Do some research into the last 10 members that registered.
Look up their names, usernames or e-mail addresses on Google.
Identify their LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google+ page. Identify where they are from, what they talk about, who they work for, what profession they work in, and anything else of interest.
Look specifically for things they have done in the past that could be useful to the community. In Community Geek, for example, we sometimes find a member has a background in anthropology, or running large-scale communities, or communities with special security considerations, or internal communities for large, geographically-dispersed, organisations.
This is exactly the type of expertise we want in the community. We drop them an e-mail to ask if they would be willing to write a short piece about the topic. It would really help members to {…something relevant…}.
Be sure to highlight specific experience/expertise (not generic). Refer specifically to previous things this member has been through. Be specific about how it will help the community. Always say a short column – so it doesn't feel like much work.
The purpose here isn't just to solicit good content, it's to make a member feel their experience is more useful. The're more likely to become a regular member if they make a contribution. We want a member to instantly feel appreciated by the community.
If it goes well, you can invite them to write a regular column on the topic.
