Jul 21, 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. I would love feedback on writing style, layout suggestions, and next steps please. I’m new here and would love to get off to a good start. Thank you.

    – Jeff

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    1. Thoughts:

      1- Never use more than 15 tags (or a combined total of 15 tags and categories). When you do, WordPress doesn’t promote the post and you lose potential readers.

      2- Look into creating a custom header and custom background. (Or change the background color instead of using a custom background.) Your blog is gray but your content is colorful; make it match (without reducing the text’s readability.)

      3- Consider using the WPlongform tag for any post over 1000 words. Your posts are really long and that will turn off some readers. People who want to read long posts often search for them with the WPlongform tag.

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  2. Jeff, your style of narration is really good. All the serious bits are interspersed with a distinctive humorous quality, which makes it very personal and endearing. The only thing, you should try customizing the background, tweak it a little, make it yours.

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  5. I help run a self hosted medical satire blog. Some stories are universal some jokes you’d have to be in healthcare or be somewhat familiar. But would appreciate input from all because the more people we could appeal to the more we could make laugh!

    http://www.gomerblog.com

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    2. Hi THEGOMER, I find your blog very interesting and sarcastic, I’ll follow you to keep updates on your medical satire (LOL). If you don’t mind, follow me for tips on how to properly take care of your skin. Skin it up. Peace.

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      2. Loved your blog, Gomer. Subscribed. Keep writing about Bieber Fever. Nothing I wanna change in the awesomeness you have running. Cheers!

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  6. Hi, i’m just about to start writing a blog but want to back date my first few entries to a couple of weeks ago, is that something that can be done?

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    1. hi MIRIAML33, I’m a Christian and Holy Molly, I love your blog – deep and inspiring. I would say concentration is a must – focus on a specific topic that you find joy hitting up. In a nutshell, I L O V E it and did follow your blog. If you don’t mind, please follow mine to have some tips on how to properly take care of your skin. I will have upcoming articles displaying methods and products recommended for all skin types. Have a blast with your blog 🙂

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    1. A few thoughts:

      1- All posts should have tags. You can have up to 15 (tags plus categories). If you can come up with additional appropriate tags beyond the few you’re using, add them. They help bring people to your blog.

      (The next 3 have to do with getting people to return or explore further.)

      2- Your tagline is probably too long. If I were you, I’d eliminate everything before the word “marketing.” What remains will highlight what the reader might expect to find on your blog.

      3- You still need to write your About page (or eliminate the link).

      4- A blog called “Thisluxlife” could use a little more color to it. Custom header and custom background (or a change in background color) would add a little vibrancy.

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  9. Hi all,
    I’m new to all of this.
    If you could find it in your hearts to sneak a look at my writing, let me know what you think.
    Tell me if there’s anybody who I should be following. You will earn my undying gratitude. Swear to god.
    Thanks guys. 🙂

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  12. Hello again! Its me, Ms. Roberts. I was wondering if I could get any feedback on my blog brand (blog title and tagline). Thanks so much for your time. Love to hear from you!

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  13. Dipayan: Just checked out your blog–er, collection–and was blown away by your black and white staircase photos. It was if souls were … seeking to ascend. Do you ever photograph the sky?
    Anyway, one of the most irritating things I find about exhibits are written explanations from the artist. Keep it simple, short. Quotes, like the ones you employed, are suggestive. And that’s the point, isn’t it? The viewer makes his/her own ‘connections.’
    Keep on, keepin’ on, dude.

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  16. Hi everyone!
    I am only seven years old and have never written a blog before. My mum is helping me write about my life in Subiaco because I am a very famous dog. She also takes all the photos of my dog mates.
    I would love some feedback on my writing style and whether the photos are too small. Maybe my Slippery snake tale would be a good site for you to comment on. Woof Woof, Thank you
    KoKo “so cute” Harry Potter

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    1. The photo size and writing style are fine.

      The big issues I see are with your background image and blog title/tagline.

      I know your background image is supposed to be a dog, but the dog part is blocked out. The color scheme is rather nice and it makes a good abstract background. However, if you were looking for “dog,” it isn’t there.

      And then if you keep that background image, you might try changing the color of your blog title and tagline from white. It’s barely legible against the background.

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  19. Hi everyone, I started a blog two weeks ago documenting my passion for cars and my journey to becoming a Formula 1 Engineer. I’ve dedicated it to pretty much anything about motorsport and cars, but my goal is for it to be entertaining to people who aren’t so much car fanatics. If there are any non-car people out there who wouldn’t mind giving me some feedback that would be amazing… is my writing too dry?

    http://formularichard.wordpress.com/

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    1. Your writing is not too dry. However, I think your goals are only reasonable part of the time.

      The engine post was too technical for someone who isn’t much into cars. However, one probably can’t write a post on that topic without being technical. To read about an engine in so much detail, I think you have to be a car enthusiast already.

      On the other hand, your Silverstone post would be interesting to general audiences, I think. And you might be able to get away with posts about engines if you could find a way to write the post like a story as you did for the Silverstone. People who aren’t car enthusiasts still like stories.

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      1. Thanks! You’re right, I’ll be making an effort to keep the posts more story based. I’m hoping my move to University will make that a lot easier! Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

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    1. Hi. I think that you indeed have a flair for writing. However, your posts aren’t really enticing enough to attract readers. I like your “Korean Mud Festival” piece for it’s something which I have not known and I find it very interesting! So good job on that. As you are capable of writing pieces like these, I would strongly encourage you to continue writing more “out of the ordinary” pieces with appropriate tags, so that other bloggers would gain access and hopefully appreciate what you’ve written.
      I’d suggest you cut down the length of your posts. Your posts are interesting yes, however, writing too long might make the reader lose interest.
      A few pointers:
      -Introduce the topic
      -Briefly describe what it’s about
      -Substentiate your points by adding relevant details which could be interesting and fresh.
      This is how I would go about doing it. It’s just a suggestion though!
      Anyways, all the best for your future writeups! 🙂

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    1. (Fair warning: I’m a guy…)

      I see a fair number of beauty blogs on Community Pool (although the majority seem to be salespeople) and yours is refreshing because you didn’t choose an over-the-top pink color scheme. However, I would remind you that I’m a guy and maybe your mustard yellow background isn’t going to be as appealing to your target audience. Perhaps a purple would look good with your blog, be more suitable to your topic, and still be refreshingly different.

      I will also say that you chose a good blog theme and composed an effective title and tagline.

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    3. Hi marianne,

      I have gone through your blog. Its nice, but your post looks lengthy which will make the readers to get bored a little. Cut short and make it precise.

      Wish u ll attract more visitors. #Happy blogging.

      http://liveblog.in/

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    1. Overall, your layout is solid with two exceptions.

      1- On your first page of posts, you have a title that stretches way farther to the right than it should.

      2- I can’t tell from your header, blog title, or tagline what Yachtz is. Not everyone will click on the “We Are Yachtz” link, especially since it’s buried in a footer menu. So, I’d suggest adding something to the header that tells your visitors what you are. (I also tried reading the words on the left guy’s shirt but your blog title cut off the end… meaning the shirt couldn’t make its statement.)

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      1. Thank you! Highly appreciate it! Definitely new to this & can use any helpful opinions that can better our blog.

        I noticed the stretched out post & was trying to figure out a way to shorten the “link” post. Also I agree with you on the “We Are Yachtz” part. I myself wouldn’t go and click around if I didn’t have the spare time.

        Thank you again. It was really helpful!

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    1. I don’t know why but when I read your posts, I can somehow relate to you. All these beautiful poems and stories that you’ve written are truly brilliant. It’s amazing to see how you put your photos appropriately into your posts and it makes the entire outlook of your blog look incredible. I would definitely like to read more posts from you! You can definitely soar high! 🙂

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      1. Thanks you for taking the time to visit. 🙂 I also checked yours and I thought it was nice to see another blog whose weekly PHOTO challenge with lots of words in them. I know it’s a photo challenge but often, these weekly photo themes are great writing subjects as well. 🙂

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    1. I like how you write for I feel that they are written based on genuine feelings. Your writing style is indeed unique which makes me want to read more of what you could write! However, just a word of advice, you could add in more photos and lengthen your posts a little more. Your content is there but I feel that it’s not rich enough. If you were to hit these points, in my opinion, you would be able to get more views on your blog!
      In addition to the fact that you’re new to WordPress, I would encourage you to follow The Daily Post and participate in their Weekly Challenges be it Photo Challenges or Writing challenges.
      Other than that, you’ve started off well being a new blogger! 🙂

      Like