Jul 25, 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).

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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.
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  • 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. Just commented. Great content and good use of images 🙂 I love your body positivity! There’s too much judging in this world and I love that you’re above the negativity. Rock on!

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I think the theme you have currently looks fine! 🙂 What do you not like about it? Do you want one with more photos? Less? A different layout? You can preview the WP themes from the customization area, to see how different ones will look. You can also check out my blog – I use “Hemingway Rewritten.”

      Like

    2. I do like your current theme.

      I know you asked for feedback about the layout/theme, but I noticed you haven’t written anything on your ‘about’ page. Readers will want to see something there.

      Like

    4. I don’t see any major problems with your theme, but if you’re not happy with it, then I guess you’ll have to keep trying things out. If you don’t have anything in mind then just go through all the themes until you find one you like. If you want to stick with the theme you currently have, I do suggest you perhaps make your Home image smaller and expand your About page.
      Happy Blogging!

      Like

    1. Hi Retrato,
      I love your pictures. Absolutely gorgeous!
      I noticed you mentioned the photographs are available for prints, but it was not clear how to order prints. If you are looking to sell prints, maybe have one page providing that information (price, etc.). Or link to another website where you sell prints.

      My other suggestion you can take for what it’s worth, understanding that I love writing and I don’t know photography. So maybe my suggestion is worthless. But I like the page 35MM: India because you gave me some of your insight. There was added information and thoughts that I could think about while I looked at the photographs. Other pages, such as Aotearoa: Turakina lacked that extra writing, and I could not fully appreciate the photography.

      Hope my suggestions help some. If you are willing, I’d love feedback on my blog. It’s new, and I’m still figuring it out, but my theme is about learning from travel. Thanks! https://confidentadventurer.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Hi, I find your articles pleasingly personal. I seriously like that style in a travel article–makes me want to experience it. It’s like reading a personal diary. I would love to see an image or two to go with it. Any photographer will love to have their images with your writing. You can also photograph them when you travel next time. You can play with other WordPress themes and choose the one that best suit your personality and style. I followed you and I hope we can learn from each other. Cheers!

        Like

    2. If desired, you could include some text with the images that you post — nothing crazy, maybe a sentence for every third image. If you want to focus on photography, you don’t want to overwhelm folks with words, but a bit of text could explain a shot, or the lens you used, or why you like it so much.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I appreciate your comment. I have put few text on other posts like The Doors and 35mm: India. I agree and will update the others with a short description or something to help readers feel the images more. Cheers!

        Like

    1. Just visited — nice content, good use of images, good post length 🙂 Rock on! In some posts, you might add more images if you want to add a bit more color to your posts, but be careful not to overwhelm your words with images, either. It’s a tough thing to balance!

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hello!
      I like your header image, it makes your blog unique. I like that you have sections for all of the different topics you write on in your menu. I also like that you use pictures of things you’ve written for the titles of posts. Keep on writing! Check out my blog on thankfulness, authentic living, and satire at: https://wondersinthewind.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Just checked out your site. You do a great job of choosing images to match your words — a good image adds a lot to a post, and you have a knack for it 🙂 Rock on!

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      2. I’m glad it caught your eye! 🙂 Thanks for telling me!

        I looked through your blog — looks like you’ve got some grammatical/spelling issues (such as the spelling of sanctuary in the post title). Other than that, your posts are interesting and well-done! 🙂

        Like

    1. Just commented! Maybe post pictures of the products once you use them as well, so readers can see your deals and also see the quality of the product. Up to you, though.

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I didn’t think of that, but that is a good idea. I could at least put pictures in of swatches of the different products. Thanks…great advice!! Sure, I will check some out! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    2. In my perspective creating a budget is very important especially in life, and other things many of adult have to do later in life. So in reality people need to save, prioritize themselves to ensure they are were they need to be ad far as making a important decisiob when forming a budget. Live your blog and posts keep it up.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented! Nice content, and good use of pictures. I definitely recommend fixing your theme, though, so readers can find your posts easier 🙂

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Looking for new, interesting things to post on my entertainment review/discussion blog. So far, I’ve reviewed movies, tv shows, books, music and I’ve even discussed a couple of interesting news topics. I’m looking to expand and add new dynamic to my blog, but I’m not sure how.

    Can you guys visit my blog (www.RealTalk4Ublog.wordpress.com) and give me a few suggestions? I usually post whatever I feel like posting, but I would like to expand my blog, so I’m open to pretty much everything, as long as it involves entertainment in some form.

    I’m working on a recipe post, but, since I don’t cook much, it’s taking a little more time than usual, but I’m willing to give it a go.

    Thanks so much, guys!

    Amira 😉

    Like

    1. Looks like you’ve got a lot of reviews on there — awesome! Have you posted your book reviews on Goodreads at all?

      You could also review songs/artists, too 🙂

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I haven’t posted anything on Goodreads before, but I have posted a couple reviews on Amazon. I’ve heard quite a few other reviewers talk about Goodreads, so maybe I should start posting on there.

        Like

      2. It’s another social media account, in many ways — I enjoy writing reviews about books (I actually wrote a post about how it helped me with my own creative writing) — but I like the adding friends bit less. If you decide to do it, let me know! I can help out/be your friend on the site 🙂

        Like

    1. Just stopped by. Great content and good post length! I recommend adding another image to some of your posts — some, such as the sanctuary one, could use a bit more color to break up the text. Blogging is a very visual medium!

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Like

  15. Hi everyone! This weeks post is a call you wonderful people to let me know “Why do you write?” I think everyone has different reasons for doing the things they love, i love to write, because i want to bless those around me, and because i enjoy it! Leave your reasons for doing the things you love in the comments and let’s get the discussion going!

    Why do you write/do what you love?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented 🙂 Nice content, good post length. One suggestion: on my monitor, it’s a little hard to read the post title with the “Life After Darkness” rainbow beneath it. The colors clash a bit. Anyway to change the colors or move the rainbow words to make it a little easier to read?

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Just stopped by. Nice color scheme, good post length, and good content. 🙂 My suggestion: break your paragraphs up a little more. Right now, they’re all a little large and perhaps a bit overwhelming to some readers. Breaking them up will help it flow better — adding an image may also help.

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Like

      1. Thank you for the feedback! I have also checked your and I really like it! Especially how you seperated the blog posts, which is something I really have to do ! I will defenitely leave you some comments 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Hi Jana,
      I love your site. It is very well organized, I love your writing style, and I love the header pictures with words cutting off part of it. I agree with Natalie that perhaps breaking up the larger paragraphs will help make reading easier. My other suggestion is to use a bolder font. I found the light font one that made me have to lean closer to the computer to read.

      I do like your theme and find it very similar to the theme on my new blog. I, too, write about travel and discovery. Here’s my page if your interested. And I’m also looking for feedback if you are willing.
      https://confidentadventurer.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 2 people

  17. Hi everyone,
    I haven’t blogged in two weeks and I wanted to share a brief updates post. It’s about what I intend to blog about and the reasons why I haven’t been blogging as much.

    I think this post would be a great one to hopefully get a glimpse of my easy to read, chatty writing style. Of course feedback on my writing style or my blog in general would be helpful.

    https://coffeeshopdreams.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/unfinished-drafts-and-unpublished-posts/

    Thank you and happy blogging 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice post. It felt very informal and I enjoyed that conversational feel. Good post length, nice content. Maybe add an image, if you so desire. Blogging is a very visual medium.

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! I’ll definitely keep in mind your feedback. I try to include images as much as possible but sometimes I just don’t know what to add haha. Of course, I’ll check it out now 🙂

        Like

      2. You can go to websites like Flickr and use the “creative commons” search filter to get free general images. All you have to do is credit the user who posted them!

        Like

      3. I think my problem is I tend only to use photos I’ve taken 🙈 I’ll definitely check that out in the future 🙂

        Like

  18. Hello,

    I am a sporadic blogger. Being a mom of two beautiful chilrend, and a furmommy to 2 cats, and one puppy, and wife, not to mention work full time outside of the home, blogging gets put on the back burner at times.
    I love to share my mommy moments, crafts, diys, and whatever else comes to mind at the time, feel free to come on over!
    https://gratefulmommyof2.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice posts 🙂 Good content, good post length. Maybe use some more photos in posts like the long weekend one, which is a bit long to not have an image of some sort. Blogging is a pretty visual medium!

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Like

  19. Can you tell me why I post a featured image on my blog post, but when it post on my Facebook page it’s a widget picture I had? Then I deleted the widget and tried it again and it still posted the same widhet

    Like

  20. Hi all!
    I am new to the world of blogging and would love some feedback on my blog. Is my theme one that would interest others? Is my theme clear? How is my layout? Should it have more color? Thanks!

    Like

    1. I like your theme 🙂 Good colors, good post length, good content. I’d recommend adding more color through images, not through changes to your theme. Blogging is a very visual medium, so perhaps adding something from VT or South Dakota would augment your post.

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Like

      1. Thanks! I will certainly work on that! I took a look at your blog and love your writing! Your use of metaphors is incredible! Do you have a sidebar or way to easily navigate to different/past pages? Perhaps you did, and I didn’t see it because I’m on a tablet right now. But I think that would enhance your blog and make it easier for new readers to catch up.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. One thing I might suggest is a read more tag or a theme that only shows the first few sentences of a post. The more posts you have, the longer that homepage scroll gets if every post is on it in it’s entirety. It can be daunting to potential readers.

      Like

  21. Beginner here if anyone would like to follow.. my sites are: Theventilationstation.wordpress.com for rants/vents or for poems, musings and stories of mine: awordwonderland.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. I read the state highway story — sounds like a mystery story start to me 🙂 Good content, nice post length. Maybe add more images? That post could have used one additional one to break up the text a little, if desired.

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. My latest piece is a big break from my normal, which are typically long stories with a humorous streak. I tried to make it poetry but couldn’t get it to work as straight up verse. It ended up as more of a prose poem, a vignette. Curious if readers think it works in this form. It’s also adult themed as a warning.

    Dawning (A 5 AM Vignette)

    Thanks so much.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Just commented. Nice poem! 🙂 I recommend adding an image — a picture of some sort can really augment a post by adding color. Blogging is a very visual medium, after all!

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Like

    1. Link is dead 😦

      However, I got to your blog by clicking on your name — I checked out a few posts, and I’m not totally sure what changed to cause the declining views. Your older posts are more technical and bipolar-centered. Your more recent ones are more about your personal life (like the oil change). Perhaps this contributes to it? Honestly, traffic varies a lot on my blog as well. Maybe readers are just weird 😉

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Like

    1. Nice post. Good content, good post length. Maybe move the image into the middle of the post to break up the text a little more?

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Like the subject matter – it’s specific and detailed! You might consider incorporating more photos into your post so that readers can have a better step by step idea of what things are supposed to look like at each stage. Those always help me when reading recipe blogs.

      Like

      2. As you get more involved with your blog, will start to see things you do as opportunities to share your knowledge, and probably start to take more photos. I have so many photos that I took just in case I need them for a blog post down the line 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Hi all – a blogger friend of mine told me recently that some of my posts come across as too personal and that I write too much. She preferred some of my more product / design focused posts where I share images within a theme. Would love to hear a little feedback on which direction I should veer towards (if either), and what content is more engaging! http://jackie-jennings.com

    Thanks!
    Jackie

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Jackie:)
      I personally love when it get’s a bit personal, and I don’t agree that you write to much. Maybe dividing the text into more passages and thereby adding some air to it, it will make the post a bit easier to read.
      I really like that you add pictures, it gives it a nice touch:)
      As to which direction you should veer towards, I like both kinds of posts.
      I hope this can help you! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      3. What kind of changes are you considering making? If you are planning to take your readership into consideration more when writing posts, do you know what topics resonate the most with them? I like that your blog is raw (and sometimes the writing seems to be a little cathartic) – it seems genuinely you. I would make sure that any changes you make still feel true to you. Good luck!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Jackie, you are the one blogging. Do what you want. I’m not saying ignore your friend, I’m just saying go with your heart. Your blog is what you make it and many people will have opinions, but it’s your blog and you can do what you want.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You are right. I asked her opinion without considering the fact that she is a very different kind of blogger than I am. I agree it’s important to stay authentic to myself!

        Like

    3. Hello!
      I like having both kinds of posts. After all, the blog is yours. So if you want to write some pieces that are more personal, go for it! As long as you’re writing about something that interests you, your personal style will shine through and that is what readers will like. Keep up the good work. I followed you so I can keep up with your writing; I haven’t come across many blogs that write on the same things as you. Check out my blog about thankfulness, authentic living, and satire at: https://wondersinthewind.wordpress.com/

      Like

    1. Nice blog! Great content, good use of images, good post length. I enjoyed reading through your posts and I’ll definitely be following you 🙂

      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I love the title of your blog — its such a hook! I knew I had to check it out the moment I read the title. You’ve certainly chosen to write about a wide variety of subjects. As yes, I do find your posts funny!
      Thanks for offering to check out my blog — I’d love any feedback. http://www.cheerupmimi.com

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Hi guys!
    I’d really like some feedback about the look of my blog. Since I’ve almost just hit 100 followers, I thought it would be an appropriate time for me to make some adjustments.
    I was thinking about adding some more categories, and maybe some pages, (if I figure out what they do:P).
    Besides that I’m pretty lost… What do you think I should change, or is it fine as it is?
    https://ihaveabadsenseofhumor.wordpress.com/
    Thanks in advance:D

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I think it’s really good how you have the black background picture, and then bright pictures in your blog posts, which will draw attention to them, definitely keep! xo

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Well first, congratulations are in order.

      Second, I don’t know if you want to get too page-happy. Categories, maybe, if you (or if you’re going to) find yourself writing about certain things more often than not (life in general? books? musings and thoughts?). If not and it’s really just that random, oh well. You do you.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. You’re right — there’s nothing like a bad sense of humor to draw people in! In terms of the look, have you thought of changing the plain white background to something else? You could consider a black and white theme, to match your cover picture.
      I like categories if you want to post on a large variety of subjects — that way your readers can find what they are interested in. As for pages, think of them as static posts. They’ll always be on the front page of your blog. I would definitely add an “About” page, so that we can get to know you a little.
      Would you be willing to check out one of my posts? I would appreciate any feedback. Click on my name and choose whichever one appeals to you most. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I actually didn’t know you could do that, but I’ll definitely make sure to look into it! An about page sounds like a pretty good idea, and I’ll definitely be adding categories:) It’s makes it a bit easier to figure out what you actually want to read, since I write about a lot of different subjects.
        Thanks a lot for the feedback! I’d love to check our your blog too.

        Like

    4. Oops just came across this post after leaving you my other comment. I would say one of the pages can be an “About Me” page – even if you still wish to remain anonymous, readers like to know who they are reading. Maybe a little about you, and what they can expect from your blog?

      Liked by 1 person