Dec 12, 2016 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and blogging camaraderie.

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. Hi. I recently started a 300 word fortnightly story group. We now have 20 members but could still do with a few more, so if you might be interested, please drop me a line via the contact page on my blog, To Cut a Short Story Short, and I’ll be happy to send details. If you’d just like to subscribe to the stories (with the option of possibly contributing in the future) then please do likewise. Incidentally, the stories are sent out by e-mail, not posted on my blog.

    In the meantime, I just published a new page on To Cut a Short Story Short, it’s a [clickable] contents page and list the stories by category. I hope it will help readers find stories of interest more easily. Please check it out and let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement!

    https://simonjwood.wordpress.com/contents/

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Simon, I like your contents page, I did something similar recently. Do you think a short ‘descriptor phrase’ would be useful on pages like this? I’m thinking it might help the reader find content that appeals to them. Thoughts?

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Hi Jeff, many thanks for your input. I mulled this over the other week and I’m in two minds about it. There are quite a few stories that only reveal their true nature in the last line or two. So some descriptions would be ‘spoilers’ e.g. ‘animal story’ 😉 . Maybe I can find a ‘middle way’ that’ll help without giving the ‘twist’ away! Thanks again!

        Liked by 4 people

    2. Hello Liz!

      I LOVE your idea of sharing happiness!! Spreading cheer is an amazing thing to do 🙂

      I really enjoyed visiting your site. I quite like the idea of the ‘verse of the week’.

      Your post was wonderful. Encouraging others to think and share in a positive way is very powerful. I would have loved to have seen a bit from you – perhaps something that you would share to get things rolling 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Oh! I love your feedback! I wasn’t in a particularly good mood that day, so I didn’t notice. Haha.

        But the rest of my blog is mostly positive thoughts, and that post was more of asking visitors for their positivity too.

        You gave me something to consider. Maybe I’ll edit in a quote I like. Thank you!!<3

        Liked by 2 people

    3. Hey Liz, I think your blog is great! I joined your FB group and think it’s a great initiative! (Still finding my way in there though 😉 )

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Hi everyone,

    I wrote this poem inspired by the various wars going on around the world at the moment. I’m playing with forms a bit at the moment; using a Petrarchan sonnet (normally used for love poems) in something that is distinctly not about love, so I’d love it if you could let me know if you think that works, and if you think the poem works in general. Link below, and always happy to return the favour!

    The Siege

    Benedict

    Liked by 9 people

    2. Ben.. your poem made me really sad. With simple words, you gave me images of war and its horrifying consequences.

      It really reflects what a good writer you are. Now, I need to watch something funny. Lol

      Liked by 3 people

    3. WOW!!! Your site is amazing 🙂 I love the layout, the color scheme, and the theme!!

      I looked at your Belgium section. The layout is fantastic!! The content is very well presented. I am amazed at the map you have included, and how the user can scroll in and out. Did you have to do extra programming for this feature?

      I look forward to reading your future posts!

      🙂

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Oh thank you so much! The map is very simple. I created it with My Maps (Google), you can just copy the code of the map and there it is!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello Jeff,

      Thank you for sharing your site!!

      I actually ended up gravitating towards the cycling section, and reading your post about your foot 😦

      I am sorry to hear about your injury, but very happy to hear that you have found spinning as a winter activity. That’s great!

      I look forward to reading more of your posts 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey, man. I know that you might be wondering as to why your blog isn’t receiving much attention. I faced this time period too, so I’ll give you an advice no one gave me beforehand; see, there are these things called ‘tags’ on WordPress which, if you use them, make people aware about your recent posts and what they are about. How this works is that people in this blogging community follow certain tags that are popular or want to see posts related to those tags. So if you put certain amount of tags to your post everytime, people will become aware of your blog and will check it out.
      You can even get further information on tags in the ‘help and support’ section of WordPress. And if you want to know something more, you can directly ask the people on WordPress by clicking on ‘contact us’ in the ‘help and support’ section, only. I hope this helped 🙂 .
      And don’t worry, blogs usually take a lot of time to take off.
      ~Thunder poet

      Liked by 7 people

    2. I agree with Thunder Poet. It would help to at least add the tag “meme” to your posts. Also, you might want to use the WordPress Reader to find other people’s posts using the tag “meme.” By putting likes or comments on those posts, you will increase visibility to your site. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 4 people

    3. Hello Trending Forteens,

      Thank you for sharing your page.

      I would suggest a header that is easier to read. Perhaps just changing the color or placement of the font?

      Also, if you filled in the about section I think it would help readers to understand your theme or your focus.

      Good luck with your writing!

      🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so ever talented just a girl and a bike, hope you will come over to my page and experiences the dank side…. We have memes

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! Your travel photography is stunning! I really enjoyed your posts and the lighthearted tone of them. You definitely have the gift of storytelling, because I already look forward to reading more.

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much! Your posts are very powerful and positive. I really enjoyed your Acknowledge Them post! I have to repost this quote because it’s amazing and so important! “How often do you balance the way you correct others by thanking God for the good that you find in them?”

        Like

      1. I love your posts about nursing! I’m a new nurse and some days are so stressful. It’s definitely nice to have an outlet and hobby outside of work! Especially in a career where self often comes last. I love your blog name and I’m happy you have a hobby too!

        Like

    4. Hello Brielle!!

      Thank you for sharing your site 🙂

      I really enjoyed visiting your site. The layout is really nice.

      I quite enjoyed your post. I really agree with you that decluttering can feel really good.

      I wish you all the best with staying organized in the New Year!!!

      🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Hello Mrs. Gray,

      Thank you for sharing your site!!!

      I really enjoyed your post ‘this is me’. I think that your writing is very powerful. Your true emotions shine through, and you are very open and willing to share a piece of yourself.

      I wonder if the title of your blog is really fitting anymore? It seems to me that you have found a new path, and that your are more ‘you’ than ever before 🙂

      Again, I think your writing is very powerful. If you cleaned up the punctuation a bit, and did some spell checking, I think it would make it easier for the reader to digest…and really connect with you even more 🙂

      I look forward to reading more 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      1. New name as in?
        I just write to write, I do not really think about punctuation. And spell check is impossible Wien you are typing in. Little key board….thank you so much for reading….love the feedback.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Your writing portrays a woman who knows who she is. Your words don’t make you sound submissive. Your words portray a woman who is completely in love with her soul mate, but not in a submissive way – in an equal way 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      5. That is so funny that you say that. Cause a lot of ppl who find out we are D/s couple say that. I have always had to be very much in control in my life. I come from a very abusive past and had to build a very controlled girl a girl who has it all figured out. A very much in control of who I am and……but at the core do not me. I have a very submissive nature. I always have. I have just not had the opportunity to really let who I am to my core show. I am happiest when I am submissive. And with my King i am above all else his submissive. I am not his equal, I am beneath him. And I love that. I am very lucky, he is very kind very supportive very loving Dom. I am laughing so hard cause everyone tells me what you said. Lol

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Just popped over to your blog – like the clean design, the bright pastel background shows off the writing very well and that snowscape header is lovely. Looking good to me 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

      3. The layout of your blog is simple and elegant!! I loved the header image and the tagline. But yes, I like the fonts style, it’s just that I’d change it! Overall, your blog’s layout is beautiful!! Happy Blogging!!

        Liked by 2 people

    4. Perfect! Someone else who loves reading, fitness, blogging and travel. I like following people who have similar interests as well as content that is unique. It looks great 👍

      Liked by 4 people

    1. Hi DA,
      on first glance I’d recommend splitting your fiction up a little. You use very long paragraphs and that can feel intimidating to the reader – not just online but on the page too.
      Just a thought that might make your fiction easier to read.
      All the best,
      Lynn

      Liked by 5 people

    2. Hi there. I agree with Lynn Love about the spacing. When writing, you’re supposed to put new dialog on a new line. For example, your opening to the story should look like this:

      “James, where are you going?” Carrie asked.
      “I’m going out with the boys. Is that alright with you?” He sneered.
      Carrie hoped out of bed and rushed over to the closet, where James was buttoning his shirt.

      That’s to help the reader understand who is talking and what’s going on. Basic grammar rules, and such. I think overall you have a fine story with a lot of emotion and a message many people could relate to. I would just continue to brush up on grammar and try to get better at the art of “showing” instead of “telling.” http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/showing-vs-telling-in-your-writing

      From one writer to another, best of luck!

      Liked by 5 people

    1. Hello Hira,

      Thank you for sharing your site!

      WOW!!! Your site is really beautiful! It is clear that you have put in a lot of effort.

      I absolutely LOVE the way you laid out the page for the dumpling recipe. Having a large picture with the recipe on the side is really tantalizing. Also, the video is fantastic! This makes is so easy to understand how to execute the recipe.

      I look forward to reading more!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hi!
        You’re welcome! And thank you so much for appreciating my work! I am so glad to know that you loved it!😊
        Great!

        PS: I like your blog too👍

        Liked by 3 people

  18. I updated an older post last week. I am curious as to whether it would be more effective to provide a link to the original post inside the update, or combine the two as I have done by inserting the original post below the new one.

    http://wp.me/p24idL-4mR

    Thank you in advance for your input,
    Ω

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Hi there! Other than the part where you mention you’ve inserted the old post below, I didn’t realize it was two posts. Maybe some sort of break in the page would have been helpful to delineate the two posts would be helpful. Also, that being said, the post does get quite long, so maybe you could do a little teaser of the old post and then put a link for the reader to read more.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for your excellent suggestion. It is the solution that has been escaping me. Take another look, if you can, and see how this fits.
        Ω

        Liked by 2 people

  21. Hello again, all of you bloggers and blog followers out there! I just wanted to let all of you know that this is the final week that KALEIDOSCOPE will be showing this one-time-only, story serial presentation of “A Girl Named Cinderella”, so I strongly suggest that you head on over to http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com this week before its magic fades away forever! Other than that, I have got some new posts published this past week as well as today, so get on over to KALEIDOSCOPE to check them out! The address for KALEIDOSCOPE once more is http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com!-JW

    Liked by 6 people

  22. Calling all fiction lovers.

    I have a question. I write regular flash fiction on my blog Word Shamble – do pop along if you fancy a wander through my brain spillage – but also have a Gothic serial running at the moment called ‘The Devil of Moravia’.

    My question is, how many of you are open to reading serials online? Do you find the idea of reading serials interesting and engaging, or just a bit of a bind? What length of fiction do you prefer to read on blogs?

    Okay, so that was three questions, not one, but if you have any views or answers I’d be intrested to hear them. A link to the lastest part of ‘Devil’ is below.

    Many thanks, Poolers

    The Devil of Moravia : A dark half of me, never to be parted

    Liked by 7 people

    2. I am personally fine with serialized fiction (as I write it myself on my own blog) and it tends to give readers something to look forward to–and something to come back for. Series can generate “hype” unlike oneshots, which is another draw.

      The only issue I can think of is that some people tend to stray away from serialized stories because they 1) don’t want to invest time into something that isn’t complete, as the author may never finish it or 2) don’t want to wait weeks and weeks for updates.

      So, if you can promise your readers that you’ll finish the story AND post updates on a regular schedule, I think you’ll be fine.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Ah, Sarah, this is all such good advice and you’re so right, this is one of my problems I think – I’ve started a serial before and not finished it (to be fair, it wasn’t great and few people read it!) and my current one is more popular but is looooong and I struggle to find time to write it. Thanks for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment
        Popped over to Prejudice and Politics and what a thoroughly original and entertaining way to discuss politics. It looks great too. Really wonderful work

        Liked by 3 people

      2. I can totally relate. I tend to avoid writing serials myself because pulling them off can be a little challenging! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Best of luck to you in continuing your current series. I’ll be checking it out soon.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. You’re right – challenging is the word, though I haven’t found it hard to write when I’ve got down to it, just hard to find the time to write it, if that makes sense. After your comment I wrote an instalment for today and scheduled one for next week, so thanks for the inspiration! Best of luck to you too

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Hi, I’m Jessica and I recently started a beauty and fashion blog called The Renaissance Girl. I would love it if you guys could take a look at some of my posts! One of my most recent ones is My Vacation Lookbook (https://therenaissancegirlblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/my-vacation-lookbook/) and another that I’d love some feedback on is 6 Ways to Wear Plaid Shirts (https://therenaissancegirlblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/6-ways-to-wear-plaid-shirts/). Thanks in advance!!

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Love the posts! I would personally like to see more difference between the two photos of the shirt/outfit- if you are doing styling posts to specifically show people how to wear things, I would demonstrate different angles/sides. Overall, a ton of fun and I’m looking forward to following!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Just checked out your site. There is a definite learning curve here. Three years in and I’m still learning, so you are doing fine! Seeing the nature of your blog I know it is a serious subject, but I have to give you credit for a good name for your blog! Just keep writing and sharing. Even if its only a few words, or once a week, or whatever it is. When it comes to leaving comments here, just cut and paste a particular post’s link and post it here in the comments so people can go directly to your blog. And don’t be afraid to ask questions here. Bloggers are a great community of people because we are all sharing things that are important to us.

        Liked by 4 people

      3. I’m no expert but your blog looks good to me! It is a pretty new blog, right? If you keep adding more posts, it might help new readers find their way if you add categories or tags to indicate different topics, but of course that is up to you.

        Liked by 3 people

      5. If you edit your post, a column will appear on the left and categories/tags will be one of the choices. You’ll have to add your own, for example, “anxiety” and whatever other topics come up. You can keep adding them over time. You can experiment with it and change it around as many times as you want.

        Liked by 2 people

  28. Hey folks! I just started a new photo challenge and will be adding to it over the next 5 days:

    Photo Challenge: Framing

    I would really appreciate any feedback on this project and the upcoming images. This will help me, going forward, in posting what others may want to see.
    I also added a new ‘tip’ for upgrading DSLR firmware on Linux:

    Nikon DSLR Firmware Upgrade with Ubuntu

    Again, any and all feedback is appreciated.
    Cheers!

    Liked by 6 people