More top tips for soldering.
Make sure the component is clean. If you don't use a resin cored fluxed solder, then apply the appropriate flux (dependant on the metal you are soldering; Carrs do a range available at your model shop).
Put the flat surface of the bit of your solder iron under your component lead, and apply the solder (wire) from above.
Heat rises, and the solder flows better if aided by gravity.
Might be obvious to most, but you'd be surprised as to what I've seen....
