I dont know why you can make any cent from affiliate program.I already made USD25.94 yesterday from jlist.com.I just make one blog that related to product that i choose to promote.Put the banner on sidebar.optimize my blog,drive traffic to it and now,i just wait for end month and keep getting sales and earn more money.
Making money with affiliate networks is an art form, you have to ensure that your audience are interested in what you are offering, unlike real brick and mortar businesses where you build a shop and then the people come, the online business is the other way round, you research the people then you build a shop(site)