Feb 16, 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.

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  4. Ooops, I didn’t post my link! Rookie mistake there. I’d love any feedback on my theme/ writing style. Thanks 🙂
    projectjules.wordpress.com

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    1. I am usually hesitant to comment on theme choice, especially when it is a theme that I would never choose. My advice is if the theme fits your personality, go with it. I personally prefer to have a sidebar, and even if that theme did, it isn’t quite my aesthetic, but it seems to fit you based on your post.

      Regarding your post. I don’t understand, (and I was guilty of this, too) why people feel the need to introduce themselves in their first post. Your post is a great “About Me” page, and I would recommend replacing your current “About Me” page with your first post, as it is far superior to what you have on your “About Me” page.

      I wish you well in your blogging endeavors, and remember, it’s more about what you want to write than what others want to read.

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      1. Thank you, that’s really helpful! I’m playing around with the themes a bit, but I’ll definitely think about a sidebar. I’ve changed the ‘About me’ page now, I think you’re right and it reads much better. Thanks for your help!

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    2. I’m going to agree with PCQUYIV, the first post will be better put to use showing us what you’re going to give us in the future. You’ve got a nice writing style but it doesn’t really give enough of a hook for me to want to follow you.
      Looks like the theme will work for you, but since there is only one post it is difficult to say. All the best with your gap year and I’ll keep an eye out for future posts.

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      1. Thank you, I’ve swapped the ‘About Me’ and my first post around a bit so hopefully it reads a bit better now. Thanks for your advice!

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  5. I started writing my blog more as a motivational piece for myself, something I would have to complete, but I would be interested in some outside opinions on what it looks and reads like.
    I’ve linked to tis post as it is (so far) my most in depth but feel free to have a nose around other parts of the blog. Cheers.

    Hell and Back: A Trojan Triumph

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  8. Last week I posted a query about how to add Pinterest buttons to my blog. I never heard back, but it just occurred to me that maybe I don’t know where to look for the response. Where would last week’s responses be?

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      1. I know. I tried copying and pasting it into an image in the Widget. But I must have done it wrong. Nothing happened. I’ll keep trying. Thanks for the reply!!!

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    1. I prefer reading your long posts, as opposed to a one liner quotes in some. Perhaps you could include some insights on why you decide to quote these phrases? (:

      Also, I’m not familiar with the theme, but perhaps you can arrange the widgets at the bottom into several columns (if this makes any sense).

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    1. Private posts are for the author’s view only. Try viewing it in a separate browser without signing into your WordPress account, and see the difference.

      You can get rid of the ‘private’ word in early posts by changing the status of the post. I believe you can do it in bulk actions. Note that once the word is gone, the post will be available to public.

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    2. Hi. I just had a look at your site. I was unable to see the word private on your posts, and could see two posts: your introduction and the one about volunteering. Should there be more? If so, you can change them from private to public as an edit to each post.

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  12. Hiya, I’ve only just joined this recently (although I have been blogging for a while) and to be honest I’m finding setting up my page a bit confusing! I’d appreciate anyone’s feedback on my blog and suggestions on how to get the most out of this site.
    Thanks in advance 🙂
    gillgiff.wordpress.com

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    1. I like the posts. They’re short but sweet and often quite amusing. Like snap-shots. Talking about snap-shots have you thought about putting up some photos of your travels?

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    1. There is a lot of variation and I don’t really see how they fit together. A couple could work as stand alone pieces but it personally I would like to know the story behind them or what you were thinking/aiming for when you took them.

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      1. Yes I can understand the confusion which the variation might cause and i would work on that in future. I think the idea though was just to document my week through pictures so variation would naturally be a part of that!

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  19. Hello to everyone! I would like to show my blog for other people than only who I know. I meant, that I would like to show especially for people whose native language is English, because I’m writing it in latvian my native language, but trying to translate in English as well, because,at first it’s good training for using English more, and the second one – people who may don’t know my language could understand also. So, I would like to ask if you would say if it’s easy to understand in English. Because I’m studying hard to improve language skills and I know that I have many mistakes, but the question is, if, in general it’s possible to understand the general though of an article? 🙂 I haven’t translated everything, but more or less it’s translated.Thank you! > http://lsaitere.wordpress.com/

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    1. Hey Zach! I liked the content of your posts and your writing style. Very real. For your layout, i would suggest having your categories, recent posts, archives, and whatnot on a side bar instead of at the bottom. I would make it easier to find and navagate 🙂

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    1. I really liked the layout of your home page and your blogging topic! Very informative! I am a nursing major and I can appreciate a lot of what you are posting. I especially liked your “Over-diagnosing depression” article! I see it all the time and I agree with you about other treatments.

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      1. Thanks for your feedback 🙂 I took a look at your blog too, and I look forward to reading about your life as a nursing student!

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      1. Thanks! I really liked the layout of your blog and your writing style, your post topics are very interesting and are a good read 🙂

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  26. Hello all. I’m looking for feedback on my travel -themed blog in two specific areas

    1) Is the writing style engaging? I ask that since I get very few comments even on the occasions I get many views

    2) Any ideas that would make it more visually pleasing?

    All feedback would be welcome but especially from my fellow travel bloggers as to what does or doesn’t work. Thanks!

    http://tripaccomplice.wordpress.com

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  27. I have been blogging for a little over a year and my blog has been evolving as I go! Mine is a business blog and I find it hard to keep the “personal” out of it. Anyway, today I wrote a book review on a vintage book. I have never written a review prior and would love some opinions if I should continue as a weekly thing. Would also love to hear what others think of my blog. Thanks!
    http://olliesantiques.wordpress.com/

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    1. I like your layout and pictures added to the review! However, it sounded more like a summary than a review. Tell me more about what you liked/disliked and why! What was the most interesting part and elaborate!

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    1. Your blog looks as bomb as those steaks! For real though it looks good. My only comment would be that there is a lot of grey/black. Maybe that’s what you were going for… Either way, as long as you keep posting pictures it should continue to spruce things up. Wishing you well with your blog!

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