I have had years of success playing small tournaments.
My stratagy for success is quite simple.
I break it down into 3 groups (hours)
Do not try to win the tournament in the first hour.
Get into as many cheap hands as you can.
Do not over play big hands early, it's not worth the risk.
Primary goal is to double up once in the 1st hour.

By sticking to this dicipline I make it through the first hour 90 % of time.

In the second hour play super super tight, playing only Top 5 hands and try
to protect blinds when possible. I am folding KQ and A 10.
The goal is to double up once more.
By this time we should be real close to being in the money.
In the 3rd hour, I focus on placing in the money, if I haven't already.
Once in the money I start to loosen up and be aggressive.
Aggressive play is the only way you are going to survive in the 3rd hour.
What ever happens now is on you, I got you to the money.