So how do you get from 1 BTU fan wanting to play regular table top TW or AS games to six or more players regularly?
From my experience, you will need perseverance, communication and a positive attitude to build a group.
Five years ago, there were no active BattleTech players in my area. The game was basically dead here. "Here" is a major city on the border between two states.
So I decided to try to build a group when I got back into the game. I looked on local gaming websites and started spreading the message as well as going to local board game events and conventions. I spoke with other gaming group members (40K players, D&D players, etc) just to get the word out. There were many times where it was just me sitting there, but I kept at it. I stayed positive and easy going as people don't want to speak with an angry person. Also, I didn't disparage anyone who played in any particular era. It is all BattleTech to me.
Soon enough, I started to encounter a player or former player here and there. I built some 3D terrain which attracted some eyes. I set up regular events at local gaming stores and owners started to know me by name. I created a Facebook page that I updated almost daily. I spoke with other active BattleTech groups across several states and made an effort to meet their members. Slowly, we started to grow as a group.
Now five years later, I have a group that is almost 20 strong and we have 6 to 8 individuals playing weekly. Every other gaming club in the city knows that I am "the BattleTech guy" and how to get in touch with me. One of our members is building a website for our group to record our games. Another is working on logos. We are also working with our fellow Catalyst Demo agents about putting some effort into a big Catalyst event at a local con next year. An event where I plan to invite other BattleTech groups to join us in the hopes of making this a permanent thing.
It is going to take the hard work and dedication of individuals doing what they can to help build BattleTech up. Anyone can pick up a game they think is cool, but they won't stay with it unless there is an active and positive group to participate with. Gotta role up those sleeves and get into the dirt.