Jul 7, 2013 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for input, whether on post ideas, writing, blog design and layout, or anything else. If you have a post, page, or idea you want to bounce off someone, leave a comment. Your fellow bloggers can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

Read on for the ground rules and to leave a comment . . .

  • You’ll get the best feedback if you can be as specific as possible about what you’d like people to respond to or where you’re struggling.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. We’re here to help and support one another, not to beat anyone down.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • To keep from losing your place in the comment thread while you visit others’ blogs, right-click on a link to open it in a new tab or window.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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  1. Hello. I’ve never had a blog, but like a new convert I’m mad for it at the minute. I struggle for inspiration a bit. Any suggestions for direction in particular welcome..

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    2. Hi
      If you’re struggling for inspiration try following the daily prompt. You’ll get pretty much random suggestions that you can probably twist to work for you any which way. Your blog looks nice and clean but you might want to get an “About me” page or similar on there just to let us know all about you.

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  3. Hello everyone – I’m new to blogging. After taking up a new hobby of photography, I decided to blog it. I take all my photos with my iPhone. If you have time, can you please view my site at: bigdogdiving.wordpress.com. I would appreciate some honest feedback. Thank you ~ Efren

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    1. Your photos are great but your theme isn’t the best match. You write so little with your photos that you could get away with one of the dreaded white-text-on-black-background themes. (A plain black or white background makes your photos pop more.)

      There are a few themes that are designed for photo blogs. Check those out, plus Piano Black if you don’t mind discouraging people from commenting. (Except for headlines and titles, the text on Piano Black is REALLY hard to read.)

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      1. Thanks for the advice. I change my blog as you recommended. Please take a look and tell me what you think? Again, thank you so much. ~ Efren

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      3. I agree. Thanks again for your advice and recommendation. Please visit often and check out my individual photos. I would love the same critique with fresh eyes. ~ Efren

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  4. I keep running across these blogs that I assume are on the WordPress.com platform because I am being given the option to “follow” their blogs. Their blogs look incredibly different, though.

    Here are just a few examples:

    takingbackearth.com
    annalinnehan.com
    joshrhyne.com

    Has anyone seen these? I am sensing some of them are connected with the Empower Network.

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  5. Hi all, I would like to take this opportunity at community pool to ask for feedback on my website that I created 2 months ago. I have changed the layout and I’m working on building my content.
    Any kind of feedback is welcome, please be constructive – I want to learn.
    Some important questions I’d like to be considered are – Is it navigation friendly? Is the content (in terms of font and layout) well presented? What can be done better?

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    1. Loaned treasures from my past seems like it should be a list. My favorite 10 blog post. Or something to the effect and list them by numbering them. Why they are important to us and you. Some wise words I fell upon and am now passing to you. Have fun!

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      1. When I read your feedback, a light bulb switched on. Thanks! I cannot change it now but I will keep that in mind from this moving forward!

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  6. I’m really interested in knowing what everyone thinks after their initial discover of my blog. I have 70% first time visits and an avg of 2 mins per visit base don google analytics. What makes you want to leave after two minutes. I figure it has to be something in the post. The writing or the conclusion and connecting to another post isn’t desirable. Majority if my post are about 500 words. So two minutes feels like they are getting through one post. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m looking for your feedback and verification.

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  7. I like to see chatting feature in wordpress, where i can chat with my online readers, followers etc..i can mention my gmail account and allow people to chat but it is just a workaround. do anyone know anything about it, or do u think it should be there..

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  9. Hi Friends,
    I’m a brand new blogger over at http://www.fitface.wordpress.com . when I say new, I mean NEW. ha, I’ve been working endlessly trying to get my blog to look enticing, memorable and exciting. I don’t know how to use photoshop so I figured simple would be better for me. I would really appreciate some feedback based on what you think could use improvement.?
    Thanks a ton,
    Kaycee 🙂

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    1. I see the potential for having a memorable and exciting look on your blog. Here’s a step by step idea:

      1- If you still have the jacket you’re wearing in your profile pic, take a close-up picture of the material or put it under a scanner. (The pattern would make a memorable background image.)

      2- Change your theme to Comet, Confit, or San Kloud (or test all three).

      3- Use the jacket picture as a custom background. (With San Kloud, you can also change the theme options to make the text boxes yellow or orange, if you prefer.)

      I can’t promise that the result will look good. I used a similar procedure to design my blog’s appearance but it took a lot of experimentation to get something I like.

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  13. Hi. So I have been traveling a whole lot. Most of my photos don’t have me in it and my friends and family want those photos. I protested because photography wouldn’t be fun if it’s all about me. So, I picked up Coco and Pan from Copan Ruinas in Honduras last month. They’ve joined me on my trips and have been featured on my photos. Here’s a link http://denquinsay.wordpress.com/category/coco-and-pan-iphone-shots/

    Let me know what you think. Thank you.

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  15. Thank you so much Bumblepuppies. I have saved your suggestions on a word doc on my computer. Shall eat this elephant bit by bit 😉 and get back to you when I’m done, if that’s okay with you?
    Once again, your help is greatly appreciated.
    May you always find help when in need!
    Ta,
    Sona

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  16. Hi! I’d love if you would check out my blog and let me know what you think.

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    1. On the whole, it’s good. That border (or background image) is one of the best I’ve seen.

      However, I’m not entirely clear what the purpose of your “writing” page is. If it’s a longer work in progress, identify it as such. Is there a reason why that one piece of writing receives its own tab separate from your main blog content?

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    1. I liked your blog. I really liked that you have pictures with your posts. It really makes one connect to you. The only suggestion I have would be to put a picture up on top of your blog. When I clicked on the link, and this could be my computer, but its just blank white. You have so much character in the writing but it does not show when you first click on the page.

      Jen.

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      1. “Picture up on top of the blog”…that is a good idea. That will by my project this week. I don’t even have a “name” yet…it is still is “just another blog”…I appreciate the reply. thank you. – ir

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  19. I have a question. Is there any way to use a different font size on the wordpress? I find the writing so small and consequently kind of serious. Some of my blog topics are serious so I guess that isn’t a bad thing but sometimes it would be nice to use a ‘fun’ font. Suggestions?

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    1. Yes, but only for your posts. (Not for your menus…)

      When you’re writing a post, click on the Show/Hide Kitchen Sink button; that will give you a second row of buttons. Then, if you click on the “Format” drop-down box, you get options.

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    1. I really enjoyed your blog. I am new at blogging so I dont have much advice to offer. The one disadvantage I saw was the name of your blog. It would not come up in a search engine unless of course i was looking for your name. I honestly think I would have thought it was a blog from outside of the USA and may not have bothered to look at it had it not been in this comment feed. I am glad I clicked on it and enjoyed the content very much. I think a different name would be more appealing and easier to remember. ~jen

      jennvilleusa.wordpress.com

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      1. Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and to offer your feedback. It is so funny that you mentioned the name of my blog, b/c when I set it up, I had the same thoughts that you did, but followed the advice of a social media strategist, I went with my name. I definitely will revisit this issue. I look forward to checking out your blog, as well!

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  21. Hi Everyone, I have only been blogging for only a few months. I like to write about various things and take pictures so I have put a little of both in my blog. I try to write in a way that is more like a conversation. Can I get some feedback on my writing style and if it works.
    Also if you click through a few photo post let me know if you think I need to add any writing to it for if I should just keep it simple.

    This is my post from today. http://jennvilleusa.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/teach-your-kids-to-fly/

    Thanks in advance!
    Jen

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    1. There’s nothing wrong with photos that aren’t accompanied by verbiage. If you can’t see a reason to add words, the pictures are better off without them.

      And your stylistic flourishes are good but you really need to…

      Proofread
      Proofread
      Proofread

      There are enough errors that they distract from your message.

      For posts that aren’t time sensitive, try saving a draft (but don’t click publish) when you’re done writing and look over it again later. That’s what I do and it helps a lot.

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      1. Thanks for the tips. I will go through and proofread everything tomorrow. Probably walking away is a good idea. I often get to the point when I don’t even actually read it because I “know” what its supposed to say. Great advice. Thanks.

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  24. IJWTS: This is the first time I’ve been here, and I haven’t yet read anyone’s work requiring feedback. First I went thru the comments, and I have to say most is not the kind of FB I would consider particularly useful. Just saying something is “nice” is meaningless: if you really like something, at least be specific as to why. Being specific is the best approach. I don’t mean to criticize, but I have been in a lot of writers’ groups and I know what works best. After all, why waste time? Also, if I do read someone’s work and wish to comment, I don’t want to be afraid of saying the truth.

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  25. Hi everyone,

    I’m new to blogging and would love it if I could get some feedback. Any comment and suggestions for layout, writing style and new posts would be greatly appreciated! =)

    Like

  27. Hey everyone!

    I’m working on developing my writing and specifically researching what makes a good book review. Typically I just write a few thoughts, occasionally give a plot summary, and discuss themes of the book or what makes it good or bad (strictly my opinion, of course).
    Here is a link to the category on my blog where I post my book reviews: http://notesfromheidi.wordpress.com/category/literary-inclinations/

    I’m going to be looking up how to write a good book review, but wanted to ask you all a couple of questions: what catches your eye about a book review? What are important features you look for in reviews to give you a clear picture of what a book is about?
    Thanks in advance!

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  29. hi there everyone 🙂 I was hoping to get a little feedback on the design/navigation of my blog. I write about pop culture/film/literature and some personal stuff thrown in now and again. I’m trying to keep a minimal look because sometimes my content can be quite long – like with reviews.

    Any and all feedback would be great! Thanks so much! 🙂

    http://starlitcorner.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. Hey Star … I actually think your design holds up nicely. I mostly like the “fanciness” bar, as it made me curious to click through … I was a bit let down by “#3” – didn’t get the point of that, and #4 took me nowhere … I’d like to see more interesting content there. It might also be interesting to your header explain more clearly what you’re blogging about as it seems there’s an entertainment review theme, but I had to look through to figure that out, and i think that should be more clear in your header.

      I’d appreciate your feedback on my blog also. http://www.thiswildwakingjourney.com … i’ve made a bunch of changes lately and could use some other eyes! Bryan

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      1. Thank you for the reply! 🙂

        I could probably put up more interesting content in #3 on the bar but the #4 tab is meant to take you to a 404 page that is smartly designed to let you play Space Invaders. 😉 Which people usually like, I don’t know why it didn’t work for you. Maybe the link is buggy. Thanks for the rest of the feedback, I will definitely give the header a little tweak.

        I had a look at your blog too! 🙂 And your header is AWESOME sauce. I quite like that it has your photo right up there. It created a connection immediately. I would have maybe liked it if the information about you and your blog was in separate tabs. Putting it at the bottom of your “Why this blog?” tab makes it seem secondary. Or even having a little blurb about you in the sidebar would be great.

        Your writing style is phenomenal though. I actually laughed out loud a couple times, which has not happened since… I don’t even know when last! I’ll definitely be back to read more. 🙂

        Thanks a bunch! Star* xx

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      2. Hey Star … Yes, you’re right; I’m going to give the bio its own page. Great suggestion. … yeah the space invaders thing didn’t work for me. My personal thought is that it may sound good in theory, but I wouldn’t direct people outside your blog for something like that. I think your “fanciness” bar idea is interesting, and the content you actually provide there should equal “fancy” … and it should be uniquely yours. Have fun!!

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  30. Feedback desired! … I just added a giant yellow X to my wordpress blog newsletter sign up, and I’d love your feedback on whether it’s distracting or inviting, cool or tacky. Also, when you land on my blog, do you quickly understand what it’s about? Do the page nav links make you want to click through? or not so much. Thanks!!!

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    1. On the one hand, the yellow X adds color and attracts attention. On the other, the X makes it look like you had crossed something out. I think repeating the scribble you have on the Campbell quote would be more effective.

      The blog is easy to follow, generally speaking. However, you might try simplifying your header image. “Insight. Inspiration. Irreverence.” is catchy and descriptive. The quote beneath it is much less so. If possible, I’d suggest getting rid of the quote, moving the Insight line down a little, and making the font (just for the Insight line) bigger by a size or two.

      Like