10 Things Pro Songwriters Do (And You Should Too)

1. Finish songs.

If there’s just one thing you take away from this post I hope it’s this. Pros have learned the value of finishing songs. That is not to say that every song they write gets recorded or even demoed.  But they make an effort to either finish them or decide whether the idea warrants being finished. If it doesn't, they salvage the good stuff to be used in a future writing session. They build up an arsenal of song titles, ideas, lines and hooks so that they have a good inventory when it comes down to creating again.And pros  know how to overcome the blocks that might hinder the process of completing a song by applying their craft and asserting their work ethic. (More on this with #6!)

2. Build a team to support the dream.

Pros know how to find, engage and build their team. Or in other words, how to find, engage and build their team of co-writers, publishers, song pluggers, fans, mentors, consultants, advisors, agents, managers, bookers, etc.  Basically what constitutes the "support system" of their business. Pros know that the road is too long and winding to navigate on their own.  They also know what is their core competency (songwriting) and the value of keeping focused on it. Usually that means outsourcing the other stuff to the furthest extent they can. And pros know how to barter for services with their co-writers when resources are tight. They find a way to create value.

3. Listen to other people’s songs and learn.

Pros listen to learn. They create playlists, spin cds, stream Spotify, and Apple Music, download tracks from iTunes, watch YouTube videos and any or all other ways to consume music. They know that by listening to music and studying  the old stuff and also the new, it will spark ideas and inspire their writing. Pros songwriters become fans of other pro songwriters.

4. Develop their craft by continuing education.

Pro songwriters are always in a state of learning. They have a passion for growing in the art form. This applies to pros of any kind. It could be in the field of sports, academics, science,  arts...whatever. The learning process never ceases because is a rooted intellectual curiosity.

5. Develop their own writing style and voice.

Pros know that their style and voice have developed because they’ve written a lot of songs. There is no shortcut for developing; it doesn't happen after writing just one song.  But pros understand that with time, it gets easier and more fluid.  And so they make it a daily practice. Authenticity is honed from practice. And because every human being has his or her own unique perspective on the world and experiences in it, every potential writer's voice is completely unique.

.6. Have a fierce work ethic.

Most pros write every day. It might be something small or the beginning of a huge opus, but they get themselves to the page consistently.  Pros spend their time in the doing and they develop muscular strength and fortitude by continuing to create. And pros know that with this commitment comes a sense of confidence and momentum. It’s a cycle of productivity.

7. Fill the well.

Pro songwriters tend to be voracious readers. They also love visual arts, movies, plays, concerts, nature and sports. Listening to other songwriters’ songs is just one way they get inspired. All those other art forms and activities can inspire them as well. In fact, anything that touches their senses and comes into their brains and hearts can. So they let the world be of assistance.Pro songwriters have an awareness. Sometimes lines come from conversations overheard at a coffee shop... or a line from a movie... so their antennae stay up. They also allow themselves to fill the well because they know they can’t write their best unless they fill it. Writing empties the well. And so it must be filled up again. Pros do this.

8. Always have a notepad at the ready.

Some pros prefer the old fashioned way via paper and pen, while others are all about digital. But whether it's a traditional notepad or a phone app, it will always be at the ready; at the bedside, in the car, in the pocket of a shirt.  They’re ready to get it down.  They use any and all methods to help them create their art.

9. Practice the three P’s:  Positivity, Patience, Persistence

Pros know that it can be a long and bumpy road in the music business. So they take a breath and put in the hours and effort over a trajectory. They don’t get nervous and impatient or tied to the results. And if they do, then they know if feels like hell. They stay passionate about the process because they know this way it will go a lot smoother.  And they usually have some kind of practice of positivity, whether it’s reading great works, meditating, or going to services to keep them nurtured and strong.

10. See the big picture.

This is why pro songwriters practice # 9; because they know and understand that creating art requires commitment.  The pros I’ve met are passionate about their art and yet practical in their approach to it everyday. They see the end goal and don’t get caught up in the minutia.

So, that’s 10 things pro songwriters do (and you should too).I hope this post inspires those aspiring to be pro writers and performers.

If you can think of any other attributes that pro writers have, jot them down and share them on this forum in the Comments section below.