Several things I would recommend:
If you have not done so already, take a handling class. This will give you the skills you need to be relatively comfortable in the ring.
Take handling seminars. There are several put on around the US by really good people. George Alston comes to mind, also Pat Hastings. You can do a search on the AKC website for seminars that might be coming up near you.
Join a kennel club. Here you will be able to meet and mix with other people who show their dogs. Many people are very helpful to newbies. Some are not. Ignore the sour pusses and mix with the ones who are friendly.
GO TO DOG SHOWS. Go as often as you can whether you are showing your dog or not. Watch your breed. Watch other breeds in the same group as yours. Watch as much as you can. Pick out the smooth handlers whose dogs look nice. Take notes on what they do. Practice it at home.
If you have a video cam, have someone film you working your dog. Then you can watch it and figure out what you need to work on.
Practice practice practice leash handling until you can roll and unroll your lead with finesse and no thought. Practice "necking up" your dog. A hallmark of many newbies is they forget to keep the collar up under the chin and right behind the ears, and then you get an ugly piece of skin/fat hanging over the bottom of the collar that makes the dog look awful.
Practice "necking up" and leash rolling until you can do it in your sleep.
Best of luck. Don't get discouraged. Showing dogs looks like a piece of cake, but it takes TIME to develop the skills and body memory to look smooth in the ring and present your dog to it's best advantage.
Don't expect to win right off the bat. And remember, this is the ONLY sport in the world where you can walk right in the ring and be competing with pros who are at the top of their sport. Ever think about a pick up basketball game with Shakiel O'Neal? Happens all the time in the dog show ring.
Most of all, have FUN with your dog. Dog shows are fun, but it's not brain surgery, or a cure for cancer. Some people take it WAY too seriously.
If I can be of any more help, or answer any more questions, feel free to ask. The only dumb ones are the ones you DON'T ask.