which is more beneficial??

I don't think it matters. I think the benefit lies in the quality of the response, not in that which one choses to respond. If I give a short quick answer to a hot topic, or a long answer to a new discussion, or vice versa, the longer response will win out every time.

Hey hi,welcome to mylot,well freind more than hot topic or new discussions, it is importnat to respond to those discussions about which you know something and you can answer well, if you posts good replies , otheres will mark you as positive or best, that will increase your reputation as well earning, as here you can make money just by answering discussions on mylot, and starting new discussions too, infact you can boost your earning by uploading photos, so keep posting quality responses, keep searching good discussions about which you know something and can answer, strictly avoid one liner posts,best luck and happy earning!!!...cheers!!

There is no rule in mylot regarding to which you must reply. But from my experience I know that if your answer is about 4 lines long you get a little over 3 cents for the answer. I prefer to respond to the ones with zero responses as my answer appears on the first page and the chance of getting a best response is also there.