Hi everyone! This is from the blog topic requests I got. Someone wants to know how to create a good Squidoo lens and had questions that included: how long it should be, how many modules, how a service lens differs from an Amazon promotional lens, and how to promote the lens. So let’s get to it!

How long should your Squidoo lens be (# of modules)

I never try to do less than three total text modules, a guestbook and 1-2 of something else. So let’s break it down. Your lens is built with an introduction module. I like to have content of about 200-250 words in there. I also create two more text modules of about the same size.

Right after the introduction module, I put something like an Amazon module. Then a text module, then Amazon, then text and then guestbook. I like the content to be broken up with other things.  You can definitely go longer if you want to. But I wouldn’t go shorter.

How does a service lens differ from an Amazon promo lens?

With a service lens, you’re not promoting anything but your contact information. You want to have a healthy balance between information about you and content that shows you know what your client needs.

Here’s how I would do a service lens (we’ll use ghostwriting as an example):

• Introduction that talks about what your clients may need – eBooks, reports, email autoresponders, articles, web content, and more! Talk about the importance of them being able to outsource to someone reliable who provides quality content at a reasonable price.
• Poll module that polls them on what kind of content they need (including an “all of the above” option).
• Text module that talks about your qualifications (experience, specific things you’re good at, etc).
• Text module that talks about how your projects work. (payment, timelines, outline approval – stuff like that).
• Text module of a portfolio that provides 3 short excerpts in health, wealth and relationships  - maybe 2 short paragraphs each.
• A module that gives them your contact information – it could be a link to your blog if you have one, or your email address or Skype.
• Guestbook (where hopefully existing clients will leave feedback on your projects and convince others to buy).

How to promote your lens:

Squidoo generally does pretty well ranking. I would try to use ghostwriting keywords that buyers would use in my module titles (like “hire a ghostwriter”).

The only thing I do promotion-wise when I create a lens is Tweet about it. You can promote it the same way you’d promote any web page – put it on Google Plus, Twitter, or on a Facebook group (like my 52 on Squidoo group that’s VERY active).

You can link to it from your sig file on various forums, too.  If you want to go all out, I would research a lot of keywords buyers use to look up ghostwriters and I would build a lens on each one, such as:

How to Hire a Writer

I would make a lens about it, teaching them things like:

• have a detailed project description ready (don’t be vague)
• find someone with experience
• look at their portfolio
• agree on payment milestones, etc…

And of course, I would include your contact information to help them go ahead and hire you.

Here’s a keyword phrase: find a writer.

That phrase has 2,850 results for the URL and a little over 7,000 in the title.

There are more – how to find a grant writer, find a resume writer, and more. I made a lot off writing resumes in the very beginning. I don’t know about grant writing, but you can find other specifics to create lenses from:

• press release writer
• where to find writers
• technical writers…etc.

Word of mouth is the very best form of advertising you can get – above and beyond Squidoo. Sometimes people need reminding. Ask your existing customers to be sure to tell their friends about your services. Maybe even give them a special promo – when they send you a paying customer, not only does the customer get a first time client discount, but your existing customer gets to order something at the same discount, too!

Tiff

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