Have you ever dreamed of running your guild? Have you ever dreamed of starting a guild from scratch and watching it grow into one of the premier guilds in your MMO? Are you the kind of player who likes to run things? What better way to run things than to be the top dog in your own, personal guild?

Or are your reasons less ambitious? Have you given up trying to find a guild that likes to do what you like to do? Have you decided to start your own guild just so you can gather around you people who like play the same way you do? Is that why you're thinking of starting your own guild?  

Whatever your reasons for starting a new guild, it won't be easy and it's going to be a lot of work, but in the end it might all be worth it. A guild built with your time and sweat is your own personal creation, something to be proud of ... So long as you do a good job.

Not scared, yet? Good. Maybe you really do have the right stuff for the job. So how do you get started? Here are a few steps to building a successful guild:

1.  Don't go it alone.
Do you really think you can run a successful guild on your own? Seriously? Running a successful guild is a lot of work. It's a boatload of work. So much work, you'd be crazy to go it alone. (If you're the barking at the moon sort of mad loon, by all means have at it.)

Oh, did you think you were going to design some awesome guild cape and that was going to be the end of it? Hah! Once you appoint yourself Grand Pooh Bah, you're going to busier than Olivia Munn at the Comic-Con kissing booth.

Someone needs to be on during the prime-time hours to help the newbs out. Someone needs to organize regular dungeon runs. Someone needs to arbitrate disputes between members. Someone needs to help senior members get better gear. Someone needs to organize the PvP teams. Someone needs to... Well, you get the idea. 

If you want to run a guild and still have time to play, you'll need some people to help you out. What? You don't know anyone else? Go join a guild. Meet more people. Play the MMO some more. Party up with other people. Once you find some people who like to play the way you like to play, then see if they'd like to start a guild with you. Just don't try to go it alone. 

2. Don't lie.
Is your guild casual or hardcore? Do you want to be the best on the server or just hang out and have fun? Let people know. Tell any potential recruits what your guild's in to from the get-go.

And don't say you do it all. How sick are you of hearing that from guilds? You don't do it all. No one does. You might dabble in all phases of the game, but everyone and every guild favors certain aspects of the game. Some guilds do almost nothing but PvP. Good for them. Some like to grind the same dungeons. Some might do some PvP one night and some PvE the next, but they're going to focus on one more than the other.

If your new guild is going to focus on running dungeons and getting the sweet, golden loot, let potential members know. Those recruits might be hardcore PvP'ers and wouldn't like your guild, anyway.  Let potential members know what your guild is about. If you don't, they'll just end up leaving and trashing your guild to the next guild they join. If you do, you'll retain more members and they'll be happy with their choice. Remember: a happy guild is a successful guild.

3. Get a website and Vent or TeamSpeak.
No one is going to take your guild seriously if you don't have a website. Potential guild members will want to know something about your guild. Put up a website – there are about 5000 hosting sites that specialize in guild websites. Put some info up there: “Kickbutt Guild has 25 members. We like to PvP and crush our enemies and hear the wails of their women. Come join us if you want to rule the server.” You know, that sort of thing.

And be sure to sign up for a Vent or TeamSpeak server while you're at it. Whether it's PvP or the tricky dungeon run, every guild needs Vent or TeamSpeak. What, you don't have one? Good luck with your new guild. You're going to need it. 

A website and a Vent or TeamSpeak server are absolute must-haves for any guild. Unfortunately, they're probably going to cost you a little cash. Usually not a whole lot, but a little. Yeah. Sorry. Starting a guild costs money, too. Get those guys and gals (See item 1.) who are there to help you to pitch in.

4. Help the newbies.
Do you want to build a guild with loyal, happy members? Help the newbs. Show the new players the ropes. Do you remember how lost you were when you started the game? You didn't know where anything was and no one would answer your questions in region. Do you remember how much trouble it was killing that boss or getting through that one region of the game?

Those newbs are going to have the same trouble you had. Help them out. Yeah, you've been there before and done that, and maybe you're bored by the low level stuff, but the more you help the newbs the more likely your guild is to grow. If you recruit someone and then they get stuck in the game and you don't help them, they might leave. If you help them, though, they're going to appreciate that and be just a little more loyal to the guild.

And, if you're feeling really industrious, you might want to help out guildless newbies, too. It's a great recruitment tool. If you help newbs who are guildless, you'll probably get some instant recruits. 

5. Advertise.
Don't you hate those people who spam region chat with guild recruitment messages? “We've got the best guild. Come join us.”

Well, you might hate it, but if you're going to build your guild from scratch you have to tell the world you have a guild and you're looking for members. Region chat, much to the chagrin of the rest of the players, is the place to start. Just don't be too obnoxious. Please. Maybe only spam your recruitment message once every 30 seconds instead of 5.

Be sure to use the forums, too. Most MMOs have forum areas where you can post information about your guild. You should use it, too, but frankly region chat is probably more effective.

Building your guild from scratch can be a rewarding experience. If you spend some time at it, surround yourself with some good people, and keep your members happy, you just might end up with one of the premier guilds in your MMO. Good luck.