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

How to Start a Blog

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How to Build a Loyal Blog Audience

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How to Build a Loyal Blog Audience

My husband, Jake, has always been stumped as to how Jimmy Buffet has such a loyal following. Even Jimmy will admit that he doesn't have the greatest voice in the world, and yet his fans have their own special name - 'Parrotheads' (and 'parakeets' for those younger Buffet fans). How in the world does this happen and what does this have to do with blogging? Jimmy Buffet and the best bloggers both realize that gaining a loyal audience is all about creating an experience. 

So how can you create an experience for your readers? What are some tips that you can implement that will create excitement and keep your audience coming back time and time again? Here are 4 tips that will help you gain your own faithful blog 'parrotheads.'

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4 Tips for Finding Your Blogging Niche

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4 Tips for Finding Your Blogging Niche

Last summer I wrote one of my most popular blog series, How to Start a Blog. I shared tips for those who are new to the blogging scene about common topics that every new blogger deals with: creating a loyal audience, finding your niche, choosing a name, growing readership, and creating quality content. It was a fun series to write and it continues to be a favorite among Elle & Company readers. But since writing those posts 3 months ago, my readership has more than tripled (and I would like to think that it's due to implementing all of that advice that I shared!). The way I blog has evolved and I've learned new tips and strategies for creating content, marketing my blog, and growing Elle & Company readership. 

How to Start a Blog: Why I use Squarespace

Today's topic is the most practical out of all the topics I've covered in the How to Start a Blog series. While it's important to find your niche, create quality content, form a loyal audience, grow your readership, and choose a name, those posts won't be helpful if you're stuck on which service you'll use for publishing. And it's easy to get stuck. With so many options out there it can be difficult to know which one will be best for your blog or business.

There are several posts floating around the internet on "choosing a blog platform." And while I've used Blogger, Wordpress, and Tumblr in the past, I definitely wouldn't consider myself an expert. So rather than take that approach, let me tell you about the platform I use each day: Squarespace. 

Create your website

Quickly build your Squarespace site with my Website Starter Kit.

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It's lovely

Squarespace sites are easy on the eyes. They may not have as many themes to choose from as Wordpress, but each theme they do offer is extremely well designed. Their pages are clean and effortless, their user interface is beautiful, and because every design automatically includes a unique mobile experience, their sites look professional on every device. You would have to try really hard to create an ugly website on Squarespace. And from a designer's perspective, this is a major advantage.

But even if you aren't a designer, having a beautiful website/blog should be extremely important to you, too. Studies have found that the biggest influence on people's first impressions of your website are visual appeal and navigation. A whopping 94% of all first impressions are design-related. You could have the best content in the world, but with a pieced-together, unattractive site you'll scare people away before they even have the chance to read it. The saying "you never have a second chance to make a first impression" is definitely true in the blogging realm.

It's user-friendly

One of the most time consuming and frustrating tasks of starting a new blog can be figuring out the back-end of your site. If you're new to blogging, this can be very intimidating and time-consuming, especially if you don't have any previous experience using HTML/CSS.

But with Squarespace, setting up your site is easy and straightforward, even for those of you who don't consider yourselves computer savvy. The drag-and-drop features make editing content a breeze and the visual layout editor allows you to make changes effortlessly. Adding text, images, embeds, or social media is as simple as hitting a button and choosing an option.

It's all-in-one

My blog, my website, and my shop are all in one place with Squarespace. Their E-Commerce feature allows me to easily add products to my shop, keep up with orders and inventory, set up shipping costs and taxes, and create coupon codes. 

Squarespace also connects to other sites and services that I use for my business. When people sign up for the Elle & Company newsletter in my sidebar, all of their information is directly imported to MailChimp. Accounting through Xero is available to help keep track of finances and sales taxes. Squarespace also partners with ShipStation, which makes printing shipping labels and shipment notifications a breeze.

If you're blogging for your business or you hope to use blogging as a gateway into starting your own business, Squarespace might be an excellent option for you, too. 

It takes care of the things I'd rather not worry about

Who wants to spend all day figuring out things like hosting and SEO when you can have your blog platform do it all for you? Here are a few more perks of using Squarespace:

  • Squarespace saves you from having to sign into different sites for domains and hosting; both are included in your monthly plan
  • They have excellent support, including articles, videos, live chat, email support, and community forums
  • A wide range of analytics are at your fingertips, including statistics on blog traffic, mobile usage, subscribers, referrers, popular content, search queries, and detailed activities
  • SEO is built in, you just have to be conscious of how you name files, links and captions
  • Squarespace easily transfers over blog posts and page information from other sites like Blogger and Wordpress
  • Every template is mobile-friendly; I don't have to worry that my website won't appear correctly on a mobile device

Overall, I don't have many bones to pick with Squarespace. It's beautiful, user-friendly, straightforward, and very helpful. I've had a great experience using it this past year and I highly recommend it to all of my branding clients (and to you, too!)

Click here to view some lovely Squarespace sites, visit this link to learn more about what Squarespace has to offer, and feel free to ask me any questions you have concerning blog platforms! I would love to get your feedback, too. 

Create your website

Quickly build your Squarespace site with my Website Starter Kit.

Powered by ConvertKit

For all of you seasoned bloggers, which blog platform do you use and why?

Related Posts
How to Build a Loyal Blog Audience
4 Tips for Finding Your Blogging Niche
How to Start a Blog: Why I use Squarespace
ChoosingAName_E&C.jpg
How to Start a Blog: Finding Your Niche
How to Start a Blog: My Story

How to Start a Blog: Choosing a Name

Choosing a name can be one of the most difficult tasks in starting a blog. I racked my brain for weeks trying to come up with a couple words that accurately reflected my business. I wanted a name that was simple, yet descriptive. Familiar, but one of a kind. Personal, but gave me room to grow. 

Whether you're a brand new blogger or you're going through a rebrand, you've probably experienced the same name game frustration. While there is no 3-step solution to finding the perfect name, here is a helpful guide for finding a memorable blog name you truly love. 

ChoosingAName_E&C.jpg

1. Make a list

After a couple weeks of this series, you should have a good idea of what you're going to write about. You've narrowed your focus, found your niche, developed a mission statement, worked through content, and considered your audience. If you've done your homework, you already have several lists full of ideas and descriptive words. Pull out your notes from these past few weeks and start another brainstorm to get the creative juices flowing.

Begin writing down any and every word associated with your blog. Even if you're 99.9% certain you would never use a particular word in your blog name, it might springboard into a new clever word that you hadn't considered before.

Think about your blog topics, your tone, and your audience, then jot down words associated with them. If you're starting an interior design blog, you might write down obvious words like "space" or "interiors", but push it a little further. Think about fabrics, upholstery, colors, patterns, how a room might make someone feel, treatments, furniture, interior design terms, adjectives that describe a room, etc. Include both broad and descriptive words. 

This might not be a "sit down for an hour and crank it out" kind of ordeal. If you're like me, your greatest ideas might come while you're driving down the interstate or meeting a friend at Starbucks. Carry around a small notebook and give yourself a couple days (or in my case, a couple weeks) to come up with new words.

Once you've exhausted every word option, go through your list highlighting the yeses and crossing off the no-ways. 

2. Keep your purpose in mind

The point of a name is to summarize your blog in a nutshell, so what key elements of your blog are the most important for you to communicate? As you begin to weed through your long list of words, keep your mission statement and your purpose in mind. Size up the items on your list in light of them. 

3. Make one more list

Once you've done all of the above, start a new list for blog name ideas.

Pair two words together. Take an item on your list and add -ista, -ly, or -ed at the end of it. Consider making up a new word by piecing together the syllables from a couple words. Think about creating a name that sounds similar to a word on your list. Sometimes the most memorable names are made-up words that no one has heard before. Like your last list, don't nix ideas before you write them down; they just might spur an idea that will lead you to "the one." Give yourself creative freedom to explore all the options. 

For example, I knew that I wanted my own name somewhere in the name of my blog. While the last name "Hooker" is definitely memorable, I just couldn't bring myself to include it in my blog/business name. I randomly wrote down the name Elle as a play off of the "L" in my first name (Lauren) and the "El" of my middle name (Elizabeth). It sounded feminine, which would appeal to my audience. It was a name, so it was a little more personal and gave my space some character. And it was classy, which played into the more professional feel that I was going for.

4. Consider these questions

Once you've come up with some viable options, consider these questions:

  • Is this name too literal?
  • Is it too obscure or confusing?
  • Does this name give me room to grow and expand down the road?
  • Is it easy to say and spell?
  • Does it reflect the tone of my blog?
  • Will this name appeal to my ideal reader?

When I was going through these myself, I began to think through my business goals to make sure my name would align with them. One of my goals was (and is) to grow. If I ever have the opportunity to bring more people on board with Elle & Company, I want my name to remain the same. And if I ever decide to add another facet to my business, I want my name to be able to encompass it, too. Hence, Elle and Company. 

5. Do your research

Now that you've exercised your creative freedom and worked through the questions above, do your research. Look into other businesses or blogs who might have already taken the names you've come up with. Try out possible domain names to see if they are available and make sure that your name won't interfere with any current trademarks or DBAs. It would be awful to have your heart set on a name, design a pretty brand around it, and put it on everything only to find out that it has already been taken. 

6. Test it out

Have you settled on a name? Run it by other people and get feedback before you make the jump. They might bring up a different perspective that you may not have considered before. 

Like I said before, there is no perfect process. The steps above are just one way to approach naming your blog, so make adjustments as you see fit to find what works best for you!

For those of you who already have a blog, how did you come up with your name?

Read other posts in this series:

How to Start a Blog: Growing Readership

So you've found your niche, created quality content, and put into practice all the tips for forming a loyal audience. Your blog is up and running, and now you're looking to reach more people and expand your readership. 

While an increase in traffic isn't the goal of every blogger, it might be important to those of you who are looking to make money blogging through sponsorships or if your blog is tied into your small business. An increase in viewers often leads to an increase in sales, and I understand firsthand the need to reach as many potential customers as possible. 

A huge increase in blog readers doesn't usually happen overnight, but there are several things I've found helpful for speeding up the process. Today I'm sharing 5 tips that have allowed me to double my blog readership in the past month. If you implement these tips, I'm certain that your blog traffic will grow quickly, too. 

1. Consistency

This has been one of the most important tips for growing my readership. People return to blogs when they know what to expect from them; it gives them something to look forward to. Maintaining consistency also demonstrates to your followers that you take this blogging business seriously (and if you take it seriously, they are more likely to take it seriously, too). 

This could take the form of maintaining a blog schedule, posting regularly (even if it's once a month, once a week, or once a day), keeping up with a blog series, or regularly responding to comments.

2. Creativity

Think about your favorite blogs. What is it about them that keeps you coming back time and time again? If I had to guess, those blogs are your favorite because they have something unique to offer. How can you keep your readers in suspense and get them asking "what's next?" Like I said, people will return to your blog if you give them interesting content to look forward to. Get creative! Think through the things that set you apart from other blogs out there.

Here are some creative stand-outs from my list of favorite blogs:

  • Young House Love - I get so excited when they post new home projects, and I'm always wondering what they're up to next.
  • Chloe Fleury - She may not post daily, but when she does, it blows me away. How does she do all of that with paper?!
  • Wit & Whistle - You never know what to expect from Amanda. Her witty cards and paper goods make me happily uncomfortable every time. 

Another perk to exercising creativity: viewers are more likely to share your content on Pinterest, Facebook, and other social media outlets if it's unlike anything else they've seen before. 

3. Character

Meet Erin. She's a successful lifestyle blogger who would be the first to tell you that her life is average. She doesn't hold a college degree, she doesn't have children, she doesn't have a cute shop or a creative trade, and she doesn't own an extravagant house. So what keeps readers coming back? She has this charming, witty way of sharing about her "mediocre" life (her words, not mine!). People love following along with her because they never know what she's going to say next. She packs so much of her character into each and every post, which makes it a joy for readers to get to know her.

Infuse your personality into your blog. You don't have to be over the top or slightly sarcastic like Erin, but viewers are more likely to connect with the person behind the blog when they feel like they know them. Consider adding more of your personality into your writing style, tone of voice, photography, design, or social media posts.

4. Community

Networking has been the most beneficial, rewarding aspect of blogging for me.  I realized how much I had to learn about the blogging world when I launched Elle & Company this past January, so I reached out to successful bloggers and business owners that I admired. It was a little intimidating at first, but I was pleasantly surprised by all of the positive responses I received. People were more than willing to try out my products and write reviews, participate in giveaways, and share helpful tips. Not only did I gain followers from being featured on their blog, but I gained friends who I now partner with regularly. 

Put yourself out there and contact other people in this industry. If you have great content, services, and/or products, people are usually more than willing to partner with you. Are you a shop owner? Consider offering a giveaway on another blogger's site. Are you a lifestyle blogger? Reach out to another lifestyle blogger and start a series or linkup together. The options are endless. (For more ideas, read this great article on 8 tips for achieving online networking bliss.)

Building relationships with other people in this industry will provide countless opportunities for your blog to grow and boost your credibility.

5. Consideration

Before I write every post, I ask myself one simple question. What is my purpose for sharing this? It's important to have a goal in mind when I'm sharing content, and I'm certain that this thoughtful consideration has been a key factor in increased blog traffic. Here is a look at why I post what I post:

Monday's Letters - This blog series maintains consistency on my blog, gives my readers a glimpse at my character/personality, and (hopefully) provides people with a smile or two. These not-so-design-oriented posts switch things up a bit around here and no two letters are ever the same.

Weekly Truth - These weekly phone backgrounds offer encouragement, showcase my design style, and they are free for my readers. Another advantage that I didn't originally consider: these wallpapers act as a "walking advertisement" for Elle & Company. Creativity, consistency, and a little bit of character.

Coffee Dates - Friday morning Q&As are a great way for me to build community on my blog. They give my readers an opportunity to follow other encouraging ladies, and they bring people to my site that might not have heard of Elle & Company before. Consistency, creativity, community, and character.

Your motives don't have to be elaborate or detailed, but it's obvious when a blogger has purpose behind what they're posting. Consider what you're putting out there and how it will benefit your readers.

Read other posts in this series: