To tweet or not to tweet, that is the question! Tweeting, for the sake of tweeting, at a show is fine, but you can add a lot more value if you tweet about relevant things. Most people come to a trade show to find new products, services, and/or ideas, and now that we are in the digital age, people are looking more and more to social networks like Twitter to find news from other people.

It is time to step-up and be the one to tweet something that is interesting. If you have something to share, use the conference hashtag (#), so others can find it easily.

Shows have so much news and information to share with their attendees and exhibitors, so I am passing along a few tips on what you can tweet out at a show. Remember, exhibitors like to share their news with everyone, and attendees like to hear about it.

First, start out by tweeting something about you. There is nothing wrong with self-promotion. Tweet that you will be at the show before it begins so that people know to follow you. People who can’t attend will then rely on you for information.

Tweet links to your news, so you can go beyond 140 characters.

Tweet your booth number, so attendees and media can stop by your booth.

Tweet pictures of your product and services so people can see, and share, what you do.

Tweet pictures of yourself at the show with your product, at your booth, or with other people attending or exhibiting at the show.

Tweet facts/questions about your product(s) and or service(s).

Hopefully, you will find some time during the day to leave your to attend some of the keynotes, breakout sessions, and walk around to network.

If you attend a keynote, tweet quotes from the speaker or interesting things you heard. Make sure to find the speaker’s twitter handle and give credit to them.

Tweet interesting facts you heard or read from a presenter’s slides.

Tweet pictures of cool things you saw, for example, a great promotion or booth designs.

Tweet your thoughts on the industry or show – feedback is important!

One of the best parts of Twitter is that you can directly engage with anyone you want, at any time.  Sometimes, you need to listen before you tweet, so you can have a conversation with someone, rather than just promoting yourself.

Why tweet?

There must be many people you want to meet at the show, tweet at them!

Add value to conversations - reply to something they tweeted.

Retweet as a sign of endorsement.

Retweet other exhibiting companies – make sure to support the industry.

You may be thinking, “If I tweet and have no followers, who will care?” That’s a reasonable question. If you are attending a trade show, everyone who could possibly care will be at the sameshow, or interested in knowing about the show, and following the hashtag. If they are not attending or not interested in finding out what’s new at a trade show, no loss.

Events are industry anomalies where lots of interesting people get together and want to meet each other, using social networks to connect and talk with people they know or better yet, haven’t met!

Start now by creating a Twitter account, get your feet wet and start spreading the news …