Squidoo online tool for authors...social media challenge-Day #11

by Sherrie Wilkolaski  

Today we’re going to learn about Squidoo.com.  Squidoo is a website and online publishing tool that allows anyone with an account to publish one page, what they call a “lens” of information.  The website has a Google page rank of 8 out of 10, which is very high.  So if you’re publishing on Squidoo.com you’ve got a good chance of getting online exposure via the search engines and it will provide a nice backlink to your website. 

What is Squidoo?

Founded in 2005 by Seth Godin, Squidoo provides a tool for writers to create beautiful webpages and promoting their stories, ideas and thoughts.  It’s a wonderful resource to promote your books, one at a time, or all together.

How should you use Squidoo?

Once you've created your account, you will need to build your profile, include a short bio and upload your author photo.   

As an author I recommend you create individual lens for each of your titles.  Include the following items on each individual lens:

1. Author bio.

2. Book summary.

3. Book cover image.

4. Book excerpt.

5. Reviews.

6. Link to purchase your book via your own online storefront at www.buybooksontheweb.com and/or via the Amazon.com module that Squidoo provides. 

7. Link back to your personal website.

8. Book trailer video link to YouTube.

9. Social media connections via Twitter and Facebook.

  If you have more than one book, you should also consider creating a main author page at Squidoo and list all of your titles from that page.   

For more ideas on how to continue using Squidoo via content building and creating new Squidoo lens, we’re going to send you directly to Squidoo.  Click this link to learn more:

http://www.squidoo.com/originalitypact

How to set-up your Squidoo account?

Squidoo provides detailed instructions on their site, so we’re going to direct you right to that page:  http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo

Today’s social media challenge task of the day. 

1. Create an account at www.Squidoo.com.

2. Set-up your profile in your Squidoo account.  Be sure to add your author photo and a link back to your own personal website. http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo

3. Once you have your account set-up, go to the Infinity Publishing page here and click on the “like” button.  http://www.squidoo.com/infinity-publishing  

4. Post a link to your Squidoo lens below in the comments section so you get added exposure.

 Infinity Publishing’s gift to you.  We will like your Squidoo lens!  

Tomorrow we’re going to talk about YouTube (Challenge #12).