Lensrank: What Works, and What Doesn’t
Lately I’ve been wondering how to get my lenses to rank higher. Sound familiar? I’ll bet 90% of you are also wondering the same thing! I was focused on this question enough that I took time to go through the entire top 100 list and analyze it. I didn’t look at every lens there (yet) but I recorded the name of the successful lensmaster and the general topic of the lens.
Here’s what I can tell you: There are four political lenses, and no religious lenses (unless you want to count Christmas.) There are twenty-one holiday lenses and that is bound to be a popular topic during the next few months. There are twelve entertainment lenses and none of those are about books. There are nine fashion lenses – two of those are about hair. There are nine lenses about Squidoo and four about animals.
Now that we know the hot topics of the day, we might want to know more about why one lens about animals makes the top 100 list and 99% of the others never will.
This week I made two lenses that may help answer that question. The first one focuses on what works: Website Content Writing Tips for Squidoo, Your Website or Blog. This has three lists: how to choose the right topic, how people read websites, and how to build your credibility, plus a host of other tips and links to more information.
The second lens I made this week is My Least Popular Lenses and Lessons I Learned From Making Them. I got this idea from Spirituality’s blog here at SquidTop. In this list I looked at each lens that’s not getting site visitors, and thought about why. At the bottom of that lens you’ll find a list of conclusions I came to about why these lenses are failing.
While I agree that we should make lenses that reflect our interests, it is also good to make them wisely keeping our readers in mind.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:51 am
great article
November 25th, 2008 at 1:57 am
This is a very interesting post Linda but the links are not taking me anywhere – I will check out your Squidoo Bio and see if I can get to them from there.
The other factor I would be interested in, is how many of the Top 100 lenses have been made Lens of the Day, as this often gives a lens such a boost that it reaches the Top 100. Blessings can also be a factor.
Both of these factors can give a false impression of the success of a lens and I guess those that got there that way will soon drop out unless traffic is maintained inside AND outside Squidoo.
I think too many people fail to realise that promotion OUTSIDE of Squidoo is the secret to maintaining a high ranking and while it is great to get a Top 100 (I have had 3 & 1 is still there)it is maintaining an average in the Top 2000 that gets the pay out.
My Top 100 lens is Bullying at Primary School and has really picked up because I am promoting it in Parents’ forums and also it is topical, because it was Anti Bullying week in the UK last week.
Now I shall tootle off to see if I can find your lenses…..
November 25th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Great information, I particularly liked the Website Content Writing tips! I’ve kind of given up much of my drive for lensrank; now I need tips for affiliate sales but either way good, unique content is important I’m sure.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Just managed to check out the lenses – Squidoo was down yesterday when I tried before. Both worth looking at and I have lensrolled to Squid Etiquette, which is another lens that flew when it was first published (got to No 23 overall) but now is just sinking and it is another lens that newbies in particular would benefit from, just like these lenses of yours, Linda.
November 27th, 2008 at 6:35 am
The main point is indeed to write for readers & get traffic. However, spiritual lenses CAN be in the top 100 (my spiritual quotes lens has been there and is still top 2000.
And traffic you get by writing for readers (which is keyword seo) and getting links. And writing about topics that are popular, but not crowded.
November 28th, 2008 at 8:57 am
For sure I need to study keywords more. This is a great article and the comments are full of good information also. I like seeing you all on Squidtop. Another way to learn from you! Thank you!
February 11th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Thanks for taking the time to research, compile, analyze, write, and report your findings (smile). You’re one of my favorites at Squidoo. I bookmark some of your Lensmastery pages on Tagfoot too!
March 16th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Thank you so much to try to find the right answers for yourself and let others profit of your research.
I appreciate your work.
Poutine
August 24th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Very helpful, as your work usually is. With all these great blogs and lenses to read, how will I have time to follow all this great advice? It’s already midnight and the evening has just begun.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Barbara, we can only do what we can do… and don’t fret about the rest. Right? Hugs …