Everybody’s got one—the person who knows everybody, seems to know everything, and is aware of every bargain you can find anywhere in the community. Such people once maintained their networks through crude tools like the telephone. Today, they have blogs—blogs that you need to be on as soon as possible. And getting there isn’t as difficult as it might seem.

Here are some steps to take:

• Find out who the key players are in your area by asking both your customers and your younger employees.

• Get their attention. Money is a wonderful way to do this. Most local blogs have advertising. Contact the blogger and offer to buy a banner ad. The rates are usually low, and the loyalty you get can be invaluable.

• Make life easy for the blogger. Find out if they prefer prewritten copy. Most do. So start writing up stories and taking pictures. Make sure the images you send are the correct size for the blogger’s Web site. Remember, the easier you make their lives, the more exposure you’ll get, and the more business you’ll drive to your store.