Things that will give you a leg up
Giant Squids probably do some or all of these things
* Make lenses about things that interest you.
* Write good introductions.
* Have intro photos.
* Upload a photo of yourself (or your avatar) while you're at it.
* Try out a bunch of different modules.
* Replace the default module titles, like "New Guestbook."
* UUU - Unique, useful, updated content rocks!
* Don't copy. Don't cut and paste. Don't plagiarize.
* Keep an eye out for style. Junky lenses send readers running.
* Stop by the SquidU forum and get feedback. Ask politely.
* Stay relevant on your lens.
* G-rated or R-rated, please.
* You're an author: act like one. Don't publish half-baked lenses.
* Watch for typos.
* Be kind to fellow lensmasters and your readers.
* Don't spam.
* Sure, sell stuff; but don't sound like a snakeoil salesman when you do.
* Invite readers to participate. Or not.
* Recommend things you know.
* Explain your topic to new readers.
* Experiment with "front doors" like SquidWho and SquidSports and SquidBoo and SquidFlix, but don't ONLY make those lenses. (It's often easy to pump those out without adding much "you" to them).
* Own a niche and make lots of lenses in it. But don't repeat yourself on the same topic. 40 lenses that say the exact same thing aren't kosher.
* Diversify.
* Link to and feature other people's lenses. It feels good to give back.
* Be passionate. Be you.
* Be honest and straightforward and creative.
* Write good introductions.
* Have intro photos.
* Upload a photo of yourself (or your avatar) while you're at it.
* Try out a bunch of different modules.
* Replace the default module titles, like "New Guestbook."
* UUU - Unique, useful, updated content rocks!
* Don't copy. Don't cut and paste. Don't plagiarize.
* Keep an eye out for style. Junky lenses send readers running.
* Stop by the SquidU forum and get feedback. Ask politely.
* Stay relevant on your lens.
* G-rated or R-rated, please.
* You're an author: act like one. Don't publish half-baked lenses.
* Watch for typos.
* Be kind to fellow lensmasters and your readers.
* Don't spam.
* Sure, sell stuff; but don't sound like a snakeoil salesman when you do.
* Invite readers to participate. Or not.
* Recommend things you know.
* Explain your topic to new readers.
* Experiment with "front doors" like SquidWho and SquidSports and SquidBoo and SquidFlix, but don't ONLY make those lenses. (It's often easy to pump those out without adding much "you" to them).
* Own a niche and make lots of lenses in it. But don't repeat yourself on the same topic. 40 lenses that say the exact same thing aren't kosher.
* Diversify.
* Link to and feature other people's lenses. It feels good to give back.
* Be passionate. Be you.
* Be honest and straightforward and creative.
Things that could disqualify your lenses
A list of no-nos.
* Spam.
* Spamming.
* Junky lenses.
* Copied lenses.
* Or worse: Lazy lenses.
* Or even worse: mean-intentioned lenses.
* Undeveloped "starter" lenses with no personalized content.
* Too many empty lenses (even if you have some good ones mixed in).
* Too few complete lenses.
* Lenses that sell selfishly (lenses that yell at the reader, or flash BUY ME BUY ME in all caps).
* Being mean spirited on the SquidU forums. Regardless of how good your content might be.
* All X-rated lenses.
* Typo-riddled lenses.
* Empty or expired modules.
* Lots of modules with generic default titles like "New Amazon Plexo."
* Tricking your readers into clicking on links they weren't expecting.
* Lenses on SquidDon't topics, like pharmaceuticals and ringtones and gambling and weight loss pills and Yuwie and various affiliate marketing programs.
* Empty introduction modules.
* No lensmaster photos.
From the lens...THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one)
* Spamming.
* Junky lenses.
* Copied lenses.
* Or worse: Lazy lenses.
* Or even worse: mean-intentioned lenses.
* Undeveloped "starter" lenses with no personalized content.
* Too many empty lenses (even if you have some good ones mixed in).
* Too few complete lenses.
* Lenses that sell selfishly (lenses that yell at the reader, or flash BUY ME BUY ME in all caps).
* Being mean spirited on the SquidU forums. Regardless of how good your content might be.
* All X-rated lenses.
* Typo-riddled lenses.
* Empty or expired modules.
* Lots of modules with generic default titles like "New Amazon Plexo."
* Tricking your readers into clicking on links they weren't expecting.
* Lenses on SquidDon't topics, like pharmaceuticals and ringtones and gambling and weight loss pills and Yuwie and various affiliate marketing programs.
* Empty introduction modules.
* No lensmaster photos.
From the lens...THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one)
