# Informal Invitation Consumers turn to apps and mobile messages for casual peer-to-peer engagement. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Oct 15, 2014 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/informal-invitation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 3 ## What is the Informal Invitation trend? **Informal Invitation:** Seeking to bypass the need for face-to-face interaction, consumers, particularly young people, are turning to apps and mobile messaging to make greetings and invitations less formal. Using customized platforms for flair and individuality, consumers are able to connect with peers in a more easygoing manner, using digital techniques to extend communication in a streamlined way. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 3 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 10, 2012 to Oct 1, 2014 - Published: Oct 15, 2014 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Informal Invitation trend ### Mobile Messaging The trend of younger consumers turning to apps and mobile messaging to make greetings and invitations less formal. ### Social Sharing Apps The trend of turning solo activities like singing into virtual social events through apps that allow users to connect with others. ### Simplistic Invitations The trend of utilizing apps that streamline the invitation process by allowing users to invite others with a single button or word. ## What the Informal Invitation trend means for industry ### For Mobile App Industry Apps are becoming increasingly popular for casual, social interactions and peer-to-peer engagement. ### For Music/Tech Industry The music and tech industries have an opportunity to capitalize on new ways for users to connect and interact with music and each other. ### For Social Networking Industry New opportunities are arising for social networking sites to offer unique platforms for easygoing and creative digital communication. ## Trend signals for Informal Invitation Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 48%, activity 28%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 48% - Activity: 28% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Informal Invitation trend 3 featured examples from Aug 10, 2012 to Oct 1, 2014. - [Drinking Invitation Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ask-someone-for-a-drink): The 'Beer?!' App is the Simplest Way to Ask Someone for a Drink (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for mobile app developers to create innovative drinking invitation apps with unique features. - [Interactive Starry Messaging Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/written-in-the-stars): The Written in the Stars Site Reveals Messages in the Night Sky (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for messaging app developers to incorporate unique and interactive features that engage users in new ways. - [Social Crooning Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sing-app): Sing! App by Smule Lets You Invite Your Friends to Duet With You (Category: Tech) Implication: Develop innovative mobile apps with cutting-edge technologies that provide users with unique social singing experiences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)