I'd like feedback on my article, A Children's Flower Garden

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   Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years ago

   This is about my oldest article from 2012 with my own photos and ideas and even my actual garden. I cannot see what to change about it and have tried it for DenGarden at least twice and it would not go in.
   Please help. Thank you! https://hubpages.com/living/A-Childrens-Garden

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      OldRosesposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Did the editor say why the hub was rejected?  I'v had a couple rejected but they gave very specific instructions on what I needed to do to have the hubs accepted.  I made the requested changes and the hubs were accepted for Dengarden.

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         Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         They said it could be a number of things but nothing specific.

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      Rachel L Albaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, Now I see it is your actual garden.  So beautiful.  I'm not an expert of these things so I couldn't see anything wrong with your article.  I know they make a lot of changes when they send my articles to another site.  Mostly grammar.  I loved it.
      Rachel Alba

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         Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you Rachel. I am looking at everyone's advise and doing all I can!

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   paperfacetsposted 7 years ago

   Only a few times did an editor ever work with me on a submission. I suspect Jackie got the generic email. If so, what can a writer do? Guess.
   
   After reading your piece, I think maybe the subject is too broad and is too much of a photo gallery or showcase piece. One editor wrote to me that a "wall of photos" is a no-no. Maybe searchable terms for the article are not up to par? I have only had acceptance with single plant info articles for DenGarden. The editors have also asked that I trim down the wording and make info as short as possible.
   
   You have a very good success with Letterpile. Congratulations! The different niches do require different writing styles than others. DenGarden is info, facts and tip lists. Maybe offer plant care of the Bearded Grandpa or how to make the Tea Cups totem? Search terms would be better with a single subject.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I do appreciate all your suggestions, but the article is about creating a garden for children and bringing the family together creating it? I did this and wrote about it.
      I have thought of taking out some of the photos, perhaps I should.

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   Kenna McHughposted 7 years ago

   It's a tough one for sure. I would say too broad of a subject. Nice article, though.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you!

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   Marseiposted 7 years ago

   I loved the article and the pictures.  No idea what the issue is.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you! I do hate to change the whole subject but also hate to take it down.

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   Venkatachari Mposted 7 years ago

   Jackie, I have just gone through your article in question.
   
   I think the images are too much vertical which can be a problem. HP prefers horizontal photos, like many other websites.
   
   The second point is, you used the Call-out-Capsules to appear as sub-titles with only small text below it. Call Out capsules are for providing important information within 500 words or so; not for putting as sub-titles.
   
   These are the two hings that I noticed requiring improvement.
   
   But, I think that HP team should be more specific and inform us whatever they want us to improve. But they simply send a general machine generated message which is not useful. My Rasam Recipe article was also de-featured and they do not provide sufficient reason. I edited it more than 10 times. Posted in the forums also. Again edited many times as per some advice received from our hubbers. But not featured yet.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Ven. What does too vertical mean, exactly?
      Mine has been featured but just going nowhere!

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         Venkatachari Mposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Vertical means of too much in height as compared to width. Normally, best images should be mostly of more width and less height in all niche sites. Only human figures may be an exception; that too, when doing with styles and designs, as per my opinion.

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   daydreamsposted 7 years ago

   I had a quick look- and I think the topic isn't clear from the title- maybe if you change it to something more along the lines of "how to create a flower garden for your children" or 'ideas for creating a flower garden with your children" 
   
   And try and think a bit about the headings and structure and how to guide the reader through the article- so they can tell just from the headings what each section suggests.
   For the photos rather than have them all individually put some of them in a capsule with the thumbnail option.
   
   Those are my thoughts anyway. I personally don't think it is too broad a topic, and I liked the article.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, I will work on those ideas.

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   DrMark1961posted 7 years ago

   Hi Jackie just above the photo "squirrely garden" you have a copyright date and the word hubpages. That needs to be deleted before submission to dengarden.
   The mint photo is out of focus and will not be accepted on a niche site.
   The callout capsule above the video that is telling us that it is a video should be deleted.
   That symbol (typo?) next to "sources" should be deleted.
   How has this title worked out for traffic over the years? I might change it a bit and do some small editing to make the article fit the title perfectly. I would think that "How to set up a fun childrens flower garden" or something like that would work better. (I just looked down at your other responses and see that daydreams made the same suggestion. I agree with her comment on the topic too.)
   I think Venkatachari´s comments about the callout capsules is important. I do not think they add value to the subject and should be eliminated. I think the photos are okay.
   Good luck submitting this again!

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, you have been a big help!

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   paperfacetsposted 7 years ago

   You do not have to take it down. The only thing is Google does not rate HP titles very good. FeltMagnet likes Callouts as headings, but I do not know about DenGarden. As Dr.Mark suggested all photo sources that are your own; do not attribute. It is assumed that photos not attributed are the author's. Note the rule under the submission button that talks about that.
   Take a few new photos that you believe speak strongly about the title. Post on Pinterest, twitter and elsewhere. Maybe Google will feature the new pics under the "images" search. Also, after your edits try WeHaveKids for a niche.

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, I have done some of what Mark said and I will go now to eliminate the attributions. I had no idea you did not give yourself credit! Guess I have a lot to learn yet!

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   Barbara Kayposted 7 years ago

   It could just be that they accepted one about the subject already????

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      Jackie Lynnleyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Nah.

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