Oct 26, 2015 / Community Pool

Community Pool

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

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.

Photo by Brian Cantoni.

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    2. I have just joined in a few hours ago. It would be my first time. Your blog post really helped a lot. 🙂 Congratulations on finishing last Nov, would you upload yours this year? I hope you do. 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Can’t reply on behalf of Sourgirl, but I joined a few hours ago too! I am glad her post has helped you a lot. It certainly encouraged me! If I hit 50k, I will certainly upload whatever I’ve written!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Hello Everyone!,

    I started a blog in May of this year. I first wanted to blog about my writing process, but it quickly morphed into a series that I post weekly (unless life happens). I’ve had a pretty positive response to the story, but I’m always curious as to what others think, particularly since this is what I post, for the most part. I’m considering adding photos to go along with the story. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

    https://writingblissfully.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I would definitely consider a few photos to capture and keep the attention of the reader. Your posts are long and it might keep those visually inclined people to the end. Plus, I think it helps readers understand what your posts are about and will lead people to read them if they don’t understand just the title. Keep up the good work!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Not sure why all the words are capitalized. Anyway: tell us more…. surely there is a situation that prompts you to write this, details you can add, emotions you can expand on.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I appreciate that Brian. I prefer to leave details out. I’d rather a piece be what the reader wishes it to be. I find when there’s much detail concerning a small poem, that it ruins the reading of the poem and becomes about the detail of the prompt. Thanks again and take care.

        Like

  5. Hi! I just started my first blog a few days ago. It will mostly be about the home improvement projects I am working on – the overwhelming majority of projects will be DIY and kept to a strict budget.

    I am hoping to inspire other people with realistic, affordable projects while gaining insight from those who have been there before. Any advice, feedback, or recommendations of similar blogs to follow would be great!

    https://thefeelingofhome.wordpress.com

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I think you have a wonderful start. I like that you have photos to keep the visual people interested. DIY and home improvements are popular right now. Keep up the good work. It will be fun to track the progress of your projects!

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Hello everyone, I’m new to this stuff but I am trying it anyway because a blogger needs followers to thrive. Here are some reasons to follow my blog
    1-I am the only African and more specifically Nigerian blogger you can have on your news
    2-I report things happening around me like Islamists fundamentalist and so on
    3-Have an African experience on the blog you follow
    4-My blog inspires people
    5-come and met friends and things you never heard of about Africa and of course my country Nigeria
    6-I write fiction and I love to blend African, Caribbean, Asian and European fiction all in one piece
    Follow me on http://www.mammahtimeyinword.wordpress.com
    You won’t regret it ever
    Enjoy the African experience

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Well, how do you say no to an intro like that? Love it. Followed. Interested in learning about and seeing photos of Africa! I hope you will also check out my travel blog. One day I will make it to Africa!

      Like

    2. This is why I really love Community Pool, and on a bigger scale, WordPress, because it helps readers connect and read the stories and experiences of many different people around the world.

      Just bit of feedback – here and there your posts have small grammatical and factual errors. In “History of Mankind” you write that man “fulfilled its divine purpose to dominant the earth”, meaning to use the word “dominate”. In the same post, you refer to Switzerland as a city, when it is a country. There are a few small things like that.

      But otherwise, your blog is a pleasure to read. You have a new follower, and I look forward to reading more about your experience! 🙂

      Like

  7. My blog is quite new it only has 8 posts, not many followers, like or comments, some feedback on it would be greatly appreciated-here’s the link flourishesofalotus.wordpress.com

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Hello
    I began my blog with the intent of writing about my Dads death and how I am surviving the grief.
    I have decided I don’t want to write just about my Dad. I am experiencing my own before and afters of life and would like to write about it.
    How can I make a smooth transition from the subject of my Dad and include other things that are happening?
    http://beforeafterandafterbefore.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hell KRIS. I think it’s very brave of you to write about such a sensitive topic. I almost lost my dad as well back in January 2014 due to PTSD and Major Depression. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through. I love how honest and raw your writing is. To cope with that and my own personal struggles with bipolar disorder, I find it easier to write how you feel and the words will come. The story will come together and you’ll find days when certain events/people will remind you of him and you’ll be able to give us more and more of who you are and his story. I hope that helps.

      Like

  9. Greetings all and a very happy Monday! I wanted to share a post that’s a giggly thing on my reactions to recent research I did (on boxing and wrestling in the early 20th century), illustrated by an adorably lame stick figure (https://findingaid.wordpress.com/2015/10/21/on-the-hank-kaplan-boxing-archive-part-ii-or-fangirling-via-stick-figure/).

    Come because you have nothing better to do during your lunch break; stay to giggle at and with my stick figure researcher!

    Liked by 3 people

      2. Wonderful! I do hope you enjoy my little snapshots! I was laughing pretty hard with your dentist post, I have a feeling I’ll be around more often, great humor! 🙂

        Like

      1. Thank you, so much! I just finished reading your post about Harry Potter. Definitely an interesting read! I’m a huge fan of the series and I read the article you mentioned years ago, I believe when she was somewhat responding to the Catholic Church’s criticism of the series. Anyway, I really enjoyed the post and look forward to reading more!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Hello Swimmers!!! Well, I guess it would be Hot Tubbers in my corner of the world, as we are hitting a cold streak. Its been chilly.
    Anyhoo, its been a couple weeks since I’ve come by The Pool, so I thought today, being as cold as it is, would be a perfect day to catch up on some reading, as well as sharing!
    Prompt Stomp is going very well and a new prompt was shared on Sat. Here is this weeks Prompt and if you want more information on what Prompt Stomp is, click the “Main Page” link in this weeks post! https://themomhood.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/prompt-stomp-week-4/

    Also, I shared a bunch of photos yesterday between DP’s WPC and Cee’s Photography Challenges, so if you like photography, you can go here!: https://themomhood.wordpress.com/category/photography/
    So happy to be here today and can’t wait to see what happenin in your worlds! 🙂 Cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Hello everyone,

    I’m new to the blogging world and I’ve started a blog tracking just my thoughts including a weekly recap of my progess in losing weight. I’ve been putting some pictures of my family, including my 18 month old daughter, on my website and I wanted to get peoples inputs about the dangers of sharing personal information with the internet world. Has this caused troubles for anyone? What do you do in order to ensure the safety of your family? I really love writing and would love to increase my readership but I’m concerned what the cost could be to privacy.

    Thanks for your thoughts.

    Wes

    Liked by 3 people

    1. That’s a challenging question that no one has an exact answer to quite yet. If I were you, I would be hesitant to put more than a few pictures of my kids up, but just a handful is probably fine. Even still, this is a gray area and no one is quite sure yet.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Hello my blogo-mates! I have recently posted something about Tongariro Alpine Crossing – one of the most beautiful active volcanic tracks on the world. There are nice pictures taken by my husband. So if you are interested in traveling, New Zealand, or just would like to get to know something new click on this link: http://wp.me/p6sfVH-9p
    Also I´m dying for some feedback and would like to know new people and blogs to follow, so read, share, connect, or send me your links!
    Thank yooou so much! Lots of love. See ya ❤

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Fantastic photography! And I enjoyed reading this post about Tongariro. I would love to see that some day. I liked how it was a mix between the practical travel information mixed with your own thoughts. In terms of feedback I don’t really have much to offer. The blog theme is easy to view and you spaced out the photos nicely The one thing I might suggest for your blogs with several photos is to add a gallery at the bottom. Most people like to read and view the photos as they go along, but if you put a gallery at the bottom, you can click on those great photos and have them open up in a bigger screen, which really allows them to shine. You can find me here-https://robpatdoy.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 2 people

      3. Yeah, I can see that. Just wondering, have you got free wordpress blog? Because when I try to add gallery to my posts it just dont´t look so good as on other sites, maybe Im doing something wrong.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Yes I use a free WordPress blog. What I do is make a gallery for all the images in that particular blog and their should be an option for you to change it to a random shuffle. This is a post I did with a LOT of photos, because it was part of a theme, and the random sizes make it more appealing in my opinion, so maybe make sure you use that option. https://robpatdoy.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/soundtrack-of-a-photograph-part-19/#more-983

        Liked by 2 people

      6. Thanks so much! Just experiment a little, I’m sure you will find the right fit. You could even change your theme to a photo friendly format, not that there is anything wrong with what you have now.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Your type of blog is why I come to the community pool. Just gave you a follow. You two look like you have a lot of energy and artistry. I have a travel blog so your topics are right up my alley. I hope you check me out so we can follow each other’s adventures. Great photograph’s by the way!

      Like

      1. Thanks a lot! Thats exactly what Im looking for, to follow new people and get inspired by them. Your blog looks great and I really like pictures as well. Thanks for follow and see you in blogosphere 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  16. After two years of writing my blog, I finally ventured outside my comfort zone and did my first challenge-Picture This from The Thought Card blog (details in the post). As I have told people this is the first bit of fiction I have written since college, some 25 years or so ago! It was a lot of fun writing and any feedback would be appreciated!

    Picture This-The Ship

    Liked by 3 people

  17. Hey there, friends. I’ve recently posted a blog on what I find to be a heavy philosophical topic. Lately, through a series of events ranging from prolonged solitude to nonstop social activity, I’d begun wondering questioning which style of living was more fit for me. If you’ve any similar thoughts or concerns, or you just enjoy reading about some overthinking teenager’s deep thinking, I’d love to get any kind of reactions or feedback on my writing, and, of course, I’d love to assist anyone with something they need help with!

    Here’s my blog: https://thriftyreveriesblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/alone-in-a-crowd/

    Thank you, again, to anyone who takes their time to indulge in my request.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi ReveredFreeman. I like the topic you’re tackling. I had the same issues growing up as well and having trouble relating to other kids my age. Maybe because we are so awesome they can’t handle it! I think you definitely should write as much as you can. I’m not a writer per se but I find it brings clarity and helps you organize your thoughts. I encourage you on your journey and finding how you want to fit into this world. Be happy and live life the way you want.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey, thank you so much! I will write as much as I can, as it does the same for me. It brings tranquility through a storms of thought. I wish the same to you, friend. Thank you.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. HI there, Just gave you a follow. I like that you have a travel theme but you throw other random things in there for flavor. I look forward to following your adventures. I hope you will check out my travel photography blog as well.

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Your blog is so cute! I love it. The theme you present, and even the layout of your blog is elegant and beautiful. I love your writing style as well. Keep up the great work 🙂

      Like

  19. Hi! Roo here. I would appreciate feedback or suggestions on my layout. Rather than readers having to scroll through each and every post, I used the Categories widget to organize my posts into, well, categories. I’d like to have a brief cover/synopsis appear first in each category and then following posts appear chronologically, the most recent first. Would that be where hierarchy comes in to play? I wonder if Pages or a Menu would be better. I’d certainly appreciate anyone’s time.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Your layout is wonderful. I am always for categories because it always cleans up the look of a blog. Great job utilizing that 🙂 I think so you’re doing great. I enjoyed reading a few of your posts as well. They’re awesome haha. Keep it up! Cheers!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I enjoyed reading your haikus. They’re great. I definitely love the concept of your blog 🙂 But the only thing I’d suggest is if perhaps, you made your layout a bit more personally? Perhaps changing the header image to one of your own? Just so that it gives off a more personal vibe to your viewers. But you’re doing great honestly. I wish you the best of luck!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I am a new blogger and am having the same problem I have been blogging for a month with 50 views and dont know what to do

      Liked by 3 people

      2. ok Just keep posting on your blog I will look into your blog and try to help you!! Just tell everyone about your blog!!!!!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I just took a peek at your blog and enjoyed what I saw. I can hear your voice coming through and I love the focus on vintage. However, just be careful not to get too descriptive with the medical stuff 🙂 it might just be me, but I don’t like to read the details. Not saying you shouldn’t talk about your health in general…just maybe not too graphic. But I went ahead and followed! Would love of you would take a peek at mine, too 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  23. Hello everyone. My name is Jess and my blog is about two weeks old so I’d appreciate any kind of feedback regarding writing style and layout. I’m not a writer in any sense of the word. My blog is specifically about my struggles with bipolar disorder and I use this as an outlet to record and learn from my ups and downs as well as raise awareness and gain support from people who also struggle with this mental illness. Feel free to check it out and let me know what you think! 🙂
    https://bipolarcompassblog.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I love your posts! The stigma of mental illness (especially bipolar disorder) seems overwhelming and it is awesome to read an honest account from a person actually struggling with the disorder. You blog is a great start to helping raise awareness!

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Congrats for writing! I think its so important to have a community when you have an illness (whatever it is) and especially to create awareness around mental illness. I have had two serious bouts of depression in the last ten years and know how helpful it is read to about other peoples experiences.

      Liked by 3 people

    3. I really love the post I read (Waters Crashing Down)! I personally don’t know much about Bipolar and reading about your battle with it is eye-opening and inspiring. Your writing could be a great tool to break the stigma and you should definitely stick with it.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Guy. That’s exactly what I’m hoping for. I want to have people understand the raw and painful parts of bipolar to raise awareness about how devastating this illness can be. Hopefully my words reach out and help people who are also struggling

        Liked by 1 person

    5. Beautiful blog. I enjoyed reading your posts. You’re very genuine and raw which are qualities that are always admirable. I also suffer from specific mental illnesses and so I can completely relate. Keep up the great work! You’re doing great 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks John I really appreciate you reading my posts!! 🙂 I hope that when people read my stories that they can start to understand how difficult living with a mental illness can be. Hopefully this helps eliminate the stigma!

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Hi people!
    Why do I get quite a few likes sometimes, but people barely ever comment?
    I’d love to hear what my readers have to say, but they never talk to me 😦 why might this be? Help!
    Thanks.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I don’t find that people comment very much on my posts either, but I have noticed that people are more likely to comment if you end a post with a question as it helps prompt people to write a response.

      Liked by 5 people

      6. you should use no more than 15 tags and categories or WordPress will ignore your post in searches. I think the few comments thing is pretty much the same on most blogs I’ve come across

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Daily post has some wonderful posts on encouraging visitor’s to comment. Look around and see if you can find them but I agree with your other commenter…always end your post with a question and it often encourages people to comment.

      Liked by 4 people

  25. Hey folks!
    Was wondering if any of you would take a look at our blog? We’re open to all feedback.
    Awesome delicious food made from simple ingredients is what we do best. Our blog is a journey from house to homestead. From our best days to our worst. A family of four making the most out of their surroundings. Since we’re moving toward colder days here in TN. I’ll be getting to warm the house with fresh baked goods, filling bellies with hearty meals. Can’t wait to blog all about it— some of my favorite things!

    So stop by have a look around grab a recipe for dinner tonight! Thanks in advance.
    -Jamie

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Hi everyone I’ve been blogging for less than a year and I’m a lifestyle blogger from New York and it’s about my adventures here. I’d be happy if you joined me on a rendez-vous.. I will take any feedback on writing or layout.
    Http:www.rendezvousennewyork.com

    Liked by 2 people

    1. SO I really love your blog. I am also a travel writer so we share many interests. However, I cannot find your wordpress follow button and it isn’t popping up automatically like normal. Are you a workpress user? I could follow you by email but I prefer wordpress so your new posts will pop up in my reader.

      Liked by 4 people

      7. I just followed you! My goodness young lady. You are eleven! Good for you for blogging! And thank you so much for mentioning me on your blog. What an honor. I hope you will stop by and check out my blog every now and then. I would be so happy to have you! Tell me what made you and your cousin want to start blogging?

        Liked by 1 person

      10. Ok I will I always check in with my parents before doing anything. I would not love life if it was not for God and my church Reamnant Fellowship!! It is such and honor for you to be helping me!!! Praise God !!

        Liked by 2 people

      13. ummm. question. Will you check out my personal blog lillianloveslife.wordpress.com. Thankyou for following us we facetimed and are so happy!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  27. I just started my blog alexandlillianpersonalblog.wordpress.com Me and Alex (my cousin) Have not really gotten much feedback so thankyou so much for the tip. We did a q and a and got a few questions!!! That was great we are looking for more ways to expose our blogs so if any one has any tips please comment them on our blog we would really love feedback from you all Thankyou so much for the tips!!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  28. Hello! I am almost into a year of blogging and would love to get some advice about my blog. If you could, please checkout my blog http://www.annasworldblog.com and let me know what you think is good and bad. Any comments or constructive criticism is welcome because I would like to know what readers see when they look at my site. Thank you and I will do the same for you!

    Liked by 3 people

    3. Congrats of almost a year! I’m actually on the same boat. I’m also about to hit my year mark 🙂 I looked through a few of your posts and definitely enjoyed what I see. Keep posting! You’re doing an amazing job!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, I guess I just have a lot of interests, so it’s difficult to just look at one thing. I originally reviewed books, but I also wanted to share my love of beauty products and nails, haha. Thank you, I just followed you too!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I’m not entirely sure. I have considered splitting them up, but I’m not sure I’m organised enough, I think I might get confused, haha! I am thinking of having a career in nails, so perhaps if that works out I’ll make a separate blog for that.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi,
      I love your blog! It’s very cute! It’s always a joy to see people who read books (coming from a book lover). I do agree with bulldog that your categories are random but that’s okay! It’s your blog so you should post what you love and enjoy. There is no harm in that. I encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing 🙂 Cheers!

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Hi everyone! I just started a new blog about domestic violence – it takes an unique approach because it doesn’t share stories but thoughts. It serves as a connecting site for survivors and individuals who do not suffer from domestic violence. It acts a bridge to eliminate the gap in the lack of knowledge about the topic. Please take the time to check it out. If you like the concept please press “like” and subscribe. I look forward to your feedback. Thank you!
    https://ifyouknewsite.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 3 people