I'm gonna finish this for you. Making the finals has nothing to do with if you promote. Winning the finals is the way you promote. If you don't then this is how you promote.
1. Get a record of 22-0,21-1-20-2 with a high point differental if you have 20-2 with a PD of 350 your not going anywhere.
2.Manage gameshape and train young players with decent start skills. Will be beneficial.
3.Save some enthusiasm by TIE after a little bit you will be destroying your opponents. Beware some D.V managers are too good for TIE enthusiasm to work so playing normal is like a CT against them and is likely to get you a win with minimum cost.
4.Read the red Guide at the top of the page. It helps big time.
5. Good luck! That your friend by you can't depend on it so Scout the teams.
Sincerely good luck!