As a newbie, I will advise that one concentrates on making useful and important posts, I have come to observe that you earn more merits with constructive posts that has to do with bitcoin, I mean bitcoin related post. So in summary, let's focus more on solving problems in the platform then the merits will come naturally.

It's never too late, in fact bounty programs is one of the easiest way to make good fortune, although some of them may eventually not list, meaning you wasted your time and resources participating in such bounties, but a lot of them get listed too thereby giving you a good reward for your effort. A friend of mine makes an average of $2000 every month from bounty programs, imagine what that would mean for someone living in a third world country. Go for it dear, it will be worth the while.

You receive merit from merit holders as a reward for your contribution to the platform, I must say here that they have to find your post informative before you can be awarded a merit. Just concentrate on quality post, then merits will naturally come.

I am a newbie here and recently met a guy that told me he became a Jr member in less than 24hrs of joining the forum, is this possible?