Episode Description:
As we close out the year 2024, it’s the perfect time for reflection. In this final episode of the year, I share a candid look back at the triumphs, challenges, and invaluable lessons I learned as a songwriter and artist. From releasing my first solo single to battling self-doubt, overcoming perfectionism, and confronting the realities of a creative life, this episode is packed with insights for any songwriter navigating their own journey.

Whether you’re celebrating successes or wrestling with obstacles, these 12 lessons will inspire you to keep creating, learning, and sharing your music with the world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. No One Owes You Their Time or Attention: Why your effort and passion don’t guarantee a reaction—and why that’s okay.
2. The Only Way to Figure It Out is to Do It: Overcoming the fear of starting and embracing the learning curve.
3. Talent Means Nothing Without Action: How natural ability can lead to overthinking and inaction—and why action wins every time.
4. Success Can Strain Friendships: Navigating the inevitable drift as your career grows and priorities shift.
5. The Pain of Inaction is Greater Than the Fear of Releasing Music: How to overcome the fear of what others think and finally share your art.
6. Impact Comes From What You Share, Not What You Plan: Why the songs you release matter more than the ones you only talk about.
7. Comfort Zones Become Uncomfortable Over Time: The importance of pushing boundaries and embracing growth.
8. Prioritizing Your Music Without Guilt: Giving yourself permission to invest time in your creativity every day.
9. Post-Release Disappointment is Better Than Regret: Why sharing your music—even if it doesn’t meet your expectations—is always worth it.
10. Comparison Paralysis is Counterproductive: How to focus on your unique path instead of justifying someone else’s success.
11. Perfectionism Will Hold You Back: Accepting that your early work might feel flawed in hindsight—and why that’s okay.
12. Whether Life is Meaningful or Not, Make Music Anyway: The ultimate reminder to do what you love, regardless of existential questions.

Why You Should Listen:
This episode is perfect for songwriters, musicians, and artists who are looking for real talk about the highs and lows of a creative career. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, procrastination, or the challenges of pursuing your passion, this episode will resonate with you and remind you why you started in the first place.

Resources & Links:

• Listen to my new single Real Friends on Spotify
• Connect with me on Instagram: @connorlfrost

Thank you for being part of this journey in 2024. Here’s to a new year of music, growth, and creativity. See you in 2025!

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Connor Frost breaks down the process of transforming a single lyric idea into a fully realized, release-ready song. Using his latest track Real Friends as a case study, Connor shares the step-by-step process, key insights, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're an experienced songwriter or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you craft your next hit.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The Journey: How Connor turned the concept of "What is a real friend?" into a full-fledged song.
2. The Process: A seven-step framework for taking a lyric idea to a completed song, including:
   • Crafting a clear concept.
   • Defining the narrator and ideal listener.
   • Structuring your verses and chorus.
   • Building a roadmap for the rest of the song.
3. Lessons Learned: What Connor wishes he had done differently in Real Friends and how you can avoid similar pitfalls.
4. Implementation Tips: Practical advice to streamline your own songwriting process.

About Connor Frost:
Connor Frost is a musician, international touring artist, producer, and professional songwriting mentor. Since 2019, Connor has helped hundreds of songwriters confidently write and release their first collection of songs. He has toured internationally, opened for renowned bands, and been featured in American Songwriter.

Highlights of Connor’s Story:

• Transitioning from a middle school teacher to a full-time musician.
• Touring internationally in places like China and Taiwan.
• Helping clients achieve milestones, from publishing deals to hearing their songs played in public.

Key Takeaways for Songwriters:

• The importance of defining your song’s narrator and ideal listener.
• Why understanding your listener’s struggles and language can make your lyrics more relatable.
• Tips for avoiding common songwriting mistakes, like spending too much time setting the scene or missing opportunities to build impactful outros.

Connor’s Seven-Step Framework:

1. Develop a one-sentence concept for your song.
2. Define the narrator’s perspective and your ideal listener.
3. Flesh out your concept into a chorus.
4. Outline your verses with clear settings, transformations, and details.
5. Use stream-of-consciousness journaling to develop lyrics.
6. Create a structure or roadmap for your song.
7. Flesh out the remaining sections and finalize your melody and chords.

Want to Work with Connor?
If you’re ready to take your songwriting to the next level, Connor offers personalized mentorship programs. Learn how to find your unique songwriting sound, streamline your writing process, and build your career as an artist.

📞 Book a Free "Just Start" Call: connorfrost.com/startcall

• Step 1: Book your time to speak directly with Connor.
• Step 2: Identify your struggles and leave with clear strategies.
• Step 3: Discuss mentorship opportunities tailored to your goals.

🎶 Listen to Real Friends: (Link available above or below this episode).

Connect with Connor:

• Website: connorfrost.com
• Instagram: @connorfrost
• Podcast: Dear Songwriter

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Dear Songwriter! In this episode, originally released on June 29th, 2023, we're analyzing Sia's empowering song "Unstoppable" from her album "This is Acting," released in 2016. This mid-tempo track showcases intriguing songwriting choices that align with contemporary pop music trends. Join me as I explore three key insights from this song, including the concept of an "elevated prechorus," the incorporation of a "postchorus," and the effective use of vivid metaphors in the chorus.

Discover how Sia's songwriting techniques contribute to the overall impact of "Unstoppable" and see if this can apply to your own musical creations!

Mentions and Links:

Sia - Unstoppable
Sia - This is Acting
Green Day - Redundant
Dear Songwriter: 3 Things We Can Learn from Green Day’s “Redundant”
Dear Songwriter: What We Can Learn about Songwriting from Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy”
Pearl Jam - Jeremy