We all know the beginning stage is not easy as a newcomer needs to be patient. Atleast he or she should be getting no matter how little some reward for their resources in terms of time and materials.
I joined the forum and all I told some people around me about it, the next question is," how much have u earned", I was absolutely discourage as I remained mute till date.
OP, if I may ask what have you contributed so far to this forum for now, merit is a reward to your quality post that solves many users problem or teaches the readers new ideas, you are new here, I think what should for now is to know more things about this place, don't be faster than your shadow, one step at a time, with what you said it seems you are here for just merit which is not the major purpose for the creation of this forum, you have engage in meaningful conversations in other to be part of this great forum.
OP, you just started your journey with a wrong approach which not good for your growth here, the forum is open for you to learn, there are many boards here, you must not write when you know nothing, do more of reading than writing as a newbie, so that when you start writing you will give the best to this community, op if you must succeed in this community you have to retrace your step and chase the knowledge which is the major reason why this place exist.