May 25, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for feedback, 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 . .

TIP: 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.

  • 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.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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      1. Thank you a lot for reading and sharing your thoughts! You have a great point, about building attachments between bloggers and readers. Your feedback is so encouraging that I think I may try some more writing in this mode later again 🙂 Thank you again for your help!

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      2. Your very welcome. Please do try to write more pieces like this. I have written several posts about my travels to japan in a similar fashion. I feel that the readers appreciate a human touch with the writing.

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      1. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading! It was actually very personal to me, but I enjoyed writing this post so as to order my thoughts 🙂 I’m excited that someone else finds my so to say therapeutic post readable!

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  2. Hi all, hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

    After the tragedy in Santa Barbara this weekend I was incensed by some of the comments that were made across my social media networks… I created this post I’m response and so far it has been well received, but I’d love to know your thoughts! I’ve called it ‘No Means No!’

    No Means No!

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    1. I’ve seen your post retweeted and read it earlier today: it is well said and it’s good that you’ve joined the discussion on this tragedy. #yesallwomen

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    2. I hadn’t actually heard of this tragedy. I cannot agree with you enough about everyday sexism/misogyny. It is criminal that us women feel so vulnerable still in 2014. Unfortunately we have not made the progress we should have by now. The rise of casual sexism worries me, as does the apparent trend for women to disown the Feminist title as if it’s a dirty word.
      The pornification of society, the lack of respect for other human beings,and the lack of self worth and esteem in our young people worries me. Something has definitely gotten lost along the way!
      I enjoyed your writing and will look in on you again. Kat.

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      9. I think when you strip away the cultural connotations and provide a bare-bones definition – “the political, economic, and idealogical equality of all sexes”, for example – very few sensible people reject to feminism. But as soon as you use the “magic word”, people start going bananas. 😉

        Just my two cents.

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    3. Great job articulating your thought here. You put together so many key points regarding the tragedy and the bigger issue of sexism and misogyny, weaving in the common thread that no matter what, we as women have the right to say no, and for that no to be heard. Reblogged- well done!

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    4. Your post is really wonderfully executed. You delivered your response in an eloquent, thought-provoking manner and really responded with a sensitive approach to such a controversial subject. Excellent read!

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  3. Hello!
    I have made some videos to accompany my blog, if you’d like to watch them I’d be grateful (if you open them in YouTube, it should give you a description as to what’s going on but the titles should be sufficient!) P.S, I apologise for having no ‘About’ page, I’m writing it as you read!!

    Videos

    Thank You!
    Lewis

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    1. I’m not into your niche, but what I like about your blog that it’s immediately clear that it’s a gamer blog! Which is quite important for first-time visitors, so that they know where they landed.

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      1. Thank you for the feedback Mara! Yes, while I am fairly new to the internet, thus new to blogging too, I have tried my best to assert my blogs intentions from the get-go.

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  7. hey All, I’m currently a photography student in North Wales and am showcasing my work and progress on my blog, I particularly like fine art Photography and with Worthing both traditional and digital format. Most of my blog posts I aim, have a reasonably understandable description as reasons for my work. I would appreciate feedback and comments, which posts / work you feel most successful and if possible, also please pass my link to anyone you feel would be interesting I’m taking a look. Thanks. http://xbabykennyx.wordpress.com

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    1. A very interesting work! Your nude people are quite original, but I like most your classic black and white still lives, especially the candles 🙂 Perhaps my taste is too traditional!

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      1. Thank you Mara, I appreciate your feedback, i find that work with a variety of different styles and hopefully people can appreciate / enjoy much or simply some pieces of my work.

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    2. Your photos and the stories behind are beautiful. I’ve seen other photographer websites and you’re right looking at thousands of photos can be really tiring especially to a non-artist like me. The thoughts behind each picture makes the viewer understand more about it, and it sort of puts a breather before taking in the next one.

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      1. Thank you , your feedback is appreciated. I’m still pretty new to the whole blogging scene so it’s muchly appreciated that people can be honest about what they see.

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      2. I’m pretty new myself having just started last month. I’m just usually lurking around trying to learn from the masters 🙂 just couldn’t resist telling you how interesting your works are.

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    2. DO keep on writing. You have a great way with words that brings the images of what’s going on to a reader’s head. This entry was of course very sad and upsetting, but these things need to be said. Have followed you and am interested to read more of your writing.

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  9. Hey all , this is LynAn from Encounter. First of all, I think Community Pool is pretty awesome. So here’s my question. This is a page that I loved writing and is very close to my heart. http://lynan.wordpress.com/heystop/ But I don’t see many visiting it. Did I do a mistake by creating it as a page and not a post? I love this and would like many people to stop by at the page.Suggestions please!!

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    1. The content of the page definitely looks like it deserves a page of its own rather than a post. It’s hard though to draw traffic to pages because they won’t appear in the Reader, unlike posts. The page is good though, and surely it will find its readers in due time!

      Like

    2. I think you need a better title on the page. “Hey Stop!!!!” tells me nothing about the content. I see the effect you were going for and feel that you may get more visitors and feedback with a better title.

      So either something more descriptive, but what I think would work is something like “DON’T CLICK HERE!!!!” using reverse psychology and make people visit.

      Like

    4. Just a suggestion:
      1) Go to Settings>Sharing, and select the checkbox – Front Page, Archive Pages, and Search Results
      Now if someone visits your blog, he/she may like the post without opening the post separately. It will help you get more likes on the blog.regards,

      2) Tags+categories should be less than 15. In your case, u have very few tags,

      3) Suggest you to change the theme, u may check mine.
      regards,
      http://YourWellWisherProgram.wordpress.com

      Like

  10. Hello fellow bloggers. I created this tutorial video to help out newer bloggers. I’d like your feedback on it. It’s the first one I ever created with this new software so overlook the booboos. I’ll keep practicing and if you think my tutorials will help I’ll make more. Thanks a heap and a bushel 🙂

    How To Add A Link In WordPress

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    2. As a fairly new blogger and slow to “learn the ropes”, I think this tutorial is fantastic. It is clear and easy to understand. I will definitely be checking your blog out in more detail! Thanks!

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      1. I’m happy that you found it useful, I will be addin’ more in the near future. If there’s anything I can do to help let me know. Thank you too!

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    3. I really like how you used arrows to progress through the steps and show where a person should click. When I am watching a tutorial video, I often find myself having to “back up” over and over in order to catch some key point that I missed. By adding the text arrows, it makes things much easier to follow, ihmo, and I can pause where I like. Great job.

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      1. Thank you. I have the same problem in tutorial videos so I figured puttin’ the arrows in would help. I’m glad they did!! I’ll be puttin; more up soon.

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  11. Hi there. I noticed when I was doing a post the other day that there is something down the bottom saying – set featured image. What is this? Thanks.
    kate0murray.wordpress.com

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    2. Hello Kate,

      The featured image appears in differnet places depending on which theme you use. Mine appears in the banner.

      Compare my main page: http://sweattearsanddigitalinkk.com (which has my main banner)
      To the header banner on post: http://sweattearsanddigitalink.com/2012/03/20/writing-the-seasons-spring/

      For others the image tends to “frame” the title and appear as a small header in the blog, making the blog title look more attractive. I can’t show examples, sorry as it worked like that on older themes I used previously

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  12. Hi everyone. I’m really enjoying the process of blogging and would appreciate any feedback on my blog that you can offer.
    My main concern is getting more people to read and comment on my posts. My twitter friends read and comment on twitter but I rarely get a comment on my blog, despite frequently asking people to leave some.
    If you have time to stop by and read and offer feedback I would be so grateful!
    Happy blogging y’all!
    http://k1kat.wordpress.com

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    1. I browsed a bit through your blog and I enjoy your writing a lot. This is just to say that as your blog is relatively new, it will simply take some time for you to build your audience and to draw comments — I had almost no comments in the first few months blogging, but now, almost a year later, it’s much better 🙂

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      2. Yes, it is just a matter of patience as you develop your voice and improve your style and expand your content. Just keep it up and they will come in time 🙂

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      4. Oh and the best way to get people visiting and commenting is to do the same for others. Look at blogs that interest you and comment – most people will return the favour out of courtesy

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      6. I agree with mgm75 that the very best way to get comments is to go to other blogs and give thoughtful comments on theirs. That means more than nice post but specific feedback. I make it a policy to always comment back on someone’s blog when they comment on mine as do many bloggers ( not all but many) 🙂 It has worked very well for me and I hope you have the same experience.
        One more thought looking at your site would be to increase the size of your font just a bit for ease of reading.

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    2. A really good idea that has been effective for me is to ask a question at the end of the post – something like ‘What do you think? Have you experienced similar things? What would you do?’ That sort of thing…

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  14. Also, I am in search of people in the following professions for some future articles:
    sociologist
    prison reform advocate (or anyone with knowledge on the US system)
    Food grade cosmetics

    If you, or anyone you know, would like to take part in an interview, please let me know.

    Like

    1. Have you considered asking any professors at nearby colleges in terms of finding a sociologists? Many sociology professors may know one or may be one themselves.

      Probably obvious, but I thought I’d mention it.

      Like

    1. I love the form of your blog, I’m a huge fan of personal diaries! Maybe one suggestion, if you add some images to your posts, they will be even more fun to read 🙂

      Like

    4. I really like your blog! The layout goes great with the length of your posts. I agree with what ywwp said as my only suggestion.

      Like

  16. I am slowly building a blog to galvanize grass roots political action in a rural community in Montana. I’ve had some success in building a core group of subscribers, and now get 1000 hits on my biggest days.

    I’m trying to move to the next level, and would like specific advice on:
    1. Look and feel.
    2. Specific widgets you would recommend
    3. How to embed videos from non-WP supported sites. This is driving me crazy.

    I’m at Preserve the Beartooth Front

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    1. Thoughts:

      1- Many of your images are small… and that’s not a problem. However, that means you can afford to go with a theme that would show more of the mountains in your background image. (In other words, perhaps look for a narrower text box.) Or: since you have the custom design upgrade, you might be able to modify your current theme if you’re willing to learn a small amount of CSS. (The volunteers in the WP forums are really helpful too.) I just really wish “nature” popped out more at first sight.

      2- Category archives, RSS feeds

      3- All I use is youtube, so I have no clue. However, it might be possible to upload your own videos as you would a photograph in the media library.

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      1. Thank you, Suzie. I follow your blog regularly and I must say you’ve some great posts shining there. Also, the revamp of your blog, you did, was quite fabulous. 🙂

        I am glad you liked it. Cheers!

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    2. BEST LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      I agree with so much of what you say, I’m 21 and i’m glad you are well aware of yourself as I tried to be also…

      furthermore proving that just because we are young doesn’t mean we are dumb !

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    4. A fantastic idea! And you know, I think you could scale it for any age, if you wanted – 30 things before turning 30, 43 things before turning 43…

      Like

  18. Hello everyone!
    I’m somewhat new to blogging, and writing for that matter, but I’ve written a small piece about Futurama. I honestly still don’t know what to do with the blog yet, and I’m trying different things in it. Could anyone please review it and tell me what they think? I really need some honest feedback!! Much obliged 😀

    http://neatl.wordpress.com/

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    1. I think you started well: with a post explaining why you are here blogging, that’s good! Now just feel free to write or post whatever you think is right and surely your blog will start to be more focused and clearer in the course of time.

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    3. I would suggest shortening your tag line and making the header a brighter color. the tag line should really tell readers in a few words who your are. I see your About Me page is empty. Readers want to know who you are and some interesting facts. Hope that helps.

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    4. Hi! In regards to not knowing *where* your blog is going yet… just keep on writing about what matters to you and in time, which is what it’s going to take, you *Will* eventually find your direction. It just takes an amount of experimenting, but you will get there in the end. Promise 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. First of all, your link didn’t work. I reached your site by clicking on your name. Don’t use the HTTP or www in the future.

      Otherwise, I’d change your tagline. “Showcase, discuss, share” describes just about every other photography blog out there. Keep it short and catchy but give visitors a taste of what you offer. Emphasize what makes your work interesting or unique.

      Like

  22. Hi,
    I’m blogging on a very narrow niche of African arts and crafts and sometimes I struggle to create content. How can you help me with blogging ideas in such situations? What are some activities you could suggest me to engage on my blog?

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    1. I’m a niche blogger myself. In my blog that’s devoted to hiking in my area, photographs make a big difference in how many views a post gets. If you take photos of any artwork in your particular field, post them, by all means! I have another blog that’s political in nature, and for that one, interviews are popular. Could you interview local artist, curator, or collector of African arts & crafts? I’m sure more experienced writers than I will have ideas for you, too. Best of luck to you.

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      1. Hi, Ellen
        Thanks very much for the insight you provided me with. I been trying a lot of those like interviews, but I guess one problem is finding the professionals in the niche to share their expert knowledge, but anyway, that’s not a reason to stop. There’s always be something to write about. Thanks, feel free to check the site!

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    2. Hi! Ok, you have a narrow niche…. why not just expand further on your niche, write posts related to your original niche and simply widen it. For example, write about African culture, which people may not be aware of; Africa’s cuisine, clothing style, its struggles/accomplishments as a nation; what is beautiful about Africa. Add photos and simply tell us more! 🙂
      ~ Vic

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    1. I have seen your blog. First and that is my opinion, white letters on black backgrounds make the blog more difficult to read. If your blog is about beauty and nails and that, I suggest using a happier template that matches the spirit of your blog and attract more 🙂

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    1. The blog is mostly well done. However, I reached it and I couldn’t figure out what it was about without looking around a while. Most people won’t give you that much time.

      Therefore…

      I’d add a tagline to your header image. Just shift the title and camera up a little and stick the tagline underneath in a smaller font. (Yes, I know that visitors just have to look at “About Me” for that information, but that’s not the logical place to look for it.

      Like

    2. Just a suggestion for minor setting-
      Go to Settings>Sharing, and select the checkbox – Front Page, Archive Pages, and Search Results
      Now if someone visits your blog, he/she may like the post without opening the post separately. It will help you get more likes on the blog.regards, http://YourWellWisherProgram.wordpress.com

      Like

    2. As a veteran fiction blogger when I visit the blogs of others, I prefer to read about the fiction people are writing – what inspired it? what is it? is it stand alone or part of something else? I feel that without this, bloggers are not really engaging with their audience and therefore, I never know what to write as feedback.

      Soo… my advice to you would be some background details. Not to everything, but to the most curious stuff. Ask for feedback and try to impart your thoughts about what you have written.

      Good luck 🙂

      Like