I think OP that if you have read all these answers above then you know already that all members on this forum have different rules for granting merits.

This may be a good thread about BTC or some technical issues in wallets, a translation of another very good topic or a short answer that will help someone.
Sometimes even good humor is enough to earn merit or a gig posted in the right place at the right time  .

One is certain, members have to consider your posts as valuable to reward it with merits, so you have to publish interesting content that other users of this forum would like.

I think the most important thing is that you have to be yourself and do nothing by force. Post in threads where you feel good and know what you are writing about.
Just be yourself, kind, helpful, funny and this should be enough to get you a couple of merits, but remember, don't chase merit and don't try to do whatever you can to get them, because it will only have the opposite effect and will burn you out very fast.

I hope, I helped a little in understanding the merit thing  .