Biggest tip for beginners is do not run out of money. If you do not have money you cannot place your entire allocation of workers on your turn. You earn 2 coins each round, so it is best to find a way to have 3-4 coins at the end of each round that will allow you to play at 5-6 of your workers.
The early and mid game is a race to see who can build the park, farm and workshop first. Make sure you have a way of doing that either through earning favors or by building and then placing workers on the mason.
Hints for the favour tracks:
- 2 player games: the building track is a must even though the first favor doesn't get you anything
- 3 player games: the building track is probably best, if not then you must build both the mason and the lawyer
- 4+ player games: all the wood buildings get built so getting money and favors will work better, mason and lawyer will get built by someone