Soooo many questions! Good for you...always best to learn all one can before jumping in with both feet
1) Yes, that folder layout should be fine. One thing though...some link sites want to see all your html in the same folder. So, you may want to mirror the entire site into each folder setup.
2) Opinions vary, but these days I see everything from 9 to 20. When getting into the upper numbers, most folks use custom text only recips. Enables keeping things neater when having that many recips on the page. That said, as a beginner...you'll probably be better off sticking to regular recips and keeping it down to 12 or maybe 15 if you can get them to look good.
2 (again...lol)) Templates are used, however be very careful not to overdo it. You're on the right track to build 30 up front and keep them fresh by mixing up paysites/niches. Try not to repeat the same template more than once every 30 days.
3 ) In my humble opinion...any traffic can become a sale. So yes, get all you can...b/w is cheap these days.
4 ) The thing with sponsor content is it gets widespread pretty quickly so yes, it can get over-exposed. And a few link sites actually wont' list it at all...though those sites are in the minority. However, some paysites are really tough to promote without using their content (solo girl sites and some of the reality sites). I've used a lot of cheap content over the years and VERY rarely had trouble getting listed because of it Almost impossible to give a really concise answer on this one...it is pretty much use what quality content you can get for the niche. Doubt you'll have any blacklist worries unless you repeatedly submit sponsor content to a site that specifically excludes it...always read the rules.
5 ) Exit links are pretty much useless. I use warning pages, but it doesn't amount to much $$$. Most folks simply link to one of the engines. Also, not everyone actually uses an exit link since they're not really required by the rules.
6 ) That would be a very bad idea. Given that you could make a mistake on your site and end up sending a reviewer to console hell...THAT's a great way to end up on a blacklist. Also, and again jmo of course...but why the hell do people still think it's a good idea to abuse the surfer??? Not really directed at you iMan...but the console hell mindset is one that I think should have died off some time ago. Offer the surfer a good product...get his dick hard with juicy text and pics...and he'll buy
7 ) 2257 is still being fought in court. I won't offer up any legal opinions on it for obvious reasons. I will however say that link list reviewers are not the 2257 police. I think there may be a few link sites that require 2257 info. If you wish to submit to those, just make sure that your 2257 page doesn't have any links on it. That page should contain nothing but the 2257 info...period.
That said, on my 2257 pages, I list the content providers info...and the content set number I used to create the site.
Okay, that's about all I got