Players play. Play anywhere and everywhere as often as possible. Book shows at the local VFW hall with half a dozen other bands that have "a draw"... put your band on the bill. As mentioned, if you don't suck, someone will like it... and they'll tell 2 friends who will tell 2 friends who will tell 2 friends... and the next thing you know, you're a popular local group getting booked by some other up and coming local pop combo to their show at the local VFW...
I've never met an "overnight sucess" that didn't take years to build and craft. Find someone in your area that has some talent at arranging and have them look at your material [I'm working on a song at the moment that needs to be cut down from 5:21 as it's boring as fuck... I have it down to 3:47 and it's interesting... wish I had been there for pre-production then I wouldn't have to be cutting the fucking thing up after the fact]... find a local "producer" that is willing to work with your band... however, you should look at their body of work to make sure you're of "like mind".
There are a whole lot of rather popular idiots out there making a living that shouldn't be... don't necessarily go for the flavor of the month, create the flavor of the month. Keep things within the bounds of reality. With the possible exception of Boston in 1976, ain't nobody going from the basement to arenas in 6 months... hint, it's no longer 1976 [and Tom spent several years working on that "demo"].
You win friends and a following one person at a time... you win friends and a following by working your balls off... all the time. Do as much "press" stuff as you can... make friends with all the local writers, publishers, editors of all the local trade rags... make friends with the local bookers, club owners, bar managers, event planners, etc.
Look at playing "all ages" shows at community centers, high schools, Jr. high schools... learn some covers and play frat and sorority houses... in other words... players play.
I know one band that used to book themselves under 3 different names... same band, same material... released the same album under all 3 names... each of the band's different names built it's own following. After about 2 years of this, they merged the 3 names into one and still played all the venues where they used to play under the different names. When they finally merged the name, they had their own publishing company, their own "in house" booking agency [they also booked other acts!!], publicity machine, had a very modest recording studio and were incorporated. That's called "working your balls off".
Now get your ass off the computer get a worthwhile band together, create something new and different that brings the personailities of the individuals in the band out in the band's music... and play it everywhere.
They call it "playing" but it's really just enjoying your work. Funny part is, the harder you work, the luckier you get. Remember that a band is a small company. Your bandmates are your partners. You're in the manufacturing business... you manufacture entertainment product. The better the product [the more your music entertains people], the more people will want the product... they also have to know the product exists.
It's not a whole lot different than building a ____ and bringing it to market... the difference being that you're going to have to find the capital to start your own business from within, and the backbone to build the business over time.
Best of luck