Jul 20, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

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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  3. Would anyone be willing to check out my blog and give me some criticism over the content/general theme settings? It’d be greatly appreciated. I’m willing to read yours for feedback as well. If you have a twitter account as well please let me know or follow me @collegeladyblog
    Here’s my blog:
    http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. Hey! Great blog! Your posts are great and interesting and I like how you include bloggers you follow in your sidebar! One thing I would comment on though is that your “About” page and “”Fun facts about me” page are almost similar. Maybe consider combining them into one “About” page?

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      1. That’s true…I ought to do that. Thank you for the suggestion! Your blog was well put together and I enjoyed it!

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  4. Hi! I have mostly been blogging infrequently for about a year, but I have been a little more consistent in the past month or so as I have had a lot of time on my hands sitting in the hospital with my baby who has been here since April 10, when he was born.

    I would like to get into blogging much more… Any tips or ideas?

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I just opened a WordPress blog. I have only posted a few threads, but I’m aiming to post daily. The disheartening thing? I have like 4 bloggers. How do I increase my readership?

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    2. Write things that are relevant to your reader. What do you want to share with your audience? Also, remember to network. Your readers are usually fellow writers, so network and comment on other blogs. Use social media to your advantage. Use Twitter, Facebook, or whatever you have and market it to your friends.

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      1. Thanks for taking the time. Your page is so fancy 😉. I’m a tech-idiot, but maybe one day…

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    3. Hi Hshuppsalas,

      Focus on making your site clean, professional, well laid out whilst delivering great content. Some people might land on your site one time, so you need to make sure it’s ‘sticky’. There is a wealth of info on todays post alone which you could devour to make small alterations on your own theme. Even the most stunning blogs weren’t created in a day.

      All the tiny improvements will add up to a really compelling site. Contribute on these forums with thoughtful and sincere comments. Tell all your friends about your blog – create a facebook page – share it with all your followers, update their feeds with new posts….there is so much, but it is a slow process to build a following.

      I’m new to this so I feel your pain. But at the end of the days it’s a marathon not a sprint!

      Best of luck
      Aidan

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      1. Such really helpful and positive. Advice! I am considering a theme for my blog, but I’m really tech un-savvy, so I’ve just gone in for simplicity to start. Step-by-step will be the surest gait toward success; protection against throwing up my hands and quitting

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  6. Hi! I uploaded my entire manuscript as a draft on Kindle after the book cover issue was finalized only to find I needed to add page breaks in order for the book to look right on a Kindle. My short book is apparently not short. I’m re-reading and entering page breaks. Anyone an expert on Kindle publishing? Any other “bumps in the road” I need to expect? Thanks in advance! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Hi. I actually just started blogging at mariesmemoirs14.wordpress.com. I was wondering if someone could check out my blog and let me know what they think. Comments on my blog would be great but comments here are fine as well. What I would really like to know is: 1. Is my blog interesting? 2. What I can do to make it better. I would love the feedback. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Marie,

      I found your post Kiss Me Like You Mean It very interesting. You’re already getting a lot of bloggers liking your posts so you must be doing something right!

      Keep up the good work,
      Aidan

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      1. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your feedback.

        I also checked out your site. I agree with your post: The ‘Follow Me – Follow You’ Blog Chirade (and why it’s counter productive). Really enjoyed it.

        Take care,
        Marie

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    1. I like the way you have things set up on your page. The photographs are nice and it’s very clean to see. I like the set up and the post themes you write about. It’s broad but interesting.
      Could you please check mine out?
      http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

      Like

    2. In taking a quick look at your home page, I think it looks great, however it is not mobile friendly. Have you seen how it looks from your phone? KWIM?

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  9. Hi everyone! I recently “updated” the layout of my blog by adding a word cloud and a few pictures on to the sidebar. Just wanted to know if my blog speaks out to first time visitors and if it is clear over what my blog is about! Is there anything I should add, or remove from my Home/About page?Thanks!

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    1. The set up is nice and clean. Your About page is clean and personable. I like the theme. The green color isn’t my favorite but it might just be bias. It’s a little harsh, maybe a shade that is a tad bit less vibrant. Otherwise your blog is well put together.

      Like

  10. Hey everyone! So I realize that I am a lot younger than most of the bloggers on this site. I am a sophomore English major and it was recommended to me that I start a blog to see if writing really is my passion. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? I would appreciate hearing from experienced bloggers on what works and what doesn’t. Thank you!

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    1. Your blog idea based on your post is something that is going to be really interesting to read. I don’t know if I count as an experienced blogger considering we’re about the same age, but your blog seems like it will be good! When starting a blog just remember to network with other bloggers and use social media to your advantage. Make your posts something you would want to read and you’ll get an audience. You have a great vocabulary and I am personally interested to see what you do with your blog. If you have twitter feel free to follow me @collegeladyblog or check out my blog:
      http://collegelady17.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I appreciate the advice and I will definitely start using social media. I’m trying to get a head start before I get into all of that, but I’ll get there eventually! Thanks again!

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      2. No problem at all. Feel free to ask me anything if you ever need to or want to. I’m all for networking.

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    2. I think just play it by ear until you find what you want to write about. Your first post is vibrant and I like your style. You have a new follower in me 🙂

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  12. Hey guys,

    I started this blog to get better at writing
    because I am a journalism student and to also talk about my newfound love of cooking. However, I feel that I am straying from my real goal which is to do
    actual writing, not just post simple recipes. I was thinking that I should start a new blog and work on both blogs but Im not really sure. I feel like the followers I currently have are interested in my recipes and possibly not so interested my literary journey and I don’t want to bombard their blogs with unnecessary posts that are irrelevant to the reason they actually followed me. I would really appreciate it if you would give me some suggestions.
    https://notbikiniready.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I checked out your blog, and I really like your idea of starting two blogs: one more for recipes, one more for practicing your writing skills. That said, you can definitely incorporate both into your current blog, which I’ve seen in some of your published posts already (like here: https://notbikiniready.wordpress.com/2014/07/13/ramadan-journal/ at the beginning when you talk about Ramadan traditions and your family).

      But if you have, say, creative writing pieces like short stories or poems, I’d say put those on another blog 🙂

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      1. Thank you for your opinions, you’ve helped immensely! I think I like the idea of starting two blogs as well. It keeps things in order.

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  13. I would like some feedback on the main page design of my blog. I love the choco theme because of its simplicity, however I’m wondering if I should lighten things up a bit.

    I’d also like feedback on my sidebar specifically. I really want it to emphasize my best posts.

    Guriausa.wordpress.com Thanks!

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      1. Hi Guriausa,

        I’m a big fan of the ‘Less is More’ angle so I know exactly why you opted for this theme. Not too fond of the darker colour as I prefer to keep things a bit lighter. Just my personal preference of course.

        For me, the sidebar is absolutely fine. I would probably make your facebook plugin a tad smaller so that the best post part floats a little higher up the page easily within mouse reach.

        Good work and best of luck,
        Aidan

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    1. Your blog is really interesting. I like the photography portion of it a lot! The fashion part is trendy, and to be honest it makes me a little jealous. I was so NOT gifted with fashion trendiness haha! I like your blog.

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      1. Thanks so much 🙂
        I really enjoy photography which is why my posts are almost always photos 😛
        Thanks for your feedback. I checked out your blog too, I like your writing style!
        Keep up the good work x

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    2. Love your site. Especially enjoyed reading “Healthy Contagion”. I like your writing style. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Free Reading Fridays!

    I am kind of at a loss for how to build my Facebook Page (It’s about Tarot for those interested… I do a Free Reading Friday every week.) Sorry this isn’t more specific… I’m just not sure what to ask about. Should I post on there more often? I’m quite sure I need to blog more often, I’ve just had so much going on…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Araelysia,

      Not sure if I fully understand your question. Where is the facebook widget on your blog to encourage people to follow your page?

      Aidan

      Like

  23. Hi all, I have written several articles now. The most recent, about my experience of having an eating disorder, and the benefit of meditation. I feel there would be quite a few people out there interested in my perspective, but no idea how to get it to them. I feel a certain amount of shame posting it all over Facebook etc. if there’s anything I can do on site to improve views, please do let me know. Many thanks in advance.x

    Like

  25. I’ve started blogging this week. I’d love to know what people like to read. Sometimes I feel too embarrassed to talk about my blogs or when someone’s reading them but then.. i don’t know. Here’s my page, I’d be glad to get some suggestions on blogging
    http://ninahaider105.wordpress.com/
    And I also want to find out some blogs on the topics I adore. Umm.. so yeahh, that’s all

    Like

    1. Your blog seemed really relevant to my life. I am currently a college student who unfortunately doesn’t have a lot of work experience. I’d be interested in life tips on finances and honestly tips for taxes…

      Like

  28. Having done this before, I was given great advice on adding more photos to my blog. I would be grateful for any more advice on my blog, appearance, the way it is written, etc. Thank you in advance.

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  30. Hi!

    Despite the fact that I have been blogging on this page for 8 months, this is my first time to post here on the Community Pool. (side note: I still feel like a freaking noob here..)

    I don’t know whether I have exactly anything specific to ask here, but I would like to have feedback on my page: http://risingrave28.wordpress.com/

    I wonder in what ways I could improve my blog (and/or my writing in general). Hoping for your feedback!

    Thank you very much and have a good time around!

    Like