Apr 6, 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). 

If you’re looking for something more intensive, try our Blogging 101 or 201 challenge, starting April 15.

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. Hi all! Just looking for some general feedback on the blog 🙂 I’ve been blogging for about 2 months now and still tweaking with what I really want to do with it. If you could give me feedback on the “book club” idea I would really appreciate it as well! 🙂
    Thanks so much!!

    http://prettylittlethingsxo.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. I like your header! Stick to that quality of photography. You might want to state up front the main focus of your blog instead of forcing reader to click through more links on About page.

      Like

  2. Hi all,

    I like having each post under a ‘Category’ (heading) as I have split my blog into topic areas? I particularly think it is aesthetically pleasing this way and easier than having to scroll through on the main page. Please let me know otherwise. I am just starting to publish my writing. I have been writing on Microsoft Word documents but have not published many posts.
    Please let me know in advance what changes I should make?

    Also, the home page: I can’t seem to figure out how to put a background picture. Hope you can help fellow bloggers. I am a complete beginner.

    Here is the link: http://memoirsofalandalus.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/welcome/

    Like

    1. Hi there!

      I’ve popped over to your blog and checked out some of the posts and the way you have it organized is much similar to mine – I also like to post in different categories and I have some of them put up on a menu like you but I also still keep the main page just because I feel there may be people who, when they first come up on the blog, would like to see everything I have to offer. But that is a personal choice of course 🙂

      As for the background image, you should be able to do it by going to the Dashboard then clicking on “Appearance” and then on “Background” – there should be an option there for either changing the color of the background or uploading an image.

      Hope that helped!

      If you get the chance, I would really appreciate it if you could swing by my blog and give some general feedback as well 🙂 Thank you! http://prettylittlethingsxo.wordpress.com/

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      1. Thank you very much for your reply. I am just trying to figure my way around WordPress. There are so many heading and sub-headings/ links.

        Just one question: how do you keep all posts that you have made under Categories on the Main ‘Home Page’ too. I can’t seem to figure out how?

        Very grateful for your comments! 🙂

        I found your blog very interesting. I have just skimmed through it and followed you but will definitely be keeping a closer eye on your posts . I love how you have written in English and Portuguese. I will be back again

        Mucho love,

        Andalus x

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      2. Thank you for following and for the feedback! 🙂

        As for keeping everything on the “home” page: When you go to your Dashboard, click on Appearance, then on Menus and you should be able to find a page called Home/Archive or something of the sort – that’s the page where all your blog posts show up! So add that to the menu and you’re set 🙂

        Thanks again! 🙂

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      3. Thank you for your reply.

        I went to Dashboard.
        Then, Appearance.
        Home- but I can’t seem to find how to get any posts to appear on the home.

        It does not seem to work even though I checked the box which states: ‘Automatically add new top-level pages to this menu’.

        Hope you can help!

        Mucho love,

        Andalus x

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  3. Hi, I love to read about suburbs of places and have created a challenge on it.

    Explore your Suburb Challenge

    I also love nice photos and Wordless Wednesday seems popular so I did a page on my blog.

    Little Borneo Girl’s Wordless Wednesday

    I would like to invite everyone to please check out these two pages and tell me what you think or please pingback to those pages when you blog about any of those two topics.

    Nice to hear back for you.
    thanks so much. 🙂

    Like

  4. So I changed the background colour of my blog. Before it was deep reddish earth colour. Are you affected by background colours? What colours would you want for a blog like mine?

    And do you find the font small or ok?

    Like

  6. Hi everyone!
    I recently started blogging again, and decided to take it seriously this time around. I’m not sure what kind of theme I’m going for, at the moment it’s just whatever I feel like writing about.
    I’d love it if you could stop by and check my blog out, let me know what you think and if it needs any layout updates or if my writing needs work 🙂

    http://romeoattwenty.wordpress.com

    x

    Like

    1. Hi there!

      I really like your blog layout and the colors, and the content is generally well-written, interesting and easy to read but some focus in terms of topics would really, really help readers to understand what they can expect from your blog 🙂 It doesn’t need to be just about one topic, but even picking 3-5 would help to narrow it down? Just a suggestion 🙂

      Otherwise, great blog! I’ve followed it as I’m looking forward to seeing how it grows! If you get the chance, please check out my blog as well and give me some general feedback 🙂 http://prettylittlethingsxo.wordpress.com/ Thanks so much!

      Like

      1. Hi Inês!
        Thank you so much for checking out my blog and passing on the feedback 🙂
        Also, thank you for the follow 🙂 I’m glad that I’ve piqued your interest haha. I’ve followed yours as well – I especially enjoyed your HIMYM post. Its a well written blog – can’t wait to read more from you!
        Thanks! xx

        Like

  7. Hey everyone, I’ve started a food blog a few days ago, with only one post so far (but many planned). I just wondered if anyone had any feedback regarding the aesthetics and general tone of the blog? Thanks!

    findingpinot.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. Hi there!

      I like the simple layout of your blog, but if you are going to focus on food and recipes, photos are a great way to draw readers in! 😉 They don’t have to be your own, but sites like Pinterest have amazing photos to choose from.
      Just my suggestion 🙂

      Also, if you get the chance, please check out my blog as well and give me some general feedback 🙂 http://prettylittlethingsxo.wordpress.com/ Thanks!

      Like

    1. Hi there! I really like the layout & color of your blog! The posts are also quite interesting and, you’re right, they are very diverse in terms of the topics you cover. One way to kind of bring it all together could be to categorize your posts and then readers would be able to see all the topics you cover. But it’s just a suggestion 🙂

      I would also really appreciate it if you could check out my blog and give any kind of feedback 🙂 http://prettylittlethingsxo.wordpress.com/ Thanks!

      Like

      1. Thanks 🙂 I need to categorise them in my head first of all! I’m a bit random at times. I’ll have a look through your blog too, and let you know x

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    2. I like the color and content, so big thumbs-up there, but I agree with the above comment: tags and categories will go a long way — honestly, widgets of any kind will help the flow of the site too. Keep it up!
      –TheAnsible

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      1. Thank you, I have the same feedback so I think this is definitely something I need to focus on. Thanks for taking the time 🙂

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  10. I am trying to establish a more consistent posting schedule for my blog, http://brilliantdisguise.wordpress.com . One of the things I’d like to do is a weekly roundup of links to other blogs, articles, etc. that I have read through the week and found interesting but perhaps not quite enough to inspire an entire post. I’d like to have it be a kind of annotated list of links, where I would explain in two or three sentences why I recommend reading that particular article/blog post/etc. What I’m struggling with is the best way to do this typographically. If anyone has any suggestions, or links to these sorts of annotated-links posts that you like, I’d love to hear it!

    Like

  12. Hi everyone. I’ve come here from Daily Kos and have been blogging fairly regularly since then but I find myself feeling like I am writing to an audience of one or two people. How do you get folks to come and comment on your blogs? BTW, there are 3 blogs in one kind of here since I started doing the poetry challenge and didn’t want it to interfere with the main blogs. Thanks for your input: http://ariannaeditrix.wordpress.com/ http://militarymattersblog.wordpress.com/ http://poetryfromtheplains.wordpress.com/ Thanks for your inputs!

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      1. If your comment is “Awaiting moderation”, it is yet to be reviewed by the site owner. People can see your comment only once it has been approved. Does this help?

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  13. Hi. My blog called “What’s My Damage?” is about depression and anxiety. I write specifically about my experiences and tie those into outside information about anxiety and depression. As a journalist, I want to add some original reporting, as well. I think that kind of thing is engaging to readers. I’m a bit stuck on coming up with article ideas. What are some kinds of things anxiety/depression related that readers want to know about that’s not already out there? Or, what kind of spin can I put on something that’s already out there to make it different? I hope I’m clear enough about what I’m asking. Here’s a link to the blog, so far: http://worrywortblog.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. The writing is excellent, gripping, intense – I was breaking into a fevered sweat of my own! At first I thought the header was too plain, inconspicuous – but then I changed my mind as it does not interfere with the writing. And I like that it’s green.

      Like

  17. Hi everyone. I started my blog sometime last year but only started getting serious about it recently. My posts will generally be about cooking or baking. I realize it’s still new and I am still trying to figure it all out, but I’m not getting the “likes” or comments that I was hoping I’d be getting. Would love any and all feeback. Thank you so much! I can be found at: http://everyounceofmystuffing.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. Your blog is looking awesome – beautiful pictures and layout, and the food looks delicious 😉 All i can say is keep going, advertising on social media, and keep writing. You’ll get there!

      Like

  19. I am the worst writer you can find
    I am writing daily but my online presence is very poor
    My pages are the poorest there can be found of the por
    I still need you to help me!

    Like

  24. My blog is a year old and I think it needs a little something. I started with a faith theme–a place for encouragement with the possible electronic topic (thus “grace apparatus”). In recent months I’ve begun focusing on my fiction writing more and added posts with such themes. I don’t get a lot of activity and almost zero interaction. Should I focus in on one or two things and put my fiction on another blog? Thanks for your feedback!

    Like

  26. I’m new & just started my blog today. I’m writing my random quotes or thoughts for 30 days & also going to write about my up and coming trip to see my hubby & family in Asia. I have a lot to learn & can’t wait to get feedback & make blog friends & connections

    Like

  27. Hey everyone! I just started a blog a few days ago and am wondering if I should go toward the more story route or more toward my thoughts on certain events? Let me know what you guys think. I have a few of both! Thanks!

    Like

  28. Hi all, I’m new to the blogging experience. Currently I have created a Blog for me and my friends, it is just for laughs. We run a Burger Night every Thursday here in Melbourne, Australia.

    Have a read if you wish but be warned, as this Blog was intended for laughs, their are some profanities within segments and pictures but I have ensured they are all bleeped out. If this is against WordPress guidelines could someone please inform me.

    Much appreciated. Courtenay.

    http://burgernightmelbourne.wordpress.com/

    Like