I did the exact same thing. I tried to genuinely help other members on the forum specially beginners by posting useful information whenever I could. and merits started to come specially for the posts/topics that I did not expect to receive any merits.
So for any newbies out there, this is the
ONLY advice you need to get merits:
Stop searching for merit and you will get them
I'm glad you did the exact same thing and now you're getting the merits you never had but don't you think you're doing others bad by not sending out your Smerits. I mean read the second advice again it says "see Smerit as liabilities to myself and an Asset to others and give them away to deserving users " you aren't doing so don't know the reason but it's just not cool. you have received total of 11merits (no airdrop merits) that means you have free 5 smerit so kindly do the right thing by meriting deserving members.