Mar 30, 2014 / 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. If you simply leave a link to your blog, it’s likely to be overlooked.
  • 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. Umm..it’s awesome!! This is a very good example of what a personal blog should be: fun, bright and with plenty of pictures. You have a great writing style and you keep your blog posts current to your life, but make them accessible as well. I love your photos and how they make us feel like we’re experiencing life with you. I have nothing critical to say; I love it.

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      1. Thank you for your response and taking the time to have a read of my blog. I’m very flattered and pleased to hear that you like it. It’s hard to know if a blog is entertaining for other people, especially when you’re essentially just writing a diary! Thanks again, Beccy.

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    1. Hi Alisa,
      I just read your poem “Lost”. First of all, it’s very well written. Second, although it’s short, it’s VERY thought-provoking. I actually spent about a minute staring at the text trying to answer the question posed in the poem. That’s a good thing to do to your readers because, if they’re like me, they enjoy that, and you’re helping them to ask important, philosophical questions that can be applied to their lives, whenever they need it. I’ll look over some other things on your blog too 🙂
      Also, please consider checking out my blog montairyus23.wordpress.com. I’m writing a novel and want to get the word out about it before I show it to a publisher. Thanks!

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      1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment! And I am so glad you enjoyed “Lost”. I really wanted to convey emotion, both in myself and in others. I will absolutely check out your blog:)

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      2. Lol, I didn’t hit the respond button before….but I’ll say again.
        You’re welcome! Keep on writing, and thanks for checking out my blog.
        Aul

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  3. I have been wondering, what are the best widgets I can add to my blog? I don’t know which widgets are really useful. davekester.wordpress.com. Please, recommend in a reply to this comment any widgets you think I should add to my blog.

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    1. Not sure if this would work for you, but I love the Gallery widget. It’s a great way to add visual interest on your blog. If you take a look at mine, you can see that I use it as another branding element – introducing you to the men I’m blogging about without a lot of talk. Other than that, what are you hoping to get from widgets? What would you like your blog to do?

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      1. I do need to add visual interest to the blog. So your suggestion is well received.
        I want my blog to help people locate web-sites, blogs and events that will help them in finding new ways to solve problems they have or make changes in their lives.
        Right now I’m planning making pages on topics and adding links to external sites and blogs.

        Thanks again for your help.

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  4. I have been wondering, what are the best widgets I can add to my blog? I don’t know which widgets are really useful. davekester.wordpress.com. Please, recommend in a reply to this comment any widgets you think I should add to my blog.

    Like

  6. I’m brand new to wordpress & would love some followers and feedback on my page. I made my first post today, “April is an Important Month” April is an Important Month

    April is an Important Month

    Let me know what you think. I have a feeling most of my posts will be on my advocacy work in Community Health Education, but we’ll see where it takes me. Thanks!!

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    1. missmelissmn,
      Reading your post was very important to me. As a high-schooled student, it’s easy for me to see how messed up this culture is. THANK you for speaking out and saying what you did. And as for how it’s also men’s responsibility to take action against violence on women, what people don’t realize that it is technically SOLEY the responsibility, the duty, of men. The problem is that men aren’t men anymore. They remain as boys; doing whatever they want or what makes them feel happy. This is more than just a social or health issue; it’s a moral issue. Unfortunately, it’s deeply rooted in our culture now, beginning with the sexual revolution of the 1960s and growing quite unpleasantly until now. The culture encourages boys to continue being boys, to have a lack of restraint, a lack of chastity, so that, even if it isn’t rape, they are unhealthily and immorally experimenting with or indulging in sex. I’m sorry to hear that you yourself are a victim of rape, of a boy’s selfishness. That’s really sad (whether you’re religious or not, I’ll pray for you). However, it’s inspiring that you’ve continued to move forward and speak out against the evils of society raging in our culture. EVERYONE needs to hear what you’ve said.
      Aul
      By the way, feel free to check out my blog montairyus23.wordpress.com…it might be a little under your league though.

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  7. I’m new to blogging but have built popular websites before. This one ‘Soundcloud Poems’ is intended as a community site – a moderated collection of readings of famous poems and a showcase for lesser known poets (maybe you?). Any comments and feedback welcome. Should there be other features to build up participation? If so, what could to added to boost the appeal? http://soundcloudpoems.wordpress.com

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    1. This is one blog where I’d say a newsmagazine type format might be better than a linear one. Being able to show several of these poems at once will build interest and showcase the breadth of your content.

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      2. Check out Forever (it’s a wedding theme, but it has a carousel which could highlight several of your videos), Oxygen (a magazine theme) or even something like Triton Lite or Ideation and Intent. Basically, you want something that highlights several of your videos at one look.

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  8. I just started enthusiastically blogging. I am using a 20-day challenge from Kelly Hines to share teaching ideas. I am an English/language arts teacher, and I want to create a blog that shares what I am doing in my classroom. I would like to know if the blog is user friendly, what I could do to make it more available (or how to reach/connect with others), or any other suggestions that someone may have. Thanks! http://wp.me/4cUNp

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    1. Your blog looks great so far. Your posts are very targeted and stick to your point of view. If I were a teacher, I’d find your posts very useful, which is what I think you’re going for.

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  10. We are a website looking to empower girls who struggle with body image and help them find a community. We are so excited for what we have in store right now! Do you have any suggestions for the look of the blog?
    Also, what type of content would you want to see in a blog like this?

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    1. Your blog is very compelling so far, and I like the balance of copy and photos. You just need to keep building content at this point.

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  11. I am very new to blogging and would love to know if there is anything I could add to my page to make it more appealing. I am still trying to figure out how to use wordpress. I added the instagram widget as I am active on there. Any advice/tips for being noticed also would be great! I assign categories and tags to my posts as well but thats about all i know! thanks !

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    1. I think you have a good balance of posts so far; it doesn’t scream that you’re trying to sell me something. Your goal is rich, interesting information that will keep your target audience coming back…

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  12. I am new to WordPress and wanted to share my idea with someone. I opened up this blog because I would like to write a book based around all the awkward experiences I’ve had in my life. I haven’t made blogs about them yet because I am not sure if it’s a good idea.

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  13. hi all 🙂 glad knowing that there’s a lot of new blogger out there, means that i’m not alone 😀
    since i’m also new about blogging, just about 4-6 months or so, i’m still learning a lot and reading here and there to manage, build and get more traffic to my blog. Oh, if you’d like to drop by to my blog or leave comments about the content at : http://anggiaseptia.wordpress.com/ , or here, that would be great! 😀 ❤
    question : is there any community for a specific blog 'writing theme' ? i'm interested about self help or psychological issues, as i'm struggling for few psychological disorder issues at the moment. Thanks in advance for your help and comment.. have a great day 😀

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  15. Hello, everyone. I recently started a blog but I’m uncertain about how to add a Google+ icon to my home page so that visitors can connect to me via Google+ if they like.

    One the right hand corner of my home page is a Facebook icon. I want to place the Google+ icon beside it. Here’s the link to my blog triciatallen.wordpress.com

    Thanks much.

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    1. It’s actually not in widgets; it’s in settings. Go to your dashboards and click on Settings > Sharing. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of sharing options, including adding buttons. Not sure where in your template it will show up, but that’s where you find it.

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      1. I’ve been following your suggestions but somehow I can’t get the Google+ icon to appear near Facebook. When I changed the settings, the icons appeared beneath the posts instead. Thanks though Jenna. I guess it’s probably set up a bit differently on my template.

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      2. To this day, I can’t get my template to let me make a “mailto” HTM tag so you can click on my email address and open it. There are weirdnesses about every template…

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      3. Oh I see. Well thanks for letting me know. By the way, your blog looks great! I like the look, how you organise information and the fact that it is easy to navigate. How long have you been blogging?

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      5. Really? Wow, I am truly impressed. I thought you were one of those veterans. I notice you have a lot of pictures and videos on your site.

        Did you use other websites to learn how to do that or tutorials on WordPress. I just started my blog last Wednesday so still have lots to learn 🙂

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      6. You know what I did, was I actually used this thing called Zero to Hero that WP did in January. Every day in January they put up something to basically start from ground zero and build your blog. That’s how I learned to use the “Add Media” tab to do YouTube videos and add the pictures.

        I’d heard they were going to start it in April again, but I haven’t seen it yet. If they do, I HIGHLY recommend it.

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      8. I finally figured out the problem. I went into my dashboard, clicked “appearance” then “customize”. There was a section that said “theme options” which would enable icons from Facebook,Youtube, Pinterest and Twitter. It didn’t allow Google+. Even though I can’t solve the problem, at least I’ve figured it out.

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      9. Oh, wow, yeah. I checked mine and it’s there, so it must be a theme issue. It’s one of the odd things about dealing with WP themes, particularly the free ones; they don’t all offer the same features

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      11. Guess what? I have great news. Remember the “Blogging 101: Zero to Hero” challenge you told me about? It will begin again on April 17th. I’ll definitely be using it to learn how to improve my blog. Thanks much for telling me about it.

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      12. I saw that today! I totally recommend it. I’ll be doing Blogging 201 to polish up Play the Advantage for the World Cup. Exciting stuff…

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  16. Hi! My name is Molly and I’m working on my first post for my blog right now. I’m very interested in working in a field like editing and publishing so I thought a blog would be a great way to hone my writing skills. My idea for the blog is that it will be mainly literary. I want to write about books I’ve read or want to read, what novels have taught me, etc. I’m wondering if my posts are reflecting me as an individual while not excluding others. Basically, I want to know if the ideas I have seem like they might interest others or if people have any ideas on how I should proceed. My blog is mollyshilo.wordpress.com and I would love any suggestions! Thank you!

    Like

  19. Hey bloggers!

    I need your help!
    I am trying to add my twitter feed to my wordpress blog but it’s just not happening for me. I tried everything I could! Please reply here, or tweet me @cremedelavan with any help at all! Thank you SO SO Much.

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    1. I literally just did this last night… under the basic widgets page on your dashboard, there should be one called “Twitter Timeline”. Install that. It’ll direct you to Twitter, and they’ll have you “create” a widget, which takes about thirty seconds. When that’s done, they will give you a massive line of text (I’m pretty sure it was a URL). Out of that text you’ll need a long number, your ID, and put that back into your wordpress widget… it sounds complicated, but WordPress and Twitter walk you through it with easy steps. No trouble at all. The result is a live feed right on your sidebar!
      –TheAnsible

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    1. Your pictures are outstanding! Even better, your writing compliments them and the text balances everything out. No complaints there. The one thing I’d improve is on your homepage. In the top right-hand corner, there’s just a big square of white space, which seems kind of awkward compared to all the beautiful photos. Maybe you could add a text box there or something?
      — TheAnsible

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      1. Thank you so much for your feed back. I will look into filling that space. I agree it is awkward and I have tried to put pictures there but the theme wont let me.

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  22. I am getting in a muddle over using images from the Creative Commons website. I always choose images from searches under ‘labeled for non commercial reuse’. Once I have used the image, I have not then given the creator credit in the post. I now think this is wrong and that I should be acknowledging the creator. This seems fair, but is this right?

    If it is right, I have been clicking on the image to find the site that it originate from and then adding: ‘Image byXXXX sourced via creative comms’. I have also created a link to the original site and to the creative comms site. Again, is this right?

    Some of the images seem to be from places like wikipedia, for example a picture I used lately of Mary Poppins. If this is the case, how should I reference them? In fact, do I need to reference them at all?
    Finally, should I also be referencing back to the source if I embed youtube clips etc?

    I am sure there is somewhere where all of this is very clearly spelled out but I cannot find it. Please help!

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    1. I now feel much better – have referenced nearly everything, and have switched to Getty images where poss – just makes it so much easier.

      I still don’t understand what to do the with Mary Poppins image so any help would be appreciated.

      Off to learn to use my camera……

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  23. I’m looking for constructive feedback on usability, information presented and writing style(s). Tr8s.org or http://tr8s.wordpress.com (same site) has been an ongoing evolution. I’m shooting for a Monty Python meets Jesus Person thing. I use a thin, tongue-in-cheek pseudonym, but I’m easily found below the nonsense.

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  24. hello…i’ve been blogging for about a month now…just published 2 posts titled ‘writerly inspirations’ and ‘the guy sleeping next to me’. Been trying to build up content in every post just like you told me. will appreciate more feedback on how to make my blog more engaging.

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  25. So my most recent post, (#Selfie – American Narcissism) is a good example of (in some ways) the direction I want to take this blog. Any thoughts/feedback on writing style & coherency would be much appreciated.

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  26. I just received my 50th follower today – YAY! As much as it scares me, I believe I am ready to take the next step as a writer: opening myself up to others in hope of improvement. Please be gentle, I am new to blogging and don’t have a clue how to appeal to others.

    My message is simple. Love. I want to share my thoughts and perspective on life and how I believe love is the answer to it all. Self love, love of others, love of earth – it’s all connected and all up for discussion.

    What can I do to make my message clearer? What ways could I make the site more appealing to the eye? Is the layout too much or have I provided enough access to other posts without being overwhelming?

    When you come to my page, I want you to feel comfortable and at ease – hoping for the ‘stop in and stay awhile’ feeling… especially important because I have a tendency to be wordy…

    http://exploringalura.wordpress.com/

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    1. You have a simple, clean blog, which highlights your words. Good start. I like the part about sounding like a hippie (I was one). Perhaps you can expound on the path that took you to where you are now; were you sick, low energy, needing a change? In other words – what moved you in the direction of those new choices?

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  28. Hi. Thanks so much for your offer to help. I just started blogging the end of March. I’d appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on the look of the blog (font, colors, design), on the writing style and on the content. I’m quite new to social media and know that I have lots to learn. Thanks again!

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  29. Hello,
    So my blog is still in it’s infancy and basically just the personal reflections of an opinionated 20something wannabe author and I would really love to get some feedback on basically anything. Thus far all of my feedback has been from my nearest and dearest who are, as such, obligated to say nice things.
    I can be found at http://frommaybetoalmost.wordpress.com and I so look forward to meeting you. x

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