I don't know if ShoeMall.com in Chippewa Falls, WI has a big marketing team, but they are a great example of how to start building relationships with influential people online.
- I posted a question on Twitter about how to clean shoes.
- They were listening. I assume they were doing searches to find people who talk about shoes.
- They followed me on Twitter.
- They posted a helpful tip.
- Now I know who they are, and I followed them back.
Repeat 1,000 times and you become influential yourself.
The secret: #2 and #4 — listen and be helpful.