It's someone that you communicate with of a like minded frame of mind, who might know someone else who you can communicate with. Think about it for a minute. You are talking to someone about your skills and desires. He knows someone else who might have need of those skills. He mentions you to that person and who knows, you might get a job.
Organizations are also a good way to get pointers and tips.
These are great, but they tend to be unmoderated and, frankly, often turn hostile and sarcastic. It can be very intimidating to someone to post a message and get flamed by a hundred people for no real reason other than the question was a little naive. Okay, so you don't get it yet. Let's see if I can explain it again. I know it seems like you just want to get money.