by Linda Davis
Before I started this post, I had an outline in my head. It was all about how to create a "lens" on Squidoo. Besides pointing out all of Squidoo’s cool features, I was going to explain details like filling out your profile and using modules. Then I discovered Squidoo U. Everything you need to know about Squidoo is there including tips for promoting your lens, setting up groups, tagging and HTML tips. There is even a user’s forum. It seemed a bit silly to try to reinvent the wheel when there it was all nicely packaged in the Squidoo University.
If you’ve never heard of Squidoo, it is best described as an indepth look at a specific topic. Squidoo lets you create a web page (a lens) around that topic. Although not initially intuitive, after you get the hang of it, lenses are quick and easy to build. To give you an example of a lens, I’ve created one called Building Your Real Estate Technology Tool Kit where you can find a few of my favorite technology tools.
Squidoo was founded by Seth Godin so it is no wonder it is a perfect tool for niche marketing. Whatever your niche, you can create a mini website and include links and books about your topic. Of course, one of the best features is creating links to YOUR OWN website or blog, enhancing your web presence. Bill Gassett’s lens on Hopkinton MA Real Estate does a nice job of offering visitors information specifically about the Hopkinton, MA area and creates links back to his website and blog.
I’m passionate about niche marketing and Squidoo is a nice little tool to enhance your niche and create a little link love for your blog or website. An added bonus is that your Squidoo lens, done right, will do well on search engines like Google and Yahoo.
OH, and did I mention it is FREE?