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?
First of all, I welcome you for being new to the forum.
And now we are talking about how "work is required for merit." So simply is that you should participate in the discussion in each thread according to your knowledge, you should express your opinion according to the context of the thread, even if it is a reply question. If you have any opposition, you should share. So if your quote is right on the basis of knowledge, then surely big members will appreciate you through merit, but the condition is that there should be some valuable answer.
Post quality should be good. Good means not so short that the candidate cannot understand and not so long that it is difficult for the candidate. To find out, answer
Try to give possible answers in a simple way.
Share knowledge by opening a new Topic.
Take a part in every discussion and share your knowledge without any hesitation.
So iMH, it will help you to get merits and you can achieve a new rank, and finally, my advice is that to be consistent with your work until you get something (success).