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I recently had the experience of being a lowly shopper, lost in the World Wide Web, trying to find an answer.  After searching dozens of sites, I landed on a Squidoo lens.  What a difference it makes to find a web site built by a knowledgeable, passionate person!

1. The Story of a Shopper
2. Loud and Clear Tagging Testimonials
3. Here Comes Santa Clause…and Seasonal Sales!

I don’t know about you, but when I surf the web, I’m still overwhelmed by the options.  Looking for an apartment?  How to narrow it down to the best?  Finding the right Palm?  How to know which one has what I need?  Luckily, the best lensmasters on Squidoo have put together great resources that give ansy shoppers just what they need.  Just enough resources, only the best recommendations, and all the links in one place.  Become one of the best!

~Kimberly Dawn Wells
Editor of the SquidU Review

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1. The Story of a Shopper
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I’m a shopper.  I want something and I want it now.  I do my search on Google.  I find 480,000,000 results.
I click on the first one.
Useless.  I click on the second one.  Useless.  I click on the third one.  Looks nice, and it talks about what I am looking for, but I don’t want to read through all this flashy sales junk.
I just want to BUY what I’m looking for.  I’m in the mood to spend money.  I have money to throw around.
I click, and click, and click.  I’m disappointed.  Why can’t someone just give me what I want?!  I click on one last link.  A Squidoo lens.
It sells what I’m looking for.
I get to choose my color.
There’s a video on how to maintain it.
I can even buy a book on how to use it.
There are links to articles on how to buy the best one.
I save it as a favorite for future reference.
I read the articles.
I watch the video.
I buy what I came to buy, plus a book, and a cool case for it.
I am one satisfied shopper.
And YOU, lensmaster friend, just made my day.
And some quick cash.  Go ahead, do your happy dance.
And since I’ve saved your lens as a favorite, I come back later.
I buy another accessory.
I buy another book.
And you profit again.
Later, a friend asks me a question.  I refer them to your lens.
You are, after all, an expert, right?  You must be.
You have an awesome lens.
You got links.
You got people.
One hour made you an instant expert.
Are you game?

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2. Loud and Clear Tagging Testimonials
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We asked, and we received.  After recently asking the top earning lensmasters to share their tips, the answer was unanimous.
Solid tagging practices.

The old marketing theories of finding customers for your products is OUT.  Getting customers to find you is IN.  How do you do that?  Relevant tags, truthful titles, and descriptions that give your prospects the information they crave.  Internet shoppers are more savvy than ever, and they know if they don’t find what they’re looking for on one site, there are a dozen more just like it.  Be THE place to find the goods for your niche passion, whether it be animal, mineral, or vegetable.

Here are six more savvy tagging and traffic tips from two top earning lensmasters:

1. Do your homework on your lens subject.
2. Make sure your written words provide relevant content to your lens’s subject.
3. Choose affiliate items that pertain to your lens subjects.
4. Keep your lens fresh.
From Shar of Antique French Glass: http://www.squidoo.com/frenchglass/

5. Constant ‘tweaking’ – especially tags! and keeping my lens as fresh as possible
6. #1 reason for my lens improving in the ranks and increased earnings is by reading and applying the tips in SquidU Review.  Great tip, Barbara!!  ;)
From Barbara of Dolphins and Porpoises 101: http://www.squidoo.com/dolphinsandporpoises

These ladies know what’s cooking.  There is no magic to traffic generation – only learning new techniques and putting them into action.  Don’t let your lenses sit while you search for a cure to your traffic blues.  Beef up your tags, get linked, and stay fresh.

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3. Here Comes Santa Clause…and Seasonal Sales!
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It’s hard to believe that half the year has already passed.  You know what that means!  Only six months until Christmas!

It’s never too early to get started on your Christmas retail merchandising.  In fact, toy sellers are already hosting shows in February, just one month after the holiday sales have passed.  While you don’t need to get started quite that early, there are benefits to getting a head start.  How can you make sure your lenses are well stocked for gift-givers this year?

Get the hot holiday toys
Retailer websites can often give you a glimpse as to what is in at the moment.  Sites and services such as eBay, Amazon, Overstock.com, and even Travelocity can be great resources for discovering what’s selling.

Make a list, and check it twice
As late September and early October approaches, start gearing your lens descriptions towards the holiday season.  By keeping a list of which moneymaking lenses you’re changing, you’ll know which ones need to be changed back after the new year.

Be convenient AND educational
Lenses are great for selling and great for sharing information.  Use a mix of modules to inform and entertain your shoppers.  Remember – you are an expert.  What would an expert say about these products?

Don’t forget the mailman
Obscure products often sell as well or better than popular ones.  Look for spin-offs of popular toys, vintage memorabilia to bring back, and niche lenses for niche gift recipients.

Stock up on tape!
…and paper, and bows, and candy canes.  What else do people need for the holidays?  Easy gift wrapping ideas?  Fun do-it-yourself card patterns?  Ideas for hiding gifts?  Fondue, cookie, and turkey recipes?  These little extras are important for making the holidays special.  Help your shoppers think inside AND outside the box.  Or bag.

By starting your retail lenses now, you will have plenty of time to create a thorough lens, play the search engine and directory field, and provide early shoppers with the need-to-know info they crave.  Plus, you’ll benefit from non-holiday shoppers looking for just what you’re offering!