May 2, 2016 / 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?

The Community Pool is for peer feedback and advice. Looking for more specific information? Check out some of these resources:

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:

  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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. Hello, When I was viewing your site, I did not find the blogs to be in order by date. Maybe I did something wrong while navigating? I’m not sure. However, in my personal opinion, I like to view posts in order starting with the most recent post written. Best of luck!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for visiting my blog. All the posts are chronologically listed, except for the first one, it’s kind of featured post, just to let the viewers know what I am exactly taking about in my blog. Hope you will come visit my site again 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. nice start to a blog! I appreciate the honesty. Maybe add something to your ‘about’ page so people can get a little overview about who you are 🙂
      and don’t be discouraged if your stats aren’t all you hope for them to be! it’s more about your health and healing and recording your thoughts, than it is about numbers!

      Liked by 4 people

    2. I also just started a blog about mental illness (anxiety). I really like your set up! Maybe use some more photos on your sight to add some life to it. Love your writing style!

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thanks for your feedback! I also liked your blog. lots of interesting information. Your post “Nothing Hurts When your Winning” struck a real cord with me as my school is having some morale/leadership issues. I am trying to set a good example and your post has given me some language to use and some ideas to put forth.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Upon reviewing some of the content of your blog, I’ve decided to follow it because I too am an educator and I’m interested to read your posts. I provided a comment on your page itself.

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Hi, there…My name is Truly and I’ve submitted my latest post–“Stupor-sti-shun Ain’t The Way”. Humbly, if it hits you the right way, I think you’ll find that it is funny, surprising, imaginative–and that it has a really positive message. As much as I write for the absolute joy of it, it never fails to warm my heart when others let me know that what I wrote brightened their day or entertained them in some way….if you read it, can you please let me know what you think? I’d be happy to do the same for you! Either way, I hope you get lots of wonderful feedback that lets you know that your offerings matter and that you are making a difference 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  10. I’m new to the world of blogging and I’m looking for feedback about my site (ahmeli.com), along with tips on how to best get traffic to your site while utilizing WordPress.

    Liked by 3 people

      5. I just want to add — but not too many! Going above a total of 15 tags and categories makes your posts invisible in the WordPress.com Reader, which the place where many bloggers would normally find them.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hello! I really like your blog and the overall purpose of it. What a great idea to categorize through trunk, roots, leaves, etc. I would definitely advertise through social media when you post. Tags are also useful, as another blogger pointed out.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I am trying Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I think it’s a little slow because I am just starting to linkup and get followers. Hopefully things catch on and people are interested in the content of what I write, thus resulting in them following my blog. Which social media sites do you find to be the most useful?

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Hi! That’s great. And I totally understand. I find Instagram to be the most helpful, but it really depends on which one you have the most outreach on. Keep it up!

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Hello fellow bloggers!
    I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to get your blog out to a certain domain of people. I would like to raise awareness about my blog to people who are suffering from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or anyone who has a chronic or invisible illness. For example, if you have a blog about photography, how did you gain some awareness in the photography field? Is this a natural process or are there some tricks? Thank you so much! -POTSn’pans blog.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Great! your theme really matches your blog, try to play around with a custom header and using widgets at the bottom of the layout that you have. You might even want to try making drop down menus where your “about me” and “contact me” is just so it is easier to find posts based on certain topics. You have a really awesome talent for storytelling in your posts! I would love if you checked out my blog

      Liked by 2 people

  15. I’ve started a blog about movies, television, nerdy stuff. Just things I’m interested in. There are only two posts thus far, but let me know what you think.

    Liked by 3 people

  16. Ok, so I am BRAND SPANKING NEW… Can I get pointers on how to spread the greatness I’ve just created?? Also, any ideas on proper Tagging… no idea what I’m doing just yet?! I am even struggling with layout ad how things appear on my page, lol. Way More work than expected, but kinda digging it anyway 🙂 Thanks in advance! http://www.lickthespatula.com <~ HELP??!!

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I absolutely love this!!! I love the layout the way you write and everything! I had to give a follow because I can’t wait to see more!! I would also love if you checked out my blog if you don’t mind! Have a great week!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I just read your blog, the musings section! we are best friends. Please do more posts like that they are really good, and make them a bit longer, you left me wanting more! in your side bar i would recommend not making the “about” so long, save that for the about page. Just try keeping that section short and sweet because the readers will look for the about section to learn more. All in all great blog and I would love it if you checked mine out https://shamelesslyaddictedtocaffeine.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We certainly are! I just checked out (and followed) your blog. Love your down to earth yet humorous writing style☺ And your tips are very helpful.. I’ll incorporate them into my blog. Looking forward to reading more of your blog

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank u so much Melanie! That means a lot coming from someone who writes as well as you do. I love blogs that are down to earth like yours.. I’m a fan! (And follower) 😉

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Your dominant image is very engaging. Love the “Boss Lady” post! Consider a little more detail in your “About” post and maybe little more color in your layout.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Hey! I forgot to mention in my last comment that I’m doing a series to educate people on mental health (May is Mental Health Awareness Month by the way!). I’d like people to share their stories, thoughts, advice, ramblings… Really anything that make the conversation matters because mental health matters!

    There are 2 posts up for now, and ideas for key questions to tackle in upcoming posts are welcome! Plus, I was thinking of ideas links of blog about mental health (whether it be personal story blogs or advice etc.).

    Please join the conversation, otherwise there’s no point! https://thehighheeledpapergirl.wordpress.com/2016/04/22/mental-health-a-conversation/

    Best,

    Giulia

    Liked by 5 people

  22. Hello,

    I have recently started my blog (which has always been a big dream of my mine). I love writing and I would appreciate if you could check out what I have posted and give me some feedback about them.

    Please consider following me, I will follow you back. I will keep posting constantly different writings of mine and it would be very helpful if someone would read them.

    Thank you in advance.

    Here is the link to my blog:

    https://xhorxhinabami.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 3 people

  23. Hi all, I have just posted my fourth blog post, and it has been a while since I have posted because I am a grad student and have to choose between graduating and blogging (I made the obvious choice tonight… blog!). Please check out my posts (including my brand new one) at https://thoughtsbyamodernwoman.wordpress.com/
    Thanks!

    Liked by 3 people

  24. Hello Everyone…Am Steven..Creator of quillmastro.wordpress.com and stevenzworld.blogspot.com …Would love to get feedbacks on both and how I can improve better..Thanks…
    Love this forum BTW.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Hey all! I’ve just started my blog too! Kinda just sharing my life adventures. Hope you’ll check it out! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Hey! I’m wondering if anyone knows how to get a more prominent Follow button on their blog? My non-blogger friends have had trouble figuring out how to follow me. Thanks for the help!

    Liked by 3 people

      2. Hey! One more question – how did you set up your blog so that only a part of each post appears when you’re scrolling through? I really like how you can see lots of entries that way and then click on the one you want and read the whole thing. Very nice set up!

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Hey! When you edit your side bar widgets, you can actually add a email sign up button. It’ll show up in your side bar and allow any one (blogger or not) to get email updates every time you made a new post.

      Liked by 4 people

  27. Sitting here on the side of the road in my car waiting for some horses that I want to photograph to finish eating. While I am waiting I’m checking out all the posts. So many talented people! 👍🏻👍🏻

    I am looking to network more so if you would be so kind http://www.creativejunkie.net I’d love to know your thoughts on mine.

    Thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi creative Junkie I love the layout of your site. Though one thing you need a home page after I looked at your About me page I couldn’t get back to your posts. Great photographs to . Btw I’m starting out in the photography and have put my portfolio on here. What do you think ? Is that proffesional enough?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks for the heads-up. If you click on the “creative junkie” name it brings you back to the home page, but if people are confused by that since it is not obvious I will have to do something about that. 👍🏻

        As for your blog, I only saw two photos, which are great, but too few to get a good sense of your skill level. But I did follow in hopes of finding out! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks for your feedback !!! If you look under menu it has a few pages of different styles. That’s Intertesting though I’ll check it out thanks

        Liked by 2 people

    2. I really like the look and feel of your site! The pictures really stand out and attract despite the simplicity of the theme you have chosen.

      Liked by 2 people

  28. Still relatively new to blogging and could use some advice does anyone have any general advice about blogging that they found useful? My blog is 1withthepen, and I write mostly book reviews and more reflective posts.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Use tags and categories! That helps people find your blog. Also, write about something you are passionate about – it is the most interesting stuff to read! Good luck!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Hey people of the world,
    I just finished the fourth chapter in my latest book. If you like reading and are into fiction and fantasy and the sort, you know werewolves and such, please cheek out my blog.
    I’d love some feedback on my work as well, it’d be really appreciated.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Hello fellow bloggers,

    I’ve been keeping a blog for quite some time, but predominantly as a creative outlet. I’m on the journey of publishing fiction and I know I need to build my platform through social media. I have read that using tags is helpful, but I was wondering if any of you fiction writers out there use your blog to post stories as well as personal reflections? One or the other? A little bit of both? Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated! And please take a peek at my blog and tell me what I could change 🙂

    LN

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I don’t post fiction stories but i do post personal as well as informative and I have noticed that I need a balance between the two. Every other post is one or he other. It is actually an advantage because your personal readers are able to see you in another outlet which is cool, and your informative or in your case fiction get to know you more. I really loved your blog and it would be awesome if you checked out mine https://shamelesslyaddictedtocaffeine.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks so much Donatella for the feedback! I think you’re right, to alternate between the kinds. I don’t want to alienate my readers by never talking about my actual life. But I also want to them to be interested in my skills as a writer of fiction.

        I checked yours out and am following you as well 🙂 Your layout is gorgeous. I think I need to get a premium account to get the design exactly how I’d like it.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Thank you! Well you actually don’t need a premium account! it helps but i am on free and if you find a template that has good bones you can add widgets, drop down category menus from the top, galleries in side bars and social media buttons. It is actually really simple just look it up on Youtube and you will be looking premium in no time

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Hi Lex, I like the casual, direct writing style you use on your blog! I think it’s fantastic that you’re writing a blog to reach a wider audience–one suggestion would be to tell more about the kind of writing you do in your “about” section. I was really curious about your other work, and wanted to know more about it! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Addie! That’s a great idea. I will add that to my bio section. I enjoyed reading your latest post! Your style is easy and I love that. Also LOVE the book pages at the top 🙂

        Liked by 1 person