mickie_glma9245f501716478a528968e52ab44150_1231971999little_red_wagonGiant Squid Lensmaster Mickie_G learned a valuable lesson, the hard way.

She’s chosen to use her day in the spotlight to keep others from making that same mistake.

Mickie_G: “The hardest, but the best, lesson I learned during my quest for Giantdom was this: Do not make a lens JUST to make $$$.

Last autumn, my daughter (a mother of three children under 5) was already planning for Christmas. She asked my help in finding the best prices for “construction” ride-on toys for her two boys (3yrs and 1yr). With the economy in such a state, she wanted to make sure the dollars she would spend were justified.

Her request resulted in my –”Ride On Toys For Three Year Old Boys“.  I did research and found some really good sites with wonderful toys. I became an affiliate for those companies and began assembling my lens. (I just added my own photos of my grandsons at play on some of the toys I recommended!)
Another result: I also became an “affiliate maniac” and applied for all kinds of programs with three different affiliate sites. I was blinded by the possibility of big bucks.
As a result of this addiction, I began creating lenses about products I thought would sell. I thought these products were so cool and maybe bring a hefty commission.  What a mistake.”A Beautiful Rocking Horse“  began as a lens about something I really did not know squat about. I am still working on that lens trying to give it some substance. I still think the toy is beautiful.
When the commissions did not roll in, I was so “kerfuffled”. Why? Why? When the answer came to me, it hurt. My $$$ making lenses were about nothing that mattered to me–meaningless fluff!
Most of this realization on my part occurred right after I did not make Giant the first time I applied. I revisited all my lenses and began to transform them into non-fluff. It paid off. I made Giant! Now, I am revisiting those lenses and adding more transformations. My goal is to earn respect, not profits.”