The other answers are great, so I can only repeat my the advice to just use The 2 Knots - the four-in-hand, which gives a pleasingly asymmetrical knot and works well with chunky fabrics, and the half-Windsor, which is better suited to lighter weight ties, spread collars and wider faces.

Generally, the shape of your collar should be decided by the shape of your face. A wider face looks better with a wider collar. A long thin face looks better with a long, pointed collar. There are exceptions, however, and everyone looks great in a cut-away collar and a half Windsor how to tie a tie.