thank you lensmaster – squidoo reviews

Oh wow – this is an emotional interview for me. I’m tearing up, though that might be because of the continuing sinus problems I’m having. For one thing – inkserotica is so honest about her emotions, it’s touching (and she’s right: it makes compelling reading). For another – she thanks me at the end… and I started out disliking her (partly because the whole adult lenses thing put me off). I’m thanking her here because she’s amply proved her value as a squidoo community worker by the blog she started that promotes under appreciated squidoo lenses (more about that below) and the many lenses about squidoo promotion.

Whenever I mention (and link to) any of her projects on here she becomes embarrassingly thankful. I’ve been thinking about that when I decided to ask her for this interview, and concluded she must be insecure. Then I wondered: should I write that in a public forum like this? But since she brings up her own insecurity below as well – I guess I can. Carrie – you’ve got NOTHING to be insecure about. And when someone features you on their lens or blog, a (one) simple thank you will suffice (Though of course a backlink is even more appreciated: not necessary, not expected, just appreciated.)

One of the things I really appreciate about Carrie is her professional attitude even while her lens content is often personal. She came into squidoo (or became active on squidoo) when she already knew a lot about online promotion and what it takes to become successful online. Yet she’s not scringy with links (perhaps because she knows that what you give, you receive). Next up: a self-hosted blog?

Anyhow, here’s the interview:

Why are you a squidoo lensmaster?

I joined Squidoo many years ago but didn’t do anything with the account. When I returned in August 2008, I was a more confident and prolific writer and felt I could do some good with the lenses that I published. I’m a Squidoo lensmaster for the earning potential, the community and for the chance to help others with my experiences.

What is your favorite lens?

Of mine, my favourite lens is What does not destroy me, makes me stronger simply because it allows me to write down my most hardest experiences and somehow move on and because, by publishing this lens, I could also be helping others who have gone through the same experiences as me and are looking for a way to cope.

Of another Lensmaster, my favourite lens is Squid Etiquette. It’s a lens that every Squid should read before and after they join and then bookmark it for future reference. It’s important reading and is another lens that could quite easily be made into a book.

What lens of yours is most under appreciated?

Oh crumbs, I have several so it’s hard for me to pick out just one… But, I would have to say Innocent Mums accused of Abusing their Children . A subject that I feel strongly about as I’m a mother myself. Despite thinking that this would get people debating, there’s been very little activity on the lens I don’t want to give up on it yet though! [Of course not, it's an important topic]

What lens of yours is most popular?

My top lens changes occasionally but the debate Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox? always seems to do well. I managed to get in there early and it’s really picked up over the last few weeks or so.

What’s one thing you see lensmasters doing that doesn’t work – and why doesn’t it?

I’ve got a thing about personal experiences and lensmasters who don’t use this in their lenses won’t get much in the way of interaction and interest. I, for one, am more likely to read about something that someone has gone through, used or experienced even if I’m not that interested in the subject to begin with.

What’s your most important squidoo promotion method?

At the moment, blogs seem to be working well for me and I’ve increased the number of blogs I own dramatically! I’ve realised the importance of blogs for promotion and networking and it helps encourage feedback on both the blogs and the lenses. I’ll probably set up another blog or two for subjects I have more than one lens on like health issues. My biggest success with regards to blogs is Giving Squids a Helping Hand. It’s really helped to boost the ranking and traffic to those lenses I’ve featured so far and I’m happy that I can help other lensmasters in a way that I feel comfortable doing. I’m not a great forum poster so this is my way of giving something back to the Squidoo community.

Which lensmaster(s) have helped you most?

There’s been several! AJ2008 for being so supportive with regards to my lenses especially the hardest ones I’ve had to write, for the chance to write an article for the new website she’s a part of and for just being a good friend. Poddys for always commenting on my blog at Squidtop and giving great advice and support. GypsyOwl for promoting my lenses outside of Squidoo without asking, for showing a lot of faith in me and my abilities which I find very difficult to do in myself and for providing some awesome graphics for my Twitter profile and the Giving Squids a Helping Hand blog. GrowWear for being there and also giving me advice and support when I’ve found things tough going personally. CleanerLife for always helping me and my lenses by commenting and rating those that have yet to be rated! And you, for considering me for this interview, for comments and ratings on my lenses and for having faith in me for when I eventually apply for Giant Squid! There are also a few more and I’ve featured them all on my lens.