I am aiming for a steady flow of income of around 1 million influence a week, with the strategy being applicable for at least a year or more. I find the rare roulette antics boring, so I am trying to find an alternative that doesn't require that sort of stuff.
I actually asked a lot of the questions you asked me in my post, and I don't know the answers so I am soliciting input. Here is what I have found the least effort and the most consistent market strategy:
1. Play story arcs or TF/SF, incarnate, raid content
2. Turn merits in to something (I most always do boosters)
3. Sell that item on the market.
I'm finding that the supply is pretty saturated in that niche, but it supports my playstyle. I also dabbled in super packs, but the only thing I felt was worth the least amount of effort was turning brainstorms in to rares then selling on the market.
Edit: I wanted to reiterate the point about this being over a period of time. If I posted a booster for 3 million influence, one person in a hurry might buy it over a period of 12 months. I don't mind that kind of long term strategy, and I have my auction house slots maxed out. So if it's just a matter of waiting, I am all ears. I did the winter packs strategy, but it was such a saturated market that I did not find it working as well over time.