May 18, 2015 / Community Pool

Community Pool

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

Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/63057306@N04/5734415538">Beachfront Solutions</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(CC BY-SA 2.0)</a>

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! We tend to delete duplicate comments asking for feedback on the same post.
  • 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!
  • When leaving comments, please remember not to add your blog’s url as your signature. It’s kinda spammy: after all, your handle links directly to your blog.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • No running on the deck.
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    1. I like your writing but I feel your blog needs more of a visual effect to be inviting and exciting to your readers. I’ve read a few of your posts and I have to say you have a real talent for writing:) Well done!

      Like

      1. Thank you so much for the feedback!
        Might I ask what kind of visual effect? I’m pretty bad with visualising things and could really use all the help I can get…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You know the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”…sometimes a picture next to a post has a different effect in the eyes of your readers:) At the same time you can have a look at different themes for your blog…I always say, put your personality on your blog…think of what people see when they meet you for the first time…now in the blogging world we get to know each other through our blogs, so show us who you are:)

        Like

    2. Hello! Your writing style is very unique and makes your posts a joy to read. Like your blog says, it’s like listening to your innermost thoughts. My only suggestion would be to add a little color – nothing too bright just something that’ll make your page pop a bit more. I hope this helps (:

      If you have the time, take a peek at my blog and tell me what you think! Constructive criticism is welcome. (www.therealtanasiakenney.wordpress.com)

      Like

      1. Thanks for the compliment and criticism!
        I like your blog, the posts have a nice feel to them and the look is great!

        Like

  3. Hello Everyone:)
    I have the pleasure to invite you into my Red World!
    I’ve been blogging for over three months and I always look for feedback:)
    Take a minute and have a look and let me know what you think:)

    this is me

    Like

    1. Read your post on money. I like that it’s a personal experience and an easy read. I work two jobs now and it’s really not so bad, plus I have extra money! Everything in moderation, good luck!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. That’s exactly why I’m trying to think positive . At least we have jobs you know? Some people have absolutely nothing !!!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. No it’s not too big, mind you I’d suggest to not make it any bigger. It good as is. However the title/words in the upper left..it is harder to see. I’d suggest a different color than white, perhaps a color that’s in the header itself?

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I don’t think it’s too big. You can still see the menu items clearly. The blog name shows up well but I think that’s because you have already changed it.

      I think your content is great and obviously, very deep. I salute you for being brave enough to share your very personal journey.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Half of the pictures were cut out and that wouldn’t have shown how massive the Garden was and the collection of different gardens within the collection. It was supposed to be a day trip taken with me kind of post. Thanks for the feedback.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. No problem! I’ve been meaning to go there myself so I can’t blame you one bit! If you like botanical gardens. A favorite of mine is Wave Hill in the Bronx

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I’ve wanted to go but to get to the Bronx by subway takes forever for me. I will make it out there one day, probably with a group so it’s worthwhile. I want to go to Governor’s Island before the Summer is out though.

        Like

    2. It was nice! Soo many pictures though! Maybe next time just post your to 10 pictures?

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  8. Hello everyone. I write a film review blog (I know, how original … ) and I was just looking for feedback on layout.

    Specifically, I’d like to know how easy it is to navigate as there are a few categories that seem to struggle with traffic.

    Thanks for your time!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I had no problem navigating your blog–it seemed straight forward to me, though I had to look closely to read the menu item names. White text on black can be tricky. Can you enlarge the font size? That might help a little.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the feedback, muchly appreciated. I haven’t yet found a way to increase the menu text size, but I’m sure it’ll be an easy adjustment to make, I’mprobably just being incredibly dense!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’m not a techy so I feel that way all the time when I’m working on the blog. You’re not alone 😀

        Like

  10. Hi! I blog about my life and being ADHD, including things that I enjoy, such as poems, photographs, writing prompts, things I’ve learned, and usually tips on things to help with ADHD or ADHD-related research I’ve read. I admit that I haven’t done the latter lately due to moving and being a stay at home Mom now for my five year old son. I wanted ask if people could look at my past blog posts to see if I could do like and update post or maybe rehash some old information that still seems relevant. I would appreciate any feedback you have. Thanks! -Laili. http://lailib.wordpress.com

    Liked by 2 people

  11. I have recently graduated with a BS in Animation but alas I am finding myself trying to get paid to blog. With 3 kids still in school it just seems like the thing to do, but how? I could use some advise here. Thanks!

    Liked by 3 people

  12. Hi there! My latest blog post is titled, “48 Hours in Beautiful Bend, Oregon.” I’m trying to improve my writing skills and blog posts so that I can start pitching them to online magazines and websites for publication. Does anyone have any helpful advice on how to proceed?

    How do you like my travel article about Bend? Is it magazine worthy? Did Bend seem like a great place to visit, or a place you might want to check out, based on the article? Thanks very much for your feedback. 🙂

    48 Hours in Beautiful Bend, Oregon

    -Kristin

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I tried several times to load your page, thinking there was a url problem, before it loaded. I think you may have a few too many memory heavy graphics on your pages. The wait time might drive away casual visitors, perhaps you could try fewer images or set them to a lower resolution. I hope this helps, happy blogging.

      Like

  17. Hello, all. I recently posted something that I’m worried might be a bit too long. Here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/kvmsymz

    I tend to lean toward longer writing but understand that there are myriad distractions on the net and one need be succinct.

    Thanks,
    Alexander

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Alexander – impressive banner photo of the tree cathedral. I’d have been interested to see some photos of your own efforts with plants and greenery, once you started talking about them (like those photos that accompany recipes) – or some other stepping stones across the prose.

      The end of the post dwindles away into a depressing ‘Arcosanti remains unfinished, Frank Lloyd Wright was a savant not interested in the world as a whole. Noguchi has been dead for twenty-five years.’ At that point, when you say ‘I choose to fight’, I’d have loved to see, or read, how you are fighting – even on a very small scale. You’ve heard of people like Ron Finley, I’m sure? http://bit.ly/1KhkIUC It would have been great to have left your post with some inspiration on what might be possible in a small space with little money – not a done deal but a dream that you were intending to feed and to grow. A beginning. A bit of personal hope. That would make me come back to see how you were getting on.

      Good luck with your blog.
      All best wishes
      Elaine

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I’ll aim to write a less depressing follow up that includes some of my efforts next post. Thanks for the critique.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I like your site, I haven’t seen that layout before, and it did make me want to click and read it and I did enjoy reading what I did. I think it will resonate with those who actually want an opinion other than their own.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Your theme is really different, it definitely drew me in and made me want to click on more posts. Interesting to see your views on a wide range of topics, I guess you could focus on what you are most passionate about if you feel you need a direction? Nice blog 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. thank you:) That was the idea with the theme, I actually changed pretty recently. Thing is I’m passionate about a wide range of things, so I try to capture that through my articles. Thanks again for the feedback:)

        Liked by 1 person

    3. The theme is very slick and eye-catching and looks like it should work great on a phone or kindle. The first post, the one on infidelity was very well written and engaging. I enjoyed it.

      But after reading that post, I had trouble navigating the site. I couldn’t find an easy way to search the site or spot a home button (or follow button or any kind of menu). The only choices were to go to the previous or next post. Since you like to write on a broad range of topics–and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that–I think it becomes more important for readers to be able to search the site quickly to find posts in their areas of interest. If you can add a menu with categories that would certainly help, though I don’t know if a menu would go with the site’s sleek look.

      The site looks fantastic, but I don’t know of it’s that functional.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Aloha, I was hoping to get some feedback on my latest blog. I just started this site and am hoping that it resonates with people.

    Thanks for your time

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I wanted to comment on marks blog but I couldn’t work out how (I’m shit at computers) I’ve written my own novel and I wish you the best with yours, it’s a great experience but now I’m just sitting on a manuscript, scared shitless of sending it out to anybody. Does anybody have tips on getting it published?

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Well, my girlfriend is on the trip of a lifetime through Europe. In an attempt to let my jealousy subside, I created a blog to show myself that I can have just as good of time. I decided to recreate all of her events and voyages within a 5 mile radius of my house. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Tom’s Staycation https://thomasmooreclarke.wordpress.com/
    Tell me what you think in this thread

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Tom – I enjoyed reading your blog – as a European, it gave me a wish to visit Atlanta! Everything that’s everyday to you is wonderfully exotic to me, from this side of the Atlantic.

      It’s a wonderful idea – and beautifully executed. It doesn’t read as sour grapes, it reads as a piece of fun and creativity and a way to appreciate the here and now. It’s a lovely way to share things with your girlfriend too – she must be enjoying reading your blog. And is she trying to challenge you by finding quirky European things that you’ll have to work hard to track down near Atlanta? It’s like a treasure hunt.

      I look forward to reading more.

      All best wishes
      Elaine

      Like

  29. Hi guys…I’m green and am excited to do this. Can you please help me out by acknowledging that my blog exists. I am learning so I would like to figure out how you see if people read or comment on a blog. Thank you in advance. Much love xo. On My Mind

    @need2bereal

    Liked by 3 people