(Translated from Italian through Google Chrome without interjection or correction)


New York source, Bostonian adoption, Amanda Palmer has played from 2000 to 2008 in the Dresden Dolls, before embarking on a solo career. Abruptly interrupted relationship with the record label Roadrunner, he began to experiment with possible forms of communication, promotion and distribution independent on the Internet.

Very active on social networks (Twitter in particular), in the spring of 2012 he opened a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to fund the new album Theatre Is Evil, collecting a record $ 1,192,793 (from 24.883 supporters). At the launch of this informative guide, we asked some advice for "young Italian artists" interested in the system of crowdfunding.


When you launch a crowdfunding project, what is the most important rule to follow and which the error to be avoided?
Key is not to expect that the public "arrives from the Internet." The crowdfunding do not need to win new fans, but to establish a closer relationship - even from the economic point of view - with those you have already accumulated over time. It is a magical tool. A very important aspect is to treat the pitch video, the movie in which you present your project. Should be informative and explain clearly what you intend to do and how to spend the money collected. Many artists make the mistake of pointing to a clever video, something brilliant. The truth is otherwise: the crowdfunding itself is not art, but a place where dialogue with the public and talk about concrete things. You must not show how good you are or who you go into the details: rather, you must explain why you need support. That 's the reason you're there.

You have some experience with this kind of platforms. In 2012 caused a sensation the campaign for the album Theatre Is Evil, but in 2010 and 2011 had presented two projects on Kickstarter, with increasing success. How important is "experience"?
Very much so. For example, with the time and attempts I learned how to split the rewards should, what pleases the public to such levels of spending tends to gravitate more (two bands are very popular ones to $ 25 and $ 100). But I was not the only one: my fans have come to know Kickstarter, have used it, now trust the service. In the end, what is the most important result.

About rewards (products / items / services that the artist offers to the public in exchange for financial support), do you have any particular advice? Better to focus on offers simple or extravagant ideas? And there is some criteria to follow in choosing the target figure?
With regard to the final goal, better to set the lowest figure that realistically allows you to create a work, no matter what. Starting from that, then, can you expect to get more (in the case of the Theatre Is Evil, Amanda Palmer had set a target 100 thousand dollars, less than 10% of the amount actually harvested at the end of the campaign, Ed.) The choice of rewards instead is more related to energy and the will that you (and your team) think you have to keep up with the shipments. The important thing is not to bite off more than you can chew: Do not promise things that you may not be able to deliver then. That would be the end! It does not hurt also offer something a little 'crazy, but for musicians it is often convenient to think of objects replicated to scale. And in the end, what really matters is the spread of music and art. If you fill your campaign rewards that have nothing to do with art, there is a risk that in the end the whole project becomes a bit 'scruffy. What I can say from my own experience as a musician, is that crowdfunding offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with your creative friends: painters, illustrators, sculptors. You can involve them in your life. I did often on Kickstarter and has always been wonderful. Create something cool for your fans and help your artist friends to earn some money: a win for everyone!

When they are active, campaigns should be followed every day? What are the most effective tools to maintain the audience's attention and activate word of mouth?
I am a superfan of Twitter and the way in which circulates information: during the campaign Theatre Is Evil was almost always on Twitter. Whenever one thousand supporters would add to the project, twittavo image with the new number written somewhere on my body. Found of this type are not only useful to keep the focus on the campaign, but pretty damn funny!

Have over 800 thousand followers on Twitter. What advice would you give - always relative to the crowdfunding - young artists GAI they are instead moving their first steps in the creative world and maybe do not have a huge following? What should aim at the launch of a campaign?
The central point is simple: please contact directly to the public. Do not wait for "someone discovered" or that "the government will fund" would be nice, but not always happens. If your art has value and you can get connected with the people, then there is no reason why you should not control the entire process of creating and distributing your work. In the United States, through the crowdfunding we are experiencing a revolution: are shot film that would never be realized, develop art forms that become possible because we have finally found a way to jump the fences that separated us. We can support each other directly, putting the money where we want it to spring forth creative energy. It 's great.

And exiting the crowdfunding speech, you have some more general advice for those artists who - in these times of economic depression (and not only) - are struggling to keep alive the flame of hope and sometimes think of giving up?
These are the times when people desperately need art. The cinema has exploded during the Depression. People get angry, frustrated and suffering are expressions of anger, pain and frustration. And 'the reason why art exists. Artists must answer the call, go ahead, continue their activities, create things, whether these be considered "lawful" or "necessary." Art is necessary. Feeds us, keeps us human, goes beyond being famous, rich or even financed by crowdfunding. Art is an explosion of what you really are, of what you think, not what you think: something that is to paint the canvas of the world. Must break by itself, without waiting for someone to ask her. You never asked.