Why dont you keep a seminar or live conference and connect with people interested online by joining it via google hangout etc and you explain you future plans, business proposals etc about it.
We wanna first get people noticed about us first, then we will definitely have a conference before we start selling it.
To create awareness you need to have promotional activities. The longer you do more will know and start understanding and taking interest in the plans.
Start with couple of things like - Signature & Aavtar campaign for some time. This will boost the image and create awareness. And after some time keep the conference as well for more detail in depth.
Nothing much but one of the best project can be hiring the newbie for signature and others too. This not only helps newbie but also helps you to get popularity among newbie and other members.