Jun 27, 2016 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Have you just published a new post and are dying for some feedback? Are you redesigning 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).

Looking for free, self-guided courses to help you get started with your blog (or revive a dormant one)? Check out our current offerings at Blogging U.

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.

Are you a new blogger looking to share your very first post? We have a special forum for bloggers just like you in our weekly First Friday posts.

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      1. I follow a basic format for every review. Genre, release date, links to Amazon and goodreads, blurb etc. I just try and speak about anything that stood out to me about the book, good or bad. And I’m always vague enough that I don’t spoil anything. It’s hard because I want to encourage people to read books I’ve liked without ruining them!

        Liked by 2 people

  2. This is a travel blog about a place called Khajuraho in India, it is known as the erotic capital of the world by some. But, is there something more to this place than meets the eye.
    Everything that you wanted to know about Khajuraho, but were too afraid to ask.

    Khajuraho

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi there, your post is very insightful and has a lot of great content. I might split this article into two or three different posts. Since it’s a very long article I’m not sure how many will read to the very end.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Lindsey.
        Yeah, we ourselves are not sure how many people would read, but those who actually want to travel would read the entire post. We will be releasing shorter posts too, though it may take some time. Thanks again for stopping by.

        Liked by 2 people

  3. Hi everyone, I run a blog about baby and character names. Last week I asked if I should add a name directory so that users can discover new names to put through the search function. The answer was yes, and so I’ve just created one! Please check it out and my blog in general. 🙂

    The index isn’t finished yet (I have to process three more months worth of names from old posts…ouch!), but I would appreciate feedback on it in its current state so I can improve it. Should I remove the gender-separated lists and just list names alphabetically and with color-codes? Should I add more information about the names within the page? Consolidate multiple spellings of a name under one common spelling (i.e. Caitlin: Kaitlyn, Kaitlin, Catelyn, etc.)?

    Link: https://wellinformednamer.wordpress.com/baby-name-index/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love the way you write. It flows really well! I know you’ve only just started blogging now but if I could give you some advice I’d say create an “about” page (it’s the first thing people will look at when they visit your blog for the first time), and add some widgets to your sidebar 😀
      Hopefully that’s the kind of feedback you were looking for…
      You can check out my blog (by clicking on my name) to have an idea of what I mean about widgets.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Hello, fellow bloggers! I hope you’re having a great day. I’m trying out a new kind of post today (new for my blog I mean) and if it gets the appropriate response, I’m planning to turn it into a monthly feature. It’s a post that contains inspiration especially aimed at writers but there’s something for everyone in it. Let me know what you think about it. I’d love to hear all kinds of inputs.

    The Inspiration Circle – June ’16

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hello Nandini,

      This is such a cool idea! Everything you’ve described in your post, I totally relate to. I haven’t been regular on my blog and I hate it because one of the reasons I took a sabbatical from work was to write more.

      I often scour Pinterest and Medium for writing inspiration and believe me, more is always welcome. So definitely go ahead!

      Do check out my blog if you can:

      Let’s Slip Into A Rêverie, Shall We?

      Liked by 2 people

    1. My best friend has severe food allergies and so through him and his very dedicated mom, I have a very important awareness for the problem. Good luck with your blog, and I hope you inform many people. In terms of your page, I suggest adding more pictures to break up the text a little bit.
      Happy Blogging!

      Liked by 2 people

  8. I try to be remotely funny at times. (Fail!) Anyway, I’d love for you guys to drop by and share some love. Or just any kind of feedback is appreciated, really.
    Also, I’d be more than willing to check your site out.
    https://a28598blog.wordpress.com
    Keep scrolling. You might find something utterly offensive that tickles your rib, ya know?

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Okay, your blog did make me laugh! I enjoy that brand of humour quite a bit. Love the name. Reminded me of the first Harry Potter book in which Ron Weasley calls the troll ‘Peabrain’. 😛

      Also love that you used the quote from 10 Things I Hate About You. That movie, and that scene in particular, I know verbatim. Not kidding. Big fan!

      Do drop by and check out my blog if you can. I try being witty and funny too but alas! Here’s my latest offering:

      The Binge

      Thanks!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you so much for dropping by. I love that it made you laugh. We’re totally twinning on the fact that you know that scene in 10 thingsI hate about you.
        I’ll definitely check your site in a little because my internet has been playing me today. So I’m sorry for the late reply.
        Have a great day.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes, it can be difficult. Yay, marketing. But you write well. I liked your latest piece. Shortening or breaking up the paragraphs might make it easier to read, however. Especially given that you indicate dialogue differently than most writers.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Good Evening all. I’m doing my usual post begging for new faces to give a once over of my photography blog, hopefully you like what you see.

    Couple of recent post’s for your perusal:

    This one is a landscape image taken as part of my 52 week photography Project;

    Project 52: Week 26; Landscape -Simplify

    And this one is a 120mm film image taken as part of my long running medium format project;

    Medium Format : Thirty Four

    Have a look, let me know what you think, have a browse at some more of the blog, let me know what you think on that as well. Hey if you actually like what you see why not let me know that too 🙂

    Peace out.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hiya!

      Your blog name is one of my most favourite songs and so I just had to go check your blog out!

      You surely do have the gift and I enjoy the conversational style that you write in.

      Would you mind checking out my blog and letting me know what you think?
      And if you, like me, love the song too, I dedicated one of my favourite blog posts to it, in case you like to read it:

      Lovesong

      Thanks and Happy Blogging 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Hello great experts and masters of WordPress!

    Lol I finally took a lot of the advice and filled in the profile a bit and made an “About Me” page (Although I have no idea where it shows up on my blog!)

    I also tried to select a theme rather than the one they just assign you when you make your blog.

    I was hoping to get some comment and feedback on the new theme, categories, and look, along with any questions and or suggestions.

    You guys have been a huge help and I’d like to keep that amazing resource going!

    Thanks guys! 🙂

    https://thesmilingpilgrim.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Haha almost positive. I think maybe the theme just doesn’t have a place for an “About Me”. So it may be like the dashboard where you can only enter it with a certain URL 😛

        That’s my guess anyway….

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi!
      I really like what you write. Your posts give me a lot of hope! ❤

      And about the "About Me" page, have you manually added it to menus? Until you do that it won't show up on your blog 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      2. You’re welcome.

        Click on “My Site” at the top left corner. You’ll find “Menus” under “Personalise.”

        Set a primary menu and simply add the “About Me” page you’ve already created from pages using the plus sign.

        I hope it helps 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    3. I love your work! I also love the theme, the only advice I have is figure out how to make the “About Me” page show up on your front page because I couldn’t find it. Also, maybe have someone read over your work before you publish it just to double check for errors. You have a wonderful style and I love the topics you are tackling, but make sure you watch out for those small errors such as capitalization in the wrong places. It causes the reader to stumble in the middle of a sentence and breaks up the train of thought. I hope that helps, as I am certainly not of enough status to be giving someone with a popular blog advice 🙂 Good luck!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thanks so much Rebecca! yah it’s amazing to see how popular the blog has been becoming. Mostly thanks to people like you and your input/time 🙂

        We are working on the “About Me” as well speak.

        Also your right about my grammar. It’s terrible Lol you wouldn’t think I had an English teacher as a mother :S

        Liked by 2 people

    4. I like your content. I think I found your About page by doing a search, but many people wouldn’t think to do that. You might take a look at your Menu settings. Be sure that your About page is included on your Menu and that you have your Menu set to display on your Home page. I don’t see your Menu on your Home page. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 2 people

      2. Try My Sites > Menus. If your theme supports menus, you should be able to add the About page to the Menu. If your site does not support menus, you could use Custom Menu widget to add a menu to your sidebar.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. This is why I come to the experts lol but yah it looks like it can’t handle it. My About me is exactly the same as if you click on the Gravatar profile so I think I’ll just leave it.

        I can be more mysterious this way 😉

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I absolutely love how you seem to be doing a series on the “What Have I Been…”. This is a great way to have a diversity of topics on your blog, and maybe have something for everyone. Love your work!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for your comment 🙂 I took a look at your blog too, I have to say that I’m not religious so I can’t really relate to your content, but I think that for people who are the idea of your blog could be really interesting and original! Also, despite being a new blogger, I think you already set up a really nice looking blog 🙂 Good job!

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Hey there, M!

      First, what an awesome blog header you have! Count me a fan!

      I agree with Rebecca here. The “What Have I” section is such a great way to put your thoughts across. Love how you have like a calendar of sorts where something specific goes up on a particular day of the week. I have been meaning to do that for a while. Here’s hoping!

      Would love for you to check out my blog. Feedback’s always welcome!

      Let’s Slip Into A Rêverie, Shall We?

      Thanks and Happy Blogging!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks! Really appreciate it 🙂 haha yeah the calendar thing is 40% for readers and 60% for me, so I don’t get caught up in my laziness but know I have a timeline to stick to!
        I liked your blog! It’s really easy to navigate and I liked that other than your writing pieces, you also have a section where you just post about yourself, so your readers can get to know you also and not just your work. Oh and congrats on quitting your job for pursuing your dreams! More people should have the gut to do it 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Its been a few days since i started my blog. I would love to hear you responses towards it. Do pay a visit and let me know all you feel about it through your likes and comments. All sorts of feedbacks are welcomed.

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Hello! I am a pretty new blogger, and would love some feedback about my most recent post (I’m about to publish a new one as well!). I just graduated high school, and my blog is about trusting God through those years, and the college years to come. Any comments about this specific post, or my blog in general, would be much appreciated! Thank you!

    Senior Prom || Trusting Him Through the Years

    Liked by 2 people

  20. I started “Fatherhood in the Trenches” about a month ago, and any feedback from you fine folks would be greatly appreciated. The address is craycrayroundbottom.wordpress.com. If you could leave your thoughts at the blog, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks much!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Hello fellow bloggers,
    I have been posting mainly poetry type stuff and am fairly new at the whole blogging scene. I would appreciate some tips about the layout and complete functionality of my page along with what I’m posting. Just some snaps here and there would be great! I’m also more than happy to give feed back in return, I love being exposed to new blogs! Thanks again!

    Here’s the link to my latest post: https://rabowling.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/this-need/

    Liked by 3 people

  24. Hello!

    I’ve been waiting for this week’s Community Pool because I am pretty keen on my new blog post hitting it off with as many people as possible!

    Are you a binge-watcher of TV shows like me? Or planning on becoming one soon? I would love for you to read my new blog post and let me know if it made you laugh or say “Hey, me too!”.

    Here’s the link:

    The Binge

    Thanks and Happy Blogging, y’all!

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Hello Fyza!

        Glad to have found another lovely blog via Community Pool!

        Thank you for checking out my post! You have a great blog yourself! I’ve been meaning to participate in the Weekend Coffee Share myself so let’s hope that happens soon.
        I enjoyed reading your blog. I sort of relate to the writing problems you mention: having several drafts running through your head but not being able to actually write one down!
        I have some distant family and a few friends in the UK who’re just as worried about Brexit and they’ve ben sharing the some concerns all over social media this week. All you can do is wait and watch how things turn out, I guess.

        All the best to you for your future endeavours! Happy Blogging 🙂 And yes, it is indeed good night here!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Hey Jinal! Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I enjoy the WCS, it’s just like having a chat. I sometimes use it to recap my week. I now just draft the ideas down. I plan to return back to them at a later date or when I have the spark to write about it. Otherwise, blogging loses it’s fun if you make it too serious. Oh I see! Lots of people here are disappointed by the result, but hey, we just have to make it work now. Thank you : ) haha.

        Liked by 2 people