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

Weekly Truth

In the busyness of life lately, quietness and peace have been on my heart (and apparently succulents have been, too!) I'm thankful for this reminder that I can't find rest in myself and my own efforts; it only comes from Christ's righteousness.

May6th_WeeklyTruth.png

CLICK HERE to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly. ​

Weekly Truth

Claps of thunder from a summer storm. Colorful blooms splashing color on the trees. Cotton-like cloud formations stretching across the sky. 

Last week I randomly realized that I could never create, maintain, or prevent any of these things. If you asked me to design a gorgeous sunset, I wouldn't even know where to start. But God makes it all seem so effortless, doesn't He? 

Psalm 104 gives a beautiful description our great Creator. It details His mighty works in creation and ends with fireworks of praise. My prayer this week is that every budding tree, rain cloud, and inchworm would remind us of how great God is and leave us echoing the words of the psalmist in verse 33.

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CLICK HERE to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly. 

Weekly Truth

God, whom no one has ever seen, is made visible by our love for each other. If we could love one another the way God wants us to, someone who doesn't know God should be able to see Him in our interactions with each other. That's a pretty amazing (and frightening) thought, isn't it?

We know that this love doesn't originate with us and that it doesn't come from our own works; we are able to love others because of Jesus' work on the cross and by the working of the Holy Spirit. But I pray that this little phone background will help you reflect on these words throughout your week. 

When people spend time with you, do they get a glimpse of Him?

WeeklyTruth_Apr22.png

Click here to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly. 

For instructions on how to change your iPhone background, click here.

Weekly Truth

This week's verse seems so simple, doesn't it? One glance at it and you can have it memorized in a heartbeat. But instead of designing an iPhone background to help me memorize this verse during the upcoming week, I designed it as a reminder. And goodness gracious, do I need this reminder.

I wasn't made to make much of myself; I was made to make much of Jesus. He must become greater, I must become less. 

Elle&Co_John330

Click here to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly. 

For instructions on how to change your iPhone background, click here.

Weekly Truth

Lately I've been reflecting on how my time is spent each day, weeding through and discerning what is important and time-worthy, and what is fleeting and insignificant. After all, isn't that what simplifying is all about? 

By no coincidence, I stumbled across this verse in 1 Peter. God's Word remains forever. One thousand years from now, no one will know my name. That's a humbling thought, considering how much I like to make of myself each day. But God's Word will always hold true; His Kingdom endures forever.

And wow, has that been stirring my heart and changing my perspective on how I spend my time. In all of my laboring, am I seeking to glorify the One who remains forever? Or am I working for things that won't matter 100 years from now (i.e. my happiness, comfort, wealth, appearance...) 

This week, I'm praying that we all get a better grasp of what is truly meaningful.

Click here to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, sweet friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly.