Reading the columns on this Web site is another step in educating yourself. A little bit of knowledge will take you a long way. The third bit of advice is to network. I hate this word but there is no substitute to meeting people who can help your career. Contacts are very important.
Word of mouth is the best reference.
Talk to club owners, magazine publishers, representatives, lawyers, etc. Don't approach them with a hard sell of your band, but from a personal standpoint. Meet them, keep in contact with them, and use them down the line when the time is right. The 80's are dead, but networking will always remain. Notice that none of my advice deals with your music.