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

"Never underestimate the power of prayer." That's the response I'm guaranteed to get from my best friend Jenny when I'm at a loss over what to do in a situation. I don't dare utter the words, "I guess I'll just pray about it," in her presence anymore. "Just pray about it? Lauren, prayer isn't a last resort."

This week's verse is a great reminder that prayer should always be our first resort. 

Therefore confess your sins to one another

This one doesn't always come easy, does it? In the age of Instagram and Twitter, it's easy to pick and choose the images of ourselves that we want others to see. But this verse tells us to confess our faults and our shortcomings to one another. No, this doesn't need to be done over social media, but it does need to be done with trustworthy believers who have our best interest at heart. Acknowledging our faults in the presence of other people provides accountability for our daily struggles and allows us to encourage one another. 

And pray for one another, that you may be healed

Once we've confided in each other and confessed our faults, we're told to pray for each other. Earnest prayers. Bold prayers. Praying with the expectation that God will hear us and act. Praying for others gives us a heart for their concerns and deepens our love and affection for them. 

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working

What an encouragement! We can pray with expectation because God hears the prayers of believers who are walking in obedience to Him. And not only does He hear them; James says that our prayers have great power as they are working. Our prayers accomplish much. 

A word of encouragement

We can be open and honest with one another in our struggles. God uses our friendships to act in our circumstances through prayer. So instead of trying to cover up the ugly, let's hold each other accountable, lift one another up in prayer, and watch God work. 

Each Tuesday I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing scripture several times throughout my day is always an encouragement to me - it reminds me of truth and helps me memorize new verses. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like! 

Weekly Truth

Because we see our faults on a daily basis, it's easy to think that God would be upset with our actions and attitudes. I have a tendency to get discouraged when I fall short of perfection, thinking ugly thoughts or failing to respond with patience and grace for the thousandth time. I get ashamed, picture God's disappointment or anger with me, and try to hide from Him. Can you relate?

That's why Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my favorite verses. It reminds me of the life-changing truth that Jesus is a mighty One who saves those who trust in Him. And because of His sacrifice, God rejoices over me, quiets me by His love, and exults over me with loud singing. Me! The sinful girl who turns from Him daily, the disobedient daughter who just can't seem to get it right, the big mess who is very far from perfect.  

I can only imagine the sweet sound of God's loud singing over me some day when my work here is done. 

Each Tuesday I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing scripture several times throughout my day is always an encouragement to me - it reminds me of truth and helps me memorize new verses. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like! 

Weekly Truth

Although I would like to say that I'm always able to declare Psalm 73:28 with the same certainty of the psalmist, I don't always draw near to God in the midst of my day. Seeking Him for refuge isn't always our first inclination, is it?

But for me it is good to be near God

One aspect of wisdom is having discernment and good judgment. Whenever we pursue something or someone we are making a decision, whether it is conscious or subconscious. God is always willing to draw near to us, but are we making the decision to draw near to Him? Not every choice is cut and dry, but drawing near to the Lord will always be a good decision. Those who are wise know what is good for themselves.

I have made the Lord God my refuge

I have never been through a tornado, but I'm aware of what to do in case I'm ever in that situation. I think we've all heard the drill: head for the basement, stay away from the windows, etc. These tips can be summed up in two words: SEEK REFUGE! We trust that our refuge will protect us. Hopefully you see where I'm going with this. Is the Lord your refuge? It's easy to place trust in finances, jobs, and family, but all of the above are subject to change. The Lord is constant. We must daily commit to making the Lord our refuge.

That I may tell of all your works

If your refuge protected you from a tornado, isn't that something you would share? If we are trusting in the Lord as our refuge and source of wisdom, we will want to tell of His great works.

Each Tuesday I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing scripture several times throughout my day is always an encouragement to me - it reminds me of truth and helps me memorize new verses. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like! 

Weekly Truth

This passage has always been a hard one for my prone-to-worry spirit. Seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness seems simple in theory, but it's a little more difficult in practice, isn't it?

Seek first the kingdom of God

It's easy to get caught up worrying over bills, deadlines, appearances, and desires. But if I remind myself that my citizenship isn't on earth but in heaven (Phil. 3:20) and I am more careful to please God while continuing to work out my salvation (Phil. 2:12), I will be less worried about pleasing myself and other people.

And his righteousness

Righteous is probably not the first word I would use to describe myself, especially when I think about all of my daily struggles. But righteousness is granted to us by Christ and should be pursued by us as well. By pursuing righteousness, the comforts of this life become less desirable and all my unnecessary concerns begin to fade.

And all these things will be added to you

We've grown up being taught to strive after the American Dream - that all of our needs and wants will be granted to us if we work hard. And although there is an element of truth in that, our works should not be where we place our trust. The American Dream runs contrary to what Jesus is teaching in this verse: if we seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness our needs will be met. They may not be met in the way we hope or expect, but he promises that he will meet them.

A Word of Encouragement

We can seek the kingdom of God. We can pursue righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." If we seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, our worries will fade and our needs will be met.

Weekly Truth

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CLICK HERE to download this week's verse for your iPhone background and HERE for the coordinating home screen.

When I graduated from Virginia Tech two years ago, I cringed every time someone asked me about grad school. The last thing I wanted to do was sit through more lectures and have the constant burden of assignments weighing on my shoulders. But when Jake was accepted into seminary last November, we found out that I could pursue a master's degree for free. I just couldn't pass it up! So this past semester I began taking classes part-time for a Masters in Christian Counseling. 

And what a first semester it was! It was like drinking from a fire hydrant - so much information coming at me in a short amount of time. 

We had an assignment in one of my classes where we had to analyze a passage of scripture (4-6 verses long) and come up with 15 insights per verse. It was challenging and time consuming, but it caused me to slow down and examine the verse word for word. And as crazy as it sounds, I ended up really enjoying it.

I've found myself doing that exercise on a smaller scale in my own personal quiet time lately. I definitely don't come up with 15 insights, but I do slow down and examine each word and it's significance. It helps me understand the meaning of the passage and also helps aid in memorization. If you've never tried an exercise like this before, I encourage you to try it too. This week's verse is a great one to start with!

How do you study Scripture? What has been helpful in your personal quiet time?