So a ReverbNation page (and I've included my bands here) is a simple location where folks/bar owners/etc can see the band, listen to clips, etc. It's like $20/month but worth it. You don't necessarily need your own webpage like the old days. Also, make a FB page and have all your friends be fans of you.
So what we did to start out was play very small places for very little money. Now, we are just 3 so our options of places to play is interesting in that we can play very small venues. The challenge is that we can't play huge rooms (which we don't necessarily care but that is a challenge). If you guys are a big band, then it is tough to get into smaller rooms, which is where a lot of people start.
You aren't going to get good paying gigs off the bat. You just aren't. So you need to go hat in hand and say we will play for "x". Never pay to play but you guys may only get $100 for the first few shows. One of the best things you can do is find a place and have them book you as a regular (like once a month or something). You'd be amazed how that plus 1-2 other gigs fills the calendar and it looks like you guys are really hustling/playing.
What you can also do is say "ok, we will do this first gig for free but we get tips and $50 bar tab. If we do well, you book us 4-5 times at "x" price". And make sure you pack that place. Bar owners/clubs care about making money, that's all. You can have Bono/Sting/Geddy Lee and Charlie Watts playing a show and if no one is there, they won't book you back.
Keep asking questions if you have them.
Read this book:
All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Tenth Edition, by Donald S. Passman
I have an older version of this book and have always trusted it and gone back to reference things. Not sure how new the 5th edition is The Musician's Business and Legal Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/1138672971/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7CRJRA2VGE4Q6X3BKKY6
I like to store my contacts in Airtable. It has so much more possibilities than Excel and I can click on a contacts' email address in Airtable to have it open a new email concept. It might not exactly be what you're looking for but it does the trick for me. Definitely worth trying! Good luck :)
Congratulations on the collaboration! Now is the time to learn about the business you are entering. Pay special attention to master and publishing rights. Once you have a grasp on the basics it'll be easier to answers to your questions.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501122185/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_EQAJVZN87BB5T5664E0S
All You Need to Know About the Music Business
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501104896/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1