The art of asking - Amanda Palmer

TL;DR

Amanda Palmer shares her experiences as a living statue and musician to highlight the importance of asking for help and building trust in the music industry.

Transcript

[Applause] so I didn't always make my living from music for about the 5 years after graduating from an upstanding liberal arts university this was my day job I was a self-employed living statue called the 8-foot bride and I love telling people I did this for a job because everybody always wants to know who are these freaks in real life hello hello ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Genuine connection and trust are crucial in the music industry. Building relationships with fans and involving them in the creative process can lead to support and success.
• 😷 Asking for help can be vulnerable, but it can also create meaningful connections and support systems.
• 🥶 Giving away music for free can actually lead to increased support and success, as it fosters a sense of reciprocity and trust.
• 😷 The internet and online tools can facilitate these connections, but it's important for individuals to face each other and ask without shame to create authentic relationships.
• 😚 Celebrity status should be about connecting with people up close, rather than being distant and untouchable.
• 👯 The focus should shift from making people pay for music to finding ways to let people pay for it, fostering a sense of voluntary support and appreciation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Amanda Palmer's experience as a living statue help her in the music business?

Amanda Palmer's time as a living statue allowed her to have profound encounters with people and learn the importance of direct connection and engagement. This translated into her music career, where she focused on building relationships with fans and involving them in her journey.

Q: Why did Amanda Palmer choose to give away her music for free online?

After experiencing the generosity of people when she was a living statue, Palmer wanted to create a similar exchange with her music. By giving away her music for free, she was able to connect with fans on a deeper level and foster a sense of trust and support.

Q: How did Amanda Palmer's crowdfunding campaign become so successful?

Amanda Palmer's crowdfunding campaign was successful because of the strong connection she had built with her fanbase. By asking for help and involving them in the process, Palmer was able to mobilize her fans to support her. The campaign also offered unique rewards and experiences, further incentivizing participation.

Q: How did Amanda Palmer's experiences with asking for help face criticism?

Palmer faced criticism for asking fans and musicians to join her on stage in exchange for love, tickets, and beer. Some people saw it as begging or unfair. However, Palmer argues that this exchange was fair and meaningful to both parties, but it may have been misunderstood by those who were not directly involved in the relationship.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Amanda Palmer worked as a living statue called the 8-foot bride, where she had profound encounters with people and learned the value of connecting with others.

• She used Twitter to ask for help and support from fans, leading to amazing experiences like getting a piano to practice on or receiving home-cooked food.

• Amanda Palmer started giving away her music for free online and turned to crowdfunding, which resulted in a highly successful campaign that raised almost 1.2 million dollars.