Oct 2, 2017 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Where WordPress bloggers support each other with 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 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.

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  3. Hey there! My blog is currently focused on a boat trip my fiance and I are making calling “America’s Great Loop.” At the moment we are motoring down the inland waterways of the United States from Chicago, Illinois to Mobile, Alabama.

    My most recent post is about the portion on the Ohio River. Let me know what you think! I would love feedback on my writing and just all together if it is interesting to read for everyone… not necessarily only boaters doing the same route. Thanks in advance!

    https://chasingsydney.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/slow-going-on-the-ohio/

    Liked by 11 people

    1. Wow–what a cool journey you’re on. I don’t sail, myself, so I’m jealous! As far as your writing, I think you might be able to edit your posts down a little, so they’re as enjoyable for non-boaters as boaters. (Take this feedback with a grain of salt, as I’m def a long-form blogger, myself!) But just keep writing. Documenting this adventure with your fiance is so smart, as it will be something you two can look back on for your lifetimes!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks for the advice! I go back and forth about making my posts shorter, or writing as much as I can down so as not to forget too much. I suppose I can work on trying to split my posts up a little bit so there’s not too much information per post.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Reading your post made me channel one of the many past conversations I’ve had with my sister who is a nurse in the ICU and also one of my nearest and dearest friends who is a paediatrician. I plan on sharing your post with them both as I’m sure they’ll enjoy it too! Thank you for posting!

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I make it a mission to pop in and see other posts, so I found you by a random hit. Glad I did as I really enjoyed this mix of personal pics and great writing. Nice to Read you !!!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Happy October! My blog is called Millennial Mrs and Mom. This is a recent post for Married Mondays.

    When in a long-term relationship or years of marriage, things tend to change. Less effort is put in, you think you know everything about your spouse/partner, and assumptions are made on a daily basis that could hurt the relationship. Dr. John Gottman has done extensive research on married couples and one thing that… https://millennialmrsandmom.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/the-importance-of-love-maps-married-mondays/

    Liked by 8 people

    1. I guess my reply didn’t post…weird. I commented on your blog and followed. Glad to have stumbled onto your post here! I think we are very like-minded. I love psych (like you) and brain health!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Oh, my settings are I have to approve new commenters before they show 😛 It’s good now, and checked out your blog, I like some of your posts!

        Liked by 3 people

    2. I really like that you have a “submit your questions” element on your site. Do you get questions often? I’d be interested to know–as would others bloggers, I’m sure, who are trying to better engage their audience. Thanks!

      Liked by 3 people

      2. Honestly, so far people haven’t used it unless it’s for guest post requests, so I come up with questions that are popular or relevant for now

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Happy Monday everyone! I can’t wait to read some awesomeness today! What are your favorite ways to find an audience? I’ve been using LinkedIn, Facebook, and recently Pinterest as well as the Daily Post.
    My most recent blog post is about the HAVE TO’S, Should do’s and how when life gets overwhelming I….(I can’t spoil it!)

    How do you avoid life when it gets to be too much?

    Sports Lovers Have a Rigged System

    Liked by 9 people

    1. I left you a comment on your blog. 🙂

      My favorite way to find new blogs is to read the comments on the awesome blogs that I already follow. Some people leave really funny/well thought out comments. Then, i’ll check out those people’s blogs as often funny commenters have their own awesome blogs. 😀

      I guess that is more a way to find friends, but some of those might like your blog too so it *might* be an audience one day…

      Liked by 3 people

  12. Hi everyone!

    Just sharing my little trip series to Newfoundland, where all links can be found at my latest post, https://paperybox.ca/2017/10/02/mainlander-blues/

    I’ve tried to improve my blog by shortening my posts (as recommended by a fellow blogger), add an about page (didn’t realize how important this page was), and modify my menu to make navigating around easier. Feedback would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

    Have a nice week! Enjoy, and looking forward to everyone’s posts!

    Liked by 8 people

    2. I really loved your post.

      I had a peek at your about page and that looks great too. I started following you and left a comment on your blog. 😀

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Layout-wise, it’s the same. But I just didn’t have an ‘about’ page, which I’ve read is useful and gives some identity to the blog and the blogger. And I tried to simplify navigation, particularly under ‘travel’, so there is an option to look at trips to a specific place separately (which I find is neater). Thank you for your time and your comment! 🙂 I really appreciate it.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Aha I see. I didn’t look at your about page. I’ll have to go back. But I completely agree. It is really important. It’s a really great way to give a consistent message and help the reader identify with you and what your blogs about. I had SO MUCH fun with my about page. It’s goofy 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Hello again, all of you bloggers and blog followers out there…I guess you have heard the news about what has just happened in Las Vegas, and I must say, we are all shocked as well as heartbroken at the news; Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured, as well as the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragedy. On a much lighter note: I have just shared the recent issue of the SWIRLING COLORS newsletter for October from Tumblr on my blog, KALEIDOSCOPE(www.j2w7.wordpress.com) for you to enjoy, as well as other posts that I have written and published in the past few weeks; Please feel free to read ’em all at http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com! Hope that everyone tried to be happy this week in spite of what’s going on, news-wise… With 💘-JW 🌹💘🌹💘🌹

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Terrible things happen around the world. This time it’s an American killing his fellow americans, no muslims on the way. Our thoughts are with them and their famillies

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Oh I literally blogged while waiting in the queue. My first real life -in the moment- experience.
        I must admit I’d love to blog like this a lot more

        Liked by 2 people

    1. I saw this in the wordpress reader before I spotted it in the pool. I’m just leaving a comment so everyone else knows it is a good idea to click on your awesome blog. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  19. I have been going through some lifestyle changes which have helped me get back to being creative again, especially the writing. My latest is called The Architecture Of Art, featuring some large ‘cityscape’ photos and a relevant song by Ani DiFranco-

    The Architecture Of Art

    And since it is Monday, it is also Monochrome Mondays, a weekly feature. Any feedback appreciated!

    Monochrome Mondays

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Just a teeny bit of feedback. I had a look on your blog, but there were two pop ups even before I managed to start reading the post. I find this a massive turn off when I am deciding to follow someone.

      Please feel free to ignore this if pop ups work for you. It’s just if you could delay them until readers at least have a chance to look at your blog, it’d be less annoying.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I love your blog and I adore the quote that comes up straight away on your profile;
      “Be courageous and write in a way that scares you a little” – love it!! Followed, can’t wait to see more from you✨💛

      Liked by 2 people

  23. Hi, everybody! I’ve posted my 3rd Broken Wrist Recovery vlog this weekend. You can find it at https://domesticminister.com/2017/10/01/broken-wrist-recovery-vlog-3-no-pain-is-island/
    I’ve been getting some likes on these, but no comments and no indicators that people are actually watching the whole video. Anyone want to offer an idea as to why?
    Also, I should be posting a follow-up blog for my Integrity Inspection post on either the 3rd or 4th, in honor of my 6-month blogging anniversary. So be watching for that! Thanks in advance!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hello! i haven’t thought to find you here. I love your post and agree COMPLETELY .

      Hey people check her post, you’ll need it.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. I think it looks great. Clean but with a sidebar to take me to your other social media presences. I read your latest post, too, and enjoyed it. I feel like I got a sense of current fashion trends without having to slog through a whole magazine. Thanks!

      Liked by 3 people

    2. I don’t think there’s anything missing! It’s great, you’ve got your Instagram, search bar etc. I think too much can be off putting sometimes. Really good job 👍🏼

      Liked by 1 person

  27. How many of you engage your FB friends in your blogs? I tried a new approach for my latest blog post. I took a very unscientific survey of FB members of a group I belong to–on the food that most reminds them of their hometown. Who doesn’t like to talk about food? Then, I posted the very unscientific results in a beauty of a pie chart on my blog. I had pretty good visitor/view stats (for my site): https://rustbeltgirlblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/the-taste-of-home/

    Would love feedback, and to know if you’ve engaged with nonbloggers for their input in this–or another–way before. Thanks, Rust Belt Girl (Rebecca)

    Liked by 8 people

    2. Being English I recognised virtually none of those foods (apart from spam, a sad staple of school dinners!). I’ve tried engaging in non blogger research before but as my blog is more relationship based I only had to ask a few people very detailed questions. It turned out okay and certainly cut down on creating my own content 😅

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I didn’t know many of those either!

        I love the way you have increased your readership of your fb friends. I have had a few friends (and my mum) tell me they read my blog…and some of them have commented about posts to me in real life…

        BUT I find that my online blogging friends tend to be far more engaged. Online friends are way more likely to share a post or comment for me. Real life friends are more like secret readers. They might look at it, but you’ll never know unless you see them in real life.

        Liked by 2 people