Dec 1, 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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  2. I’ve been blogging for over a month and am enjoying myself immensely, but can’t seem to generate traffic. Could it be that people are not really able to connect with anonymous bloggers? Would appreciate some tips. Also, I’m looking for feedback on the content. Would appreciate any help you can provide.

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    1. Hi there, I like your writings. Most of them are short and crisp and convey a feeling. About attracting traffic, I don’t really know. The last post of yours made a lot of sense to me cos I’m indian. But i’m guessing if it doesn’t reach the right audience, others don’t connect to such situations.

      I have been blogging about two weeks now and if you have suggestions for me, i’d be happy to hear. http://formidabulous.wordpress.com

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    2. I absolutely love your words, pictures and overall feeling I get when I hopped onto your page. You’re engaging, real and concise! Your content alone should be enough to drum up an audience, but I know it takes time. I’ve been blogging for about 3 months and have a modest number of hits (4800 with ~80 followers). I started with the usual venues (Twitter, Facebook, etc), but found that those sites really only reach my friends and family who will always be my fans. The most rewarding experience has been connecting with other bloggers, reading their content and getting to know them through the “comment” sections. Soon other bloggers/audience see your comments and feel naturally inclined to read, invite and connect. My next step is to add their web pages to my own blog (once I figure out the techical piece behind that) and let my audience see the talent that lies beyond my own page.
      Since I’m still a newbie, I’m learning something new everyday…and that’s half the fun! Best wishes! (BTW, you have a new follower!!)

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      1. Thank you for the much-needed advice. And thank you for following my blog. It means a lot. 🙂

        I changed things a bit on my blog today; was getting bored of the same old theme. Care to comment?

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      2. I can tell that I’m going to enjoy reading you! Your header graphic is beautiful and I really like the new placement of the coffee cup…purposeful and relevant to the paragraph. I love photography and use most of my own shots. I noticed my second to last post had a sloppy picture and it still bothers me. The care you put into your content is evident and makes me want to come back for more. I read a fantastic post last night about writing–she is one of my new favorites: http://inkblotsandicebergs.wordpress.com

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      3. Hey, thanks for sharing that blog. I spent a lot of time reading this blog, and she is my new favorite! If it helps, I haven’t noticed a sloppy picture on your blog so far!

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  3. Hello everyone!
    I’ve been reading blogs and comments for the last couple of days and decided to get brave enough and participate. I’m a new blogger (~3 months) and would love any feedback you might have for me. The purpose of my blog is to celebrate our human imperfections in a way that’s fun, supportive and within an network of, “Oh hey! That happened to me, too!”

    http://www.mamamickterry.com

    The most representative articles are: “Celebrating Imperfection: Let’s get this party started” and “Misadventures in Grocery Shopping”
    Feel free to send me your blog links in replies back. Reading yours helps me write mine 🙂

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    1. Hi Michelle! i love the concept of your blog. Its a very important one- celebrating imperfections and being happy content with ourselves. The blog has a positive vibe and my favourite is the quote you posted on perfection. Hop ego see more of your writings 🙂

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      2. Thank you so much for taking the time to read. I read your blog as well and loved it! So happy to see another scientist/clinician branching out into right-brain endeavors. I really liked (and connected with) your “about” page. Can’t wait to read more!
        (no worries on auto-correct…seems like many of my reply comments are often typed below line of sight. I never know how bad it is until I hit “post”)

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  4. I am wondering how to find out if my tags are working. I’ve not had any likes on my last two posts (versus my previous posts which had at least a few) and I wonder if there is a technical issue?

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  5. I just completed a custom design on my test blog (not the blog my name links to). It has an unusual look and I’d be curious to know what people think. After all, I’d have to spend money I don’t have if I want it on my real blog beyond Dec. 13.

    And yes, I know the sidebar is off center. I’m trying to find a way to fix that and recently asked about it in the forums.

    Anyway: http://blacklightcandelabra.wordpress.com/

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    1. Hi Thomas, I’d suggest that you put a few words about yourself and and your blog in the ‘about’ page. If you are planning to write on multiple topics, create a category list. Most importantly, keep writing and participate in the community pool for feedback 🙂

      If you have any suggestions for my blog, I’d be happy to hear
      http://formidabulous.wordpress.com

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  12. I just started but feel like I might have started off on the wrong foot. Is this common among new bloggers? Should I just go with it and see where it goes? Any suggestions about my layout? It’s simple and clean right now. Thanks!

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    1. Hi there. Its too to say that you have started on the wrong foot without even giving at a go. I’d suggest that you write something that you planned on when you first started the blog and then ask for suggestions. there are a lot of helpful people here that will be willing to take a look. To start off, create an ‘about’ page introducing yourself and what your blog is about. Good luck

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  13. Hey Blogosphere! So I’m a young writer looking for some feedback on my blog. I’m an artist living abroad with my five siblings, currently I’ve landed in Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo. I’d love some constructive criticism, but cynical and/or sarcastic remarks work just as well. Some pointers from you more seasoned writers would be a dream come true, so hmu peeps! (If you’re older than forty five, or just a hermit, that means “hit me up”.) Thanks!

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    1. One word for you: Paragraphs. Break up your paragraphs into smaller ones. The ones you have are way too long. My eye just glazes over when I see one huge solid wall of text. I bet you’d be surprised at how long your paragraphs are if you took one of the big ones and copied and pasted it into a word processor. Gotta break them into smaller chunks. But I love the overall design of your blog, it’s obvious you’re an artist, it’s nice!

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  14. Hi! I just started a blog for my mom’s newly opened store located in SoCal… she never really had any idea about how beneficial a blog could be. I have several questions, because I actually don’t have as much of an idea about blogging as I thought I did:

    -How do you allow other businesses to have buttons on your page? For instance, I would love to have my girl @ Mama Owl Blog showcased on my page.

    -Would you suggest I post more DIY stuff? Or what SHOULD I post more of? I can’t really locate the popular pattern between others’ similar blogs.

    -Is there any way I can physically display my Etsy shop thru the blog? Suppose I created a “shop” page; if clicked, can it exhibit the items right there?

    Thanks so much for your help. 🙂

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    1. It’s up to you, whether you write about whatever comes to your mind or stay focused on a specific topic. (Probably best not to be in between.) My blog is focused on one topic, but you could write about whatever is on your mind — lots of people do. You could even think of “my life” as your topic.

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    1. So far, my first impressions are: Huh, really cool pix and Wow, that’s all that’s here? There’s not a whole lot up to give feed back on yet, but I like the funky design. Keep it up, it’s going in a cool direction!

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  19. I’m using my blog to review my NaNo (first year I’ve done it, very exciting!) and I’d love some feed back on my first day’s work. When writing it, I was bored – I don’t care about some Junior’s first day of school- but it was where my character started her story, so I ran with it. It’s one of the scenes up for chopping or re-writes though, so I’d love to hear someone else’s thoughts. Thanks!

    NaNoWriMo Day 1

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