whats is the best way to get access to the better sites? i've been on IPT for years with great ratio but no idea where to even begin to look for getting into top tier ones
IPT is solid from my memory so there won't be many that are better as a general torrent site. But for niche obivously there are tons.
But since you're already in a torrent community, Check out the IPT forums back in my day they had recruitment threads in the forums. Hang out on their chat and be friendly, don't ask for invites just be friendly after a while people will start offering invites especially if you say you aren't there yet.
Remember that user invites carry the risk that if someone in your invite tree breaks a golden rule (trading/selling invites) you will be banned too. Always prefer official recruitement.