Hmm, a few things:

1. All of the bidbot-funded spam on the front page isn't helping us to put our best foot forward.
2. We definitely would need to manage expectations. Don't tell them that they're going to make hundreds of dollars on posts right away. Give them other incentives to be here. Mentor them.
3. It definitely helps to invite people who already love writing and making art, and would be inclined to blog anyway. That being said, I haven't actually successfully enticed the couple of people I've invited here, but I also haven't pushed it too hard.