Since I already have created lenses for businesses, and given the above information…I decided to start making Squidoo Lens Packages that work hand in hand with the OWM system.  I of course, am using the OWM system to market the Lens package lenses too!  I’ve only gotten a couple of the lenses done (I just started last night) but here is one:  OWM Lens Pack I also contacted the Marketing firm I work for and suggested a business proposal.  So, what it all means is that more great things may be about to happen!

I’ve been so busy lately trying to fit everything together, and hopefully now it will fall into place.  Gawd, I love Squidoo!  Don’t you?

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!

“Twitter patter”  and

“The Comma Queen”

Not exactly sure of which direction these will take, but I like the names I thought up!  I am spending today reflecting on my career…and my focus.  Happy Thanksgiving to all

See you ’round ‘Squidville!

All Freelance

I have to make this short…tons of work to get done today!  Let me know if you find something here!

See you ’round squidville

Squidoo is fantastic in that you can write about what you like, and what you know.  It also challenges you to learn more, and create more.  You can put your own personal style into each and every lens.  You can be silly, serious, playful, and artistic; you create, sell, laugh, cry or complain.  Squidoo is the tablet on which you write what you love.  It’s all good at Squidoo, and it is little doubt as to why so many love making lenses.  It is a Squidoo lens that I created that got me the freelancing job I currently have.  It is Squidoo that is allowing me to spread my wings and make lenses for other people, and businesses.

Now, on the flip side of that, is my job.  Not really the flip side because I love writing for my job too, but it is a very different experience.  For those of you who are considering breaking into a writing career, you will have to remember that it is not exactly like creating a Squidoo lens.  My job involves an entirely different set of disciplines than Squidoo.  With Squidoo, I can start a lens, save it, then finish it the next day, week or month.  As a working freelance writer, I am given assignements of between 5,000 and 10,000 words a day, which are broken up into a set number of articles each containing a set number of words.  I may get a 3 part assignment that includes  10 articles of 200 words each about construction, 5 articles of 500 words each on the military and 10 articles of 300 words each about online gaming.  I’m given the task of making each article unique, coming up with titles and working on SEO for each one.

The first assignment I got, I will never forget.  It was on bass fishing boats.  I had to make 10 articles on bass fishing boats.  Now, I’d never even SEEN a bass fishing boat before, so needless to say I had to do some research.  The bad news is, I get paid by the word, so I wasn’t being paid to research.  The good news is, I have gained so much knowledge through these assignments that I am now qualified to write my personal articles and lenses about many more topics!

So, I write between 5,000 and 10,000 words, 5 days a week.  In case you have never done a word count, that is a LOT of words.  It is not always easy, nor fun to write this much about topics (at times) that I know nothing about.  One of the things that gets me through, however, is that I am paid every day.  I don’t have to wait a week to reap my rewards, or two weeks…I am paid each and every day.  I can work my days off.  Of course, that severely limits my Squidoo time.

I also get to create lenses for my job from time to time.  Those lenses I have put under the screen name of squidtwo, so if you happen to see that name around, you’ll know it’s me!  The people at Squidoo and SquidU have, for the most part, been very supportive, and that has helped more than I can say.  My reputation at Squidoo is very important to me.  Not that I am extremely well known, but I am known by most people who frequent the forums.

And that is it in a nutshell.  I am thinking of focusing this blog on writing for fun and profit, but we shall see.  Until next time…See ya ’round Squidville!

I do not believe Motrin was attempting to offend anyone.  I also believe Motrin should NEVER have approved that ad.  It was offensive.  However, it that reason to form angry mobs and behave like a bunch of estrogen rich hysterical “someone-must-pay” ninnies?  I think not.  Write your notes to Motrin, I agree.  Call them, but let’s not start a war over this, yes, I’ll say it, crap.

Although these young girls think they were the first to “wear” their babies, they were not.  It is a centuries old custom.  I was wearing babies when wearing babies wasn’t cool!  I used an old sheet, as we didn’t have “snuggies, and shruggies,” or whatever they call them now.

I agree that Motrin should apologize and probably find a new ad agency, but I also think this was blown WAY out of proportion by a lot of people.  All of this transpired over the weekend, and I knew first thing today they would apologize, and they did.  I fear we have not heard the last though.  If I could twitterblock a word right now, it would be “Motrin”

I’ve also been visiting other lensmaster’s pages and doing some star polishing.  I tried promoting Crypticfragments zazzle and graphic work.

I’m wore out. 

See you ’round Squidville!

Does anyone else have this problem with my blog?  If so, I will probably close this one and try ot open another one.  WP and I have never gotten along very well!  lol

I read a truly beautiful lens today by White Oak, you may want to have a look at it:

Who is White Oak

Until later…see ya ’round squidville!

With Christmas approaching, I know even some of my Squidoo “Friends” are spamming me!  Yet, they seldom have the time to comment, if they visit my lenses at all!  I know a lot of lensmasters are feeling that way.  Here is some link love to those who so generously visit lenses on a regular basis:

Poddys: Has some fantasic Baby boomer jokes!  If you want or need a laugh, check them out!  Poddys is one of many of us getting discouraged.  Show him some love!

aj2008:  In one of her many lenses of giving thanks to others!  aj is a great supporter of others, and the kindness should be returned.

Mimi: Who cares so very much about the children, and the world, offers suggestions on plastic bags  Which I am also adding to my “thrifty” blog!

Awelldressedbullet: Offers a heartwarming tribute to her dog, and friend.  Awelldressedbullet is also someone who visits other’s lenses frequently, and I always enjoy her comments

Jimmie: is always nearby with a kind word.  She is dedicated to teaching children and has great ideas for lapbooks.

Yvonne (Naturegirl7) has many beautiful lenses on birds, butterflies and all sorts of nature.  I snagged her 7up cake lens though! 

a_willow who is so dedicated to the new squids, had her first Graduating class!  Check it out!

There are others, this is just the first set…show them some love!

The ranking system has had too many glitches and the numbers are moot. There is no way anyone could convince me that the numbers have any validity at all.  With the number of glitches, particularly in the last month, it would be impossible to say that lenses are where they should be in the rankings.

I know Gill has been working tirelessly on the problems, and we all appreciate it.  I know they are trying to ensure that the algorithm ends up being fair to everyone.  That’s all fine and good; however, it’s broke.  When you have glitches over 15 days out of 30, you are not going to get the correct numbers on your lens.

This effects so very many lensmasters.  As for myself, I am trying to build up a reasonable income on Squidoo in it’s own right, but I also make my living creating lenses for my Boss.  It is difficult to convince clients that Squidoo has an honest and accurate system when they can see the numbers yo-yo from top to bottom in any given day.  MY only saving grace is that I have been fortunate enough to have a lens in the top tier for over 3 months.  That would be my Native American Lens.  This looks good to the clients, however, I have not made ONE DIME off of that lens with Squidoo.  Not one penny.

One lens I am doing for a client that seems to be holding it’s own is #1 Ranking on Google.  Nearing the top tier, but not there yet, is my No Doubt Custom Lens Making Lens.  The latter is what is bringing me more clients.

Although I build lenses for clients, my integrity remains in tact.  I will NOT create lenses for crap products.  I am thankful my employers know this and have the same set of standards as I.  The fact still remains, however, that with all of the glitches in the system, it’s difficult to convince customers that Squidoo is a reliable venue.

Maybe it’s time Squidoo hired new people?  I’m sure the work is taxing on the few employees there.  I know everyone at HQ works diligently and I, for one, appreciate that.  However, lensmasters work very hard, and diligently as well, and are losing hope.  The morale is slipping away and it is evident on many posts at SquidU.

Well, enough of my ramblings for now.  Let me know what your ideas are.

See you ’round Squidville!