Gracious Seth Godin Shows Up Knol

In a social web, social skills are very much required. While Jason C at Manalo leaves a lot to be desired in that respect, Seth Godin has given us his usual and gracious response and created an insomnia page that is simply much better than Google's.

There is one other factor overlooked by Squidoo's competitors, and that is: FUN!

Squidoo is fun. It is fun to build pages, fun to be in that community, fun to read pages, fun to parody Squidoo, fun to build your little empire. It is a fun place to learn internet skills and to social network. Its a fun place to share, to help, to promote, to make friends. Its a real community. Its a fun place to care about and rewarding.

That kind of fun is spirit, something natural that can't be duplicated no matter what size of a corporation likes your ideas. Corey, Megan and Gil are fun to be around, keep Squidoo fresh and exciting, and they care very deeply about the members of their 'community' and the experience they have with it.

While Google's announcement is enough to give lots of people insomnia, in my humble opinion Squidoo has a certain panache that can't be copied- buried, maybe, but Squidoo has made the internet fun in a way that it hasn't been in a very long time.

Danger, Will Robinson! Google is Taking on Squidoo AND Wikipedia!

Perhaps you have heard, and perhaps not, but the big news is that Google is taking on Wikipedia and Squidoo with a new project they call Knol. Like Squidoo, it offers writers free pages and a share of ad revenue. It also is a social page, with rankings and votes by visitors, permits suggested edits by visitors like Wikipedia.

It isn't open to everyone as yet.

There is a lot that is unclear about this project like whether they will add revenue sharing modules as Squidoo has or not, for example. We don't know how those pages will rank next to the Google version. Google pay has rapidly overtaken Paypal, and there was the unfortunate coincidence of Squidoo going to the Ebay convention almost immediately after Ebay and Google had their big falling out. Who knows if the Google slap which lasted for months had anything to do with that? If Google overtakes the revenue modules that Squidoo offers, it is possible that the only remaining distinguishing module will be Ebay.

As to Wikipedia, since their information is public domain, and contributors/editors get nothing for their trouble, many of them may migrate to Google Knol pages to at least earn something for their contribution. Since all the information on Wikipedia is public domain (copyleft), even all the content they already have could be pillaged to make, not only Squidoo pages, but also Google Knol pages.

I was one of the folks that made a 'Google Page' prototype months ago and frankly, it wasn't much. It wasn't even close to the sophistication of Squidoo at the time. I don't recall any traffic of any kind to or from it. Google will have to do much better to overtake Squidoo quality- wise. The prototypes they're showing are really nice though.

Seth, Gil, Corey and Megan are quite bright. If anyone can 'pull a rabbit out of a hat', its them. We'll have watch and see what the big shooters do. For an admittedly far more expert take on this, visit a friend here.

I'm Back!

Hello friends, I'm back. Past the worst of the worst...

Janusz has kindly made a beautiful new header for the Mall on Squidoo for the Christmas season, and I hope that you will all take a look and compliment him on his wonderful work!

There are many things to get up-to-date with: SquidWho, SquidVids, SquidFlicks... too much to write about all at once.

My Apologies!

Sometimes life interferes with work, no matter how important. I've been in such a situation lately, where a person I care very much about was taken from lung cancer.

I was extremely preoccupied with this event and I have gotten even further behind, if you can imagine.

However, the bright spot is that there are so many terrific new lenses that have joined our group!

I wasn't ignoring you, though I surely neglected you.

I look forward to all the next phase of development in the Mall group, and looking at all these terrific lenses!

My Idea of a Top-Notch Commerce Lens!

Daoine is a favorite lensmaster of mine. Her commerce lenses are interesting, full of content and fun, and make great use of pictures.

In particular, Elsa won Lens of the Day with her Pirate Costumes for Halloween, and no wonder!

She checked on when the next pirate movie would be released (none coming yet, darn!)

She gives us a little history about Pirates (which explains why we like the rogues so much, doesn't it?)

She gives us details of a full and interesting costume for anyone, man, woman or child. She even gives us instructions on how to make the proper hat!

As a commerce resource, she includes a way to get everything, or nearly everything, we could need to have a GREAT pirate costume.

Yes, it is a seasonal lens, but it is one that is worth hanging on to and keeping fresh year by year. A little promotion at the right time and this lens will be a long-term asset for Elsa.

Very well done!

Seasonal preps: Mall on Squidoo & Squidoo Gifts Mall

Who wants to think about Christmas in August? I'm sure nobody does, but it really is the time for you and I to begin considering what we will be doing for the upcoming seasons.

The Mall on Squidoo page has a PR of 5, predicted to go to PR6 soon, and with the rapid growth of these two groups, I have no doubt that these will be VERY DESIRABLE pages for you to be featured on.

With such a high PR, I am told that it is best for the pages/links to be on there for about 2 months, for your lenses to get an increase in PR for themselves.

So, keeping this in mind, I will be setting up the Mall Groups for the Fall Season which will last from September through to the end of October.

There will be a brief time to promote Thanksgiving, but I will want to begin Christmas promotion as quickly as possible to ensure we have the two months we need to be sure we are getting found in the search engines and have a good and beneficial PR.

So until the end of August, please either leave a comment on the Mall on Squidoo page or on the About the Mall on Squidoo page that you want to be featured either in the Fall season or in the Christmas Season and leave your lens link in the guestbook. Those who do so will be given priority consideration for featuring during this most important selling season of the year!

I am seeking appropriate artwork for the Mall Groups for the upcoming seasons. Internet shopping still needs to reflect the society around us and the seasonal interests of shoppers. I think our Mall Groups will do best if our artwork can reflect those seasons.

Another Challenge! Giant Squids!

Squidoo is ALWAYS searching for quality lenses, and they are looking for YOU!

Seth and his crew have issued the Giant Squid Challenge, can YOU make 100 top notch lenses?

Yes, maybe it is a little much to ask of anyone who cares about the content and quality of their lenses.

However, he makes the most important point: now is the time to stand tall, stand out, be remarkable! Now is the time to build your best stuff!

It is the challenge that brings out our best.

You're the best! Squidoo is the best! You can do it!

Heads UP!!! A Warning From Squidoo Headquarters

Here we see something VERY IMPORTANT from Megan Casey:

"Squidoo does not endorse or recommend ratings swaps. Not only because it’s not in the spirit of the site, but also because it just doesn’t work. It doesn’t earn you loyal readers or customers, it doesn’t help people find you in search engines, and it doesn’t increase the quality of your content. That, and it’s risky. A star rating is only a tiny factor in our LensRank algorithm right now. You’re not going to win with even 500 fake ratings. And, in fact, if you spam people asking for them, you’ll assuredly lose.

Finally, remember: Squidoo reserves the right to change our LensRank algorithm at any time. We’re currently working on (unannounced) changes that will end up impacting swappers without warning. Building a so-called business on massive rating swaps or traffic exchanges could mean you did a whole lot of work for a whole lot of nothing."

Genuine rankings according to content and quality, and whether you'd send your best friend over to visit a page, is critical to how Squidoo operates.

Be warned!

MP: Woodturning Projects by Sewjr

One of the finest commerce Squidoo lenses you'll find has long been one of my favorites. It has been a member of the Mall on Squidoo group almost since the beginning. It has made the Most Profitable (MP) list, #1 position.

Woodturning Projects by Sewjr is one of many really high quality lenses. This page is an especially fine example of what a small business, artisan or craftsman can do to get traffic and build a relationship with visitors. He gives his best information, advice and inspiration and then creates opportunities for interested people to participate.

Stan has two woodworking groups, the Woodworking Headquarters and the 'As the Wood Turns' Headquarters. These are very attractive to new and to experienced woodcrafters.

Because of his great lenscrafting skills, Stan is one of the founding jurists of the By Invitation Only juried lens contest, helping jury the best Squidoo lenses for the People's Choice Lensmasters & Awards.

Stan is a real winner, a Titan on Squidoo, and a person to get to know and watch!

MP List: At Home Source- Mall Member

AtHomeSource has many lenses, and not all of them are in the Mall group. She has shared with us little baby Molly as her 'trademark'- a baby so cute that the planet should crack in half, and makes it a worthwhile visit just to get a look at Molly!

Many of AtHomeSource's lenses have managed to make LR and MP and so this lensmaster is onto something in her Squidoo commerce lensbuilding techniques and her marketing.

Platform Beds with Storage has been a regular on the LR. Most of the modules in this lens are for affiliate sales, which have beautiful pictures and LOADS of information for anyone who is seriously interested in platform beds. Her MP status is gained by having related ebay modules which clearly make sufficient sales to put her on MP on a regular basis.

I'm sure she would tell you that VOLUME of traffic is much less important than QUALITY TARGETED TRAFFIC, the kind of traffic that is seriously shopping this niche, and is very interested in a good selection of quality at a good price.

She also provides a series of really good links for addiitonal information, resources and ideas for the shopper that could use a few.

Currently on MP is her lens Nitro RC Trucks | Gas Powered Monster Trucks for Sale, which makes great use of ebay auctions for this very specific niche. It isn't a long lens, but it has a very tight selection of exactly the items that the title offers. Customers get no surprises here by diversionary tactics, she gives them EXACTLY what they came for.

New Lensmaster: JonitasKalimpo

As a Citizen Squid and as a committed lensmaster, I spend a LOT of time at SquidU. When an up and coming lensmaster shows up and immediately begins helping and making themselves useful, I notice.

One such is JonitasKalimpo, who came onto the scene in June of this year, and has been an incredibly committed and talented lensmaster.

Joao has created a lens Samsung Blackjack i607 Smartphone Guide, and it really does epitomize what I hope to see as a 'personal shopping assistant' commerce lens at the Mall.

This lens has a very logical layout, with loads of useful information, all with the eye to helping the visitor know whether this particular type of phone is the one for them or not. Joao offers technical details, instructions, and all the accessories, enabling anyone interested to take a good look and make a good choice.

There are beautiful and detailed pictures, a table of contents (or menu) and surprisingly relevant videos!

Extremely well done and I will be proud to feature all of Joao's lenses!

New Lensmaster: Mariane

Mariane is one of our terrific commerce lensmasters, who has found a way to create and promote items of interest and importance to her, using Squidoo. Like the rest of us, Mariane has high hopes that all of her work will rate high in Google, and bring to visitors her unique and important perspective.

I really like her lens Spanx Shapewear With the Celebrities, and her knowledge about Spanx, and the celebrities that wear them, is impressive.

Using Squidoo as an economic development tool, for all of us, is a specific principle to be dedicated to and apply.

What this means is that lensmasters can increase the economic prosperity of all lensmasters, and all of Squidoo, if we purchase from one another FIRST.

Since I was present at the very beginning of the new studies and teaching of micro- economic development principles (think Grameen Bank), I want to point out that it is known that any community that purchases from within itself FIRST actually generates $7 of income for every $1 spent!

How is this possible? By spending within the community FIRST, as each member does the same, it enriches each member that gets a purchase BEFORE the money leaves the community. Squidoo is a community. We are, hopefully, all on the same team, all on the same page.

Had America stuck with this principle, purchasing locally before purchasing with international or even foreign corporations, we wouldn't have the debt and job losses we have now.

We can enrich ourselves and each other if we purchase something we need from each other's lenses before we look elsewhere to purchase.

So, if you need or want Spanx, my suggestion is that you help Squidoo, help Mariane, and help yourself by purchasing Spanx from her lens. She, and others, will do the same for you!

Be Smart: Enter the Lensmaster Contest

A GREAT beginning for a lens that has moved from 3 modules (wip) to 4, and wants to become eligible for the 'featured lens' list, is to add it to the By Invitation Only Lensmaster's Contest.

First, MAKE A GOOD LENS.

Second, decide whether the focus is on content (ala Michelangelo's David) or Commerce (ala Amish Quilt Racks) and enter your lens on the appropriate monthly plexo.

Look at, and vote for, all of the lenses in the contest.

Then, LEAVE A COMMENT!

Lensroll the contest lens to your own lens!

You will receive traffic from:

1. Other lensmasters who will also visit and vote on the lenses.
2. Jurists who look at the lenses to vote.
3. Visitors who are looking for good lenses.
4. Others who are seeking lenses for some reason or other (eg. LOTD)

You will also get a link to your page. With the comment, you will get a link to your lensmaster's roster. With the lensroll, you will have a reciprocal link.

If you are one of 6 winners, your lens and your lensmaster's page will be blogged and so you will have additional external links.

I am LOOKING FOR YOU THERE!

WIP: Exactly, what is the definition?

There is a LOT of debate in the lounge as to whether WIP lenses are 3 modules or less than three, not including the introduction or the guestbook. Headquarters, after their original posting, has not clarified this issue.

I don't think it needs more clarification, because the proof is in what shows up as wip and what doesn't.

Lenses with 3 modules or less have dropped off the list of the featured lenses, AND have dropped out of my visibility in any of my groups.

If all you have are the intro, three modules and the guestbook, then your lens is STILL undeveloped.

You will need to have a 4th module to be permitted to be featured, and without traffic of any kind your lens may still not be found in Squidoo search results.

The Mall groups have 5 modules as a requirement to be featured.

Once you have your 4 modules, and can become part of the featured lenses, then you will need to do some extra things to generate other links to your lens and hopefully some traffic.

I have several projects that will help you to do that. I will begin discussing those next.

Giddy Gabby: Squidoo's Friendly Soul

Giddy Gabby is another one who makes herself known around Squidoo, one of the friendliest and most open, warm human beings you could want to know. Along with me and a few others, Giddy Gabby has been a citizen squid since May.

She has joined our Mall on Squidoo group with My Quiche Pan Store, a page that will make a quiche lover out of you, even if you have never tried it!

Welcome to the Mall on Squidoo group, Giddy Gabby! You're a real pleasure to have around!