I always feel you need to have enough resources for yourself before you can start supporting & empowering other Steemians. Delegating SP early would not have much impact and it you would probably end up drowning urself, which is the last thing you want.

For trails, you can start following trails to gain a little of the curation rewards but then you would have to make sure your VP doesn't deplete.

You can start supporting trails when ur above 100SP and for SP delegation above 800SP or if you want to delegate earlier, just make sure you have at least 100SP for urself.