All these contribute to why some members of same rank can earn differently.
Yes, OP, it happens, and many newbies with good dexterity do it at the moment. Alternative accounts—it's simple . You open them and exchange merits (very popular); look at some local sections, at least your own. I take my hat off to those who write on the forum for days filling their signature quota, no matter how skeptical it may be said.
But seriously, OP, you should not get up every morning with the goal and motto "to benefit the forum!" Come to the forum not to work but to where you enjoy communicating and receiving some information while receiving some profit.
I have benefitted from this forum not only when it comes to earning, but always having something reasonable to read when am alone but not lonely, having something to share my opinion on and to know the right points to buttress, as well as learn about something futuristic that is already taking shape currently and that everyday people don't really care or know much about, has somehow given me a kind of intelligence when it involves approaching a topic of discussion in a physical setting too with friends or family or acquaintances.
I didn't also learn of this benefits because I was lazy, but it was because I have tried to always put in the work, so much so now, it has gotten used to me and it gives me pleasure doing so.