Dear Songwriter...

This episode originally aired on March 4th, 2024

Dear Songwriter,

Have you ever found yourself on the edge of a new, somewhat terrifying, adventure? This episode is all about the journey of diving into the unfamiliar as I discuss the challenges and triumphs of writing a song for sync consideration for the very first time. I'll unmask the process, the initial fears, and the ultimate decision to grab the opportunity by the horns.

Join me as I walk through this exciting progression, from the moment Yago, a team member with experience in producing music for sync, presented this opportunity, to the sweat-and-blood process of crafting the perfect song. I go through the four-step process that moved from picking a narrative to recording the rough takes, and the final steps to sending this song out for consideration. It's a tale of creative courage, meticulous craftsmanship, and significant insights gained during this rollercoaster ride.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How opportunities can appear from the most unexpected places
• The importance of overcoming initial fears and uncertainties to grab hold of new experiences
• The step-by-step approach to writing a song for sync
• How detaching oneself from the 'character' can afford creative liberty
• The importance of being decisive in the creative process, and treating songwriting as a craft

Want to take a deeper dive into sync? Tune into this episode and let's unlock the mystery together!

Want to spend four days immersed in writing songs, meeting friends along the way, co-writers for life, and leveling up your songwriting? The Green Mountain Songwriting Retreat is happening again, and you won't want to miss it! Start your application here before early bird pricing ends: https://www.connorfrost.com/retreat2024

Mentions and Links:

Audio Gear:

• Shure Sm58

People/Public Figures:

• Yago

TV:

• Judge Judy

Digital Audio Workstations:

• GarageBand
• Ableton
• Logic Pro

Get More Involved:

• Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts!

🎧 Episode Summary:

Harsh truth? Sometimes you have to be bad at something now to be great at it later. In this honest and reflective episode, host Conor Lynn Frost shares a personal story about an uncomfortable tour, unfinished songs, and the growth that only comes through doing the messy work.

If you're stuck in the idea phase, feeling like your project isn't "ready," or discouraged by early performances—this one’s for you.

📝 What You'll Learn:

• Why you might need to suck at first
• The difference between song ideas and finished songs
• How discomfort is often a sign you're heading in the right direction
• The value of showing up before you're ready

💡 One Thought & One Question:

• Thought: The smallest wins come from the longest timelines (see the previous episode!)
• Question: Do you have finished songs… or just song ideas? Be honest.

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this short but powerful solo episode, Conor Lynn Frost—songwriter, producer, and mentor—answers a question many artists wrestle with: “Is it worth it to start?”

Whether you're thinking of launching a new music project or just getting started as a songwriter, Conor shares a heartfelt perspective on why the answer might not be what you expect—but why it's still absolutely worth it.

He shares a personal story about a small but meaningful milestone—his podcast being listed in Feedspot’s Top 70 Songwriting Podcasts (#24!)—and reflects on the long timeline it took to get there. The core message? Small wins often take time, but they compound.

📝 What You'll Learn:

• Why the smallest wins can take the longest to show up
• The importance of consistency in a music career
• Why “going viral” isn’t always the goal
• How long-term thinking sets you up for meaningful success
• A simple question to ask before starting any creative project

🔥 Episode Quote:

💬 Connect with Conor:

• Instagram: @connorlinfrost

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Connor Lin Frost dives into why he released an instrumental version of his song Valentina. If you're a self-producing songwriter, this episode is especially for you. Connor shares his initial hesitation and what ultimately convinced him to move forward, including how instrumentals can serve as a storytelling tool, a reminder to fans, a behind-the-scenes peek, and a valuable educational resource.

What You'll Learn:

• Why instrumental versions can still tell a story—even without lyrics
• How releasing alternate versions can reignite interest in your original music
• The power of sharing your creative process to build stronger connections with listeners
• How instrumental tracks can serve as educational tools for producers and songwriters alike

Mentioned in This Episode:
🎵 Valentina (Instrumental) – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1pY7Ums3YZ7RTDFiofLX5r?si=06wIcV0eSjKUbnqc5BlPQg

Connect with Connor:
Instagram: [@connorlfrost]
Website: [www.connorfrost.com]

** these show notes were created with ChatGPT**

📌 Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt solo episode, Connor opens up about a moment of doubt right before the release of his song Valentina. Caught in the whirlwind of social media trends and shrinking attention spans, he almost made a major change to the track — all in an effort to cater to the algorithm. But a powerful piece of advice helped him step back, reassess, and choose the integrity of the song over external pressure.

Connor shares the story behind this near-miss, the insecurities that led up to it, and how he ultimately stayed true to the creative vision. If you’ve ever felt the pull to compromise your art for clicks, streams, or algorithms, this episode is for you.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• The subtle ways algorithmic pressure can influence creative decisions
• Why staying true to your artistic instincts matters more than ever
• How one key conversation can reframe everything
• The importance of honoring your song’s purpose and story

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 🎵 Listen to Valentina on Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/track/28mmhGPdr0svACqE0nQ0HE?si=42673062558f4ecf]

--these notes were created using ChatGPT--

Episode Summary:

Feeling overwhelmed trying to do it all as a self-producing songwriter? In this episode, Connor Frost shares a powerful personal story from a solo day in Taipei that led to a DIY music video—and a deeper realization: you don’t need a team, a big budget, or perfect conditions to start creating. If you've been waiting for the “right moment” or the “right person,” this episode will remind you that everything you need is already within you.

🧠 This Week’s Thought, Question & Tip:

• Thought: For every two haters, there’s one person who really needed to hear your song. Focus on that person.
• Question: What is one thing you could get done this week with your songwriting or production that would be a success?
• Tip: Start your next song with the chorus—you might find it unlocks a powerful new flow.

✈️ Story Highlight:

Connor recounts a recent trip to Taipei, where a $9 selfie stick, a day of solo exploration, and a long flight home became the backdrop for a low-budget, high-impact music video. The takeaway? You don't need permission, a fancy setup, or a full crew—just the willingness to create.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need a “team” to begin creating content that matters
• Low-budget gear (even a selfie stick) can go a long way in storytelling
• Perfection isn’t the goal—connection and consistency are
• Focus on making art, not excuses

--these show notes were made using ChatGPT--

Episode Summary:

In this solo episode, Connor Frost dives into a question many songwriters face: Should you share your demos, B-sides, or unfinished songs with the world? Through a personal story about a "rejected" lyric video for his single "Real Friends", Connor explores the vulnerability, hesitation, and ultimately, the freedom that comes with sharing imperfect work. This episode is a must-listen for any songwriter questioning what to do with their creative leftovers.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why Connor initially scrapped a lyric video and what made him change his mind
• The value of documenting and sharing your creative process—even the messy parts
• How to reframe "unfinished" or "not perfect" content as meaningful content
• Why your discarded work might still resonate with your audience

📝 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need a perfect product to share your art
• Sharing rejected or behind-the-scenes content can create deeper audience connection
• You have full control over how your story and music are presented
• There’s value in showing the process, not just the polished result

📺 Watch the Rejected Lyric Video:

👉 [Link to the “Rejected” Lyric Video on YouTube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSM8TE-n8PE

**these show notes were generated using ChatGPT**

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Connor Frost shares a powerful reminder for every songwriter: you have a gift that you're likely taking for granted. But before revealing what that is, he sets the stage with a thought, a question, and a tip—each designed to inspire momentum in your music journey today.

Connor draws from his own experiences, including a recent trip to Taiwan to support his mother—a classical pianist—which sparked deep reflection on the unifying power of music. From mindset shifts to long-term consistency to letting go of perfection, this episode is filled with insight and encouragement for artists who want to make lasting impact.

What You’ll Learn:

• 💭 A thought about mindset: Why pessimism always wins—unless you choose optimism.
• ❓ A question to reflect on: What could you achieve with 1–10 years of consistent action?
• 💡 A tip to implement now: Eliminate the word “perfect” from your vocabulary.
• 🎁 The one gift every songwriter has—and how to stop taking it for granted.
• 🌏 A personal story from Taiwan that highlights music’s unique ability to bring people together.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a fellow songwriter.
Until next time—keep creating, keep connecting, and keep moving forward.

These notes were generated by ChatGPT

🎧 Episode Summary

In this short but powerful solo episode, Connor Frost brings you one thought, one question, one tip, and one story—all designed to encourage and inspire you as a self-producing songwriter. Whether you're feeling stuck, low on time, or simply in need of a creative reset, this episode offers bite-sized wisdom to help you keep showing up for your music.

🧠 This Episode’s Four Gems

🌀 One Thought
Sometimes you need to step away from your music for a short time in order to do it for the long haul.

❓ One Question
Do you truly lack the time to work on your music, or do you lack the belief that making time is worth it?

✅ One Tip
Set a goal to finish writing one song per month—even if it’s not your best. The habit of finishing is everything.

📖 One Story
Connor shares a compliment that completely shifted his creative mindset:

🌌 Episode Inspiration

👋 Final Thoughts

Even if you’re still figuring it all out (Connor is too!), the goal is to keep writing, stay curious, and build your own world—one song at a time.

Show notes created w/ ChatGPT

🎙️ Episode Title: How I Made an Animated Lyric Video (Without Being an Animator)

🎧 Episode Summary

Feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out how to create visuals for your song release? In this episode, songwriter, producer, and songwriting coach Connor Lin Frost shares a simple, accessible solution: creating an animated lyric video—even if you're not an animator.

Connor walks through the exact step-by-step process he used to bring his song "Valentina" to life through animation, including how he structured his ideas, found an animator, and collaborated to get the final product.

Whether you're considering a music video, visualizer, or lyric video, this episode offers a great starting point—especially if you're balancing a tight schedule and budget.

🛠️ What You’ll Learn

• Why an animated lyric video might be a smart option for your next release
• How to create a video treatment to clearly communicate your vision
• Where to find affordable animation help (hint: Fiverr!)
• The benefits of collaborating with visual artists
• Tips for balancing creativity, time, and budget as an indie songwriter

📝 Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Create a Video Treatment
   • Write out lyrics with timestamps
   • Add visual ideas under each section (e.g. scenes, actions, imagery)
2. Find an Animator on Fiverr
   • Send them the treatment + your song
   • Great platform for a range of budgets and creative freelancers
3. Collaborate and Revise
   • Go through a few rounds of feedback to refine the animation
4. Finalize and Publish
   • Approve the final version and upload it to YouTube or your platform of choice

💡 Why Choose Animation?

• The song tells a clear story, which fit well with visuals
• Easier and more cost-effective than filming a full music video
• Great way to collaborate with other creatives across disciplines

📺 Watch the Lyric Video

👉 Check out the animated lyric video for “Valentina” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcSIjxvtcck