With 2020 slowly fading in the rearview mirror, it’s time to turn our focus to the opportunities God is bringing us in this New Year. We thought some fresh songwriting tips might be just the ticket for you to get things off to a great start!

The global hardships, pandemics, political upheavals, and violence we’ve experienced these last twelve months were no surprise to Him, right?

But now is the time for us, as dedicated Christian communicators, to write like never before to encourage everyone around us to look to Jesus for healing and hope.

Here are our BEST tips to make 2021 your most productive and successful songwriting year yet.

Make a 2021 Songwriting Plan

“The difference between you and me is that you wait for the inspiration to write, but I write until I feel the inspiration,” said award-winning songwriter, Tony Wood.

Tony is a top Christian songwriter here in Nashville with dozens of #1 songs to his credit and over 800 songs recorded in his catalog to date. Check out his episode here on the Song Revolution Podcast with John Chisum.

Pro songwriters like Tony have a plan for their songwriting. They know what they’re doing and manage their calendars to make the time they need to produce songs that connect with their audiences.

“The difference between you and me is that you wait for the inspiration to write, but I write until I feel the inspiration.”

tony wood – award winning songwriter

Sit down with your calendar and make a plan by simply scheduling weekly, if not daily writing time. 2021 will fly by. How you use it is determined by daily actions beginning with controlling your time.

Let these songwriting tips guide you into greater effectiveness.

Embrace the New Online World

Though many of us have been online for years, the whole world jumped on Zoom in 2020. Touring artists were suddenly forced to react by offering “virtual concerts” instead of appearing in arenas.

COVID-19 drove the world into a new era of virtuality that is never going away. One of the best things you could do now is to learn to use it to increase your audience and to engage at a level never thought possible before.

If you’re a singer-songwriter, now is the time to understand virtual concert platforms starting with Facebook LIVE, Youtube, and Instagram. Setting a time to speak and sing to a virtual audience gives you something to promote to friends, family, and potential new fans.

Learn to use Zoom or other platforms to write virtually with others. Be intentional about connecting creatively to keep your juices flowing and the songs written.

Get a Grip on the “New Music Business”

Ari Herstand’s book “How to Make It in the New Music Business” has become the new standard in navigating the epochal changes digitalization brought to the music business, even before Covid hit.

Any songwriter hoping to win an audience needs to buy this book. It contains step-by-step instructions on what it takes to thrive in the new music environment.

Think about it.

If you want to communicate with people, you have to go where they are and use the mediums they’re tuning into for their music. The audience doesn’t just appear out of thin air because you feel inspired to write.

Making it in the new music business means understanding how to build an online audience with your particular “brand” of songwriting. Don’t make the if-you-build-it-they-will-come mistake.

Get a grip and use the new tools at your fingertips.

“We’re looking for phenomenal songs.”

chad segura/centricity music

Realize Your Success Is In Your Hands

It’s too easy to think that a lucky break is the only thing between you and songwriting success. But commercial music is an extremely competitive business, even in the Christian marketplace.

You and your songs are competing with thousands of other aspiring writers and artists for a very small piece of a very small industry.

Thinking that all you need is “to meet the right people in Nashville” is naive, at best. Here’s the truth. If you are generating hundreds of thousands of followers with your music, the “right people” will beat a path to your door to get in on it.

Songwriting success begins with becoming an astounding songwriter.

“We’re not just looking for good songs, or even great songs,” said Chad Segura, VP of Centricity Music Publishing. “We’re looking for phenomenal songs.”

Chad offered this insight in his podcast episode “Getting Your Songs Published” on Song Revolution with John Chisum.

People won’t love your songs just because you love Jesus.

Your songs have to stand up alongside a million other songs written every day. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work?

Your songwriting success is in your hands. Now it’s time to move beyond songwriting tips to the lifestyle of a dedicated Christian songwriter.

Your Next Steps with NCS

Nashville Christian Songwriters exists to empower Christian songwriters worldwide, songwriters just like you, to fulfill your passionate calling to write.

We offer an exciting podcast, blogs, videos, and powerful online coaching opportunities just waiting for you.

The greatest tip we can offer is to immerse yourself in the NCS songwriting community today. You’re called to write. We’re here to help.