Squidlog.net

In the first article in this series on Squidoo Etiquette and general Netiquette we discussed the role of the Squidoo Angels. So what about “Blessiquette”: how Lensmasters can find out how to create what an Angel may consider a Blessworthy lens; what to do if they have missed out on Blessings and how not to overdo the invitations for a Squidoo Angel to call.

There’s various ways to get the attention of the Squidoo Angels – there’s the “right” way and oh boy, are there some wrong ways! People don’t mean to be rude. They don’t mean to be annoying but in an environment that totally depends on the written word, how you phrase anything is very important. There’s no smile to accompany what you say, no body language to give an indication that you may be being humerous and no tone of voice to convey the right message.

So here’s some “do’s” and “don’ts” about how to ask for Angel Blessings on Squidoo.

What is a Blessworthy Lens?
Each Angel has their own set of criteria about what, in their view, makes a Blessworthy lens. SquidAngel Chef Keem posted some excellent guidelines about what the Squidoo Angels are looking for in this thread on the SquidU Forum: An Angel’s personal note to all blessing seekers… and many of the Angels have their own lenses, in which they outline what they are looking for.

The Angels will apply their own criteria when they check the newly published lens lists they receive each day and you may find that your brand new lens leaves WIP with several boosts. But if you think the Angels may have missed your lens, then there’s other places you can bring it to their attention.

Where to ask for Squidoo Angel Blessings
Some of the Angels are regular visitors to the SquidU Forum and you can post a link to your lens in the Angels thread.

BUT….

It is essential that your Lens is truly ready to be considered for a Blessing. It needs to be got as good as you can get it!

You can also leave a link to your lens in the Guestbooks of some of the Angels’ own Angel lenses. BUT this only applies if this is what the Angels have said you should do.

You can learn about how the Angels will find you by visiting Squidster’s lens, where there’s links to all the SquidAngels: Angels-R-US or by visiting the Angels’ own lenses.

Starting a thread in the Angels Forum

Wrong way: “My lens needs a blessing”
Stop for a moment and say it out loud. What does it sound like? Does it sound like someone making a polite request or someone demanding something, that they think is theirs of right?

Right way: “Please visit my lens about Bullying and consider it for a Blessing”
A polite request and it includes the Lens topic – SquidooAngel Treasures-by-Brenda asks in the Angels Forum: Please Put The Subject Of Your Lens In Your Request For A Blessing.

Brenda explains:

When you are requesting a blessing, I think it would be helpful to put the subject of your lens in the title. That way, it is a little bit more tempting for me to look at your lens…when I know what I’m going to find!

Wrong way: “Angels I need your help” or “Help me make my lens better”
The Angels love to support Lensmasters but, they visit so many lenses, they often don’t have time to give full critiques. If you need help with your lens then either ask for it to be reviewed in the “Critique Me” section or ask for help with a specific problem in the “Help Please” section. You will get far more responses.

Pebble Dashing?
In the UK we have a building method that covers wet cement with stones. They are fired from a high pressured spray and scattered into the cement. Sometimes, it looks like pebble dashing is going on in the Angels Forum.

Yes, Lensmasters are allowed to nominate their own lenses for Blessings. But if your Lens Publication Rate is fast and furious and you submit every one of your lenses for the Angels to check out, there’s a risk that your posts will dominate the Angels Thread. The more Blessings that are requested does not necessarily equate with the number of Blessings received. In fact if you ask too often then you may not get any visits at all.

Save your Blessing requests for your very best lenses. Chances are when an Angel visits the lens, they will check out your Bio page, join your Fanclub and look for other lenses that take their fancy too.

How important are Angel Blessings?
It’s great to get approval from your peers isn’t it? Someone stops by your Lens, leaves a message to say they loved it. They give it 5*s, favourite it and on top of that you get a Blessing. One Blessing gives a small boost to your Lensrank and several Blessings give it an even bigger boost.

Of course we all want that peer approval and the boost that goes with it.

The danger is that you will come to rely on those boosts to get your Lenses ranking highly. But Blessings do not last for ever. They fade and then what are you going to do? You need to put a lot of effort into promoting your lenses outside Squidoo. It is EXTERNAL traffic that will maintain your lenses in the Top 2 Tiers on Squidoo and this is where you need to focus your Lens promotion for long term success.

Squidoo is a Community – remember to give and take
You can also recommend other people’s lenses for a Blessing, not just your own. You can find the thread here: Nominate OTHER people’s lenses for a Blessing and it is one of the most visited threads in the Forum, 1640 views since the thread was started in July. So while you are trying to decide which of your lenses you truly believe may be Blessworthy how about trying to give someone else’s lens a boost too?

Next week: How not to tread on any toes at Tagfoot.

[ratings]

On a similar note...

• Thankful for the Volunteers on Squidoo (7)
• Spreading my wings outside Squidoo (6)
• In the Ranks of Giants and Angels (2)
• Extra! Extra! New Batch of SquidAngels Released Over Squidoo! (0)
• Ding dong – Angels calling? Do Squidoo Angels behave like Angels on Squidoo? (7)