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

Monday's Letters

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, what kind of cat loves belly rubs, licks you when she's happy, and joins you on walks around the neighborhood? Ours. That friendly, starving cat that we couldn't find a home for has provided so much entertainment over the past 2 months. I sure am glad she adopted us. 

Dear winter boots, I've been waiting for cool fall weather to dig you out of the closet, and last weekend gave me the perfect opportunity. I threw you over a pair of jeans with my favorite chambray top and I thought I looked fairly stylish... until I walked into evening service at our church and was greeted with a friendly "Howdy, partner!" I tried.

Dear Logan, thanks so much for featuring me on your Women in the Kingdom series last week! It was a joy to share a funny story about Jake, discuss how I incorporate my faith into Elle & Company, and even talk about what God has taught me through my greatest struggle. I love the heart and mission behind your new blog, Grace to be Free, and I'm honored to be a part of it!

Dear Jake, I've been writing these letters almost every Monday for the past year and a half. And although it's been a sweet way to capture little memories throughout our week, it's become more of a chore and less of a joy. I've decided to take a little break from posting them to the blog and keep them just between the two of us instead. The best things in life don't always have to be shared :)

Recent Letters

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Monday's Letters
Monday's Letters
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Monday's Letters
Monday's Letters - Elle & Company
Monday's Letters
Monday's Letters
Jake's Letters
Monday's Letters
Monday's Letters
Elle & Company - Monday's Letters
Monday's Letters
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Monday's Letters

Each Monday I write four letters: two letters to my husband and two random letters to whatever else is on my heart each week. What originally started as a fun way to record events and funny stories pleasantly developed into a weekly habit of practicing thankfulness.

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, I say this each and every time, but long car rides are a thousand times more fun with you in the driver's seat. Thank you for making up ridiculous song lyrics, singing them in your "Creed" voice, and coming up with new dance moves. No one makes me laugh until I cry quite like you do.

Dear Hudson and Deborah, thank you for taking great care of our sweet rascal of a cat while we visited family in Virginia this weekend. Thank you for inviting her over for a play date with the dogs (I still can't believe she played with them and let them lick her head!) and thank you for spoiling her rotten despite her Houdini escape from our bathroom window. You're the cat's meow :)

Dear half marathon, training for you has reminded me just how out of shape I am, both mentally and physically. Without the accountability and motivation of my 3 best friends/running buddies (and a little help from the cardio playlists on Spotify), I would have given up on you long ago. Here's to long Saturday runs, sore muscles, and ice cream recoveries ;) I know it will be all worth it when we cross that finish line in November! 

Dear Jake, yesterday we took our "day of rest" literally and rested our eyes for 4 hours in between morning and evening church services. Even more ridiculous? We went to bed early last night and slept for another 9 hours. I'm hoping that it was just our fun-filled weekend finally catching up with us and not that nasty cold bug that's been going around...

Recent Letters

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Monday's Letters - Elle & Company

Monday's Letters

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Dear Mr. Hooker, every time I have a small victory or a happy surprise, "cha-ching" is my first verbal response. You've teased me about this phrase for years and made me feel like a dork, but this morning you had a change of heart and encouraged me to use it as a "trademark hashtag." One small step for you, one giant success for me. #chaching

Dear Mom, I remember being so surprised to see you and Dad crying as the nurses wheeled my little 5-year-old body back to the operating room to remove my pesky tonsils. Last week we took your new grand-kitty to get spayed, and the experience helped me understand your tears. Okay, so cats are a little different than children, and I didn't get teary-eyed, but the poor thing was pretty pitiful. Thankfully, like me, she quickly returned to her normal spunky self. 

Dear Allyson, our houses have gone from being 3 minutes up the road to 3 hours away this past year. I miss knowing your close and randomly stopping by talk to you and steal hugs from my nieces and nephews, but the times that I do see you are even more special. Speaking of, are you free this upcoming Saturday afternoon? We just might be making a quick trip in ;)

Dear Jake, so often I look forward to big events in life, but these past two years of marriage have taught me to soak up the small, day-to-day moments in between. This weekend was quiet - a Saturday morning coffee date, a walk around our neighborhood, a tag-teamed cleaning spree around the Suite - but it was just what my busy heart needed. I'm blessed to spend all of life's moments, both big and small, with you.

Happy Monday! Do you think my use of "cha-ching" is dorky? What's your signature phrase? And for all of you pet-people out there, please make me feel a little less ridiculous by sharing some pet-parenting moments. Thanks in advance :)

Recent Letters

Blog
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Monday's Letters - Elle & Company

Each Monday I write four letters: two letters to my husband and two random letters to whatever else is on my heart each week. What originally started as a fun way to record events and funny stories pleasantly developed into a weekly habit of practicing thankfulness.

Monday's Letters

Monday's Letters - Elle & Company

Dear Mr. Hooker, this weekend we stumbled upon a PBS documentary series on English castles on Netflix and our inner nerds rejoiced. Who knew the term "eaves dropping" came from little figurines in the eaves of Henry VIII's castle or that the Downton Abbey castle, Highclere, is the real-life home of an earl? And even more surprising - who knew you were such a history buff? Little moments like that, snuggled up on the couch with coffee on a Saturday morning, make my heart happy. 

Dear Daybook, you've been the subject of most of the Elle & Company inquiries lately. I've been itching to share your new look and reveal what I've been up to for the past few months, but I can't quite yet. I'm hoping to give Elle & Company followers a peek at you in the next month and tell them your story, but until then, you're my best kept secret.

Dear Ann Voskamp, your book One Thousand Gifts was recommended to me by at least 10 friends in the past 2 months, so you can imagine my surprise when a package arrived for me a couple weeks ago with the book nestled inside. I've been taking my time with it, savoring each thoughtful word, and I haven't been able to put it down. Thank you for changing my perspective and helping me recognize all of the blessings that are constantly poured out on me.

Dear Jake, how 'bout them Hokies?! Hooray for a great new quarterback, awesome play calling, and a surprising win over Ohio State this weekend. This season might be promising after all!

Have any of you read One Thousand Gifts? What did you think about it? And does anybody else have a quirky love for documentaries like we do?

Recent Letters

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Monday's Letters - Elle & Company

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, sometimes working from home every day can get a little lonely. Thank you for knowing me well and surprising me with dinner out and a stroll downtown last Tuesday. Walking hand-in-hand with you and talking about the little details of our days did my heart good.

Dear Heidi, your buddy Jake has been trying to name you Peggy or Cathy for the last week, so you owe me for insisting on a sweet, youthful alternative. A "Cathy" would never chase her tail, leap on toy mice, and catch lizards in the garden, right? You are quite the entertainment, little kitty, and you've brought even more laughter to our cozy Suite. 

Dear Carowinds, we've added you to our growing list of "Ways to Entice Friends & Family to Come Visit Us in Charlotte." Four of our closest friends made the 3-hour drive from Virginia to spend Saturday with us at your amusement park, and it was a blast. The hilarious memories we made were well worth your long lines and the 90 degree heat. 

Dear Jake, exactly 2 years ago I wore white and met you at the end of the aisle. Those vows that we took have been lived out each day and they've taught me so much about forgiveness, grace, and love. You make this life so much fun and I'm forever grateful that God blessed me with you. Happy anniversary, love! 

Each Monday I write four letters: two letters to my husband and two random letters to whatever else is on my heart each week. What originally started as a fun way to record events and funny stories pleasantly developed into a weekly habit of practicing thankfulness.

Recent Letters

Blog
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Monday's Letters - Elle & Company