So I've noticed a distinct lack of strategies listed for this game, and I'm currently having trouble making a profitable ship. So why don't why all share our current strategies for getting good/better/not being a scrub?
My advice is this: If you're playing a trader, don't sell anything but luxury goods and weapon parts. Everything else is either a total loss or not even profitable enough to cover fuel. If you have a round of weapons/luxury goods and no station's buying at a profit then you can go around and explore a bit.
The only problem is the economy stabilizes once you start trading and it gets harder and harder to make a profit.
Currently I'm trying my hand at piracy, and it's a fairly good tactic. Let the bigger fish run away and then stomp the small light transports. Now nothing you sell at the pirate base is going to be as much as at a station, but it's still a profit.
Protips for piracy: Buy a shield, first thing. Even a level 1 shield improves your chances in combat tenfold. It also improves your profit margins, as hull points are semi expensive to repair. Also, if you can find a small station with a company office you're incredibly lucky. As you won't be able to approach larger stations.