It is so hard to say which of the typical factors applied in a particular situation.
One can be born into a connected JW-family.
One can donate money at just the right times to be noticed for it. (Green handshakes)
One can take the C.O. out to dinner all the time.
One can manage to get a son into Bethel and gain prominence.
One can play politics every time the C.O. visits and volunteer to be the elder with the assignments nobody wants.
But it could be less obvious.
A JW couple could be very "smooth" when talking to the C.O, the D.O., other important people. They could be the "in" crowd because of their donations and their personalities combined.
An elder could brag how he bought a minivan for "service." Certainly, he keeps the car clean and is available every Saturday and most Sundays to use it.
One can talk JW all the time instead of sports and entertainment. They can have stories about how some point at a convention made a difference in their life, and tell the story regularly. Or they can be over-the-top with their support of points from the organization- college is bad, internet forums are bad, the world is bad.
Not just proper dress and grooming, but sharp dress well inside of the boundaries of loose fitting and proper length can really help, at both casual and meeting times. Even the attractiveness of a JW man and/or his wife can make a difference. And of course, the kids being regular publishers, getting baptized young, staying out of trouble- all important.
