I'm a noob that is going to update my laptop (Asus ROG G731GU) BIOS using a CH341A programmer and an SOIC8 SOP8 test clip. What else do I need to know?

Why not just use the firmware flashing software?

I did this to update the bios on a macbook pro once (stupid macs...) it is actually quite easy (after I figured out and fixed a defect on my programmer). I strongly recommend you create a good back up of the original bios and ensure the new bios is correct for your hardware. Though, I have to ask, any reason you want to do it this way?