hi!
if you want to be known as a helpful user, then the best thing to do is start helping. c&c are always happy to welcome new blood, and that is true of basically any section of the site so long as you read and observe the rules, and get a feel for the forum before diving in
as for your reputation, seriously don't worry about that. some of our best mods and admins started as seemingly hopeless users. the important part is how you improve!