Aug 10, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is now open! Duck-shaped life savers: optional.

Have you just published a new post and are dying for some feedback? Did you recently start your blog and could use some layout or design advice from your more seasoned peers?

Tap into the wisdom of The Daily Post blogging community and leave your question here in the comments. Others can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

To help us make the Community Pool a productive space for discussion, here are some tips you might find useful:

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.

  • While you’re not required to, we encourage everyone who requests feedback to also reply to at least one or two other bloggers who need some help. Spread the love!
  • The Community Pool comments section can get quite big — and starting duplicate threads doesn’t help. Thanks for not posting the same question more than once!
  • If you’re looking for quality feedback, be as specific as you can. Questions about a particular post tend to draw more comments than ones about entire blogs. Questions about specific design elements are more likely to be answered than ones asking for general layout advice.
  • We discourage leaving links without a more substantive message or question. These are often overlooked by other bloggers, and we frequently remove them to make the comment reading experience smother.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. The idea is to have fun — it’s a pool, after all!
  • 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 Brian Cantoni.

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  1. I just started my blog elliefloyd.wordpress.com and I would love feedback on the design and the first post. I’m a complete newbie and I’m trying to find my way?

    Like

    1. Welcome to WordPress!
      A lovely, concise first post and the whole design is looking great to me. You might want to think about editing the sidebar as there are some redundant links there atm.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I write two types of blogs on my site, posting them to different categories. 1 is business related about my training company, the other about my leisure passion of street portrait photography. I’m seeking guidance as to whether there are any relevant forums I can join.

    Like

      1. Totally agree with you and her. I read some of your older posts. I loved the donkey mantra, never heard of it before. I also like the way you look at life. Your posts are uplifting. Great job.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! Lovely blog! It’ s neat and well organized. I’m very glad to hear that you are going to visit my country :). If you need some further information, please, feel free to contact me.

        Like

    1. As far as tagging goes, for each post pick the top words or phrases you think someone who would be looking for the kind of info your article touches on would enter into their browser. if I may offer a constructive criticism, to keep readers once you get them to come to your page, i’d recommend adding some graphics to your post and if possible a catchy header image to go behind your title that is related to the type of blog you intend to write. Best wishes and welcome to the blogosphere

      Like

    1. Hey, I read your short story although it can’t be classified as a “short story” since it’s turning out to be a novel. Anyway, I have never read a story based in Pakistan so I found Saleema really interesting. I love the honest and realistic portrayal and the way you throw in some facts here and there about life in “rural” Pakistan. I guess? I don’t know what are your plans for the next part but I suggest you put in some action. I felt the two parts were just an intro: a portrayal of the characters. Good luck.

      Like

      1. Well, it’s still in the works. I’m still looking for a more reliable direction. I intend to put some action in, some movement towards a more interesting place in the story. Thanks a lot for the critique.

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    1. Hi Kesh. Looks like you’ve already stepped into the blogging world. Obviously you need content–which you have and I assume will continue to provide. Some graphics would no doubt enhance your blog appearance as would a header graphic. i would also suggest you make ‘connections’–follow other blogs that relate to your interests and like and comment on them freely. I’ve found that to be an effective way to gain more followers and bring more traffic in

      Like

      1. Thank you for the advice I truly do appreciate it! Question how do I make a graphic header? I am having trouble with transferring my blog to a host site with godaddy if you have any tips they would be gladly appreciated! 🙂

        Like

      2. You can either build your own graphic in a program like Photoshop or Gimp, use one of your own pics or get some clip art off the internet and place it at the top

        Like

  13. Hi all,

    I have never blogged in my life, until a week ago. I really would appreciate any feedback you can offer.

    I guess, the main concern for me is having a “confused blog” with no real consistent style. I am trying to get a blend of informative and personally honest

    Here are two examples

    http://heelsandfrills.co.uk/2014/08/07/not-sure-which-way-to-turn/

    http://heelsandfrills.co.uk/2014/08/08/all-women-stalk-foundation-guide-on-the-app-store/

    Thank you so much!

    Like

    1. Wow, what an accomplishment, you sound like an excellent athlete. Glad you met your goals and are inspiring others with your blog

      Like

  17. Hi, I just posted Chapter: 1 of my fan fiction about The Purge….. Please tell me what you think!

    Like

  18. Hey everyone,

    I started this blog back in April just to introduce myself to the blogosphere. I recently changed the layout, title and header, so any feedback about those three things (and my writing!) would be greatly appreciated! My writing isn’t content specific, I just write about my experiences and what I’m taking in from the world thus far. Just another college kid trying to figure out this little thing called life. Thanks!

    http://carmsaimbre.wordpress.com/

    Like

  19. Hi all,
    I started blogging few weeks back.My blog is a short journey about a life of a teenager, a life which is filled with innocence, small mistakes, cute fights, regrets and love. No matter how old we grow but the memories of teenage are something that we always cherish.
    I wish to hear from all of you some views so that I can improve.
    http://teenagevoyage.wordpress.com/
    Thank You.

    Like

  21. So, no one really reads my blog. I’m not sure what I need to do to get more readers, but it does seem that my short stories and excerpts get the most views (and by that I mean 5).

    My blog has a mix of short stories, excerpts from my novel, music commentary, and things going on in my life that I feel I need to write about.

    Do I need a friendlier design, better tags, or do I just need to keep doing what I’m doing until someone takes notice?

    http://awritersoutlook.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. I actually really like the layout of your blog. The header is the only thing I didn’t care for, but only because it shows up really blurry on my screen. Maybe it’s my computer? I know there are a lot of blogs that do prompts for writing and maybe if you join in some of those it will bring some traffic to your site. 😀

      Like

      1. The header is a bit blurry on wordpress for some reason, but not on my computer itself. I will have to check out some of those writing prompts, I’ve just been going solo. Thanks!

        Like

    2. I like the look of the theme a nice subtle colour palette, I notice that there were a few “uncatogorized” categories which you may want to look at eliminating, The header is slightly blurry for me too which seems weird if it is clear on your machine.

      I think it could benefit with a few more images, the one that is there I think is too small and left orientated, I think it would look better a little larger and centred.

      Like

    1. Hey, I really love the content of your blog. It’s uplifting but it’s not stupidly unrealistic. It isn’t full of clichés either. I’m looking forward to reading your posts.

      Like

    2. Hi, I liked the layout of your blog, looks very clean, I like the use of images in terms of size and quantity (and quality) suggestion wise I would say is everything seems to be uncategorised, the about page could do with more info (but that is only because I like a detailed about page) and I found the font a little small. However I added your blog to my reader so I can actually read some posts (I am at work at the moment so read time is limited)

      Like

      1. Good suggestions!

        I was able to categorize my blogs —although, they are generic for the time being. I also added (a little) more depth to my About Me section and increased the font size.

        Thank you!

        Like

    1. More pictures & bigger pictures! Personally, sometimes I go to a blog and if it’s just a bunch of text, it’s a little daunting. Pics help break it up a bit 🙂

      Like

  24. Hi guys!

    I would love some feedback on my blog so far! I’ve attached the link to my post recent post, however I would love to hear your thoughts on my first one as well. Basically, I’m just hoping to hear your likes/dislikes on my writing style and what I’ve chosen to focus on.

    http://cupofzo.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/last-time-i-checked-my-name-is-zoie-not-tzeitel/

    Also, I was toying with the idea of adding a second page that would offer my views on some current events that might be a tad bit “taboo.” Do you think that would be a good idea or should I focus on what I’m currently blogging about for a while longer?

    Can’t wait to hear what you guys think & thanks again!

    -Zoie

    Like

    1. Zoie,

      Love, love, love, love, love your blog! You actually had me going, “She leads the same life I do, she understands!” You bring your voice to your writing which is so crucial because a lot of us (myself included) do lose our voices when we write. Your piece about being 19 definitely hit home because I wrote a very similar piece a couple of months ago. I think you should focus on what you’re currently blogging about, but don’t be afraid to branch out if that’s what’s on your heart to write about. Hope this helps!

      – Carm

      Like

  27. So hey guys! At the risk of no one reading this (since I’m a little late in commenting), do you think I should stick with fanfic, poems, or just some flash stories? There is a poll on the homepage but it’s not getting the number of votes I’m hoping for soo. 🙂 If you care to help! http://dragonbolt54.wordpress.com/home/ Tankoo. 😀

    –dragonbolt54

    Like

    1. Hey there! I just looked at your blog and I think your concept it great. Being in my early twenties myself, the music selection on your blog is perfectly fitting. Plus, I’m a Norah Jones fan so you won me over with your post based around her song 🙂

      Like

  30. Hello word press gems,

    It took me a while to put my writing out there ready to be read by people. Any ind of feedback would be nourishing, negative or positive.

    I look forward to hearing from you guys. Check my blog out. xo

    Like

    1. Hi! I just checked out some of your posts and I absolutely loved them! I loved the thought you put behind your writing. I cannot wait to read more!!!

      Like

    2. I’m with Callie – really liked your writing.

      I liked the fact that the font was clear and big too. Not because I’m shortsighted, but because it felt welcoming somehow. I’m sure there’s some clever psychological reason for that. It felt as if you were talking to me from close up.

      Please keep writing. Lots of luck with your blog.

      Liked by 1 person