For many small businesses, blogging seems like a great idea, but few follow through to create a virtual space that’s beneficial both for their marketing presence and their customers. Because so many businesses fail to invest the time and effort, creating a useful corporate blog is a great way to improve your search rankings, connect with customers, and educate tanners even when they’re not in the salon.

The most crippling dilemma that prevents companies from initiating or maintaining their blog is a lack of planning. Before you get started, it’s important to have a long list of ideas on hand so you aren’t grasping at straws when it’s time to write up a post. Fortunately, this is easy to do when you’re passionate about your business.

Below are some great ideas for blog posts. Use them as the starting point for your brainstorming session, gradually working your way to specific ideas that you or your marketing person could write 300-500 words  about.

Share interval news: Are you putting in a new sunbed? Showing up at a local event? Donating to a cause close to your heart? Tell your customers what’s going on behind the scenes and give them ways to become involved. People love hearing what’s new, even if it’s just a fresh coat of paint. Pictures of a remodel in progress can spark excitement even before it’s time to celebrate.

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine.