Friend on Facebook, follow on Twitter, buy on high street

New research from iModerate and Chadwick Martin Taylor makes encouraging reading for those building brands on social networks.  As eMarketer reports,

More than one-half of Facebook fans said they are more likely to make a purchase for at least a few brands, and 67% of Twitter followers reported the same

That simply being a customer was reportedly sufficient motivation for more than 20 per cent of respondents to form an online friendship – though presumably being a satisfied customer helps – suggests that companies should be looking to bring customers into their online circles at every opportunity. 

The most popular reason for friending or following a brand was “receiving discounts”. While it might be the case that respondents were more likely to buy because of traditional incentives rather than any deeper association, respondents’ increased likelihood to recommend suggests that a Twitter or Facebook relationship goes beyond the price tag. 

Friending a brand, though. The nomenclature feels cumbersome in our age of compulsive abbreviation.

Briending, anyone?

Thought not.