Last week I had a powerful experience actively engaging in Open Comment Night. In my enthusiasm I followed up with 5 reasons to actively participate:

• Fulfill your inner desire to connect,
• Build truer, deeper relationships,
• Establish yourself as an expert,
• Take ownership, and
• Get free leadership training.

Once you show up to a post, a party with friends, a business meeting, or a networking event, here’s what you can do to actively participate.

Arrive Early

I used to show up marginally late to every event. Inevitably, by the time I got there people were already in their groups chatting, the presentation was underway and mingling was over, or folks had moved away from the appetizers and were talking business. In short, I felt like an outsider. Not only that, I felt hurried, and panicked.

Gradually, I learned that if I wanted to feel like a member of the group I had to show up early. I don’t feel rushed and I’m there when groups are forming so I can be a part of the conversation. Arriving early has some other unique benefits. In the online world, when you show up to a post for the first few comments, you have a better chance of getting read. In the real world, when you show up early to a networking event, you can be at the door to greet other attendees. You get to know everyone first and later on you can act as a mini-host for the evening.

Speak Up

Don’t just show up, speak up! When you read a post you like, comment. When you go to a party, mingle. When you’re a guest at Toastmaster’s, take up the challenge to do a table topic if you’re called on. Showing up is only half the battle. Now that you’re there, share yourself and your ideas with the community.

Here’s a challenge, when you go to an event, instead of wandering to the outside of the room, stand in the middle of it. Start a conversation with just one other person and watch as more and more people rotate to and from that position. Put yourself in a position where you have to talk to the other people at the engagement.

Be The Host

I picked this one up from a sales coach. You don’t have to be the official host of the event. When you arrive early, scope the place out. Find out where the restrooms are, where they’ll be setting up food and/or drinks, and where the name tags and sign up sheets are. Talk to the official hosts of the event and volunteer your services to set up or help in another way. Stand close to the door and greet attendees as they arrive (note: don’t do this in a stalking manner). Show them to the food and other points of interest. Ask them how they heard about the event and why they are there. Actively participating by being the host gives you the opportunity to engage from the very beginning and to get your name out there.

Be a Connector

Online this is obvious, link, link, link! Actively participate in conversations online by linking and writing about them. Virtually introduce your readers to other valuable sources of information in your niche with a link.

In life, you can actively participate by bringing interested parties together. Of course, you’ll need to know them first

How do you actively participate in your life, online and off?

In Spirit,
Nneka