Aug 15, 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).

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    1. Hey Katie, I’ve visited your blog and loved every second of it!

      Only thing that I’ve noticed missing is an “Archive” section. I recommend you to add it cause it’ll allow easy access of your older posts to your viewers. Isn’t that awesome?

      Anywho- Keep things up and like a time bomb, your blog will explode in time. I’m sure 😉

      Left you a couple of comments so talk there bud!

      Your pal,
      Benjamin
      http://www.projectbiy.com

      Liked by 1 person

  2. https://zaiyd.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/almost/

    Almost. Is My second work of fiction. It’s starts with a man who returned after winning a war. It takes time to sink in. And then is when you find out that this started way before that.
    Hope you guys lke it. Many of you yourselves have been an inspiration to me.
    If not good enough! Really? is it not? :p
    DO suggest something and give tips and your opnion!
    I just wanna get better at this like everybody else! And you guys can make it.
    If ya really love it! really you will? :p
    Do follow! And tune in for more. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Just commented. A nice commentary on the pain of war. My suggestion: consider adding more tags/categories. Right now, you have only “fiction.” More will help readers find you. Consider adding “war” or “love” etc. as well.

      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. Hey bud, got not much time so I couldn’t get into reading the long posts so I went with the shorter ones and left you some comments 🙂

      Cool site you’ve got. Though I feel that the about page can be better hahah. Remember, new visitors are most likely going to be heading there first to find out who you are and what the blog is all about!

      Also, a suggestion- Try adding an archive page so that it’ll be easy for readers to access your older posts.

      I skimmed through a few of your longer post and got a sense of your writing and I feel that it’s not bad so keep it up bud 😉

      Your pal,
      Benjamin
      http://www.projectbiy.com

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Your layout is good generally, but I wish it was easier to find out more about you. Your blog handle is interesting, and it made me curious about why you chose it, but there isn’t an obvious “about me” page that I could find.

      Like

  4. I published a post last night and another one this morning that I’d love to have you take a look at.

    https://livinglearningandlettinggo.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/the-beauty-of-chinese-lantern-pods/

    https://livinglearningandlettinggo.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/photo-journal-of-a-snails-adventure/

    All feedback is welcome. One thing I already know and learned from doing the snail post is that I need to work on holding the camera still when taking videos and I need to hold the camera horizontal. I used the videos anyway since the content was important, but I will do a better job on that next time!

    I was happy with the photographs that preceded the videos but since I’m not a photographer any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Nice post! I enjoyed reading it 🙂 I’m not a photographer, but I liked the pictures, so I don’t have any critique on those. I liked stepping into their little world for a few minutes!

      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 like the photos. All very clear. On a blog layout note, I love that I don’t have to click on the blog title in order to like or comment on your posts.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I really like the way I can scroll through your posts to find one that looks interesting. I loved your post on travel tips. Oh and your photos are gorgeous.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Hello there!

    Hope you are doing great and enjoying the best of your life. I wish you a very healthy and happy week.

    Apart from publishing regular stuff on my blog, I recently wrote a story about a girl with some big dreams. Read it out and do not hesitate in sharing your comments and suggestions about my writing.

    You Can’t Fly Like A Bird

    Thank you!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Just commented. Your story has a powerful message. Consider adding an image to go with your story, to break up the text a little and add some color. 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 2 people

  7. Hello everyone! I just posted my first 2 DIY posts. I would appreciate any feedback on whether I should be including more in my DIYs and if the quality of the content is enough. My posts are usually pretty short.

    I thought I posted this earlier but for some reason I don’t see it. Sorry if there’s a double post. I will delete the other if I see it.

    DIY Pedestal Globe Candle Holder/Terrarium/Fish Bowl

    DIY Terra Cotta Fairy House

    Update: DIY Terra Cotta Fairy House Planter with Mossy Stonecrop Sedum

    Like

    1. Hello,
      The reason your comments were delayed is because they contain multiple links — this often sends them to the moderation queue instead of being published immediately. Including one link only will make this issue disappear.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. You use images so well — very powerful!! I really enjoyed looking through your blogs because the images were so well-chosen. 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. Hello,

      I like your post “Dancing the Masquerade”. The concept of wearing masks, identity, and how we present ourselves is so fascinating to me. The post had a clear message though your personality and humor helped distinguish the post from some super general devotional. I like your layout a lot (lots of cool pictures), and I appreciate that you have a strong sense of purpose that keeps you writing. Keep it up! Check out my blog about authentic living, thankfulness, and satire at: https://wondersinthewind.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I love reading your blog, you writing style is effortless and lovely to read. You have some very interesting and unique ideas to put out there and I would encourage you not to stop writing, you have a powerful voice and you can definitely make a difference. Your post about OCD is profound, I personally think that it is wonderful that someone has been able to put so naturally the trouble with labelling our behaviours nowadays. You have a wonderful blog, never stop!

      Like

      1. Thank you so much for your feedback, I will have a look at yours too. I am hoping to offer my own reflections and get some back to learn some new perspectives as well as connect with others
        Thank you for reading

        Like

      2. Really love the layout of your blog and its user friendliness! I like the content too and looking forward to reading more.

        Like

    2. I’m already following you, but I enjoyed and commented on this post 🙂 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

    3. Hi! I visited your blog and i really enjoyed it. I like different aspects of psychology and I like how you delve into that. I really enjoyed reading your post about being obsessed. I think it is an over used word, like so many other words-which would make a good blog post idea. If you get a chance, could you check out my blog at: http://merrymadnessblog.wordpress.com as I am fairly new at blogging and I am trying to learn all I can about it. Thanks!

      Like

    1. I like the content, but think you might want to rethink the format a bit. A lot of you work is pretty short – instead of each post taking you to a new page, can you set it up so it just expands the post without leaving the homepage? It would make it easier to read through the shorter works.

      Like

    2. This seems like the kind of blog that come straight from the hip, you post as the moment dictates. It’s kind of liberating in a way, that you’re not holding yourself down to a kind of posting form. I might suggest a different theme, though, something that’s a better fit for shorter works with the occasional picture.

      Like

    1. Hi! I took a look at it – fyi, the forum is down at the moment, so I couldn’t get a look at that. I skimmed a couple of articles, and they looked pretty good. Mostly, though, I can’t tell what the goal of the community is. Do you guys support each other? Personal projects? It might be nice to have a small section showcasing people’s projects so the community can feel a little more involved (that might all take place in the forums, but they’re down atm).

      It’s a pretty cool idea!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey bud! Thanks for checking out the site and leaving this really thoughtful comment!

        Indeed, it’s a blog with the mission to create a community where we can support each other out in life 🙂

        I have some thoughts on showcasing people’s projects etc and still have yet to get it down yet. Am looking into the prospects of using YouTube and forums etc but still considering the options lol! (Forum was used for awhile but it ran into some issue so I tapped it into maintenance mode till further notice.)

        So far, Facebook is the medium that I get everyone to get on cause almost everyone uses Facebook! If you got any other suggestions, please by all means, do share!

        Anyway, it’s like 2.30am here now so I will get back to you on your site yeah? As promised, you will get your blog reviewed too 😉

        Again, seriously, thank you for this comment!

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Like

      2. Hey bud! So I checked out your blog and left some comments there. Feel free to read them later 😉

        First, your blog is obviously very clean, which is always a good thing to prevent visitors from being overwhelmed and thus, leaving.

        A few things that I’ve noticed missing. You got no about page, which in my books, is a MUST HAVE because most new visitors will head on over there first to get to know the author. Don’t think I need to explain further here eh? 😉

        Second, I would suggest adding an archive section so that it’ll be easy for readers to access your older posts. Wouldn’t want to keep them away from new readers, right?

        Over all, I like how you write btw! Can really sense your personality in there which, is a nice touch 😉

        Oh yeah, I did notice something else. To me, the site feels kinda blend at times so perhaps adding some images would help in the reader’s engagement.

        Hope this helps bud! Talk again soon 😉

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Like

    2. Hi I checked out your blog and I love the idea behind it. I’m a little pessimistic, so it’s good to see the hope and optimism of your site. One thing I would suggest is to put a little more info about what exactly you do on your home page. The links were helpful, but I wasn’t sure what I was looking for.

      If you have a chance, can you check out my blog? It’s not that similar to yours, but I would appreciate any feedback that you have: https://nikkispeaksfromtheheart.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Got no time to read on cause it’s like 3am here right now and I’ve been responding to as many people as I can lol!

        Anyway, seriously loved your voice and personality bud. You obviously got some confidence issue in your writing/sharing department but hey, I’m here and glad to tell you that you’re gifted in blogging so keep it up 😉

        I feel that lots of people are gonna love your blog as long as you keep doing things the way you do!

        Noticed that an archive section is missing so I’d suggest you to add one in future so that your new readers can gain access to your older posts easily via the year it’s posted.

        Nice use of images btw 😉

        If you want some tips which I’ve shared before previously for new bloggers, check this link out:
        https://projectbiy.com/2016/06/24/blogger-recognition-award-and-my-advice-to-new-bloggers/

        I believe it’ll help accelerate your traffic, if that’s what you’re looking to achieve as well. Alright as I’ve mentioned, it’s 3.07am now so I gotta hit the hay and prep for tmr.

        Talk again soon Nikki. Should you have any questions, feel free to ask bud!

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Like

    3. Wow – Benjamin – your site is wonderful!!

      What a powerful mission you are on 🙂

      I really like the layout of the site and the first page that you come to really makes your message and intentions clear.

      I quite enjoyed your post on social anxiety. Your tips are very helpful. So many people suffer from this.

      I look forward to reading more , and checking out some of the podcasts.

      🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey thanks for the visit and epic comment, Miss Bike Lady (You gotta leave a name so that I can use it or you’re getting this nick from me lol!)

        I’ve checked out your blog too and LOVED it. You share the idea on trying to make life better for everyone in your own way- Something that I aim to do in life as well so cheers to that 🙂

        Your site looks great as well and I especially love the way you write and how you incorporate the images into help illustrate things better for your readers. It really intensifies things in a good way.

        My visit was a pleasant one and I’m sure it would be for everyone else too so keep it up 😉

        Cheers to checking my content out- Hope that it helps you in anyway!
        Do let me know what you think of the rest of the content if you do check them out!

        Oh yeah, considering how positive you are and what you aim to do with your blog, I’d love to have you join our FaceBook community as well (Just like it and it’s done!) and get involved in sharing the positivity with everyone there if you ever get any stroke of inspiration to share.

        Feel free to share your articles there or just share whatever inspiring content that you’ve found on your personal Facebook feed!

        The community page is set up for the sole purpose of spreading positivity 🙂

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Wow – thanks Benjamin!!! I do need to put my contact info on my page. I will definitely take a look at the facebook site – sounds great!!! And I will read more from your site as well- now that I am following I will get reminders of your blog posts.

        Thanks so much for all of the wonderful feedback. This really validates for me that I am going in the right direction with my site 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Npm! You are definitely on the right track so keep on cycling on this path 😉

        As Albert Einstein said “Life is like a bicycle- To keep your balance, you gotta keep moving.”

        Now imagine if you’re moving on the path that brings you to greatness and success! Just epic!

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Liked by 1 person

    4. Hey! Very interesting blog. I have social anxiety issues that stem from low self-esteem issues. It is nice to see someone put a spotlight on this. I will definitely check out more on your blog. If you could, please check out my blog at http://merrymadnessblog.wordpress.com (you’ll understand more about my self-esteem issues by reading through some of my posts). I am fairly new to blogging so any feedback and follows would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey Mary so I’ve read your blog earlier and left a LONG comment on one of your post which I’ve spent a lot of time writing so I don’t really have much time left to check out many other posts lol.

        But anywho, overall, I still managed to skim through the blog and felt that it was a nice experience visiting it. Layout is organized and easy to navigate and your writing can be heartfelt as well which is pretty nice!

        So far, everything seems to be in order since I did not notice anything crucial missing in your blog so all is well bud.

        Keep up the good work 😉

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Like

      1. Thanks bud! Really appreciate the sweet feedback here 🙂

        Anywho I checked out your blog earlier. Things looks good. I’m not one who does poetry but I do know how hard it is to get words to rhyme and make sense so I am able to appreciate your work a little more than I think I would’ve hah.

        Site looks appropriate and fits your personality. Though I didn’t really get much feel of YOU except for that one post about love- Considering that everything (In my recollection anyway) is all poetic and STRICTLY just poetry.

        Not saying that it’s a bad thing, after all, you ARE doing a poetry site. But I’d love to hear your thoughts on things sometimes which isn’t written in such manner.

        My suggestion? Perhaps try writing posts with poetries and add in your personal thoughts on it? Or maybe even the origin of the poetry- How it even got conceived in the first place or the inspiration that led to it being written?

        Point is, I want to see more you. Not just poetry. That’s something I noticed in a lot of poetry blogs. I get it, you dig poetry but you got people out here who don’t exactly do.

        Are you catering strictly only to other poets? Or do you like the idea of having a non-poet read your content and perhaps even start liking it because of being inspired by your work and personality?
        You gotta find think about that and adjust your blog’s direction accordingly 😉

        But of course, it’s YOUR site so if you like the direction it is going at the moment? Please by all means, just roll with it! I’m just sharing my opinion in what I feel, can help in boosting traffic and increase immersion and engagement with your readers 😉

        Btw, your “About” page, please for the love of god, get it done ASAP. It’s usually THE FIRST PAGE new visitors head over to, so as to get to know who they are “Listening” to!

        Hope this helps champ!

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks for letting me know the imp points of suggestion buddy…
        Trust me the you’ll see them soon enough…
        😉😉

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I love your writing. You already know this 🙂 If you’re looking for suggestions, though, consider adding images to your posts to add some color and break up the text. Anything licensed as Creative Commons can be used for free, as long as you credit the poster (I usually get mine from Flickr).

      Like

      1. I agree with this. If you go that route, it couldn’t hurt to brush up on Creative Commons license laws, even though a lot of it really is just (if you can) mention the author’s name (if applicable), then CC-BY-(some number, depends on the license, Share Alike, or country). Most pictures from Flickr are CC-BY-20, so it’s covered by Creative Commons, just give credit to whoever took the picture.

        My most recent post has two examples of Creative Commons attribution – one from a Share Alike 3.0 license (VERY flexible), and a Flickr image (2.0 license). https://scicasual.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/this-is-your-brain-on-multiple-media/

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Hey! I really like your writings…so much so that I am following your blog now. Your writing feels real and the emotions feel raw, which drew me into your posts even more. If you could, please check out my blog at: http://merrmadnessblog.wordpress.com I am fairly new at blogging and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

      Like

      2. I went to go check out your blog, and the link led to a page that said it doesn’t exist. Do you have another link?

        Like

    1. Hi! I really like your writing style, and how concise the reviews are in general. I think your opinions come across very well, and it’s clear without being curt. One thing I would recommend is adding in a little summary of the book in your reviews. I had never heard of most of these books, and while I left with a good idea of your impressions, I still had no idea what the book was about. If you don’t really want to write a summary, you can even just include one or two sentences from the book jacket, in my opinion. I think that you will have some great reviews.

      If you have some time, could you maybe check out my blog? It’s not particularly similar to yours, but I would appreciate any advice you may have: https://nikkispeaksfromtheheart.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Good point on the summaries. I was trying to avoid sounding like a wikipedia plot synopsis, but I think I overcompensated in the other direction. Thanks for the advice!

        About your blog: I like your new Current Events section – I agree it’s important to be informed, and it’s also scarily easy to not be informed if you don’t go out of your way to look for it. So on one hand you’re keeping yourself informed, and on the other you’re pushing it into the way of your readers, so they also pick up on some current events.

        I noticed you don’t have much by way of tags, though. I know there’s a pretty big audience for things like social anxiety, or loneliness, or feeling disconnected, and I think you could tap into that by adding relevant tags to make your posts more searchable.

        It might also be easier to navigate if you show only the first paragraph or so, then have the “Read More” option. It would make it easier to skim and pick and choose what to read.

        Like

  17. Happy Monday, bloggers!
    I come today with two requests. One, I’d love feedback on my most latest post, which is on being a picky eater https://coolbeans4.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/confessions-of-a-picky-eater/

    And two, I also am looking for feedback on my blog’s background colour. I recently darkened it (it used to be sky blue) after a reader suggested it made her eyes hurt, but I’m still unsure about the way it is.

    Thanks, and I look forward to reading your blogs!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I have two kids who have “selective palates” so your blog has helped me understand them better — because it can be frustrating as a parent!

      Your color scheme looks fine to me. 🙂

      Like

    2. The colors on your site look fine to me. Greetings from another selective eater. Not only is it texture and taste, it’s that I can’t digest some foods comfortably. When I go to a meeting and the coordinator says, “We will be serving lunch,” I always ask what they are serving. I don’t expect them to provide a separate meal for me, but I do want the courtesy of knowing what to expect so that I can bring my own food, if necessary. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Yep, I always carry granola bars with me just in case. Digestion problems suck. Sometimes I’ll use an allergy excuse too, even though I don’t really have concerning food allergies.
        Thanks for the feedback on my colours!

        Like

  18. Hello everyone!
    Third times a charm right? I tried post twice before this but haven’t seen my posts yet. If the others show up I will delete them. 🙂

    I have posted my first two DIYs and would love any feedback and whether they need more information in them. My posts are usually pretty short. Also, is the quality of the content enough? Thank you in advance for any help!

    https://ourartsyfartsyfamily.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love your URL! I also love the layout of your blog, it’s easy to follow. In your most recent post you mention “see:” and then you’ve added a link. For easy access I recommend adding this as a hyperlink so people only have to press it (make sure it directs them to a new tab!) Apart from that I think you have a good quality blog!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I really like your blog! Your instructions are clear, and I love all the pictures. It makes it bright and colorful and easy to follow. I agree with @caitlintoday about the hyperlinks, but that’s the only advice I would have so far! Good luck, and great blog!

      If you get the chance, could you check out my blog? It is quite dissimilar from yours, but I would appreciate any feedback you may have: https://nikkispeaksfromtheheart.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 2 people

    3. A great blog with ideas I can use with our family (4 kids). Thanks for sharing your projects. I think the length of the entries is just right (for me, anyway!).

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I really liked your gender and sports article — concise, well-written, and well-placed images (though perhaps one showing the different items in the men’s and women’s golf departments would be good, too?). 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. Just commented! Nice post, good use of tags, and nice image! Looks like there’s a bit of white space at the bottom, between “Jessica” and the “like”/sharing buttons. Any reason it’s there?

      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. Guilty! That’s what I thought as I started reading your posts on writing —
      “I know I’m guilty of doing that!” for example. A very helpful blog and I’ll be following your entries.

      Like

      1. Thanks! Believe me, I do it too. At least on the first drafts. When I get down to the final edits, that’s when the rules kick in.

        Like

  23. Hello people
    I just joined wordpress. i would like to get some feed back on my blog and the pieces i have posted already. also, i was advised to get a partner for the pair-audit thing. Is anyone interested?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented. I liked it! My suggestion, though, is to add an image — it’s a short post, so it only needs one, but it will add a little color and also break up the text a little. Also, do you use categories/tags? I didn’t see them.

      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. Oh ok I will definitely try accommodating the suggestions. Thank you so much for taking out your time and reading my post. I will definitely check out yours 🙂

        Like

    1. Hello – really like the look of your blog – the background is colourful but not too overwhelming, i really like the poem you wrote for your mums birthday too, beautifully written

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice post! Good length, very concise, quite enjoyable 🙂 My suggestion: maybe add an additional tag or two? Maybe “authors” or “literature” or whatnot to help more readers find your work!

      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 Natalie, much appreciated.
        I’ve read a few of your posts – they’re all really good (I think you’ve got the length just right), but your most recent post about stress is definitely my favourite. Personally, I’d like to see more posts of that nature – although news of your recent publications is pretty impressive!

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, I agree. I pray always that God would place people in their lives, like teachers etc. that would help point them to God. 😊

        Like

      1. I just read your post about feeling inferior and I left a comment. I can relate to a lot of what you wrote about. Thank you for checking out my blog! 😊

        Liked by 1 person