Jan 5, 2014 / 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. Zero to Hero folks, head to today’s forum thread to chat about the assignment, but feel free to seek other feedback here!

  • 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. This is more of a personal preference, but I like the sidebars on the right hand side of the page. It’s more natural for most readers because you read from left to right. Other than that I think your layout is excellent for the type of site you have.

      One thing you could do though is put your ‘about’ and ‘FAQs’ on a separate page. Save the personal stuff for your about page and when you get questions about the site or even personal questions you can stick them on the FAQ page. It’s not necessary but some readers like a little biography in the ‘About’ section instead of just FAQs.

      I think you’re off to a good start and have some interesting articles for your target audience. One way to attract more readers would be to comment on other blogs that are about a similar topic. When you comment don’t just say “Awesome blog! Here’s mine: [link]” Leave a thoughtful comment and they’ll be more likely to check out your blog. Adding in social media links to say Facebook or Twitter accounts for your blog would also be a good idea. I’m only on Twitter for my blog but I still get daily referrals from there.

      A great site to get blogging tips from is timethief’s: http://onecoolsitebloggingtips.com/basic-blogging/

      She has so many ways to get readers and drive traffic to your blog as well as how to do more technical stuff.

      Like

      1. Thank you so much for your comments! I totally agree with you that having sidebars on the right side is much more practical. I’m not sure if this is just my theme, but even with nothing on the left I still have a sidebar and my title stays on that side. I’ll probably just explore a different theme, but if you know how this could be solved I would appreciate it!

        Thanks also for the link, there’s so much wonderful info there I’m definitely bookmarking it to use all the time.

        I loved your blog as well, thank you again!

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      1. Thanks Mike. I’m not sure if that’s the word I was going for. lol. But it all works. I’m not sure romance authors consider it, but I suppose it is. They write a lot of erotica – which used to be porn I think. My stories aren’t erotica.

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  4. This thread is helping me find amazing new blogs to read! But I am here for guidance and advice on how to create a system for my blog AND to know whether what I have is working for readers. I like my layout but the content is what I am not sure about.
    I tend to post 2-3x a day when I’m going hot and heavy then fizzle out after awhile … any helpful hints? I try to schedule but somethings start to think it’s something that needs to be OUT there or I simply want to get more views for that day.

    http://journeythrul.com

    Overall critiques would be awesome! Content and timing is what I’m focusing on, though. Thanks!
    ~ juliane ashley

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    1. You should definitely come up with a posting schedule. Focus more on getting consistent and repeat traffic than getting those daily views as high as possible. You want to create a readership, and people will come to expect things of you. Don’t have them expect 2-3 posts a day if you don’t want to deliver it. Pace yourself.

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      1. Thank you! Focusing on the daily views is definitely my downfall :/ I’m trying to branch out, too, and join some communities for similar bloggers to help with the scheduling.

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      3. So far I’ve found “20SB” 20 something bloggers, I applied but not sure what criteria they have other than age … but I’m still figuring out how to find other communities. Probably going to google it 😛

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    2. Hello Juliane Ashley,

      Focusing on a posting schedule is a good idea. Since I decided to do three posts per week, I’ve been writing posts and thoughts in Word on my off days so that I don’t forget what I wanted to say. In that way, I can keep to the schedule I’ve set. It also helps with the fizzle problem because I have a few blog posts ready for those days when I am not sure what to write.

      I’m still pretty, but that strategy seems to be working well for me so far.

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      1. Thank you! I started creating a Word system for my posts today and hope that will help me out! Currently, though, I’m already struggling to decided what to write since I still feel so in between… but it’ll come!
        Best of luck to you, too 🙂

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  5. hi community.

    I have created a blog around work in a church and student ministry. started in house but lessons, ideas and musings i wished to share. Concept now is to spread to a wider audience. Thank you word press for soundboards and lots if learning

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  8. We’d love feedback on how people view the blogs of others. We use the ‘Delicious’ theme, which is somewhat magazine style. We have a section just under the main, revolving header, where we put three older articles, rotating them from time to time – calling it ‘Recycling Zone’. What we’ve noticed, is that when we change out those articles, the first one on the left will get new “likes” but never the other two articles. If anyone knows why that is, we’d surely appreciate knowing! Thanks. ~SueBee

    Our site is http://suebeeandkat.com/

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  10. Recently starting blogging at http://www.techpersonified.com I write on life, love, mortality and human psychology; mixing it up with occasional quotes and photographs. Would love to hear some honest feedback and anything that i can incorporate to make it evoke some feeling out of every reader. 🙂

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    3. Just google the things you are interested in and you will come up with loads of websites. Follow those that are connected to your own topics – otherwise it’s all too time-consuming.

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  12. Hey folks! I’m a new blogger here and would really appreciate any input you have! I don’t like to do anything halfway, so any advice and tips are much appreciated!

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  13. Hello all and happy first Community Pool of 2014! Wooo! I’ve been blogging for about 5 months and I’m always looking to improve my blog. I also love meeting new bloggers through the Community Pool, so visit my blog and I’ll visit yours!
    ❤
    Christina

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    1. Your layout, content and style is so much fun! I love it and am going to be following you in the New Year 🙂

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      1. Hi Arianna! Wow! I love your blog as it is also very positive and inspiring. Also, I can’t help but notice we are into the same field, the art of Counseling!! You’re more ahead of me as I’m still a grad student, but I so look forward to finding inspiration from you and your experiences =)
        ❤
        Christina

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    1. In the process of determining health issues and love fitness, so your blog piqued my interest! The style and layout look great and it pulls you in immediately! Cannot wait to follow you in the New Year 🙂

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    2. Hi Talia,
      Just followed your blog! I think it is so important to take control of your heath. I love health and fitness too. The format of the posts looks great. One thing I would add is maybe at the end make the question to readers in bold for emphasis and draws their attention there. Other than that – great job. Looking forward to reading more.
      – Arianna

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    1. I liked your post about engagement & expectations : very nice and quite funny 🙂
      Maybe you should try a smaller police which will make the reading easier ! (I hope my english is good and you understand correctly what I am saying..)

      I find important to post once a day or every two days, to keep followers interested in your blog! I think your blog will be very nice with some more posts!! 😀

      Marie
      http://domytrip.wordpress.com

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    2. Your layout and writing style is very appealing. However, the photo header and text is big. Stylistically the text is nice, but it makes the post look longer than it probably is and some people may be turned away by that. Also, it does not view well on a mobile reader. Other than that, I think you have a great start and have a great writing voice that will draw people in 🙂

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  16. Hello. I started out blogging with a name not my own (Mary). As I realised mine is not a particularly controversial blog, or one that benefits from anonymity, I have gone to using my real name (Abby). I have saved this on all the WordPress settings that I am aware of. However, it still shows Mary as the author of each post, and Mary as the name of the link to my Google+ account (successfully changed to Abby on the Google+ account itself. Is there anything that I can do about this. Sorry Mary, but I need you out of my life. Thank you

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      1. Hee hee. Sorry Mary!!! It’s a lovely name – hence why I chose it. Got to go back to being myself though. As you say, the grass does always seem greener…..

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  17. Hi everyone!

    I have only had my blog a month, but I finally got Photoshop and added a header image to my page.

    Please let me know what you think. I think it looks a little more like a home now.

    Also, I think I have too many widgets in my sidebar. What do you think? Which widgets do you think are most important?

    Thanks in advance!

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    2. I don’t think there are too many widgets at all. If I were to give any advice, you could try differentiate them a bit more so that each stands out. Also, you could shorten some (e.g. reduce recent posts to 10 rather than 15, and have titles rather than pictures for blogs you follow).

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  18. Hey peeps, I have recently started this art blog and even though I haven’t uploaded much content just yet I’d love to hear some feedback on the layout and… Everything :))) thank you

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    1. The simplicity of your layout is awesome! The switch to color when you scroll over the photos is a great touch! Are you doing a mostly photo-based blog?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh that was quick! Thank you so much! But see that was what I was afraid of, there are a few categories which obviously you haven’t seen… The main page with the circle photos only shows the latest posts… Hmmm I need to improve that bit :/

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  19. Hey all, I am looking to expand my friends around here and am looking for some blogging communities to join! Any ideas where to look or will communities find you once you reach a certain level?
    I’m 20-something and post a lot of law school, health, fitness, and life in general — so any communities with like-minded people would be great. Mostly looking to challenge my writing and gain accountability.

    I appreciate any help 🙂

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    1. The best thing you can do upfront is get yourself on a regular posting schedule. Read other blogs, comment on them, participate in community events like this one.

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  22. Hello! My blog is less of an audience thing and more of log book for a art project I’m working on. There’s not much there at the moment but if there’s any art-minded people out there I’d love to hear of some artists who do map related art work or anything related to exploration – I’m currently looking to the stars 😀

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    1. Without reading your blog yet, I know that content is king. Make sure what you’re producing is the best you’re going to produce, and stick to a schedule. Post once a week? Make sure it’s an amazing post. Post 5 short articles a week? Make sure they’re 5 amazing posts. Keep doing this and the readership will follow.

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      1. Thanks Mike. Yeh, content is the challenge. At the moment I try to write as if I was talking to a friend. I do try to keep it short so that I don’t ramble but I know there is definitely room for improvement. So thanks for the tip, its not the amount you post is the quality of every post that counts:-)

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  24. Hi everyone. My writing style can sometimes be very formal, whereas I’d like my blog to have a more personal feel. My “About” page is quite informal, but I feel like the rest might be too “stuffy”. What do you think?

    Also, is it too text-heavy? I try to include images, headings, etc. to break it up.

    Any other advice on content would be great. Thanks in advance!

    http://thepathbetweenthestars.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I like the way you write. It’s very pep-talky. You do a good job breaking up content with pictures so it’s not just a wall of text. Good job!

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      1. Thanks. 😀 I really want to focus on it a lot more this year and get some great content up there. Fingers crossed! Thanks for your feedback.

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  25. Hi everybody. I am also new to blogging. I have no idea what I am doing. I just write about random things. Mostly things I have experienced, but I feel like, my thoughts are insignificant. I still enjoy writing random things, its like an outlet, but I would love feedback on how I can write better and hopefully get more people to read my blogs and comment on them. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

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    1. Hi!

      I read your blog. Perhaps you could break your writing into a few paragraphs? It would be easier on the eyes. My eyes.

      Just my two cents,
      Jill.

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  27. hi…i am a travel enthusiast and recently started blogging of my little travel experiences.. I would love to receive feedback on the content and the writing to improve upon…any other suggestions are also welcomed….if u lyk d content kindly follow the blog and spread the word through your social platform if possible…here is the link…

    http://rediscoveryourdreams.wordpress.com/

    Thanks in advance…

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  28. I’m looking for feedback on the design of my blog. I feel like it is lacking something…a little oomph if you will. Suggestions? Is it visually appealing and/or user friendly? Any and all feedback is appreciated.
    tdawneightyone.wordpress.com

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    1. Hi!

      Just wanted to say I love how you categorise your posts; it’s so creative! It took me a while to know where was I going. Perhaps you can consider a tab for all recent entries?

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      1. Thanks for the feedback. I get what your saying and want to make navigating my blog simpler. Maybe a tab is key. I’m considering a new theme but am feeling overwhelmed with all the choices! I need something user friendly but has a bit of charm to it. Any suggestions?

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      2. I enjoy my current theme Expound. I suggest other themes like Adelle, Forever, etc. It really depends on your personal preference. Good luck choosing!

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  29. I’m very new to blogging…just a few days in and really would appreciate some feedback from people on my blogs
    Are they worth reading?
    What would you change?
    I’m keen to have personal blogs plus work related. Would people suggest I have two sites or….?

    I’d really welcome mostly your feedback…
    Here are two examples:

    Probably the best….in the world !

    And

    Bittersweet

    Really want to learn from others…I’m such a novice and really keen to learn
    Many thanks
    Susi

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  30. Hello blogging community. I’d like to think of myself as a writer, however I’m not very good at being social. So here’s me being social. See I’m not very good at it. I’ve joined the Zero to Hero Challenge and it’s pushed me out of my comfort zone. So far I’m loving it. Please feel free to check out my blog. I post my poetry and whatever the Zero to Hero challenge prompt is and daily prompt as well.

    Like