Oct 31, 2016 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for feedback, advice, and friendly blogging chatter.

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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    9. your blog is organized to suit your purpose yet it also works for those who follow you. Your blog post is organized well, too. I appreciate the varied lengths of your paragraphs. Breaking up text as you have done so well creates a more appealing post. Great layout. Good eye for design. I like it. Keep going!!

      Liked by 6 people

    3. sometimes a few words are all that is necessary to convey a deep thought. you have captured that here. a few suggestions overall on the blog would be to add a photo to each post to empower your words even more so. I feel as though the words and posts are a bit lost on the page due to so much “white” space. Your post “writing with a brush” is a great example of adding a photo or graphic to add a bit of panache to help each post stand out. Love the writing. Keep it up.

      On your about page, I would rather see you describe yourself with what you are, not what you are not. Empower yourself and tell us who you are, I don’t care who you are not. I want to know who you are. Just a thought.

      Liked by 3 people

  6. Hi guys! *waves*

    Happy Monday!

    Just completed writing my new blog post! A new recipe which is very popular in the Middle East, Central Asia and Indian subcontinent.Here is the link down below:
    https://hirascookshack.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/chicken-haleem/

    Do try it! You will love it! 😉

    Feel free to comment there!
    Oh! And if you are a newly wedded bride, then you should definitely try this out! 😀 My blog will help the newly weds a lot! 🙂

    Hoping to hear from you all!

    Cheers,
    Hira.

    Liked by 16 people

    1. Wow, yum! That looks amazing. 🙂

      I’m not married, but I love food from that region and I think your blog will appeal to anyone who loves that cuisine too…not just newlyweds!

      I noticed you have more than 15 tags on the chicken haleem post. WordPress blocks posts with more than 15 tags from the Reader, which will make it harder for you to attract new readers.

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Thank you so much! 😀

        Neither am I 😉 but still thought it would help them out! That’s really sweet of you! Thank you 🙂

        Oh! Thank you for letting me know! I’ll be careful next time! Thanks again!

        PS: Your blog is very interesting! 👍

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Hey friends! I am doing Blog reviews LIVE via livestream on YouTube in a few minutes for the next hour or two! If you want me to give you a quick review, drop by and let me know!
    In the mean time, feel free to mingle in the chat or maybe even visit my page to review my site too 😃

    Hope to talk to you soon!

    Your pal,
    Benjamin
    http://www.projectbiy.com

    Liked by 12 people

      1. Hi curlygirlabroad. It’s his first live stream and I think he will do it every Community Pool day. I suggest going to his blog, so you can be directed to the link of the video. He reviewed your blog first if I remember correctly. ❤

        – Liz
        dailywarriors.wordpress.com

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Haha I responded to you on the other side as well but don’t worry, we got another session coming up next Monday and if you are keen, you can always stop by!

        I’d love to have you join the session if you can 🙂

        Your pal,
        Benjamin

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Haha I did review your blog Farwa! You might’ve missed it then but if you want, you can always head onto my YouTube channel and check out the archive of the first stream (Note- it’s 2 hours long lol so I understand if you don’t wanna go there XD )

        I don’t do reviews on non-CP days cause of other commitments but I’ll be holding another session on the coming Monday around the same time so feel free to check in on our site and catch the stream if you still want me to review it again yeah? It’ll be fun hanging with others who’ll be watching as well lol!

        Either way, hope you’re doing good 😉

        Your pal,
        Benjamin
        http://www.projectbiy.com

        Like

    1. David, I visited your site and read your latest post. My favorite part of your site was the map showing all the places you’ve been so far. Your post was easy to read and it was informative. I didn’t notice any tags on your post. If you want your posts to show up in the WordPress Reader, some tags will help (ex. Africa, African travel). https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 4 people

    1. I like the look of your site. Just a piece of advice (take it or leave it): maybe consider using ‘read more’ tags so your homepage isn’t so long. Leave just enough of the beginning of each blog to give your reader a taste and if they want to continue, they can click on it to read more. Just a thought. Can’t wait to see more. 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

      2. When you are writing your post, on the edits bar, you will see an icon to the right of abc check. When you want to insert it, place your cursor where ever you want it, then click on read more. Hope this helps!

        Liked by 4 people

      4. Happy to help! I started my blog a couple months ago to get used to WP for my work site, so I’ve been kind of forced into learning the ins and outs for a while. 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

    2. Angela, the Read More tag is an option in the editing menu above the area where you type in your post text. It looks like a block with a solid line, dashed line, solid line. Simply place your cursor where you want the break and click on that tag in the menu. https://gracelead.co

      Liked by 2 people

    4. Love the design of your blog. Maybe try categories to group your posts as they seem random on your home page and a bit tedious to sift through. Also, on your “who I am” page, omit the dis of yourself not being a professional writer. If you have a blog, you are a writer and it is important to project confidence to your followers. They will follow you because they identify with your writing. And that makes you a professional!! Keep going!!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I thought about grouping them together since I’m an “all over the place” writer. I’ve seen it done on other blogs but once again I’m not sure how to do so. I really appreciate the advice I’ve been given so far but being somewhat new to this, I still trying to figure out how to do everything 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Oops, I’m so sorry, I put this comment in your post. Very sorry about that. I liked your post though. I think you have a good combination of ideas and I love a good list anytime! So sorry about that.

        Liked by 3 people

  17. I’m not a prolific blogger. Really, I just like to state an opinion from time to time.
    I’m interested to know if there is much difference between having a free account with WordPress and paying for a domain. Does the scope of freedom and control increase much? Enough to warrant paying?

    https://dazocrfitness.wordpress.com/

    Liked by 11 people

    2. I went free because blogging doesn’t take up most of my time and I don’t think I should change anything for now. But I really depends on the type of blog you have. But if you want extra features, go for it!

      Liked by 3 people

    3. There are different levels of paying. You can just buy the domain from WordPress for like $3 or you can buy a bigger plan with more customization options. It depends what you want and what you want for your blog. Personally, I use the free version. It has everything I need for now.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Just stopped by. Nice post! 🙂 Good use of media and good content. My suggestion: consider adding more tags. For example, you can add “Michael Jackson”! You can use up to 15 tags and categories total. A few more tags may help new readers find your posts.

      Would you be willing to look at one of my posts? Click my name and choose whichever appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

    1. Just commented. What an awful experience 😦 You write well, and you use tags well. My suggestion: potentially add one or two more tags to draw in more readers. Perhaps a tag relating to the court system or the prison system, or one that relates to crime — “criminal justice”, perhaps. These will draw in readers that might not otherwise find your posts but that may be interested in different aspects of them not currently tagged.

      Would you be willing to look at one of my posts? Click my name and choose whichever appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks for the thought. I don’t really think too much about tags, but maybe I should start… I will head over to your blog shortly. 🙂

        Like

      2. You can use up to 15 tags and categories total. Categories organize posts within your blog, and tags help new people find you. Don’t go too crazy over tags, but one or two new ones, specific to each post, may increase traffic.

        And thanks!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I already follow you, but figured I’d leave a comment here anyway: Congrats! 🙂 Three years is a long time. Hopefully I can make it to three years with my blog as well — I just recently passed my one year anniversary. Blogging is so fun and challenging and rewarding. Rock on, and best of luck on the next three years 😉

      Like I said, I know we already follow each other, but would you be willing to look at one of my posts? Click my name and choose whichever appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Congratulations on the one year milestone! There are a lot of one and done, or at best a few posts and done people blogging, so its great when people stick with it like you have. Rock on yourself!!!! I’ll definitely head over through some of your posts and give you some comments. Thank you!

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks very much Allan! I guess it is literary in a way because I have increasingly become more comfortable with the writing aspect of my work, so I suppose that came through. Thank you for the comment!

        Liked by 2 people

  23. Hi everyone! Would love your opinions! My blog is about Italy, mostly travel and culture, but also a bit of history, holiday traditions, Italian language. I also sneak in some non-Italy posts every so often. MY QUESTION to you: should I make the menu that you see on the top right of the site more specific with these categories, in order to make the posts easier to find for readers? Thanks so much for your thoughts!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. If you made it more specific, what would you say instead?

      Right now, I think that the “Italy” category is pretty broad and encompasses most of your posts. It might be more effective if it was broken up into more specific categories. That said, your page will look cluttered if you end up with a dozen or so choices! I like the layout, though, and I think it looks like a cool blog 🙂 (I took Italian in high school and my family still does some things the traditional Italian way!)

      Would you be willing to look at one of my posts? Click my name and choose whichever appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thanks for your thoughts! I agree that too many categories can look cluttered, I was thinking of limiting to 5 or 6 (like language, travel, culture… etc) I also agree that “Italy” is too broad (fine for when I started and had less posts). Thanks again for your thoughts. Going to your site now!

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Hi Natalie I love your blog – would you mind checking mine out briefly. It is non fiction personal writing that is important but I would like more readership and connection like you have – it’s only relatively new so any advice very welcome – thanks.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. You’ve got great content, which is awesome 🙂 My two suggestions would be this: 1. Are you using tags? Categories organize posts within your blog, and tags help new readers find you. You can use 15 total. DEFINITELY use them if you’re not — without those keywords, your post probably isn’t appearing on Reader, so no one new can find you.
        2. Images! You don’t need a lot, but one or two images helps break up the text and add a little color — both good things.
        3. (bonus suggestion!) Use Community Pool. I’ve written a post about how best to utilize it (if you want to check it out, here’s the link: https://natalieschriefer.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/community-pool/ ) If you follow my recommendations, it makes a HUGE difference in how many people comment on/like your posts. Being interactive — by helping others, commenting on their blogs, and liking their posts — is a great way to “promote” your blog without leaving links everywhere. Check out the post to see what I mean!

        Best of luck!!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I think you should make them more specific, yes. They’re not really self explanatory so new people may not know what they are and then may not click them.
      Happy Blogging! Ciao!

      Liked by 3 people

  24. Greetings, fellow swimmers 🙂 I missed CP last week, but I’m back today to share my recent post about comfort zones and the importance of breaking out of them:

    Comfort Zones

    Leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to return the favor. Swim on!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Fear of failure—a good topic and a common trend. 35 years ago I started doing Stock Photography and I still remember how it felt to receive form letters rejecting my work. After 3 years I was elated when I got a hand-signed rejection letter. A few months later I began to be published.

      Scary as it is, Persistence pays off. Thanks for the reminder.
      Ω

      Liked by 2 people

      1. So true. Congrats on sticking it out! 🙂

        If you’d like, feel free to share it on the post! I’ve had readers contact me saying that the comments section is often as helpful as the article!

        As for your blog, I just commented on one post — consider adding one or two more tags. You have great content, and more tags will help new readers find it! (Up to 15 tags and categories max, though) Tag it as a “memoir” or “creative nonfiction” to draw readers in who will appreciate your fiction-style writing 🙂 Rock on!

        Like

      2. I don’t understand all that I know about tags, but I will try your suggestions and see how it works. Thanks, Natalie.
        Ω

        Like

  25. Hi everyone! Think this is great everyone is commenting! I post very regularly over on my blog.. beauty, fashion but mostly lifestyle, and an awful lot of baking treats! I have also started my own Youtube channel, where I mainly vlog and would love you guys to check it out and let me know what you think! I am also running a beauty giveaway on my Instagram platform! All social media deets are on blog of course !x

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Just stopped by. I have two suggestions for you 🙂 One, have you considered putting images in your post? For example, you can put a picture of one (or two) of the best couple costumes or one of the shots from Instagram. Blogging is a very visual medium and pictures draw the reader’s eye in!

      Two, do you use tags? You can use up to 15 tags and categories total. Try tagging things like “Halloween” and “costumes” and “ghost tours,” etc. This will help draw in new readers.

      Would you be willing to look at one of my posts? Click my name and choose whichever appeals to you most 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for taking a look, I really appreciate your feedback. I actually looked at your Community Pool post because I’ve been drafting my own version of that post! Crazy. I gave you a follow because I thought it was so cool we had such a similar idea 🙂

        Like

  29. Happy Halloween all you bloggers and blog followers out there! Gee, isn’t it great to have that fact that Halloween falls on a Monday this year(No wonder why people hate Mondays!); Anyway, my blog is pretty much hoppin’ this week with all-new posts that I have just published, as well as “SQUIBBLES” and a whole lot more-AND I am also getting ready to post a special series on Thanksgiving food ideas as well, so be sure to be watching my post for that, as well; And now, here is another plug for my blog that you all so know and love so very well: Fall is already here, and what no better way to catch up on your perfect fall reading than with the one, true blog that is chock-full of posts covering a wide variety of topics-Yes, it’s KALEIDOSCOPE, the blog with a rainbow of fun for everyone, hosted by WordPress, the world’s most popular blog-hosting site! So if you are looking for that most perfect blog that is just perfectly right for you, look no further than KALEIDOSCOPE, at http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com; The address again is http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com! KALEIDOSCOPE:It’s a Great, Big, COLORFUL World!-JW 😉

    Liked by 6 people