You need to maintain quality like quality comments, posts, topic, etc. If you maintain this you will get merit. And one more thing you need to research bitcointalk also. And make sure that don't copy anything and don't buy merit, rank id. Because If u do that u can not learn anything. This forum is an income source platform and learning platform.
In the end, You have to be honest.
You are right bro,maintaining of quality post and comments is one of the major concerns that gives merit, because I understand that know one gives merit because of familiarity in forum, merits is base on hardworking and research which attributes a quality post in general.