Merit is needed to rank up and it can be given by anyone who has it to give. As far as the quickest way to earn it, don't worry about trying to earn it. Just post normally and be helpful on the forum and participate in conversations where you are knowledgeable. Merit will come when it comes.
I am so much impressed with your words, it gives me motives and courage,I know it's not easy to earn merit as we newbie but we can't just be complaining on getting merits when we don't get to understand much more about this forum to gain knowledge about the forums, he's a newbie but he as earn much merits so far tho I don't know how good his posts are but merit don't matter I will also be happy if any of our senior high ranked members can give me merits ,but is just a matter of time merit will come when it's time we just keep making good posts I believe I will gain merits someday.
Perfectly said, there are so many ways to earn merits.
For example:
_By making a quality post
_by making a nice contribution
For someone to be rewarded this are the few task that need to be completed before thinking about how to get merit,you can't seat and fold your hands and be expecting marit to fall down from heaven.is obvious that everyone want to gain merit so as to rank up to the next stage,but depending on how serous and hard working you're.however for you to get the reward, you really need to work hard and stop been curious about getting merit, merit will surely come for those who are hard working.
Everyone tries to make it more complicated than it really is. There are some newbies who make better posts than legendary members. You are basically trying to contribute to a conversation and hopefully spreading some knowledge. You don't have to post like this person or that person, just be you and try.