It's possible if you are actively contributing to the forum and actively posting a helpful response but there are many newbies here in the forum that they want to get merit and rankup to get higher bounty rewards.

I think you must add this  "Make a unique and Helpful article or thread" this is very important because if you can give unique and helpful thread you can get merit fast from merit sources.

There are many guides here on the forum that newbies can follow or source where they can earn merit.