Well, like many others, I've just find this site and it's awesome. Just looking for some tips to help me get started.

Reincarnation Winter Guard

Rehearse regularly, it's the most important thing, if you don't you will lose points, although at this point i am just as new as you, but this is what i have gotten so far.

Fundraising to raise staff levels in future (usually via hosting) is important however you are right, nothing beats REHEARSAL time. Also focus on what gets you the points for a discipline, like guard heavily favors GE. GOOD LUCK!