Creating the correct finishing technique when you have finished.
Installing mud and sanding. Installing the sheetrock is the easiest part. Just make sure that you avoid drywall nails and instead use drywall screws. Also, make sure the screws are correctly countersunk and try to minimize butt joints.
Once you reach the point when you need to apply the coats, you have to bare in mind that your main objective is that on every coat you will need to continuously work in getting a smooth, flat surface.
This is the challenging part as I consider this an art and experience counts a lot.
Good luck.
Some of the main challenges to DIY drywall is getting started properly. Make sure you have the proper fasteners for your application. Make sure you are using proper lifting techniques to avoid injury or property damage. You can buy a drywall lift for as little as $300 if hanging it by yourself. Make sure when securing the drywall that you set your fasteners just right. Too shallow and you will have what I like to call clickers, when you try to trowel over them they click and leave unsightly bumps. Try not to over sink the fasteners either or they won’t hold the drywall. There is a sweet spot where the fasteners just sink into the surface without breaking the paper. That’s where you want them. Make sure you are securing properly into framing. I prefer to pre fill my joints with joint compound before taping the drywall. It makes for less shrinkage when I do apply the tape. When it comes to taping, for about $75 you can purchase a banjo that you preload tape and joint compound into. It makes applying the tape with proper mud coverage a whole lot easier and faster. When finishing your drywall don’t get into a hurry. Take your time. Slow and steady hand, start with a medium size trowel and thoroughly cover each joint as smooth as can be. It usually takes two to three good coats of mud for full coverage. If you are smooth enough minimal sanding is required. With each coat I do I increase my trowel size to feather out the edges(10"-12"-14" trowels.) Allow plenty of dry time in between coats of mud. For smooth wall finish you can hold a light sideways on the wall to see any blemishes you may want to feather out before primer and paint. For textured applications, well, that’s a whole different subject.
If you have never done this before you should have someone help you. Ceilings are a challenge unless you have a drywall lift and is also a safety concern doing that by yourself. The other thing is making sure your cuts are as close as you can because filling holes is horrible and will make for a lot of sanding.