Oct 10, 2016 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for advice, feedback, 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 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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    1. The photo is a perfect fit for the post. Generally, I like short posts; however, in this case, I wanted to know more about what you did. I did notice some grammar issues. For example: “children are used in prostitution market and I know that one of my students do it” should be “children are used in the prostitution market and I know that one of my students does it.” https://gracelead.co

      Like

  2. Alas a day late, but tune is relative. Albert said so and I gave no into intension of arguing with his conclusions. However, empirically it might be proven in my world. I thougt it was Monday, the calendar said otherwise so relative to my perspective of time the world gained a day. And if that makes no sense then try my latest post. It is horror fiction so, be warned….although, that doesn’t work in a book. Sensible characters don’t go into spooky derelict houses with no lights at midnight to have a look around. Why would you?

    I digress….

    https://fictionisfood.wordpress.com/2016/10/07/dragon-stone/#more-1589

    Have a brilliant week everyone 😊

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Hi everyone 🙂 I recently started a blog which is kind of a mix between my travelling experience but will hopefully also incorporate a lot of positive thinking and taking control of your own mind and perceptions on things. I am aware though that I have a very ‘scattergun’ approach to writing. I like the idea of writing a blog but I find it difficult to stay specific to genre and topic and I often ramble on.
    I’m not looking to be a great blogger and i’m aware my writing is pretty elementary but it is just something for me. I would however like some feedback on how to keep more structured and focused on topic as I often feel I want to try cover too much all the time.
    Here is a link to my first entry: https://neverignorethejourney.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/chapter-1-ie-my-first-post/
    However, I feel my tendency to ramble and lose my thread is most apparent in recent entries (ie: https://neverignorethejourney.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/my-first-week-in-australia/)

    If anyone could give me some feedback (either here or on the comments of the blogs-I don’t mind) then it’d be greatly appreciated 🙂

    I’m also happy to return the favour!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Just stopped by! Here are my suggestions: it’s okay to ramble 🙂 That said, more images may help you. The images will break up the text and draw the reader’s eye in — this is good because if your image/text balance is good, the fact that you’re rambling matters a bit less 😉 Your post imparts some great advice both for travellers and nontravellers a like: stay calm, don’t give at the first sign of trouble, double check everything, etc. There may be ways to shorten your posts a bit, as well: omitting repetitions or unneeded words will make them shorter, and it’s harder to ramble in a shorter post.

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

      Like

    1. I read your latest post. The story unfolded well and the main character seemed realistic. There are a few places that appear to have word usage issues. For example: “she recited it syllabus by syllabus” should be “she recited it syllable by syllable.” https://graclead.co

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Just commented! You give great advice. Good content, good use of tags. Maybe add another image somewhere in the middle?? Not necessary, but it make break up the text a little 🙂

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

      Like

    1. Hi, Samuel, Just took a look at your post, I thought it was great. I love going to art museums, and I like how your images captured that feeling of mingling with the art around others.

      Would you be willing to take a look at my most recent post and give any feedback? it rather short but since you’ve visited an art museum maybe you would give me a fresh set of eyes on my painting

      Galaxy Fox

      Liked by 1 person

    1. So you know: that link doesn’t lead to your blog, it leads to your stats page (and if the reader clicks it, it goes to their *own* stats page). You may want to actually visit your own blog (whether your front page or a specific post), copy the address, and then link it here.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I went through a few posts. Looks like many posts are paired with images on your home page, and when I open the post, the image appears as the header image. Cool! That said, consider adding images within the text as well, to add some color and break up the text a bit. Blogging is a very visual medium!

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

      Like

      2. I use social media (Facebook, Twitter) and post my links on there. I also post relevant articles written by others, or quotes or images that relate to my theme of self-awareness. If you’re not using any social media, think about! It’s a way for non-Wordpress users to connect with your writing.

        I also try to post regularly. Regular posting is good because it keeps your blog relevant — if someone sees you haven’t posted anything in a few months, they may think you are no longer writing!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Fantastic post! I’ve been blessed to travel to several of the places on your list, and this post made me want to complete the list and travel to the rest of them! 🙂

      Like

  13. Hi everyone, I just made a post about a watercolor picture I just tried to do. I’m just starting out with water colors, and if any awesome artist could critique it i’d love some feed back. I’m very wet behind the ears so I know I’m not great, but since I’m just leraning I’d love any advice or critiques. I won’t take anything personal so please I’d love some feedback. I’ll be roaming the comments so I hope to hear from someone.

    Galaxy Fox

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Hello everyone. I’ve recently scheduled my posts to come out every day for the next 30 days at 0900. I have smaller entries on weekends, and longer, more in-depth entries happening during the weekdays. I was wondering if you all would be willing to let me know how I’m doing. I’m adding a link here to my most recent post. If you would be so kind as to let me know what you think, that would be wonderful! If you want something new in your inbox or on your feed, feel free to subscribe.

    Of course, no pressure there.

    Thanks for your time!

    https://jthosackjr.com/2016/10/11/beauty-and-the-beast-an-autoethnographic-entry/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Just stopped by. Nice content, good use of images. My suggestion: use fewer tags. When you use more than 15 tags and categories total, WordPress blocks your post from Reader. The Beauty and the Beast post has more than 15 😦 That means you may be missing out on additional readers!!

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

      Like

    1. It looks good, my one note is that the theme you’re currently using obstructs your featured images with the text of your posts, so you may not want to use images that have words in them, as you can’t read them on your main page 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Final 24 has some good thoughts. The grammar does make it difficult to read. For your consideration, here is an edited version of your first paragraph. [[[ I generally think that if a person has only 24 hours to live, then all the fear and all the hesitation will be gone. If you tell a person this is their last 24 hours, they will do all the tasks they like, but were afraid to do because of what others would think.]]] Have you tried an app such as hemingwayapp.com for editing? It might be helpful. https://gracelead.co

      Like

    1. Just stopped by! 🙂 Nice content, nice tags, good images. Maybe make some of the images a little larger! They don’t need to be HUGE, but if they are a little bigger, it may be easier to see — they are a little small on my monitor (might just be my laptop, though).

      We’re already following each other, but would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click on my name and choose one 🙂

      Like

  23. Hey everyone! I have been out of the habit of writing for a few months and I’d really appreciate some eyes and feedback! Please check out my two newest posts –

    this essay:

    The Greatest Day of Your Life

    and this short poem: https://earthmamaflowerchild.wordpress.com/2016/10/09/the-smell-of-hazels-head-at-nine-months-old/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true

    Thank you! I’m looking through all of these comments now to find posts to read and support 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I love your blog! I love the way you write, and I think your post on coming out is really inspiring! I’m so glad you’ve managed to find your happiness, and I love how personal it is! Reading your posts made my heart swell with happiness for you, please keep writing! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Just commented. Nice content, good use of images, good use of tags. Rock on 🙂 Keep writing. I think your words will resonate with a lot of people, especially the advice at the end of your post: “I would recommend listening to your heart and your gut” — that advice can be applied to almost anything!

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

      Liked by 1 person

    4. Your blog is visually attractive. I wanted a little more on the About Me page. I always go there first.

      Like

  25. Hello today bloggers!

    How’re you all enjoying this October afternoon? Thought I’d pop through the community pool and see how everyone was doing. Love for you to go look our newest recipe up. https://thecrossandbullymarketplace.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/chicken-vegetable-bake/
    Leave some feed back, and feel freed to grab that recipe for dinner tonight. I’ll happily take a look at anyones blog as well.

    Thanks so much in advance.
    -Jamie Rose

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks so much for having a look. I looked around your blog and I’m so jealous of your travel. We have young kids, but the wanderlust is strong in this family. Followed you!

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Hi. Your blog looks good. While I was reading it, it felt like you’re right next to me giving the instructions. This is really helpful for people like me who knows nothing about the kitchen. More of this please. 🙂

      And yea, I’ll probably try to make this yummy dish for my daughter soon.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you. I’m happy to hear that you’re going to give it a try. 🙂 We publish blogs every Tuesday and Thursday. Let us know how the dish turns out for you.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Hira, the recipes look great and easy too!
      I am not sure who your target audience is but it would help if you added some explanation for the novice folks like me … for instance double boiler…I dont have one but googling it tells me it still can be managed with two vessels…. so if you added this stuff in folks wont have to look it up and get distracted from the website.
      Also pictures in between the stages of cooking would really help so that one is reassured that they are not going wrong..but I know its a pain to photograph stuff nicely that to amidst cooking !

      All in all great stuff.. followed you.
      Do swing by my blog and let me know what you think. I will appreciate any feedback that you might have.
      Cheers.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hi Ms.Plainspoken! Glad to hear from you! Thank you so much for giving such an amazing feedback and thank you for following me! I’ll definitely elaborate things next time, not to worry, and do try them out! And yes! Thank you for giving me this idea, lately been thinking of uploading the procedure step by step, now that you have mentioned it would soon do it!

        Loved your blog! Just followed you back! 😀

        PS: Food lovers are my target audience! 😉

        Hira.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Hello! I just recently started a photography blog called Rue de Sofia. I would appreciate some general feedback about it, and if it is attracting for new people or not, and what could be done better, etc.

    I have already decided to change the sentence in the black box under the text Rue de Sofia to something which would summarize the point of the blog (instead of sharing my life motto there. 😀 ) I haven’t yet come up with a catchy phrase, but I keep on thinking.

    ruedesofia.wordpress.com

    Thank you in advance! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi! I just had a quick look at it, and I love your photography! Also, I love your posts that come with the photos; the title’s are catchy, and the posts are very personal, and I really enjoyed reading it! Keep up the awesome work, and good luck with your university studies!

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Beautiful Pictures! Have you considered going for a tiled format… I think that will be very visually impact-ful. The home screen could be a tile layout with categories showing full posts in subsequent menus. Do swing by my blog, I would really appreciate some tips on my product photography! Cheers

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Naba, great writing. I especially loved your poems. Consider adding tags to get more visibility and attract the right audience for the blog. Also if your theme allows it perhaps you could increase the font size a little bit. If you have the time do have a look at my blog. I will appreciate any feedback you might have 🙂

      Liked by 1 person