Dec 14, 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?

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:

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  • 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!
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  1. I’m new at blogging (very new) and I was wondering how often I should post, and how long my posts should be? I understand it can be individual, but what works for other people? I’m at https://edinparis.wordpress.com/
    Any feedback from those interested/involved in what I write about I would love to hear!

    Liked by 5 people

    1. It is true it can vary. I used to write long (sometimes very long posts) with mixed results. Since sharpening the focus and shortening my blogs I feel like I get much better results. As to frequency it can depend on length. If you are writing about serious issues, I would think one or two a week. If you are writing longer, maybe once a week to give your readers a chance to not be bombarded. But really it is trial and error. Most of us have lots of ideas at the start and write often when we start but then slow down. This happened to me for sure. So my advice would be for starters to just write as much and as often as you feel like it and see what happens. Then adjust from there.

      Liked by 4 people

    3. When I first started, I posted several times a week. Now, after two months, I’m leaning toward once a week.

      Like

    4. I’m pretty new too and am glad you asked this, because I’ve been curious about it as well. I’ve read that it’s good to at least post once a week. Not sure on the length though but I’ll be reading the replies to your question. Thanks and good luck!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I am so glad I ran across this question because I was thinking the same thing! I’m brand spanking new to this and have only posted twice so far, but I’m not sure if I need to post daily, weekly, monthly, bi-annually. semi-quarterly, what!!! Right now I’m just posting how I see fit, until I find a rhythm. Good luck to you!

        Liked by 2 people

    5. I try not go over 1200 words ever. I find they just don’t get read that way. If I have to, I break up the posts. I post no more than 3 times a day, ever, but usually once or twice. If my posts were little blurbs, I might post more often. Just a personal preference, but I know other bloggers who get annoyed with seeing their reader filled with mass posts from one blogger all in a row.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I think the length of the post really depends on what you’re writing. My longest post was over 2,000 words. I was also writing about a really lengthy subject. So, I wanted to do my best in making my ideas connect. As far as frequency of posts, I try to post once a day. However, I know others who post multiples times a day. It really boils down to what you feel like doing. It’s your blog 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    6. A very good question indeed, but it’s all up to you. If you have a lot to say and the time to do it often, then feel free to do so, but I think it’s wise to plan ahead and make sure you don’t run out of things to write or spam your followers at the same time. In terms of length, if you’re going over 3500 words then maybe you need to consider doing posts in parts, to spare you readers. I mean, I write scholarly essays that are under 2000 words, and they can be up to five pages (TNR 12pt double spaced) on MS Word, which is a lot, and readers don’t want to spend half an hour reading one post. That being said, if you have a lot to say and are writing intelligently, then go for it!
      Personally, I post once or twice a week and my posts are usually between 700 and 2000 words, but that’s just me.
      Good luck and Happy Blogging!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I currently post 2 times a week, I often feel disconnected on blogs that post multiple times per day, it is like they are all I read in my reader and I often end up un-following those blogs.

        Like

    7. Nice question. Already blog-experts have replied in sincerity and I don’t count myself as one. But my idea of blogging is to let out thought and ponder upon it in process. Also getting grip on writing skills is added advantage. Anyhow I used to write long articles, though edit it out in second or third edit-read as and when necessary.

      My writing process is to type out everything I think of once I started on particular. During edit-run, cross check with what is unnecessary in context with title and actual content you always thought of to bring forth in post. Have some pictures if available, that will also retain interests of reader.

      Keep writing.

      Like

  2. Hi everyone. After much prompting from fellow bloggers I recently revamped my ‘About Me’ page, making it more like an actual post, explaining who I am, and what my blog is all about more clearly. Have a look right here-https://robpatdoy.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/about-me/

    Liked by 3 people

    1. HI, I would love to see more pictures pictures. In the Ghost section, you may want to use bold or underline to highlight Astrid and Giselle.

      Like

      1. Thanks for this. I’m actually on the process of making one, but can’t figure out how to do it. Your thoughts would mean so much to me. Thanks in advance.

        Like

    2. To be honest I think a balance of both would work. Usually longer posts end up with me losing interest half way… I’ve found that adding images and other supporting material as mini breaks in the writing however keep me engaged. So if you do want to do longer posts, pictures are always helpful 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Hmm I don’t think page breaks are necessary, unless your post will be very long. If you want to take a look at my page, blog 4, you’ll see what i’m talking about. Just a few images placed in between paragraphs to add visual stimulation.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. If you keep the name, keep them about the length they are. I like reading posts around 1000 words. Too short and I feel they lack depth, too long and my attention span falters. But it is all personal preference. Write what you feel, and don’t worry about the popularity unless your goal is to be a power blogger. Your audience will find you.

      Liked by 2 people

    5. I really like your blog, the pictures are superb and really add a lot of feeling before I even click into read anything I am looking at those photographs and weaving a web of imagination in my own mind before I even read your words.

      Looking more specifically (and I have only looked at post length here rather than read any of the posts yet). Your post, love like the dark, I think is perfect length, maybe even could get away with being a little longer.

      “If I ruled the world” was ok, maybe a little short but had no paragraphs so didn’t look that nice on the eye, some breaking up would have been good.

      “ask someone if they are a dreamer” actually I think this is perfect length of post.

      I think your blog could do with an “about” page apart from that I think it is excellent in terms of look and feel, I think ill go back and read some of the actual words now and if I feel that connection that I think ill get (based on the photographs) ill follow.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Helo everyone,

    I started blogging a few months ago…and I know that I should be sharing my posts into social media. But how do I get mor people to actually ready and register into my Blog?
    Thanks
    Noelle

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Hello everyone! I just started blogging a few hours ago. And wrote my very first entry. I’m really not sure if I did the write thing though. Lol. Anyway, i hope to learn from all of you as the days pass. I’m actually just a free user of WP so everything seem to be limited in designing my page(is that what it’s called?). So yeah, happy blogging guys!

    Liked by 3 people

    3. First off, welcome.
      Secondly, even though you’re a free user, there are still plenty of customization options. Go through the themes and pick one that you like and that has a lot of options and once you play with those, your blog will look totally unique!
      And third, I definitely suggest using desktop WordPress until you’re all set up. The app is great for on-the-go things and stats checking, but it can be a pain to use for anything but that.
      Happy Blogging!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so much for the warm welcome. And yeah the app is kinda confusing to use. I can’t even put a profile pic here. Lol anyway, thanks again. Happy blogging to you too!

        Like

    4. Hello! As others have mentioned, a free WordPress.com account still comes with loads of customization options, from custom headers and backgrounds to many custom fonts. There are hundreds of free themes to choose from, and many of them have free customization options specific to them, like site logos, social sharing buttons, etc. It’s a great idea to explore a bit, though it’s true that our mobile app doesn’t offer the full range of options you can find on desktop.

      Regarding your profile image, these are actually set and changed using Gravatar — you can find out more information about that here:
      https://wordpress.com/support/gravatars/

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Hello beautiful people!
    I have a blog called Love Thyself and it’s basically a place where I share stories, bits of my life, videos, pictures, and other stuff in the hopes of inspiring others to love themselves more and accept themselves for who they are. However, I really want this to be about us all sharing and learning together. So I was thinking of starting “discussion” posts every month where I’ll post a question and people can comment and reply to eachother… basically start a conversation, share experiences. Any thoughts? Should I start these separate discussion posts, or would it be better to integrate the questions into my regular posts instead?

    Also, feel free to provided any general feedback (layout, design, content, improvements I could make).

    https://rosesforourselves.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Hey everyone! My blog is called Pop Cultural Studies, where I talk about… Well, pop culture! Check out this post ( https://popculturalstudies.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/django-unchained-2-and-star-wars-episode-4-5-what-comics-do-to-continue-the-story/ ) about comic adaptations of movies or this post ( https://popculturalstudies.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/consumerism-and-the-darth-vader-toaster/ ) about Star Wars and the Holiday season. Please take a look! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Everyone has difficulty attracting readers to their blog. Just keep at it.

      Your texts are hard to read. There is often no space between the period and the beginning of the next sentence.

      Like

    2. blogging is not about the visitors, its about what you want to talk about, when people blog and get hundreds of views, its because they have been here for a while, aside from that, your blogs are very good

      Like

    3. Blogging takes work. To get people to read you blog you have to network and read their blogs too. Also, like someone else mentioned, your blog is slightly hard to read. You must put a space after any punctuation. I also suggest adding pictures, widgets and an About page to make it more user-friendly.
      Happy blogging!

      Like

    1. Hey Pots, please consider talking to a hotline or a counselor in your home town. You can work through these feelings and be a lot happier after you do.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. The Pool can be daunting at first, but once you get more involved, it becomes easier to share your work. 🙂
      I think the topic of your blog is really cool. I blog about nerdy stuff, so it’s cool to see another site that focuses more so in that direction. I also saw in the comments on your “About” page that you started in June. Well, welcome to the community! If you have any questions about how to work certain programs in WordPress, always feel free to ask someone. One of the best places to ask is in the Pool.
      Also, your readers would like to hear more about you as a person. If you don’t mind me making a suggestion, I would say updating your “About” page would be very helpful. But keep doing what you’re doing! Good luck!

      Like

    1. Hey, just wanted to say I really liked the layout of your site. It feels very clean and smooth. I’ll be back to read your stories in a bit 🙂

      Like

      3. Hmm,
        But you could easily scroll down to view the other posts, no?
        Also, I think you’ll find the black banner on top: making all parts of the blogs accessible from one organized menu.
        If still no, then I guess I might have to change the entire theme or whatever. Till then, I’ll be on the lookout.

        Like

    1. I love the idea of this blog. How clever! If you’re looking to add in another book or two, I highly recommend Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.” Also H.P. Lovecraft is always entertaining, and it’s a different genre. Good luck!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. I am going to apologize in advance if this has been a topic before, but I have not seen it. Is there no longer a way to decide the size of photos I post? The old editor allowed small, medium and large. When I post now, my photos come out large and if I do a gallery, they are small. Help, please! Thank you.

    Like

  30. Happy Holidays to all! It sure doesn’t feel like it with this unseasonably warm weather but I’ll take it! I made my blog site for my small business in Hanover, PA. I’m always making updates to make sure it looks it’s best 🙂 I’m just anal when it comes to my work. If you could take a gander I’d really appreicate it! I’d like some constructive feedback if possible. Thanks!!

    transformedtreasures.wordpress.com

    Like