Listen to ShyKnees if you like but.... I mean he's from Sweden and he think's he's Shyknees.... was that racist?..... I DON'KNOW!?!?!
Anyway
I think the best thing you can do when starting out is try to find a pick up artist whose style you wish to emulate. I really like Gambler, because his game is very natural, I hate all this bullshit about canned lines... it's not the real you. And lets face it once she finds out who the real you is she won't be interested.
However if you completely overhaul you're personality and actually become super confident in who you are, girls will be attracted to you regardless of how you look (although a good sense of style is an advantage... although still not 100% necessary, check out Sashadaygame on Youtube if you don't believe me, he's a hero!) or how goofy you act.
I think what you should be looking to achieve from the pick up community should not directly be to pick up women but to realize your full potential as a person, because you know deep down once people get to know you you are a funny cool guy. So why should you have to put up this fake façade? Just enhance the cool guy how is already there. That way you will be happy not only short term but long term too. And the girls will come with that confidence too.
Anyway I'm rambling!
As I was saying find a PUA whose style you like and make sure it's a PUA who actually is fucking girls, not the guy who is building great rapport but always just settles at that. When you find your PUA study everything he has to offer. He'll tell you the material he used and that's the stuff you should read. There are so many different ways of getting with women and so many contrasting theories. From Caveman to Killer conversation. So that's why I would recommend choosing your PUA based on the style you like. Once you have a guide... the road will become a lot clearer for you.
I hope this helped
cheers for reading,
Scotch-Tape