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, apparently saying "I do" to spending the rest of my life with you also meant that I said "I do" to coming down with any and every sickness that you will ever have. Last month you passed along your poison ivy, this weekend I acquired your cold. Sharing germs willingly? That's love.

Dear NC DMV, "hospitable" is not an adjective I would use to describe your attitude toward new residents. Even though Jake and I have been driving for just shy of 10 years now, you are requiring that we take a driving test to obtain our NC driver's licenses. So today we're reliving our awkward teenage years (sans-braces) with a trip to visit you. Welcome to North Carolina.

Dear Tupelo Honey, it was love at first sight. Your pretty outdoor lighting, wooden beams, colorful menus, and those chocolate mints you offer on the way out the door - it seems like no detail was overlooked. Oh, and your food is delicious, too! Jake and our friends picked on me for the joy that all of your design details brought me, but what can I say? Pretty design makes my heart dance.

Dear Jake, Elle & Company followers get to read about you in Monday's Letters each week, but they don't get to see your involvement in this business behind the scenes. Thank you for all of the late night brainstorm sessions, encouragement, and excitement over what's in store this summer. Knowing that I have your support means the world. 

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, you got crafty with some leftover 2x4s yesterday and made a backdrop for my product photography, and I was super impressed! Thank you for being so supportive and turning my bright ideas into Sunday projects. You're quite the catch.

Dear Molly, visits from you are my favorite. You stop in to say hello at least once a week, and as soon as you break through the door your happy tail sends you into a full body wiggle. Oftentimes you're soaked from a swim in the pond or a splash in your water bowl, but I can't get upset. Those sweet puppy dog eyes melt my heart.

Dear Stephanie Blondet, your tweet last week encouraged my terrible secret-keeping self to let the cat out of the bag. Updates to the Elle & Company shop are coming oh-so soon, and I have not one... not two... but THREE launches up my sleeve! Thanks for following along with me!

Dear Jakester, looks like you weren't the only one who got spoiled rotten on your birthday. Your sweet mom sent you a package of goodies on Friday and snuck in some new sandals for me. Woohoo! Looks like your "birthday week" wasn't so bad after all :)

The June Newsletter goes out this afternoon, so be sure to sign up for it in the right-hand column if you haven't already! Stay tuned this week for printables, new posts, and maybe even a sneak peek or two. Happy Monday!

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, you were in a wedding this past Saturday, so we shouldn't have been surprised when Friday morning turned into a comedy of errors. Faulty clippers botched my attempt at giving you a decent haircut and somehow your tux ended up in Rock Hill, SC instead of Roanoke, VA. It may have added an extra hour to our trip, but it did make for some laughs at the rehearsal dinner!

Dear birthday week, your very name displays what a silly concept you are. Every time the week of May 30th rolls around, my husband reminds me of you and asks me each morning what I have in store for his "birthday week." This year I've decided to play into it because after all, Jake Hooker deserves to be celebrated more than one day each year. Just know that you will not be forgotten when July 23rd rolls around... ;)

Dear kitchen table, you are currently overtaken with Daybooks and packaging materials for the Bloom Conference. I might be a little biased, but they just might have the coolest swag bags ever.

Dear Jake, our weekend was chocked full of family meals, cookouts, reunions with childhood friends, and countless games of peak-a-boo and tag with our nieces and nephews. We left Virginia this afternoon feeling tired and oh so loved. We are blessed.

Happy Memorial Day, friends! What was the highlight of your 3-day weekend?

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, what is it about trips to Harris Teeter that turn us back into a couple of 8-year-olds? We teased each other in the produce section, competed in a speed walking race down the frozen food aisle, and probably drove the U-Scan lady crazy with our incessant laughter. I can't take you anywhere ;)

Dear Be a Blessing Challenge, you backfired on me in the sweetest of ways this weekend. Not only did I receive a cheerful package in the mail from my dear friend Jenny (complete with a thoughtful note and my favorite coffee!), but I was so surprised when Amanda Chancey surprised me at our front door with a box of fresh-picked strawberries. I'm so thankful for intentional acts of kindness - they worked wonders on this girl's heart.

Dear Adobe Creative Suite, thanks to you, I can make changes to my website and my branding whenever my heart desires. So last week, when I probably should have been studying for grad school exams, you got me sidetracked into designing new pages for this little website. Hooray for a new homepage and Coffee Date gallery!

Dear Jake, you have the best way of making simple things so fun. Doing the dishes isn't such a chore when you blast some music and start a dance party, studying and writing papers is much more bearable when you interrupt them with walks around the neighborhood, and car rides are always full of laughter when you sing any and every song in your "Creed voice". A lifetime with you is sure to bring me lots of smile wrinkles and side stitches, and I surely wouldn't have it any other way.

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

Dear Mr. Hooker, we both look so much like our mamas, and judging by the photo above, I'd say that's a very good thing. Both of our moms go out of their way to visit us, fill our mailbox with thoughtful cards, spoil us with awesome cooking, and shower us with a whole lot of love. How did we ever get so blessed? Happy belated Mother's Day Mom and Martha! I'm sad that we weren't able to hug you in person, but you were on our hearts all day yesterday. You both are dearly loved. 

Dear poison ivy, you got your hands/leaves on my husband while he was doing yard work two weeks ago, and you won't let him forget it. You've spread like wildfire on the poor guy and you've somehow managed to jump onto me, too. We have tried every home remedy to kick you once and for all, but you are one tough cookie. Maybe some of my blog friends know something I don't (help!)

Dear Psalm 13, you and I are getting to be pretty close companions this week. Ten pages of reflection and research on your verses have challenged my brain and my heart. Thank you for teaching me to be transparent in prayer and hopeful in God's promises.

Dear Jake, after a year-long Instagram sabbatical, you decided to share your photography skills with the world once more. At first I was supportive of you coming out of hibernation, but after a day full of "paparazzi" yesterday... I'm thinking that it may have been better when your account laid dormant. Life is never boring with you!

Happy Monday, friends! Who's your favorite person to follow on Instagram?