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

Weekly Truth

Your Weekly Truth Favorites

The Weekly Truth series has allowed me to combine two things of great importance in my life: design and Scripture. I don't know about you, but I have a habit of checking my phone more often than I open my Bible throughout the day, so I started illustrating these colorful weekly wallpapers to help me memorize verses and remind me of truth during the week. It also doesn't hurt that they make my phone a little prettier, too!

Today I'm rounding up some all-time favorite Weekly Truth backgrounds so that you can easily access the posts and download them from one screen. Feel free to download, share, and pin these as many times as you would like!

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Free scripture backgrounds for your phone each week from Elle & Company!

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Free Weekly Truth wallpapers from Elle & Company

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New verses and new iPhone backgrounds each week! -- Elle and Company.jpeg

Read   |   Download

Free Weekly Truth wallpapers from Elle & Company

Read   |   Download

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Free scripture backgrounds for your phone each week from Elle & Company!

Read   |   Download

Free Weekly Truth wallpapers from Elle & Company

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Here's where I need your feedback: I would love to know your thoughts on this Weekly Truth series! Do you enjoy these posts each week? Do you look forward to a new background and a new verse on Tuesdays? Did you enjoy the Beatitudes study or do you like random verses? While I enjoy creating these backgrounds and writing short messages, this space is ultimately for you - I want to create content that's helpful and beneficial for you. Your comments and suggestions would be so appreciated. Thanks in advance and happy Tuesday!

P.S. Do you need help setting one of these as your phone background? For iPhones, simply click the "download" link beneath the wallpaper you would like to use. When the new window opens, hold your finger down on the image and save it to your photos. Then follow these instructions to set it as your phone background. For Android, follow these instructions.

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes, Week 8

How is it already week 8 of our Beatitudes study?! Time has flown. Today I'm wrapping up this small series within Weekly Truth where we've been focusing on 8 verses in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I've been sharing a short message on one beatitude each week as well as a pretty phone wallpaper to help us memorize the verses throughout the week. In case you've missed any of the previous posts in this series, you can catch up here.

Free scripture backgrounds each week from Elle & Company

The Beatitudes, Week 8

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12

What came to mind when you read these verses? Those under attack in Nigeria by the Boko Haram? Martyrs like Jim Elliot? Maybe you even thought of Paul's persecution of Christians before he was converted on the road to Damascus. I thought of those, too. When I think of persecution, I don't often think of myself or the church here in the States today. 

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12

In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul makes a sweeping statement that all who follow Jesus will be persecuted sooner or later, which means that Jesus' words in Matthew 5:10 are very much relevant for us today. If you are earnest about putting God first in your life, you are bound to run into opposition. 

In the first 4 beatitudes focused on holy emptiness: "blessed are the poor in spirit," "blessed are those who mourn," "blessed are the meek," "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." And it makes sense; if you are empty, you hunger. The next 3 beatitudes focus on fullness: "blessed are the merciful," "blessed are the pure in heart," "blessed are the peacemakers." So the holy emptiness is filled with righteousness, and the result of this righteousness is persecution. 

Notice that not all who are persecuted are counted as blessed by Jesus, only those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. True righteousness always involves a relationship with Jesus. That's where the mercy, purity in heart, and peacemaking originates - it's all done for Jesus' sake and glory. Why, then, would anyone persecute you if you're merciful, pure in heart, and seeking peace? 

"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other." Luke 16:13

Those who don't serve Jesus are serving another master, whether it's money, pride, greed, or self. The root of persecution is a love of something other than Jesus and a need to justify that love. As followers of Christ, living lives devoted to righteousness and godliness, we will be persecuted and spoken against. 

But we have hope, even when we suffer persecution for righteousness sake, because Jesus promises us a great reward: the kingdom of heaven. He desires us to desire that reward much more than earthly joys and the things of this world, and he suffered the ultimate persecution to bring us, His church, into that kingdom. 

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 7

We're already on week 7 of our Beatitudes study, a little series within the normal Weekly Truth routine that focuses on 8 verses in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We've been learning what these truths mean for us in our day-to-day lives, and as always, I'm sharing a free phone wallpaper to aid in memorization and remind us of Truth throughout our week. In case you missed any of the previous Beatitudes posts, you can catch up here. 

New verses and new iPhone backgrounds each week! // Elle and Company

The Beatitudes, Week 7

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

One thing that keeps striking me as I write each of these posts is that while Jesus meets us where we are, we can't stay there; we can't be saved by the grace of God and remain the same. Each week we've seen how the blessings of eternity are given to those who are new creatures in Christ. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Obtaining mercy, seeing God, being called children of God - these are all marks of salvation. They are only promised to those who reflect Jesus through being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. These aren't optional suggestions for how to be a better person; Jesus is describing the pathway to heaven.

Jesus doesn't tell us how to become children of God in this passage; he simply tells us that sons of God are peacemakers. But the answer is all over Scripture:

"But to all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."  John 1:12

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."  Galatians 3:26

We become sons of God by believing in Christ and trusting Him for forgiveness and hope. And then, because we're children of God, we begin to reflect the character of our heavenly Father, the ultimate Peacemaker. 

Jon Piper says it well: "The whole history of redemption, climaxing in the death and resurrection of Jesus, is God's strategy to bring about a just and lasting peace between rebel man and himself, and then between man and man. Therefore, God's children are that way, too. They have the character of their Father. What he loves they love. What he pursues they pursue. You can know his children by whether they are willing to make sacrifices for peace the way God did."

So that's my prayer this week, that we would remember God's sacrifice and gift of peace and reflect that in our interactions with others. Yes, even when the lady in white Honda cuts us off in traffic or our husband leaves a pen in his khakis and ruins our favorite sweater in the wash. Let's praise God for making us his children and allow that to spill over in acts of peace throughout our week. 

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 6

We're on week 6 of our Beatitudes study, and the time is flying by! In case you missed it, here's week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5. 

The Beatitudes, Week 6

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean." Matthew 23:25-26

Like the Pharisees, we have a tendency to get caught up in the outward workings of our faith and miss the heart of the issue entirely. We whitewash the tomb, but there are still dead bones inside. We fool those around us into thinking that we have it all together, that we're a "good person," but God sees our sinful hearts.

"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b

The first thing that we learn from this week's verse is that Jesus is concerned with the heart, that deep private recess in each of us where our thoughts and feelings hide in secret. His aim isn't that we would become more moral or follow a set of rules; the good works of a sinful person don't please Him. He didn't come into the world to break our habits or clean up our act on the outside. Jesus came into the world because our wicked, deceitful hearts need to be made clean.

Second, Jesus promises that the pure in heart shall see God. Those whose hearts have been washed by the blood of Jesus will be admitted into God's presence, experience His glory, and be comforted by His grace. I find it fascinating that the One who spoke these words about the pure at heart in His Sermon on the Mount is the same One, the only One, whose death enables our hearts to be clean. And because Jesus purifies our hearts, we are able to see God and experience Him. Grace upon grace!

My prayer this week is that we would pray like David for clean hearts (Psalm 51:10) instead of trying to maintain appearances, and look to Christ "who gave himself for us... to purify for himself a people" (Titus 2:14). 

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 5

Can you believe we're already on the fifth week of our Beatitudes study?! I've really enjoyed going through this series with you and studying these 8 verses from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. There's nothing quite like digging into Scripture and uncovering what it means in our lives, and I'm excited to get started on this week's verse! In case you missed them, here's week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4. 

The Beatitudes, Week 5

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:7

Isn't it funny how slow we are to give mercy and how quick we are to expect it from other people? So often we hear "an eye for an eye" or "they deserved it," but those phrases take on a whole other meaning when we're the guilty party, don't they?

Mercy is defined as "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." In other words, it's not punishing someone when they deserve to be punished. This week's verse tells us that those who extend mercy to others will receive mercy themselves, and it builds upon the 4 previous verses that we've been studying these past few weeks. I love how Jon Piper connects the first 4 beatitudes to this verse. "Mercy comes from a heart that has felt it's spiritual bankruptcy (Matt. 5:3), and has come to grief over its sin (Matt. 5:4), and has learned to wait meekly for the timing of the Lord (Matt. 5:5), and to cry out in hunger for the work of his mercy to satisfy us with the righteousness we need (Matt. 5:6)." 

Mercy is a gift from God. It begins with Him. We can extend mercy to others only when we recognize the punishment we deserve and the mercy that God has extended to us through His Son, Jesus.  

Here are a few more verses for reflection as you consider mercy this week. 

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved."  Ephesians 2:1-5 (emphasis mine)

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."  Psalm 145:8-9

Every breath that we breathe, every blessing that God gives us is a gift of undeserved mercy. And when we recognize that, mercy will spill over from our hearts and onto other people. Mercy doesn't begin with us; it begins with God. Praise God for withholding the wrath that we deserve and pouring out His mercy on us!

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!