I'm open to any traffic source at the moment, but my budget isn't high (5k), and networks are not accepting newish affiliates it seems. Zero industry background apart from related sales so it isn't helping.
Can someone point me somewhere with non-existent barriers so I can dive straight in and start testing out offers?
Hello,
5k isnt that small budget actually, you would be surprised how many start with way less 
As far as I know, PeerFly is a newbie friendly network for example. Both adsimilis and advidi are active on this forum and might want to take you on board. And there are the same people behind F5media and this forum, so try to send a PM to one of the F5 reps on the forum, for example : http://stmforum.com/forum/member.php?5951-HenryF5
@roundcracker How's it going? Adsimilis would love to have you on board! You can apply here: http://adsimilis.com/ My skype is joanieschneider.dqna. Feel free to add me if you need any help in applying.
You can also try G4offers, they require a phone call but I am sure if you tell them that you're a STM member and serious about starting out with IM, they will accept you 
Hi roundcracker, welcome to the forum and the stm family!
We are open to newbies - just go to www.addiliate.com and sign up as Publisher. You'll get approved within 24 hours.
PS/ 5,000$ is a very good budget to get started with. I would suggest to split it out among a few top converting campaigns/verticals + test out a limited number of traffic sources (definitely FB + Google Display Network + PPV traffic or pops)
F5 Media, Nice to Meet ya! Bit late to the thread here, but yes like my industry colleagues here have said already... $5K is good to go with. It is within your interests to test offers with a few different networks and see different ROIs for same offers... You'd be surprised 
We accept New Pubs and have a strong tie in with new publishers using STM and the tutorials here as their main resource. So you do not have to worry about being "too new" or inexperienced.
Anyway, so you can SIGN UP WITH F5 HERE: http://f5mlogin.com/affiliate_signup.aspx and likelihood is either myself or Sam-wise Gamgee (or SamF5) will be in touch 
Hey JoanieAdsimilis, cbrughmans & EoinF5 I too am a super newbie. Was hoping I may have a shot at your networks. I posted a little about myself in the Introduction Section. F5 I actually just applied prior to coming across this thread (The Mobile Appetizer led me too you) As for Adsimilis & Addiliate I'm going to head over there now and apply.