If done a bit of this... the best thing you can do is put together a promo package. It cost a bit of money, but it's worth it in the end. Put in band biography, any demo cd's, promo pictures, contact info(important) ect. and send it to all the local venues in a nice folder. Wait about 2 weeks and start calling them up. Network with other bands and see if you can start opening for them. Let me know how it turns out