Real Success in Songwriting

The world of songs, songwriting, and music publishing has changed. As in book publishing, television, movies, and all forms of art, entertainment, and intellectual properties, technology has forever altered the way our music is delivered, who creates it, who owns it, who controls it, and how fans are attracted to it.

The good news is also the bad news: Anyone can write a song today, no matter how good or bad, record it on their home computer, and have it uploaded on YouTube in about a half hour.

The result is a sea of mediocre to very bad songs that no one cares about.

How can you rise above it and actually stand out to really be heard? Is getting your song on someone’s record or on the radio really the ultimate validation for your call to write songs?

In this episode, John Chisum unpacks the myths about real success in songwriting, releasing you to fulfill yours with greater vision, clarity, and ultimate success in God’s and your eyes. This episode is a must for all worship leaders writing for their church, singer-songwriters hoping to build a bigger platform, those aspiring to be professional songwriters, and for anyone wrestling with an inner passion to write songs with no idea how to do it or fulfill their calling.

In this episode, John discusses:

  • His own journey in songwriting from obscurity to having over 400 songs published
  • What it feels like to have fulfilled a real call to impact the nations
  • How to define “success” for yourself and for your songs
  • Getting real about where you are and what it takes to get where you really want to be
  • The myths of chasing “the music biz” instead of authentic stewardship
  • How to get rid of envy in your life and what the Bible really says about your gifts
  • Keeping your eyes on the prize while keeping up with the daily grind
  • Why it’s all the little things in your life that add up to the one BIG thing you’re dreaming of
  • Practical advice for building your song catalog and why writing tons of songs isn’t necessarily the right strategy
  • How to begin to “think like a professional songwriter” and avoid the trap of narcissism
  • The importance of resourcing yourself and staying in a creative flow every day
  • And much more…

John Chisum

John Chisum is a pioneer in the Christian music business, serving alongside people such as Bill & Gloria Gaither, Twila Paris, Paul Baloche, Don Moen, and many more. As President of Nashville Christian Songwriters, John seeks to empower Christian songwriters worldwide to discover and fulfill their call to write.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Lynette patterson

    My name is lynette and am burning up with a strong desire to be a songwriter. I wrote about three songs but I don’t feel confident about them as yet, I really need some on writing songs because it’s my heart’s desire to do so. I came across this interested sight while I have been searching for help to write my songs and I do believe that I have found my help thank you.

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