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: Beatitudes Week 4

We're halfway through the Beatitudes series, a small Bible study within Elle & Company's normal Weekly Truth routine. We're digging into Scripture to learn what these 8 verses from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount mean for us as we go about our daily lives, and I'm sharing a free phone wallpaper to help us memorize them and remind us of Truth throughout the week.

Free Weekly Truth wallpapers from Elle & Company

The Beatitudes, Week 4

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6

"The grass is always greener on the other side." We hear that phrase often and we can always relate to it in one way or another. Our human hearts are restless, always longing for what we don't have - money, fame, relationships, success, perfection. And even if we somehow attain the worldly things we long for, they make us happy for a moment and then we're quick to seek after something else. It seems that no matter what we attain, we are never truly satisfied. 

In Matthew 5:6, Jesus doesn't tell us that seeking is wrong; God created our hearts to have an inconsolable longing. But Jesus tells us that we should hunger and thirst for righteousness, not the things of the world. Then, and only then, will we be truly satisfied.

So what is righteousness and how do we seek it?

Righteousness is the state of perfection required by God to have eternal life. We don't have the strength or ability to obtain righteousness on our own. Each one of us falls short of perfection every day; we are all inherently sinful. So righteousness is not found in us. It's given to us by the only one who lived a perfect life: Jesus. When we seek after righteousness, we're seeking after Him. Jesus is the only one who will truly satisfy that longing in our hearts. 

"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear that your soul may live." Isaiah 55:2-3

Chasing after Instagram followers, a 6-figure salary, a smaller waistline, or even a significant other will never satisfy your soul. Only Jesus.

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 3

We're on week 3 of the Beatitudes series, a little study within the normal Weekly Truth routine where we're digging deeper into the Word to discover what these 8 verses mean for our day-to-day lives. In case you missed them, you can view the first two weeks here and here. 

The Beatitudes, Week 3

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

As we go through the Beatitudes, it's important to note that Jesus isn't instructing us to pursue these qualities for our own sake. The purpose and passion of Jesus was to glorify the Father, and that should be our passion as we follow him. So what is meekness and how does it glorify God? Let's look at other references to meekness in Scripture to find out.

"But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace." Psalm 37:11

If we look ahead in Psalm 37 to verse 9, we also see that "those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land," so it's safe to conclude that the meek are those who wait for the Lord. We see a picture of what this looks like in verses 5-8:

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries our evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." 

The meek trust in God, commit their way to him, are quiet before him, and wait for him. They have confidence that the Lord intends good for them, and they wait patiently for the outcome.

"Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:19-21

James tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen, to be slow to anger and approach God's Word with meekness. This means that meekness is having a teachable heart that isn't resistant or hostile. It's submitting to God and allowing him to change our hearts to line up with his Word. 

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of meekness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." Galatians 6:1

The meek have a deep awareness that they are fallible. When they approach someone with correction, they admit that they also need God's mercy. This also points back to the verse we just looked at in James, where the meek are quick to listen and slow to anger.

Ultimately, meekness begins with putting our trust in God. As we put our faith in Him, we commit our way to him - our fears, our plans, our relationships - and we wait patiently for his timing, knowing that he will work things out for his glory and our good. We aren't quick to anger because we've relinquished control to God and trust him for vindication from evil. We're slow to speak and reasonable because our hearts are teachable and we know our own faults and fallibility. And we have confidence in knowing that Jesus has already won the battle, making us heirs to a glorious inheritance.

I'm praying that meekness is evident in each one of us this week, not for our own benefit, but for the glory of our faithful Father.

Are you an Elle & Company Library subscriber? This week's Scripture cards were just added to the printable collection. Would you like to subscribe to the Elle & Company Library? Click here to set up your account today!

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 2

I'm back with week 2 of the Beatitudes series, a little study I started within my normal Weekly Truth routine. I'm digging deeper into the Word to discover what these 8 verses in the book of Matthew mean for us as we go about our day-to-day lives, and I'm adding in design by sharing a free phone wallpaper (because as much as I hate to admit it, I often check my phone more frequently than I open my Bible). It's helpful for me to see a verse several times throughout my day, not only for memorization, but to be reminded of Truth. 

Weekly Truth backgrounds and scripture cards from Elle & Company

The Beatitudes, Week 2

Last week we talked about the poor in spirit, those who know who they are in light of who God is and understand their need for a Redeemer. This week's verse goes hand-in-hand with that first beatitude.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Matthew 5:4

Although we often associate mourning with death, the scope of this verse goes beyond finding comfort in times of loss. This second beatitude clarifies what it looks like to be poor in spirit. Jesus tells us that those who are grieved by their sin are blessed. Those who feel inadequate and empty in their faults and failures, who are driven to the grace of God, will be comforted.

A great example of mourning over sin is found in Psalm 51. David had been caught in an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, and after being confronted by Nathan the prophet he wrote these familiar words:

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blog out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement."  Psalm 51:1-4

This is the type of mourning that God blesses: a heartfelt, sincere grief over wickedness and sin. And that's why the first two beatitudes tie in so nicely with each other. Those who are poor in spirit, mourning their evil ways, have nowhere to turn but Jesus. They will be comforted by knowing that their sins are washed away by His blood, and they will inherit the kingdom of God because of His gift of salvation. 

So my prayer us this week is that we would mimic this heartfelt repentance and find comfort in Jesus. I pray that the attitude of our hearts will reflect these sweet words of Psalm 15:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore me to the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."  Psalm 51:10-12

Are you an Elle & Company Library subscriber? This week's Scripture cards were just added to the printable collection. Would you like to subscribe to the Elle & Company Library? Click here to set up your account today!

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 1

I've been slowly inching through the book of Matthew in my quiet time lately, learning more about Jesus and his ministry on earth. Last week I read through the beatitudes, a group of pronouncements where Jesus calls certain people blessed. "Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who mourn... blessed are the meek... blessed are the pure in heart..." I've heard those 8 verses and I've read over them a number of times, but for some reason I keep coming back to them when I open my Bible each morning. I feel the need to study them more.

So for the next 8 weeks I'm highlighting the beatitudes in this Weekly Truth series. Each week I'll focus on a different verse, study the significance behind it, and memorize it with the help of a new phone wallpaper and the Scripture cards I've been adding to the Library. I haven't done a series like this on the blog before, but I'm excited to dig into God's Word and unpack it's implications for how we live each day. I would love for you to join me.

The Beatitudes, Week 1

We are told it's good to believe in ourselves. They say that we already have what it takes to achieve our dreams, conquer our fears, and overcome our obstacles. When we're down or discouraged, the world encourages us to "believe in ourselves and we will find the strength we need to accomplish our goals." And it sounds good to our already self-seeking hearts, so we strive to become even more self-sufficient. We shape our lives around this pursuit of self-reliance, self-determination, self-confidence, and self-esteem hoping to find joy and satisfaction. 

We've struggled with this religion of self-admiration since the beginning when Adam and Eve sought their own independence. It's the human condition, our selfish tendency, and the reason that following Christ is a stumbling block to so many. Our sinful hearts don't want to replace self-reliance with the childlike God-reliance that Jesus calls us to. Our pride would rather celebrate our strengths than boast in our weaknesses. And self-determination is easier to pursue than humble submission to Christ.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by calling the poor in spirit blessed. Examples of the poor in spirit are seen all throughout Scripture:

  • "Abraham answered and said, 'Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes." Genesis 18:27
  • "'I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for only with my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.'" Genesis 32:10
  • "And I said, 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'" Isaiah 6:5
  • "John answered them, 'I baptize you with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'" John 1:27
  • "But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'" Luke 5:8

The poor in spirit are those who know who they are in light of who God is. They see their unworthiness and their hopelessness apart from Him. They acknowledge their wicked ways in light of God's perfection. And they understand their need for a Redeemer to restore the relationship that they've ruined with God. Oh what a stark contrast to the self-reliance and self-confidence that the world prescribes as the answer to all of our problems!

So what is the true solution when we're paralyzed by guilt, uselessness, or low self-esteem? Jon Piper says it wonderfully:

"The biblical answer to the paralysis of low self-esteem is not high self-esteem; it is sovereign grace. You can test whether you agree with this by whether you can gladly repeat the words of Isaiah 41:14, 'Fear not, you worm Jacob... I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.' In other words, God's way of freeing and mobilizing people who see themselves as worms is not to tell them they are beautiful butterflies but rather to say, "I will help you. I am your redeemer... Go to Egypt now, and I will be with you."

As easy as it is to buy into the self-seeking advice of the world, my prayer is that we would acknowledge our helplessness and draw near to Jesus this week.

Are you an Elle & Company Library subscriber? This week's Scripture cards were just added to the printable collection. Would you like to subscribe to the Elle & Company Library? Click here to set up your account today!

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Weekly Truth

This week I've felt a huge burden for all of the suffering that's been going on around me. Christians in the Middle East are being persecuted daily, people in our community are battling disease, friends are struggling with anxiety and depression, and loved ones are walking through grief and loss. Hardships are everywhere, often making me feel small and utterly helpless. 

Last night I met with some of the ladies from our church for a prayer meeting, and I was blessed when one of them turned to Psalm 46 and prayed it out loud. 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Pain and suffering are going on all around us, maybe even in our own lives, so I pray that this verse (and all of Psalm 46) would be a comfort to you and those around you this week. Here are some things that have been on my heart as I've focused on this short verse:

God is our refuge. He is our safe place, our shelter from danger, a place where we can find rest and security. In all of life's circumstances, in seasons of blessing and in trial, He is steadfast and secure. 

God is our strength. Because on our own, we are oh so weak. He gives us the power and the capability to move forward with endurance because we can't find it in ourselves.

God is a very present help. He is near, even in those moments where He feels far-off. He is present, He sees exactly what we're going through, and He guides us. 

But the most important truth in all of this is that God is our refuge, strength, and present help only because our relationship with Him has been restored through Jesus. We can have hope in the midst of pain and trial only because of the reward Christ gained for us through the blood He shed. And He can relate to our suffering because He Himself suffered. 

I hope this week's wallpaper reminds us not only to memorize Truth and draw near to God when we feel overwhelmed, weak, and helpless, but that it also reminds us to pray for those who are suffering. Is there something that you need prayer for this week? Please send me a message - I would love to pray for you. And feel free to share this wallpaper and the weekly Scripture cards in the Library with those around you who could use this reminder too. 

Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!