Posts Tagged ‘lenses’

I have some people arguing with me that a good lens can’t take 30 minutes. Oh yes it can. But a STELLAR lens - the kind that gets Lens of the Day and makes people swoon in amazement over your vast powers as a lensmaster - will take longer, yes.

The difference is content.

I can whip up a good introduction of 250 words that covers the basics of my topic, plus two more 250-word text modules that cover two more fine details (about a page 1/2 total of writing) in less than 15 minutes. Faster if I use my Dragon Naturally Speaking software (like 4 minutes).

But with a stellar lens, I cover everything I know. I become the authority on the matter. With good lenses, I’m showing value and expertise but funneling that traffic through Squidoo and on to my other domains (or affiliate links) so that THEY can represent me as the authority figure.

For example:

A Good lens might be “How to Squidoo” and I would give an introduction about what Squidoo is and why it’s good to use. I would then add a text module that talked about how easy it was to use, then another text module showcasing my Squidoo eBook. I would link out in each text module to my eBook site.

The writing would be good, I would tag it properly, and it would have relevant images. But MY domain would be the authority on the topic.

A Stellar lens on “How to Squidoo” would have the exact same elements as above but it would have these additional text modules:

How to register for your free Squidoo account
How to claim your first lens URL
How to tag a lens within your content
How to choose which modules would go in it, etc.

However, giving away this much information would clamp down on the sales of my eBook that teaches How to Squidoo - because I’ve parlayed my expertise on the lens itself. Of course, I could always give some information but not all.

Here’s an example of a good lens:http://www.squidoo.com/christmastoy - it has a good amount of content - an intro and two additional text modules with images.

Here’s an example of a stellar lens: http://www.squidoo.com/toptoddlertoys - it’s stellar because it goes into far more detail. Instead of just a broad description of toys I got into detail and wrote about educational toys, LeapFrog toys, etc.

So make good lenses for your marketing efforts. If you want them to perform extra well, shoot for stellar. Start with a topic that you’re passionate about and make it your first stellar lens. It will spur you on to make more

Tiff