Whether you’re a newbie or have been singing for some time, there will always be room for becoming more popular. Forget the 101 hacks you’ve been told would help promote your music. No matter the genre you sing, the best way to promote your music is to write better songs.

The majority of the popular musicians in the world are famous, not just because they’ve been in the game for long, but they’re writing quality music that resonates with people.

People just don’t get emotional when they’re listing to music. There is a reason why people cry, feel sad, or dance when certain songs are played; the music was well written. If you want to be famous and make your music known, you must write better songs.

Ways to write better songs

These are practical tips all great songwriters use when composing new lyrics and music.

Learn how to compose a catchy and memorable melody

Thousands of songs share exact 3-and-4-chord progressions, but why is it that only some of such songs get stuck in your head? Melody—yes, the reason lies in the melody. Great melodies usually move in step-like motions. They also comprise a focal point where the rest of the melody line is anchored. Focus on creating a great melody, and it will help promote your music.

Use different types of chords

One way to write better songs is to avoid sticking to the same set of chords; doing so would limit the breadth of your musical creativity. When composing songs, use all kinds of chords—major, minor, augmented, dominant and diminished—to build a more interesting and complex sound.

Create a charming and memorable rhythm 

The majority of the catchiest, famous songs are attractive and memorable because they contain a rhythmic motif. So any other time you decide to listen to your best songs, make sure you take note of how a syncopated or funky melody or backing track might be the most catchy part of a song and then be creative with the rhythm of your tunes. The charm you will get from this will make people who listen to your songs recommend your music to others.

Enhance your lyrical writing skills with structure and spontaneity 

Beats aside, lyrics are one of the most important ingredients that make or mar a song. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to write lyrics. Plan out your lyric-writing process, but leave room for more discovery. For example, you may have a general notion of what the song will be about, or you may have a song title in mind, and a few lyrical ideas jotted down; but, just like a poet, learn to let the lyrics come to you. You might be attracted to particular lines based solely on the consonance and assonance of words. The better you are lyrical, the easier it gets for you to promote your songs. Once people start relating to your lyrics, your music will travel from one lip to another without you spending much on advertising it.

Never neglect rhyme use

A rhyme scheme is another method to improve the quality of your lyrical writing. Song lyrics can be made catchy, cohesive, and easy to remember by using a rhyme scheme. However, for songwriters, rhyming isn’t always required. When an idea can’t be stated sufficiently in rhyme, focus on the idea rather than the rhyme.

Focus on song structure 

Most songs contain separate or combined elements such as an intro (or skit), a verse (or stanza), a pre-chorus, a chorus/refrain, a bridge, instrumental solos, and an outro/coda. Make it a goal to write a song that does more than go back and forth between verses and choruses. At the very least, use the well-known song structure of “verse/ chorus/ verse/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/ chorus/.” This structure can be seen in a lot of popular pop songs.

In conclusion, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to promoting your music. But the fact remains that writing better songs makes it easier to promote your music. So get serious with better songwriting and see your music move to the top of the charts gradually.

To read more about writing better songs, check out How to write vocal melodies.