The Power of Asking

Amanda Palmer's music industry keynote explores the relationship between the fan and artist today. As a performer who began her career as a self-employed statue, known as the Eight-Food Bride, she appreciated the connections made with audiences. These close connections and meaningful interactions only increased when she made her move to the music industry and she and her band became very successful.

These connections became even more important for her when it came to fans having to pay for her music online. The connections she made with fans were more valuable than any sum of money and she encouraged free sharing and downloading. Her crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter, which aimed to raise $100,000, ended with $1.2 million.

The media was stunned by the amount she made. She attributes it to the fact that she asked her fans to buy her music, instead of forcing them to. Many view the act of asking as too vulnerable and destined to receive a negative response, but she suggests instead that it creates trust and a positive relationship. When people aren't forced to do something, they will be more willing to give.