Jul 6, 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 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. Would appreciate some feedback on my marketing blog for students. Also how can i get folks to find/reach my blog and posts and encourage comments and feedback. Thanks Imran

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Hi everyone! I’m a new book blogger and I’d appreciate your feedback on the layout of my site and maybe even read one of my posts and tell me what you think.

    E.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I like your content. It’s refreshing to see a book blog that isn’t 100% devoted to reviews, reviews, reviews. Those are a fairly essential part of a book blog, of course, but I like the variety you’re bringing to your site.

      In terms of layout, the birds are pretty but I found they distracted from your posts. It’s hard to read the words around them and I kept scrolling up and down to move the birds off of the bit of text I was trying to read.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you. I like reviews too but I personally hesitate to read a 1000 word text which only centers around 1 book so I’m trying to diversify. I agree about the birds and I just noticed that they are really distracting so I’ll change that.

        Like

    1. I like the pastel colours of your blog. Very refreshing and summery. Your layout has easy navigation ( i am reading it on my mobile) and the overall look seems clean and uncluttered. Your writing style is also clear and concise.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Hello! My name is Kaulie, and while I used to run a relatively consistent literary blog I fell out of the habit for over a year. Now I’m trying to get my site back up and running again, and yesterday wrote and posted my longest piece to date.

    On Living: Where and How?

    Any feedback is welcome, but I’m particularly interested to know if it held your interest. Is this the kind of post you can see yourself enjoying regularly? Any advice for this long-absent blogger? Thank you!

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Happy Monday. First of all I have no clue what I’m doing but I’ve always dreamt about starting a blog and this year, I finally did it. When I published my first few posts I was all like “yaaaay” then nobody read them and I was all like “whaeeet?” This blog experience would be so much better if people actually read my gibberish…and then I found you guys, back to happy! Let me know what you think 😉

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Your writing is clear enough, it’s readable and coherent, but it seems to lack strong direction. In reading your recent post with the bit about the bicycle, I found my attention wandering, even though the piece wasn’t long. The turn toward the end, the advice, seemed to come unbidden. I know you set up the questions you answer at the end of the article at the article’s beginning, but they weren’t strongly enough tied together to seem natural. I was more wrapped up in the story of the bicycle than I was interested in the advice the story was meant to introduce. Perhaps you could shorten the piece or do a call back tot he advice toward the middle of it.

        I hope this is of some help.

        Like

      2. Thank you so much. This is actually the very first time I have ever asked anyone for feedback. I’ve always been super scared to put myself out there in that way but Im glad I was led to do so today and that you actually took the time to give your feedback. I really appreciate it!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I really like the look of your blog–it’s very cheerful and inviting. I also like your positive attitude in your posts. It’s very refreshing to see.
      I’d agree though that the direction or central theme seems a little wavering. Are you going for creative nonfiction or inspirational? Or both? To me it seems like a blog of self-discovery, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Either way, I think you have a nice start and I hope you have great success!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Truly insightful. I never knew how to categorize my writing…but you’ve inspired me today – I’m such a journaler & the primary reason I write IS indeed for self discovery. But now that you mention it, it could definitely be taken as creative nonfiction. I have major distraction issues and it shows up in my writing – so many ideas at once 😉 Thanks so much for your feedback…I really appreciate you taking out the time!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Absolutely! And there’s something to be said for a blogger who puts their innermost feelings out in the open like you do. What you write is beautiful and meaningful and I’m glad I could be of some help! 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Hey….Im pretty new to blogging and trying to wrap my head around it. I just posted a new post about storms (and linked it to faith as well – if you could pop on by I would appreciate it. Im not sure that I write well and wonder if it is too long.

    I also posted one of Cinderella a few days ago although I know im a bit cheeky asking peoples thoughts on two.

    If you fancy going by and having a read I would love that, and would appreciate the feedback.

    Link is here: https://hannahsbabbles.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/reflections-through-the-storm/

    Thanks, Hannah 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Hello, all.
    I just posted a brief piece on my 4th of July weekend in Baltimore (http://tinyurl.com/q5wjf4s). I’m always unsure of articles that don’t have much content to them, I worry that they’ll read as frivolous. Would you be willing to look and let me know what you think?

    Thanks,
    Alexander

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The poetry itself is not to my taste, but your form and layout are both very good. Your site makes a reader want to continue reading and the straightforward construction places the focus on your writing and pictures rather than on the website, which I imagine, is just a vehicle to get your writing read.

      I did have a thought on the pictures. I assume they are unrelated, and if so, and if they aren’t your own, perhaps you could diminish them in some way. Not necessarily by making them smaller, but by reducing their resolution or muting their colors. With so vivid an image at the beginning of each poem one is immediately distracted from the content of the poems that follow.

      I hope this is of some help.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Hello! I’ve had my blog for half a year and I’ve recently redesigned it. I’m trying to get back into the swing of regularly posting each week. My blog is called Nerdy by Nature; it’s a nerd culture blog where I talk about various topics. If someone could take a look at it (design, layout, posts, etc.) and give some feedback I would be so appreciative! I want my blog to grow and knowing what I can do to improve/what’s working would be so helpful. Thank you!
    https://mckelodeon.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m not usually fond of large, blocky layouts, but you handle yours very well. I think the aesthetic is in line with your voice, energetic and open. I also like how reminiscent of sunday serial comics it is.

      Your writing is earnest and I find it very engaging. Your handling of your chosen subjects shows both comfort and enthusiasm, you don’t overstate yourself. The post you wrote on the death of your cat is a fine example of keeping to your theme while making it personal.

      I would suggest that you decrease the size of your individual topic blocks slightly. Also, with the busy images as background and the white font in the foreground, reading some of your topics is difficult if one scrolls too quickly. Scrolling through the article headers slowly becomes a bit laborious after the first few moments. Were I looking for something specific, the side scroll would work, but as a first time viewer I wanted to be able to read the topics. Not a major point of contention by any means, just a suggestion.

      All in all, well done. I like your blog very much.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks for your input! I’ll look into sizing the topic blocks (I’ve never considered that and I’ll have to figure it out).

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I love your blog. I too am a sci-fi and fantasy nerd so it speaks to me directly.

      What do you do to promote your blog? Delve into other social media at all? If not, you should. If you do, make sure your brand is more consistent. N.b.N. should be your domain name.

      Oh wait…it’s already taken. crap. Perhaps McNerdy By Nature? http://www.NbN.com is available. One of the best things to get a blog to grow is to have a presence in other social media forms that all draws back to your main blog address.

      I loved reading it though!

      Like

      1. Thank you! When I first started it I was upset that nerdybynature was not available for a domain name, but I will look into it! Right now I only promote through my Twitter account and it’s not very official, but j do sometimes get some views thanks to it. I also use Pinterest. I thought about getting into Instagram but I’m not sure. I appreciate your feedback and the fact you took a look!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Pinterest will be the number one driver of traffic to your site hands down. So long as you create “pinable” images that is. Google plus is another good one to use if only for the way it bumps you up in Google search engines.

        Whatever name or brand you come up with, once you do get accounts for every single social media site in the universe. Even if you don’t plan on using it yet. You don’t want to be locked out later when it’s been taken by some punk fool.

        Twitter is good for spreading your brand but does little to drive traffic. At least for a long while until you already have a huge following.

        When you write a post, try to have one image in there that’s super pinable. Then pin it. Then pay a few bucks to promote that pin and just watch how much traffic it drives. It’s kinda cray cray.

        I know this is a lot of business talk and all we want to do is write and have fun. But I’ve spent the last six months trying to get all this madness dialed in and it does work really well.

        But more than any of this, get your domain and brand locked in. It’ll only get harder when you have more followers to get them to join you.

        Perhaps come up with a new name and keep Nerdy by Nature as a subheader. Whatever you come up with, make it easy to spell and remember! Very important. I say my name in a loud scolding voice when telling people about it. They never forget. “Mind your dirt!” easy and catchy.

        Like

      3. Do you know how to change a WordPress domain name? I’ve been searching for the best and most clear answer but I’m so confused. I had been thinking about changing it but I do like my username. A goal of mine is to start a YouTube channel alongside the blog in the future so I’m debating on what it might be called if I do start it. But you’re incredibly helpful and I’m glad you stumbled upon my comment in the community pool!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I’m not sure about how to change it. I know if you pay, you can link your actual domain to WordPress without their name added at the end. Just remember if you do change it you need to email all your followers. Don’t want to lose them! Another reason to get it all dialed in before making too many changes.

        Mckelodeon is a great name, but can easily be misspelled or forgotten if you’re telling someone on the streets to remember your address. http://www.mckelodeon.wordpress.com doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue and people have a notoriously short memory.

        What sucks is http://www.nerdybynature.com hasn’t posted anything in almost a year and http://www.nerdbynature.com is some German site. It’s a catchy name too. People would remember it and not misspell it either. Like Geek Squad, it sticks. I mean who ever heard of a google before Google.

        I’d recommend doing a free-flowing scat brainstorming session and write down a bunch of names and then check to see if they’re available. Maybe find a unique name and add Nerdy by Nature as the tag line? Then go to pinterest, tumblr, twitter, Facebook, etsy, YouTube, vine, goggle+, instagram, yada yada and lock them all in. You may not see a need for any of these outlets yet, but you never know how your blog will develop. Nerdy by nature mugs on Etsy perhaps. Vine video shorts from your YouTube channel. Whatever. You just don’t want to pigeonhole yourself right out of the gate.

        Currently, you’re using your username of http://www.McKelodeon.wordpress.com as your brand right? If you want to change that, you may need to get the WordPress paid version which might explain why you’re having a hard time researching the process. It’s worth the money to have that freedom and control over your brand.

        Don’t be too daunted by all this, just pick away at it. Keep it fun and keep your voice at the top of your priorities. It takes years for a blog to become really successful. If you want to monetize it, you need at least 50k of views a month. Which is a bit daunting for me. But I’m in this for the long haul and all I truly want is to help, humor and inspire people anyways so I’m not in a rush.

        If you want to spitball any name ideas past me, I’ll be glad to give my two cents. You can email me from my site any old time. The next class is learning about the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org! Oy vey.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Wow, you’ve given me so much to think about! But I am definitely taking into consideration your advice about branding through the domain. I think that’s a great idea. That, and what you’re saying about social media. I’m happy that you could help me out because you’ve been an invaluable source of knowledge! I’ll definitely be in contact for other questions I might have. But thank you for seeing my comment and taking the time to be so very helpful! I’m incredibly grateful!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Hey….Im pretty new to blogging and trying to wrap my head around it. I just posted a new post about storms (and linked it to faith as well – if you could pop on by I would appreciate it. Im not sure that I write well and wonder if it is too long.

    I also posted one of Cinderella a few days ago although I know im a bit cheeky asking peoples thoughts on two.

    If you fancy going by and having a read I would love that, and would appreciate the feedback.

    Link is here: https://hannahsbabbles.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/reflections-through-the-storm/

    Thanks, Hannah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Hi bloggers,

    I have recently started a blog to help the underprivileged realize their dreams. The blog is based on the principles of success as outlined by Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich”. I have a few posts on the site but I am seeking feedback to help me grow this project. I grew up in a poverty stricken neighborhood that was not as conducive to success. Both poverty and crime levels are high and so much potential and many talents go undeveloped and undiscovered. Please help me continue to help others! My blog is: theunderdogsociety.wordpress.com

    Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I am also on a quest to realizing my dreams. This blog is one of my dreams. I will reach out to others and help them as much as I can. Please comment on my blog or if you are interested in my project, you may reach out to me directly via email: ingramr88@gmail.com

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hi Chandler! Your blog is really interesting already, so some visuals might help keep readers’ attention. Maybe do a big photo related to what each post is about at the top of each one. When I was scrolling down your home page, I didn’t even realize there were more than one blog post because it looked like one continuous thing. Perhaps think of them as punctuating the posts?

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Colour is always a good idea. If you’re content with the white background, then think about adding images to your posts or colouring some of the text or adding colour to your header. But other than that, your writing is neat and organized.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I’m a pretty visual person, so in your place I’d probably try to find diagrams illustrating what you’re talking about – when you’re talking about what good alignment isn’t, for example, it might help to have a picture showing how all these attempts at good alignment affect other parts of the body. The blog is great overall, though – really interesting information, and well written!

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Hi there! I recently wrote one of my longer personal blog posts, and I tried something different with this one that I’d like some feedback on. This post is a little longer than usual and I tried to weave what I did in the month of June with reflections about life and one’s path and career. Does it work? Is it too long? Is it confusing? Please don’t hold back! Here’s the link: https://fennecfawn.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/wait-june-is-over-path-dependency-vs-security/

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Great post, i don’t think it was too long -you have a chatty conversational style that i think draws people in and your story was interesting and fun [beat a dead engine] so thankx for sharing

      love brett fish

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Excellent. And your icon/logo thingy is perfectly adorkable. I’m happy to read through your posts. Sounds like you’re almost at your quarter-life crisis, if you’re not there already. Don’t fear it; it brings out the best in us!

      Like

      1. Haha, thank you! Oh, no, I certainly hope I’m not in a quarter life crisis. >< oh well, at least I'd get some good writing material out of it. Thanks for reading!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Hi there everyone. I hope you are well. Just updated my blog at http://www.1blogger3.wordpress.com and I’d like some feedback as/when convenient. If you could look at the “My Family” post in particular and advise on improvements, this would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance :).

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Hi Berry, thanks for the feedback which I really appreciate. Hope you’re ok. Had a look at your blog yesterday, which I really like :D. I read your Berry’s Blogging Tips article, which was really insightful and helpful. I’ll sort out an About page soon as you suggest. Have a good day X

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Ellie from The 2 A.M. Room here. Still working on my layout, so no posts yet, but my blog really revolves around a certain atmosphere. Given the constraints of the free WordPress platform (all I can afford at the moment), are there any ways to really make my personal style stand out, layout-wise? Any help would be greatly appreciated. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hello Ellie,

      I believe it depends on what your blog is about (is it photo blog/lifestyle/about poetry?). Color scheme is one factor and minimalist style is another.

      However, as a reader here is what I will tell you. As long as it is easy on the eyes and easy to navigate, then that’s fine.

      x,
      berry

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Hi All, just wrote my first full post on my blog after redesigning it. I’m hoping someone can tell me what they think. Is the post useful in terms of the information it gives? I wanted to let everyone know why I had changed and also gave a rundown of how it did it.

    One specific question I would also like to ask…not about the post but the “read more” button. It seems to be further away from my summary than I would like. What do you think?

    I appreciate any other constructive criticism. Thanks. giving link as I’m not sure if my handle links back to it. jrosemarie.co

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hello,

      Your site is a self-hosted WordPress.org one, not a WordPress.com site, so I can’t help you with the specific issue you’re having with your More buttons (which I agree aren’t perfectly positioned where they currently are). However, you can definitely find support for self-hosted blogs as well. Here is a good place to start:
      https://wordpress.org/support/

      Like

  18. I like this Community Pool. I find it encouraging, resourceful and useful. I would love to hear some feedback on one of my Word Of the Day posts on my site please. I will gladly offer feedback on yours then. Thank you for this opportunity, Daily Post.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. It’s my second time being at the Community Pool! Loving it! This time, though, I thought I’d drop a link and see if anyone has any advice or tips or anything on the layout/posts/my style. I’ve been blogging on this blog since April, so I consider it new. 🙂 https://coolbeans4.wordpress.com/
    Thanks! Happy blogging, y’all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ust a quick FYI — if you’d like to drop a link to a specific post or page on your site, that’s great. But there’s no need to leave the URL of your homepage, since that’s where readers are directed when they click on your user name above your comment.

      Like

  22. I have the hardest time trying to figure out WordPress. I know how to make a post and make a comment. But finding something to read I’m lost. I think I’ve found 5 sites to read and sometimes I can’t find the part to connect.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You can also browse other blog post when you visit The Daily Post’s weekly photo prompts or the daily prompts.
      There are leads of submissions there and you could check out whatever you like.
      PS. Even this community pool has so many bloggers involved, you could just click the user names and check out the blogs from right here too

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Have you tried using the WordPress.com Reader? It lets you find posts by tag, make your own reading lists, browse recommended blogs, and more. You can reach it from anywhere on the site by clicking on the Reader button in the top-left corner of the screen; or you can first learn more about it if you wish.

      Like

  23. Hi everyone! I’m a college student writing about writing (sharing some opinions, short writings, and other musings about writerly things) and I’m trying to expand my viewership and would love some feedback on the posts I’ve made in the past few days (there’s 3 from this past week).
    Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I am always open to feedback. Ive been blogging for a month. It reads as a novel and to read it correctly you would have to start at the first post and scroll forward. Im looking to follow other blogs as well.. thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I feel that the green background is a bit too much for the eyes. You could tone it down for some lighter color or just plain white.
      Then again, it’s just my opinion.

      Like

      2. on second thought I am going to ask my readers on the TwistedMedic page. I find the colors helpful personally. Thank you for your suggestion and taking the time to reply.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hello,

      Seeing your comment above, I thought I’d jump in to clarify that your theme, Chateau, does include Cutsom Backgrounds, which is a free feature.

      You can read more about how to add a Custom Background in the related support page, which also includes links to free resources to help you create the background you want (in case you’re not using a ready-made image).

      Liked by 1 person

  27. I began my blog a while back and abandoned it once college got busy. But now I’m ready to hit it again/ My question is do I need to revamp my blog at all? Does it need to be more specific, targeting an audience more, or is it ok to be so broad? https://jessicaswordswithwings.wordpress.com/

    If you’d rather critique a post, I welcome that too! https://jessicaswordswithwings.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/youre-a-copywriter-cool-what-exactly-is-that/

    Liked by 2 people

    2. I like how you cover a range of topics; my one suggestion would be to make the font size a little bigger – there’s a lot of text, which is great, but in such a small font it’s a tiny bit daunting 🙂 Lovely writing though!

      Like

  29. Hi everyone!

    I started my blog six months ago when I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It’s my diary of the first six months of living with this disease. I didn’t expect anything out of it but my blog is growing. I’m trying to take it to the next level but have no clue where to start. Please check out my blog, any feedback would be much appreciated! 🙂 http://www.tummywoes.wordpress.com

    Liked by 2 people

  30. I have been using the same blog format for over a year and was wondering if maybe the layout isn’t the greatest for reading my posts. I like minimalist themes so if someone has a suggestion please let me know! Any other tips on blogging is appreciated as well 🙂

    Liked by 2 people