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Affiliate marketing on Squidoo has gotten to be a tough business. With about half a million Squidoo pages (lenses) now and 239,270 Squidoo lensmasters (as of this writing), the popularity, the power, and the profit potential of Squidoo is becoming quite lucrative AND competitive. Also, many lensmasters have been around for quite some time, and reality is – you need to know what THEY know in order to compete. I reviewed a wonderful and effective Squidoo ebook tonight… and it knocked my socks off!
Introducing SquidooCashMachine.com
Yup, I completely agree, a name like “Squidoo Cash Machine” is VERY ‘hypey’ and a bit of a put-off. I’ve been keeping an eye on this Squidoo guide for awhile. The salespage has some things on it that caused concern for me. In my opinion, Squidoo is not a “trick” or a “secret”…and it is certainly not a money-making scheme. With statements like:
” With around 300 to 500 new members joining Squidoo each and every day, and creating a lens each (sometimes many more), the community is vast.
But 90% of those lenses are very ineffective, compared to the other 10%.
Still Only half of the effective ones are set up to make any real money…
However, as a lens creator myself, I am more than happy to see poorly built lenses…
Why?
Because they are so easy to leech traffic from!
(And those lensmasters have no idea that I am taking their traffic,
and cannot see how I do it!”
I got a bit concerned that this was going to be just another ‘magic miracle’ Squidoo system… that doesn’t work.
Quite frankly, I also don’t want to hear about “leeching” other lensmasters traffic. Somehow, it just doesn’t seem right, ya know?
But, I kept reading….and the author offers some very good points, too.
” You have the choice…
You can not bother using Squidoo as part of your affiliate marketing efforts and leave a ton of cash on the table for all the other smart lensmasters.
You can hire someone to create a professional lens which can cost up to $250 per lens. Hard to believe? Well it’s true and some lensmasters know the true value of a well crafted lens…
…Or you can grab this book and learn the secrets of these lensmasters that charge $250 per lens they are hired to create!”
Hmmmmm….. not only a VERY good point, but also a cause for concern for me. *I* am one of those lensmasters that knows the true value of a well-crafted lens. While I don’t charge $250 per lens, I DO make custom lenses for clients. I also have my own Squidoo ebook/guide on the market….
“Rut -Roh”, I said to myself, “I better keep an eye on this one”.
And so, I did.
A Better Guide To Making Money With Squidoo
Today, this ebook at www.SquidooCashMachine.com was released. I was probably one of the very first buyers at official launch time…haha!
Wait, did I say I bought it? Why not just ask for a review copy? Yes, I did buy it. No, I did not ask for a review copy. Why??? Two reasons why I buy products like this:
- 1. This product is directly in my market. I want to be able to review a product like this from the view of a consumer – someone who has actually PAID for the information. If I turn around and recommend this product to YOU, you can feel damn positive that I paid for it, too.
- 2. Asking for a review copy can sometimes insinuate an obligation for a positive review. I don’t want my review clouded by even the thought that someone asked me to do this, or I felt obligated to do it. This is my flat-out opinion…..and I don’t do reviews like this often here at PotPieGirl.com.
All that said, here is what I think.
My Review of www.SquidooCashMachine.com
Holy Squidoo Guides, Batman!
While the salespage was a bit on the hypey/dark side… the ebook itself is wonderful! And this is a BIG ebook on Squidoo… 150+ pages. (Yes, I read the whole darn thing… even the beginner stuff). And folks, this ain’t no fluffy ebook, either. This is complete and solid information. And it is CURRENT information.
When you first start reading, you will be reading about more advanced Squidoo tactics, things SO many lensmasters over-look. Things like why affiliate marketing lenses should be set up a bit different – and how to do just that. Information on Bum Marketing and Squidoo…. long-tail keywords and their power on Squidoo… traffic information…. How to make a profitable product review lens…Using Squidoo the right way to promote your sites and your own products…. How to use Squidoo to create a product or ecourse…and more, more, more!
What About Squidoo Newbies?
Wait, what if you are new to Squidoo? Is this appropriate for you? Yes, it certainly is! The last 30 pages or so are dedicated to those that need to learn Squidoo from the beginning (ie, what is a lens, how to make a lens step by step, where to find certain modules and how to use them, etc, etc). There is also a good-sized section on Squidoo HTML tricks (ie, how to pretty up your lens), and great ideas for getting your images to work for you and look good… where to use your images…and all that good stuff.
You also get to learn how to use all the different types of Squidoo pages like SquidWho, Ever, Hey MonkeyBrain, SquidVids, SquidBids (eBay sellers will love this part), SquidZipper, SquidLit….and on and on. Even has instructions for Squidoo pages that aren’t even available yet!
There is even a handy-dandy little checklist you can use for each lens you create. I’m tellin’ ya – this Squidoo guide is jam-packed!
Ok, but what if you know all the basics and feel like you know all that advanced stuff? First, one question – are you making good money from your Squidoo lenses? If not, you should read SquidooCashMachine. If you ARE making good money with Squidoo – CONGRATS! But guess what? I am, too… and the rest of the ebook was filled with cool tricks and tips to do even better.
Funny How Things Happen!
Ironically, this ebook was released at a odd time for me. I have been involved in an email exchange with someone who bought my Squidoo Profit System – and was disappointed. This has never happened before – ever! Anyone reading that knows me at all KNOWS that this drove me crazy. I had to know WHY this customer was dissatisfied. So, I asked.
Turns out the customer was already using Squidoo. He already knew the basics, but was looking for ‘meat’. He wanted some good tricks and tips to help improve his lensrank and the over-all profit potential of his lenses. He felt quite comfortable believing *I* knew those tips and tricks and was hoping to find them in Squidoo Profit System.
I was so thankful for his thoughtful insight and response (and told him so). ALL feedback is valuable in my oh-so humble opinion!
I explained that SPS is geared towards beginners and a lot of those ‘tips and tricks’ could be just too much for most of those that are new to Squidoo. Besides, would I really give away that kind of information for $6.97? Uh, sorry, I AM nice – sometimes TOO nice – but I’m not THAT nice! hahaha!
However, I also explained to this customer that I HAVE been toying with the idea of creating a more advanced Squidoo guide. Reality is, the Squidoo site is getting pretty darn competitive – my readers need an edge and I have the information they need.
As I was tossing the idea around this afternoon, Squidoo Cash Machine was released – and with it, I was released of my need to write an advanced Squidoo guide =)
Advanced Affiliate Marketing Tactics For Squidoo
The advanced tactics in this Squidoo ebook are good – really good. There is no hand-holding and fluff in it, either. Lord knows, if the author had expanded and fluffed up each tactic, that ebook would be 500 pages long!
There is nothing ‘sneaky’ or ‘wrong’ about these tactics, either. The author makes it perfectly clear over and over again to NOT spam Squidoo and to NOT make trash lenses. He also states that by teaching others to make more profitable and more traffic-ed lenses, that the entire site will do better (ie, HE will do better, too).
Did *I* Learn Anything From This Squidoo eBook?
So, I’m sure the big question is, “PotPieGirl, did YOU learn anything from Squidoo Cash Machine???”
Yes, I did. There were quite a few tactics that I read and said, “Ah, Good Idea!” outloud to myself (I claimed I was talking to the cat, but fact is – I was talking to myself…again…lol).
There are about 5 or so things right now off the top of my head that I wish the author would add. None are MAJOR things, but they can pretty important and also quite helpful. I suppose I COULD email the author and give my unasked for two cents, but I’d rather pass that information on to my readers.
So, if you purchase Squidoo Cash Machine from me, just go to the contact form up there at the top, choose ‘Squidoo” as your subject and drop me an email. Be sure to send me your first and last name so I can check my records and I will send my additional tips on to you personally. Fair enough?
All in all, I was very impressed. I think Squidoo Cash Machine is a very comprehensive and up-to-date Squidoo guide that will give you loads of great ideas on how to make your Squidoo lenses do very well.
As I always say, if you have no intention of doing anything with this ebook than please do NOT buy it. The tactics and info in this ebook WILL work and DO work – but only if you DO them. Sadly, there is no personal assistant included in this package that will do the work FOR you (yeah, upset me, too… I really could use one of those personal assistant things!)
Wait, did I say package? Yes, I did! Also included are a couple files of many, many cool graphics and banners that are designed for use on a Squidoo lens. I have glanced through them and there are quite a few I am going to use on my lenses. Was a very nice ‘gift’ from the author.
Take a peek and see what you think. Hopefully my review will give you a little insight on what to expect on the inside of this guide and will relieve your fear that this is bad information or a bunch of hype.
Check out: www.SquidooCashMachine.com
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What I want to know is; will *I* learn anything from this eBook? I generally avoid buying eBooks, and sales letters really put me off, but maybe just this once I’ll give it a try.
Maybe.
thefluffanuttas last blog post..New Tools for Squidoo Lensmasters
Hi Jennifer,
Karl here, the author of ‘Secret Cash Machine on Squidoo’.
Thankyou for the well formed and balanced review!
Oddly enough, I was looking at the list of customers and the username ‘Potpiegirl’ popped out of the page. I thought to myself… ‘where do I know that name from’.
I even asked my cat, Elvis, who just replied with ‘meow meowwww’. Which I think meant ‘Search Google’, but it could also have meant ‘FEED ME’…lol
So after feeding him, I searched google for potpiegirl and the minute I saw your pic, I remembered. Your one of the biggest users of Squidoo and have some great lenses.
I am so glad you got a copy and found some things that where useful to you. Maybe I can use some of your words for a nice testimonial.
If you need it, I also have some banners you can use for this review page.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read the book and write your kind review.
Karl Pemberton
Author of ‘The Secret Cash Machine on Squidoo’
Funny. I just ran across this because Karl left a comment on one of my gajillion blogs. But the sales page just really was a turn off for me. They always are. I’m just not the kind of person who responds to a used car salesman pitch. (And from what you said about the book, none of the people who actually could use the book would. Bummer for Karl.) Like fluff, I shall ponder whether it’s worth it. I have a hard time paying that much for a physical book where I know there were materials required that I’m paying for. Not sure about an ebook. I _might_ have been convinced if there was a single link to any of his lenses. I’m just so darn suspicious and cynical. It’s the part of me that’s still a reporter. Appreciate you taking the time to do the review, though.
Your review is pretty interesting and looks like the book might be a good read. I look forward to getting your bonuses which I hope will take me to the next level. Because right now, I could use a lot of help with my lenses.
Jenn Thomas
Muvar Software
Hi Susan,
Like you I hate hype… but, sadly its all part of good marketing. Those that have read the book have emailed me their positive views and thanks. Their satisfaction means a great deal to me and I am already seeing some great lenses they have shown me as a result of reading the book.
However, if anyone wants to write a review and bypass my sales page I can make that happen.
Karl
See, I do marketing for a living and hype doesn’t enter into it. That’s sales. 🙂
That said, I’d be happy to do a review. Send me a chapter, any chapter, and I’ll take a look. (You could do the same for thefluffanutta as well if you want to convince him to get on the bandwagon. He has a broader audience than I do.) If I think based on that that the book’s worth buying, I’ll do so and do a post on my blog about it, as well as a more complete review. If I think it’s OK, but probably not going to tell me anything I don’t already know, I’ll do a post saying so and not buy the book. If I think it’s wretched and want to warn people not to waste their money, I’ll say that. Fair enough? 🙂 You can contact me through my blog or via any of my lenses.
(Jennifer, sorry to hijack the comments. 🙂
First off – Karl, Welcome to PotPieGirl.com! I am so glad you stopped by! Fluff and Susan are kick-butt lensmasters – get them a chapter to review.
Susan, sweetie… you’re hijacking my comments? Uh, no way, kiddo! I have been making a LOT of lenses today and haven’t even come near this blog. Karl’s book lit a fire under me =)
Keep up the conversation – I love it!!
Jenn, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy Karls book as much as I did!
As for the ‘hype’ thing….
Yes, I was a bit turned off by the ‘hype factor’ of the info page. However, Squidoo is one of the things I do that is important to my online business. If there is new information out there – or even a different view-point, I want to read it. Hype or no hype.
Squidoo is getting SO competitive… we need all the edge we can get.
The book itself was NOT hypey and it was very respectful to the Squidoo site, staff, and community. Heck, we can drop more than the cost of the ebook on one dinner out, so my thinking is, why WOULDN’T I purchase this Squidoo guide? If I learned even ONE new thing, it would be more than I would learn eating out =)
I only came up with ten things that I wish were in the book, so I made a separate bonus for those that buy thru my link. Those that have received the ten bonus tips are very happy with them.. guess I should have made my own little advanced Squidoo tips book…haha!
I’m so glad all of you are here… keep on chatting, I’ve got lenses to make!
Best to all of you!
Jennifer
Just bought the book and I absolutely love it. I was going to spend so much time going through everything on Squidoo but it was going to take just so much time. Cool stuff!
I was wondering how you go about asking for review copies of things? I don’t have a ton of money to spend on products but I love to review things since I think I have a good perspective. How do I set myself up as someone who is (and I hate to say this word) “worthy” of reviewing something?
Hi Carter,
Let me take a quick min to answer you.
I wrote an email to all those customers that requested ebook updates and in that email you will find some pointers.
If you got that email and still have questions, please let me know.
I am also sure Jennifer will be more than happy to help you out.
Karl
@ Carter –
I don’t usually ask directly for a review copy (or a preview chapter). Usually, if I am considering a product for promotion, I have questions about it. I will want to know what experience level the product is designed for, if it involves PPC (or requires any other investments in order to work) and other similiar questions.
I will then email the author and ask my questions – but I do not ask for a review copy. Most product owners will do a little checking up on me and then freely offer a sample chapter (at the least).
However, I leave it up the content owner to OFFER.
Just my two cents
Jennifer
Can I add a couple more coins to the pot?
For sure, I get sent some products to review even without asking. Not only digital, but also physical books. I think it has something to do with being around this internet for sooooo long 🙂
Whilst I dont mind giving people in the industry a review copy, I cannot tell you how much more it means to have someone from the industry buy a copy. For them then to write a review, shows that they are serious about promoting and are in a position to help the people who buy via their link.
Keep in mind people may give a bad review!
So with that in mind, you can imagine the business relationship that can happen if you buy the product and give a measured review.
Karl –
VERY well said and an excellent point to make.
It is important to me that my readers trust me. Working on the internet makes ‘trust’ difficult to earn – sometimes it all seems to impersonal, ya know?
However, if I say “I BOUGHT this, I READ this, I USED this…and these are MY results”, you can take it to the bank that it is the truth.
Bottom line is, I cannot truly review a product, or give genuine feedback, if I am not reviewing it from the CONSUMERS view-point.
Jennifer
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.