Jun 8, 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. Hi there, I like your post. It is well written and to the point. I would have liked to see a link to the post to which you were replying. Or was it a reply to the general statement ”You’re not entitled to anything”? I could really feel your frustration and that of many struggling achievers.

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      1. Thank you very much! 🙂 Yes, it was a reply to the general statement. I’d be sure to make something like that more clear in the future. Glad to hear you like it

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    1. Hi there, Your post is not only well written and to the point, it is helpful. Thank you. I am writing a book right now. I hope to use your tipps in the future as I am now following you. Nice work.

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  5. There are number of times i have a blog following which i counted to be a privilege. when i try to check the blogs out on about three occassions, only to discover they are no longer existing. Then how come the blog follows? Is there any bloger experiencing this?

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  7. Hey guys! I was wondering if I could get some feedback on my blog in general? What you like/dislike? I’ve been having a little trouble coming up with things to write about lately.. How do you guys get past this? Thanks!

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    1. General feedback: why are there no shades of violet in your color scheme? You don’t need to have everything in purple but its complete absence is conspicuous.

      And if you need topics, check out the daily prompts and weekly challenges on the Daily Post blog. There’s also a link where you can find various blogging challenges that others host. Lots of topics can be found.

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    2. I really like your blog – very good writing and easy to read. One suggestion: if you love books so much get into writing more indepth reviews. Why do you like this one or that so much – give examples so I want to read it too! I think this seems to be where you are headed and would foster more reading! 🙂

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    3. What to write about is always the issue right?! I went to The Daily Post’s page and downloaded the e-book of 365 days of topics and it has been helpful when I am in a pinch!

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  8. I have started writing a post each time I cook another recipe from Marcella Hazan’s ‘The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking’. There are 466 recipes, of which I have cooked 15….

    My question is, do you think the posts work well as they are, in that they don’t record the details of the recipes, but are more about the thoughts/conversations etc that surround the making or eating of them?

    The blog title is At my table – and the posts I’m wanting feedback on are the ones titled ‘With Marcella’. Feedback here, please.

    shazzameena.wordpress.com

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    1. I like your concept with these particular posts. One thing I think that would add to them: pictures. Maybe a snapshot of the food or maybe one of the friend… just something. I don’t think you need to post the recipe – that’s something I can look up on my own if I want. But a photo would make it … “pop” a little more and maybe remind the reader of a time when they had friends over or when they cooked a similar dish. I really like the writing though. Keep it up!

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      1. Thanks so much, Sue, for taking the time to read and feedback. I have been thinking about photos on the blog – though it’s tricky as a lot of the meals are meeting with women (as part of my work) who would rather be anonymous – or at least not connected with the issues we discussed over the meal. But I could maybe try taking photos of the food….though there are some VERY skilled food photographers out there! Hard to compete with that. Thanks again for the feedback 🙂

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  10. Hi! We are transitioning to being a non-profit(!) and in the past few days added a new logo, and press, event, and donation pages on the site. It’s exciting but scary. Would LOVE some feedback.

    http://brokenlightcollective.wordpress.com

    We also added a video and mission statement under “mission.”

    http://brokenlightcollective.wordpress.com/mission/

    We want to keep consistency during this transition but also add new elements. Would appreciate any feedback on the video and other changes to the site!!! Thanks!

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    1. Hi there. Long time follower here.

      A few thoughts:

      1- I love the new logo.

      2- Regarding the mission page… I’d change the beginning to “We aim to enhance” just so people can get to the meat of your message a little more quickly. (“Aim” is also a stronger verb.) I also liked the video, but it feels as though something is missing from the video and mission page. Would HuffPost let you reuse some of the answers that were given in that interview I found on your press page? I’d try to add the content that’s included under “How does this site save lives?” That’s the most compelling thing you can say in your favor and you’re not currently highlighting it.

      3- I’m noticing that there’s no “Contact Us” link. I found an email address under “Submissions” but some people (potential donors, etc.) may want to contact you for other reasons and not think to go to that page.

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  12. Hey guys. I possess a dry, sarcastic humor. I don’t want my writing to be dry though, I want my humor within the writing to give each post it’s own flavor. Will you read and let me know if it’s A) funny B) I’m trying too hard. Thanks!

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    1. Hi there, Your first fiction story drew me right in. I’m following you now. I like the idea of getting another chance untill doing it right. I liked that Isabella Frye learned to have faith and that it had a possitive ending. I hope to better my writing by following your example.

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  14. http://mariamakris.wordpress.com/2014/06/08/feel-free-to-smile-back/

    Definitely need some feedback on this post – is it engaging? Do you care about it, or does it leave you sort of flat?

    *ALSO: If anyone can please explain how to centre/adjust/crop featured images so that you don’t get greyed out spaces, that would be amazing. I find it incredibly inconsistent which images cooperate nicely and which don’t, and am slightly embarrassed that I can’t figure it out myself….

    Thanks!

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    1. I LOVE your writing style. I had trouble imagining what the maze would have looked like. A pic maybe? Maybe a few examples of how smiling at people can change their day. How do you feel when someone smiles at you, etc.? I thought this was good. it held my attention, which says something. (my span is short!) I’d love your feedback on mine as well http://www.apdawn2000.wordpress.com

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    1. Hi there, I’m fimiliar with anthropology. This is the first time I’ve head of cyboranthropology. Is it something you made up? My children go to a Rudolf Steiner school. Is this the type of Anthropology you are studying? Your blog is interesting but the post are rather long. I am guilty of this also.

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      1. Sorry for my stupid reply. I was having a brain fart. I live in Germany and I was talking about ”anthroposophie” It is a German word that sound similar to anthropology. The english word for it is anthropopsophy hince my Rudulf Steiner statment. Sorry again. I was confused because anthrposophy doesn’t support the use of technology, at least not at a young age.

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      2. Hi! no i did not make it up, it is a fairly new subfield within social anthropology, i did a post on it called Digital Anthropology where i explain what it is
        http://cyberanth.wordpress.com/2014/05/31/digital-anthropology/
        My degree in anthropology is fairly general, it covers all of the 4 major subfields (bioanth, archaeology, cultural/social anth and linguistics), but I have room in my electives to specialize a bit more the direction that I want to go in. For that I’m taking a lot of mass media, pop culture, tech & society classes and even some sociology classes in my electives. i don’t really know of any schools that offer actual undergrad degrees in this area,but I do know UCL in London offers a masters degree in Digital Anthropology (same thing as cyberanth), but i believe there are also 1 or 2 schools in America that offer this too. thanks for letting me know about the lengths of my posts, good to know. that’s something i intend to work on (shorter posts). thanks for stopping by!

        Like

  17. I’m searching ideas for a series. I would really like to start something, but have no idea of what it should be about. Any ideas will do!

    I would love to look at your blog as well, so feel free to link it in your comment. Inspiration – there’s a good idea!

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  19. I attempted to create a video games first impressions post, using only screenshots taken through my play through. Leading the reader to decide for themselves what happened through observing said images. I am hoping to use this form of post for future “first impressions”. Please keep in mind that it is to all be taken with a pinch of salt. What I want to know is, does it work? Does it serve as a comedic post? Please let me know!

    The Forest: Revisited

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  20. Hi I’ve had an app developed for over 60’s I’ve got lots of categories in there but just want some ideas how to make it more interesting and saleable? Your ideas would be most welcome. Thank you :0)

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  21. Heyy everyone 🙂 I’m looking for feedback on some of my posts, specifically “The Tidbit Confessions”. I’d like to know what you think about the idea and my writing style. Also it’s been pretty hard getting traffic on my blog, I tend to run out of inspiration sometimes, any help?
    Here’s the link: http://smellslikestrawberries.wordpress.com/
    Enjoy your visit and thanks in advance! 🙂 x

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    1. Hi there, For inspiration I would look for the dayly challenge. I never do them myself. I have so many ideas in my head. Other than that, write what you love, write what is true to you. Don’t write to try and please others. You can’t please everyone. Write because you have to write.

      ”The Tidbit Confessions” I read. I recommend not using generic phrases like ‘it hugs your tounge’ or ‘it is pure love’. I get that you like the lemon cake but paint a picture more vivid and unique to you and the cake. What really makes it different from any other lemon cake? Surely not the ‘sugar that crunches under your teeth’.

      What do you see, feel, smell, think of, when biting into the cake that is unique to only you and this particualy lemon cake? Am I going to have my own experience when tasting the cake that is unique to me also? Does your experience make me want to go grab one?

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      1. I think my comment was too harsh, sorry. I am actually craving a lemon pie now! Don’t stop writing. I know I don’t write as well as I’m telling you to write. It is easier said than done.

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  22. Hey everyone – so i have two questions or a question and an invitation:

    # the first one is a blog piece i wrote that is somewhat poetic on the whole #YesAllWomen [now #EachEveryWoman] tag that’s been sweeping Twitter and beyond – just really came up with a piece that for me as a man sums up a lot of my feeling and response to this conversation – would simply love for people to check it out – http://brettfish.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/yesallwomen-a-lament

    # The question is related to this piece which was on the back end of a very popular race series where i had a mixed panel of people answering some questions that were opened to anyone on Facebook – after a set of really popular posts the panel hardly received any interest at all and i am not sure if it was timing or if there is any advice on layout you can give me that might make it more appealing: http://brettfish.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/taboo-topics-race-the-panel-questions-from-you-about-race-related-things-framing-our-identity

    Thank you so much
    brett fish

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  23. Hi I’ve posted my first ever blog and I know it’s a little raw, but I was wondering if it is engaging and if there were tips of how to improve this?

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    1. Hi Amy: I found the story interesting but the small font was very difficult for my old eyes to read. May I suggest a larger size font for those of us who would enjoy your stories but have trouble seeing the print. Great job for your first post!

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      1. Hi Sue, thank you very much for reading my post, I hadn’t considered the font size at all so I’m not sure how to yet, but I will change that… (Sorry just realised this is mega tiny too). Thank you!

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  26. Hello WP fam, this is my first time participating in the Community Pool and I’d appreciate any feedback or comments on my blog at htttp://piathabia.com

    Much love!

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  28. Hey bloggers check pay a visit to my blog and let me know how you feel about it.Suggest changes and improvements.

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    1. Need a link to your blog. I clicked your name and it said it was “no longer available”?

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    1. I like your writing and your voice, but try to work on your punctuation, capitalization and grammar. Having a properly worded and punctuated piece goes a long way. Some people will not continue to read if the structure is not good. Keep it up though and improve day by day – we all started somewhere!

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  30. Hi. I started a blog intending to do The Letters of Gratitude. I had no idea that writing blogs even existed. So, this morning I created a new blog (Writing…nothing but writing). I was just wondering if you (fellow bloggers) can see both of my blogs when you click on my name or if I have to start over and sign up for writing 101 from my new blog. Thanks for any help.

    ~Kate

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    1. If both blogs are registered to this user name, you do not need to re-register for 101. However, you do need to update your gravatar page. That’s where you can list both blogs.

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      2. Click on your gravatar image and there will be a sign in button on the top right. (Your username and password is the same as for wordpress.) From there, it will probably be self-explanatory.

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      3. I think I did it… I’ll get the hang of this whole blogging thing SOME day. Thanks for your help!!

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