Creating Landing Pages with Squidoo

According to Squidoo.com...

Squidoo makes it easy to build custom pages about the things you know and love

On Squidoo, you can write a page. A single webpage, focused on a single topic.

Then you can build another page. And another one. And another. Each page on a different interest. Tell a story, recommend a product you love, share an experience you had, teach someone something, pay tribute to a person you admire (an author, band, your mom... ) and so much more.

We call these pages lenses because they snap your point of view into focus. It's simple to write a lens. And of course, it's free. Even if you build 100 of them! You can also start to earn royalties from your writing, when the pages earn their way up in the site and when readers start interacting with them.

So how could this help your business?

Well as much as we like the idea and cool verbiage of a "lens" you could also think of these pages as landing pages that could help bring people to you! A landing page is a page on a website that concentrates on one idea or one product or one service with a push to get the visitor to do something (ie: click a link, visit another page, buy now, become a fan, share etc).

Lens = single page with a point of view

Landing page = single page with a point and a GOAL

This does not mean you have to turn the sales meter way up and push a sell on your landing page or squidoo lens - it just means you should know your goal when you create your page.

Make Bridges to Your Island (aka as Links)

When you create your lens on Squidoo - think of it as a cool little island. Make it happening by putting original and unique content on it that is worthy of reading. Again remember your goal and make sure you are catering to the audience that would love to visit your little island. Now before you're done think about how to connect your island to the rest of the world wide web.

Obviously, your island is connected to the Squidoo universe by one solid and steady bridge (they are the ones providing the lens space) but does your island lead anywhere? How else can people make it to your cool little patch of sand? Think about what kind of sites are relevant to your lens and see if there is a way you can link your content out. This way, you are adding value to people who read your lens. Then also think of how to link to your island from your website, your blog and other social sites. Make tons of bridges that lead to and from your lens to ensure quality activity.

It's all about an Archipelago

Once you've finished your first island (lens) - take a breather and then make another. Why? Because each lens will connect to one another through your profile and the more you create, the more likely you are to get noticed. Think of it like a magazine. You pick up a magazine to read multiple articles, not just one. And people like it that a new magazine comes out on a regular basis providing timely info. It's the same concept with your Squidoo lenses. Create pages that are timely, cool, informative, funny, heart wrenching and more. The variety, the quality and the quantity will help you get noticed in the Squidoo community and in search engines.

Don't be Afraid of New Waters

Perhaps you have an idea for a lens that seems risky...should you do it? 9 out of 10 times we'll say yes. Why? Because search engines and those surfing the web love new ideas. Try it out. It's just an island (lens) and there is nothing set in stone that you have to love every lens equally. Just remember to keep it focused with a point and goal and you'll be discovering new islands like a true explorer. Happy Voyaging!