Jan 30, 2017 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The place for blogging camaraderie, 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. Greetings fellow bloggers! This week here’s a link to a story I just published on my flash fiction blog, To Cut a Short Story Short. It’s entitled Gone Fishing (700 words). It’s based on a childhood memory, which I think makes quite a good story, and carries a moral too!

    https://simonjwood.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/gone-fishing/

    As mentioned in my previous posts, if you might be interested in joining a 300-word fortnightly story group then please contact me via my blog and I’ll be happy to send details. New members are always welcome!

    Liked by 16 people

  2. Hello Community Pool,

    James from ‘James Proclaims’ here. If Monday is getting you down, why not check out my blog?
    Either you’ll enjoy my latest post, which will cheer you up,  or quite possibly you’ll think my blog is a bit rubbish, but then you’ll realise that you’re better at blogging than I am and that might cheer you up.
    Either way you’re a winner…

    Liked by 20 people

    1. I like the post. I think the length is very comfortable from a reader’s point of view; it’s in the happy medium range. I also like your about page. Your writing is so clear and you convey very specifically, what you want your reader to know. Can’t wait to read more from you. 🙂

      Liked by 6 people

    6. Hello there. I went through your latest blog and a few others. I really like your writing – very clean and to the point, but still has an artistic flare to it. 🙂
      short blogs are good every now and then
      i also hesitate to publish short blogs, but i quickly remind myself that quality is better than quantity sometimes. 🙂

      sarabisblog.wordpress.com

      Liked by 3 people

    7. Good post. I love how you’re writing is so relatable and positive 🙂 I felt that the article was crisp and concise. The perfect length 🙂 Good job! Keep writing 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

  4. Hello fellow bloggers!
    Today I published a post addressing that feeling of your past always haunting you. It’s something that I would have definitely appreciated several months ago when I was feeling like my past was going to define my future forever (it won’t by the way).
    https://thisstuffisgolden.com/only-you-are-in-control-of-your-future
    I would love any feedback you have on it, as well as anything about my site!
    https://thisstuffisgolden.com
    Thanks so much!
    Lauren x

    Liked by 22 people

    1. I love the point “stop explaining yourself in so much detail”. When we say no, we actually don’t owe anyone an explanation!

      Liked by 3 people

  6. Happy monday to everyone (if that exists :P) Hope your weekend was great!

    My blog just got a makeover, and I’ve been writing short posts about how to become better and more motivated bloggers/authors. I would love some feedback concerning my writing and my blog’s new look. Thanks to everyone in advance!

    Link: https://thegoldenlands.wordpress.com/

    If there’s anything I can do to return the favor, please let me know!
    Thanks!
    Dominic

    Liked by 13 people

      1. Thanks for the compliment! 🙂 I’ve thought about adding more images, but I struggle with the fact that I myself am not a picture taker and I hate using images that are not my own. Maybe it’s time to revisit…

        Liked by 3 people

  9. Hey all!

    I’m a blogger who writes about my experiences with the death of my daughter, my son (who was born dead but is now 2), and how it all relates to my spirituality.

    I started a series on politics where I discuss how and why I decided to vote for Donald Trump as a black woman. Please check it out and leave your thoughts…Even if you disagree all opinions welcome!

    This is part 4 of a 5 part series.

    https://reignoffaith.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/surrendering-my-politics-american-idols/

    Liked by 12 people

  11. Hi Bloggers – In general, I try to keep my blog apolitical. The focus of the content is supposed to be running, mental health and family life. And I try to intersperse some humor in most posts. Every now and then the world frustrates me enough that I write a political post (which is usually something of a rant). As readers, how do you feel about getting blindsided by a hyper-political post on rare occasion? Bloggers who are not political bloggers, if/when you do this, do you lose followers?

    What’s in your Heart

    Liked by 11 people

    1. I’m interested to know what people say because I just posted a political post. I mean, I don’t think you can very well ignore things that are going on when they’re block capital BAD NEWS. I mean, I could, but it would feel disingenous.

      I want my blog to be light-hearted, but I don’t want to be an ostrich with my head in the sand either…

      Liked by 9 people

    2. I went a political route after Donald Trump’s election and I have actually gained followers. I think the people who follow an individual blog get to know the readers perspective and, even if they disagree, they’re still willing to stick around.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. That was a good post, I’m going to give you a follow. I feel like we are at a time right now where whether we want to or not, we need to draw lines of right and wrong, and not be afraid of our convictions. Friendships may be lost, but it seems important to speak our minds. I can think of nothing better than by blogging!

        Liked by 5 people

      2. I couldn’t agree more! I can truly respect anyone who knows what they believe and why, even if our beliefs differ. My goal is to share my own beliefs and experiences in a way that is palatable. Thanks for the follow. I loved the monochrome snowy debris photo.

        Liked by 3 people

    3. This is interesting, because I feel the exact same way, except my political posts remain in Drafts or get deleted. It’s the only thing being covered in the news 24/7, so if fellow bloggers comment and put their own spin on things, I don’t have any issues with it, even if we have differing opinions.

      Liked by 4 people

  12. Hello fellow WordPress bloggers!

    My latest post is dedicated to the Blogger Recognition Award, where I do a quick recap on how my blog started, share tools I use and link to 15 other great blogs.

    Blogger Recognition Award

    The one before that is about my creative process for writing the first draft of my novels.

    Any feedback is welcome. Happy blogging!

    Ida

    Liked by 12 people

      2. Hello, just a question: how do you actually “add” a read more tag to posts? My homepage only shows excerpts but there’s no “Read More” at the end, only an ellipsis (…) and I’m not sure if that’s emphasis enough for readers to realize it’s not yet the end of my post, especially if I add an excerpt that’s one paragraph long ✌

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you, I enjoyed thinking that one up. Usually for a daily post I only give myself 5 to 10 minutes to write them. If I come up with nothing then I skip that day.

        Liked by 3 people

    2. Hi! I really enjoy your blog. I notice that most of your posts are short and I like that.

      I think you should post more often. I don’t know if it would help you but it helps to keep me on track.

      Posting everyday forces you to post things you wouldn’t normally. I’ve had an interesting time seeing things that I thought would flop do bether than the things that I thought would be hits.

      Liked by 7 people

    3. This is very sweet – i was thinking about my first real love today in my post too 🙂 i know you follow me, so thanks for that and i have just hit to follow button to keep up to date with you

      Liked by 5 people

    2. I’m not an educator, but am excited to start reading your blog. The 100th day of school post brought back some memories… like when I had to bring in 100 items in the 1st grade and brought 100 beer bottle caps, embarrassing my parents (they’d accumulated over a long time!). In any case, I like your layout a lot as well!!

      Liked by 6 people

    3. I feel so happy about you posting this ideas, that I may as well share my next 100th something and how to celebrate it! Thanks for sharing! Maybe you could try some funnier colors (?) I feel it doesn’t fit your happy writing style. I would loved my english teachers did this when I was at school.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Hello! I’d love to read about your 100th day. That’s a great point; I like the look of the blog but I think you’re right in that it doesn’t exactly fit what I’m writing about! Thanks for pointing that out!

        Liked by 2 people

    1. You make some great points, but – whew! – it’s long. Condense, condense, condense and you’ll have a great argument for remote working.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Exactly my thoughts about productivity, but this is not a system that works for everyone. Loved the post, but the initial comparision between stories could have been shorter or better yet use a couple images (or in my style… memes). Loved the stats and the back-up!

      Liked by 2 people

  23. Hello! Today I wanted to blog about the soul-destroying process of trying to purchase Hamilton tickets, or maybe my constant need for chocolate, or even something-something-movies-and-happy-endings-something…. but then I woke up and remembered that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. So I wrote an open letter to the world instead.

    https://whendoigetthemanual.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/open-letter-to-the-world/

    I’d like to hear from other people about how they’re feeling at the moment, and whether or not there’s anything more we can be doing. In the meantime, let’s keep our eyes and hearts open guys.

    *tiny fist bump*

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Is it proper Community Pool decency to advocate for a blog? I adore this chick’s writing! This post is a great read along with every other works she’s made. You should for sure, check her out!!

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks for being able to comment positively despite disagreeing. I’ve been on your blog and found your posts very eloquent and moving. I’m impressed by your faith and in a way envy your conviction.

        Liked by 3 people

      1. Same! I think I can kind of see what you did there, and it’s a really clever way to make the most of the wordpress settings & still make your blog your own. Very cool.

        Liked by 3 people

    3. Wow! Gorgeous layout (super love the colors!) and great content! It feels so neat, I like how you categorized your posts. Plus, easy navigation! I’m struggling to do that just yet, so maybe I’ll steal some ideas from you 🌻

      Liked by 3 people

    1. I don’t have a solid answer for you there, but I find that people tend to gravitate toward the things THEY like, so even if you’re really passionate about something it may take a little while to gain a following that values the same things. Food is the same way; recipies on my blog seem to get more attention than the other posts I personally like or am proud of. So I’m right there with ya! That being said, I really like your about page & share some of your interests. Looking forward to reading more!

      Liked by 4 people

    4. In time you will find your niche, and if you don’t, that’s okay. Putting your posts into categories may help, so that you can write about sustainable living, minimalism, books, cats… And pretty much about anything as long as they’re easy to find through categories. You may also try to think something these categories have in common, and that becomes your niche. Think simple living, home life, something like that… hope that helps. Good luck and just keep blogging! See you around! 🌻

      Liked by 3 people