Overrating your abilities

For me, this was something that held me back early on in my development. Not only did I fail to take my competition seriously, but I wasn’t critical of my own content. In truth, it’s difficult to make significant progress when you’re not actively looking for ways to improve because you already think you’re the best.

(For more tips on how to become a better songwriter, check out these 6 Simple Ways to Improve your Songwriting.)

Focusing too much on rhyming

Rhyming is one of the most commonly used devices in songwriting. But when the aim is to fit in as many rhymes as possible, oftentimes the lyrics fail to connect with each other. Worse, several listeners are left unable to distinguish one word from another, rendering the lyrics practically incoherent. While this might impress some casual listeners, critics are more concerned with the substance and overall catchiness of the lyrics.

Ignoring conventions

This sort of error is usually made by novices who are highly experimental. Since we tend to grow accustomed to the sounds we frequently hear, listeners anticipate certain patterns and elements within a song. Take time to study these features (eg. language, structure, theme etc) by analyzing your favorite hits, then practice using similar techniques in your own writing to create a sense of familiarity.

Using weak language

Think of weak language as any word that minimizes or adds no value to the impact of your message. Remove unnecessary words that are vague, broad, or passive and replace them with language that’s assertive and precise. This will make your lyrics powerful and persuasive.

Taking advice from too many people

Although it’s important to have people in your circle who can provide you with creative feedback, don’t fall into the trap of taking advice from anyone who will listen. Focus instead on your target audience and look only to the people you trust the most for their honesty and expertise.