If you have survived this industry long enough to learn its traps, you owe the young artists in your city a roadmap. Real mentoring is not posting motivational quotes — it is sitting down with a talented kid and showing them how splits work, how to register their music, and how to say no to the wrong people. Your city only gets stronger when its veterans teach. The next generation is watching how you move, so move with integrity.
Do it structured or do not do it at all. Set regular check-ins, give honest feedback on their music, and teach the business basics first: contracts, copyrights, publishing, and how royalties actually flow. Introduce them to real rooms — studios, open mics, showcases — and be present yourself. Consistency matters more than speeches. One hour a week of real guidance beats a weekend seminar every time.
Know the line between mentoring and managing. A mentor advises; a manager makes decisions and takes a cut. Be clear about which one you are, especially with young artists and their families. Never ask for ownership of their music as payment for your advice — that is exploitation dressed up as help. The mentor who builds trust builds a network that lasts decades.
Protect them while you prepare them. Warn them about fake showcases, pay-to-play traps, and predatory deals that target new talent. Share your own mistakes so they do not have to repeat them. When one of your mentees wins, let them shine — your reward is a stronger scene and a name that carries weight. Cities with real mentors produce real stars. Be one.
Build a small circle of other trusted vets so your mentees get more than one perspective, and always follow up — consistency is what turns advice into actual careers.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.