With hard work, most songwriters can learn to write a good song. With hard work, talent, and more hard work, some writers learn to write great songs. With hard work, talent, more hard work, careful study, even more hard work, and some luck, a few fortunate souls write hit songs.

Many gifted songwriters spend their entire lives turning out one masterpiece after another and never have a hit because they refuse to bow to some of the conventions of the radio format. That's their choice. Other equally talented songwriters spend their lives turning out one masterpiece after another, get filthy rich in the process, and retire young.

The Road Less Traveled

To catch the public's ear, a song must be either better or different (or, ideally, both). Better songs come through hard work and talent; “different” is partly a matter of choice. We all work with the same twelve notes, yet some people find totally new combinations. Listen to John Mayer's blend of folk, alt, rock, and jazz. He's not doing anything radically new; he hasn't invented any new notes or chords; but he combines familiar elements and influences in a way that sounds fresh to our ears. The Beatles, Hank Williams, and other musical pioneers have done the same thing; they took what was and found a way to do it differently.

Finding a new way of doing things is probably the hardest task for a songwriter to accomplish, but it can have the richest rewards. Those who come up with the next trend can gain not only financial success, but also a place in history. Innovations are often nothing more than the result of a willingness to experiment, combined with the songwriter's influences and process. Being conscious of this can help you to refine and better understand the differences that work. Being different can help you stand out in a sea of songwriters. Don't force it, but be open to it.

A Matter of Length

If you want to hear your songs on the radio, keep them short. Two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half minutes is considered the ideal length for a single. Longer songs get recorded, but it's usually the shorter ones that get on the air. Try timing your songs as soon as you have a verse and chorus; this can help you set up a structure that has space for the necessary information while keeping a reasonable length. Remember, if everything is in place and a song is too short, you can add a solo. A good exercise is to try writing a one-minute song that tells an entire story.

Hook Reinforcement

The best product in the world would be hard to sell if nobody knew what to call it. The hook is your song's brand name; it lets people know what the song is called and tells them something about it. On a simpler level, it's what people will ask a DJ for when they call in. A hit song usually has a hook that's well placed and appears frequently. Having a great hook, placing it where it stands out, and building the rest of the song to reinforce it greatly improves your chances of a hit.