Sep 4, 2017 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Where WordPress bloggers support each other with feedback and advice.

The Community Pool will be closed for maintenance next week (September 11) — we’ll see you again the following Monday (September 18)!

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 more information about custom domains, advanced design options, and other enhancements for your blog? Find the WordPress.com plan that’s right for you.

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.

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.

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.

Show Comments

1,044 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

      1. It’s true, e-mails will never replace a card with handwriting, stamps and the knowledge that someone spent some time to find it, write something to you and send it, it’s priceless 🙂

        Like

      1. Thank you very much! I’ll try to show more of them in the future 🙂
        I just read few of you posts and I have to say that I love the whole concept of your blog, great job!!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Hello everyone!
    I was away for a long while and didn’t get time to post anything. But fortunately I’m back now. So here it goes..
    “The best part is it will change, but why to trust something which changes.” My latest post revolves around this quote. Read it on here:

    Luck!

    Thank you!

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Hey Jessica! Oh my gosh; I’ve mainly blogged from my phone and it’s been a bumpy ride! Which is weird because as often as we’re on our phones today, why do we have so many issues on the app versus the desktop version? Sadly my laptop died on me several weeks ago and I probably wouldn’t have replaced it immediately because my phone is essentially the same thing, except blogging is made easier on the computer. I don’t particularly like that. I like the format better for everything on the app but writing posts and updating pages and layout. Odd, is it not? Ugh! Haha so sorry for the tangent, but your excellent post sparked the fire within me. (And if it wasn’t obvious, I am pretty dependent on my phone! 😳😁)

      Liked by 4 people

      1. I love your reply! I can feel the spark! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one struggling with the app! I’ve read a couple posts on cool things you can change in your settings that I can’t find on the app, so I still want to log onto my laptop and figure that all out. But here we are three months in and I just can’t get to it. Why bother with these super powered mini computers in our hands!!?? Maybe my computer opinion will change when I get myself a tablet! I very much want one for my art and photo edits!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I don’t have a tablet of my own, but there’s one in the house. I didn’t have any better luck on it than my phone, go figure! 😒 haha but perhaps that was a one time fluke on my end and it’ll be ten times more brilliant on yours! 😅😊 I’m glad you could feel the spark, though!!! Best of luck to you and please keep me updated! 💜😃

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Heh, no worries! I think I even did the table thing via internet and still had issues. But then again, the tablet isn’t my forte. 😬 oh well! We’ll figure it out in the end! And you’re doing such a lovely job!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I am very dependant on my phone for most of the day and can do basically anything I can on a laptop with it. That being said, I’m not a huge fan of blogging with the WP app. It’s not the worst, but desktop blogging, and almost everything online, is so much better than on a phone, and if I can avoid it, I will.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s an interesting perspective! And definitely illuminates clearly that I am not only person that finds the app cumbersome. Thanks for your comment! I truly am interested in a wide range of thoughts on the subject.

        Like

    3. Hi there Haleigh!!

      What a POWERFUL, enlightening, and thought provoking post. I’m simply speechless. Well stated and put together post on the importance of loving yourself and not judging yourself as harshly as others! I know it’s something I struggle with. I am my own harshest critic. It’s awful; can’t turn it off some days. But this post? I want to print it out and frame it in gold and make the whole world read it. For now, I shall settle for showering you in praises (quite inadequately because I’m still in awe of it!) and liking your post. Thank you SO much for sharing. (Also, that’s group you were apart of in college? Yes, I think that needs to be a mandatory thing, just FYI!) Happy blogging! ❤️💫

      Like

      1. You have rendered me completely speechless. Thank you, thank you, thank you for such kind words.

        My biggest hope for you is that maybe if you do actually frame this post on a wall, lol, or just from reading it, it will help you make those days where you can’t seem to find the off switch a little easier.

        Please consider following as I am, as I stated in my initial response, looking to make it a series. There will be a step 3 and 4 and so on…

        P.S.- I agree with you, it should be mandatory!!

        Liked by 2 people

  13. Why, hello, all of you bloggers and blog followers out there! Starting today, I have begun my very special week here at KALEIDOSCOPE called “Wonderful World of Dairy Week” ; However, this week is not off to a great start, as I have only gotten 6 views so far. Now, I am hoping that more and more bloggers would come and check out my blog for this special theme week, while I was hoping for a high number today in terms of stats; So I very well suggest that you check out my posts, especially my special “Wonderful World of Dairy Week” posts, at http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com, and when you can, please tell your friends about it, it would surely help my blog a lot! I also want to point out that I will be having an e-book pre-launch get-to-know-the-new-author event in celebration of my upcoming release of my very first e-book for Amazon Kindle, “A Girl Named Cinderella” in October 17th, on Saturday, September 23rd at my Tumblr-hosted companion blog for KALEIDOSCOPE, SWIRLING COLORS, at http://www.itsjennw.tumblr.com; You can find complete details in my invitation to you in my own blog, which is again KALEIDOSCOPE; Check them all out right here at http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com! Have a happy and blessed day, with 💘-JW

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Congratulations on such a huge and wonderful accomplishment!!!! 🎉 You’ve got a great time coming up in your life! And best of luck to you continuing on immediately for your master’s! I recently graduated and still don’t know when I’ll go for my master’s. I definitely would love to continue, though!

      Also, you have rock solid examples and lessons. Thanks for sharing! 🙂💫

      Liked by 2 people

  19. Hi guys! I am so excited to read some more of all of your blog posts! If you want to check my blog out I am at: transplantedflower.wordpress.com
    I write a lot about my experience as an organ transplant recipient. Please let me know what you think 😊

    Liked by 7 people

  23. Hi everyone,

    I’ve been on WordPress for about two weeks now (newbie here~), posting mostly about my trips. Feel free to check out what I have so far if you’re interested. I am very open to any feedback – improvements, whatnot! 🙂

    http://www.paperybox.ca
    (Disclaimer: kinda long posts ahead)

    Looking forward to everyone else’s blogs/blog posts! Have a great week!

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Thanks for the warning about “long post.” It wasn’t too long after all. Beautiful photos, looks like you have a great trip. Keep in mind, if you are a Blogger and you are trying to visit and comment on a lot of different posts, how much do you want to read in “each post?” That will help you decide on what you do with “your” own posts. Thanks for sharing. http://www.brilliantviewpoint.com

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Hey! Great blog! The writings and the pictures, all are amazing! And the content is good, you shouldn’t cut down in it, rather maybe, publish them in two parts? Just a suggestion! Feel free to check out my blog!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Hi everyone! So I admittedly don’t post very often, because I know that when I begin writing I am an extremely verbose person and it will take me hours to create a post because I get carried away and waffle on! Does anyone have any tips or advice for me? Or could anyone possibly check out a post or two and tell me the unnecessary things that I include in my post which will lead me to posting shorter posts therefore posting more frequently? Thanks!
    makeupandmegan.wordpress.com

    Liked by 11 people

    1. For me, it’s about organization. I decide on my purpose (inform, entertain, get response). Then I decide on a few key points I want to make. I write a draft that covers the key points in logical sequence. I edit to discard any wording that isn’t absolutely necessary. I proofread for spelling, grammar, sentence structure. I read it aloud (helps me check for good flow and sometimes find a few errors.) https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Great points from Gracelead below. When I started blogging I researched word count. I read that Blogs should be around 300-400 works — 500 tops. So, that was my goal for each Blog (300). As you mentioned, when I started my Blogs were LONG, I would be frustrated thinking there were no words I could cut out, but I was determined to stick with 300 words as a goal. I was surprised HOW cutting out words was actually FUN. I’d really look at my sentences and decide, “Does my reader REALLY need to know that?” NO — then “delete, delete, delete.” GIVE IT A TRY! Pick your topic and write your story in 300 words. Soon you’ll be a PRO at it. http://www.brilliantviewpoint.com

      Like

    3. Forgot to mention, nice post on the face creams. I notice that when you finished your post after your name there was a lot of white space. Go back into your post and after your name you can delete ALL of the extra spaces and then press UPDATE. Hope that makes sense. You have a nice happy and fresh looking blog, easy to read test. You’re doing great!

      Like

  28. Hope. Joy.. Feelings cloaked as words.

    Home

    Hope you would read some of the following posts:
    You are a mustard seed of miracles.
    Final letter to Her.
    Something impactful for my blog. Hope you guys can read it. Thank you for your time. 😊😊😊

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Your blog layout and theme is clean and easy to navigate, I really like the writing style that’s been incorporated in your posts, it’s unique and makes everything a lot more interesting to read!!

      A few things that I’d suggest would be to add images to your posts, it adds that extra touch and gives the post visual appeal, perhaps add an image or more if you wish to your About Page.

      Another thing I’d recommend is to add a few useful widgets to the bottom of your page, the blue follow button which is crucial, and maybe some social media links which will help your blog grow.

      I hope this was useful!!

      Check out my blog https://whenlifeawakens.wordpress.com/

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you so much for your help! You’re a life saver, I always assumed that the follow button was automatically added but no, I’ve just managed to add the blue button widget. I think I will add some more. Thanks again, I’ll check out your blog.

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Hi fellow bloggers🌟

    I recently published this post and would love seem feedback on it as well as in general on other posts on my blog please, will appreciate it
    Very much.

    http://peanutgallery247.com/little-man-birthday-theme/

    I have a number of readers sharing posts and engaging but they are really very interested in winning the competitions and some of them share crazily on their own pages over and over but I worry that this may annoy their followers – seeing my blog posts there so much.

    Does anyone else experience this? Of course I do want shares, but meaningful ones where it helps grows my audience.

    Any advice on this please?

    Thanks!!

    Nicola

    Liked by 12 people

    1. You really went all out the on the birthday party. It looked professionally done. Looks great, I am sure it was a wonderful day. As far as as winning competitions, not sure what you are talking about. For me, when a Blogger tells me to share, like, or make a comment at the end of their post — I lose interest, because it seems that THAT is the ONLY reason they wanted me to read the post. Lately, I see a lot of Blogs doing this, its a shame as it takes away from the wonderful posts I have been reading.

      FYI – Anyone planning a birthday pary for their child should look at Nicola’s post. This was a 5 Star birthday party! Looked fun! 🙂

      http://Www.brilliantviewpoint.com

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thank you so much for the feedback, I appreciate it lots. I am referring to blog posts for competitions – so yes, commenting or sharing is to get exposure both for myself and the brand and also a way to choose the winner. As I am a fairly new blogger, I have opted to do these giveaways to grow my blog. Now I wonder if that is the right choice 💭💭💭

        Liked by 3 people

      2. I’m not an expert at the giveaways, but it seems to me it takes away from your Blog, because some people, as you are seeing are ONLY interested in the “giveaway” and so “what” your Blog was about suffers due to people being focused on “what” they can win! So, I guess you need to decide WHAT do you want out of your Blog? Are you trying for “quick” Follows or are you focused on the “quality and substance” of your Blog? Everyone is focused on something different. I’m not an expert, do some research and see what you find out. 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

      3. You are indeed correct and I’ve realized this, sadly so. I do want genuine followers and don’t want to lose the messages in my blog, which was the reason I started blogging in the first place. Thanks again for your valuable insight and apt username by the way👌🏼

        Liked by 3 people

      4. Of course, like you I am learning as I go. Thanks for the nice compliment. I got my Blog name when every name I tried was “taken,” so then I kept typing words in and somehow came up with Brilliant Viewpoint, which was “available.” Divine intervention, right. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people