Initially, I use to think merit is by chance ( i.e something that will just happen) or lengthy article ( i.e writing too many paragraphs and the rest of them), but I have come to realize that, it is more than that.
I have being discouraged several times because of my numerous posts and replies yet no merit then. Even now, some times I use to be discourage. However, the only way to get merit is by posting quality article ( that is what determines merit) which almost everybody is aware of now.
In summary, don't look at the quantity of post you have make so far but instead try to adjust, I mean improve in your posts, above all be consistent and patient that is the key.
Merit is seen as the only means to be noticeable in the forum and been seen as a good poster in the forum. Without any merits on your profile, it means that you’re not a good poster and haven’t contributed something valuable to the forum in all the time you’ve spent here. This could be the case for some people, but to some it isn’t. To be merited sometimes, it has to depend on the person reading your post, acknowledging that it has impacted something into them or other members of the forum before you get merited. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t get plenty merit as expected when you write or reply to a post, it just means the person that the information will be most useful to haven’t come across it. Keep doing your good post and sharing informative posts and good reply in the forum. When the time comes, it happens naturally and you’ll be awed by it.