If I were trying to break into the IM circle, I create small product or something really of good value to the end user. You could start by doing interviews with with jv partners right here when they do their launches. They are always welcoming interviews.
Then I would set up a squeeze page and send ass much traffic to it by targeting the keywords for the product the owner I just interviewed was talking about. Offer the interview as an incentive to opt-in.
Leverage the hype from the launch to send you opt-ins for the IM arena.You do this with a squidoo page if you wanted and probably rank well if you do it right.