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, 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!

Monday's Letters

Elle&Co_SpringHasSprung

Dear Mr. Hooker, we celebrated the last few days of our spring break by taking Lightning McQueen and Sally out for a couple trail rides. I was completely out of my element and left with bruised shins and funky helmet hair, but it was well worth the huge grin plastered across your face. It's frightening and oh-so exciting to be married to you, my dear; you're always keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Dear Daybook, between blogging, designing, emailing, and studying, I am constantly looking at a computer screen. As I sat down last night to fill in my weekly calendar and all of this week's sheet sets, I remembered how nice it is to slow down, step away from the computer, and get life back in order. You were fun to design, but you're so much more fun to use. Thanks for helping me simplify.

Dear peanut butter slushy, despite my earnest pleas, my husband insisted on coming up with a creative treat last night. He whipped out the blender, threw in some ice cubes, and topped it off with a huge dollop of peanut butter. And thus, you were born. And thus, I was right. Congratulations, you're going down in the books as one of the silliest, most ridiculous disagreements we've had. 

Dear Jake, I didn't grow up with brothers, so living with you has been quite the adjustment. My car is muddy from our mountain bikes, we spent the weekend watching the NCAA national wrestling tournament, and there's a pull-up bar in the doorframe of our bedroom. And the strangest part? I secretly love it. You're the best boy roommate this girl could ask for.

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, I gave you a hard time after church yesterday when you wanted to take a nap, and I may have boasted a little that, despite waking up early, I wasn't tired at all. Well, wouldn't you know... I cozied up on the couch with a book and woke up 3 hours later, all while you were reading for class. Oops! Thanks for putting up with me.

Dear Charlotte Bobcats, you might not be the greatest team in the NBA, but I'm not complaining. If you were any good, we might not have scored $4 tickets to your game tonight. Thanks for providing a cheap date night with my husband and a couple friends - I can't wait!

Dear Allyson, yes, you have a letter! Thank you for sending me love each day through thoughtful texts, funny stories, and precious photos of my nieces and nephews. It makes it feel as though 220 miles were just a few feet away. I sure do miss you.

Dear Jakester, we are officially old. I could sense it last year when I started enjoying trips to Lowe's, but it was confirmed last night when we talked about our plans this week for spring break. Taxes, papers, reading, and cleaning? Maybe we can redeem ourselves by throwing a couple trail rides and date nights into the mix :)

Happy Monday, friends! 

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, while I was writing last week's letters, you were trolling Craigslist. A couple hours later I found myself in the car with you and 2 new-to-us bikes: a snazzy, red trail bike with a mirror and a bell for you (ha!) and a retro 80's mountain bike for me (yes!). Thanks to no plans and the 70-degree weather yesterday, we spent a couple hours riding around with Lightning McQueen and Sally (yes, we had to name them), and I couldn't stop smiling. I love your great ideas.

Dear Kristin, you are such a thoughtful friend. You've sent me a letter/poem at least twice a month since our move to Charlotte, and this week's poem is getting framed for my office. "My poems are not complex; my poetic muscles I shall not flex. This is simply to make you giggle, so much that your insides jiggle." Thank you for making me laugh and bringing a smile to my face, even when we're 230 miles apart. 

Dear Jazzercise CD, my husband did not appreciate you as much as I did on our 3-hour car trips to and from Virginia this weekend. Thank you for keeping me entertained and awake as I busted out dance routines on the interstate. I'm not ashamed.

Dear Jakester, you're currently going to seminary full time, working a part-time job, and interning at our church. You have a lot on your plate this season, but you're filling all of your roles so well. Thank you for the strong leader and hard worker that you are. I'm so thankful for you.

Happy Monday, friends! What are you thankful for this week?

P.S. Today is the last day to enter the Daybook giveaway on Michaela Noelle's blog, so hurry on over and enter for your chance to win a FREE Daybook planner and some inserts of your choice! 

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, long car rides are so lonely without you; I've gotten far too accustomed to your DJ skills, dance moves, and hilarious observations. I know I say this every week but it's true: you make my life so fun.

Dear Mom, you didn't expect to see me on your birthday now that I live 4 hours away, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to surprise you. So I drove to Allyson's house on Tuesday afternoon, parked around the corner, and hid in the bathtub with my little nieces and nephews when you arrived. You thought it was just a normal game of hide and seek when you pulled back the shower curtain, and oh how I wish I captured your reaction on video! One fake scream when you saw the kids and one real scream when you saw me. Surprising you was the highlight of my week.

Dear Charlotte, you were never near the top of my list for areas that I wanted to live, but these last two months have completely changed my mind. The more I see of you, the more I fall in love. There's so much to do, great shopping (hellloooo Ikea!) and your surrounding areas are gorgeous. You're starting to feel more and more like home.

Dear Jake, we've developed an unhealthy addiction to weight loss shows thanks to Hulu and Amazon Prime. It's both comical and embarrassing to admit that they have inspired us to get back in shape and eat healthier. So thank you Chris Powell and the participants of Extreme Weight Loss for the motivation and the entertainment.

Photo credit: Michaela Noelle Designs

Photo credit: Michaela Noelle Designs

Friends, today is an exciting day for Elle & Company! Michaela Noelle Designs is featuring our Daybook Planner on her blog today. And the best part? She's hosting a giveaway for a FREE Daybook, complete with a planner and Daybook inserts! Head on over to her site for details on how to enter. And if you aren't already, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Bloglovin'. She's one of my very favorites.

Happy Monday!