I've Squidoo-d My Creative Self!
Posted Feb-17-2007
And YOU can too!
Yippee yay! The creative fun is ever manifesting itself! I wanted to research the process of setting up a Lens on the Squidoo Web site and was pleasantly surprised at how easy peasy it was! Here's the fruits of my labor I'll call Creatively Playing.

What's a Squidoo Lens you ask? It's a Web page on the tastefully ad-supported and coolly designed Squidoo site that allows you to share your personal view (via your own unique "Lens") on a particular subject that you're an expert on or have a passion for.

Who is Squidoo good for? According to their FAQ's, anyone who is part of (or wants to be part of) the collective consciousness of Internetism, the Information Age, and Web-footed foolism. (Psst... we live in exciting information-sharing times, so that's a good thing!)

So, Webmasters, bloggers, hobby experts, non-profits and charities, news hounds, podcasters, fans, authors, and entrepreneurs can all be part of the greater eye on the Internet called Squidoo. Let me add to that list: comedians, humorists, creativity coaches (or any coach!), crafters, artists, bookworms, movie buffs, linky-loos, vampires, werewolves, and witches can all join in. (My apologies for leaving anyone out!)

What makes Squidoo different from other Web sites that give you free space, blogging tools, and whatnot? Well for one, Squidoo doesn't currently have a blogging platform, but it does allow you to create "modules" of text for your entries, articles, lists, poetry, stories, or anything else you desire to publish — which you can add, update, delete, or change anytime you wish.

Plus, your lens is supported by a few default ads plus other money-making modules you have the option of adding on (or not) such as Amazon book recommendations, Netflix movie titles, eBay, iTunes, Cafe Press, The Onion, Superstore, RSS Feeds, guest books, del.icio.us bookmarks, Google Maps, and YouTube videos.

Where does the ad money go? You can choose to have revenues your lens earns donated to a charity or paid directly to you. So if you're a philanthropist, here's a perfect publishing platform for your non-profitness (or if you're church-going, make that prophet-ness!). Realize that I'm only giving you the tip of the iceberg here, so before you join I'd recommend getting the entire scoop on the Squidoo Scope and what being part of their project means for you on their extensive Q & A page.

Now, back to me and my first lens on Squidoo. The name of my lens is titled, Playing Creatively & Expressing Creativity! And not only does it feature new and original fun-stormed creativity-inspiring (and humor-laced) articles and lists for you to enjoy, but it also imports the RSS Feeds of several online projects I have a hand in developing and directing. Plus, I have to unashamedly admit, I've found the playful Squidoo theme the perfect environmental inspiration I need to "let go" in favor of my creative life, in a playful, brainstormy kind of way. Neat-O!

And finally, if I've wittily whetted your appetite to go and create your own free Squidoo Lens right now, please feel free to click through my referral link so that my viral verbiage may be tracked and credited accordingly. Hey, I love kudos for my keen-ness.

If you do build a lens, please also feel free to share your lens link with me. Of course I want to bear witness to the ripple effect and see life through the lens of another. •

© 2007 Chris Dunmire www.chrisdunmire.com. All rights reserved.