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

You ladies make my heart so happy. I love to see your #sweetspots and I'm so encouraged by them each day! Here are some of my favorites from this past week:

@laurenelizhook Getting surprise letters in the mail makes my heart so happy! @amykmcarthur & @kabandy, you know how to make a girl feel loved! #sweetspots

@laurenelizhook Getting surprise letters in the mail makes my heart so happy! @amykmcarthur & @kabandy, you know how to make a girl feel loved! #sweetspots

@sjpeters A manicure and Panera oatmeal is the best start to a Saturday! #sweetspots

@sjpeters A manicure and Panera oatmeal is the best start to a Saturday! #sweetspots

@kaitblanken The sweet kids make all the crappy teacher days worth it. #sweetspots

@kaitblanken The sweet kids make all the crappy teacher days worth it. #sweetspots

@laurenelizhook The best start to my week. @agb1024, you (and your sweet kiddos) are so thoughtful. Miss you! #sweetspots

@laurenelizhook The best start to my week. @agb1024, you (and your sweet kiddos) are so thoughtful. Miss you! #sweetspots

@andreapescephoto My lap is being overtaken and my legs are losing feeling but it's so cute how badly she wanted to snuggle on my lap! #sweetspots

@andreapescephoto My lap is being overtaken and my legs are losing feeling but it's so cute how badly she wanted to snuggle on my lap! #sweetspots

@allyduncan13 Our home is already such a haven. #sweetspots 

@allyduncan13 Our home is already such a haven. #sweetspots 

@joleigh22 Playing in the "snow" while we wait for the SNOW! #sweetspots

@joleigh22 Playing in the "snow" while we wait for the SNOW! #sweetspots

@laurenelizhook A view from our drive home from class today #sweetspots

@laurenelizhook A view from our drive home from class today #sweetspots

@almonty1 Beautiful study spot on a beautiful day. #sweetspots

@almonty1 Beautiful study spot on a beautiful day. #sweetspots

@ame710 Playing on the floor with this cutie #sweetspots

@ame710 Playing on the floor with this cutie #sweetspots

@mariellyzoe After pulling an all-nighter, a swiss mocha coffee from ihop certainly hits the spot! #sweetspots

@mariellyzoe After pulling an all-nighter, a swiss mocha coffee from ihop certainly hits the spot! #sweetspots

@maranda_mccauley Getting to hear my husband lead worship tonight. #sweetspots

@maranda_mccauley Getting to hear my husband lead worship tonight. #sweetspots

Are you new to #SweetSpots? Read this post to find out more. Happy Thursday, friends!

Morning Routine, Simplified

I would love to tell you that I'm a morning person, but I would be lying. Ask my husband and he will be glad to tell you - I am just about the hardest person to get out of bed. I'm yawning just thinking about it. But I've noticed that my day is much more productive and successful when it starts off on the right foot.

A morning routine is crucial for me; it's my motivation for getting out of bed and kickstarting my day. Today I'm sharing tips that I've received for a simplified morning routine with the hope that they will be helpful for you and not because I'm an expert. I am constantly learning what it means to simplify and streamline. 

I'm guilty of changing my outfit multiple times each morning. I'm also guilty of waiting until the last minute to pack my lunch and straighten up the house. But if I take care of these things the night before, my morning is much more relaxed and much less rushed. A little preparation goes a long way.

You and I both know that there are numerous benefits to getting 7 to 8 hours of rest each night. When it's tempting to watch one more episode (or five) of Parks and Recreation, I have to remind myself: more sleep means a better mood, more productivity, and better focus the next day. It's so very tempting to sleep in and skip my morning routine when I've gone to bed late the night before.

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The best part of waking up is Folgers in my cup. The smell of French Roast and the sound of coffee brewing makes it hard not to get out of bed in the morning. Programming the coffee maker the night before gives me more motivation to get up (and the caffeine boost isn't so bad either).

I'm sounding more and more like my mom, but making the bed helps me mark an official start to my day. It motivates me to keep the rest of our bedroom clean and it helps me develop discipline in the remainder of my morning routine. It also feels so good to crawl into a nicely made bed at night, doesn't it?

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This is by far the most important part of my day. I want God to be glorified with my life and that starts by meeting with Him each morning. He speaks to me through His word and I speak to Him through prayer. Although I love having coffee dates with friends, my morning quiet time is by far my most encouraging coffee date. 

Designate a practical, organized space for all of the items you need before leaving your house. My coat, keys, umbrella, and bag are all in one place right by the front door, and it always saves me the extra time that would normally be spent trying to track them down. 

I have a hard time beginning a new routine, but once things get rolling and I start to see the benefits, those once-dreaded tasks become contagious and habitual. The more I put these tips & tricks into practice, the more I enjoy getting up each morning. And for this girl, that's saying a lot!

Ultimately, your morning routine is personal to you. Yours may not look just like mine, but my hope is that one or all of these 7 tips will help you simplify the start of each day.

Now it's your turn! What tips & tricks have helped you streamline and simplify your morning routine?

Weekly Truth

In an attempt to get better at memorizing verses, I design a new iPhone background with a different verse each week. On Tuesdays I share them on the blog so that you can download them, set them as your background, and hopefully be encouraged too. 

Click here to download this week's iPhone background.

Praying that this sweet reminder is an encouragement to you this week. 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, our new town has an event on the first Friday of every month. When we met friends for dinner on Friday night there were free carriage rides downtown and the little shops were handing out Valentine's candy. How cute is that?! One more reason why I really like it here.

Dear Lola, we finally got you all fixed up - a new starter, new brake pads, new spark plugs, the works. And then I slowly backed you into a tree by accident last week. Please forgive me for the potato-size dent in your bumper. I never meant to hurt you.

Dear Harris Teeter, I didn't know grocery shopping could be so enjoyable. A Starbucks right inside your double doors and a cup-holder built into your shopping carts? Genius! Thanks to you and my Menu Planning sheets, I might actually start looking forward to weekly grocery store trips. It's the little things.

Dear Jake, how did we go 4 years without discovering the hilarity of Parks & Rec?! For the last three weeks we've been watching and obnoxiously quoting Leslie, Tom, and Ron (to name a few). But my favorite reference happened this weekend when someone told you that you remind them of Andy Dwyer. Day made.

Happy Monday, friends!

Coffee Date with Andrea Pesce

If you're ever looking for a talented photographer and a sweet friend, Andrea Pesce is your gal. You can see her talent all over this site; her creative eye captured all of the lovely product photos and headshots for Elle & Company. Didn't she do such a great job?! I couldn't have done it without her gifts and encouragement. 

This beautiful lady works hard and laughs often. Give her a task and she will not only go above and beyond - she will find so much joy in it. Her excitement and passion for her job is contagious, but there's much more to Andrea than photography. I'm excited for you to get to know my dear friend Andrea this morning!

ANDREA PESCE

What is the first thing you did this morning?

Hit snooze on my alarm and snuggled with Lexi till it went off again :), THEN called my husband Frank to say good morning. He leaves for work at an ungodly hour, so I usually don't see him (or at least remember it) in the mornings.

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What is something you've been loving lately?

Dry shampoo! How did I live without this before now?

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

I really struggle to have a fridge full of food and a meal on the table more than a few days a week! Most of the time it's because I'd rather be doing anything else than grocery shopping or cooking, but I feel like God's been showing me how much you can show someone you love them by having a meal made. I'm also learning my mom was/is wonder woman!

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

I do two things: I ask myself 'why' and then I rearrange! For me, if there isn't a good 'why' for something I'm doing then it probably  can go instead of adding another thing to the already lengthy to-do list. Living with purpose is extremely important to me. And I have no idea what started this, but I feel like a new person when I can sit down and things are new and fresh in my home, even when nothing else has changed. Frank jokes that if he came home and didn't look before he sat down, he would end up on the floor or have bruises on his shins. 

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

A friend of mine found out I was an ENFP and sent me this link. If you are an ENFP you will smile too. Especially if you are married to a J :)

 

For more encouragement and daily happenings from Andrea (and to get a glimpse at all of her latest work!), head on over to her site, Andrea Pesce Photography. And go ahead and 'like' her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram while you're at it!

Now it's your turn to join in the conversation. How do you simplify? Do you have a habit of rearranging things to gain a fresh perspective and a new start? I'm oh-so glad you stopped by today, friend. Happy Friday!