I started working in FinOps about seven years ago, at a time when other methodologies were far more popular—and FinOps was barely known. That often left me with a sense of loneliness while navigating a completely new process, frequently having to explain what I did on a daily basis without much context or understanding from others.
My participation in technology communities began mainly as a way to connect with people who might be just as lost as I was—or perhaps not lost at all, but open to connecting. I won’t deny that I had some challenging moments when I first started participating, whether as an attendee, a speaker, or even as an organizer. There were times when I didn’t connect with anyone at all, and other times when I spent a lot of time alone at events—both large and small.
This post isn’t a step-by-step guide; it’s simply a small push to encourage you to start participating in communities.
If you’re thinking about attending a community event
My first piece of advice: if you’re hesitating because you’re afraid, don’t know anyone, aren’t sure how these events work, or consider yourself shy—just go.
Even if you feel nervous, that feeling fades as you start learning and participating. If you never attend your first event, you’ll never discover how these spaces work. Communities are open, diverse, and supportive environments, so you can participate even if you’re not the most extroverted person or the most experienced. Confidence builds gradually.
If possible, you can also invite someone to attend with you—that way more of us connect.
Ask all the questions you want, even if they don’t seem perfectly formed. Communities are spaces where you can find answers, learn, and connect with others who might have the same questions.
Try to identify your purpose for attending and work toward it. At my first community event, my goal was to earn a certification. I ended up joining a study group that supported me for months and helped me pass the exam. That said, it’s okay to be flexible—what matters most is enjoying the experience, learning, and connecting with others.
A common misconception is that we can’t easily approach speakers, community leaders, or organizers. But communities are horizontal learning spaces where collaboration matters more than titles or roles. So go ahead—introduce yourself, ask for a photo, ask for advice, offer help. Always do it with respect and empathy, and together we build stronger communities.
Attend as many talks as you like, visit the booths of companies and communities, and even plan future interactions at other events.
If you’re going to be a speaker for the first time
Think of the people attending your talk as friends, colleagues, and fellow professionals in the industry. Focus on the impact your knowledge can have on their learning.
I’ll share a personal experience: the first time I traveled to another country to give a talk, the attendance wasn’t what I expected. However, with the people who did attend, we ended up designing future projects together and creating content for the community. That experience turned out to be one of the best things that has happened to me.
Because of that, try to focus more on impact than on the number of attendees. If only a few people attend, turn it into something more interactive: run practical activities, have conversations, listen to their experiences, and transform it into a more relaxed discussion. Some of my best event experiences have happened this way.
If the opposite happens and you have a large audience, try to leave space for Q&A, or offer a separate moment later to continue the discussion. But always prioritize connecting with your audience.
If possible, share your materials or provide additional resources that expand on what you presented. In my case, I like to create a shared document on Drive where I upload related content, include the presentation link, and leave space for questions and comments. This type of shared resource allows the community to keep building and learning together.
Look for authentic connections. Be open to sharing your LinkedIn or other social networks so you can stay connected with people who are interested in your topics and may collaborate with you in the future.
I also recommend not limiting yourself to people you already know. If you have friends within the organization or know other speakers, try to explore different groups and meet new people. Remember: these events are meant to build relationships, expand our support networks, and learn from each other.
Every attendee matters.
There are many more recommendations that come to mind, but for now I wanted to share these. I’m sure that once you attend your first community event, you won’t want to stop.
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