Slow but steady progress
Around a year ago, I started a thread about how I had started out this game just lol'ing around, and had terrible stats to show for it. I had decided to learn to play, and had worked my way up to "average" (around 48% win rate at the time).
This thread - http://forum.worldoftanks.com/index.php?/topic/289935-woot-ive-worked-my-way-up-to-average/page__st__20#topmost
A year later, I'm still improving. Worked up to an overall 52% win rate and overall 1250 WN8 (with better 'recent' stats - see below). All public random battles. I'm no expert at the game, but I'm happy to say I can at least consider myself above average now. :)
Again, I'm no expert and I'm no one to take advice from, but my strategy to improve has been:
1) Read forums for tactics. LERT's guides, etc, etc.
2) When I lose my tank, I generally don't go to the garage - I try to switch to viewing a better player, and watch what they do, and try to learn from it.
3) After every match, I try to identify at least one thing I could have done better.
So thanks everyone - I've appreciated any tips you've given me, even if you didn't know you gave them. :)