When making a Squidoo lens, there are four options: - I want to get the word out about xxxxxxxx (easiest option) - I'm gonna sell xxxxxxxx stuff and earn $$, for me or for charity (money maker!) - I want to make a list of my favorite things about xxxxxxxx (most popular) - I just want to do my own thing. Does your choice here limit what you can do with the page? If I choose "money maker", does that mean I have to share profits with Squidoo? I'm setting up the page to help promote an ecommerce site, but if I can sell directly from the page I might like to try that.
You always share profits with Squidoo if you use their affiliate modules. If you put in your own affiliate links (which is allowed) then it's all yours. The four options is just four pre-configured lenses really, with an array of modules already included. Which you can delete or rearrange as you see fit. I always go with option four (option four has no modules, except for the Introduction), and choose my own. Because it's quicker to select the ones I want in the order I need it. Stop by www.squidoo.com/why, www.squidoo.com/what and www.squidoo.com/module for a quick crash course in Squidoo. And also a good thing to note is www.squidoo.com/unimproved... you need four or more modules (not counting the Introduction) for it to qualify as improved. Too many unimproved lenses in your account and... well read the lens on it and you'll find out
I always go for option 1. It has a few of the most commonly used modules already configured for use, which makes getting up and running really quick. Never really explored any of the other options. My first lens is at: http://www.squidoo.com/wall-mounted-fountains Still very much a work in progress, but slowly getting there.
I personally would have a mix of the first 2...give people information and very subtly advertise affiliate products related to the information...that's just my opinion anyway.
That works well. Sometimes though the affiliate products don't need to be subtle. If you can incorporate it into the content, without it feeling forced, then it can become a focal point. In this lens http://www.squidoo.com/clonetrooper I'm reviewing the products. Really reviewing them. Because I bought them. It's a bit of a read (only of interest to Star Wars fans really) but you'll see that I don't give the main product a positive review. Because I was quite disappointed in it.