are you very firm on the dates that you'll be traveling? middle days of the week are cheaper than the end.
other than that, basically just try to get a direct flight. layovers suck but if you can't help it, try to be on top of all the details for each leg of the flight.
have you flown before or not? I've been traveling a bunch for work so I'd love to help more if I can but I don't want to be patronizing.