8 tips from Amelia Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date 10 year anniversary celebration

How do you turn a great idea into a 10-year success story? Just ask Amelia Dimoldenberg the creator behind Chicken Shop Date. She recently hosted an inspiring two-day experiential event in London - Chicken Shop Date: 10 Years Of An Idea, Served By YouTube - showcasing behind the scene moments, live panel discussions, and interactive workshops chock full of advice for the next generation of creators. From building community to working with brands, here are eight tips from the event you can apply to your own channel.

1. Don't overcomplicate the idea

When starting, focus on scalability—have a simple, core idea that you can expand later. Consistent, sustained effort on a core idea creates a more lasting, evergreen connection than chasing weekly trends.

2. Start with your network

Your network is your best focus group! Use your existing network and community to test and create a proof of concept or pilot. Start with people or topics near you rather than chasing huge, hard-to-book celebrity guests or fantastical scenarios.

3. Don't chase the algorithm

While understanding how the platform works is important, don't lose creative control by chasing trends or views. The true barometer should be whether the content makes you and people whose taste you trust laugh, cry, or feel entertained or interested.

4. Edit, edit, edit

Don’t be afraid of the edit. Cut what doesn’t work – anything that isn’t immediately funny, interesting, or entertaining to keep the audience from dropping off. A video should only be as long as it is good.

5. Get to know your community (and go offline)

Taking your audience offline through IRL events is essential to building a deep, loyal community. Talk to your community often! Your audience can provide valuable feedback that might reshape your perspective.

6. Be thoughtful about your collabs

When you’re approached by brands and collaborators, take your time to work only with those who genuinely understand your brand, vision, and long-term interests.

7. Don’t ignore a slump

If you are stuck in a creative slump, take a break, eat well, sleep, see friends, and leave the house. Creativity can't exist in a vacuum, and breaking the pattern can lead to new ideas. Remember, your creative career should be a movie—a deep, authentic, multi-layered body of work that people want to invest in—not a fleeting ad that people skip.

8. Have the courage to fail

Not every video needs to be a hit. Don't be afraid to upload an idea you think is good, even if it doesn't immediately take off. Resilience and the ability to pivot are often what sets people apart and allows an idea to stick around. Remind yourself of your initial motivation – this core drive will help you get over the inevitable bumps along the way.

Photos by Dave Benett/Jed Cullen Getty Images for YouTube