Jun 15, 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.
Show Comments

592 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  1. Hi Friends,

    i have two pieces i would love for you to take a look at and comment on if you feel up to it or simply pick the one you are more likely to connect with:

    [1] A piece i wrote asking us to stop for a second and review the significance of our life in terms of how we spend our time, energy and resources. Are we really living out life to the full? https://brettfish.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/make-the-most-of-it-count

    [2] A poem i wrote about struggling/wrestling with my faith as a follower of Jesus: https://brettfish.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/poem-sitting-on-the-edge-of-the-tub

    Always appreciate the feedback i get here and love my weekly dose of visiting new blogs and discovering different styles as you all share on here. Thank you

    And keep on
    love brett fish

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I loved your poem to be honest, I am a hindu, according to my family but am very liberal. This post is something that reminded me of when I started doubting the credibility of the supreme being(s). Amazing.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Hello everyone,

    I, just like anyone else here. Appreciates, loves, and respects your opinions, thoughts, suggestions and comments. Towards others and concerning my own blog. If your generosity could reach just a little further to read my own blog site. I would be very thankful.

    https://worldsofpages.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I like how your blog introduces and comes in, I’m just about to start off mine and hopefully with time I’ll learn how to do all that on mine or in my own creative way. 🙂

      Like

    2. I love your about page! I too am a shy and quiet person so at times it is difficult for me to post difficult topics, but hey the more honest we are the more we all can truly connect ;). Keep writing, I can’t wait to see more!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so soo much! Oh yes.. Absolutely. And I don’t think there’s any better way to connect than to put it down in words.
        Thank you, once again! 🙂

        Like

    1. Hello:)
      Welcome to blogging!
      Suggestions from me would be first, to create a more detailed About page, decide what you want to write about and get started:)
      To make it easy to navigate your blog you can categorise your posts. I would recommend to add pictures to your posts, make it more visual!
      I hope these things help:)
      Julia

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hey there, I just checked out your blog. You have a very nice writing style – keep it up! Some ideas you could write about could include your feelings towards nature, the weather, society, things you’ve learnt, your passions… Something along those lines. I’m looking forward to reading your future posts!

      xx https://misscaly.wordpress.com/

      Like

    1. I enjoyed you post on Japan. I’d just like to say that a few more photos, equally interval-ed would make a nice break for the reader, especially if the post is a tad bit long :3

      Like

      1. Hey thanks for reading and for the feedback. Appreciate it. Actually that post is from a while ago, and what you say–about dividing the post– is the one most common response Ive received. 🙂 I recently wrote a piece on Cambodia which is also on my blog

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Home

    – blog about student life and being a mother! Please read and give feedback as I am still trying to increase my readership! Thank you

    Like

    1. Hello:)
      Your blog looks good; I would suggest adding some colour to it, maybe look around for other themes, create an About page, readers like to know their writers:)
      I really enjoyed reading your posts so keep up the good work and keep sharing:)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so much for your thoughts I will look into new themes and add more about me! Means a lot that you had a look.

        Like

      2. You’re very welcome, I am excited to come back and see how you’re doing:)
        Good luck and happy blogging!
        Let me know if you need any help in the future:)
        Julia

        Like

  14. Hello fellow bloggers!
    I just realized that I never asked a review/reaction to the first short story I ever attempted to write! Given below is the link to the short story.. Please do give me your feedback. Let me know of ANY scope for improvement.

    Not What I Wanted

    Happy Blogging 🙂

    Like

    1. Hi, I read your short story and really liked it. It builds up to a powerful ending. I’ve got some travel writing on my site would love your thoughts on it- especially on my latest Cambodia piece. Cheers.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Hi everyone! Hope all is well. I just posted on here for the first time. I would like some advice on how to get more people to look at my blog? Thanks!

    Like

  16. Hey all, I recently changed themes and redesigned my blog and I would appreciate any feedback. Feedback on my content would be great as well and I’ll gladly return the favor, let me know how I can help.

    Joseph

    Like

  17. Hello! I’ve been blogging for a while now, recently I switched from blogspot to wordpress and so far I’m loving it! I write about my faith and what God is currently teaching me. If anyone has any feedback about the content or layout, I’d appreciate it!

    elizabethhansen9.wordpress.com

    Like

  18. Hello everyone! I definitely need feedback on my last post. It recalls a failed attempt at becoming a dorm room beauty/cosmetics mixtress. Let’s just say, I was not cut out for it! I’d love constructive criticism on my writing, blog layout, or whatever you think might need improvement. Please let me know. Thank you!

    Like

  19. Hello Everybody. So, basically I changed my theme again. Still trying to find a theme that suites my blog. (Free of course) Been a min since I blogged but I’m going to start back soon but there is a new recent post I published on my blog.

    https://spiritualbluejay.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I think the theme you picked works if its something you like, although you may consider including a featured image with all of your posts to help make them seem appealing such as “Time to Let Go” so it isn’t just a solid color. Keep playing with it till it is something you like too, good job so far.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hello:)
      Your theme looks good, I am just wondering if you’re not going to get a bit busy when you will have more posts! I love the pictures attached to your posts!
      Keep writing because you’re really good at it!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Awee thank you 🙂 !!!! I will continue to write that’s my motivation. Just have so much going on as of now, but I will be writing again.

        Like

  20. Hi,
    I offer bloggers tips for engaging readers, improving content, and increasing traffic. I am looking to grow my readership. Check out my blog. There is even a free incentive for signing up. Just scroll down to Get My Free Private Cheat Sheet.

    About Me

    Thanks,
    Janice

    Like

  21. Hey…I’m trying to express my being in my blog and every post’s a bite-size piece of me…I want to express myself…Am I going in the right direction?

    Liked by 2 people

    2. I like the idea of your blog and the name it’s really original:)
      As suggestion…work a bit more on your About page/post…maybe categorise your posts!
      Keep adding pictures alongside your posts:)
      Your writing is very personal, which makes it unique so keep on sharing your world:)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I tried to be as straight as possible. All the last 20 posts were silly, and I wanted to change that. Was the post too straightforward?

        Like

  23. Hello, would like to change my blog name, because of other blogs sharing it, but I’ve got a few followers. Is it worth it? Also want to know the dominant feeling from my most recent post. Thank and I’m enjoying the other blogs found herehttps://paperjars.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. hey there

      i think if you have enough people following then a name change won’t be a serious thing – just announce it well ad maybe include your followers in the change [get them suggesting some alternate names?] so that it isn’t a surprise and you don’t lose people in the transition… good communication should see you through the change well…

      also i enjoyed your ‘begging my mom not to read this piece’ post – the heart of the struggle and especially the picture at the bottom – thankx for sharing…

      all the best
      love brett fish

      Like

      1. Hey Brett- cannot take credit fot “I’m begging my mom not to read this blog” it is a blog by someone, else. Maybe the feature needs another header! I don’t want people to think I wrote those….thanks for the feedback on he name.
        Cheers,

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you so much. If you haven’t yet, take a look at the Taboo Topics tab at the top – some incredibly powerful stories from a number of people on rarely spoken about topics.

        Like

  24. Hello Everyone:)
    I am happy to be back here and connect with new wonderful bloggers:)
    This month I am taking part in Blogging 101 and Photo 101 hoping to learn more about writing tips and perspectives!
    I would appreciate any feedback considering my blog…layout and content!
    Thank you:)

    this is me

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Julia, I like the few posts I red. I was really curious why ‘Red Page’? The writing was honest, concise, and enjoyable. Love the positivity and your new quote feature. But..I couldn’t see where to comment and leave a quote? It also took me a minute to find your ‘about’ page. All the best with becoming a fashion blogger! Will be checking out your blog again 🙂

      Like

      1. Hello:)
        Thank you for visiting and giving me feedback:)
        Why Red Page…very simple, my favourite colour is red and my passion is to write, so it turned out to be the perfect name for my blog:)
        You can comment on each post by clicking on the title of the post…sorry it was a bit difficult to find my about page…I’ve been wanting to change my theme for a while, I just don’t really know what to choose:)
        Any thoughts?:)
        Here is a link directly to the Red Echo Date, you can add a quote if you want:)

        ‘Red Echo Date’

        Like

  25. Socialdee, I can see you’re problem. It includes Seoul in the name and you’ve moved to another location and life stage. It might be worth changing the blog name. But you might have to email to all your users…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks….yes I started it in Seoul 😛 Also another (much more successful) blog is called Seoul Searching. I appreciate the feedback

      Like

  27. Hi fellow bloggers! I have been working on my blog for around a year now, it’s about dementia and enjoying life with dementia. I don’t get too many page views and was hoping one of you lovely people could give me some feedback (appearance, content, writing style, whatever jumps out to you as things you like and things you find difficult). All feedback is welcome! Thank you 🙂
    http://doctordementia.com/

    Like

    1. I have just called by on your blog and it is very interesting indeed. The layout is not overcomplicated and the content is really good. I for one shall follow you as I worry about this terrible thing and as I approach my middle age I find I need to stimulate my forgetful mind. Good luck and well done.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. hi Carrie

      Thanks for sharing this with us – i would perhaps work a little on the About page – it is always so hard to keep things short but i typically think of the About page as the trailer for the movie – the movie is the rest of your blog that everyone will see – the trailer is simply to hook them and get them wanting more – so i would try and reduce it to a few sentences or two to three short paragraphs and pictures so that people can look at it, get the heart of what your blog is about in a minute or so and then go and click on some posts…

      Secondly, and this might just be a personal preference, but i like it when the front page of a blog has its latest offerings on it because your home page kind of operates like a second About page so it is interesting and has all the links but i have to click again before find your latest post – i would find a format that lets your latest posts be the ones that are shown when people land on your blog and then have other ways [like you have in the blog tab] for people to find more specific posts they are looking for.

      In terms of driving traffic, one of the best ways is to read other peoples blogs [Community Pool is great for that] and comment on them and they will likely come and check yours out, especially if you can find blogs with similar content because then people are already interested and a good google search might help you find those.

      Hope that helps
      love brett fish

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks, Brett! I appreciate your feedback and will get working on the About page tomorrow. I had also wanted the front page to show latest posts, but couldn’t get this theme to do that (will have another look at it and see if I can get it to work). I had limited options for a theme that has large font (for older adults to read easier), so have to make do with what I can for now. Thank you also for the tips to drive traffic!

        Liked by 1 person

    3. This is such an important topic to address. I can see that you’re very busy with your work. Your dedication shows in your writing.

      Like

  28. I have never written a blog before…in fact I’m a bit of a dinosaur full stop with tech so would any of you stop by my blog and give me an honest opinion of it please. I really enjoy doing this and reading others. I didn’t realise how interesting it is….Thanks folks 😁

    Like

      2. Thank you I didn’t think to put it in?? Told you I am a dinosaur hehe!

        Like

    2. Thanks! i like the general look and theme of your blog for the most part. i would suggest breaking posts up either with spaces [so a few shorter paragraphs rather than one big wad of text] or pictures [the one with the tattoos drew my attention and was a great read] but clearly you love to comment on the moment so keep on with that but add some pics [a pic of an angry pigeon or a wet you would have been great with that most recent post or a person with a bucket of water about to land on their head] and i think that would help liven up your posts and bring more readers – continue to have fun though.

      love brett fish

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so much I will take those comments on board…everyday is a school day! And Thanks for your reply about my son Ben and his work. He has done so much in the last couple of years since he started tattooing. Really welcomed your points. X

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Hi all! I recently made some stylistic changes to on of my sites.
    Would you please give me some feedback on the overall appearance of my site, and/or what I could improve?
    http://www.thehonestroot.com is the link! Thanks! I’m always happy to review your blogs too, just send the link in your comment!

    Like