Sean Mills had a good article in Online Publishing Insider talking about Jargon 2.0; I like the point he has to make: "I do understand the temptation of jargon. I was in San Francisco during the boom times in 1999 and was sucked in like everyone else. I loved dropping industry terms in conversation because it meant that I was part of the new digital elite that read The Industry Standard and the Silcon Alley Reporter. But we don't want good ideas to go the way of those publications this time around."
As online marketers we do need to understand that a confused customer doesn't buy. It's that simple! While using the buzz words may make you feel up-to-date, it does nothing for those you're communicating with.
Here are a few of the words Sean mentions hearing lately: "leveraging platforms," "vertical integration" and "interface management...I'm not exactly sure what "interactive narrowcasting" is, but I'm pretty sure it relates to the "long tail."
His point is crucial to our continued success. If someone doesn't understand what it is we are talking about, how in the world will be able to sell them our products or services? Save the industry language for your workshops and seminars; with our customers, use language they can easily understand. It's another way we can differentiate who we are.
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