The new ActiveRain Groups Tools present a great way to set up a community of like-minded professionals focusing on a particular topic or theme.

I hope that through reading this and related posts you'll be a better more effective leader, and member of the groups that pique your interests.

Setting up a group is easy but forming a community of interested bloggers is a different story. When establishing a group some necessary social factors must be in place.

What's There?
In putting together groups it's difficult to get something started that doesn't already have some budding interest. Rather than trying to start something completely new, a group should fulfill a need that already exists. Getting a team on-board will take having a team that wants to go where you do.  Use a given topic already being discussed, or a region that simply needs to be represented by a group. Reading and being sensitive to what types of conversations are going on is essential to creating something that really works. The goal should be to establish a group that will benefit the community by its presence, instead of being a drain and an obligation.

Who's interested?
While you're paying attention to what's going on out there look for the audience. Who's going to be interested in this group? Assemble a list of members who might find and interest in what you're trying to put together.

Set Up The Group. (See this post Creating a group within ActiveRain)
Before you go out and create a group, check to be sure that a group close to the one you're looking for doesn't already exist.

When you start out a group you want two elements in place. A good description and an initial featured post with the group's vision and any rules laid out that will stay at the top for all members to become acquainted. Define the group. What is this group about? What is going to be talked about here? Do you have any special rules or procedures you'd like to set up? Write out clearly and effectively what the meaning of the group is and why you're putting it together. Your vision must be clear so that you can enlist the support of the group members to help you maintain group integrity.

Once you've created the group and the description look for those who are already writing about that which would fit into your blog group.

Bring'em On!
Bringing those initial people into your group at this point shouldn't be hard. Do Not blast emails out to people, through the contact form or otherwise. Unless you have already established a relationship with this person you are emailing, and unless you've already shared an interest in the given topic, then this kind of contact is not going to be appreciated or effective.

If you know you have readers who are interested, then post the information on your blog. In addition, when someone writes a post that would fit in your group, let them know that you'd like them to join. Always make sure your invitation to them is relevant. You can do this by leaving a comment on their post in response, or through the contact form. Either way you are responding to what they've written which will help you to evangelize your group.

Once you have a few members it will be easier to let them help you build the group. Educate and be clear about the purpose of your group so that they can pass the word on.

Be sure to involve others as soon as possible as group moderators, administrators and the like. Be sure they are clearly educated about what their roles are and what they might do to help the group within those roles.

Keeping it going.
The most essential factor to keeping your group successful is to maintain integrity and focus. Be sure that you clearly communicate the topics that are to be posted to the group. Remove any posts that do not apply. Ban any group member who repeatedly violates your terms.

Merging and Diverging.
Every once in a while, a group that started out seeming unique is going to start looking like other groups. Or it's possible that some other type of discussion may pop out of your group that deserves it's own category. In this case it may be important to either merge with that other group, or to split the group up to give more space for the secondary topic. Either way the goal of the group should be that it serves to help its members.

Be Patient.
The groups features take some involvement before they settle in. They will have a way of working out with time. Be patient, and allow for the necessary changes to assure that your group maintains a legitimacy and relevance.

Thank you.

-Caleb 

I would encourage you to read further on Group Types  and these posts for more information.

Creating a group within ActiveRain Technical details of setting up a group.

New group features a description of various features of ActiveRain Groups By Matt Heaton 

Groups 101 - Our First Definitive Guide on Groups By Jason Price 

On Being a Groupie! -  Groups are a good thing.  By Rich Jacobson 

Group Types  A description of how groups work and how to use them.

Groups an introduction to groups