As a noob, I just wanted to chime in with my experience so far with Affiliate approval...
Like the OP, I too went through the NickyCakes guide (as well as Jon Volks). One of the first steps that both guys mentioned was to get approval from a few affiliates. I thought this was a little odd, as how are you going to get approved when you don't even have a website? I applied anyway, and sent apps to the following:
Epic Direct Net (former Azoogle I guess?)
NeverBlue
MediaTrust
Ads4Dough
ClickBank
In my apps, I explained that I am new to AM but want to get my start using Facebook ads, while I also develop a blog on the side promoting nutrition/weight loss (very original, I know!).
Anyway, Neverblue denied me right away, and I haven't heard from Epic Direct or Media Trust yet. ClickBank approved me right away of course, and Ads4Dough called me this morning (Gina I think?).
I have to admit, I felt pretty stupid talking to Gina. She asked me if I had a website, and I told her no but I just signed up for WordPress and am working on it. She asked me what my plan for developing traffic was, and I wasn't really ready for a good answer. I mumbled some stuff about creating EzineArticles and possibly buying some traffic, but I'm sure I sounded like a total idiot. She told me I needed to get some experience before I could get an account with them. Fair enough, but I asked her how am I supposed to develop a website when I don't even know what offers I might be promoting? She basically said it doesn't matter, get some experience and apply again.
I must admit I'm kind of bummed and frustrated by the call this morning, but I also see her point. I can only imagine the kind of idiots these guys must deal with on a daily basis, and the only way to prevent doing business with them is to have a rigorous screening process. I'm meeting up with an experienced mentor tomorrow (a former classmate from college) for my first meeting, so I'm hoping to formulate a plan with him and go from there.
But yeah, getting approved by ANs is not NEARLY as easy as it sounds on the NickyCakes or JV guides. But on the positive side, I have learned something new... As long as I'm learning something new every day, I'm meeting my initial goal!