Find Your Next Songwriting Contest for Exposure and Industry Feedback

You’ve poured everything into crafting the perfect song—the melody is unforgettable, the lyrics hit hard. But now what? Getting your music heard can feel like shouting into the void. A well-chosen songwriting contest isn’t a lottery ticket; it’s a strategic tool to get your work in front of industry professionals, earn valuable feedback, and potentially win career-changing prizes. The key is knowing which one aligns with your specific goals.
This guide moves beyond just listing names and prizes. We’ll break down how to choose the right competition for your current stage, whether you’re seeking a six-figure prize, a detailed critique of your chord progression, or a direct line to a music publisher.

Table of Contents

At a Glance: Key Takeaways

Define Your Goal First: Decide if you need cash prizes, professional feedback, or industry connections before you even look at a list of contests.
Not All Contests Are Equal: Global competitions like ISC offer massive exposure but face immense competition. Niche contests like the Great American Song Contest guarantee feedback for every entrant.
Evaluate Judges and Past Winners: The quality of the judging panel (e.g., A&R execs, hit songwriters, famous artists) is a strong indicator of a contest’s legitimacy and value.
Production Quality Isn’t Everything: Many top contests explicitly state that they judge the song (melody, lyrics, structure), not the recording quality. A clean demo is all you need.
Budget Your Submissions: Entry fees range from $15 to $45 per song. A targeted approach to 3-5 relevant contests is smarter than a costly, scattered one.

Match the Contest to Your Career Goal

Entering a songwriting contest without a clear objective is like setting sail without a map. The grand prize might be $50,000, but if what you really need is a professional opinion on your bridge, you might be in the wrong boat. Successful songwriters approach these opportunities by matching the contest’s primary benefit to their immediate career needs.
The prizes, submission costs, and level of competition vary dramatically, creating three main categories of contests. Understanding these differences is the first step in making a smart investment in your career. When you know what you’re looking for, you can better Discover Contest Prizes and Exposure opportunities that genuinely move the needle for you.

For the Grand Prize and Global Recognition

These are the titans of the industry. They boast celebrity judges, huge cash purses, and a list of past winners who have gone on to sign major deals. The competition is fierce, attracting thousands of polished entries from around the world.

International Songwriting Competition (ISC): Arguably the largest songwriting contest in the world. With judges like Dua Lipa, Tom Waits, and members of Coldplay, just becoming a finalist is a significant achievement. The grand prize includes $25,000 cash plus mastering, gear, and distribution. It’s a great fit if you have a commercially viable, professionally recorded song ready for the mainstream.
USA Songwriting Competition: A long-running and respected institution since 1995. The prize package is valued at around $50,000 in cash and merchandise. Winners are selected by industry professionals, making it a powerful credential on a songwriter’s resume.
John Lennon Songwriting Contest: Founded by Yoko Ono in 1997, this contest offers over $300,000 in cash and prizes across 12 categories. The “Song of the Year” winner walks away with $20,000. It’s judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics, making it ideal for unique and well-crafted songs.

For Honest Feedback and Sharpening Your Craft

If your main goal is to improve, some contests are structured more like a mentorship program than a high-stakes lottery. They are designed by songwriters, for songwriters, with a focus on constructive criticism.

Great American Song Contest: This contest is purpose-built for amateur and semi-pro writers. Every single entrant receives a written evaluation of their song from the judges. They intentionally limit entries to 5,000 to ensure the quality of feedback remains high. The prizes are modest ($1,000 grand prize), but the real reward is the professional critique.
NSAI Songwriting Contest: Run by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, this is a must for anyone leaning towards country, folk, or Americana. Every entrant gets a scorecard from the judges and one free NSAI song evaluation credit. It provides a tangible takeaway, win or lose.

For Industry Access and Career Development

Some contests offer prizes that are arguably more valuable than cash: a direct path to the industry’s inner circle. These competitions focus on mentorship, publishing deals, and performance opportunities.

American Songwriter Contest: This competition offers a powerful grand prize package: $10,000 cash, a mentorship session with a top industry executive like Leslie Fram, a two-page magazine spread, and even a shot at a publishing contract. It’s designed to launch a career, not just award a check.
NewSong Music Competition: The focus here is entirely on career development. The grand prize is a fully-funded, 6-song EP recorded with a renowned producer. Past winner Ingrid Michaelson is a testament to the competition’s success in identifying and nurturing talent.
The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest: Held at MerleFest, this contest puts finalists directly on a festival stage to perform for a live audience and a panel of judges. The prize is a performance slot at the festival—an unparalleled opportunity for exposure in the “traditional plus” music scene.

A Head-to-Head Look at Top Songwriting Contests

To help you decide, here’s a quick-reference table breaking down the key features of several major competitions.

Contest Name	Best For…	Entry Fee (Approx.)	Grand Prize Highlight	Defining Feature
International (ISC)	Global exposure & big prizes	$35	$25,000 cash + gear	A-list celebrity judges
American Songwriter	Career launch & connections	$15 (early)	$10,000 + mentorship	Potential publishing contract
Great American Song	Guaranteed professional feedback	$35	$1,000 cash	Written evaluation for all
NSAI Song Contest	Nashville connections & feedback	$45 ($35 members)	$5,000 + BMG contract	Judge’s scorecard for all
John Lennon Contest	Prestigious award & gear	$30	$20,000 cash + equipment	Legacy name & diverse prizes

Your Pre-Submission Playbook

Submitting to a songwriting contest requires more than just uploading an MP3. A thoughtful approach can dramatically increase your chances of standing out to the judges.

Dissect the Rules and Deadlines: This sounds obvious, but it’s the most common mistake. Check the song length limit (e.g., under five minutes for the John Lennon contest), file format requirements (MP3 under 10MB is common), and submission deadlines. The American Songwriter Contest for 2025, for example, has a deadline of December 8, 2025. Put it in your calendar.
Choose the Right Song for the Right Category: Don’t submit your acoustic ballad to the “Rock” category. But go deeper—listen to past winners of the contest. Does your song fit the general vibe? A contest focused on “traditional” music like the Chris Austin contest will be looking for something different than the pop-focused ISC.
Ensure Your Demo Is Clean and Clear: You don’t need a slick, expensive studio recording. The American Songwriter Contest states that production quality is not a factor. A simple, well-recorded guitar/vocal or piano/vocal demo is often better than a muddy, poorly mixed full-band recording. The judges need to hear the bones of the song: the melody, lyrics, and structure.
Format Your Lyric Sheet Professionally: Make it easy for the judges. Use a clean, readable font. Double-check for typos. Clearly label the sections (Verse 1, Chorus, Bridge, etc.). This small touch shows you’re a professional who respects the process.
Budget for Your Ambitions: Fees add up quickly. If you have five great songs and a budget of $100, you’re better off sending two songs to the NSAI contest (where you’ll get feedback) and two to the American Songwriter contest (for a shot at mentorship) than sending one song to five random places. Be strategic.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Q: Do I lose the rights to my song if I enter a songwriting contest?
A: Almost never with a reputable contest. Major competitions like the American Songwriter Contest and ISC are very clear that you, the creator, retain 100% of your copyright and ownership. However, you should always read the fine print and terms of service before submitting.
Q: Is it worth paying for a contest that gives written feedback?
A: For many songwriters, absolutely. Think of the entry fee for the Great American Song Contest or the NSAI Contest not as a lottery ticket, but as payment for a professional consultation. That single page of critique can be more valuable for your long-term growth than a simple rejection notice from a larger contest.
Q: Can I submit the same song to multiple contests?
A: Yes, and you generally should. Unless a contest has a specific rule about exclusivity (which is extremely rare), submitting your strongest work to several competitions that fit its genre and your goals is a smart strategy to maximize its exposure.
Q: What if I’m under 18 or over 50? Are there special categories?
A: Many contests are adding categories to support diverse writers. ISC has a “Teen” category for writers 18 and under. The American Songwriter Contest has dedicated categories for writers aged 50+ and 18 and under, recognizing that great songwriting isn’t limited by age.

Charting Your Next Move

Now that you understand the landscape, you can make a targeted decision. Don’t just enter the first songwriting contest you see. Take a moment and choose the path that serves you best right now.

If you are developing your craft and need direction: Your first stop should be the Great American Song Contest or the NSAI Songwriting Contest. The guaranteed, detailed feedback is the most valuable prize you can receive.
If you are confident in your song but need a door to open: Focus on the American Songwriter Contest or the NewSong Music Competition. The mentorships, industry connections, and career-building prizes are designed for artists on the cusp of a breakthrough.
If you have a world-class, radio-ready song and are ready for the big leagues: Aim high with the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) or the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The prestige and financial rewards are immense, but be prepared for intense competition.
Choosing the right contest is an active, strategic step in your music career. It transforms a hopeful submission into a calculated investment in your future. Pick your target, polish your song, and give your music the shot it deserves.