Whether you’re just getting started or looking for ways to boost your skills, these tips will help take your songwriting to the next level.

1. Read more

Reading exposes you to fresh language and ideas that in turn inspires creativity. Do this every day and you are bound to see significant improvements in your vocabulary.

2. Write more

This is also something you could be doing almost every day. Like any other talent, you must practice as much as possible in order to unlock your full potential.

3. Expand your interests

Pick up hobbies outside of music. Spend time learning new things and writing in different styles to broaden your skills and knowledge. This will expand the range of topics and techniques you can incorporate into your songwriting.

4. Keep it simple

Avoid over-complicating things by being too elaborate or using words you’re not familiar with. Your most captivating lyrics will contain language that’s relevant and well-understood by you and your audience.

5. Be Personal

A great way to connect with your audience is to share some of the moments that had an impact on your life in a significant way. Listeners are interested in getting to know you more and will feel inspired when they relate to your experiences.

6. Study the greats

There’s a reason people are drawn to timeless music. Look to identify key elements such as the mood, theme and tone, and how they are developed through the use of different stylistic devices (e.g. metaphor, simile, paradox, hyperbole etc). Using similar features in your own music will likely draw some attention.