How to Write a Song: From Idea to a Great Song — Pro Co-Write

Hit writers Clay Mills and Marty Dodson take a raw idea (“Love This Side of Town”) and show a simple, repeatable way to turn a spark into a song—pick the unexpected angle, sketch verses, set up the chorus hook. If you’re wondering how to write a song using pro songwriting techniques, you’ll see the real-world…

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5 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…

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Why You Don’t Finish Songs (and How to Fix It)

Struggling to finish your songs? Hit writers Marty Dodson and Clay Mills share proven strategies—separate writer vs. editor, set deadlines, lean on co-writes and accountability, and know when a song is “done”—so your music reaches the finish line with clarity, emotion, and replay value. Learn how to finish more songs that truly connect! Clay &…

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Writing Hooks They Won’t Forget: 5 Pro Songwriting Secrets

Want to make your hooks impossible to forget? Hit writers Marty Dodson and Clay Mills share 5 pro tips to craft titles, melodies, and lyrics that grab attention and keep listeners hooked. Discover how to use intrigue, repetition, emotion, story, and sing-a-bility to create songs people can’t stop singing! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series:…

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The 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 &…

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Songwriters: Stop Doing These 3 Things

Want to write better songs fast? Learn pro songwriting tips and advanced songwriting techniques from hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson. Avoid common songwriting mistakes and start creating songs that truly connect with listeners. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK HERE to…

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If 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…

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9 Things Songwriters Need to Quit

Are these common habits holding you back as a songwriter? In this episode of the SongTown Podcast, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down the things pro writers stop doing to grow their careers. From ditching unproductive co-writes to letting go of outdated songs, they reveal real-world, advanced songwriting techniques that lead to…

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10 Lies Amateur Songwriters Tell Themselves

In this week’s episode of the SongTown on Songwriting Podcast, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson reveal the 10 biggest lies amateur songwriters tell themselves—lies that can sabotage your success before it even starts. Avoid these songwriting mistakes and level-up your game! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you…

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5 Traits That Separate The 1% Songwriters From Everyone Else

In this week’s SongTown on Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share 5 ways the top 1% songwriters separate themselves from everyone else. The duo drop pro songwriting tips learned from working with thousands of pro songwriters, artists, and producers. Get ready to level up your songwriting game! Clay & Marty’s…

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