Jul 13, 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. I’m contemplating writing about my journey’s in discovering all the religons and experiencing their customs. Would anyone find that of any interest?

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  2. Here is a technical question. My wife Susan and I share the same computer. Beginning a week ago, whenever I try to post a comment on a thread like this I get a box asking me if I am trying to post as Susan. No matter how many times she logs out of WordPress and I log back in. I just posted a comment that came under “Susan”. Wicked, wicked frustrating, and i received no help from WP Help. Any thoughts /suggestions/epiphanies will be most appreciated, even if they go to her blog site first. Thanks. http://www.buddycushmanart.com

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  4. I’m new to word press. Don’t really know anything yet. The first time i wanted to write a blog i spent 3 hours figuring out how to upload a picture into my write up. Haha..and i was so happy when i finally was able to. Things are very difficult still. will be great if someone help me out. Btw i love travelling to places. And i have written about one of them. You may see it @ http://apaoremai.wordpress.com/

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    1. Staff have linked a step by step learn wordpress.com blogging tutorial to the bottom of your Admin page at http://learn.wordpress.com

      Also note that if your create your posts here > Dashboard > Posts > Add New
      then you will have the use of the full text editor with all features.

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    1. I am a disabled person and I will follow your blog because I approve of your purpose and I’m interested in reading what you post and what commenters submit. That said, though I am a voracious reader, know that I don’ tend to be a frequent commenter, so I won’t eat any cookies. 😉

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    2. I see a blog wearing the Suits theme http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/suits/ and I don’t think it’s too plain looking. With respect, I’d like to say something based on nearly a decade of blogging experience.

      Most beginners tend to spend too much time and energy on appearance and too little on content creation. They also tend to overuse images and embeds on the front pages and that slows down page loading time.

      These are the ways to reduce page loading time:

      1. Edit posts and insert “the more tag” so only excerpts appear on the front page. https://wordpress.com/support/splitting-content/more-tag/ or switch to using a theme that automatically provides front page excerpts followed by red more links.

      2. Reduce the number of posts appearing on the front page here > Settings > Reading
      Blog pages show at most _ posts

      3. Reduce the number of images and or media embeds displayed and/or make them smaller.

      4. Reduce the number of widgets in the sidebar and footer areas.

      I hope this helps you.

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      3. Thank you! I didn’t know you could reduce the number of posts appearing on the front page. I will definitely do that!
        I appreciate the feedback, it’s extremely helpful.

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    1. I enjoyed your writing a lot. Keep it up.
      On House of Cards: have you seen the British series it was based on? If you haven’t you should check it out on Netflix.

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    1. I would say, I am not an expert but if this is the length you think you can express yourself well then so be it. My posts are short or long depending on the topic. 🙂 Sometimes less is more but not always.

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      1. Thanks, when I started the posts were a few hundred words shorter and I was worried the longer length might be a little off putting.

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    2. @selysin

      Your post was a comfortable reading length for me.

      Provided the content is well written and engaging enough to compel me to read to the end of them, I will read posts of any length. In the case of long form posts I usually bookmark them for later reading when I’m not multitasking.

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  13. I am not sure what I need to do with my blog to increase my traffic. I want to eventually make money on it, but for now I just want steady traffic. Greenrider1978.wordpress.com

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    1. I really like the theme and whole appearance of your Blog. If it’s still working why change it!

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  16. Hey, not really a question about a post, more about my entire blog. its only two posts at the moment but if anyone could have a quick read for me and provide any advice or ideas on how to improve it would be very much appreciated!! thanks in advance… David

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  18. Hello everyone! I would really appreciate it if you would take a look at my blog.

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    1. I’d really recommend asking a more specific question or linking to a specific post — greater focus usually helps with engaging others and makes meaningful feedback more likely.

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    1. Welcome! If you’d like feedback, I’d really recommend asking a more specific question or linking to a specific post. Also, some context on your blog’s content would help others decide if they want to read your posts or not.
      Enjoy the blogging adventure!

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  21. If you got time, please check my blog I got Two projects at them moment Taidetta Tuulen and the Daily Experiment, Please check it out at tell me what do you think may be missing or if is too short, Do not know, I want to know the thoughts of others, is kind of hard to be your own judge. 🙂 Please be kind to leave your comments in the feedback Page, Thanks in advance

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  22. Hi everyone! I’ve been writing my new animal-related blog for a little over a month now and am loving having a regular writing habit! You can see it at turnthreetimes.wordpress.com

    I don’t have a good idea of who my target audience is at this stage, but I’d really like to broaden my readership. I’d love feedback on what kinds of topics and posts might entice you (or people you know) to come back to my blog and read more.

    Thanks in advance!

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      2. Thanks @timethief ! I’ll certainly work my way through that post when I get the time and see if that helps me identify an audience (if there is one :/)..

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    2. Hi @mirymosy, I’m new to blogging and started due to my photography course so my feedback isn’t from an experienced blogger! But I do really like your blog. I too work with animals, in a UK rehoming centre, similar life-choice situation to you. The posts about volunteering are really interesting as most people don’t see it from the volunteers eyes. Great photos, especially as you have different species. Keep it up, following you 🙂

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      1. Hi @pikachustail

        Thanks so much for your encouraging words! Great to have a follower in the same industry!

        I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and seeing your photography!

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  23. Hi everyone! I’m brand spanking new to wordpress and only have one real post so far so there’s not much scope in the way of bouncing ideas ! But please feel free to have a read if you’d like!

    What I’d really like would be if anyone can recommend any good blogs that I can add to my following pile, as I’d really like to get properly immersed in the whole community. My blog (once it gets on its feet) is going to be mostly focused on film and book reviews, but I’d also like to post my thoughts on a whole range of social issues (sexism, equality, drug laws, to name a few), so I’d especially love to have a look through any related blogs.

    My blog: http://flickspot.wordpress.com/

    Thanks alot!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think the layout of your page is great. Maybe think about adding a question at the end of your post to generate replies from your readers. Is your page linked to other social media outlets?

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      1. Thanks a lot, and thanks for the tip! I really like the idea of ending with a question, i’ll definitely try and work that in next time. It’s not as of yet but I am planning of linking it to my twitter and facebook pages in a couple of weeks or so when there’s more for people to read!

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    1. Hi Grace! Others might be more likely to respond if you ask a more specific question, or link to a particular post you’d like to have them take a look at.

      Liked by 1 person