Resources
Start by upgrading your resource producing buildings and the storage buildings to hold as much product as possible to help you upgrade further. Then, attack weaker players to fill up your storage. Use basic troops and only send one of the powerful weapons you have collected if needed to win the battle. Sending them all in is a waste of troops as it does not matter if they remain alive or not at the end of the battle.
Upgrades
Keep upgrading your base to unlock better items. Keep your builders busy and upgrade everything. Max out everything before upgrading your Command Center. After upgrading the Main Base (Command Center) to level 3, you will unlock equipment for your troops. You purchase that equipment with medals obtained from the multiplayer battles that you have won. Upgrade that equipment to make your soldiers better.