New online communities SavvyAuntie and FirstWivesWorld are good examples of successful communities. Each:

1. Focuses on a niche group of people who share a passionate bond:  women who love children and relish their roles as “aunties,” and women who have gone through a divorce or are in the throes.
2. Allows people to connect with other people and ask questions, share stories, and just be social.
3. Provides lots of helpful advice, resources, and experts on topics related to the community’s theme.
4. Adds some fun: both have entertainment sections and some celebrity angle. (Did you know Hulk Hogan and his ex have just added a 5th team of lawyers to their divorce proceedings?)
5. Has a fairly simple technology platform with an easy-to-use interface and lots of easy ways for people to get involved, from creating a profile and uploading photos to starting a blog or creating a group. Then again, just reading these rich, content-filled would be fulfilling for many.

In any cateogry there are always niches of opportunity. Many businesses are approaching communities too broadly, trying to serve everyone about everything, and ending up with rather bland communities that have no real community. Auntie and First Wives show the power of going narrow.