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

Coffee Date with Maranda McCauley

Remember that sweet Bible study group I mentioned in last week's Coffee Date? That's where I met the lovely lady who's joining us this morning. Back then, she was the pretty new girl in town with a who had just moved from Andersen, South Carolina, with a gorgeous smile and a great southern accent. Four years and many other Bible studies later, Maranda has become one of my dearest friends. 

Oh how I miss our in-person coffee dates at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea, but a Coffee Date on the blog this morning will suffice! Friends, meet Maranda McCauley:

What's in your coffee mug this morning?

Currently, an iced black coffee from Mill Mountain, the only coffee shop where I can drink my coffee completely black and actually enjoy it. I've also had a bit of a tea obsession lately, and I've been drinking a different one every week. I love trying out different kinds and I'm itching for a new teapot :)

What is the first thing you did today?

I hit the snooze button on my alarm clock and pulled the covers back from my adorable husband who steals them. When the last extra five (maybe ten) minutes are over, I jump in the shower and get ready for my day. David usually has to leave before I do, so we say our goodbyes and I finish getting ready. 

It's actually been really fun getting ready lately! I have a new internship at the Roanoke County Prevention Council, so I get to dress up, go to the office, sit at my own desk, and do real work that affects people. I LOVE it. I am learning so much about promoting healthy behaviors and how to prevent risky behaviors in adolescents.

What is something you've been loving lately?

I'm learning how to garden for this spring and summer. David and I are having a blast going to Lowes and picking out seeds, pots, plants, and soil. I'm having a little too much fun with trying to find the cutest watering bucket and gardening gloves. It will be an adventure as we learn how to grow various things and harvest them. I'm so excited for it!

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

I feel like I could go on forever on this one! Right now I am struggling with patience. Patience with others, patience with wanting to know what the future holds, and even patience with things that I know are completely out of my control; this list could seriously go on for a while. I have been reading Romans in my quiet time lately. The Lord speaking through the book of Romans will wreck you so be careful :) I'm continuing to learn to wage war on sin (Romans 6). It is a battle, but we must die to ourselves daily and be renewed in Christ. 

I am also learning that suffering is a great thing, but it is so hard to view it that way. We don't understand why bad things happen to "good" people or why things aren't going the way we thought they would be. It is even harder to know that you are right where God wants you, but things are still incredibly difficult. Thankfully, Romans 5:2-4 states, "Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory in our God. Not only that, but we REJOICE in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."

Life can get busy and stressful. How do you simplify?

Since the day I said "I do" to my wonderful husband, David, life has not slowed down one bit. He is the Student Pastor at our church campus, and each day he has a different schedule. From student ministry events to Bible studies to meetings and student hangouts, there is never a dull moment or even just a moment to breathe some weeks. It is critical that we are both reading Scripture to be renewed each day. I have a huge calendar that I carry with me to keep track of daily, weekly, and monthly events. Since David is out of the house a lot, having both of our schedules in one place helps me keep track of our time. 

I'm also learning that keeping things simple means having to say "no" more than I have ever been comfortable with. Since we started dating, I never missed a student ministry event or a Life Group night. But now I have to scale back to keep things from getting too crazy. I may have to stay home some nights to keep the house tidy or prepare dinner, and it's nice to have nights off to clean and prepare for the next day. I also like having a nicely made bed and a clean kitchen to wake up to.

What is something that made you smile this week?

Our precious kitten, Molly, is forever making us laugh. She is so curious and gets herself into more pickles than any other kitten I've ever known. She somehow managed to get herself stuck under our bed in the box spring, and we both had to crawl under the bed to get her out as she frantically "meowed" at us for help. Hopefully she learned her lesson and won't have anymore under-the-bed adventures. Now we have a hole to patch, unfortunately, but we are still laughing about it.

Let's Get Giving

The Be A Blessing Challenge is quickly becoming my favorite feature on this blog. After all, it embodies the whole mission of Elle & Company, which is to simplify to glorify. What is the point of organizing and simplifying our lives if we just fill them right back up with activities centered around ourselves? My hope is that we clear the clutter in our days so that we can serve and love others well.

But I'll admit... pride can easily creep into this challenge. It feels so good to do something nice for another person, whether it's inviting someone over for dinner who lives alone or writing someone a letter of encouragement. The fleshy, sinful parts of me bubble up to the surface of my heart and I try to take credit for the good.

So this month I'm taking myself out of the picture completely and I'm asking you to join me. Let's give a gift anonymously. Let's leave the "from" section on the gift tag blank. Let's give for the sake of giving and remove our name so that we don't receive any of the glory. 

This could take on all kinds of forms. Does your friend dread going to work in the morning? Arrange to have flowers delivered to her office. Does the person behind you in the Starbucks line look tired and stressed in your rearview mirror? Pay for their drink at the window. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money - all it takes is a little thought. Think of it as a fun opportunity to get creative.

So what do you think, ya'll? Let's touch someone else's heart this month without bolstering our own ego. Let's get giving!

Simple Spring Cleaning

Happy April, friends! The trees are budding with white and pink blooms, the birds are chirping, and I can hear the sound of our neighbor's lawnmower as I write this. The fresh start of the spring season and this warm weather make me want to open all the windows, turn on some tunes by Corinne Bailey Rae, and get in my spring cleaning groove.

Although I can't say that I've ever enjoyed cleaning, I do love the results. Crumb-free countertops, spotless floors, and clean sheets make my heart happy and keep my stress levels low. But when the busyness of life creeps in, so does the mess. The laundry basket overflows, the dishes pile high in the sink, the desk is covered with mail and paper, shoes clutter up our living room floor... you get the picture. And goodness gracious, there is nothing worse than giving up those precious weekend hours to binge clean our Suite. 

So what is a simple, realistic solution for keeping up with the mess? I've found it helpful to separate chores into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Here's my plan:

Daily Tasks

1.  Make the bed.  So simple and so necessary. Our bedroom could be spotless, but an unmade bed makes it look messy every time. This little chore also has a positive snowball effect on the rest of my day; one productive task starts a pattern for me.  Estimated time: 2 minutes

2.  Tidy up the kitchen.  This includes washing the dishes after each meal, doing a quick floor sweep, and wiping down the sink and the countertops.  Estimated time: 10 minutes.

3.  Keep a clean bathroom.  Oh how I love our long bathroom countertop, but it makes it so tempting to keep it cluttered with my makeup, hair dryer, curling iron, toothbrush, and body lotion. Keeping a clean bathroom is as simple as putting things back in the drawer, wiping down the counter, the mirror, and around the toilet, and Swiffer-ing the hair that inevitably litters the floor.  Estimated time: 2 minutes.

4.  Clutter clean up.  File away mail, fold blankets, pick up shoes, straighten pillows, etc. Estimated time: 2 minutes.

That's a total time of a little over 15 minutes a day (and Jake often lends a hand, so that cuts the time in half). Simple, easy, and attainable, right? And after a while, these tasks are bound to become habits.

Weekly Tasks

This is where I plan on taking full advantage of Elle & Company's handy-dandy Cleaning Checklist.

I've separated tasks into different areas of the house. Although I could use the checklist for one big cleaning spree each week, I think it's more time efficient and manageable if I plan on tackling one room each day. Another plus: the tasks in each category take under 20 minutes to complete.

And then there's laundry. We share a washer and dryer with our neighbors, so it's usually best to put that chore on the "once-a-week" list. We always throw in our bed linens and towels, too.

I'm a visual person (as a designer, that's a given) and I love to-do lists. Checking off those little boxes/circles that makes me feel so productive.

Monthly Tasks

In addition to daily chores and weekly cleaning tasks, my goal for April is to tackle some projects that only need to be done once a month or once every few months. These inlclude:

  • Cleaning appliances
  • Cleaning out our cars
  • Wiping down the trim, doors and cabinets
  • Cleaning out the fridge and the freezer
  • Washing the windows
  • Vacuuming under furniture

My hope is to tackle 2 projects each week and share my progress with you here on the blog. And if you want to join in with me, that would be so fun! I would love for us to share tips and inspiration with each other. So who's in? And how do YOU simplify your cleaning routine?

Weekly Truth

I was out running errands yesterday when I got a great surprise. I looked on my iPhone and saw that I had a new follower on Instagram (which always makes me happy) but I got really excited when I saw who it was: a well-known designer and calligrapher that I've been following for years. What?! I did a little happy dance and called Jake right away to tell him the good news.

And then a sinking realization hit me... I never get that excited when I think about being known by Jesus. 

I haven't been able to shake that realization for the last two days. The Creator of the heavens and the earth knows me by name. Not only does He know me, but He rejoices over me. That realization should make me the most giddy; I should want to tell everyone this great news!

I don't know about you, but it's so easy for me to find my worth in being known by others. I try to measure it by followers on Instagram or friends on Facebook, but my true worth is in being known by the King. I'm praying that as I commit this verse to memory this week, these words will wash over those gross parts of me that try to find my identity in the approval of others. I'll be praying the same for you, too. 

Click here to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, sweet 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, readers sometimes ask me why you get two letters each week. You're just that special, my dear. Plus you provide so much entertainment during the week that I couldn't possibly hit the high points in just one letter. These letters will be so fun to look back on someday.

Dear Charlotte, my list of things that I love about you got a little longer this week. Thanks to a conference in the city and an early morning flight out of the airport, we had not just one but TWO visitors this week, and my heart is full. This whole moving-to-North-Carolina thing just keeps getting better and better. 

Dear Dana Tanamachi, thanks to your video, I want to cancel all of the plans I made today and spend some quality time with my sketchbook. I've also decided that as soon as Jake and I buy a house, I'm taking over one of my office walls with gold Sharpie. Inspiration like this makes my gears turn and my heart dance. 

Dear Jake, I was a grouch on Saturday afternoon, but you knew just the thing to turn my frown upside down: a 2-hour heart-to-heart over Caribou coffee and a drive around the city. Thank you for bearing with me and loving me even when my heart is ugly and my mood is foul. I'm so very blessed to have you.

Happy Monday, friends! Some fun things are happening around here this week, including our April Newsletter, a new Be A Blessing Challenge, and a Spring Cleaning Sale (to name a few). 

Our you on our mailing list? Sign up using the form in the sidebar to receive the upcoming newsletter tomorrow --------->

And did you participate in last month's Be A Blessing Challenge? I want to hear about it (and I'm sure other Elle & Co. readers do too!) Follow the comment link above this post and leave me a note!