Saturday, April 12, 2014

A Year of Storytelling on Squidoo


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Squidoo is a really cool place to write. Squidoo promotes quality and community. Squidoo provides opportunity and training. Squidoo sparks ideas and creativity. Squidoo Rocks! This is the path the Recycle Contributor on Squidoo followed to go from an unknown writer to a member of Squidoo's contributor community in just one short year. 


Hello Storytellers!

In a few days, I will celebrate my first anniversary on Squidoo and I never imagined that this journey would be wild, wacky and wonderful. Squidoo has helped me come out of my timid shell, develop a storytelling writing style and promote my writing in a way that I never imagined.

Squidoo has been a great fit for me and it might be a great fit for you. Do you have a skill or a craft you'd like to teach to others? Do you like to recommend books, movies and products? Do you like to share your favorite recipes? Join me on Squidoo and you can write about all these things and more!

I'd like to share with you the programs offered by Squidoo that have helped me grow my writing craft, build a social media following and gain credibility in the online world. These avenues are available to anyone with the drive and desire to become a successful web writer.

NOTE:  On August 15, 2014, Squidoo announced that it was being acquired by HubPages. These programs are no longer available.

When I joined Squidoo, I wanted to improve my writing portfolio. I searched for an upstanding writing platform and a place that allowed me the freedom to express myself. I selected Squidoo because of their commitment to content that is Unique, Useful and Updated.

Squidoo looked impressive from the outside. I didn't have any idea that it was even more impressive from the inside.

A week after I joined Squidoo, I started my first lens. This new writing platform was a bit intimidating, so I took my time. After another week of writing and learning, I was ready to press the Publish button.

Not only did my first lens go live, I received a notice from Squidoo that I was eligible for their RocketSquid program. The name was intriguing, so I checked out Squidoo's web writing bootcamp exclusively for their members. I'm glad I joined.

The program helped me search my brain for writing ideas and maintain a consistent flow of writing. The people in charge of the program were always sending encouraging messages. And, the best writing was awarded with Purple Stars and spotlights on the Squidoo homepage. The recognition and promotion did wonders for my confidence. I felt rewarded for my hard work and a job well done.

Five months and 25 lenses later, it was time for my RocketSquid graduation. I was sad to leave the group. I would miss the mentoring from the RocketSquid Greeters, the weekly writing challenges and the daily inspiration from Squidoo headquarters. I was beginning to find a direction in the online world and I didn't want to lose sight while traveling the rocky road ahead.

I really had nothing to fear. The support and motivation from Squidoo didn't stop there. With 25 quality lenses to my credit, it was time to go to the next level and apply to the Squidoo Giant program. I became a Giant Squid just in time for the launch of Squidoo's new lens formats and a list of other improvements to the platform.

It took me a while to warm up to the new and shorter formats. Adapting to change is not always easy. After several weeks and the incentive of a cash award, I took the plunge and wrote my first movie review. My review was selected for one of the prizes and I loved writing it. These new formats make it fast and easy to write informative how-to articles, insightful product reviews and delicious recipes.

In January, Squidoo announced their Contributor program and offered 100 Giant Squids the opportunity to build a niche for themselves and to help promote Squidoo as a fun place to write. After reading about the program, I felt this was the perfect way for me to narrow my favorite topics of home and gardening into a niche that would fit the expectations of the Web. And, I was totally head over heels in love with Squidoo. When I saw that a contributor role for recycling was available, I gave it my best pitch.

I loved being the Recycler Contributor. The support from Squidoo was incredible and I made many new online friends. Recycling has always been a part of my frugal lifestyle and it makes me feel good to know that I am contributing to making the world a better place for all of us.

Until next time, be safe and be well.

Coletta




Posted by Coletta Teske
Coletta Teske

About This Contributor

Coletta Teske writes reviews on books, business management, writing, crafting, cooking, and gardening. She is also an avid recycler and shares her tips on recycling. She delights in upcycling an old object, recycling or transforming discarded items into a new treasure.

 




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


12 comments:

  1. Awesome blog post. I love Squidoo too but wouldn't have been able to describe it like you did. Happy Squidoo anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dawn! I've checked out a ton of writing web sites. Squidoo stands way above the rest. I love that the Squidoo management and owners are available to the site's users and the support they give to writers is incredible. And, they are really nice people and a positive influence. I glad you love Squidoo, too!

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  2. I can't believe you've only been with Squidoo one year, Coletta. You have contributed so much with your wonderful writing, plus helpful tips for gardening and recycling. Well done.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Elf! Squidoo makes it easy to get involved and their commitment to quality keeps me motivated to do my very best. It's inspiring!

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  3. If I weren't already delighted to be a Squidoo writer, you would certainly have convinced me to join the community. Congratulations on your first anniversary with Squidoo! I look forward to many more years here with you, Coletta, and look forward to many more things to be learned from and shared by you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ruthi! I have made so many wonderful friends at Squidoo and I have learned a lot in just one year. Here's to our future successes at Squidoo! May our future be so bright we have to wear shades!

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  4. It's amazing to learn you are celebrating your first anniversary on the Squidoo platform. From your success, I would have imagined you had been with us for much longer than that. You add so much of value to the community. It is writers like you who make it a very special place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diana! It's easy to get involved at Squidoo. And everyone make it such a fun place to write!

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  5. Happy anniversary! I must agree with everyone else, it is hard to believe you have only been on Squidoo for a year. I also agree with you, it is a great place to work, especially with so many great co-workers like you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cynthia! The support from the Squidoo management and the community make it a special place. I love all of the support and friendship I find everywhere at Squidoo.

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  6. I am so very proud of what you've accomplished in a year on Squidoo. You are truly a success story, a role model, and a real asset to the site. Happy Squid-birthday! Here's to many, many more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Susan! I wouldn't have been able to accomplish all this without the wonderful support system at Squidoo. Squidoo offers many opportunities for those with talent, dedication and desire. I'm looking forward to many, many, many more years at Squidoo.

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