You can't skip the process.. if you want to get to higher ranks, then you have to spend time on the forum. Discuss, share ideas and opinions. Everyone has a unique contribution to the forum and that's why they were able to rank up. It can take months or a year but you will have to be committed to learning about everything related to the forum and Bitcoin...
Thanks Hatchy, but I don't think that I can actually contribute to this forum. Y'all seem to be doing well without me, and I'm also a bit too introverted to talk to people who I don't know (lol).
I've met a prominent user of this forum with whom we discussed my non-crypto, non-tech related project. I could probably show some of our PGP-signed messages to ensure everyone that I can be trusted, but they def won't be happy with it. They could probably vouch for me, but they don't have enough time to even read emails more often than once a month or two. That's why I came here - I have found only one investor so far and yet they don't have enough time for everything. That sucks ig...
Non crypto, non tech most likely means no interest from users on a "crypto" forum. I don't mean any offense to you or your project, just stating the obvious.
Far as skipping steps and hoping to become a valued member of the forum, it's impossible. What I can say is if you put the time and effort in, it will be worth it in the long run. No-one is just going to hand you any money and say please don't scam me. Even if you become a somebody, it doesn't guarantee that people will want to buy your product. People invest based off what they see and have seen in the past. If the project looks promising and the person behind the project isn't acting like a scammer, the idea has a chance IMO.