Of course, I have little experience in this regard, but it looks like that there's no system in meriting. You never know for sure what others will like. It seems to me that you just need to take it easier: it's nice when you are noticed, but if no one notices... well, that's okay too! 
That's why they say "you never know what the next person is thinking" and what you like might be what the next person dislike, just like the saying "another man's meat is another man's poison" that's how it is.
I feel whenever you have this recognition it makes it easier to get merit but it doesn't work that way to some members, depending on how frequent you are in the Forum and what you bring to the table.