1. Be on time.

2. Treat it like a blind date, be open to whatever flows naturally.

3. Stay off your social networks. You can’t focus if you’re thumbing back and forth from Twitter/FB/Instagram. No distractions.

4. Create with an open mind. Be open to accept criticism and not take it personally if you are asked to change a melody or a lyric.

5. Don’t be nervous. You got this. Write with confidence.

6. Don’t let their accolades and accomplishments intimidate you. Instead, prove to them that you are just as good as they are with your writing skills. (actions speak louder than words)

7. Try to FINISH the ENTIRE song that night. Record the idea if you demo your own songs. Lesson learned here. I don’t know how many songs I started on in the past that were not completed. We said we would get back in but things happen, you may or may not be a priority to that producer and you don’t want to rely on getting back in without a guarantee. If you have to and can stay til 6am the next morning, run it to the FINISH. This will teach you about following through. A very important skill to have in life, period.

8. Get a copy of the song you finish as well as proof that it was done.

9. Get a photo with that producer if possible, document the memory.

10. Get their contact information or management contact to stay in touch. You never know if they need a hook written or need a writer and you always want to be in the back of their mind as the “go to” person.

11. If the song gets placed later down the line, make sure you have your share of writing documented. Try Songsplits.com! Have your attorney or manager handle the business and paperwork.