Aug 17, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Don’t forget the sunscreen: it’s time for this week’s Community Pool!

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 smoother.
  • 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. Hi @damo1982,
      I think that a more specific feedback request, or a link to a specific post you’d like feedback on, would make it a lot likelier that others visit and respond.
      Welcome to WordPress.com!

      Like

  3. Hello everyone 🙂 so I’ve been writing posts in a story form about how to deal with bullying…I’ve just added my latest post and I’d really appreciate feedback, if you don’t mind letting me know what you think. I’ve also written a few poems if you don’t mind checking it out…thanks!!!!!!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. hello everyone.
    i run a multi topic blog because basically i am just interesting in those things.
    i am still a new guy here, but i have a lot to say and show here.
    if anyone’s interested, please provide me as much critical feedback as you can. i want to learn from all of you

    Like

    1. Wow. I love the idea, I don’t know that I could do all that in a month. But I think I’ll follow you for some inspiration (I could definitely use some in that category). As far as the blog it’ll help for you to get a few picts up (even if they aren’t of you) to make it more personal. And to put up some info on the about page.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I just started, so I will definitely personalize it some more for my readers. I know with discipline this can be done and results can be obtained within that a,punt of time. I hope I can encourage and inspire others to try the same!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. A great idea for a blog. I think your challenge post would be a great part of your About page. Another idea would be to post about some of the exercises you are trying and why (each exercise a different post). The same for the foods you are eating. Just some ideas. Good luck!

      Like

    3. Nice start! Love the concept. I also agree with the previous comments. Would love to see “progress pictures” or pictures in “action” so to speak. You could post pictures do your meals or post your meal plan for the day. You are off to a great start!

      Like

    1. I think the Hemingway theme is well suited to your writing. As to the posts themselves, they are quite verbose – I might suggest breaking up the paragraphs with a supporting image or two.

      And any chance you’ve checked out the Hemingway App (http://www.hemingwayapp.com/)? Not to say you should use it, but I find after I run a few of my more verbose posts through it, they tend to come out a bit better.

      Like

      1. Thanks I’ll check the app out. I’ve been thinking of including more images but haven’t been sure what to put in with those particular kinds of posts. Any suggestions? It’s hard because I’m used to putting images of my family and what we’ve been doing while I talk about those same things on my family blog. So I’m trying to navigate this new blog and how to include that stuff.

        Like

      2. I often use Flickr and search for Creative Commons licensed stuff. That said, there’s a tonne of sites that provide quality images with little to know licensing – Death to the Stock Photo for instance is a great site.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Love poem-ing with writing and bits of fanfic? Great 🙂 Please help me figure out which style is best suited for me! Thanks for all of your feedback guys ;D dragonbolt54.wordpress.com

    Like

    2. Varying style is a great way to build up your skills as a writer. I’d say try and explore as many as possible before limiting yourself. You might find that things you learn with one style may help you improve with another.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Hey vast and wise WordPress community! I’m hoping you can give my blog a look (http://www.leftcoastbydesign.ca/) and let me know what you think.

    I just obtained an updated logo & header and have really tried to clean up the site using the Tonal theme as a base. Green is supposed to the be the primary-ish colour and I tried to find something complementary to make the site easier on the eyes.

    As to the layout, I’m somewhat worried that the vast openness of the theme itself takes away from the content. But then, that could be me and I was once known to use ‘blink’ (c’mon, it was the nineties and everyone was doing it).

    Like

    1. Hi Chris! I like the wide-openness of your new layout. The green is a gorgeous color. Only thing I’d change is maybe using a super light grey instead of white as the background color to ease the eyes. Keep us chuckling in the meantime!

      Like

    2. I agree with the previous comment- the green is gorgeous! Love your logo! I find the white space and open ness of the layout, makes it easier to read. Nice job!

      Like

    1. I think you wrote it up really well. The pictures create enough breaks without overwhelming the post and I like the little bits of extra information about Dublin that you included. Well done of your first half-marathon.

      Like

  11. Hey everybody! I just made a blog about a month or two ago and would really appreciate some feedback. 🙂 I just right about stuff I’ve experienced and so on. Tell me what you thing!
    Here’s my blog
    hyddenchronicles.wordpress.com

    Like

  12. Hello everyone
    I started a blog a few days ago, I write about fashion and about places I’ve visited in my life.

    Like

    1. And I really appreciate some feedback, also because of my english (I’m from Italy) 🙂 I’m happy to help you if you need feedback 😀

      Like

    2. I took a look at two of your posts ‘I’ve been in Turin’ and ‘DIY How To Wear A Long Skirt’.
      The layout of the blog itself works well, it’s clearly organised [though if you click ‘wardrobe’ it come up with a blank page] and it’s got a nice eclectic feel. I just felt the posts didn’t have enough depth to them.
      For example, I have never been to Turin, I had never even heard of it before today. As a reader I could have done with a couple of paragraphs about what makes Turin special and exceptional, and then some information on why you enjoyed it or perhaps didn’t completely enjoy it. The gallery works well at the bottom but I think you need to keep the bulk of the information in the post.
      As for ‘DIY How To Wear A Long Skirt’ you didn’t really say much about ‘how’ to wear one, but how to create one. It’s still a great idea but the title is a bit misleading. I would have also liked to see a few comparison pictures with other example of long skirt combinations. A sort of gallery of options that long skirts give you. I myself would never think of wearing a long skirt because I’m only five foot and I’d worry that it would make me look even shorter. Addressing such pre-conceptions about certain items of clothing would add another dimension to the piece.
      Best of luck with your blog and your travels. I wish you all the best.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Wow! Great writing! It is long enough you may have been able to break it up into two or more post’s and elaborate a bit more on some of the area’s. You left me with wanting to know more about how you relate your own story with that of your clients. Thanks for sharing!

      Like

  15. Hey all,

    Just started my blog about a week ago and I would LOVE some feedback.
    It is a faith-based blog. I’m just expressing my love for God and encouraging others to realize their worth and purpose. Hope you like!
    wearyourcrownblog.wordpress.com

    Like

  16. Hello everyone, I just started my blog and I would like some feedback on my blog.

    Thanks, John

    umflight.wordpress.com

    Like

  18. Hello there!
    I recently began my blog “Imaginationem”. On this blog I talk about fashion, beauty, art, and DIYs. If you could check out my blog and provide me with some feedback on the quality of my posts and the layout, that would be great!

    https://imaginationem.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. Hi!
      I love the ‘Balloons’ theme of your blog, it is perfect for the content. and the layout works well.
      Your posts are just the right length. I have been struggling to make my DIY posts brief enough, but you manage this well. I love your photos too!

      Like

    1. Hi – I enjoyed reading your post. Do you write your own songs? You have an ease with words that makes me think you do.

      I’d have loved to have been able to hear some of your music somewhere on your blog. It would have added another dimension to your written voice for me.

      I hope you keep writing – for music and for the page.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you!
        I do write my own songs, and love the suggestion of adding some original music to the blog- I will include one on this next week’s post! I appreciate you taking the time to read and leave a comment, and I love the screen name!

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Hello Everyone! I would really appreciate some feedback on my latest pair of posts (http://letstrythisathome.com/2014/08/17/mantel-makeover-part-one/ and http://letstrythisathome.com/2014/08/17/mantel-makeover-part-two/).
    I am looking for some guidance in two areas: first, whether it is ok to split a post like that into two parts; and secondly, some more general feedback on the style of this post. My previous posts have been more ‘how to’ type of posts (recipes, crafts, etc.), whereas this one is a lot more descriptive of a project that nearly went wrong. I would like some feedback on whether this seems out of place on my blog.
    Many thanks in advance for any comments, and I am more than happy to return the favour!

    Like

  21. Hello friends!

    I recently started the hobbylager objective (launched last Sunday) and I am still trying to master my frequency and approach. The goal is three posts a week: Sundays are a reveal of the upcoming weeks challenge (trying a new hobby), Mondays are for the details! What exactly I plan to do, how I am going to do it, and what you can do to participate. And Friday’s are a sort of results/recap/final thoughts of the project.

    I would really like to know if that is coming across clearly enough. Like I said, it is in its infancy and I am uncovering new ideas every day. I just want to know if the posts are sufficient enough to stand alone, yet engaging enough to come back to. (there are 4 posts currently). I would love to hear some feedback!

    hobbylager.wordpress.com

    Like

  22. Hi, i’ve only recently created a blog and have just made my first post about a hair masque that i love, it would be really kind if you could check it out and leave a comment about how i can improve and what you liked, thankyou!!

    Like

  23. Wow! What a positive pool of intelligence and support I have just jumped in to. I have never had feedback on my blog from anyone I know that wants to have a conversation about it. I feel like if I keep trying, and someone will find it interesting. I don’t want to be informative or even funny. Just want to show people what I see. What I know. Check it out if you want to see what my dog or my garden is up to.
    Ha. I’m probably not even sharing it correctly.
    Thanks https://bersbeerbellydances.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/d

    Like

  24. I wish someday mine will be the first comment on community pool post! Thank you for doing this on a regular basis!
    Hey everyone!! How you doing? I’ve this blog here —> http://www.theordinarywords.wordpress.com
    And am still struggling on writing everyday.
    If you have some time, and browse through articles on life, hope, humanism, or random quotes, PLEASE DO VISIT.
    Feel free to leave a comment. I haven’t got a proper feedback on my writing. I’ll appreciate if you do that. Thanks! 🙂 🙂

    Like

  25. I just past my one year anniversary of posts on my blog and I am still learning! I wanted to learn more about the different kinds of food around Mexico (where my parents are from) so I decided to try and post simple recipes from all of the states in Mexico.

    I would like some advice about how to organize those posts so others understand what I am trying to do. Right now, I have them listed as a separate category (MÉXICO).

    As I said, I’m still learning! Thanks!

    http://elchinolatinococina.wordpress.com/

    Like

  26. Hello fellow bloggers. I’m fairly new and would like some ideas on what to blog about. If some of you could check out my previous posts on poetry and things like that and give me some ideas. That’d be useful. Thanks friends! bladeslife.wordpress.com

    Like

  27. I would love some feedback about my most recent post – a romantic dress in a hayfield. I think it turned out well and it had many views. The pictures were great in my opinion, but I want to have more comments and generate more people following me. I would love some advice! Please comment directly on the post! Thank you, thank you! 🙂

    http://quiteadored.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Hello to all in the Community Pool. I hope your weather is better than it is here today in Middle Tennessee. I have recently started my blog and I am a bit stuck as to how I would like it to look. I have been looking at other blogs and I am taking notes and hope to incorporate some of the finer points into my blog in the next few days.
    I would appreciate any feedback that the Pool can give me to aid me in improving my blog.
    Thanks,
    Candis
    http://thekeenqueenbee.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. I’m a sucker for a photo.. it’s just adds something to a good blog. Get a few snaps in there and I think that would really help it!

      great blog though!

      Like