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

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Dear Mr. Hooker, we're fast approaching the end of our first semester in seminary and you have not one... not two... but five 10-page papers due in the next couple weeks. FIVE. Not to mention studying for final exams, working part-time, and interning at the church. You're something else. 

Dear Summer, you are already chock-full of fun adventures. An annual family beach trip and the Gospel Coalition conference in June, a beach trip with friends and numerous family birthdays in July, a small anniversary trip at the end of August, and new product designs sprinkled in between. I can hardly wait!

Dear Miss Ann, you walked over to the Suite on Saturday afternoon just as I was unloading all of my green-leaved Lowes goodies. You pointed out where I should plant each one, told me I looked like a pro (even though I hadn't the slightest idea what I was doing), and prayed over every tomato plant. Visits with you do my heart good.

Dear Jake, our history of picking on each other goes way back to the fourth grade. So in a conscious effort to be more endearing, we came up with a little game: for every not-so-affirming thing we say to each other, we have to pay each other two compliments. Sorry love, but I'm afraid "you have a ridiculously handsome husband" doesn't count as a compliment. Nice try ;)

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. To see past letters, click here.

Monday's Letters

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Dear Mr. Hooker, we spent the weekend riding bikes on the greenway, prepping our cute little garden, washing cars, and snacking on freeze pops. Summer is right around the corner, my dear, and I can't wait to spend it with you!

Dear Harris Teeter produce department, you have officially been trumped by the cute little produce stand down the street. Four ears of corn, a huge carton of strawberries, two bell peppers, and a bag full of red potatoes for a grand total of $8? That just can't be "beet" (couldn't help myself).

Dear MacBook, I was sitting in class with you on Thursday diligently taking notes when you randomly went into a coma. You missed out on several big plans that I had for you that day: a class assignment, a blog post, several emails, some design work. No more sick days, my friend - my grades and my sanity can't handle it. 

Dear Jake, the best part of waking up isn't the Folgers in my cup; it's the handsome man who brews it for me every morning. It might be because you've mastered the creamer to coffee ratio or because you have it ready right as I'm getting out of bed, but coffee always tastes better when you make it for me. Regardless, I'm spoiled rotten.

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, it's impossible for you to accomplish any task without creating a playlist for it. I will admit - washing the dishes, cooking dinner and getting ready in the morning are much more entertaining when you're breaking it down to "Chocolate" by The 1975 (especially when you try to mimic their English accents). Oh, you make me smile.

Dear cheeks, I don't think you've ever been rosier than you were last week at our seminary picnic. I could have sworn I knew the name of a faculty member that sat at our table, and I kept calling him by name in conversation... until my husband oh-so-sweetly corrected me. You continue to turn bright red every time he not-so-sweetly reminds me of that moment. So embarrassing.

Dear Elle & Company, each time someone asks me what I do, my heart skips a beat. Thank you for allowing me to combine my favorite loves and call it "work". I am one blessed girl.

Dear Jake, your parents made a short trip to visit us this weekend and it was so fun to show them around our new town. Even sweeter was their excitement for us and their joy at how everything has played out. More affirmation that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, I've never been good at keeping things alive. I've seen my fair share of floating goldfish, shriveled tomato plants, and dry hermit crabs (ew). But despite my history, I've decided to plant my very first garden this season (with your help, of course). By the end of the summer, I'm hoping we have a kitchen full of veggies and some pretty sweet farmer's tans. 

Dear inch worms, you launched an attack on North Carolina this week. I've never seen anything quite like it: your little green bodies are hanging from every tree and building in town. Sorry guys, but you aren't so cute when friends are plucking you out of my hair and off of my forehead. You're free to go.

Dear Charlotte Knights, the opening of your new baseball stadium was a good excuse to venture downtown with friends on Friday night. No tickets? No problem. We watched the game on a big screen outside your gates that faced a grassy park nearby. What an awesome summer date night idea! Next time we'll bring a picnic.

Dear Jake, after 15 minutes of trolling Netflix for a decent movie last night, we stumbled upon West Side Story. I was stunned that you suggested it and excited because neither one of us had watched it before... until I realized that it was a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. How had I never known?! Oh well - the grief at the end was balanced out by our ridiculous duet to "I Feel Pretty". You make life so fun.

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, you've come to know my odd quirks a little too well, and you've started to use them to your advantage. Last week you talked me into doing all of the dishes because I wanted you to eat ice cream with me (Lauren Quirk #582: Ice cream is much better - and less regretful - with a friend). You made me listen to some awful scream-o music on the way to church yesterday because I wanted you to put on your seatbelt (Lauren Quirk #123: The seatbelt must be on before the car starts moving). Oh, this is getting old.

Dear aerobics, ever since I stopped teaching classes a year and a half ago, I've dearly missed you. Exercising is much more fun when it involves 90's pop hits and sweaty people in spandex (kidding). This week is our long-awaited reunion - I got the go-ahead for teaching classes twice a week at our seminary. Oh man, it's going to be so fun!

Dear RTS Charlotte Counseling Program, you officially launched last week. I've had a heart for Christian counseling since it changed my life in college - God used it to reach me and heal me in areas where I was struggling (more here). I'm so grateful for the opportunity to pursue an M.A. in your program and possibly play a part in someone else's testimony. I'm excited for these next 2 years!

Dear Jake, we passed a woman riding a bike last week who had a ginormous tree branch stuck in her spokes. You grinned really big and said, "That's literally you on a bike." Of course I denied it but wouldn't you know: I got a huge tree branch tangled up in my bike wheel when we went trail riding this weekend. I tried to discretely get rid of it before you noticed, but between my uncontrollable laughter and the noise of the branch in my wheel, you quickly saw what happened. I will never live this one down.