At the 5:55 minute mark of Amanda Palmer’s now legendary TED talk, I actually teared up a bit. I could totally relate.

She talks about the un-documented immigrant family who sleeps on the couches and the floor in their small apartment so that Amanda and her band can take the beds.

Amanda lies in bed with a sinking feeling of “These people have so little. Is this fair?”

In the morning the Mom expresses her gratitude to Amanda for what her music has done for her daughter.

She realizes after talking to the Mom that it IS fair. It’s a simple human exchange.

Each side gets something they need and can’t get anywhere else.

If you’ve ever experienced anxiety or awkwardness from asking for or receiving help, you will probably be moved by this story like I was.

Amanda has a lot to teach us in the way of trust, connection, & asking for help

Photo credit: Luis Pedro de Castro

Of the 100’s of interviews we’ve done with crowdfunding project creators, asking for money is at the top of the “feared” list.

Musicians feel uncomfortable looking into the camera and asking for money. It feels like begging.

Amanda often asks opening bands if they’d like to go out into the crowd and pass the hat so they can make a little extra cash. She recalls one band member being reluctant because it felt like begging (6:35).

It’s a feeling that what you’re doing is “not very job like” or it’s shameful. Wondering “is this fair?” and the fear of someone yelling “get a real job!” as Amanda has experienced.

This deep seated fear is the root of why almost every artist second guesses herself and her dreams.

When crowdfunding, it’s the one thing that keeps many artists from flipping on the video camera and asking for help. They can’t help but imagine that one person telling them to, “get a job.”

The Ninja, Master Level Fan Connection

At her Kickstarter backer party in Berlin at the end of the night, Amanda stripped and then let everyone draw on her. She claims this to be a “Ninja, Master Level Fan Connection.” The ultimate display of trust where she seems to say, “I trust you this much. Should I? Show me.”

Amanda’s message is clear: Make the human connections, then trust the relationship even though it sometimes seems awkward. Just trust.

A Pre-requisite for Crowdfunding

If you’re considering crowdfunding for your music, Amanda Palmer’s TED Talk is absolutely a pre-requisite that gives you insight into how to avoid your number one source of discomfort: asking for money.

• Trust that the person viewing your pitch video doesn’t think of what you’re doing as “begging”. Chances are that they’re getting something out of it. Think of the flower and eye contact exchange that Amanda refers to.
• Learn to ignore the inner voice that constantly replays imaginary negative scenarios (ignore the person yelling “get a job”).
• If Amanda can let hundreds of drunk Germans write on her naked body, you can feel confident about asking for money.

The second you’re done watching this video it’s time to take the next step. Sign up below or in the sidebar for our 5 email series that will prepare you with the basics of music crowdfunding. 

Although it serves as inspiration, there are few actionable take-aways or tactics that your average project creator can grab from Amanda Palmers massively successful music Kickstarter project.

For musicians looking to raise $5000 to $20,000, you just might want to analyze and steal ideas from our 100 Music Kickstarters to Learn From series that illustrates how people with few fans, small mailing lists, and little-to-no Twitter or Facebook followings can absolutely succeed at crowdfunding.

Are you uncomfortable with the thought of asking your fans for money? Give us your thoughts in the comments…