Sep 12, 2016 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and friendly blogging chatter.

The Community Pool will be closed for maintenance next Monday, September 19. We look forward to seeing you on the pool deck the following Monday, September 26.

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 and guidelines 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, as well as for not starting numerous threads in a single Pool.
  • 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. Also note that including multiple links in your comment might automatically put it in the moderation queue, which will delay its publication.
  • 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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    2. I have always been curious about Cuba 🙂 And your post and especially the pictures were a great insight. You have great theme neat and crisp… i am viewing this on a laptop and the font is tad bit small… i think it might look alright on the phone- so depending on your audience you could consider tweaking this !
      Do you mind checking out my blog. I am from India and I write about beauty, lifestyle and design. I will appreciate any feedback that you might have. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you, I will keep that in mind. And yes I will head over there at some point in the next day or so when I find a spare minute and most likely drop you a comment on your blog as it is probably easier that way. thanks again x

        Liked by 2 people

  3. Hello! Hope you are having a wonderful day. My name is Sharon and my pen name is Selma P. Verde. I have had a blog on WordPress for just over a year now. I have included a link to it if you are interested in checking it out.

    https://SelmaPVerdeblog.WordPress.com

    I’m in the final edits phase of my first YA/MG novel. I have done some stories on my blog and other fun facts and people that I have found on the internet.

    Have a question though, can you follow other blogs on you WordPress feed that aren’t WordPress blogs?

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hm, as far as I know, no — you cant follow non-Wordpress blogs with WordPress. Many blogs have a “follow by email” feature, so you can probably input your email and follow that way 🙂

      Overall, nice blog! Good content, good use of images. Consider using the “read more” button when writing/editing a post — this shortens your homepage so that readers don’t have to scroll as much to find an earlier post. (If you want to see an example, look at my blog!)

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

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the info and feedback Natalie! I think that the times that I see other web addresses that are not WordPress have WordPress blogs behind them. I will take a look at your blog when I get home from work.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented! Nice content. My suggestion: consider adding more tags/categories. You can use up to 15 total. They will help new readers find your posts 🙂 On your award post, you could add “liebster award” or something like that!

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

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Natalie, I am actually in the process of doing just that. I am only half way through that project. Should be all done by end of week 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  5. Hi everyone 🙂 this is my second attempt at posting a comment, im not sure where my first one went.. its nearly 2am in Australia and ive just finished putting my 6 month old son to sleep. This is generally when i write and post on my blog, when everything is still and quiet and its blissful. Id love it if you had a look at my site, I’m a young mother just trying to put my words into the world. I hope you enjoy them. Xx
    https://thepureawareness.wordpress.com

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Just commented! Nice content, good use of tags. I really liked the most recent quote you posted 🙂 My suggestion: consider adding images. I saw that some of your posts have them, but consider adding them on all of them! 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 the most🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you so much! I’d love to add images but often I’m not sure what to add. I’m not sure of the legalities involved in posting pics that aren’t mine, if there’s any copyright issue involved… I’m probably thinking too much into it lol. And of course I will check out your blog 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Check out flickr.com! Search for whatever sort of image you want, then apply the “Creative Commons” filter. These images are free to use as long as you credit the user who posted it 🙂 I almost always use this for my blog posts.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice content, good use of tags 🙂 My suggestion: I noticed that some of your posts don’t follow normal grammatical rules — example, “I” should be capitalized, the first word of a sentence should be capitalized, etc. Consider capitalizing things and it will make your blog look more professional 🙂

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

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Your blog looks interesting, but I couldn’t read more than a paragraph because the white text on black background just kills my eyes. Most other people I’ve talked to also tend to have this problem, so I would suggest you consider changing that.

      Liked by 3 people

  8. Hey, everyone! I write a blog that focuses on all aspects of the writing craft. Though humorous my goal is to provide an inside look at the process day by day. Here’s an example-

    Going Blank

    Please check it out, let me know what you think. Feedback is much appreciated and reciprocated.

    Thanks all!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Just commented! Good use of tags, good content. Your sense of humor got me to chuckle aloud a few times 😉 My suggestion: consider adding an image or two. Blogging is a very visual medium, and images will help break up the text!

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

      Liked by 2 people

    2. I would suggest you stick to black text on white background. Much as I would have liked to finish reading your post, I couldn’t continue farther than a few paragraphs because white text on black hurts my eyes.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. hey friends,

    Compiled this piece from a passage of the book i am reading – ‘Country of my Skull’ by Antjie Krog – which paints a simple picture of reconciliation/restitution:

    Hey dude, where’s my bicycle?

    But also wrote this piece called “Between the Cheerers and the Jeerers” giving some thoughts about who i write for – would love your feedback on this one…

    Between the Cheerers and the Jeerers

    Have a great week and keep writing
    love brett fish

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Just commented. Nice content! 🙂 I enjoyed reading your posts. My suggestion: you tend not to capitalize “I” when you write — though this is not a huge deal, readers will take your blog more seriously if you follow grammatical conventions. It makes you look much more professional!

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

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thanks Natalie. i hear you and it’s a personal choice and while it may irritate some people it’s something i have chosen stylistically and am okay with losing some people on that – a reminder that i am smaller and especially from a faith perspective that God is bigger

        Liked by 1 person

    1. First of all, congrats on being cancer-free! 🙂 I just commented on your post. Good content, good use of tags. Consider adding an image to break up the text a little. 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 the most🙂

      Liked by 4 people

    1. Just commented. Nice content! My suggestion: check the rules on punctuation and spaces. You should not have a space after the word and before the punctuation mark. For example, the following is incorrect: Hello ! To correctly format it, it should be: Hello! This applies to all punctuation; the space goes after the punctuation mark, not before it. This isn’t a huge deal, but readers will take your posts more seriously if the grammar is correct 🙂

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

      Liked by 6 people

    2. Just commented. Congrats on 200 followers! 🙂 Good content, nice video. Consider adding more tags so that new readers can find your posts. That might be tough on the Q&A post, but you can use up to 15 categories/tags 🙂

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

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Just commented! Nice content, good use of tags, good use of images 🙂 Rock on! I enjoyed reading your posts 🙂

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

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hey Natalie 🙂 Just read your second quote – really interesting, but I thought maybe it could have been a bit longer? I would have liked to hear a few more thoughts about it. Other than that great!
        Had a quick look at the rest of your blog – congrats on getting (almost) 1000 followers! Loved the guest posts so much! 🙂

        Liked by 4 people

      3. Sure! We’re on twitter and instagram both as @theshelflife___ (that’s 3 underscores) we’ll be sure to follow you right back! 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Just commented! Nice content, good post length 🙂 My suggestion: are you currently using tags and categories? I saw a few categories but no tags. You can use up to 15 total, and they help new readers find your posts 🙂

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

      Liked by 1 person

      4. Haha! I’m sure. He does have on average, 6 cups of tea a day. I myself am an American born tea drinker. He says I give him a run for his money when it comes to who is more tea obsessed.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Ha! I have to be in the mood for it. But I for sure can’t have it in the a.m. It makes me all jittery by lunch time. I would say I drink close to my [undisclosed] weight in tea monthly.

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Year round, I go through a pitcher of (my own version of) southern sweet tea (black tea with sugar), but when it gets cooler, I brew all types of teas with a variety of extras. My favorite lately has been chia with a splash of milk and honey.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented! Nice content, good use of images. Consider adding more tags — you can use up to 15 categories and tags, and they will help others find your posts. Consider adding “loneliness” or “friendship”, for example, to your most recent post!

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

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Read both parts. Well written.
      One thing I noticed though. There were a few minor glitches here and there. Not exactly mistakes but structuring sentences in ways that they come across better. These can be picked when you proof read before posting though.
      Feel free to browse through blogs in my page that interest you and share your thoughts.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Just stopped by! Nice content, good post length, good tags, and good use of images. Rock on 🙂 My suggestion: “Maybe” is actually one word, not two 😉 Otherwise, great post!

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

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thanks for taking the time Natalie. I hadn’t noticed the thing with maybe. I’ll keep that in mind.
        I like your posts on the quote challenge. Crisp and to the point. I’ve followed your page for future updates. Keep going !!!

        Liked by 2 people

  19. Happy Monday!
    I hope you are all going really great and having fun blogging and doing whatever humans do!

    MY POST:

    So, blogging and social media have been around for a while. Okay, so Pinterest and Blogging have been around for a while now. And they’ve BOTH been getting more popular. With more and more articles on blogs, and more and more pins on the 3rd most famous social networking site, Pinterest, they both go hand in hand. So, I’m here to tell you guys how to make Pinterest your blogging best friend!

    https://mybookylife.wordpress.com/2016/09/10/pinterest-blogging-best-friend/

    Don’t worry If you’re no Pinterest expert, I give you tips on how to use Pinterest, what to pin and when and the ultimate guide on befriending Pinterest for blogging and business sakes. Whether you are making money, blogging for fun and friends,networking and socialising or simply love writing or even designing, Pinterest and my article are for you! Check it out now! See you over there with your comments and likes 🙂

    MY BLOG:

    My blog is mainly a book blog, but I POST SO MANY BLOGGING TIPS, that I’m not so sure I’ve done more book reviews and discussions than tips and tricks. Post requests are welcome or even collabs and guest posts just contact me via my contact page!

    Contact

    I talk about anything from Bullet Journalling, To Shopping Hauls, To mysteries and research, to book reviews to baking recipes to creative writing prompts to blogging tips to… Okay, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. My Blog is everything and anything. I’ll see you there!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Just commented. Nice content, good use of images. Consider adding more tags — I only saw two (general and blogging tips) You can use up to 15 tags/categories. Since they help readers find you, adding something like “Pinterest” and “social media” might up your traffic.

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

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you.
        Oh, sorry, I actually HAVE added tags. The ‘Genera;’ and ‘Blogging Tips’ were categories. I chose to make my tags not visible on my posts because I didn’t like their look. So, I have already added the tags you suggested and more. Thank you though. Will do soon 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I’m not sure EVERY theme let’s you hide them. I’m running the Twenty Sixteen Theme on my blog, so maybe that’s why I only discovered that feature when I switched to 2016. 😀 It’s really great to exchange tips!

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Aw thanks. I checked out your blog too, and it’s great! But what I recommend is to put the “Read More” tag on the beginning of your posts (it’s where the edit tools are) because I find scrolled a lot through your blog. Adding this to many posts will have readers scrolling through more of your content, and leaving more likes and comments!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thats a interesting point of view, you have shared. Someone suggested that readers quickly scroll by all the posts and read none so its important to display all !! I am a little confused now 😦 !

        Like

    1. Just commented! Nice content, good use of tags, good post length. My suggestion: consider adding an image to some of your posts. In the playlist one, it could be an image of one of the singers/bands you mention, for example. Blogging is a very visual medium, and images help break up the text a bit 🙂

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

      Like

    1. Just stopped by! Nice content, nice post length, good tags. Consider changing “Monday’s” to “Mondays” (no apostrophe) — it’s grammatically incorrect with the apostrophe!

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

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thank-you for your prompt feedback! I have changed it, thank-you for that. I had thought it wasn’t quite right but I’m glad you pointed it out. I will definitely go take a look ☺️

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Sorry to be nosey, but I am a Virginia native myself! I popped over to your site to check it out. I’m not a beauty buff, but I just had to say: I looked at your ‘About’ page and came across your pic… you’re gorgeous! I chose to follow simply because I enjoy your writing. Keep it up!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re not being nosy at all! Somehow my comment got separated from the post lol. I really want to spend more time in Virginia, particularly Alexandria. Thank you so much for the compliment! I’m going to go check out your blog!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented! Nice content, nice post length. Are you currently using categories and tags? You can use up to 15 total and they help new readers find your blog. On the Hemingway post, you can use tags like “Ernest Hemingway” and “F. Scott Fitzgerald” and “writing advice”, for example 🙂

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

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Gripping read. I wish I could fantasy like that. 🙂
      Feel free to browse through whatever interests you in my page though and share your thoughts

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Hey girl2online, I’m lacking readers, and I’m happy when someone likes or comment’s on my blogs. As always personal tips lifestyle stories, soon there is a travel blog, meaning one blog each week with pictures and videos. Keep up with me for more!
    Keep writing. Xx
    Girl2online

    Liked by 4 people