In order to build a community, you need a couple of things. First, you need a loose connection of people who are actively looking for a home. It’s useful to understand who that community is, where that community hangs out, what’s currently missing, and what they are looking to get through community membership.

What is something your people can’t do solo? Or that would be better in a group? The more compelling the shared activity, the more likely you are to spark a community. Is the activity purposeful? Tie the activity back to your community’s purpose. And communicate that purpose explicitly, as Gavin Pretor-Pinney did when he formed the Cloud