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Along with a group of new Giant Squids, a group of Giants recently met the criteria and joined the Giant Squid 100 Club! To new lensmasters, the idea of creating 100 lenses, much less 100 really really GREAT lenses, can be daunting. We asked these new 100 Clubbers for their advice on finding great new lens ideas and using tools on Squidoo. Here’s what they said!

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Mickie_G - Giant since April 2009
I got most of my great lens ideas by revisit WIPs, joining groups like RocketMoms, and participating in challenges.

trekkiemelissa - Giant since January 2009
We all like movies or music or have a hobby. You can write about all of those if that is what interests you. You can even write product reviews of items you have previously bought or write about items you really like to have. This is a great way to do some research on something you really want.

mysticmama - Giant since July 2009
Being involved in the Squidoo community is key to success. The best advice I can give potential Giants is to get involved in the Giant Squid Challenge. Being involved with activities like RocketMoms, Senior Squids, Factor Y and Giant Squid School is also a great way to get ideas for lenses that you might not have even thought of trying on your own.

missbat - Giant since July 2008
Make lenses on what you’re passionate about: your hobbies, life experiences, tips/how-to’s and local places you love to visit. What you know about is a great way to think up future lenses. I’m addicted to the Text module. I try to write all the copy on my lenses, as I love to write. Talking about something in your own words draws in visitors!

hlkljgk - Giant since July 2009
Well, my inspiration seems to come from everyday experiences, so I suggest always having a notebook handy to ensure you remember those ideas while out and about.

BevsPaper - Giant since July 2009
There are a couple of niches that inspire my lensmaking. I also love Challenge lenses from groups I belong to.

Sojourn - Giant since July 2009
I find lots of ideas by browsing through merchant online stores in my affiliate programs. There’s some really cool stuff out there!

sandyspider - Giant since July 2009
I would not have made the 100 club if it were not for joining the Challenge group and RocketMoms. These motivated me to move forward.

NanLT - Giant since July 2009
Think about what you know and what you are interested in, and expand on it.

Dkprincess6 - Giant since April 2009
I can only repeat what’s been said over and over, write what you know and have fun.

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100 Club isn’t that far away. You can do it, one lens at a time.

~Kimberly Dawn Wells
YOUR Community & Charity Organizer

As you know, September 30th marked the end of the third quarter, and a deadline for new Giant Squid nominations! Every quarter, a new round of really great lensmasters meet the criteria and are awarded Giant Squid status.

We asked our newest Giants three questions:
1.when did you learn about the Giant program and decide it was for you?
2.what are your favorite topics to write lenses about?
3.what’s next for you on Squidoo?

Here’s what they had to say!

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wysiwigs
I decided to go for Giant to help our 501c3 (Epic Farms).  We were already a Squidoo charity, but I thought becoming a Giant might be a good idea.  Interestingly enough, right after I decided there was a blog post encouraging charities to go for Giant (so I knew I was on the right track :o)

I love making the horse lenses, although I have fun making the others too. I am thinking seriously about going for the whole 100, but in the vague and distant future, of course! :o)

OneFootPutt
I learned about Giants about a month after I joined.   I knew right away I wanted to be a Giant, but I also knew it would take me a while to get there.  After joining Factor Y in August, I knew I would apply in December, however, during one of my Squidu posts in September, Ener-G pointed out I was 3 away from 50, and so I made the push to apply in September.
My favorite topics to write about are Cub Scouts, Books for Children, Golf, PTA, Family Vacations. It may take another year, but, I think the 100 club is next.

Heather426
I had seen the Giant badges but had no clue how you got one until I joined Rocket Moms and Bonnie pointed out the page by Megan on becoming a Giant. I think I decided as soon as I had about 15 or 20 lenses since it seemed doable at that point…and besides, the addiction had set in…

I like to write about Angels, Astronomy, Travel, and Cooking, and I like to make niche gift lenses. Next I am going for Squid Angel, and Giant 100…and more interaction with all my new Squidoo friends!

Laniann
When a_willow was forming her WiWon Team. I knew then that this was a chance to be among and learn from the best lensmasters. I like to write about animals, saving our environment, and costumes. Next, I’ll apply what I’ve newly learned to my lenses and aim for the 100 Club.

_Joan_
Mimi (GrowWear) invited me to join her team for the Giant Squid Challenge, and I was crazy enough to give it a try!

My favorite topic to write lenses about is music (especially gospel choir, but other kinds, too) and plants (edible weeds). Next, I think I’ll try more music lenses! I still have stuff to say about gospel music, natural foods and natural health, pop culture stuff, and maybe other stuff.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

macs
Within a week of joining squidoo, I was approached by Michelle of the WiWon Giant Squid Challenge Team. I was hooked after that! My favorite topics to write lenses about are parenting special needs children, photo effects, and recipe lenses.

What’s next for me on Squidoo? Hopefully the 100 club!

kimmanleyort
At first I could not imagine creating 50 lenses since I spend quite a bit of time on them. But once I hit 30, which was late July I started to think it might be possible. After receiving an email from, I think, Robin, I calculated that if I made 3 lenses per week I could probably do it. That seemed doable to me.

I live by these lines - “I want to inspire and be inspired.” and “The meaning of life is to see.” My interests are photography and the environment so I love especially to write about people who have inspired me in these areas. I also like to present ideas or visuals that help people see things in new and different ways.

First of all, I want to represent the Giant Squids well by creating quality lenses and encouraging fellow Giant Squids and newbies. I am talking to others about a Book Club and I want to review my current lenses in light of all the great things I learned in Giant Squid School.

CherylK
I learned about the Giant program about a year ago.  My favorite topics to write about are cooking and travel.  What’s next? Hopefully, Giant 100 club. Would love to contribute more lenses 100% to charity, too.

Wir55
 I learned about the Giant Squid program almost as soon as I started out on Squidoo.  I decided I wanted to try it almost immediately.  My favorite lens topics are either tennis related, or Science related.

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There you have it! Becoming a Giant Squid isn’t impossible, as you’ll see. If you have questions, learn more from RMS, your Giant Squid Organizer and Mentor. In fact, more and more Giants are doing even more, and becoming part of the Giant Squid 100 Club! Learn more about the 100 Club in our next SquidU Review.

~Kimberly Dawn Wells
YOUR Community & Charity Organizer

Companies used to promote their wares based on brand. Manufacturers were in charge of getting the word out about their products. But in the last few years, retailers have taken over.

Starting with Target, and recently WalMart, stores are taking the reins and controlling consumer perception by matching and promoting related products. Putting together a first aid kit? Target has Band-Aid brand bandages, a Hello Kitty brand ice pack, and Neosporin ointment. Making breakfast? WalMart has General Mills cereal, Eggo waffles, and Tropicana juice.

A one-stop store putting together your shopping list. What a [profitable] concept!

What does this mean for your lenses?

The obvious way to sell products is like with like. Dozens of sunglasses, 50 designer handbags, or all the best Wii games. But what if you mixed up your products a little and created an outfit instead of just a list of hats? Or a road trip fun kit instead of just a list of DS games?

The shopping list concept works because it helps buyers create a visual. First they see the components of a party. The chips and dip, the corn-on-the-cob grill rack, the cactus margarita glasses, and the fancy lawn chairs with the footstool. Then they see fun they’ll have with friends showing off their new patio furniture, kicking back with outdoor speakers, and enjoying a game of volleyball. Suddenly you’re no longer selling plastic flatware; you’re selling an event.

Squidoo lenses are the perfect places to sell events. Imagine a cross-country road trip where the kids are entertained with all the best educational toys. Imagine walking into a party wearing the perfect accessories for your little black dress. Imagine being the envy of anyone who’s ever hosted a Superbowl party. Now those are some events readers are willing to buy!

Everyone has an event in them. No matter how small of a deal you think it is, someone out there will benefit from your knowledge.

Happy brand-building!
~Kimberly Dawn Wells
YOUR Community & Charity Organizer