February 28, 2013

Hop and Squidoo - Are "Selling Only" Lenses Spammy Lenses?

Hello, and welcome fellow Squido Lensmasters! For those who aren't travelling here by blog hop and don't know what Squidoo is, it's just a place where you can make nifty little web pages about any topic you choose, and maybe earn a little money for yourself or a charity in the process.

Wow...it's been a while since I wrote a Squidoo Hop post.  But something was posted on SquidooHQ that made me want to write.

It was a post called "Are You Selling Or Spamming"  It featured some lenses that it thought were excellent, informational reviews (that's nice...everyone likes to be featured, right?)...and it also linked to a lens which it described as "nothing to offer but links"  (OUCH!  Ok, no one wants to be featured like THAT!).  And yes, this was an actual lens...not a fake lens Squidoo concocted as an example, because the owner of the lens (who bought it from someone else) commented about it.  

Like many other commenters, I thought that was extremely bad form on Squidoo to single one lens out like that.  But apart from that, the question of whether "list of link lenses" have value is important to me, because (guilty as charged) I have quite a few "just sales" lenses myself.  

I first found out about Squidoo from CafePress, where it was promoted as a way to "show off CafePress products."   So, some of my first lenses, like my Texas Tees and California Tees lenses, did just that.   They weren't easy to make--in fact, I spent hours and hours searching for the right products to include, figuring out how to categorize them, and updating the lens with seasonal time and replacing product that were dropped.  When I see these lenses I see a fun to browse collection of interesting a funny shirts--but others may not see it that way.  I hope that other's don't visit my lens and think..."Ug, spam."  But, based on the comments on the that Selling Post...I'm guessing probably some do.   

But then there's another question...one that the article didn't bring up (but many of the commenters did).  DO THESE TYPES OF LENSES MAKE MONEY?  From my experience, yes, they do.  I had more sales from my Texas Tees lens than ANY OTHER lens this holiday, including my lens that got a purple star and the Oven Mitt lens which got on the front page.  That Oven Mitt lens had exactly the type of content that Squidoo's article encouraged for "good selling pages,"  but has only sold ONE item since it was created.    So, monitarily , my "bad lens"  had more value than my "good one."  

Also, I think the comparison they made between the lenses wasn't exactly fair.  That "bad example" lens was about quirky shower curtains (a visual product which didn't need much explanation) while the "good example" lenses were on cameras and readers (iPads and such), products which do require more than just a picture to truly understand.  While the shower curtain lens, in my opinions, could have been improved by a little better organization and a table of contents--because the products she was presenting was visual, I'm not sure that being more verbose would have added much value to user's experience.   

But, regardless do lenses like these, that just mainly list product,  bring Squidoo down?  Can a well organized "list of links" be valuable, or should these type of lenses be penalized or banned?   If "just selling" lenses do have a place on Squidoo, what do you think makes the difference between a good one and a bad one?  






February 25, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it.




Ends Feb 26 

$1000 Tuition Discount to Ivy Bridge Online College (32 entries/2 winners) - WW

Lendperk Dress Rental (42 Entries)

DVD:  I Can Sign (9 entries)- US, CAN




Ends Feb 27  
*Was 1 entry when submitted Feb 22, and two winners (one choosen randomly and one by merit of DIY contribution).  Unsure how many entries now. 




DVD:  The Best of Widget (9 entries)- US





Ends Feb 28

Wood Necklace (73 entries)

Retro Journals and Pouch (42 Entries)

Waterproof Camera, Lotion and Make-up (92 entries)

Baby Toy (16 entries) - US, Europe, Austrailia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malasia

Family Pack Tickets to Laurie Berkner Band Concert (49 entries) - In Dallas, TX




Ends March 1



WW = Worldwide

February 21, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it





Ends Feb 21

$30 Firmoo Gift Certificate (113 entries/6 winners) - WW





Ends Feb 22

$50 GC to Atterburg Kids Clothing (44 entries) - US


 
Pair Of Glasses at 39Dollar Glasses (23 entries) - US


Ends Feb 23


WW = Worldwide

February 20, 2013

Blogger Opportunity: Mama Madness



So Sew Mama and Such Fun to Give
Is happy to bring you this awesome FREE blogger opportunity! 

Desiree at So Sew Mama has secured well over  
$400 worth of Prizes from sponsors.

Mama Madness is a Blogger Event hosted by For Him and My Family.
For Him and my Family has their own sponsors. 

So Sew Mama will host her own Giveaway in which 
2 people will win the amazing 
$400+ worth of Mom and Baby gifts. 

FREE Facebook link with this announcement post.
Host pages are available for secret words.
Sign up here to get in on the Mama fun! This is for bloggers only.

Contact Desiree at dmtatro@gmail.com with any questions.

February 18, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it





Ends Feb 18 

 $25 CafePress Giveaway (26 entries)

$30 Firmoo Gift Certificate (247 entries/6 winners/3 mandatory)* - WW
*When you devide by number of prizes and entries given for mandatory first entry, comes out to about ONLY 14 entries!





Ends Feb 19

$25 CafePress Giveaway (67 entries)




Ends Feb 20

Jewellery Item of Choice (57 entries) - WW
WW = Worldwide

February 13, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it




Ends Feb 14




Ends Feb 16 






Ends Feb 17

Book and Movie Tickets (74 entries)



Ends Feb 18 

 $25 CafePress Giveaway (26 entries)

Ends Feb 19

$25 CafePress Giveaway (67 entries)




February 9, 2013

Home Art Studio Program Giveaway (2/28)

Welcome to the Home Art Studio Giveaway Event! 

Hosted by Cotton Ridge Homeschool and An Ordinary Housewife

Enter below for a chance to win a full six-volume set of the K-5 Home Art Studio Program DVDs!

  About The K-5 Home Art Studio Program


The Home Art Studio program was created for homeschooling parents and as a supplemental afterschool/summer program for children aged preschool through fifth grade.  For those who don't homeschool full time it can also be used afterschool or in summer to supplement your child's in-school art education.    It was one of the winners of the Mom's Best Award for outstanding new products of 2012.
This program is designed to increase students' love and appreciation of the visual arts while enhancing a child's ability to problem solve, think creatively, and truly see the world around them.
Watch the informational video below to learn more! You can also find several sample lessons at Home Art Studio web site.

 

Giveaway Details

Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Event Dates: February 7 - 28, 2013. The winner will be contacted within two days of the end of the contest, via email and will have two days to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winner's entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional. Thank you for visiting this blog!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  


Disclosure:  This blog is not responsible for prize delivery. I was not compensated by the compnay for this post, but I was given an entry on the rafflecopter form.  I have not used this product personally, so the information is simply what I received about it.   Lindsey Volin of Home Art Studio is sponsoring this event.

February 8, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it





Ends Feb 9
Playful Threads (42 entries)


Movie Tickets and Book (66 entries)

Book:  The Singles (76 entries)

I Can Sign DVD (91 entries)


 Ends Feb 10

3 Copies of Mollie Makes Magazine (42 entries)

Bookish Charm (89 entries)

Jewel From Coco Lapine (20 entries)






Ends Feb 11

Skincare Sampler (7 entries)



February 7, 2013

Giveaways for Good

The following giveaways promote products that support good causes!


Made With Love:  Meals on Wheels Family Cookbook (2/11) - LOW ENTRY
Proceeds go to Meals on Wheels. (Open to US and Canada)







They donate 10% of their profits to Kiva.org.
2 Winners...2 Rafflecopter Forms (don't miss the 2nd one).

February 4, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it.





Ends Feb 4

Handmade Matroyshka Necklace (Unsure Of Entries*)
*Host said had 2 entries Feb 1

Kids Bath Products (19 entries) 





Ends Feb 5

Peter Pan DVD + Poster (4 entries)

Earrings (2 entries)


Ends Feb 6

Preschool Curriculum (83 entries)



Ends Feb 7

$75 Minted Gift Card (3 entries)

10 Valentine Cards (6 entries)

Valentines Day Prize Pack (83 entries) - US/CAN

BOOK:  I-pad Apps for Kids for Dummies (54 entries) - US


Ends Feb 8

Jewelery Set (2 entries)

$25 Trader Joe Gift Card (0 entries)

Art Card by Sammy Girl (45 entries) - US/CAN



Ends Feb 9

Playful Threads (22 entries)



February 1, 2013

Easy Wins: Low Entry Giveaways

The cool thing about blog giveaways is you can usually tell now many people are entered. The less entered, the better your chances to win. Here's some I found with low entries ending TODAY. 

If you have a giveaway with less than 60 entries per prize ending in the next 5 days (or under 100 entries if ending in 3 days or less) please click here to submit it.



February 1 

Born Brave CD (19 entries)

Abel's Field DVD (40 entries)

Abel's Field DVD (85 entries)




February 3

$25 CafePress GC (34 entries) 

$25 CafePress GC (60 entries)


February 4

Handmade Matroyshka Necklace (2 entries)

Kids Bath Products (19 entries)