Feb 9, 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 . .

  • 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.

Show Comments

160 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

    1. I love the picture at the top of you sidebar- super cute. I also like the pictures that indicate your categories. The sidebar does have a lot packed into it though. I would recommend reducing you favorite reads or dedicating a separate page for them. I might also suggest cutting the number of recent tweets displayed to 5. If you wanted to switch themes, you might consider one with sidebar as well as a uhh…bottom bar? footer? I think footer is right? Area at the bottom to put widgets too! Nice blog!

      Like

    1. Writing reviews are hard. I write book reviews from time to time. Some people follow the rule of thumb keep it to 500 words or less others go on and on. There is definitely some good background information, but I didn’t much about what the movie was about or your thoughts. Tell the reader about your thoughts on one or two of your favorite scenes. Give us a little background on the characters. Did you have a favorite? If so, which one and why?

      You can check out my book blog here: http://brokenspiner.wordpress.com

      Like

  5. Off late I have received feedbacks from friends who have told me that my writing has improved. I would really be grateful if you look at my posts and tell me what you feel. Also any comments on how to improve the writing and the existing layout would be welcome. Thank you!
    http://thinkerscap.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. I love the name of your blog 🙂 There’s nothing wrong with the layout, but I’d prefer something richer – perhaps a subtle background pattern rather than a solid colour? But it’s just a detail of what is otherwise a cute blog!

      Like

  6. Hi all! I just started a new thing called 20/20 Five. It’s a blog hop and people get to ask questions I answer them and you copy and paste the questions on your blog, answer them and link up. It’s an attempt to get to know each other a little every week in five questions.

    I know it’s new and it’s going to take time to build it up, but does anyone have any suggestions for promoting it and getting people to participate? It’s already listed on WPs Blog Events.

    http://2020hines-sight.com/the-2020-five/

    Like

      2. I set the questions in a post, posted it and then specifically sent links out to various people with large twitter and Facebook followings. I would advise doing this sort of thing when you have a larger following…

        Like

    1. Normally, I am repulsed by the overly saccharine and trite feel-good type blog, but in your case, I’ll make an exception. I’m glad I read your About Me page before coming back to comment, otherwise, my critique might have been somewhat different. Your writing is not put together in a manner that would indicate someone quite so young, though possibly the content does. I believe you should try to hold on to your youthful idealism that is so obviously reflected in your writing as long as possible, and try not to end up a jaded and cynical old snit like me. There is one thing you do need to fix A.S.A.P.: Your “Home” entry in your main menu. It links to what I assume is an old blog.com address that perhaps your blog used to reside at? Whatever it is, it leads nowhere, and it should lead to what is represented as a deleted blog but should lead to http://adshayay151.wordpress.com/

      Like

    1. I don’t see an About page that tells me anything about you or the purpose of the blog. Also you theme is a bland. It doesn’t make me want to stay and read your content. As I scrolled down your page I noticed there were a few different fonts and posts that look they were in bold. There’s something going on in your side bar. I’m assuming there is supposed to be a picture under A.G. Moye but there isn’t one there. And you’ve got some type of code above it that should be something, but I don’t know what.

      Good luck.

      Like

    1. I think your post was dead on, people should not post pictures like that of their kids if they do not want others to see. you were just trying to offer a suggestion. If i may give advice on your layout. I found the bright blue to be a bit abrasive on my eyes. Maybe another shade/color? just a suggestion. The writing is great though 🙂

      Like

  14. Hello. started writing my blog a whole 3 months ago, and I have a small but regular bunch of readers (who, oddly, leave comments by e-mail rather than on the blog- ??). I have changed my layout round, so that my about page is the one you see first. I have two specific questions: 1) does this layout work?- should the about page be first rather than my latest post?
    2) is the about page a good introduction, so that people will want to read more?
    Would love your comments (either on here, on my blog or by e-mail!).
    Thank you all in advance.

    Like

    1. I like the About page but I’d definitely prefer to have latest posts rather than About as the Home page. When I visit for the second time, I actually don’t want to see the About page again…

      Like

      1. OK, having looked at it again, I prefer the way it was before too. I’ll change it around again. Check it out again, if you have a few seconds, and do let me know if post-first looks right. Thank you for your comment.

        Like

    3. The choice to not have a page for your posts in your main menu makes finding your posts awkward in my opinion. As a casual passer-by, I want to be able to easily access all your information without having to hunt for it. There is nothing that obviously indicates your site is a blog. Even if you don’t want it to be the front page, you should at least have a menu entry for your posts.

      Like

      1. Thank you. This is very helpful. I’m completely new at this, and allocate about half an hour a week to blogging, so haven’t had the chance to explore menus. It wasn’t really a choice not to have a page for my posts, more that I chose the default option. I’ll dig around and find out how to add a menu.

        Like

      2. Changing menu options is usually fairly straight forward. There is an option under the Appearance section of the dashboard where you can create custom menus and assign what menu areas they should appear in. Also, under the general settings area (I believe it’s under the “Reading” subheading) of the dashboard, you can select whether to have a static front page or your blog feed as your front page.

        Like

  15. I like your “about” page, and I very much enjoyed your conversational style. To get your family involved in blogging would be a great idea. You need to write down everything you can about your history – both you and your family. I know very little about my mother’s family background as it seems to be shrouded in secrets, but as I think back to my childhood, I sometimes remember things my mother said that gives me hints. It’s early morning here in Australia and I haven’t had breakfast yet. I’ll check out more of your blog later today.

    Like

    1. Thank you so much. Sorry about the delay- it’s been a busy week. I think it’s really important to catch the stories before my grandparents get too forgetful. I have just had a browse through your blog but will have a proper look next week, when I can catch my breath.

      Like

    1. Just a couple of thoughts… what you have as your ‘home’ should be your ‘ABOUT’ page and the home should be the place where your latest blog shows at top and earlier beneath..(you can take a look at mine if you like only for explanation of what I mean.) .. Settings…Reader… Front Page displays your latest posts Scroll infinitely and # of post per page maybe 10… I might suggest putting some of the information you have all at the bottom on ‘side widgets’… for easier viewing…. hope it helps..just suggestions Diane

      Like

  18. Hey guys. I lost a friend yesterday, and rewrote Burns’ poem ‘To A Mouse’ as ‘To A Malignant Neoplasm’. I thought, since it seems to be my most viral post to date (though probably not because of my writing, alas), I’d share it with you. All comments welcome 🙂

    To A Malignant Neoplasm

    Like

      1. Thanks for taking the time to check it out, April! I worried that the background image is too busy, but I like it so much, you know? Touch call, but I tried to balance it out with plenty of white space.

        Like

  23. Hi, have started blogging at creationsgalorehere.wordpress.com
    I wanted to know how to improve my sidebar and widgets to add to make the blog a little more interactive. Any suggestions are welcome!

    Like

  25. I have just received 100 postcards with one of my images on it and it reflects one of my blog posts – http://gregurbano.com/2014/01/22/ode-to-hdr/.
    My idea is to use these to increase readership/traffic/interaction on my blog.
    I have come up with three ideas so far:
    1- A postcard exchange where I would send any reader a postcard who sends me one, posting the received cards on a page with a link to the senders blog.
    2- A weekly contest where I would ask a trivia question about my blog and the winner would recieve the autographed postcard.
    3- Basically make it for sale through my fiver.com account to help build my statisitics there.
    Thank you in advance for your opinions!

    Like

  26. Looking for feedback of any kind. Good, bad, indifferent. I think I’m ready to hear it. If you don’t have time for anything else, please read my most recent post, “I Choose the Cello”.

    Like

  30. Hello!
    I’m fairly new to this, I am trying to link my pictures to my blog on pinterest. And I have no idea how. If anyone has any advice please let me know, I would grad toy appreciate it! Thanks so much!!(:
    Baileysmithblog.wordpress.com

    Like