Aug 24, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Feedback, camaraderie, and free popsicles! (Free popsicles: not included.)

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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  3. Hi,
    I started a blog on history (mostly reviewing books and podcasts) a few months ago and have sort of been plodding along ever since. I’m (very) slowly building up followers and views, but was hoping to get some advice on style.
    I’m happy enough with my content, but my use of tags/categories is a bit all over the place and most of my titles are pretty drab. The layout is also pretty basic. I was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations for how I could improve these?
    http://philipcoulter.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. Hi Philip. When I visited the first thing I noticed was that it was a lot of text, small text too and it wasn’t 100% clear on my screen, other blogs are clear on my screen so whether it is the theme and/or the font etc I am not sure. I am wondering if you should go for less text and split the posts up into parts, for example your post on Agincourt. It is a lot of information to take in on one post and I think would benefit from a part 1 and a part 2 (even if posted on the same day).

      Tags and categories. I read somewhere that you shouldn’t use the same category as a tag, I notice that you had france for example as both a tag and a category. As an analogy I would say the category would be the filing cabinet and the tags would be the files. So for example, Music would be a category and Radiohead would be a tag

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      1. Hi moi. Thanks for the advice. That’s particularly useful about the tags and categories – I knew there was some way to use them, but had no clue where to start.

        With the post length – I’ll probably stick with it all being in one post for now, though I will definitely go back and divide them up within that, with subtitles and more pictures, to make it easier to read. I realize they are still going to be a bit long, but I tend to prefer longer blog posts.

        I don’t know about the theme or the fonts. I thought mine were some of the defaults, so I’m not sure what could be up there. I’ll definitely look into it.

        Thanks very much for the help!

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  4. Good Monday Morning … I’m a bit late on this questions but if anyone can help me make a decision I’d appreciate it.
    I have a writing blog – http://www.insidethemindofisadora.com – and a photography blog – http://www.isadoraartandphotography.com
    I would like to combine both onto one blog as I’m having trouble keeping up with both of them. I will keep the name – inside the mind of isadora – but what theme will accommodate both writing and photography. I have been drawn to Isola but am still not sure. Thank you for your help in advance.

    e mail – izmail@embarqmail.com

    Isadora : )

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    1. Hello Hima, i really like the fact that you finally decided to blog and also like the name of your blog. You could explore the other themes on your dashboard and decide which one works for you. The images used were expressive but i thought they were too many. I like your post

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  9. Hello everyone, I just found word press when I was checking out a friend’s twitter page. I’ve started writing and I’d be glad to read your thoughts on my posts. Thank you

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    1. Hi – I love it when something that I read shines a new light on a subject and gives me a new thought to chew over in my own head. Your blog does that.

      Your point: “Our ‘people’ are still being carried away but this time not in chains and shackles and not under duress, but in a disguised form of mass emigration known as ‘brain drain’- the quest for greener pastures in the ‘west’.” is something I’ve not heard expressed before. Interesting and thought provoking.

      I hope you keep writing. Your thoughtful, clear, evenhanded posts are welcome in a world trying to understand itself.

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  12. Just read your blog @yanethr19…I think it’s a good piece. Love is quite a difficult feeling to express in words but you’ve done so perfectly. (I like the ending ‘I’m Happy with you’) and i think that sums up love.

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    1. Isn’t it wonderful that poets can get their words out into the world so easily nowadays? I know your words have to compete with a lot of other words, but I’m certainly glad that they reached me. I hope you keep writing.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. hello my name is Priscilla and I just started my blog! My goal is to write a post once a day, and discuss things that may have happened that day and how those events affect me. I am trying to discover this newly found person that is developing everyday. I would love to hear feedback and try and help any struggling person trying to discover themselves. So take a look into my life and let’s get through these struggles together.

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    2. I initially started blogging daily but found I was stressed finding the time and content daily. Also I felt I was bombarding my followers with too many posts. I’ve now scaled back to two posts a week which is more manageable. In the beginning blogging can be all consuming but make sure you make time for not just cyber pals but for your real life companions. Life is all about balance. Good luck with your blogging!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I am currently using wordpress.com but I’d like to switch over to my own domain when I have the money. There’s an option for me to purchase my own domain for $18 a year from the dashboard. Does this automatically switch me over to wordpress.org and give me freedom to customize, add more widgets and plugins, etc? Or will I still need purchase hosting and all that and make a formal switch? Just trying to figure it out so I know how much I have to save to make the switch. Thanks!

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    2. As the commenter above explains, buying a custom domain only changes your site’s default URL. As long as you don’t move your blog elsewhere, it will remain hosted at WordPress.com

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    1. Just adding this here, I voted for DNF but I think it might be quite effective to call it “Did Not Finish” rather than shortening it… maybe 🙂

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      2. No problem. Perhaps. But it’s always great to have strong initials for use when discussing your novella! I think Did Not Finish is interesting even to someone who doesn’t recognise its links to sport/racing, as it makes you curious to learn what it refers to.

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  19. I’m just wondering about layout when posting pictures. My blog is still in its early days, and my first few posts were text based. I added a few picture posts, both as single images and in a gallery. I was wondering whether people here could reccomend whether they thought it looks tidier not to include a title on an image post (see example here http://emcold.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/22/) or whether it adds to the post (see example here http://emcold.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/galway/).
    Which is more effective? Thank you to anyone who looks/replies 🙂

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    1. Hi Em, personally I think adding a title makes it more interesting/intriguing plus when people scroll through they’re more likely to click on a post if the title catches their attention, well that’s what I do, I’m new so not exactly certain, however would titles not come up in searches? Hope that helps?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks! Yes, I think maybe going with the title might be a better idea. I’ve recently changed my theme and I actually think it might look more streamlined with a title than without. Thanks again!

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  20. Hi guys! I’m pretty new to the blogging world and would love some feedback on my writing 🙂 I don’t know if it’s all over the place or not. I’m also wondering about my posts and the general feel people get when they look at my blog. Thanks in advance!

    http://thenomadicpanda.wordpress.com/

    Now off to read some off your blogs and give some feedback! ♥

    Like

  24. Hi guys, I’ve just revived a blog I’ve been running for a few years (Book Heaven) after a sizable hiatus (http://bookheaven.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/back-and-better-than-ever/). I’m looking for some feedback on how I should approach this re-opening: I already have a small but loyal readership, and would like to attract more, do you think I should alter the layout to refresh the blog, or leave it as it has been (ie don’t fix what isn’t broken)?

    I’m also unsure whether I should go back and filter through my old posts, spring cleaning if you will. Since I started it a long time ago (when I was in my early teens), my writing style and tastes have changed quite a lot, and i have become more organise with regards to tagging and categorising my posts. Is thee any point in editing the past, r should I leave it be as a testament to what the blog once was? 🙂

    Thanks a million for reading, I’d really appreciate your feedback!

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    1. Hi! The layout still looks good, you could probably leave it as it is unless there’s anything in particular you’re not sure about.

      I would probably leave the old posts as they are in terms of content, but re-tagging might be a good idea (I can’t offer advice there, my tagging is a disaster). If you want to cover old ground again you could do a post or two on how your tastes or opinions have changed, but altering the old posts might be time consuming and unnecessary.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks!
        Yeah, that makes sense, there’s not much point trawling through old stuff that won’t have particularly high traffic anyway, and I’ll try to get my tagging in order… Try. Thanks again for you input!

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      2. If you don’t have a specific issue, but rather are feeling lost in general, then I’d really recommend taking a look at our tutorials site, linked to in my previous message. These are all very easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, and they cover all the ground you need to get started.

        Alternatively, we’ll be starting the next edition of Blogging 101: Zero to Hero on 9/15 (more info about the course here: https://wordpress.com/dailypost/courses/blogging-101-zero-to-hero/). It’s a (free) 30-day course where you (along with a few thousand other new bloggers) go from having no site at all to building the blog you want, publishing content, and making connections with others in the community. I can’t recommend it enough!

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  27. Just posted my first blog post – I plan on writing about my life so far – to help me try and deal with some things that have happened. I want to remain anonymous though and have changed the names of myself and people in my life. Any feedback welcome. Thanks 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. its a good practice to change the names of the people you’re writing about. even I do the same.
      what we are putting here is for the world to see, so it is a healthy practice.
      and about your blog, it looks fine and it only has one post, duh.
      keep working on it, and you’ll get going

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    2. Hi 🙂 I’m thinking it may be helpful for you to receive the support and camaraderie of blogging groups which have had the same or similar experiences to you; you can find these in many easy ways including, typing your subject into your category reader; or into google and adding the word wordpress; or by checking out WordPress’ own blog, which has listing posts of various groups.
      wishing you all the best with your blogging journey 🙂

      Like

  28. Hello everyone!

    This is my first blog EVER and I could really use some help and advice on… well, everything! The blog is just about the day-to-day life of a 21st century teenager who doesn’t try to fit in or stand out, but rather express emotions and feelings in an increasingly metal world. I’m making it sound a lot more exciting than it is, so if even one person could take a quick look and tell me where to improve (and I known there’s a lot of room for that!) I would be infinitely grateful. Free internet hugs for all!

    I think that the link is http://www.musofteecle.wordpress.com but if it leads you nowhere, comment and I’ll sort it out…hopefully!

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    1. Hi-just read your blog and I like it. It’s simple and easy to read. Feminism is a big deal these days and for a teenager it’s good to hear your views on it. Women are not objects as you said, women are creative and intelligent and must be portrayed positively. Do continue to write! You could also try spacing out the different paragraphs for easy reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks so much, I’m glad to hear that, definitely! I’ll take into account the paragraph spacing, as I would personally be put off if there weren’t paragraphs myself, haha. Thanks for replying, I’m going to check your blog out now!

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