Create a topic locally or globally, the topic should be about something new and interesting, if it has not been successful in getting merit, you should try to create a topic that contains inspirational stories from your life, but still there must be a crypto element so that your topic is not in delete by moderator.
I always try to be informative and remain in the domain of topic, my post portrays my original thoughts and their length is also fair (100 words avg) pls I have also joined a campaign to earn merits BUT nobody ever considered me to give away a merit. 
Am I doing something wrong here ? Hoping for effective guidance/advice or may be for some inspiration !