Aug 10, 2015 / Community Pool

Community Pool

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

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!
  • 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.
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  1. Hi, Is anyone able to offer me comments on how my site appears on their computer or phone. It looks fine on my computer or phone, but I had a friend point out this weekend that my sidebar was encroaching on the copy of the post when she viewed this weekend. She also mentioned the distortion varied by post. I was wondering if someone could check out a couple from their device and let me know if they have the same issue. Thanks in advance! http://www.theartinpartyplanning.com

    Like

  2. I write a blog about self-improvement and goal setting, but recently I have evolved from writing to generic advice to talking about my own personal experiences and ambitions (mainly on fitness, work and my social life). I guess I saw so many wellbeing blogs I wanted to have something unique to me.

    Here is my most recent work

    https://perfectionmanifesto.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/money-vs-happiness/

    What do you think of this direction?

    – James

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m always looking to improve myself, keeping fit was one of my main ways of self improvement however after having a operation on my knee I am currently unable to do as much impact exercise at the gym. Without this I have begun to become depressed and demotivated so I am willing to change that by starting to learn how to write screenplays.

      Your blog seems perfect for me. It’s genuine because it’s from your own experiences, you are also following this journey with your readers so I feel I can trust and relate to you. Keep up the great work!

      Like

  5. Hello guys!

    Just wrote another post on my Start Saturday feature last Saturday. This time it’s about choosing co-founder.

    http://irvinshandy.com/2015/08/08/startup-saturday-selecting-co-founder/

    So I’m looking for feedback from you guys. What do you think about my latest post overall?

    Anyway, I think my blog is in the need of a fresh new content. Please let me know what features or topic should I write about next!

    Thank you very much 🙂

    Like

      2. I suggest writing shorter posts, or at least dividing paragraphs into smaller ones. I know many readers find it hard to keep up with long paragraphs; they lose interest.

        I love how you separate some paragraphs with videos. Mixing medias are fun!

        Hope this helps you!

        Like

  8. Hey I just started blogging as a form of therapy and would really like to improve my writing skills (grammar nazis welcome to correct errors) so I can begin to write a few fiction short stories I’ve been creating. Please check it out and tell me what you liked, didn’t like and give me any advice you have.

    Link: https://yourlifeisfiction.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/why-you-should-never-apologise-for-being-hilarious-the-thin-line-between-humour-and-offence/?preview=true&preview_id=10&preview_nonce=88cfe98946

    Follow me for a follow back too. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey there! I like the way you’ve set up your blog. The only thing I’d recommend off the top, is perhaps shortening your posts, or injecting some media to break up the walls of text. Consider the readers these days. Many people are ‘reading on the fly’ and often on their phones. Large blocks of text can be intimidating, and cause your readers to flip rapidly through your content, rather than absorbing what you’ve written.

      Condense, keep it simple, remove the fluff where applicable, and insert some images, GIF’s, videos etc to break up larger blocks. Happy blogging, cheers 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. LOVE your blog as well! here’s some advice: even though you’re not trying to be professional or anything, keep your photos non-blurry and straight. For example, there’s one photo that’s really slanted; try taking that out or adjusting it. It makes your blog look sloppy even when there’s tons of good stuff on there. I honestly enjoy your writing and will probably follow!

      Like

    3. I like it! I like your writing style and your photos are awesome… especially for being taken from a cell phone! Granted, I’m brand new to blogging too but if I could have found a “follow” or subscribe button, I would have clicked it. maybe that’s my only constructive feedback. Is there a place to follow your blog, “like” and save your posts to read later, etc that missed? If there is, maybe putting it in a more prominent place?

      Like

  10. After 50 blogs I have been thinking the theme needs a refresher. Part of me is fearful of making a change just for changes sake, while the other part thinks that the photos might pop more by experimenting with a new layout. Here is my latest-https://robpatdoy.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/soundtrack-of-a-photograph-part-19/

    Like

    1. What an impressive array of photos! And you’re right, it’s surprisingly not overwhelming at all. The only thing I might recommend would be to consider adding Read More tags, as it takes the reader a good amount of time to scroll to the next post.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ah see, I’m glad you said that, as it is not something I had ever considered when people are going direct to the Home Page rather than the individual posts. Great idea and I will try to work that in! Much appreciated 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. That post was hysterical and hopefully not based on real events. I actually don’t know of any man who really cares about birthday cards. Usually a gift card or some other thoughtful gift will do. Depending on the guy, perhaps even a handwritten letter would be appreciated (my dad loves it, anyway).

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Hi, I’m Leisel from Skill Up Skillet, a weekly updated geeky food blog. If you appreciate food, gaming, geek culture, sarcasm, or any combination thereof… probably you’ll love me. Over the past week I’ve had a ridiculous amount of down time and decided it would be a great idea to make social media buttons… which turned into a social media page. Oh well! Each button was handcrafted in MS Paint. I’d like to think it came out nicely but would love your input: https://skillupskillet.wordpress.com/social-ish-shenanigans/

    Currently Skill Up Skillet has 300+ followers. 300 since I started blogging in December! To anyone here already following, thank you! I also received my first donation which is overly exciting! While I can’t justify purchasing a WP plan at this time, should I take the plunge and purchase my domain? Can anyone weigh in on this?

    (WP Admin, feel free to delete the ‘pending moderation post; didn’t realize I wrote so much!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You made it on here then! The buttons look cool, but then you know I like stuff like that…
      Don’t buy the domain name if you’re thinking of getting a WP plan in the next year because the domain name is included in the price (but they don’t knock off the money if you already own the domain name…), but if a WP plan is off the table for the foreseeable then it’s worth it, (if you think it’s worth it…)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Unless winning the lottery is a thing, I’m probably not going to purchase a plan in the near future. (But hey, I have a fiver burning a hole in my pocket; I’ll be buying a ticket on the way home from work today.) Thanks for your input! I might have kinda sorta maybe got my idea from your buttons. >_>

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Love your blog, it looks fantastic and I love the idea of it. I feel like with your growth and your social media presence you don’t necessarily need to buy the domain. I’ve been tempted to have a social media presence for a while and seeing how good your blogs Facebook page is has finally convinced me. Good work, following! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks! Let us know when you get everything up and running! It took me a while to find a good FB community to stimulate that growth but it’s finally become worth it.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. HEY GUYS !!
    hello everyone greetings to all,
    Well i recently started writing blog..publishing my articles ..and still looking forward to post many more 🙂
    I would be happy if you can come and have a look at my blog
    CLICK HERE :

    Like

    1. Well, that was entertaining. I’m surprised you’ve been able to keep the momentum going; I’d be on the side of the road begging to be put out of my misery. Good job.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Hi Everyone,

    I have just resumed blogging after a two year hiatus. I would like to welcome you all to my blog and hopefully leave valuable feedback.

    Enjoy!

    Anvita

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Hey there!
    My blog is a colorfull one with posts on meditations, being mindful, interior design, fashion, beauty, healings…whatever comes to my mind.
    Unfortunately i dont get much views, visitors, comments or likes. Please guide me may be im lacking somewhere. Feedbacks are welcome. Thank you 🙂
    http://www.designinglife01.wordpress.com

    Like

  19. What’s up everyone!
    I’m a food blogger with step-by-step PHOTO INSTRUCTION recipes and a few restaurant reviews here and there.
    I’ve made biscotti, cookies, baked chicken wings, perigees, brownie marbled cheesecake, and more.
    I put in tons of time into this blog, please leave a comment on what I can improve!
    If you’d like, I can check yours for you too.

    Peace,
    Moe

    Liked by 1 person

      3. Oh my gosh. I had to follow your blog, even though I don’t game at all. Usually I don’t like it when people write so much, but you are a writer that makes me laugh 🙂
        BTW. If you’re an otaku, does this mean I can request anime-themed stuff? Or not necessarily.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Of course you can! So far I’ve done Death Note and Shokugeki no Soma. If you’re looking for something specific shoot me a request!

        Like

  22. Hi! I just started a lifestyle blog, where I write about whatever I’m feeling at the time – food, travels, fashion, advice, etc! I would love some feedback or ideas on how to expand and share my blog 🙂 Thanks!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I love this. Great writing. You think almost exactly the same way I do. I look at sadness as a bully and the best thing to do with a bully is confront her! I’ve been trying to do that more in real life…

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I found it really informative and it made me feel a little homesick! It may be just a little too long but it was fine for me. The photos are great and made me feel almost like I was there. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe I’m dense, but what does VIBGYOR stand for? Personally, I don’t like your theme one bit. I would also recommend adding Read More tags to your posts and playing with your widgets. Are you using tags for your posts at all?

      Like

      1. Hi Liesel,

        Thanks for replying. I’ve actually started blogging about ten days back, so still learning WordPress. Allow me to say, I’ve no clue about tags. Would you mind enlightening me?
        About the name, I wanted “rainbow chronicles” but that was taken so I settled for vibgyor instead – colors of a rainbow holding a similar meaning to what I originally wanted. Please help me out with the tags? TIA! 🙂

        Like

  26. Hello ,
    I have recently started a blog and I am a keen reader and love writing. I want to write about different topics, not specific to one. i would love your advice to improve on my writings and blogs and also the presentation of my blog. I will really appreciate any help here 🙂 The link to my blog is — https://dolphinblogs.wordpress.com/
    Happy Blogging!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hey there, if hop on over to my blog you will find button/picture labeled the A to Z lowdown on blogging. you may benefit from reading some of those posts.

      The first thing someone who sees a new blog looks for is an About page. I could not find yours. Be nice to know a little about you. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey there! Thanks much for replying here. I am working on the themes and presentation of my blog. A lot to learn here. Would you mind helping me out that how do i show my posts after the static page that i have created stating “About”? I am facing a tough time doing it.

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Hi! I have a writing blog and I’m part way through writing a novel. I could really do some feedback on how people feel when they visit the site, do the writing updates detract from the site? Do you want to read more? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and anything you want a really detailed comment on just leave in a link below this comment.

    Liked by 1 person

      2. Ha-ha: I feel weird to tell others to visit and comment, but if you want any pointers, you could check out any of the featured content on the homepage of the blog.

        Like

  28. Good morning-ish everyone!
    I just started a new blog and would love some feedback on design, visuals, if my posts are too all over the place etc. I’m a fashion designer and mother of 4 crazy kids under 7 and wanted to start a blog to invite you into my world. It’s a little bit of everything and I’m still deciding where it’s going to go. Feedback would be awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Your blog has a great overall look, I love the theme you are using. The different style and size fonts can be a little challenging to read within one blog post. You also might want to do an about page and use tags. The name of your blog is great however!

      Liked by 1 person