A Lens at Squidoo.com is one person's view on a topic that is passionate to him - a single web page that can point to blogs, favorite links, RSS feeds, Flickr photos, Google maps, eBay auctions, CafePress designs, Amazon books or music, and thousands of products from hundreds of other trusted merchants.
If you have any experience with CMS (Content Management System) webwares, then Squidoo Lenses are very, very easy and straightfoward to build. Pick whatever content, links you want to put in your lens to bring context to your topic.
Add, arrange and organize your modules as to how you want the information to be communicated, click 'Publish' and you're done. Then, when someone is looking for recommended information, fast, your relevant lens gets him started and sends him off in the right direction.
Sign up
Become a Lensmaster. It's the normal Name, Password, Username stuff, confirmed by e-mail response. Lensmasters build lenses on topics they know or care a lot about.
Create a Lens
Click on "Create A Lens" or "Build My Own Lens" button, or "Continue" to step 2 if your are continuing from the registration page and Squidoo will take you to the LensBuilder.
Title & Tag Page
The lens address (URL) is unique and can't be changed.
The lens title will be displayed at the top of your lens.
Pick a category that best fits your lens.
Add your tags. Tags are keywords that help define your topic. You can edit or change your tags later.
Write a short bio
Good bios are brief and specific to your lens. You can edit or change it later.
Set your royalty payment preference - donate to charity, take cash (through PayPal) or combination.
Confirm your lens
Confirm your lens by entering the security word from the grid, an assurance that your lens is handbuilt, not done by a robot.
Pick Your Template
Squidoo will start it for you. Choose a template that fits the general area you are working on. You can always delete or add modules (your building blocks) later.
Start adding content
Click on the 'Edit' button of each module to edit, add or delete content.
Modules are the building blocks of lenses. A module makes it easy for a lensmaster to point to links, images, blogs or even things to buy. Some modules are curated (you enter all the links and content manually) and others are automatic (you configure the inputs and then the lens draws on RSS feeds to update your lens without any work from you). Similarly, some modules are commerce-oriented and others are just content based.
Review, and keep the draft
Do your additional editing, general housekeeping and click on the 'Keep This Draft' button to safekeep your edited Lens. You can come back anytime later for additional editing.
Publish
Happy with the outcome of your current contents? Hit the 'Publish' button. Edit the page occasionally to keep it updated with the latest info or links.
