I started playing with an interesting new concept a few weeks ago over at a site called . If you like blogging, then you’ll probably like to give it a try too as it’s just like a blog…except erm, different.

The basic idea behind Squidoo is to allow people who have knowledge of a subject to share that knowledge on what is basically a one page blog which they call a “Lens”. These “lenses” are a great place to write about a subject you are interested in and share the links, web pages, blog posts, products and anything else you have found out about a subject with the rest of the world. You can even write about your own business or point links to your own blog posts and use you lens to generate more traffic to those areas if you choose.

Now, you might ask what’s in it for you other than a little free promotion of your own websites, affiliate programs or services and you’d be right to do so especially when you could probably put the same information you might write for Squidoo and add it to your own weblogs, web sites etc. Providing content for someone else has to be mutually beneficial and with Squidoo, it is.

You see, you are able to monetise your lens should you choose to do so. Lenses can very easily be integrated with Ebay, Amazon, Google Adsense, Netflix and a bunch of other top affiliate programs online and you get a share of any affiliate profit your lens generates in the course of its lifetime. One lens, in a popular, well trafficked area might earn a few dollars a day but create a lot and it might be a nice money-spinner.

In addition, lenses receive favourable treatment with the major search engines which means your information is potentially more easily found than if you were to throw the same information down onto a blog or less well favoured website. By setting up a detailed, well crafted lens on a subject you are knowledgable about, you can enhance your reputation as an expert in this field, almost like pre-selling yourself before someone clicks through to your business or services website. You have the potential to reach a wider audience, network with other like-minded Squidoo Lensmasters in the group section and discussion boards, and generally, if your lens points to your website, blog, etc. can potentially increase your traffic and website visitors.

If nothing else, a Squidoo lens can be used to collate together all the great links and information sources you have found on a particular subject which interests you and hold them in one handy location. In this way you can use your Squidoo lens as a tool like say, or , but also have the potential to earn some money from your bookmarking at the same time. One of the Lenses I created is about and was created with bookmarking useful sites in mind. My wife got interested in the idea of making bead and wire flowers but found there was very little information online about the subject so I went looking around online, and have been using this lens to bookmark useful free pattern resources and tutorials on the subject whenever either of us stumble across them…whilst making a little money from Ebay and Amazon traffic at the same time.

Another Lens I created was purely for the hell of it, this time about because I happen to like playing Sudoku. The lens took very little time to create and offers a steady trickle of traffic to one of my other websites.

Squidoo has a nice little community based around it which allows you to network and share ideas You can also visit SquidU which is packed with tips and information about building a successful lens and spreading the word about your creations.

I would say Squidoo has the potential to become a very popular site in future times and is already building momentum as it grows. If you are an expert on a subject, are a fan, like to write, love to research, are looking for more ways to promote your blog or business, or otherwise want to check it out then you’ll find the Squidoo site by Clicking Here. It’s free to join and free to use.

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