Jan 5, 2015 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for tips, 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.

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  2. Hi All!

    I am new to the “blogging” world. If you could head over to my blog and leave a comment it would be appreciated!
    chelsealyerly6.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/day-1-old-habits-die-hard/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well said and expressed. I think the layout is fine and you added a pic. Visuals help a lot. In the blogging 101 course they were asking us what we hope to talk about in our blog, who is our adience and what do you hope to accomplish through this blog. Is this blog to help you or help others or both. Good luck and God Bles. hun

      Like

    1. Hello Kristin and Mike. I really enjoyed your post about your travels in OZ, as a fellow travel blogger it reminded me of some old experiences of mine, many years ago! Keep up the travelling and the blogging, regards Dookes.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. your blg looks great, fantastic. lt looks perfesional and cozy at the same time. what theme did you use since it might be one I want to try. I liked your memories by the way. The spiders creeped me out a bit though. lol. Aren’t you glad that says a memory.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Hello! My name is Sheep and I recently made a blog for the new year, 2015. I would love it if you guys could check out my blog and give me feedback about it! Good, bad, anything!

    sheepblogs.wordpress.com

    Thank you so much! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Really liked how, in essence, you told us about such a simple thing but your description was incredibly skillful. Even managing to put in your blocked nose :’) Also i liked the regal crown and the picture in general actually .. Happy new year and keep it up ! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I think it’s a pretty solid intro. Tells me exactly what the blog is about and what kind of person you are. I’m a big sucker for YA novels and John Hughes movies too!! Please do review the Breakfast Club. Also..consider adding an About page. That’s what a lot of people look for first when they visit a new blog 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Congratulations on starting on one of your resolutions! I think it is excellent you are sharing goals of yours, and by sharing with others (especially people who know you and will remind you of your goals) can help you remain steadfast.
      I appreciate the honest tone of your post and that you put yourself out there.
      Plus you quoted Stephen King, always a good sign. 🙂
      Good luck and keep writing!

      Like

    1. Love those photos… you’re right about fireworks photography being rather generic usually, but these are definitely breaking the mould. The first one is incredible, it’s like a firework was let off out of the window, was that what happened? The forth one reminds me of a hand or a palm tree! 🙂

      Like

      1. Thanks for the kind words, glad my experiment worked! You are almost right, the building in the picture is an old abandoned factory and some knuckleheads tried to shoot some fireworks through the window. I don’t condone this kind of activity, but it sure looks great in pictures! 😀

        I went for a stroll through your blog and I very much like what I see. The theme is very cool, you managed to sort the content into meaningful categories and your writing is top-notch! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you!

        Oh haha, yes fireworks are dangerous in the hands of morons, but as long as you keep a safe distance and get some great photos they can only hurt themselves right?! (hopefully!) 🙂

        Like

    1. Nice blog so far! I’m happy you filled out the about page because many don’t and I like knowing a little about the writer whose blog I’m reading! Anyways, keep up the great work and I’ll stop by your blog another time to see where it goes! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Kaitlyn,

      Just took a look at your site. I like it’s simplicity and easy to navigate set-up. Your post where you shared a scripture–Jeremiah 29:11–stood out to me as it is my favorite passage in the Bible and haven’t read it in awhile. Keep up the inspirational writing 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Hi everyone! I’d love some feedback on my blog. I am a freelance Film & Entertainment Journalist looking for more work so any feedback would be great! Thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think it was a great idea for you to start a blog, based on the fact you want to be a journalist. I’ve heard of several people who sent in their blog to the places they were applying for a job for and it was often the reason why they got the job. The blog could be a great help to you in the future. I would suggest that you update the blog often. Anyways, great job so far!! I can’t wait to see more! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I would also appreciate anyone’s feedback on my posts. I have tried blogging several times before, but haven’t felt inspired and my content always felt like it was falling short.

    I have now been going through a really low point in my life with a really bad breakup, and the words have been pouring out of me. I feel like during these dark times, I’ve actually found my voice…

    I will gladly leave feedback/constructive criticism back.

    Like

      1. You are an engaging and honest writer, and I appreciate that you are so open and descriptive about a painful event. Given how well written and clever you are, I have no doubt that you will be able to find you inner zen and move past this. Stay strong, and thank you for sharing.

        Like

      2. Hi aengiles. Thank you for the feedback and I do really appreciate the vote of confidence.

        I had a look through your blog and think that this is a niche that will appeal to many people. I think it has a good theme, with it being built up towards the hike! You clearly already have quite a few followers. 🙂

        My only constructive criticism would be to break up longer posts with bolding. Eg., The Terminology post would be easier on the eyes if each of the initial terms were bolded!

        Like

      4. Your honesty in your writing makes reading your posts addicting. I loved your post about ‘The Tale of the Grey Socks’ and found myself reminiscing on my own past horrible break-ups (Lord knows I’ve had plenty). Keep up the writing! You are a wonderful writer and I cannot wait to read more from you

        Like

    2. I really like the idea of your blog, and so far I think you’re doing really well, the posts are engaging and interesting to follow. I found that my blogging didn’t work until I actually had a reason to do it, which is hopefully what you will find through doing it now, and it will definitely help you get through such a horrid event… and you will get through it, promise 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Laura! Thanks for the feedback and kind words, it’s very much appreciated.

        I think your blogging skills are definitely very advanced. The layout of your website is sleek and integrates a lot of different types of posts. I find your writing style engaging, and enjoy how much imagery is interlaced within the blog.

        I really don’t have anything more constructive to add as such a newbie to this, but will definitely be following. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ah thank you, that’s very lovely of you to say so!

        It took me a while to refine everything but it all started with one idea and progressed from there, which you will probably find as you go along and get some things out of your system and find others to replace them.

        Just keep doing what you love (or in this case, perhaps what you need) and it’ll breathe life into your blog! Looking forward to more 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thanks, Laura. I can definitely tell that your blog has taken a lot of work, it looks very professional.

        And I agree, I will let it happen organically. Right now my head is a mess, and I’m just more concentrate on content. But as someone who works in marketing I definitely understand the importance of presentation.

        Once again, much appreciated. And likewise, looking forward to following yours.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I think you’re right to wait, break ups are evil so if this is helping then that’s the most important thing at the moment. Plus you can’t shift around the layout of content until you’ve got enough content to do it with… there’s no rush.

        Like

  15. I’m always looking for feedback on my blog!

    musicallymodernmaven.com

    I’m just getting to a point where I feel like i have a developed style. Next I’ll be looking into a customized theme! Thoughts? 🙂

    Like

    1. Hi John,I loved this post because it made me laugh. Actually laugh out loud and that doesn’t happen to me online. I adore your writing and I think this was a great entry. Have a happy new year and I wish you all the best. 🙂

      Like

  17. Hello, I am new to blogging and have some time navigating around the site to play with settings and figure out how things work. One of my followers has asked me if there is a “print” option for printing up recipes and I’ve searched and I cannot find anything. Is there a secret that I am not privy to ?
    Thanks for your feedback,
    Lola

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m not sure what your reader was referring to, really — anyone can simply print out the page via their web browser if they wanted to. If you feel like it, you can add pdf files of your recipes to your posts (you do it the same way you’d add any other media, like images — simply click on “Add Media” in your post editor), which would preserve their layout, and that others could then print out.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve just read the link for “my story” and then your most recent post. I thought “my story” was excellent. It left me feeling I wanted to know more. What isn’t clear is if it is an introduction to your blog. If it is, then I cannot see a link on your main page. Perhaps you might want to add a little more about yourself and the type of posts we might see on your blog. I’m certainly one of your new followers!

      Like

      1. Thank you very much. It isn’t an introduction. It is a short story I posted a few days ago. Emma’s Story is definantally a cliff hanger for me too, and I’m the writer, lol. Thank you for your input, it is greatly appreciated!!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Hi, I’ve started a new blog. would someone mind having a look.

    What does the button at the top right of the page do, at the moment it doesn’t come up with anything if i click it.

    Many thanks
    Art

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That might be your comment button. When people comment on your blog or reply to a comment you left on their blog, a little icon will light in the far right corner. If you click it, you should see the messages

      Like

  20. Hi guys, I’ve started my blog 2 months ago and am still finding my way around the site. In terms of design and look I realise it may need some work. Could you please provide feedback regarding the look and design of the site and also the content. Thank you 🙂 melwip.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Mel, I took a look at your page and like it. I would suggest you chance the style of your layout.. it looks like your stories kind of run together.. or make your Home page about you. Hope this helped

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks so much for responding, & so quickly. Figuring out the them and how to create a better look is something I’ve really been struggling with, im am clueless when it comes to design n layout. I will try and figure my way around it and see what I can come up with. Thanks 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    2. While you can’t upload your own themes to your WordPress.com site the way you might with a self-hosted WordPress.org site, you still have hundreds of ready-made, customizable themes to choose from here:
      theme.wordpress.com

      Like

  22. Hello everyone,

    I just started Blogging 101 like everyone else here. I started my blog late last year and have published a few posts, tweaked the site a little with widgets and headers, got creative (hmmmm? – always a relative thing) with some pictures and artwork and still evolving (and continually morphing 🙂 ). It be interested in hearing some general comments about my site layout/navigation and appropriateness of content. I’m still catching up on responding to those that have already liked and commented so far but I will get there soon. Many thanks.

    eLFy

    Like

  28. Hi All,

    I’ve just started a copywriting/business blog for my fledgling freelance copywriting business, I literally started today! Check out my first post and let me know what you think, especially what you of the layout and tone of the first post please.

    I will be posting several times a week to build up a selection of copywriting and business advice blog posts, I am trying to write them in a personable, approachable tone whilst still being informative.

    http://thatsaucytart.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/happy-new-year-saucy-lovelies/

    Constructive critiques welcomed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wow! When I first hit your site, alarms started going off in my dyslexic brain. However, after I read through one of your posts and enjoyed your humor so much, my addled mind relaxed and the format and fonts became more natural. I am a fan!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Hi everyone! I am brand spankin’ new to blogging. Just started…in fact, I am taking the “blogger101” course…just started that today. Would love ideas for a better name? Thank you all for sharing!

    Liked by 2 people

  30. So, I started a blog last year and wrote a grand total of 3 unconnected posts covering everything from Caitlin Moran’s brutally honest and hilarious writing to my failed attempts to swim two lengths without stopping. I then pretty much gave up. I am determined to stick at it this year and so have enrolled on the ‘Blogging101’ course and completed the first task by updating my ‘About Me’ page. The next blog post will follow shortly. Any readers/comments/followers very much appreciated. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person