Nov 30, 2015 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, blogging advice, and friendly 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?

Did you just start blogging and you’re not sure how to get going? Has your blog been dormant for a while but you’d like to give it a jolt of life? Join our free Blogging 101 course (or any of our other offerings at Blogging U.).

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.
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  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
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  4. Hello Everyone,
    I’m severely new to blogging. Please check out my blog! It’s not the happiest of the bunch, it deals with physical and emotional abuse.
    Thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Looks like you are off to a good start on your blog.
      I’m fairly new myself, started almost a year ago, but didn’t know how to do things, so waiting til I could make time to take blogging 101. It really helped me to understand how to do things a little better. Now to keep in the habit of posting frequently. I was able to add a new post yesterday, but thinking I need to edit it to add something I forgot.
      Any constructive criticism is very welcome.
      http://mulchandmorecrafts.com/blog/

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m glad I could get you interested in her work! As far as I know she writes primarily fantasy and reworks folk tales (like Robin Hood and Sleeping Beauty), but she may have other styles of fiction that I haven’t read yet.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Hey! Jade here !

    I write poems and short stories. Check my latest work about “losing people” I am sure everybody will find interesting!

    How losing people works.

    Also I have a Facebook group to meet fellow bloggers and help each other out ! You can check out more about it here –

    The Facebook Group

    Thank you so much!
    I will visit everyone who gives a feedback! Thanks 😉

    Like

    1. Hi John!! I spent a little time just now poking around on your blog. It has a nice clean layout!! The most striking thing to me is your photos–they are really excellent!! If you are looking for a focus I think writing about what went on during the trips and photos is the one I’d recommend. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so much. Yeah, I felt like they were a tad too small as well. A lot of people have been telling that to me. The thing is, I tried enlarging the text but when I do, the titles and the header also gets way too big. I might have to do detailed coding but I don’t know if I’m willing to pay for that.

        Like

    1. I loved it! The layout you chose looks great. It gave be a very elegant and artistic vibe. I looked through a bunch of your posts and fell in love. As a fellow photographer/traveler, I gave you a follow 🙂 It would be awesome if you could also take a look at my blog. As an amateur, I think your advice would greatly help me. Thanks in advance!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I love the theme you chose! And your site is super easy to navigate which is great. I really love all the photos I’ve seen on your blog so far and I’m excited to see what else you’ll come up with 🙂 happy blogging!

      Like

    1. Hey!
      Welcome to the wordpress community 🙂 I took a look around your blog and enjoyed what I saw. Your blog is very cute haha. I liked the categories and enjoyed reading through your posts. I would like to encourage you to keep expressing yourself! The only thing I’d suggest though, is if you updated your About page so that viewers can connect with you more personally and understand what your blog is about better. Other than that, you’re doing great! Goodluck!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hey Niki, nice to meet you! I really like the theme/ color scheme of your blog. It’s minimalistic, yet still visually appealing. I think a few pictures would complement your poetry as well.

      As for your writing, I enjoyed the unique language/dialect you use throughout your pieces. I thought they were typos at first, but I soon caught on as I noticed they were consistent throughout your writing. Good job!

      Lastly, stop by my blog and tell me what you think (: http://www.anxieteas.wordpress.com

      Like

    1. How do you find the time to hold up two blogs?? You’re Super Teacher, apparently 😛
      I love insight from teachers. My mom is one, and I enjoy hearing her stories of her day. I also like how your Whiteboard site is laid out like a chalkboard. Very cute!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Hello!
    I wrote my first ever blog post today. Feels very much like im talking to myself over there, so a few sneaky follows wouldn’t go a miss if you have the time 😊. Im soooo new to this that i need a little help getting started.
    Looking forward to discovering your blogs, C. x

    https://beingawkwardblog.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi,
      I would like to just commend you for taking the courage to start up this blog 🙂 Welcome to the wordpress community! I enjoyed reading your first post. You seem very artistic and sincere. I really do wish you the best of luck. I honestly think you’ll be fine haha. I’d like to suggest one thing though, if you could update your About page that would be great. Just so that people can better know who you are behind the blog, and also understand what your blog is about. Other than that, you’re great! Cheers!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hello!
        Thank you for your kind words. Im terrible with technology and was yet to discover that there was even an ‘about’ page for me to update haha. Now that you have enlightened me I’ll get straight on it 😊 x

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I like what you have so far, I like the theme and the colours and the two posts you have so far stand out underneath the header too. Good start.

      Yes the internet can be a bad placed with trolls etc, you will get that everywhere sadly although I personally have yet to come across it on wordpress. I try to be as anonymous as I can be so no one whom I know in real life would recognise this as me, I personally find it easier to say stuff that way.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I like the set-up of your blog. Your post about mindfulness was very good, and I love all the quotes. Also, I’m not a tea-drinker, but I can always appreciate a punny title! Other than that, there’s not much to give feedback on, but I’m looking forward to reading more content of yours 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi Tanasia,
      You are using a lovely theme – I like!
      I also liked your heading image which felt welcoming and made me feel hungry. The background colour and general presentation of your blog presents as warm and positive. I wanted to leave a comment on your About page but was not able to. I know your blog is a work in progress and so hope you will add this facility.
      I left a comment on your mindfulness post.
      Great start! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Love your theme it’s on point! Your pictures and quotes just make my eyes happy it’s so nicely set up. One thing – I was going through the buttons at the top, and it seems that the widgets and social links still need some fixing (for the widgets, I get three of the same thing showing up and for social links I get two of the same buttons). Can’t wait for more posts though(:

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I really like the title of your first post “Why You Should Think About Your Death,” it really demands attention (without being clickbait,) and it was enjoyable read. I’m interested to see what other kinds of topics you tackle.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Very interesting post about death! I didn’t expect it to actually inspire me, but it ended up doing so anyway. You’re absolutely correct and it’s great having your insight on that. Love the content of your blog 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I liked your site. Straightforward layout, nice picture, good attention grabbing byline. I love opposites – for sure the more you could get your head around death, the more you could get your head around being very alive. I always think of it like free range chickens – they are so very alive, but they risk the fox every day. This is their price. Would you rather be a free range chicken, or a safe caged bird?

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Hello! I’m new to blogging and just starting out. I’m going to keep an eye on this blog for pointers and I’m sure I’ll have questions in the future! I have no idea how to spread the word. I hope I’m doing okay.

    Liked by 3 people

    2. First, I’m so sorry how hard this has been for you. What a nightmare. I hope it does get easier with physical therapy and time. Wow.

      Right now, there is nothing on the blog that kind of introduces you or the issues. I knew what the blog was about because you said it below, but you may want to include that short description under the title or your blog–that way when people see it, they can put the posts into context immediately. The other thing is to think about your audience and purpose for the blog. Is it a place to blow off steam, like a diary or journal? If so, it is fine as is. Do you want it to be more like a journalist capturing what it is like? Then you may want to spend more time with each post–revising, making sure there is a beginning, middle and end, fixing typos, that kind of thing. But, maybe that isn’t what you want, and you are happy with it as a journal. Then it is fine as is.

      Take good care, and good luck with everything. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you for your advice! Yes, I’m quite new at this and I’m using just a cell to write so typos happen, although I’m trying to proof read my entries now!! I so want it to read like a journal…. that’s the easiest way for me to express my thoughts. But I will definately keep in in what your saying.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. It’s a very interesting read! Just a tip – maybe use correct punctuation? It didn’t take away from the writing since it was basically perfect anyway, but just a little bit of tweaking 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    4. Hi,
      I think you’re doing fine! No need to be so self conscious 🙂 I enjoyed reading a couple of your most recent posts. I feel like I’m literally in your head as you write haha. You’re doing a good job. Perhaps you could use more pictures like your Christmas tree photo. It helps bring depth into your posts more. And also, you should create an About page so that viewers can better understand who you are and better understand what your blog is going to be about. I hope that helped. I wish you the best of luck!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you. I guess it’s easier for me to write in a journal/diary style than story… I want my story to kind of unfold, if that makes sense, as my story has no end but a bunch of beginnings.

        Liked by 1 person

    5. Suggest you read through “learn.wordpress.com.” It was very helpful to me when I started. Some of the widgets might be beneficial.

      You need an ABOUT page to explain who you are. I always look for that.

      Like

    1. Hi Lana,
      I really enjoyed going through your blog. The layout itself is very elegant and well organized. What you’re doing is also very encouraging and helpful. I really liked your most latest post about the myth of self-esteem. As a Christian, I was really blessed and also challenged by your post. I encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing and live out the conviction that the Lord has given you. God bless!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, John for the kind words! I will definitely keep going! I plan to cover everything from bitterness to personality disorders.Take care!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Hey, I’ve recently started blogging and I was wondering if you would give it a go. I would really like to know other peolple’s opinions and maybe even ideas of what they want me to write about next.

    Reading

    Like

    1. I think your blog is really well written. There are some lines in particular that really made me smile ” I won’t write much about myself since I still don’t know much about myself either…” was one of them from your about me page. Really gave a great feeling about you and really fit with the theme of your blog being a place for teenagers.

      I think the best thing you can do for choosing a topic is think about the stuff you have talked about with friends, or often quite interesting is what you have over heard other people talking about. Are they talking about something you have always wondered more about? Why not do some research into the topic and make it into a post! Also you have set yourself a pretty tough schedule, do not make writing a job. Make sure it stays as something fun to do and you are writing because you are interest!

      It is going great so far, keep it up.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so much for your advice! I haven’t set any schedule, I just wrote when I felt like it because I’ve had more free time recently. I will take into consideration everything you said, you’ve been very helpful!

        Like

  24. Hello everyone!
    My blog is about pop culture, and I’ve had a few posts this past week.
    My first was a brief post about Inglourious Basterds ( https://popculturalstudies.wordpress.com/2015/11/25/did-they-just-do-that-inglourious-basterds-and-historical-accountability/ ) I worry that it’s rambling, but I feel all right about it. Under the Blog Posts section of the Site Editor it is labeled as “Sticky”, could someone tell me what that means?
    The other thing, that could actually use some feedback is what will likely be the first of a monthly update series ( https://popculturalstudies.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/general-update-november-2015/ ) in which I just kind of talk about pop culture. It’s supposed to gather all the other thoughts that I have that aren’t quite long enough to fill an entire post. Let me know how it is. Also does the name “Captain’s Log” fit?

    Anyhow, thank you for taking a look, happy blogging! 🙂

    Like

    1. Love the comic! Also your blog is super cute with the “complaints” section on the side along with the “askingforit” button to follow your blog via email it made me laugh. Maybe it’ll be okay if I borrow your idea with the complaints? (:

      Like

  27. Hi! I recently started a blog (The Pains of Growing- it’s about my life and all my day to day struggles) and am currently on Day 11 of the blogging 101 process. I just wanted to say thank you to the creators of the process for all the help and advice they’ve provided. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Hello Lauren,
      I really enjoyed going through your blog. I’m sure the Blogging 101 is helping you a lot. Keep it up because you’re doing great 🙂 The only thing I’d suggest is if you created an About page so that viewers can know what your blog is about and know you better. Other than that, you’re off to a great start! Goodluck!

      Like

    3. Well done Lauren. If it was the course that started in Nov and has just finished, I was on the same one. However,I only managed to complete two exercises!

      Like

  29. Hello! I started blogging a year ago and just decided to comment in the community here.. Like a place that everyone can see different styles of blogs and writing. After blogging as regularly as I can.. for over a year now I still feel there is lots to learn about it. Here is my blog site: https://deborahsavon.wordpress.com/

    Like

    1. Couldn’t see any blog posts, just Avon advertising. Did I miss something obvious? There is a typo in the 2nd paragraph of your ‘about’ page: The word “fort” has been used where “for” was intended.

      Like

      1. Thanks for visiting and commenting.Also thanks for letting me know about typo. there are plenty of posts on it.. been posting on it for 2 years now. But like I said I have a lot more to learn.
        😉

        Like

  30. Hi there, I am after some advice about short form blogging. Occasionally I want to just direct readers attention to something interesting elsewhere on the web it doesn’t need a full blog post to go with it. Does anyone else do this sort of brief posts and mind linking me to your sites for inspiration? I have tried one but it feels very flat: http://elyriaecho.com/2015/11/30/echo-public-access-plan/

    Like

    1. I think you should use the option that lets you “pin” one post that will always appear at the top of your blog. Use that to explain what your blog is about.

      My experience suggests that short posts get the most readers.

      Like

    2. One smart-yet-easy way to handle shorter posts is using your theme’s Post Formats — each theme has a different mix of these, but many will have either the Aside, Quote, and/or Link formats, which are geared towards shorter snippets of text (and where you can introduce stuff from elsewhere).

      When you select a format, your theme automatically displays it somewhat differently than regular, longform posts, highlighting the content in a way that doesn’t make the post feel “empty.” You can learn more about Post Formats here:
      https://wordpress.com/support/posts/post-formats/

      It’s a good idea to just experiment with your theme’s available formats, seeing which one(s) you like the most.

      Liked by 1 person