Many of my readers haven’t had much experience or luck with creating a passive income business. There is some skill involved, which comes as a surprise to many. Much of what you read online may have you believing otherwise. Affiliate marketing isn’t rocket science however, and there is no better time to learn than during the holiday shopping season.
What Is The Passive Income Business Challenge: Holiday Affiliate Marketing Edition?
From now until Christmas I challenge you to create one potential passive revenue source each week. We won’t be building new websites. Instead, you are going to learn how to make money with Squidoo.
Why Squidoo?
No Commitment – There are some topics in which we have a fleeting interest. If I want to write a Microsoft Surface tablet review, I am not starting a new blog for that. If your interests are in one particular product category, by all means buy a domain. If you enjoy the one-off review, Squidoo is the place for it.
No Cost – There is no cost to put content on Squidoo. In fact, they pay you 50% of any sales generated as a result of your Lens. You also have the opportunity to earn from their ad pool which consists of in-text and banner ads across the site.
Buying Atmosphere – The Squidoo setup makes it shopper-friendly. Readers can see product photos, prices and more. They have also recently introduced their Celebrate vertical which will feature only gift guides. This online magazine has its own social networks giving your shopping Lenses better exposure.
Money-Making Opportunities – There are numerous ways to make money with Squidoo; Amazon, ebay, Zazzle, Allposters, ad pool, personal affiliate links and more.
There are about nine weeks until Christmas. Your Passive Income Business Challenge will be to complete eight Lenses in the next two months. This week I just want you to familiarize yourself with Squidoo and get yourself ready.
Things to Do This Week:
1. Create a Squidoo Account and fill out your profile completely. You will have the opportunity to upload a photo (please do), include links to your personal websites and social networks, add your PayPal account so that you can get paid and decide if you would like in-text ads included in your Lenses or not. (These are similar to Infolinks and can provide additional revenue.)
2. Browse the Celebrate vertical. This is where we will be categorizing our Lenses for this challenge. To learn affiliate marketing you need to focus on products people are looking to buy and the less competition the better. This is why we are doing this during the holidays. Shoppers are going to be searching daily for this season’s hottest gifts. It is going to be far easier for you to make these sales than to create Lenses around already saturated niches. Look at the gift guide categories and start brainstorming ideas. (Bonus Tip: Start paying attention to commercials and advertisements for hot products to create Lenses about.)
3. Subscribe to this site. I will be checking in weekly with more tips. You don’t want to miss any!
4. Like my Facebook Page. After each week’s post you will have the opportunity to drop the link to your latest Lens. I am happy to give you a SquidLike for your participation.
Let me know that you are participating! You can leave a comment here or on my Facebook Page. If you are an experienced Lensmaster and have tips to share, contact me. I would love to feature your expertise on my blog!
You can find all of the articles in this series at this link.
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Angie Nelson
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I am new to squidoo and will be participating in this. Even if I don’t make any money, it is experience I can use! Thanks Angie for hosting this!
I have been off and on Squidoo for a long time, but right now things seem to be going really good over there. Hopefully it is a good time to jump in and make some money. If nothing else, these are skills that carry over to almost every type of online business (writing, selling, HTML, etc).
I have been noticing a lot of traffic coming from one of the lenses I put up a few months ago. I will have to think about doing this. Thanks Angie!
I think Lenses only need to be 350 words (I’ll check). It shouldn’t be too strenuous. Even if you can’t do all eight, I hope you will try to put up a few.
most lenses say 350 but for SEO reasons i’d say at least 400 words and also add some bullet points to make it look more realistic.
Every year I say I’m going to do this. Might just get on it this year. Thanks, Angie!
Give it a try, Lisa. Even if it is just a few.
I’ll check it out, thanks! Found you on SITS.
How wonderful of you to offer the liking and sharing.
I’ve written some content (that has created a very small trickle of passive income) on similar sites and have always figured I’d give Squidoo a go. Perhaps this is my sign to do so. Thanks! 
Looks like you are really into Squidoo these days, Angie; I saw a few posts on the topic from you.
Hi Angie,
I started Squidoo about 10 days ago and am really having fun with it. I actually watched another 30 day challenge using Erica Stone’s process before I decide to join the fun.
I now have 10 lenses, but only half are done an published.
I know that this challenge is over and done with, but I just discovered your site, and I’m really excited! You’ve created a FANTASTIC resource for so many of us bloggers, moms, and others looking to make a little extra income on the side so we can spend our other time taking care of loved ones and living life. I am starting your challenge today!
Any time is a good time, Evelyn. You will do great. Just stick with it!
First, I have to confess, I’m not a work at home wife, but I really like the idea of making a passive income. You mentioned squidoo above. I’ve made a lens or two without much success. What do you have to do to make them profitable and get lots of traffic?
You don’t have to be a wife to be welcome here, Adam.
I followed Squidoo Quick Commission guide. You will find a link to it in this post, http://theworkathomewife.com/squidoo-income/.