Jan 26, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for input, whether on post ideas, writing, blog design and layout, or anything else. If you have a post, page, or idea you want to bounce off someone, leave a comment. Your fellow bloggers can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

Read on for the ground rules and to leave a comment. Zero to Hero participants, head to the forums to chat about today’s task.

  • You’ll get the best feedback if you can be as specific as possible about what you’d like people to respond to or where you’re struggling.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. We’re here to help and support one another, not to beat anyone down.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • 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.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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      3. Sorry I didn’t mean to reply on your comment 😦 I will definitely check out your blog though 🙂

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    2. Hi – I enjoy your “voice” and the clean layout of your blog. And you made me smile, more than once or twice. Plus, you will forgive me, I’m a sucker for a British accent!

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    3. I thought your blog was a riot! I can tell you the British grocery stores have it all over the American shops–middle-aged couple kissing the doorway? Really! I enjoyed this lots.

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    4. Hi Suzie81,
      Are you aware of the zero to hero challenge Staff have going? https://wordpress.com/dailypost/zero-to-hero/ I see you post here every week for months now, but I don’t see a Links page or Blogroll on your blog. That’s why I’m thinking that you could benefit from the instructions provided in the Challenger that lead to creating a your own blog centered community. Although it’s rather late to enter the challenge the zero to hero documentation is available and it is helpful.

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      1. I think creating my own community is definitely the next step I should take… I’ve been following zero to hero but not participating. Thanks for the idea!

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      2. Hi again Susie81,
        Although the challenge will soon be over all the documentation is there and the focus without any doubt at all is on creating community. That’s in the best interest of the bloggers as stats indicate that most blogs created today will be deleted or abandoned in less than a year. It’s also in WordPress.com’s best interest too because deleted blogs can’t draw traffic (ad clickers), because newly abandoned blogs without much don’t draw much traffic (ad-cickers) for long after they are abandoned. So best wishes for getting community pool and into the mainstream of blogging. Your content is great and you will do very well. 🙂

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    7. How funny! I can so relate to having nights like that and seriously don’t worry about being 32 and watching that movie. I’m 37 and I’ll still keep it on if I come across it flipping channels. I really need to visit your grocery store though because mine just isn’t that exciting. 🙂

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  2. Well, I am a little confused. I recently thought about writing abstract stuffs just what I really feel deep about something. I created a category and named it Abstract. But I felt my first post wasn’t one. After a long pondering here’s my second piece. Do let me know what you think about it. Is writing Abstract thoughts advisable? What are your thoughts on my Abstract post?

    Love

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    1. Heyyooooo. I think maybe you could tailor your “abstract thoughts” into poetry, and characterize them as such. It makes the reader expect more choppy writing (which is awesome) and makes us relate to it a bit better. Cheers!

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      1. Yes i did think about that 😛 But i wanted to leave it abstract , something like an abstract art or a abstract painting. To let readers to have a different experience but i shall consider your words , thank you 🙂

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    2. Hi there – I would say that you have an abstract work in your second post. And I agree with the poster above. The first thing I thought when I read your work – he’s a poet.

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    1. Hey, I love how you opened with a personal anecdote, and I totally feel for you. I think I do, but I don’t really anticipate what other bloggers would say, but mainly what people that I know might think about what I write. Lots of my readership comes from people in my personal life; as a high school senior, I get lots of direct feedback in choppy comments about my posts, which can be constructive. So yeah, I can kind of relate to you, but I think that bloggers (including myself) ought to try to balance writing for ourself and for others. AKA don’t write solely what people want to read because all that does is create boredom for the writer. 🙂

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  5. Hi there – I’d appreciate feedback on the design of my page. Is it readable on your desk top or hand held? I prefer minimal clutter, but wonder if this isn’t a bit too stark? Comments welcome on this or any other aspect of my blog. If you could post your remarks to the blog itself would be great. Thanks a bunch.
    http://mcwilson1956.wordpress.com/

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    7. I really like the layout. It is just, and that could totally be my screen resolution, that at first glance I mostly see the header and that your actual blog is only 1/3 of the screen. It looks blank. That feeling is immediately gone, after I scroll down. Then it just look nice and clean with the right amount of pictures. So maybe the header less tall? But then again, as I said, it could be just me.

      Everything else in lay-out I liked. So I would appreciate it if you would return the favour I just started my blog this week and I’m not sure yet about the look. http://ej386.wordpress.com/

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      1. Thanks, EJ! May I ask, are you viewing the blog on a desk/laptop or handheld?

        there is room for a header on this theme, and I’m not using it, _ I’ll see what I can do about that. Now, off to visit your site!

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      2. I haven’t seen this theme before. I like the black background as it makes a good display for the photos. And I like the formal arrangement of the photos on your about page. Makes a nice contrast to the playful floral motif at the side.

        My only difficulty, is I did have some trouble reading the text. I must qualify this by saying it’s late in the day and my eyes are tired from a lot of screen time. You might want to play around with fonts a bit – the size is good, but the white on black might be a problem. Perhaps its just the font type itself. Sometimes a serif font helps with the flow of reading. Good luck with your blog.

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      3. Thanks for your feedback! I will see what i can do about the font, although I’m not sure if I can change it without having to pay for it.

        I watched yours on my laptop. What might be cool is [and I have no idea how to actually accomplish this] if you can place a smaller picture of the zombie from your about page in the right hand corner of your header. Not sure if and how that could be done, but I think it would look good 😉

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    1. From one who also has a wide focus, I’d say that if you find that you do not have enough time to attend to the blog as often as you’d like, then perhaps a narrower focus might be the answer. My gut tells me that over time, the path will reveal itself. How corny is that?

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    2. I really don’t think you need to narrow your focus! Personally, I like to read so-called “random” blogs because they let me get to know the different sides of the writer, which keeps it interesting. I like your writing style, keep it up!

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    3. As another author of a “random” blog, I definitely agree with those who say to keep your focus broad, though from personal experience, you may find that you tend to write more about one of the topics more than the others. If you do find that to be true, however, don’t take it as a sign that you need to restrict yourself. You never know when you might need a place to put a post about Belgian waffles, and if you’ve narrowed the scope of your blog, then you’d be out of luck.

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  7. Hi everybody, I started blogging this year, but I need to make my page more inviting, yet fit my personal style. How do I make it viewer friendly and convey my own personality. Also,if you are able to view my recent blog, feedback is appreciated also. Thanks.

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    1. First, I think your latest blog is well written and expresses your feelings very well. About you site…just a couple of thoughts… Have you considered changing the color of your text.

      Have you considered (I didn’t look on every post)… but adding a photo… If it’s your own photo it’s quite easy to do.. If you want to choose one off the web… and not worry about infringement there is a site for free when you sign up… (except for the shutterstock premium ones) Anyway it’s called ‘stockvault.net’ I just found it .

      Maybe a blogroll on your sidebar…? either by links or ?called gallery.. I’m not sure but you can probably look on dashbar. Just a couple of thoughts.. Diane

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    2. Hi.. I made a comment but perhaps I didn’t click to post it… I read your recent post and it is very good and I enjoyed reading it.
      Regarding any suggestions …. what about adding photos or pictures to your posts sometimes. Either your own… or if you want a site that is free with no fear of copy right infringement go to stockvault.net ..except for premium photos eg shutterstock the others are completely free to use
      Perhaps you might consider using colored text sometimes
      Perhaps a blogroll by link or by photo….
      Just some thoughts…. If my first comment shows up you may get double… Diane

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      1. Hi, Thank you so much for your feedback. It is well received and I will absolutely look into your suggestions. YOU ARE AWESOME! Thanks again.

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  8. Hey all! My name is Talia- I love to write about my trials and tribulations with running, yoga, and life. When I was sixteen I was diagnosed with lupus, an auto immune disease, now, at 26 I have been learning to cope and overcome the obstacles associated with the disease. Please stop through! Also, any feedback is good feedback!

    52milespermonth.wordpress.com

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    1. I read lot of your posts and liked the style of your writing 🙂 Honest, clear with a touch of warmth 🙂 I observed that many of them are uncategorised , it will be more readable if they are categorised and there’s a sidebar widget of all the categories , except that everything’s fine , keep writing 🙂

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  9. I simply want to say “Thank you WP”…I appreciate the lessons, advice, tutorials, the insights & all the other significant tips that helps to assist my need. A long ways to go, but moving right along. ~Storm

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      1. I agree Alex. The font does need to be a tiny bit larger. I liked how you incorporated the pictures, Emily.

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    2. I like the look. It’s tranquil, but there are enough pictures to prevent it from becoming boring. I wouldn’t mind a larger front, but it wouldn’t be a necessity for me. The look fits with your writing style. One thing confuses me: your parents are from Trinni, you grew up in Montreal and you are abroad [or did I misunderstand]? Where do you live now?

      I would appreciate it, if you would return the favour I just started my blog this week and I could use some feedback. http://ej386.wordpress.com/

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  13. Great timing. I’ve been wondering what happened to the sidebar widget in the editor run by Zymanta (?) that suggests related content. It’s no longer available for either one of my two blogs, AustinDetails.me and VanishingAustin.me , and I sorely miss it! Is it a settings issue I’m having, or did WordPress eliminate it?

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  16. I have been posting on different challenges and prompts but I can’t get the “ping back” option. Is that the same as “linking” to a post? I understand it gets more readers to your site but I don’t get how to do it. 😕

    Thanks for any input and/or direction. 😊😊

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    1. To do a pingback you need to copy the URL from the post that you wish to link to and paste it into your own post. When you publish your post it will automatically link.

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    2. @lifeisabeach

      Susie81 is right. By default all WordPress.com blogs have pingbacks enabled. Whenever you post a properly formed link in any post or page there will be a ping sent, provided you have not disabled pingbacks. That being said, many bloggers do not read the support docs, and don’t know how to check their pingback settings and many don’t know how to create properly formed links. Note that you will find a deatiled answer to your question here https://wordpress.com/forums/topic/zero-to-hero-day-seventeen?replies=13#post-1605112

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    3. Normally, I would recommend pingbacks over trackbacks, but don’t underestimate their usefulness, either. If you want to write a related post, but there isn’t a way to naturally work in a link back to the inspiring post into your post, you can use the trackback feature to still connect back to the original post that was your jumping off point.

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    1. Your header links (home, about me, etc.) get completely lost in the background, they blend right in. Maybe make them the same color as your blog title and tagline.

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      2. You should be able to change the color from your dashboard. From the dashboard go to the appearance menu, and then go from there.

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  19. Hi all, I have a blog that looks at current affairs and politics in the UK and Europe. Could you tell me what you think of it? I think I’ve laid it out quite simply but I hope it would still be enough to draw people to read the content. http://laymanaffairs.wordpress.com Thank you!

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    1. Hi A. Layman. Looks great to my eye. I like the neat orderly arrangement of the “headlines” juxtaposed with the colourful art work. It’s inviting and compels one to explore further.

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  20. My blog seems to be turning into a diary of the effects of mind-altering drugs, if anyone wants some insight, here is it! climbeverymolehill.wordpress.com

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    1. Definitely keep going, you have some really nice photos on your site but I don’t think the layout you’re using works all that well. Also, don’t worry about posting to apologise for not posting, it doesn’t achieve anything.
      Trying using categories perhaps. I.e: ‘Make Up Tips’, ‘My Life’ and so on. That way viewers can easily find what bit of your site they find the most interesting.
      You also need to go out and find readers on wordpress. My own blog is for my writing so I follow and comment on other writers’ blogs but I also follow sites of various interests because that way I can reach a larger audience and also my own interests are varied.
      I would also advise adding some more text into your makeup posts. You could give instructions, reviews on makeup brands, on different brushes and applicators.
      It took me three years to reach the amount of followers I have now and I’m still working my butt off so keep at it. You’ve got a good starting point it seems.

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      1. Thank you for taking the time out to critique my blog. I am new to wordpress and don’t really know what layouts work well. I was on blogger but I was spammed and decided to switch. I will take what you have said to heart. Appreciate it.

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    2. Admittedly, I have not looked at your blog yet, (though I will, I promise,) but that is deliberate. This is my response to your query of should you continue, and what I think of your blog does not change my response to that question. Personally, I do not require the affirmation of others to continue to blog. Yes, I do enjoy seeing when people find my blog and actually like it or comment on it, but the audience is not why I blog. I blog for personal reasons. If I needed the affirmation of others to decide whether or not to continue to blog, I would have quit a long time ago. That being said, I put the following to you: Think on whether you have a personal motivation for blogging and whether or not you truly enjoy blogging, then base your decision to conintue to blog on those two factors rather than what others think of your work.

      Perhaps I am speaking from too personal a frame of reference, but it is the only frame of reference that I have. Blogging isn’t always kind if you are looking for positive responses (or sometimes even just any responses) from an external audience, but it is seldom dissapointing if you blog strictly for yourself. (Now, to go and look at your blog…)

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      1. (…Back from your blog…) Ok, admittedly, it’s not particularly my cup o’ tea, content-wise, but that doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. The site itself is well thought out, and has a good look and feel. The theme, title, and tag line go well with the artistic nature of the site. The posts are well thought out, and the photography is good. Based on my visit, you should definitely continue. Stay true to your vision and yourself, and your blog will only improve over time.

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    1. I don’t find them too lengthy, and considering they cover two separate topics, but in and of themselves, for the most part they can stand alone as individual posts, I don’t think you have anything to be concerned about. Yes, there is a lot of written content in each part, but it is nicely broken up with images of the play; and as stated earlier, each part can stand relatively well as its own independent article without the other.

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    2. Hi Hayley, you have a nice layout on my mobile device. I also think you are pretty smart to choose a theme that allows you to add a print card for your recipe – that is thinking ahead. I look forward to more posts, but don’t forget that the photos are so important for us food bloggers. My advice would be to always include some kind of picture with all of your posts. Apart from that, good luck, I hope this new way of looking at food gives you the benefits you seek, although it may take a bit longer than two weeks, so stick at it!

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  30. I’m launching a poetry book at the Shrewsbury Coffee House poetry evening in April and I’m trying to bump up the traffic coming through my blog to help publicize the event.

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