OK so my top tips for becoming stronger are easy.
1) Get used to a standard build order. It's really very simple: cap the mexes next to you and link them together with a grid of a few solar panels. Put a lotus next to your factory. Very easy to do and gives you a small solid base to start with
2) Expand. Zero K is essentially a game about getting mexes. The team with the most metal usually wins. To get metal you need to expand your area of influence. So push forward and cap mexes and hold territory.
3) Make units. I've seen teams of blue stars get rekt by yellow and brown players that expanded and spammed units. Sometimes it doesn't even matter if the units made are sub-optimal if there are enough of them.
4) Specialize in one factory to begin with. Get used to the units in that factory and what they are good against. What they are weak against. Pro players see an enemy doing something and immediately know what to do as a counter. That's because they know their units and situations. When you get familiar with a fac you will know how to handle them against a wide range of foes.
5) Forget the lob strats. I'm one to talk because I love lobcomms and dumb shit like that. But if you want to become really good you have to abandon the lob strats and use what works.
6) good luck :)