Creating freely with affiliate marketing: an interview with Camille

Camille’s journey: From entrepreneurship to content creation

Camille is a passionate French content creator, specializing in home décor, lifestyle, and fashion. She turned to affiliate marketing as a way to monetize her content with freedom and authenticity. Her experience sheds light on a model that’s rapidly gaining momentum.

Let’s start with you. What’s your background? How did your Instagram journey begin?

My name is Camille (@camillepinkroses). Today, I create content around fashion, home décor, and lifestyle. For several years, I ran my own women’s ready-to-wear brand, Janne Mill. That adventure taught me so much about brand management — and I absolutely loved it. But last November, I decided to close that chapter. I had been living at full speed, and I eventually burned out. I needed to reconnect with what truly mattered to me.

Right now, I’m in transition toward a new project. In the meantime, I live off content creation — a role I had already embraced before. My Instagram account actually existed even before the brand. Back then, I collaborated with brands through gifting, without compensation. I would do it whenever I had time.

Last January, I discovered affiliate marketing. I had already heard about it when I managed Janne Mill, but from the brand’s side. Another creator recommended Affilae, and it quickly clicked. Since I no longer had a fixed salary, affiliate marketing gave me a way to generate steady income. And honestly, Affilae is the best platform. I tested others — too complex — while Affilae is simple, intuitive, and highly responsive.

Why did you start creating content, and how has your style evolved since then?

I’ve always loved sharing. Naturally, I leaned toward décor, fashion, and lifestyle. Harmonious spaces, neutral tones, and soft atmospheres have always resonated with me. At first, there wasn’t really a strategy — I just posted what I liked and moments from my daily life.

For example, with Leroy Merlin, I simply shared my kitchen. No strategy, no overthinking — and that post ended up generating huge engagement, completely organically.

At first, I had no clear goal, but affiliate marketing quickly gave me a sense of freedom. I only recommend what I truly like, what feels useful, real, and sincere. Staying grounded in people’s everyday lives is important to me — it’s also my own reality. This authenticity resonates with my community and inspires me to keep creating.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m an artist at heart, so inspiration comes from everywhere. People often tell me I’m always looking around — at people in the street, the sky, little details. I can be inspired while traveling, scrolling Instagram or Pinterest, or just taking a walk.

I also get a lot of ideas from home projects. My husband and I completely renovated a country house from A to Z. I loved every step of it. Now, my community trusts me for décor advice, and that pushes me to go further.

As an affiliate content creator, how do you choose which brands to work with?

For me, it’s crucial to stay aligned with my values. Affiliate marketing allows me to keep control over my choices. I only talk about products I use myself or would genuinely buy. That means I sometimes say no to certain partnerships — and that’s exactly what I love about affiliate marketing: the freedom to choose, without outside pressure.

A campaign you’re especially proud of? What made it stand out?

In the beginning, I had great results with brands like Balzac and Soeur. But my favorite collaboration has been with Leroy Merlin. I simply posted a picture of my kitchen cabinets — and it went viral: 20 to 30 commissions per day, and later, even larger commissions.

I also really enjoyed a campaign with Agatha Paris. It included a fixed fee plus commissions. Rediscovering a brand that had somewhat faded from the spotlight — and helping bring it back to life in my own way — was incredibly rewarding.

What metrics do you look at to measure a campaign’s success?

First and foremost, the number of commissions. Another good sign is when a brand reaches out to collaborate again after the first campaign. On Instagram, I also gauge success by the number of questions I receive after a post.

How do you see affiliate marketing evolving for creators in the next few years?

To me, affiliate marketing is becoming the new form of advertising — far more impactful than TV. It’s win-win: creators share real-life experiences, brands are showcased in an authentic context, and it works.

I strongly believe in its potential. When both the creator and the brand commit to doing it right, it leads to amazing campaigns. As a former brand owner, I know the concrete needs of companies. If I were to launch another brand, I would go through Affilae without hesitation.

What does a platform like Affilae bring to your day-to-day life as a creator?

It’s a real tool for me. Every time I receive an email confirming a conversion, it’s a little boost — real motivation to create more.

The platform is user-friendly, the communication is smooth, and I feel at home there. I started with Affilae, and it felt natural. I feel supported, and most importantly, I see that it works. That makes me want to keep pushing forward.