How to dominate in age of empires?

i always get pwned in expert, i tried booming, they are always bigger boomers and they team up on me. they put forts around my settlement so all the people who stray too far from my town die. turtling only delay the inevitable, and i lose. rushing has the most effect, but they get pwned. please help. dont give me cheats, just give me advice on how to build a strong army and town.