Posts by Clay Mills
7 Ways to Hook Listeners In the First 7 Seconds of Your Song (Pro Tips!)
Hook your listener fast. In this SongTown Podcast, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share 7 ways to hook listeners in the first 7 seconds—starting with the first vocal line, not the production intro. You’ll get practical songwriting tips from hit songwriters you can use today. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video…
Read MoreHARSH SONGWRITING ADVICE! (mostly for newer writers)
In this episode, Clay and Marty share the kind of tough-love truths that helped them go from unknowns to hit songwriters—stuff all writers need to hear but nobody says out loud. We’ll talk originality, “your life is not interesting,” writer’s block, rejection, AI shortcuts, and why excuses are quietly killing your songwriting dreams. If you’re serious about…
Read MoreMake Your Songs Unpredictable: 10 Melody & Lyric Fixes
Multi #1 songwriters Marty Dodson & Clay Mills share 10 ways to make your song unpredictable—the kind of lyric-to-melody fit and arrangement moves artists, publishers, and fans can’t ignore. If you want real-world pro songwriting advice from the SongTown crew—fresh songwriting tips for melody writing and lyric writing—hit play, take notes, and write on! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video…
Read MoreMake Your Hooks Hit Harder: 8 Pro Songwriter Tips (Music & Lyrics)
20-Time Hit Songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson reveal proven ways to make your hooks and choruses hit harder—advanced techniques made simple, grounded in real-world hits. If you’re chasing your best songs and want practical, craft-first lessons for your next one, this is for you. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will…
Read MoreNotebook to Billboard: The Journey From Idea to Hit
From notebook scribbles to Billboard #1 hits—Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share the real stories behind their first chart-topping songs. Packed with pro songwriting tips, real-world struggles, and breakthrough moments, this episode is a must-watch for anyone chasing their next big song. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up…
Read More5 Worst Ways To Start A Song (Songwriting Advice)
Multi #1 songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share pro songwriting advice and tips to avoid common songwriting mistakes: the 5 worst ways to start a song—and the simple fixes to sharpen your first lines, pace your story, and set up a knockout chorus. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help…
Read MoreThe Big Songwriting Myth Most Writers Fall For
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share why great songs don’t always come from personal pain. Through real-life stories, they reveal how to turn heartbreak into hope, write from others’ experiences, and find the magic in contrast—unlocking new ways to create your most powerful songs. Clay &…
Read MoreSongwriters: How To Manage Your Time Effectively
by Clay Mills, SongTown Co-founder If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard on your songwriting career but not getting the results you want, you’re not alone. Most of us go through seasons where we feel stuck or spread thin — writing every day, playing writers rounds, networking constantly… and still wondering why things aren’t…
Read MoreIf You Can’t Answer These 6 Questions You Don’t Have A Song
Are your songs ready to share with the world? Hit writers Marty Dodson and Clay Mills reveal 6 must-answer questions to improve clarity, emotion, and replay value. Learn how to write songs that truly connect! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK HERE to…
Read MoreHow to Know If You’re in The Dip Or a Dead End
By SongTown Co-founder Clay Mills I had a great meeting this past Sunday with our Diamond Club at SongTown. I shared something with them that I think all writers need to hear at different points on their journey. I’ve been in the trenches of songwriting for a few decades now. I’ve seen the highs of…
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