These tips are Ableton Live focussed but apply to most software.
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https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/07/25/Electric_Equaliser_USMGrid-copy-1024x76821f0a.jpg

Firstly. I cannot stress this enough.. If I could only give one tip it would be this:

**Do not over quantize your drums!**
.... Unless you want to sound like a Robot. One way I like to get grooves together is by playing the drums in, and then selecting them (in Live) and hitting APPLE-SHIFT-U, and applying small amounts of quantizing, until it sounds tight, but ... key word here ... **expressive.**

- Build up and vary your drum parts by duplicating sections and adding variation at the end of every 2 bars. Rinse and repeat.

- When programming synths or samplers, make the instruments EXPRESSIVE, by messing with things like velocity, key-range, etc.

- Keep your drums and bass tight. The need to work together. 

- Ableton Operator- Should be your best friend if you use Live.

- There is a lot to be said for standard arrangement styles, verse, chorus, bridge etc.

- Lives Velocity device is great to vary the velocity on your hats. 

also, more generally....
- Take breaks from production, and even from listening to music. Inspiration and creativity builds up like a phone being charged. 
- Stay single if possible lol
- Getting up early > staying up late
- Have the balls to stick your neck out and express your inner lunatic, you're not making music for your mother. 
- Get arranging early, finish tracks, don't be too precious. You will learn more by finishing a mediocre track in 2 hours, than spending 4 hours messing around with a loop.
- Don't get bogged down in plug-ins. Get to know just two or three synths really well. 
- FWIW, my favourite synths are Operator, Sylenth, Zebra II. I also like Synplant for its randomness.
- Spend time familiarising yourself with your ever expanding sound library. Weed out the crap. DELETE IT!
- Make the music you would like to hear. 
- Experiment, be yourself, stand out.