Bandcamp Mentors
Everything You Want To Know About The Music Industry In One Place
The Problem
Starting as a new musician is tough with little support. Many struggle to navigate marketing, production, and mental health alone, making it difficult to build a sustainable career.
The Oportunity
Bandcamp has the foundation to be more than just a sales tool; it is a career launchpad. For many musicians, Bandcamp represents a glimmer of hope for a successful life in music. By integrating more tools for artist support into its existing ecosystem, Bandcamp not only helps artists sell music but also equips them with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to build sustainable careers.
Bandcamp.com’s Mission
Bandcamp’s mission is to help spread the healing power of music by building a community where artists thrive through the direct support of their fans, and where fans gather to explore the amazing musical universe that their direct support helps create.
Why a Mentorship Program
Bandcamp helps artists sell music, why not help them build lasting careers? My research showed that exposure alone isn’t enough; new bands need guidance, structure, and industry know-how to survive. A mentorship program fits naturally into Bandcamp’s artist-first model, transforming its community into a platform for growth, not just discovery.
Research
To get inside the mind of a struggling band, I built Midnight Burger, a fictional group grounded in real interviews and industry research. Personas surfaced the key tensions: leadership vs. time, freedom vs. structure, creativity vs. pressure. Empathy maps dug deeper, and a “How Might We” statement turned problems into opportunities.
Whiteboard Work
Final HMW Statement
How might we create a platform and partner that connects new musicians with mentors, giving them the skills they need to thrive?
The Bandcamp Mentor Experience
The Bandcamp Mentors experience is built for artists who need guidance without the guesswork. The Mentors page seamlessly integrates into Bandcamp’s ecosystem, encouraging struggling musicians to take the next step.
Getting started is easy. Artists fill out a short survey designed to match them with the right mentors based on their needs, whether it’s mental health support, production advice, or marketing expertise. Once inside, the dashboard turns mentorship into action, allowing artists to chat with mentors, book sessions, and track progress, all within the tools they already use. No clutter, no confusion, just a direct path to better music and a stronger career.
