“I trust you this much. Should I? Show Me.”
Yes, Amanda Palmer’s disposition is about as unique as the words she spoke during her monologue at the TED2013 conference this week in Long Beach, California. A woman, whose just as famous for spending the night in the houses of her fans as she is for her music, is creating somewhat of a revolution in the way artists approach the business side of their careers.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

The TED conference is heralded as an avenue where the world’s most intelligent innovators connect and share ideas of creativity, and development for the future in the areas of technology, entertainment, and design.

Palmer shared her ideas this week at the conference to join a list of past influential professionals, including former US President Bill Clinton and Virgin Mobile CEO Richard Branson, who came before her. Advocating for the emergence of making deeper connections between fans and artist within the music industry, Palmer shares her story and why she believes her experiences has showed her the solution to the industry’s new found problem of dwindling consumerism.

Not only has her music, a mix between punk and cabaret, caused her rise to fame, but, and maybe more so, her ability to create genuine friendships with her fans. Ultimately developing the “art of asking”, Palmer was able to jumpstart her career, $1.2 million worth, entirely of donations from her fans.

I didn’t make them, I asked them. And for the very act of asking people I connected with them, and when you connect with them, people want to help you.

Elements as simple as asking, sharing, and believing are all key components in what Palmer feels will lead fans back to the world of purchasing art and funding the endeavors of their favorite artist, just like in the days of old.

I think people have been obsessed with the wrong question, How do we make people pay for music? What if we start asking, how do we let people pay for music?

Palmer is set to speak live later this year at SXSW in front of an audience about her journey and the steps she made in her path to success. But for now, check out her segment at the TED conference in its entirety below.