Business, Blogging
Lauren Hooker
40 Ways to Use Adobe Illustrator to Improve ...

Adobe Illustrator is my go-to software for anything and everything design-related. It's the one program I truly couldn't work without.

And while it's easy to assume that the program's primary focus is illustration based on the name, there is so much more to this design software. 

With tools for type, color, photo cropping, image tracing, drawing, and much more, it has innumerable benefits for bloggers and business owners, alike.

To get your creative gears turning, here's a look at 40 ways Adobe Illustrator can take your blog and/or business to the next level.

40 Ways to Use Adobe Illustrator to Improve Your Blog and Business
Blogging, Business, Branding, Design
Lauren Hooker
How to Create Eye-Catching Blog Post Graphics

First impressions are crucial, especially in business.

Potential customers and clients make judgments about your business within the first few seconds of coming into contact with it, whether it’s through your website, your social media accounts, or a simple blog post graphic.

And those initial thoughts - whether they’re spot on or far off from what you want them to be - are within your control. You have the opportunity to make a killer first impression through high-quality, branded visuals.

If your blog is a large part of your business or you’re hoping to drive more traffic back to your site through your blog, you have to have eye-catching blog graphics to not only generate a positive first impression, but to encourage readers to share your posts on sites like Pinterest and be seen by an even wider audience.

So how do you create eye-catching blog post graphics? And better yet, how can you set them apart so they’ll stand out from the rest and be recognized time and time again?

How to Create Eye-Catching Blog Post Graphics
Business, Visual Marketing
Lauren Hooker
40 Easy, Engaging Video Content Ideas for Your ...

“When I discovered YouTube, I didn’t work for 5 days.” - Michael Scott

Video platforms like YouTube (and more recently, Periscope) are easily the world’s greatest time-wasters. We’ve all been guilty of losing track of time on YouTube at least once, because videos are easily consumable, very addicting, and highly entertaining.

As a matter of fact, studies show that a whopping 78% of us watch videos online every week and 55% watch videos online every day.

Which is why Youtube is also the world’s greatest overnight-success-maker. If you’re on the production-side of a video and you’ve come up with a clever idea, you might just have a viral hit on your hands.

Video holds a lot of potential for interaction, engagement, and shares for creative businesses. And for that reason, it’s one of the best visual marketing tools you can use.

But it producing videos can be a little overwhelming, can’t it? Even with helpful video tools out there like Animoto, many of us struggle to come up with simple ideas for video content that would appeal to our audience. 

And that’s where this post comes in. I’ve rounded up 40 easy, engaging video content ideas to help get your creative gears turning. My hope is that you’ll find a few ideas to implement and as a result, bring your business more exposure.

40 Easy, Engaging Video Content Ideas for Your Creative Business
Business, Visual Marketing
Lauren Hooker
Why You Should Be Using Infographics for Your ...

If you’re looking for a good way to kill at least an hour of your time, type in the word “infographic” in the Pinterest search bar.

Thousands of clever graphics will pop up on everything from “how to make a salad taste awesome” to a baby’s first year in a review. There’s even an infographic that answers the pressing question, “Is your dog sleeping a little too much?”

Then, after you’ve admired the genius creativity behind them, take a gander at how many repins and likes each of those infographics receives. Thousands upon thousands.

In fact, infographic volumes have increased by over 800% in 2 years. Publishers who use infographics grow in traffic an average of 12% more than those who don’t. 

What is it about infographics that makes them so appealing? And better yet, how can you come up with some clever infographics for your business so it gains more exposure through likes and shares?

I have all the answers for you in this post.

Why You Should Be Using Infographics for Your Business (And How to Create Them)
Blogging
Lauren Hooker
How to Create Catchy Headlines

Is your headline the first thing you consider when you sit down to write a post?

Probably not, but creating a catchy blog post title is one of the most important aspects of each blog post. It's the gateway to your content; it convinces people to click or scroll right past your latest post'. 

In fact, studies show that 8 out of 10 people will read your headline but only 2 out of 10 will read your entire post. 

Here are a few pointers for drawing in potential readers and a couple "templates" to help you create a catchy headline for your upcoming posts. 

How to Create Catchy Headlines

#SweetSpots

I'm so glad you all participated in taking note of special moments this past week! Here are some favorites:

laurenelizhook Look who I got to visit last night #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Look who I got to visit last night #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Scenes like this make rainy day runs through the neighborhood much more bearable. #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Scenes like this make rainy day runs through the neighborhood much more bearable. #sweetspots

lepascoe A morning of fun with this handsome boy and his ducky #sweetspots

lepascoe A morning of fun with this handsome boy and his ducky #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Tying pretty bows around orders. Thank you all for an amazing first week of business! My heart is full. #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Tying pretty bows around orders. Thank you all for an amazing first week of business! My heart is full. #sweetspots

sjpeters Working eight hours at the Math Emporium today so I'm taking advantage of the quiet to spend some quality time with Jesus. and Starbucks just makes it sweeter #sweetspots

sjpeters Working eight hours at the Math Emporium today so I'm taking advantage of the quiet to spend some quality time with Jesus. and Starbucks just makes it sweeter #sweetspots

jennykayc It's here! Good thing I have a new pack of sharpie pens @laurenelizhook #elleandcompany #sweetspots

jennykayc It's here! Good thing I have a new pack of sharpie pens @laurenelizhook #elleandcompany #sweetspots

dearsweetheartevents can't wait to start my Thursday mornings reading the Word with some amazing women, and a cup of chai tea latte #Philippians #sweetspots

dearsweetheartevents can't wait to start my Thursday mornings reading the Word with some amazing women, and a cup of chai tea latte #Philippians #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Celebrating our last day of freedom before grad school (and this 70 degree weather!) with froyo for lunch #sweetspots #literally

laurenelizhook Celebrating our last day of freedom before grad school (and this 70 degree weather!) with froyo for lunch #sweetspots #literally

kljohns10 I have two snotty and sick but sweet toddlers today, cousin cami is spending the day with us. While I wish their noses were in better condition, I'm thankful for sweet days like this creating memories #sweetspots

kljohns10 I have two snotty and sick but sweet toddlers today, cousin cami is spending the day with us. While I wish their noses were in better condition, I'm thankful for sweet days like this creating memories #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Celebrating small victories today. I didn't run half as far as I used to, but hey - you gotta start somewhere! #sweetspots

laurenelizhook Celebrating small victories today. I didn't run half as far as I used to, but hey - you gotta start somewhere! #sweetspots

New to #sweetspots? Head on over to last week's post to find out more. Happy Thursday, friends!

Be A Blessing Challenge

I am an idealist. New ideas and brainstorming sessions get me all-kinds-of-excited, but I often find it difficult to carry them through to completion.

This happens frequently in my efforts to serve other people. Volunteering at the Rescue Mission? I love that idea! Visiting a nursing home? Oh, that would be so sweet! Watching the kids while my pastor takes his wife out on a date night? Please sign me up! But in all honesty, I rarely take the time to pencil these ideas in my Daybook and act on them. Whether it's an overcrowded schedule or a forgetful mind, there's always an excuse.

I'm learning that I can't glorify God when my schedule is filled to the brim. When I have too much on my plate, my mind is only centered on me - my to-do list, my activities, my plans - which rarely leaves time to focus on kingdom work. Elle & Company was created to help ladies simplify to glorify; to clear the clutter and leave space in our Daybook to serve others and focus less on ourselves.

In an attempt to be more intentional in blessing others, I've come up with a challenge. 

Each month I'll post a different act of kindness on the blog. February's Be A Blessing Challenge is to love on someone that lives alone. Whether it's a college student, grandparent, or single parent, I know that they would be blessed by your company and a home-cooked meal.  

Will you donate a couple hours of your time each month and participate with me? I know God will use this challenge to encourage the hearts of the people we serve and transform our own hearts in the process. 

I would love to use the comment space below to keep up with how the challenge is going for each of you. Do you have any ideas for upcoming Be A Blessing challenges? I would love to hear those, too.

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

Weekly Truth

Each week I design a different iPhone wallpaper with a verse I'm trying to memorize. My hope is that seeing it multiple times a day will etch it into my memory and fill my mind with my greatest source of encouragement: Scripture.

Every Tuesday I share the design on the blog for you to download, set as your background, and hopefully be encouraged, too. 

Click here to download this week's verse. Happy Tuesday, friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly. 

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, I've always cringed when people utter the M-word around me. After 4 years of undergrad I swore that it would be at least 10 years before I would even consider going back to grad school. Tomorrow I will eat my words and begin taking classes part-time for a Masters in Biblical Counseling. I'll be honest... I couldn't be more excited/nervous! Here's to the next 3 years of seminary together. 

Dear running shoes, you've been on sabbatical for about a year now. Something came over me on Saturday and I decided to take you out for a little jog around the neighborhood. You may have noticed that my pace isn't as fast and my breathing isn't as quiet, but instead of getting discouraged I'm going to celebrate each step and passed mailbox. You have to start somewhere, right? Here's to rekindling our long-lost relationship. 

Dear new seminary friends, bet you never expected to go to seminary with a couple Hookers, did you? (Sorry... couldn't resist ;) Thank you for inviting us over on Saturday night and making us feel welcome right away. We're excited for classes and more game nights with all of you!

Dear Jakester, the sound of my Epson printer has been never-ending since Launch Day. Our dinner table has been overtaken with Daybook pages, ribbon, and cellophane bags and we've lost count of how many trips we've made to Staples and the post office. Not only do you disregard the chaos; you continue to get excited with me over each new order. You're the best roommate this girl could ask for. 

Happy Monday, friends! 

Coffee Date with Jenny Constantin

Meet my best friend and twin, Jenny. We may not look so much alike in appearance, but the similarities between our backgrounds and personalities are uncanny (our husbands both agree). Although we've known each other since those awkward middle school years, we didn't become close friends until college. We've run half-marathons together, we were in each others' weddings, and my day feels a little empty if I haven't messaged her on Google Hangouts at least twice. 

Jenny is radiant, both inside and out. Her smile is contagious, her encouragement is endless, and her heart is golden. God used this faithful friend in my own redemption story and He continues to use her in my life daily. I am so excited for you to get to know her better over coffee this morning! 

JENNY CONSTANTIN

What is the first thing you did this morning?

Rolled over and kissed my husband. Married life is pretty great! Then I jetted off to teach Jazzercise at 5:45 AM.

What have you been loving lately?

My office (I painted the walls and I'm working on organizing!) peanut butter and banana, and the fact that Downton Abbey is back - I even named my cat Lady Mary.

What is something you struggle with, and what are you learning as a result?

That God desires my heart, not my feeble attempts at bringing him perfection. So much of my identity pre-Christ was enveloped in trying to be perfect. It's exhausting and ultimately attempting to be God. He is perfect, I am not.

My junior year of college was the year Jesus finally opened my eyes to who I am. My identity lies solely in Christ. I am NOTHING without Him. He gives me worth, purpose, and breath. Everything else is non-essential but amazing grace all-the-same: wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, engineer, Jazzercise-lover and slightly type-A.

Photo credit Jessica Mae Photography

Photo credit Jessica Mae Photography

Life can get stressful. What are some things you do to simplify?

Whew... if only I were better at this! So much of my stress is self-imposed, making me thankful beyond words for my husband. He is the instrument God has used to keep the first priority at the top, and all the things that aren't so important can wait until later.

We plan out our week on Sunday, getting all our activities, meals and "hope-to-get-dones" out on the table. This saves a LOT of petty fights from invading our home. Matt also makes me grocery shop every Saturday. I really don't like to go, so his accountability helps. Getting it done makes Sunday our rest day, where all the shopping and cleaning is done and we can relax.

I strongly suggest keeping Sunday as the Sabbath, a day of rest. Resting in Christ, resting physically. God knew what He was doing!

Photo credit Jessica Mae Photography

Photo credit Jessica Mae Photography

And just for fun, what is something that made you smile this week?

So we got our wedding pictures back and my nephew has some HILARIOUS faces. I'm going to be keeping these on my desk... and saving one for display at his wedding one day :)

 

For more encouragement and daily happenings from Jenny, head on over to her blog, Abandon & Abide. 

It's your turn to join in the conversation! What are some things you have been loving lately? What was the first thing you did this morning? I hope you have a wonderful weekend, sweet friends. Happy Friday!