FOR MEMBERS: 001 - use lj-cuts accordingly. 002 - make everything friends only. 003 - comment on everything, whether you have something nice to say or not.
FOR APPLICANTS: 001 - make your application friends only. 002 - subject line must say "new". 003 - argue if you'd like, but that doesn't give you very good chances. 004 - replying to every comment = fucking annoying. 005 - don't reply to anything unless it's your app.