While Twitter and Facebook have dominated the majority of social media discussion, Squidoo has unfortunately fallen out of the spotlight. And it’s a shame too because Squidoo combines the social element of Twitter and Facebook but also infuses the art of content creation and sharing. The simple explanation of Squidoo is that you create simple one page webpages (called lenses) using different modules (basically boxes to put pictures, text, video, and more).
I’ve always loved the simplicity of Squidoo - especially since it’s one of those sites that’s easy to use on the surface but can be even more powerful when you give it time and focus. To help you get a jump start on your Squidoo lens, here are 5 simple tips to apply immediately.
1. Think In Keywords
Before you even begin to work on your Squidoo lens, you need to decide what keywords you want to use. Not only is this good SEO practice, it’s necessary to figure out what your niche as a coach is. The more you have focused on the keywords that you’re going to use to attract people into your world, the easier it will be to allow them to find you. While you could make the lens all about you, it’s not the most effective keyword strategy.
Try this instead. Think of a problem that your ideal client would have. Try to put it in words. Then, go to a keyword research tool like the Google Adwords keyword tool. Type in some of the keywords you were thinking and see if people are actually searching for them. When you find a term that is searched often, you’ve made your first step towards creating an effective lens.
2. Connect Your Blog
The focus of bringing your coaching practice online should always be producing content - especially through a blog. Fortunately, Squidoo offers an RSS module that allows you to easily connect your blog to your Squidoo lens. Why do this? Well, in the beginning, your Squidoo lens might perform better in Google and the search engines than your website and blog. Never assume that just because your content is on your blog that it should be the only place you should put it.
Your content can have many homes online, especially through the use of RSS.
3. Use Images + Video
It may seem such a simple concept but using images and video can make your Squidoo lens stand out. You want someone who finds your lens to want to stay there for a while. If they bounce from the page in just a few seconds, they’re missing out on seeing your valuable content. Even if you can’t directly see how signing up with Flickr and YouTube relates to your practice, you should take advantage of these sites to create more opportunities for potential clients to interact with you.
4. Try New Modules
To build your Squidoo lens, you can choose many different modules to display your content and your interests. There are even modules where you can increase the amount of interactivity on your blog. Let’s say you have a question that you like to ask all your clients. Using the Duel module or even the Guestbook module, you can create a space for people to share their thoughts and hopefully more of their questions.
Remember, the more ways you can build content that leads to questions, the more success you can see. When you become the Go To person for answers, that’s when you start seeing the financial success you’ve been wanting.
5. Get Social!
One of the highlights of Squidoo is its active and passionate community. If you know Seth Godin, you know he believed in the power of having a community around your content. That’s exactly what he did with Squidoo. You can use the SquidU forums, comment on other lenses, and see what’s going on in the community. When you’re having fun with it, it will bring more people to your lens.
I love Squidoo because it’s an alternative to the often dizzying nature of Twitter and Facebook.
