When I started to animate (not so long ago), I would usuallly go ahead and open my software and come up with something, and it usually does not look like what I had expexted, so I decided to organize my self and go step by step, and I will share them wiht you.

Step 1: Plan your animation. Write down every aspect of your animation on a script. For exmple what the background will look like, the characters, every single punch and kick, and if there's any aspect you do not know how to create, example a difficult effect, look it up and learn how to do it before you begin.

Step 2: Start animating with only two things; the background and the solid masses (stickmen, weapons, objects). Do not add any effects at all. But keep in mind that you will add them later and make your animation fit.

Step 3: Review what you have done.

Step 4: Add the smaller effects. By smaller I mean the ones that take up a small interval of space or time in your animation. For example particle effects, symbol effects, etc.

Step 5: Add the larger effects, example fades, color inversion. TIP: TRY TO MAKE A NEW LAYER FOR EACH EFFECT.

Step 6: Review again.

Step 7: Study your animation and build a suitable soundtrack in a SEPERATE program, for example Windows Movie Maker, Audacity. (You can still do it in flash if you find it more suitable. Keep in mind when working on one layer, you have to make a new keyframe in the correct position to add a new sound).

Step 8: Make a final revision of your work.

Step 9: Export your work into a video. TIP: DO NOT DELETE THE PROJECT FILES.YOU MIGHT NEED THEM LATER.

Step 10: Upload your video to Stickpage or Youtube!

I hope you found these tips useful. Happy animating!

EDIT: PATIENCE is VERY important while animating.

This is a very helpful tutorial. This will help many people. Ive already knew this, but some of the things you've added in are very helpful. Do you have any picture examples? Thats what I engoy doing in my tutorials.

Quote from Ahmad9383

Step 10: Upload your video to Stickpage

You can't "upload" it, unless you got it sponsored. However, if the Portal will come back into the existence (spoiler: what will never happen), you could upload it there.

For step 1: If you are doing fullbody anything. Youtube is your friend. Its probably the best FREE reference there is.

I don't mean like upload as an official video, I mean like for example the latest BSE, you upload to fileize then share the link. you can also use youtube, like what our other friend said below.

Quote from épique

This is a very helpful tutorial. This will help many people. Ive already knew this, but some of the things you've added in are very helpful. Do you have any picture examples? Thats what I engoy doing in my tutorials.

Sorry I don't have any examples, but I don't think it requires any. Oh and that roadtrip collab in you signature, how do I join.

Its not a picture link, its in community projects, then find roadtrip collab.

I would usually go ahead and open my software and come up with something. It always worked.

Quote from épique

Its not a picture link, its in community projects, then find roadtrip collab.

thank you!

Quote from FFA

I would usually go ahead and open my software and come up with something. It always worked.

Well good for you, you the best animator in the world (ehm-sarcastic)
just kidding, but not all people are as creative as you claim you are, but if your making a full length animation these steps are very important.

Thanks, I could really use this

Quote from Ahmad9383

Well good for you, you the best animator in the world (ehm-sarcastic)
just kidding, but not all people are as creative as you claim you are, but if your making a full length animation these steps are very important.

It has nothing to do with creativeness. I just don't think far ahead.
Nahh, you the best! :3 omglolwtf.

Quote from FFA

It has nothing to do with creativeness. I just don't think far ahead.
Nahh, you the best! :3 omglolwtf.

thanx! btw your title made me lol.

I suck in animation help me

I hate to be the one to point this out but.. is it not kind of arrogant to give people tips on how to make a 'great' animation? I've seen a lot of animations better than http://www.fileize.com/view/72b8183f-e7f/ (I'm not saying it's your best, I'm just using at as an example) which were literally made with the idea of opening up flash and animating whatever comes to you.