Similar to "lean development", the best approach to developing a community is by trying different things, measuring success, and iterating (or "pivoting") based on results.

Launch your first idea and promote it through your website, blog, social media accounts, and tell your influencers about it.

Measure and track the results it generates then try a new experiment. You shouldn't be afraid to test out new ideas and hypotheses with your community - they're the people who love you the most and are more than willing to test something out for you if you let them know that it's a "secret project" and they are VIPs who get to check it out first.