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Discover how asking for help and embracing connection can transform your life, leading to personal and professional success.
Key points
1
Amanda Palmer’s TED talk won a lot of hearts
Amanda Palmer was living the musical dream. Signed to a major label, she was creating music and loving every second. However, success soured when unresolvable issues arose with the record label, and she was forced to endure a court battle to end the contract prematurely. Not wanting to give up on music but not having the funds to begin herself, she decided to raise money from her fans through Kickstarter. She would use any funds she raised to record and produce her next album herself.
Her fans were thrilled at the prospect of a new album, and she more than reached the amount required to create the album. Despite that, she was judged by those in the industry for asking for money from her fans.
Off the back of this success, she was invited to talk at a TED conference in 2012, highlighting the ups and downs of the music industry and how to overcome them. She wasn’t a professional speaker, so she was understandably nervous.
She prepared her talk for over a month in the basement of a rented house. She ran the talk script past her family and friends and then flew to Long Beach, California to deliver it. Despite her nerves, she received a standing ovation. She realized that perhaps asking for help isn’t the taboo thing people seem to think.
Following the speech, the TED coach hugged her and thanked her for making her realize that it was okay to ask. Two days later, her talk was posted to YouTube and the TED site, receiving 100,000 views within a day. It increased to a million and then eight million a year later.
Her fans were thrilled at the prospect of a new album, and she more than reached the amount required to create the album. Despite that, she was judged by those in the industry for asking for money from her fans.
Off the back of this success, she was invited to talk at a TED conference in 2012, highlighting the ups and downs of the music industry and how to overcome them. She wasn’t a professional speaker, so she was understandably nervous.
She prepared her talk for over a month in the basement of a rented house. She ran the talk script past her family and friends and then flew to Long Beach, California to deliver it. Despite her nerves, she received a standing ovation. She realized that perhaps asking for help isn’t the taboo thing people seem to think.
Following the speech, the TED coach hugged her and thanked her for making her realize that it was okay to ask. Two days later, her talk was posted to YouTube and the TED site, receiving 100,000 views within a day. It increased to a million and then eight million a year later.
The TED talk that Amanda Palmer gave in 2012 resonated with millions of people worldwide and impacted their lives positively.
For Amanda Palmer, it was the stories that came after the talk that astounded her. People would stop her in the street to share a moment. Like most stage performers, she had always been most passionate about sharing art and connecting with people, and the fact that people were now reaching out to her about something different, gave her a sense of joy.
As you read on, you will learn more about Amanda Palmer’s life, discover how to get the best out of your own life, and help others do the same by never shying away from asking for help.
As you read on, you will learn more about Amanda Palmer’s life, discover how to get the best out of your own life, and help others do the same by never shying away from asking for help.
2
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Amanda Palmer began her career as a street performer
Amanda Palmer never wanted a real job when she was young. When people asked about her future career, she would simply lie and mention any impressive job that came to her mind: a doctor, lawyer, or veterinarian. The actual truth was that she wanted to be a Rock Star, but people tended to react with hilarity when she said it.
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3
Amanda Palmer underwent struggles and challenges when her friend battled cancer
4
Connections with people as the statue bride weren’t enough, so Amanda Palmer started a band
5
No indie label wanted to sign the Dresden Dolls because they considered them a goth band
6
Amanda Palmer was an expert at asking, yet she found it hard to accept help from her husband
7
The crowdfunding success of her album caused an uproar
8
Conclusion
You’ll learn
The surprising benefits of asking and accepting help
How a TED talk can alter the course of millions
Creative ways to express yourself and achieve success
The mystery behind a million-dollar Kickstarter journey
Impact and controversy over crowdfunding
