# Social Bartering Providing personal interaction, brands exchange goods for social engagement. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published May 12, 2014 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/transactional-rewards ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.8/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Social Bartering trend? **Social Bartering:** As networking and social engagement continues to dominate consumer behaviorism, businesses are turning to methods of online interaction to expand brand recognition in a more personal, and digitally efficient manner. Creating a platform for user involvement, brands are offering discounts and rewards in exchange for interaction on such sites as Twitter and Instagram, speaking to a shift in brand-consumer engagement towards more reciprocal, yet socially integrated methods of day-to-day interaction. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 5, 2013 to Jul 31, 2015 - Published: May 12, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Social Bartering trend ### Social Bartering Brands are using social media platforms to offer discounts and rewards in exchange for interaction, leading to a shift in brand-consumer engagement towards more reciprocal, yet socially integrated methods of day-to-day interaction. ### Gamification of Online Platforms Online platforms are adding more game-like features and competitions which make the platforms more entertaining, and provides users with rewards, discounts and increased brand awareness. ### Social Media Rewards Programs Consumers are now being rewarded with points and discounts on high-end cosmetic and skincare products as they engage with beauty retailers through various social media platforms. ## What the Social Bartering trend means for industry ### For Retail Innovative promotions that use social media to connect with millennials are disrupting how retail presents its wares and engages loyal customers, this trend offers significant opportunities for those who adapt quickly. ### For Gaming New online platforms and systems are developing that offer game features like competitions and rewards in order to offer a much more entertaining and engaging online experience. ### For Beauty Social media is being used by beauty providers to engage with customers in a new way, offering discounts and promotions to those that interact most with core products and services, creating brand loyalty. ## Trend signals for Social Bartering Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 85%, activity 51%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 85% - Activity: 51% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Social Bartering trend 6 featured examples from Aug 5, 2013 to Jul 31, 2015. - [Hashtag Currency Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marc-jacobs-pop-up): The Daisy Marc Jacobs Pop Up Shop Will Accept Tweets as Payment (Category: Business) Implication: Retail companies adopting new payment mechanics to enhance the customer experience. - [Twitter-Powered Shopping Cranes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/topshop-playland): The Topshop Playland Pop-Up Lets Visitors Pay with a Tweet (Category: Business) Implication: Opportunities for retailers to explore innovative ways to connect with customers and drive sales through social media-powered experiences and gamification. - [Competition Driven Travel Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voyando-travel): The Voyando Travel Site Makes Hunting for Deals a Competition (Category: Tech) Implication: The travel industry can capitalize on the trend of travel deal competitions by offering their own contests and rewards for finding great deals. - [Video Game Swapping Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trade-games): Game Gorilla Lets You Trade Games for the Ones You Really Want (Category: Tech) Implication: Gaming companies can explore video game swapping services to retain customers and increase engagement. - [Social Media Makeup Rewards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/makeup-rewards): The Lancôme Elite Rewards Service Gives Consumers Luxury Discounts (Category: Tech) Implication: The beauty and skincare industry can leverage social media to reward customer loyalty and build brand image more effectively. - [Photo Rewarding Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instgram-users): SnapMyAd is an App That Connects Instagram Users to Big Brands (Category: Tech) Implication: Advertising companies can leverage photo rewarding apps to access user-generated content for their campaigns while also rewarding users for their contributions. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)