How do I gain subject specific, on-topic popularity?

Just search for using Teoma for the phrases that relate to your site, and get links from the sites listed in the resources section on the right hand side of the page. It's easier then it looks, although you may need some fair skill to bargain with the site owners, now that they know how hot a commodity their links are.

BTW - My full review of each session I attended at SES-NYC will be coming out on Monday through the advanced topics section. There's a phenomenal amount of information there - nearly 15 pages in MS Word so far and I'm only half through my notes. If you didn't attend SES, I think these documents can help you to take away much of the most valuable information (including how to tell when search engine reps are lying - hint; it's in the eye-twitches).