earn you negative attention.

Watch out Squidoo is addictive, once you create one lens you will want to create more.