V’s Squidnews and Squidviews

If there is anything I have found through Twitter, it is that there is a LOT of bogus information out there by affiliate marketers who do “tutorials” on building Squidoo Lenses.  Most of it is outdated, so you know whoever wrote it has not even written a lens in a while.  Most are still touting the SEO value of Squidoo tags.  Umm…yeah, we all know the facts about that, right?

These Marketers no doubt think they are really helping, but hey…I don’t tell them what products to push, and they should be telling people what it takes to make a successful lens, right?  Right.  So, let me throw my two cents worth in.

First, you should know that I am one of those people who believe that SEO (as it is currently done) is becoming obsolete.  People want content, they want answers, they want whatever drives them to your lens.  I think most Marketers, expecially those who try to use Squidoo, do it wrong!  That is one reason I build business lenses!  I don’t care what your product is…someone is looking for it.  Knocking yourself out with 10% saturation of a keyword is foolish.  First of all, it makes for an unpleasant read.  Second, if you have the right keywords, you don’t need that much saturation.

With Squidoo, although I create personal lenses on many topics, I am basically selling one thing; me.  I am selling my writing, my knowledge of Squidoo and my continuing knowledge of Squidoo!  I know the Squidoo community, they know me.  I worked hard at acheiving that, so did most other Giant Squids and serious Squidoo-ers.  Marketers who swoop in may get a temporary advantage at the search engines, but are they really doing what Squidoo is optimized to do?  No…they have no concept of the “Tribal” thinking.  They have no idea (some of them) what Seth Godin’s message is.  They are out to make a buck and they are going to “use” whatever means they can to do so.  This is why many of them have to affiliate market for literally hundreds of products!

While I admire their ambition, I find their approach absurd!  I make a living from Squidoo, in my own way.  Because I do know the values (notice I said values, not value) of Squidoo AND the community, and I know I am a semi-talented writer, I created a Lens Building Service that is becoming very valued.  I have also started making money from the sales of the products I advertise on my lenses.  BUT, IMHO, the reason some lenses do so well where others do not is the passion behind them.  Do you LOVE to Squidoo?  I do too!  I think that shines through loud and clear. Because of Squidoo, I also have gained many Freelance jobs, those too, as a result of Squidoo.

Therefore, I am going to scout out the quality lenses that are about how to Squidoo the RIGHT way and put it all together for those “Marketers” who really want to know what Squidoo is about. I know one I will include is “The best Squidoo lens NOT to do!” by Growwear. Fabulous Lens, that! Anyway, if you know any others that you feel would really benefit those who are semi-clueless about Squidoo, please post in comments. I also plan to track down the “Newbie group” by a_willow and add that information. It just really yanks my chain that people who know NOTHING about Squidoo are giving lessons on it! Help me out here, fellow Squids, and let’s show ‘em how it’s done! Thanks!

See ya ’round Squidville!