What's a good technique for recruiting good players?

[Capt. Guster]

I've got a guild, but most of the players on my friend list already are part of guilds, so my guild is still small. I usually crew up with people in game, if they're good, they get an invite, but a lot of times, I find out later that they've changed guilds.

What's a good way to recruit and keep players (I'm always polite, helpful, and I'm a good crew member, so that's not the problem)?

What's a good place to do it as well? Should I find a 'base' of operations?