Nov 7, 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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  • 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!
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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 stopped by. Good use of tags and good content! My suggestion: perhaps include more images? I know that can be tough sometimes, especially on satirical pieces, but images break up the text and add some color to your posts. You could even include the header image of Santa in the post itself!

      Also, was there a reason that everything was italicized?

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

      Liked by 3 people

  2. Hi Everyone – Just posted a new blog following a recent trip to India. I wanted to write about the things I wish I’d known rather than just an account of my travels. Would love some feedback and will obviously return the favour!
    Thanks 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

      1. Just commented. Nice content! You did great work with this piece. Good use of images, as well. My only suggestion would be to potentially change out some of your tags for stronger ones such as other towns you visited (Paharganj, Agra, etc). Other than that, awesome work!

        I know we’re already following each other, but would you be willing to check out one of my posts? Click my name and choose whatever appeals to you most🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks Natalie, I will definitely bear that in mind, I always feel a bit unsure when it comes to tags and categories and things. Sure, I’ll have another little gander now seeing as jet lag has me buzzing at 5am again…!

        Liked by 2 people

    2. This is another fascinating post. I wonder how precise they would have to be in regulating the silkworm’s diet to get the perfect balance of strength and texture in the thread? What if some silkworms end up becoming mutant silkworms taking on the strength themselves then they escape and go on a rampage? 🙂 https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 3 people

    1. This is a really interesting read and thought-provoking. If you don’t mind me asking are you based in the UK or elsewhere? It’s just the references to Oxford and Cambridge seem a bit ‘token English person’ if you get what I mean. I don’t know if an old English gentleman would have whisky and soda too, but apart from that I think you’ve done a great job. You’ve managed the difficult job (making me very envious) of creating a whole literary word in the space of 500 words. Keep up the good work!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hello, thanks so much for your feedback and yes, I’m English (not a ‘token English person’ LOL). McMoneagle was based on an old gentleman I used to know who was a retired agricultural scientist and he qualified at Cambridge university. Of course, Oxford and Cambridge are the best known British universities, so maybe I subconsciously chose those for the international audience here on WordPress! Thanks for your kind remarks and also for your comment about the Whiskey and Soda, I will check that out!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Haha, okay I thought I’d better check! I should’ve known with your mention of a parish. That’s a lovely idea, basing it on someone you know. Good luck with the publication in the magazine.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Well, fancy seeing me back here!

    I’m such an excited book worm so I’ve got an awesome post to share with all of YOU! It’s a guest post by the blogging queen, Elm about BOOK GENRES. All we want you to do is read the post and comment YOUR favourite genre, be it mystery or romance! We want to hear from you!
    https://mybookylife.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/guest-post-favourite-bookish-genre/

    P.S Have you heard about the 2016 Blogger Awards? No? *GASP!* If you haven’t then you are missing out. Nominate your favourite bloggers for each of the 12 categories for them to have a chance to be elected officiallty! VOTE NOW:
    https://mybookylife.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/the-2016-blogger-awards/

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Hiya, I just checked out your blog and I love your theme!! Your writing is great and I enjoy all your posts! Also how did you get that follow bloglovin button on the side? I’ve been trying to do that for ages! Just a little but of constructive feedback is personally I like reading posts with pictures in as it breaks up the text, but your posts aren’t too long so its no big deal! I love your blog anyway! Would be great if you could check out mine too!!

      https://harrietday.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hi! Thank you so much, that means the world. I got the button by adding a image widget of the button and then adding the link to my bloglovin on the image widget. I hope that makes sense, thank you so much. I will check out your blog 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Hi everyone…returning to my blog after a lengthy absence. My most recent post is about how to be an effective & productive teacher using only your smartphone. I’d love some feedback and some tips about how to grow my audience. Many thanks.

    Post: “Have iPhone, Will Teach” (http://bit.ly/2edSiT0)

    Blog: 54 Staples (54staples.wordpress.com)

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Hi everyone! This week’s post is on a phrase i heard from a hymn a while back “Take the world but give me Jesus” and why this can be a challenge to us as the church, and asks the question ” if you were given the choice between earthly riches and heavenly inheritance, would you be able to turn down the world?” Give it a read if you have time! https://lukeharmerblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/07/take-the-world-but-give-me-jesus/

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Hey Harriet,
      Your posts are so positive and uplifting! The theme is so easy to navigate and looks great.
      My only teeny tiny criticism would be to maybe cut down slightly on your use of exclamation marks.
      But over all, I really enjoyed it and feel suitably uplifted.
      Thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I read your recent post. It was a fun read. I agree with “Lucindafer” that your use of exclamation points is excessive. You might also want to proofread for incomplete sentences and spelling errors. Here’s an edit of one of your items, “Go out somewhere nice for your Christmas shopping, not just your usual town. Go somewhere different and make a day of it.”
      https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Hi harriet – just tried to follow you on Insta – you will have to find me instead @thousandbitsofpaper and also on Twitter at 1000bitsofpaper – would love to follow you back as I’m trying to do the same thing cheers x

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Hello! Congratulations on receiving a place on the blogger scheme at the theatre; I love theatre, so am intrigued to see what you end up covering! In terms of what to include in a post/blog… I usually put images in my posts that relate to the topic, so maybe, with permission of the theatre, you can use images of the performances? I’d say think about the purpose of your post before you write it: what are you trying to get across? Also, make sure you preview your posts to see what they look like on your site. Just be yourself, think about your grammar and proof read, haha. I’m sure you’ll ace it.

      Liked by 3 people

    3. ASAP? That’s a tall order; it’s going to take some time, mostly getting into the habit of blogging regularly. Anyway, you may want to spend an hour or two in the Customizer so you could figure out how your blog and your theme works, change colors, maybe add/remove a Text Widget or two, add a little more on your About page (we’re not meant to be mysterious, after all) – there’s quite a bit to do, but it’s kind of like moving into a new apartment or house. You’ll be here a while, why not make it feel more like home?

      https://scicasual.wordpress.com

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Just stopped by! I have one suggestion for you 🙂 You can use up to 15 tags and categories total before WordPress blocks your post from Reader. The autism story has more than 15, which means that new readers may not be able to find your post easily 😦 Consider omitting a few.

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

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh wow ok. It’s a pretty interesting read. I can’t decide on which I’d prefer. Having recently watched ‘Locked Up’ a spanish drama, I don’t think I’d want to be in prison. Too much drama! lol

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Just commented. Awesome post! Nice content, good use of images, good use of tags. Don’t change a thing 🙂

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

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Nice to meet new folks again here, I can’t go around how the pingback works, help anyone?

    I am open to feedback, likes, comments and follows if my posts are engaging, I will be waiting to follow those who engage me too.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Your blog is very well designed. I like the separate pages which help to organize your blog posts. You keep your paragraph lengths manageable and the photos are positioned well to break up the text, providing the reader with a more appealing reading experience. The photos chosen artfully support the text material. What theme have you chosen to use? Is it a free theme or a paid theme?

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you for the feedback!! My theme is currently free- when I upgrade to a .com address (upgrade from my WordPress.com address), I’m considering getting a paid theme! I think it may be worth it for the customisation?

        Liked by 2 people

  24. Hello and happy election week (as opposed to happy Monday for my fellow Americans)!I hope your day is going well so far and hope you’ll drop by to see one of two things:
    My first dip into photography (if I can call it that). My last three posts are photos with captions to get you thinking.
    Also, my Interactive section (under Scribble the Path), I’d love to get more prompts or two-way feedback so feel free to stop by and drop something in the comments.
    https://hailangeliccreation.wordpress.com/
    Happy reading, writing, and leaving feedback!
    -Author S

    Liked by 5 people

      1. Thank you very much for the compliments, and I’m glad I could make you feel such strong emotion. It’s an unexpected surprised to hear that from someone and a great pleasure.
        Feel free to leave feedback anytime and get Interactive. Anyone is welcome to drop a prompt in the comments or leave a piece for me to leave feedback. I look forward to hearing more from you.
        Happy reading!
        -Author S

        Liked by 2 people

  25. Happy Monday, all! My blog is about names. I know some of you are participating in NaNoWriMo – if you’re looking for character names, how about you check out my site? Do let me know if there’s anything I can do to improve it. 🙂

    On another note, I just saw Doctor Strange and have written about my thoughts on the rather unusual names of both the actors and characters! Link: https://wellinformednamer.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/names-and-doctor-strange/

    Liked by 6 people

    2. LOVE THIS. I wrote a similar piece myself months ago. Great content, good use of images. My suggestion: are you using tags? Categories organize posts within your blog; tags help new readers find you. You can use 15 total. On this post, you can use tags like “self-awareness” or “progress” or “writing,” for example. 🙂

      Would you be willing to read one of my posts? I left a link in the comments of your post, or you can click on my name here and choose whichever one appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  28. Help! I am trying to get the home page of my blog to automatically show my most recent post. As of right now it just shows a little blurb I put on the home page and then people have to hunt through my archives or other menus to find my most current posts. Any idea what I could or should do?
    https://inkowlme.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Check the customizer. See if you currently have a static home page — that means it doesn’t change and that’s not what you want. There may be an option to change this. It depends on your theme, and unfortunately I don’t have the same one as you.

      Alternatively. you may be able to change this from the “Pages” tab.

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

      Liked by 3 people

      5. Just commented. Nice content! My suggestion: are you using tags? Categories organize posts within your blog; tags help new readers find you. On this post, you can use tags like “make-up” or “weddings,” for example. You can have 15 tags and categories total, and they will help new readers find your posts.

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

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for stopping by! Wow your blog is amazing! I would love to spend a few years traveling with my husband. It’s so cool that you’ve managed to make your travels so cost efficient. I hope I’m brave enough one day to “just go”.

        Liked by 2 people

  30. Good evening, I really would appreciate some feedback on my latest post. I started blogging about 6 months ago but hadnt got a clue what to do. Rabbit in headlights springs to mind! However, as I learn and develop I try and incorporate in to my blog, so things slowly improve. When I started writing it was all fact but recently I have started to change my style of writing in to more of a story with nice photographs to help my readers engage in our journey. Would love for the community to take an toot and tell me if I am heading in the right direction
    Here is my latest post
    http://ourbumble.com/step-back-time-argolis-peninsula/

    Thank you for your time x

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Just commented. Amazing images! They were so breathtakingly beautiful 🙂 I enjoyed your writing as well. My suggestion: this post was super long. Your images stopped me from getting distracted, but I almost wonder if this post could have been more effective if it was broken up into two or three shorter posts as part of series. It might seem less overwhelming to readers who are new to your blog and come across a larger post like this one! Not a huge deal, but I figured it was worth mentioning.

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

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Natalie, good point. I write about our travels every day but if we dont have wifi access then I bunch all the days together. Like you say, might be better to do small chunks

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You can write the posts out when you do have wifi, and then schedule them to publish (next to the publish button a post, there’s a little calendar; you schedule posts there). That way, you don’t need to worry about wifi connections every time you need to post 🙂 But again, just a thought!

        Like