It will indeed be the combination of stropping technique and shaving technique.
I won't go into detail, there are veryuseful links provided in answers above.
The one advise I can give you, is take it slow, take one step at a time and if needed keep stationary.
It took me 6 weeks just to learn how to shave my right and left cheek with right and left hand.
My razor has been gone some time because I hit the tap with it, so I'm put back a few steps too.
For the time being, try to clean the area under your sideburns without pulling, if that works, it's time for the next step.