Nov 24, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for advice, feedback, and friendly blogging chatter.

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.

Show Comments

519 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  1. So…I started my blog a year ago, after losing our son in an accident. Seems I only get feedback on grief posts. What do you guys think? Should I not post anything but grief related posts? Sounds depressing to me. Maybe I should stop writing? Check out my other posts and let me know your thoughts.

    Like

    1. The beauty of personal blogs is just that, they are personal. It is yours to do with as you please. If you write about different things you may open up a whole new set of readers to your world. If you are on a new journey and you want to share, please don’t let anyone stop you. Just a thought 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    2. I have the same thoughts. Though I have likes and follows, I don’t see much in the comments department. Perhaps it’s me. I don’t talk about things that would resonate with most I guess.

      Like

    3. have the same thoughts. Though I have likes and follows, I don’t see much in the comments department. Perhaps it’s me. I don’t talk about things that would resonate with most I guess.

      Like

  2. I hope everyone is having a good start to their Monday. Just three more days ’til Thanksgiving!

    If it’s not too much trouble, I would appreciate some feedback on my short story, “The Spirit Shepherd”. I’m very committed to improving my writing, so there’s no need to hold back if you find some serious issues with the piece. I much prefer honest criticism to fake praise. Gracias!

    The spirit shepherd

    Like

    1. Interesting use of symbolism and metaphors. Looks like a story I would be interested in. I did notice you refer to the Shepard as an “it” but then as a “he.” I only noticed the change because referring to the Shepard as an “it” seemed very deliberate.

      Like

      1. The use of “it” was deliberate. I wanted to the shepherd to come across as an otherworldly being. That “he” was an error that escaped my notice. I have fixed it. Thank you for pointing it out!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. How do you put tags on a post, and what would be the reasons for doing so? (Just started my blog yesterday.)

      Like

      1. When I’m writing a new post, there are “Categories” and “Tags” sections on the right of the screen. The reason for doing so would be to help people find your blog. For example, if you add a “fantasy” tag to a short story you wrote about Merlin, other people in the WordPress network who search the tag “fantasy” will be able to find your post. That’s the gist of it, anyway.

        Like

    1. Your sentiments appear very sincere & I do hope you achieve your goals. Your tag line under your blog name is misspelled (making a living writting) I assume by accident. To gather readers requires more content so keep going & keep networking. Best wishes

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I post about many things, recipes, thoughts, DIY, how-tos, etc. I am trying to focus everything into living a zen, happy, healthy life. I know it asked for specific posts to request feedback on, but I would love overall feedback from anyone who’s willing. Thank you so much! Namaste. http://earthzenmama.com

    Like

    2. We blog about similar topics, so naturally I think your blogging is fine. I do have a question though. How has enabling your Pinterest and Instagram to readers fared for you?

      Like

      1. It doesn’t really get a lot of use, but some for sure. I like having them available for my readers so they can get to know me and my blog in a different light.

        Like

    1. I’ve given the first post a read and scanned over a couple of the others.

      I really like the layout, bright and breezy. It really suits the style of blog you have (has made me realize how crap mine looks!). I really liked the highlighting of key phrases, made the blocks of text more visually interesting.

      If you have any pictures of you projectile vomiting, it would definitely ruin the vibe of the blog (but it would be hilarious!).

      You seem very excited about pregnancy and your positivity shines through in your writing. I’d urge any would be mothers to give it a read, as being a bloke in his late 20s, i’m probably not the target audience.

      Like

    1. If you’re comfortable with your about page, the length is not particularly relevant, IMO. I read it all and I liked it – I think it paints an interesting picture of who you are and what your blog is about. And as someone who also deals with anxiety and sees writing as therapeutic, I can certainly relate.

      Like

    2. I think your about page is fine. The more that you put about yourself the better. I had a lot in my about page. I really like your idea. It’ll be interesting what you decide to post. I’ll follow along your journey. Check out my blog: whatiliketodobysteve.wordpress.com

      Like

  9. I am having some frustrations with picking out an appropriate theme for my blog… Also, I am a little confused with the navigation of different pages on my website… Is there anyone that I can contact / hire to help me start my blog and teach me how to use it?

    Like

  10. Hi guys, just recently come back to my blog after a few months off, so my first post is a bit rusty. I’d appreciate some feedback if possible.

    I’m trying a heavy metal satire/humour angle. So any criticism would be appreciated.

    heavymetalblunder.wordpress.com

    Cheers

    Like

  13. Hi. I am new, and so still intimidated by most of it. I sigh, every time I click ‘Publish’ because I feel inadequate in my contributions. Mainly, I would like to know if my blog is hard to navigate – in so much that once you have read one thing – you don’t know where to go after that. Is the thread obvious? I don’t even know if that question makes sense.. *Sigh* PUBLISH…

    Like

    1. Someone who is not familiar with this type of format might be jarred. I was about 6 months ago when I first saw this types of formats in blogs.

      Like

  14. Hello everyone!
    Being only 2 days old to the blogging scene, I am always looking for your opinions on what I’m posting! My blog is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially if you have an interest in culture related themes, such as fashion and travel, so please feel free to take a look whenever you have a spare moment!

    http://dinosaursandwoodlice.wordpress.com/

    Thank you!

    Like

  16. Hi everyone. My name is Duaa and I’ve started my blog fairly recently. Could you drop by and have a quick read? I have enough faith in my writing to assure you that you will not be disappointed. My blog is just a jar of thoughts, so if you have something that you’d like me to express my views on, I’ll be willing to write about that too. Thank you so much in advance!

    Like

    1. Hey I just took a look at your blog! I really like it! Your writing like you said definitely doesn’t disappoint! lol I find your posts very interesting! I would appreciate it if you could check out my blog I just posted something new last night! 🙂

      Like

  17. Good afternoon! I blog about food and fitness. I have a “shoot from the hip” style of blogging. Based on what you see, is there anything that you see that could improve what I am doing? Big thanks!

    Like

    1. I like the content of your blog and your posts are short enough to be quick reads, which is great. ‘Because you might get injured’ was the one I liked the best. There were a few funnies in that one, which is always a plus.

      It is a long scroll down to the bottom where you have the widgets. If you can put them in a sidebar, particularly the follow button and the recent post and pages widget, it may make it easier for people to navigate your site. That would also decrease the width of the main posts a little, but I think that’s actually a layout plus.

      Like

      3. With different themes, you get different layout choices. If you go to your dashboard, then appearance, then theme options, you will see all the layout options for theme you are currently using, and whether or not your theme will allow a sidebar. If it does, just select that option instead of the default option. If not, and you would like a sidebar, there are tons of other themes that give you one.

        Once you’ve selected that option, go to your widgets and play around with putting them in the different locations and see how they look. It’s a lot of fun … and addictive.

        I don’t know how much experience you have, so if this is all ‘duh’ kind of advice, please don’t be offended.

        Like

      1. I see where you are coming from. I created the title because fitness and healthy eating is a hobby that is very relaxing. I have been asked quite a few times why I eat healthy and exercise moderately(most American women don’t subscribe to this lifestyle)…. I used to respond “because it calms my nerves”. Do you think I should be articulate this in my “about” page?

        Like

    1. I scanned through it. It was interesting, but wordy. This is the type of post that I would have to use the “Pocket” app for. Feel free to dismiss my opinion though.

      Like

      1. Yes, wordy because I don’t really like to leave out thoughts which I might have to revisit in the form of a sequel post.
        Besides, blogging for me is about writing stuff that would normally not fit into, say an FB post! Thanks for checking it out and the feedback, though!

        Like

  20. Hey guys!
    am new here and I would like to get followers and likes and comments.
    my blog is about self-improvement and various of other stuff.
    Thanks.

    Like

    1. I read some of your posts and enjoyed them It is a great beginning to your blog. Know that WordPress offers a lot of workshops that really help in developing our blogs.

      Blogging 101 is about to end, but the assignments will stay posted. You might find it valuable to work through those assignments as best you can.

      https://wordpress.com/dailypost/courses/blogging-101-zero-to-hero/

      Scroll backwards through the list and find the one that says Introduce Yourself. That was the first of this Blogging 101 series. It also has a link that teaches you how to do tags which is an important part of making your posts visible to others.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Hey! I just put up a new post last night and I would love it if I could get some feedback! To anyone that posts feedback I would gladly take a look at their blog and also give advice! Thanks!! 🙂

    Like

      1. Thank you Ben for checking out my blog and for your advice!! I really appreciate it! 🙂 I took a look at your blog and your site is very visually appealing! And your life seems so exciting! Very interesting posts! Good job! 🙂

        Like

  22. I have been daily prompting for many years, it shows me a path I can use. Please explain something to me. I look regularly at the same time every day to see what the prompt has to offer as a subject as I am always notified by e-mail. Why is it now and again (today for instance) that the prompt does not arrive for us to contribute. It tells me “0 responses” and I cannot post my prompt. I make a complaint on the forum site and after a time it might work, although a few hours can pass until it does. After I write my prompt I always check what the others have written. I might make a comment and always an acknowledging like. For me it is self explanatory and we can always learn from the others.
    Wishing everyone happy blogging

    Like

    1. I’m having problem connecting with daily prompts or any wordpress challenges for almost 3 weeks now. My links and pingbacks don’t work at all. Powers that be said they’re working on it.

      Like

    2. We’ve had a number of issues related to pingbacks recently, especially in the past few weeks. Some of them stem from technical issues on our end, and others are the result of certain settings on bloggers’ sites. We’re trying to address these as soon as possible, and are sorry for the trouble this is causing you, and others, in the meantime.

      Thank for your patience and understanding, and for your longstanding participation in our community.

      Like

  23. My current hang-up is with theme. I want a blog theme where I can showcase recent posts to create a “catcher’s mitt” for new readers, but also have my more recent posts laid out in short snippets for people to browse through if they’re regular followers.

    Stuff like Triton-Lite looked nice, but it didn’t have the Widget support I wanted. So I need not only the content previews, but also smartly-positioned widgets for ease of operation for the reader.

    I’m cheap, and currently going with a free theme, but if there is one that’s just stand-out amazing for what I mentioned that you have experience with I’d be willing to invest in it.

    http://www.shitheadcentral.wordpress.com

    Any advice welcome, but please be mindful of what I’m looking for, specifically, before saying “I LOVE X THEME!”

    Like

    1. Took a look and thought your review was well done. I too write a travel blog & feel it is important to have style that will differentiate you from the twenty million other travel blogs out there. Wish you the best in your writing & travels…

      Like

  28. This week I tried to write up a quick personal take on the 2014 F1 season. I didn’t want to do a simple race-by-race recap, but more of a quick view. However it turned out t be my first blog post I’m absolutely unsatisfied with as I struggled to find a balance between depth and generalization…thoughts?

    http://onefortyone.ws/?p=258

    Like

  29. Hi everyone,

    First time I hear of this community pool and I’m definitely going to take advantage of it 🙂

    I’m not technically a writer but thanks to the daily post I’ve been writing more and I would really love to get some feedback from people who are not family members or friends 🙂

    So far I’ve written three posts:

    October 28, 2014

    November 12, 2014

    November 14, 2014 // Of Pies and Films

    I would gladly read your blogs too! Thanks.

    Like