Songwriting
How to co-write with strangers (without it going badly)
November 20, 2025 · 6 min read
Online co-writing is the cheapest way to widen your sound and the fastest way to ruin a friendship. Both because the same rule applies: have the hard conversation first. Meeting collaborators on platforms like Songstring is great — handling the business part is on you.
Decide splits before you finish
Default to even splits unless someone is doing radically less. Write it down in a shared doc the day you start. Negotiating splits at mastering is how friendships end.
One stem folder, one project file
Pick a single DAW and a single cloud folder. Versioned filenames. Don't email stems back and forth — you will lose a vocal take.
Define done
Agree on a release plan before you start the second verse. Is this a single? A demo? A pitch? You write different songs depending on the answer.
Co-writing well is a skill. The first few will be awkward. The fifth one will be the best song you've ever made.
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