Jul 24, 2017 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Where bloggers come together to give each other feedback and advice.

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. I like the way that prompts inspire each of us in different ways. A group of people can turn out very different stories even when working with the same prompts. Thanks for checking it out!

        Liked by 2 people

  3. stıll jugglıng ,tryıng to fın my nıche ..wıll make more regular posts as ı dıscover my way around..meanwhıle check my thıs months post and feel free to comment and follow .thanks for upport and ı wıll follow back.communıty pool ıs just the best for a begınner lıke mehttps://wordpress.com/post/amazing-beauty.blog?copy=404

    Liked by 3 people

    2. I liked the photos, though given the length of the post, it might work better with fewer of them. For instance, I wasn’t sure of the significance of the photo that showed your torso without head or lower legs. It didn’t seem to add to the story. Some of the photos were quite similar. Perhaps your favorite one of the 2 or 3 on the same topic would suffice. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 1 person

  6. https://actressinreality.com/2017/07/10/ocean-in-reality/

    I am exceedingly happy with having started a blog 2 weeks ago. I feel at peace within myself, getting my inner most thoughts out and actually having people agree or relate or even just enjoy the writing. It feels great! I have never had anyone read my writings before, I was just always too insecure to share.

    A big thank you to the people that take their time to read 🙂 I know I create a different character for each post, but they are in fact me and the things I think about daily. Speaking them has always kind of gotten me into trouble. People are just waiting to squash you with their rebuttal opinions, so lately I’ve just decided to shut up and write it down instead.

    Stay tuned and stay woke.

    Sincerely yours,

    Actress In Reality

    Liked by 3 people

    1. For me, this was a good read. I enjoyed the way you unfolded the story. You told enough about the character for me to appreciate her. Details for the setting worked for me to imagine it in my mind and feel as though I was there. The only small glitch for me was the unnecessary use of bad language. It detracted from the story. My favorite part was the twist at the end. It made me smile and say, “You go girl.” https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 2 people

    4. This post is great and very eye opening to the people you have around you on a daily biases. To a core we are usually one of these types of people and with experiences and life lessons we can change, grow and learn. Also, we are all of these people to a point. As you grow and the experiences you have you then choose who you want to be. If you have a second would you check out some of my writings? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! https://bloggerinablogworld.com/

      Liked by 2 people

    2. I enjoyed your post a lot. I felt like you were talking right to me (selfishly) because I understand exactly what you’re saying and I needed to hear it. Setting limitation for yourself is absurd when you think about it yet we all do it and way to much. The reason I started my blog was to make sure my creativity was never harnessed do to the analytical style of my work. Because I can do both and be both. Thank you for sharing this- it was a much needed reminder for myself. If you have a second could you checkout my blog? I’d appreciate it. Thanks! https://bloggerinablogworld.com/

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Well, thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I’m so glad you could relate to it. I’ve been in that place when I wanted to read something that would relate directly to me. I’ll surely check out your blog. Keep up with your good work.

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Hello! This is my first time on the community pool – I have a question about my current music-related post

    Music manages my mood

    I posted it at yesterday afternoon, and it has yet to have any likes or even been looked at. Are the tags not helpful? Or the topic just not searched much?

    Some advice would be great! I want to get all my posts at least viewed

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Keep reading and commenting on other blogs, and bloggers will return the favor! I would also reconsider the font and color combination, it is not easy on the eyes currently.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ya I’ve been starting to try to make relationships wth other bloggers. And oh really? I have already changed the colors from a darker blue and gray – what about is it not easy on the eyes? I thought the bright green would pop

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I think a darker background and lighter font would be easier, or even if you switched from black to white with your current background. I would also try different fonts, and brake things up into more paragraphs.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Sometimes I wonder how many people actually take the time to go through tags. My guess is not as much as we’d like, so don’t take it too personally. The best way to get more interaction is to go interact with others. It takes time and effort, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
      Good luck and happy blogging!

      Liked by 2 people

  12. Looking for some feedback here for anyone who can give my small blog a look over. Does anything stand out to you as to why my bounce rate is so bad? I try to link internally as much as possible and I show related posts but 80% of my readers only read one page. Not sure if it’s a blog layout problem or if my content just sucks. http://www.realmomrecs.com

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think your content is diverse, but not too broad. I’m not a parent (yet), but I love the concept you have going. Just read the domestic violence segment…it’s sad to see how many women fall victim to this, but I’m happy that your featured writer, Elizabeth, was able to make a positive outcome from her tragic experience. I look forward to seeing more from you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The only suggestion I would make is that your home page shouldn’t show your latest posts in their entirety. If there was a short snippet with a “read more,” that may help your traffic stick around longer.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Hey! I started my blog about two weeks ago and just finished my second post! I’ve only had like one view and was wondering if someone could have a look at it and let me know what they think about it. I write about Asian film and tv although I feel like I need to be more specific on what my posts are about and not just general. Anyway, let me know what you think if you are able to read it. Thank you 😛
    https://wordpress.com/post/izzayeolsblog.wordpress.com/33

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Ah a fellow cat-lover, thank you so much for checking out my blog! My recipes are all very easy and relatively fool-proof, so definitely let me know if you try them 🙂 Checking out your blog now!

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Great post. I really like how your voice and personality come through even in a recipe post. And lots of photos to keep it interesting. Thumbs up!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Sarah, this was a very relatable read for me because I have witnessed and experienced firsthand the negative side of being on social media. Thanks so much for blogging about it, honestly social media isn’t all enjoyable 24/7, there is a dark side to things. Small thing, I read your post on an iPad and the image in your post came up quite big. But other than that, great post! Here’s my blog: http://www.alicereadsclassics.wordpress.com 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hey!!! Thank you for the feedback! Its such a huge impact that social media can make on a person. The photo, I have been told about this before but I am not too sure how I can change the size. It seems to just be a standard from an upload. I will keep trying to sort it as it irritates me aswell.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Reading your post made my heartache for you. I just want to give you a hug. So not to be weird but -interwebs hug- Thank you for sharing your experience and your bravery for protecting your dog by making that hard decision. You are stronger than the negativity energy around you- even though there are days when it might not feel that way. If you have a second would you mind checking out my writings and let me know what you think? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! https://bloggerinablogworld.com/

      Liked by 1 person

  18. I’m thinking about posting a follow up to one of these pieces of flash fiction but I want to hear which one people would like to see.
    We have ‘Curious Things, Rotten Places.’ What would you do if you came across a monster in the bathroom of the local petrol station?
    https://caroljforrester.com/2017/03/10/curious-things-rotten-places/
    ‘Amid The Market Place’ – Hamite Market is a strange place full of strange people, and one of those people is out on the hunt.
    https://caroljforrester.com/2016/10/16/amid-the-market-place/
    ‘Saving The City’. – Don’t mess with something that has outlived most empires! It can’t end well.
    https://caroljforrester.com/2016/09/04/saving-the-city/

    Like

      1. Oh yay! You’re using my previous theme! I loved that layout, but I was advised to evolve the theme with the content a while ago, so I reluctantly changed over – now I love the new layout.
        I absolutely love hard copies of books, there’s definitely something artistic about them when photographed!

        Liked by 2 people

  20. Hey y’all,

    I’m sharing the third installment of the first episode of Shonen-inspired web series Qyorei: Prophesied Suppression. I decided, due to episodes being rather long, to post segments for people to enjoy in chunks rather than sitting through some 8k words at a time. Unfortunately, this also makes me worry about readers not being able to follow if they haven’t been paying attention from the beginning.

    Let me know what you think.

    Chapter One – Episode One.2

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Ah- thanks for the advice. I’ll look into a way of making them smaller for later blog posts. Just checking your blog out now xxx

        Liked by 2 people

  23. Hi guys!

    How are you all doing? So, I’ve been blogging for about 7 months now and it’s been a bit of an up and down journey. I’m struggling quite a bit to find a decent audience for my blog. I was also undergoing a lot of personal struggles in the first 5 months, so my writing did go up and down a lot. I’d honestly love it if you could go through my blog and let me know what you think about it in general. Is there anything that stood out to you? Is there anything that should be changed asap? Any kind of feedback is welcome.

    Here’s the link to my site: https://musingsofmissoverthinker.wordpress.com/

    Additionally, here’s the link to my most recent post: https://musingsofmissoverthinker.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/a-week-down-memory-lane/

    Thanks so much 🙂 Have an awesome week ahead everyone 😀

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Thanks! It’s great to hear I’ve helped someone :)! I’m wanting to get back into reading this year so I’ll definitely check it out!

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Not my area of expertise at all, but the content seems good. Only thing is the header image is low res, and detracts from the initial impression. Other than that – good on you for putting yourself out there. Good luck!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for the feedback! I really appreciate the time you took to visit my page 🙂
        I checked out your page too and although its very different content to mine I love your layout and images you use. I will have a look at changing my header image now to a high res one. X

        Liked by 2 people

    1. I loved your poem! I’m so glad you shared. I understand the fear behind sharing your poetry, every time I go to share mine here I get nervous. I feel my poetry is weak compared to others. (Which means I can only grow which is a plus) Your writing is beautiful. I felt your sadness, pain and guilty through your words and it brought tears to my eyes. Keep up the amazing poetry because I can’t wait to see more. If you get a second would you check out some of my writings and let me know what you think? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! https://bloggerinablogworld.com/

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Wonderful! Really wonderful poem. Not being cruel or nasty, but so often poetry blogs are very ‘first draft’ and don’t really do what you’ve managed here – conveying a simple strong emotion with clarity and focus. It really reflects a lot of what I try and write myself (not poetry though). Loved it!

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Hope everyone’s having a great summer! Over June I traveled in China; recently I wrote an analysis concerning the a few differences between the Chinese and American cultures! I’m kind of a new blogger; any feedback would be appreciated!
    Thanks so much!
    Elizabeth

    Liked by 4 people

    2. I love your post. Everything you pointed out was so true. I visited China back in 2005 (I know forever ago) and it seem the overall atmosphere is the same. Did you happen to go to the great wall? That was an amazing sight and climbing it to the top of breath taking. Worth the whole trip 10X over. I was in a small shopping area in china and we actually had to pay to use to toilet. There was a lady standing by the door who gave us all a few strips of toilet paper and that was it. Definitely an experience but what an amazing country over all. I might have missed it- How long were you there? I was only there for about 1 week. I wish I could have seen more of the country. Are you going to write more about your time in China? I’m going to follow you because I’d love to read more about it. Also, if you have a second can you please check out my writings and tell me what you think? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! https://bloggerinablogworld.com/

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for your feedback! I stayed in for a whole month, and yes, I visited the breathtaking Great Wall. I only went to two cities (Beijing and Dalian) but overall it was a really interesting experience. At first I wasn’t planning to write more about China but now that you’ve mentioned it, perhaps I’ll consider posting a little more that I’ve learned about the country. Again, thank you so much for your feedback (and I apologize my website looks very unfinished right now–it’s under construction!)! I would be delighted to check out your posts as well!

        Liked by 3 people

    3. Loving the way that you bring out your posts, and the China experience, I had it too, it was odious. Really insightful posts from you, and the writings are superb. Hope to see more from you. Have hope, write on!

      Liked by 2 people