“I can only understand one out of every three words you said.”
- Recent attendee at one of my speeches on social media.

Yes, fear kills social media. And perhaps the biggest creator of fear in this business is the actual terms we use to describe conversational media. Nomenclature presents a significant barrier for many just trying to figure out what all the hub-bub is about.

Recently I bought a T-1 line for my new office. The terminology in buying a commercial grade switch and phones was so bad I had to keep asking the service provider to explain to me what the equipment was in English. And I sued to work in telecom five years ago. Wow!

It reminded me of the horrific barrier to entry that we, the social media community, create. Consider these words:

and on and on. If you are a normal person, this will read like Chinese:

There is a real need for Mike Sansone’s glossary of social media terms. Is it any wonder those not indoctrinated look at social media and want to run away? Is this what we really intended when we were coming up with all of our cool words?

My final thought as we the social media community develop the next BrightKite: Are we really creating something new and special for society? Or is it by its very nomenclature exclusive and antisocial. Maybe that can reverberate in the echo chamber for a little while.

Per my good-bye post on Friday, this will be my last appearance on Now Is Gone. You can continue to read my marketing posts on the Buzz Bin.

Monday’s post will be my final one on Now Is Gone. It’s time.

There are only so many basic lessons and primers you can give. I have nothing more to say to the newly engaged social media communicator. Repeating or rehashing old posts seems like a bad idea. The primer has been laid thick, and now it is time to paint.

My motivation is somewhat selfish, too. For the past year plus I have worked tirelessly on this project giving, giving, and giving more. Consider speaking for free on numerous occasions, writing an entire book, authoring 150 Now Is Gone posts, and providing free content in other places. It has been service oriented work and has benefited my business with numerous intangibles, but at the same time, it has been draining, and has affected my personal life and well-being.

I don’t want to be one of these guys. Dying ain’t worth it. I’m taking some of these hours back.

Along the way numerous people have helped me. Ike Pigott and Lauren Vargas have been my comrades in arms on this blog. Like me they have donated their time and insights to help businesses embrace social media. Like me their motivation was service orientated. While Monday will be my last post, I leave it to them to write the postscripts. Thank you, Ike and Lauren. After it’s all said and done, I feel much closer to you as a result of our team effort. You are great friends.

Brian Solis helped shape and edit the book, and he wrote a great intro. And of course there were all the fabulous people who served as sources. Thanks to all of you.

I hope it has been and will continue to be valuable. The blog will remain as a resource, the book is still available. I will continue to offer social media and communications insights on the Buzz Bin. And if you are a real glutton, you can follow me on my personal blog. But for me — on Monday — Now Will Be Gone.

Thank you.

To dovetail Geoff’s latest post and to prevent anyone from making themselves appear like the animal represented in the post’s picture, it is essential to define listening.  As a university professor, I incorporate the basic skill of active listening into all of my class curriculum. Most students new to my class do not know how to actively listen.

To apply the mind, or pay attention, with a view to perceive, understand, or comply; to pay regard; to heed.

versus to hear…

To perceive (sound) by the ear.

Too often we choose to selectively listen. To succeed in a social media environment, such half measures will doom any presence. Relationships require devoted attention. Rather than focusing on our own messages, we must relearn how to listen to others. 

• Prove your understanding by asking for clarification.
• Focus on the speaker; take notes.
• Resist distractions.
• Be respectful.
• Acknowledge speaker.
• Paraphrase.
• Ask open-ended questions.

Golden Rule: "Listen unto others as you would have others listen to you."