“Mommy. Mommy. Mommmmy!! Look at me!”

Anyone who’s been around kids knows what happens next. Mom turns her attention to her child, even if just for a moment, and the child lights up like a Christmas display. It’s offline social engagement at its most basic level. And while it might be impossible to replicate that kind of love in customers, an effective social media strategy can foster fans that shout praises and attract leads. Check out these three tips for laying the groundwork for a social media monitoring plan that nurtures starry-eyed online influencers:

Tools You Can Use

Social media monitoring tools can trigger bouts of cold sweats in people who haven’t used them before. After all, that reporting is useless when you can’t tell if the graph is right-side-up or upside-down. When you’re looking for online listening technology, it’s important to invest in reporting tools that are easy for you to review. In addition, save time and trouble by finding a system that doesn’t bog you down with an interface only a NASA engineer could decipher.

People You Can Trust

Many of us aren’t social media natives. And while there’s an entire generation of natives entering the workforce, they may not have necessarily developed the business know-how to guide your social media investment. If you find talent with the experience to implement and manage an online listening plan, it comes with a price tag that includes providing a salary, benefits, and training. Instead, consider investing in a service that provides experts who can help you interpret social media monitoring numbers and guide your brand to success.

Strategy You Can Count On

Dream of becoming a corporate social engagement superstar like Marriott, Southwest Airlines, or the other 30+ firms who made Mashable’s corporate social media action list? The first step—what you absolutely must do before you invest one penny—is come up with a strategy that includes everything from objectives to assessment. No strategy = No success.

With the right tools, experienced analysts, and a sound strategy you can create the kind of brand sentiment that fosters that starry-eyed love. Social Strategy1 has the tools, the people, and the strategic know-how to get you where you want to be. Let us know if you’d like a risk-free assessment to see how your business measures up.