I'm new here. What's all about this merit count? How is it earned? I'm assuming it's linked to the quality/usefulness of your posts/replies? Their originality maybe? What are usually the subjects you'd get the more merit for posting about?
You are a new user for which you are very excited to earn merit. Anyone can give you credit to up your rank, which you can earn only when you create good quality posts. If you are a knowledge user, then of course you can earn merit based on your conversation. Don't think too much, but think about your quality posts, when your post quality continues to improve, you will gain merit. You will not be able to earn merit so easily, but you have to work hard, and your posts should be good from which people will be able to give you merit. So you always think good thoughts and create good quality posts to earn merit.