1) More than being kickass musicians individually, your band must be able to work well together onstage. You can hate each other's guts offstage, but when the lights and the music come on, you have to be a BAND.
2) Get a good manager or booking agent - heck, if one of the guys in the band is good at that, then go for it, too.
3) Set guidelines for accepting gigs, and follow them. In my band's case, no pay to play gigs. The moment people know that you can be had, then you will be had, again and again. This is actually where a manager helps, as your manager is the shark that keeps away the other sharks.
4) play whenever and wherever you can. No gig is too small, as long as it's fun, and you can have a good time.
5) corollary to #4, be careful, though of gigs that don't feel right. No matter how good a gig sounds, if there is something ify about it, tactfully and diplomatically turn it down.
6) whether it is accepting or refusing a gig, always be courteous, and have good manners. Remember, prod people have feelings, too. and they remember pretty well who is who.
7) Don't play the politics, but do know how to maneuver around certain situations. That's not to say that you should be everybody's best friend. All it means is that you keep an open mind, and remember that people will always be people.
Be Professional. True, there are times when a gig will inevitably fall through. That can't be helped, but be courteous and professional about gigs that do happen. If you have to cancel a gig because a band member cannot make it (for good reason!), then do apologize and be transparent about why it's happening.
9) Always be friendly and courteous to your fans. Remember, people who watch gigs will remember you - and who knows, some of them may be prod people. Not only that, it's always a good thing to be remembered for being a nice guy.
10) Listen. Sometimes, it takes a bit of listening around to find out about good gigs. build up your network of contacts.
