I know there aren't rules and these are generalizations, but any tips/tricks would be helpful. Just trying to maximize my efforts like everyone else.
Stop worrying about merit, just make decent constructive posts. Help the community in anyway you can, realise your limitations and know where posts are wasted.
i'll break the above down as I am in a good mood.
Help the community in anyway you can
That means, use your skills - it can be anything that you are good at, info graphics, data mining, humor, investigating - whatever your niche is use it
Realise your limitations Don't start posting in tech discussion unless you are well read, start reading lots - understanding BTC, maybe help newbies.
know where posts are wasted. Don't post in megathreads (couple of exceptions, but if you don't know what they are then you shouldn't be posting in massive threads)
Don't post in the shit subs, speculation or any of the pajeet cesspools
Do check the top merited users and see what they do, i am up there but only cos I am unique and call a spade a spade - there are many many more talented people in the top 20 - check them out, follow the posts they make.