Chris Pirillo (I wrote in details why I thought he was a god of community management and how he does it) just said at WordCamp:

"You can't build a community, it's there or it's not"


here are a few quotes from his speech:

"I don't want to be part of anything viral about any community ever, that's just me
a blog is just a tool. If you think a blog is a community then you too are a tool.
you can't build a community it is either there or it's not. You know you have a community if it takes care of itself
YOU are the asset of a community and not the other way around
the best community leaders come out of the community rather than being hired or thrown in
If you cultivate your community like a plant it will grow. If you empower and guide your community, you will lead it.
if you have something to say, if you have a voice, use it, exercise it. Make those connections. You will be a leader before U know it
community is the antithesis of ego. It is inside you but it is not about you"

I completely agree with Chris, it must come from the heart and it does not come for free, it comes after years of passion and sharing. I think you can "build" it though, it is just a question of words. Chris says "cultivate" by sharing regularly amongst other things. I think you can build with passion.


What do you think are the best ways to build your community?

there is a recording of Chris speech but in terrible quality be prepared...