Sep 21, 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. Hey I write a film blog where I criticise and complain about the latest blockbusters, films and TV shows. This week I covered the disappointment that was ‘Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’. You can read more about it at: ryanwatchesfilms.wordpress.com

    Like

  2. Happy Monday WordPressers,

    I fear I have become a bit caught up in my six word stories, and have neglected my longer form work. I have just written a slightly lengthier (still under 300 word) piece and I’d really appreciate you guys taking a look at it and my blog in general if possible and letting me know what you think!

    Can be found here:

    The Fall: A response to Laura Feasey’s Literary Lion

    Always happy to return the favour if you leave me a link!

    Bloggy love,
    Ben

    Liked by 3 people

  3. ‘Lo all, Leisel from Skill Up Skillet here. I run a weekly updated geeky food blog. Do you appreciate sarcasm, food, gaming, geek culture, or any combination thereof… probably you’ll love me. Let’s connect and be best internet friends or something.

    Last week I posted up… more of a how-to than an actual recipe, I suppose. Chances are, there’s someone in your life who loves Pokemon. Why not make them their own set of edible PokeBalls? Mine are done piñata-style, so they have a heaping handful of candies rattling about inside. They’re pretty rad. Let me know what you think: http://skillupskillet.com/2015/09/18/poke-ball-candy-pinatas/

    This week marks the last cake for a long while (So. Many. September. Birthdays.), then moving on to a month-long collaboration with CuppaGeek for a Nightmare Before Christmas tea party. Join us for the festivities, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Spoiler: ‘Faking it until you make it’ is a valid strategy. About 70% of my posts contain recipes, techniques, or other stuff I’ve never tried before.

        Also, ‘snarky’ is one of my favorite words. Kudos to you for using it.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. LOVE the images of the street in Majorca, so pretty and your images of Wales brought back a lot of memories – although you appear to have had better weather! I couldn’t seem to access and ‘About’ section – do you have one, or categories for posts? Apologies if it’s me being a numpty, but perhaps worth including if you’ve not set one up yet 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      2. The only other things that and up under the menu section (both in the app and viewing the full site) were links to your Twitter and Instagram. Hope it’s not too much of a glitch!

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Hello. I have created a few pages on the blog. If I give a post a certain category e.g. ‘philosophy’ then it will automatically feed onto my philosophy page. I would like to have some static writing at the top of each page to introduce the posts and to then have the posts follow beneath. Is that possible? many thanks https://cogitoergomum.me

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Great question! With category pages, which you’re currently using, it seems, there isn’t a way to introduce any text ahead of the posts — the page automatically collects the relevant posts, and that’s that.

      One way you can accomplish what you’re looking for is to use the Display Posts shortcode. It may sound daunting, but all it means is that you create a quick snippet (the linked page will explain the details) that tells a page which posts to display (for example, in your case, all posts from a specific category). The advantage of the shortcode is that you can have other elements present in that page — so nothing stops you from writing a brief intro, then drop the shortcode, which will take care of the rest.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Hi everyone!
    I’m hosting my second afternoon tea party today, showcasing some favourite recipes from around the blogosphere over the last month.

    If you’d like to come along and meet some other bloggers over virtual coffee, stop by and have a look, check out their links and/or pop a pingback in the comments of the post to your own site. REBLOG and keep the party going – It’s a foodie meet and greet!

    Everyone’s welcome, hope to see you there! Here’s the link…

    Monday Munchie’s SEPTEMBER Tea Party!

    Liked by 5 people

    2. And I agree, this platform is great! Almost all the blogs I followed in my first year I found here.

      Take time to check out blogs from folks who here! You will find that don’t click with you. But you may also find some that you love.

      And I have blogger friends whom I adore. All thanks to The Community Pool.

      Like

      1. Aw that made me smile! Thank you very much! It is such an amazing feeling when someone’s says they love something I wrote. You made my day..my week lol! Would love if you follow my blogging journey with me<3

        I will have to check out yours!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Hello lovely bloggers!
    I’m a teenage girl who blogs about baking, beauty, fashion and faith over at graciellen.wordpress.com 🙂

    It would be so lovely if you could have a little look at my blog and tell me what you think or if you have any ideas for improvements! I will be sure to return the offer as well ❤

    I also write on a joint blog at joyfulyounghearts.wordpress.com which is a website for Christian teenage girls!

    Lots of love,
    Graciellen xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Lovely blog, with a great chatty style! Totally with you on wanting to visit Iceland – it’s my top place to visit and I’ve been secretly hoping tickets turn up under the tree for the last 3 Christmases! Thanks for following – followed back 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Hi 🙂 Just wanted to say that I really like your blog and theme 🙂 2 suggestions though…
      -it would be nice to add “read more” tags to your posts that are long
      -it would be better, i think, that to add pics to all your points in “10 places I want to visit”

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Well, This is a quick suggestion/ advice, as you may construe…
    Here, we connect to our readers, people follow us and we follow others. Sometimes, we feel like extending our gratitude for following our blog but in absence of any direct message facility, we feel bounded! If wordpress can add that feature (direct messages to our followers) then it would be a great help. Hope my words get noticed and by the right people!! Happy reading… 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks for taking your time out and replying to my thread 🙂 It would be of great help if you could suggest how can I send a direct message to readers who follow my blog via wordpress!! Thanks again 🙂

        Like

    2. At WordPress.com, we protect everyone’s privacy by keeping their email addresses hidden from view — including when they choose to subscribe to your blog.

      You do have options to consider if you’d still like to contact your readers directly, and they’re all opt-in, meaning your readers will have to voluntarily give you their emails. You can read more about these options here:
      https://wordpress.com/support/subscriptions-and-newsletters/#newsletters

      Like

  14. There are a few hilarious, intelligent and informational blogs that I would have never found if it wasn’t for the pool. Love this blog whomever came up with it….pure genius would love to get to find more blogs to occupy my idle time. Want to read about my faith journey ? I also share the food I love, things for my family I love and how I am striving to live a healthier lifestyle….check me out at http://www.faithfueledmoms.com

    Liked by 2 people

    2. You have a wonderful theme for your blog. Justifies it totally. You may customize menu by adding categories of your blog like Indian, Chinese and likewise. It would make easy for readers to go to their favorite category as it would appear on top of your page!! Happy blogging….

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Hm. I see that you have Instagram associated with the blog, but I don’t see a sharing button for Facebook. Have you also considered Twitter and (especially) Pinterest? Just… don’t ask me how either works. If I understood them, I’d tell you. I am a terrible young adult.

      I would also recommend connecting with other similar bloggers and/or groups. I know I’m part of ~3 FB groups and they help me a lot.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Hi guys, I mostly give out writing advice on my blog and this week I would like for some feedback on two of my posts.
    1. All you need to know about creating magic systems.
    all I want to know is does this post make sense and is there something I left out or forgot about?
    http://enetteventer.com/2015/09/21/all-you-need-to-know-about-creating-magic-systems/

    2. The writing practice: The dragon prince.
    This is the more important one of the two. It’s a writing contest I put up once a week and people aren’t really participating. Is it the prompt itself that is keeping people from participating or something else.
    Please go check it out and tell me if you have nay advice.
    http://enetteventer.com/2015/09/18/the-writing-practise-the-dragon-prince/

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Well, just gone through your blog. It’s nice. Though I would suggest few more tags you may put in your posts to be more visible. But, remember, they should not be more than 15. Happy blogging!

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Your blog is so cute!! I especially love the recipes thrown in there, I would definitely look back to see any new recipes you post as I’m always looking for different things to cook for dinner.

      Liked by 2 people

  20. Hey bloggers. Welcome to OPEN SHACKLES a blog where I express what I go through in my life, what I feel about happenings around me, what emotions I experience etc through words and paints. Sounds boring? Well I leave upon you to decide that. So I request you all to let me know your reviews. Waiting for your response at http://www.salorocks.wordpress.com

    Recently I have started writing with limited words. Hope you all like it.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Hi everyone!

    A few days ago I wrote a rather personal post about the hard part of living in a foreign country- the USA (my usual posts are rather dry and tongue in cheek). I’d love some feedback on whether you think it was well written and engaging enough or whether it was dull and sent you to sleep. Not sure whether I should write more posts in the same vein.

    The Hardest Part

    Thank you! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I can totally relate to your well-written post, being a Brit who moved to Denmark 3 years ago from London with my Danish GF. Apart from a few casual friends while in language school, I have no real friends here and because I’ve been on a very extended career break, the opps for friendship have been quite (self) limited.

      Being an introvert makes things so much harder and inevitably you end up spending hours on FB.

      I wish you luck with adjusting to your new life, I’ll be checking out the rest of your blog when I get a chance.

      All the best!

      Jason

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for checking out my post and for getting it. I hope it gets easier for you in Denmark, must be a great country to live in but so hard to move as an introvert. On a brighter note, your blog is great and a really good read. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I like it , your style and blog.
      I think you can rock higher heels, They’ll suit you better.
      And women over 40 will get inspired by you 🙂
      Thank you for writing !!

      Like

  26. Hello all! I just started my little blog/website about my handmade things that I’m trying to sell on Etsy, and also about other stuff I want to share. I only have 2 posts so far but would be happy to get any feedback on what I can do to promote my things or improve my blog. Any help will do. Or you can just simply check it out! https://musicalcowls.wordpress.com/ Thanks! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Checked out your blog! I love to crochet and I think having videos available are so very helpful for those who are more visual learners. Plus it’s always nice to share the relaxing and fun craft of crochet with others! Keep it up!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Yay! A fellow crocheter! ( I was going to say ‘hooker’ and my brain started screaming think about it to me and I thought and then I was like… Hmmm, I’ll put crocheter lol)
        Thanks for popping over! About to pop over to your blog now!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. This is inspiring for girls to get to know what crochet is ! i mean, some people don’t know what is it ! I like the fact that you’re adding youtube videos, this will help a lot !
      Huge respect for you !

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I’m a stay at home mom and I’m lucky if
      I manage to do the dishes and *eventually* get to sewing up a hole in my daughter’s pocket (which is inevitably eventually become a hole again because I can’t sew for my life). You’re doing GREAT!!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, I would suggest that you use ‘justify option’ in your post so that summary looks more symmetrical. You may add few more widget to your page to beautify it. For that you can customize your theme. Thanks

      Liked by 2 people