That is the number one tip right there: have fun  :)  Seriously, have fun with it.  I mean sure, there’s some pretty big names out there and folks who are making it into a career, but you should enjoy the career you have.  Don’t ever let cosplay stress you out or bring you down. At its core, its fun, and should be enjoyable.  

In that aspect, don’t go out looking for a character based on appearances, as in, if you want to cosplay Sailor Moon because you love her but you’re a black girl, or curvy, or whatever, then do it.  If you’re black, don’t go searching for a black character because you feel like you absolutely have to cosplay a black character.  Cosplay who you want.  There’s some great black characters out there, yes, but you might not want to cosplay them.  You might click better with someone else.  Cosplay who you want and who you like.  Same with size.  Don’t feel like you have to cosplay the plus sized character because you’re plus sized, if you want to cosplay the skinny person, do it.  

If you’re black but want to cosplay Rogue instead of Storm, go for it.  If you’re plus sized and you want to cosplay Naruto instead of Chouji, do it  :)