Drywall is cheap, versatile, and provides a perfect surface for whatever you want to do to your walls, but it takes lots of practice. If you’ve never drywalled before, snag an experienced helper, or hang around another job site to observe. And do your practice run in a closet.
Beyond that, here are some pointers to help you to a more professional job.
Hanging
Proper preparation is key. To keep seams to a minimum and avoid butt seams whenever possible, map out sheet placement beforehand. Generally, the longer the sheet, the fewer the seams, but 10 or 12 footers are 75 to 100 pounds per sheet, and you may have trouble getting them into your house, around corners and up stairs.
Shrinking lumber can destroy a job. Make sure your lumber is dry, and has been stored inside for some time.
And make sure there’s an even plane across studs: use a straight 2×4 or a taut line to uncover warped studs, and either shim them to the same plane, or cut halfway through the stud, insert a wedge, and scab the sides of the stud with 1x4s.
Use screws everywhere, except on corner bead. They’re a little more expensive than nails, but they eliminate nail pops and mean you won’t break or weaken the paper with a hammer. Use a screw gun or variable speed power drill with a drywall bit, and drive until the head dimples the surface but doesn’t break through the paper (1/16″ max). An attachment with a clutch saves tons of time by automatically driving to the depth you want.