Jul 4, 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? 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.

Show Comments

1,271 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  1. Hey Pool! I wrote a post about possible changes to German law triggered partially by the attacks on women in Cologne on New Years Day. Would be grateful for some feedback on whether the post in balanced in its opinion, and whether it makes sense if you read it without any prior knowledge of what was happening.

    It’s about “no means no” which should give you an idea of the content if you wanted to know before reading it, because it can be an emotive subject.

    http://83unsungheroes.co.uk/2016/07/07/no-means-no-burden-of-proof/

    Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wow, great post! I had no idea that those were the laws in Germany, it seems almost common sense that the proposed laws should be put into place! Looking forward to reading more of your work. I’d love if you could check out and follow my blog too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey Gemma, thanks for your comment and compliments!

        I’ve given your blog a follow because, and I know this sounds weird, I had a strange sense of deja vu when reading it! I’m sure I’ve either seen it before or stumbled across you Instagram and that Colour Run photo before!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. This article hits close to home for my family and friends in Deutschland. I shared this on my FB because I feel it provides a well articulated perspective. Many of my friends are lawyers & activists, so I think they will have some great input for you!

      Although my blog takes a different turn, I would appreciate some feedback on style and presentation if you have time.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. “Eid Mubarak” to everyone whose celebrating 😀 Do check out my blog and show some love 😊💕 beautyelixir.in

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hi! Just checked out your blog, really great content and layout of the blog – I look forward to reading more 🙂 I’d love if you could check out my blog and follow too! Gemma

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, wow how relieving to hear! I’ve been working nonstop on it! Blogging is so fun 😉 I will check yours out right now!

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks so much for your comment! My rambling is an assiduous monster inside me, so I can’t explain how relieving it is to hear that you’ve managed to pass through it with enjoyment! I wonder about what we will do with this time everyday. Will we bring peace? Destruction? Unity or desolation? It’s an eerie concept to carry with you all the time, but I think it can be a fantastic trigger for productivity if looked at in a healthy way!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Hello bloggers! I’m nearly one month into blogging, and and really struggling to find a theme/target audience. currently I am displaying some of my art, as well asa writing in depth short stories (150 words). I have had some extremely positive comments on some of my posts, which encourages me that my content is of good quality. I would really appreciate some feed back on how I can refine my blog and where you see it potentially going however?!
    https://mindovermarrow.wordpress.com/

    Many thanks! Maggie

    Like

    1. Hey Maggie, I’m always a little loathed to make suggestions on blog direction, because my advice is always to tell people to think about why they wanted to blog in the first place. In other words, I think you know the direction you want to go in already.

      Your writing is good and I really liked your artwork post. The theme you have going so far, I suppose, is creativity.

      You’re only 13 posts in. Keep working at it and maybe see where it takes you, but don’t force anything!

      Like

      1. Thank you. I feel as though I need to develop a theme from the beginning, as most of the advice leads me to believe. I am relieved that you think it is fine to write and see where my writing takes me.

        Like

  9. Hi I’m Sedona! I started up a blog this year to share about my adventures and experiences and what I have learned through them. Please take a moment to look at what I have to share and let me know what you think!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lots of high-quality pictures. Perfect for what looks not so much a travel blog, but an adventuring blog – light on the words, more on the visuals because it’s all about the experience of being there.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, this looks delicious. I’m American and have never been to the UK, so in addition to getting hungry from reading this, I learned something. I like that you not only provided a recipe, but also a context for the recipe and different ways to adapt it.

      Like

    2. Hey! I really enjoyed your post, definitely going to try and follow some of those tips – looking forward to reading more of your blog! I hope you’ll check out and follow my blog too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Popping over here to the community pool to ask for a little feed back. We’ve been putting in a ton of work over at The Cross & Bully Marketplace. Trying to really make our Blog easy to navigate. While having a simple readablility. Please stop by and have a look. Let us know what your thoughts are. While your there check out our new post on a refinished dining room table and bench. Or pick up recipe for the week! Thanks so much in advance. https://thecrossandbullymarketplace.wordpress.com

    -Jamie Rose

    Liked by 1 person

    1. the “new arrivals” pictures are not visible. they all have a “broken” frame instead of a picture. the rest of the blog is wonderful! Tabs all work, archives are set up and working properly, finding certain posts is easy to do. good job

      Like

    2. It does look alright. However, when I click on any of the four images, food takes me to the posts categorized food and the other images take me somewhere else.

      What I am saying is this: If you have 4 categories, clicking on everyone of them gives a different result.

      But it is not difficult site to handle.

      Like

  14. Hey! I just made my first attempt at writing. I would be so gald if I could get some feedback and a bit guide to how to manage my blog!

    Like

    1. Now that you’ve written your first blog post (a more difficult exercise in self-expression than people give it credit for), the next thing would be to start getting to know the theme you’ve picked, especially for your welcome page. It looks like a lot of work, so I hope you can dedicate an hour, maybe 2, to only sprucing up the place.

      I would suggest messing around with the Customizer – when you’re on the window writing your blog, take a look at the left. Under ‘Personalize’, check out ‘Themes’. The button there, ‘Customize’, will lead you to the Customizer. Start messing around as you like. Play with it. That’s the best way to start learning (kind of like the best way to learn how to blog would be to blog, as people have told me). Pick a title, take some pictures (your theme looks really reliant on them), decide what you want to put on your text widgets that look to be everywhere in your theme. Change colors, do as you like.

      Don’t like your theme? Back to the same menu, pick a new theme. It’s your blog, why not have fun?

      Liked by 2 people

    2. If you haven’t already read through it, have a look at https://learn.wordpress.com It will give you the basics of setting up your blog. Here are 4 things to consider are: (1) What is the purpose of your blog? (2) How often do you plan to publish your posts? (3) What types of topics do you plan to explore? (4) Will you do mostly written pieces, photographs, or a combination? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you decide which theme would work best for you and how you might want to organize your blog. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 1 person

    3. For a first time blogger, your post was seriously neat! I know my first post, that was a mess. But like you, my first post was exactly what I wanted to write.

      As for advice, I am sure you will pick it up yourself soon. Blogging Universities here on this site are a good bet. I would tell you to opt for a very simple theme(check out mine) as yours is a very professional theme

      Good luck!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. where, in the universe i wander through, did you lose your follow button? I am attempting to find it for you…and me and anyone else with an inquisitive mind.

      Like

      2. yep. be aware that each time you add a widget it will send an inquiry to your server whenever your blog is touched. it tends to slow things down enormously when there are more than 4 total widgets. I just found out this week from my geekette my fourteen widgets were why her server kept exploding

        Liked by 1 person

    1. that is a question I would think you’d need to ask yourself. Your blog should reflect whatever YOU want it to, not what any other people think.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My blog reflects many different aspects of my life. It’s not based around one single topic. It’s very personal to me and I love that my followers like to take part in my different postings from poetry to life events. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. it sounds like you just answered your own question there hun. go for it. your followers already like what you have to say they would probably love more information of a more personal nature. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hey! I really enjoyed reading some of the posts on your blog, and am looking forward to reading more! I’d love if you could check out my blog and follow too! Gemma

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Yup greatly improved. Another suggestion I would make is not show the entire blog post outright. Insert a “continue reading button.” Regarding the content great work. I hope in time you will completely heal. I specially like your current post thinking about the positives. Count your blessings.

      https://onepesoaday.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/how-to-improve-your-personal-cash-flow/
      feel free to drop by and leave a feedback if you have time

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh okay! I tried to, but it must not have worked. I’ll work on that for next time! And thank you for taking the time to read and give feedback!

        Like

    3. The subtitles helped. But the thing about subtitles is that many current blog sites use them for very small paragraphs. I have no issue with very long paragraphs as I like reading.

      Your use of subtitle was actually perfect! And your post was a very wonderful read, thank you!

      Liked by 2 people

  19. Hey everyone, I just posted today’s blog. It’s not too long, but was necessary for me to get it out of myself. Isn’t great to have the ability to express ourselves through words?

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, indeed! What I love the most is that I can write from deep within, open the most vulnerable place in my existence and stay anonymous.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. You didn’t just expressed yourself you basically put out a question for everyone to ponder upon. Really great post, I personally don’t think that I can ever reach such level of openness on my blog

      Liked by 1 person

  20. I always forget to write in my posts my wordpress address:www.thehungarianchick.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I really like your layout and design, and of course, the fashion! I hope you start posting more regularly – I’d love to read! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Hello folks.

    My question is this:
    I started my lifestyle blog for lihgthearted entertainment for my readesr, and to provide a creative outlet for my desire to write.

    Now, I’m finding myself only inspired to write about insight I’ve experienced, or topics related to counseling (my current degree program).

    Do you think…my blog is more boring this way?

    I appreciate your thoughts!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Huh, I found blog a reflection on your own life. If you want to write on lighthearted entertainment for your readers, you WILL have to look for stuff meticulously. Since you are in counseling program(I think) I believe you can find stuff that is light and will mke people laugh.
      And if you are thinking of changing your blog focus, do it. It is your blog anyway It won’t be boring

      Like

  26. Hey guys! I just posted a blog post (duh) about why people should take a gap year… Any feedback would be appreciated! Here’s the link !

    My Gap Year

    Like

    2. I loved your post! A gap year is something I’d love to do, I just need to build up the courage to go it alone!! I’ve followed your blog and am looking forward to reading more! Would be great if you could check out and follow my blog too! Gemma 🙂

      Like

    1. hey! I checked out your blog and left a comment too. However I would advice you to please check the blog as the allignment of the font, images are not proper. It looks messy.

      Plus the two side bars seem a little too much.

      Cheers!

      Like

    2. you might want to remove one of the menus. it is a bit disconcerting to see two exactly the same. you will find the place to remove one in your customizer. otherwise the posts are nice.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. hey..im anuska,an dentist by profession.. i am new in the world of blogging. if you are interested in my writings please visit my site and give the feedback.it would be really helpful ! 🙂 please do visit my site n chek my blog!

    Like

    1. Hello! I’ve just been onto your blog and have followed you! I like the layout of it and particularly enjoyed your photography – some really cool shots! I hope you’ll check out and follow my blog too!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey! I’ve just checked out your blog and really enjoyed it 🙂 I liked the post about relationships, and also your blog is easy to navigate round and have a really lovely layout! I’ve followed and am looking forward to reading more! I hope you’ll check out and follow my blog too 🙂 Gemma

      Liked by 1 person