I'm a publisher living in Las Vegas.
I was part of the original Beta-test program for a service called Squidoo.com.
After building my first Squidoo Lens (aka: Squidoo Web Page), I was hooked. After building 8 Lenses about Las Vegas, I needed a way to organize them.
Google Apps for your Domain provided my solution.
I created a branded domain -- FirstTimeInLasVegas.com -- that tied together my 5 Sin City Travel Guide lenses and my 3 Sin City Rolodex lenses into a unified online resource.
Now I've put together this 11-chapter/lens online book entitled Supercharge Squidoo with Google Apps to describe the basic concepts behind building professional multi-lens projects using Squidoo Lenses and Google Apps for your Domain.
Supercharge Squidoo with Google Apps
Notice: No Sales Pitches Here. Educational Content Only.
Chapter 1 -- How to Supercharge Squidoo
Adding Google Applications to Squidoo creates powerful new capabilities. And opens up innovative options for larger multi-lens projects.
Chapter 2 -- Domain Name Registration
Grouping several related lenses together under one memorable domain name makes promoting them a lot easier.
Chapter 3 -- GMail on your Domain
Basing your email address(es) on the domain name presents a professional image and builds a strong brand around your set of related lenses.
Chapter 4 -- Google Talk (Chat)
Instant Messaging that can support voice calls, voicemail and file transfers between you and your readers / customers.
Chapter 5 -- Page Creator
An easy-to-use template-driven web page builder that produces a professional looking Home page for your Squidoo lenses.
Chapter 6 -- Start Page
An effective information hub for gathering communications, news, resources, leads and more that can be refined into great content.
Chapter 7 -- Calendar
A public calendar that can be updated in real-time to keep your fans apprised of events, activities, sales and other important dates and times.
Chapter 8 -- Google Docs
A fast, easy way to collaborate with non-local partners and subject-matter experts to produce professional content for documents and lens.
Chapter 9 -- Custom Search Engine
Google's Custom Search Engine (CSE) enables visitors to search across related lenses by keyword or phrase. It's the glue that bonds individual lenses into a unified web site.
Chapter 10 -- Credits / Suggested Reading
A list of inspirational lenses that stimulated my thinking. And showed me techniques for implementing my ideas.
Chapter 11 -- Video Library
An easy way to learn more about Google Apps: what they are, how they work, and how other people are using them to benefit their organizations.
Google Apps is a trademark of Google, Inc.
