Read over the guidelines to make sure you meet the qualifications. Only U.S. residents who are non-professional songwriters with original songs can enter the contest. Those younger than 18 need a legal guardian's consest.
Write and record a song to a compact disc. Type a lyric sheet to go with the song. CREATE also lets you handwrite the lyrics as long as you have legible print. CREATE only allows one song per compact disc to be entered.
Download and print the entry form. Fill out all of the fields on the entry form and sign your name. Include with the entry form a check, money order or credit card information for payment, with checks and money orders payable to CCM Communications.
Pay the fee according to when you enter and if you want a professional critique of the song. Songs entered into the contest can be professionally critiqued even if they do not win. As of 2011, to enter the song as an early entrant with consideration for prizes but no professional critique, pay $39.98 or $50 after the early entry deadline. Fees go up to $79.98 per song entry with professional critique and posting on TodaysChristianMusic.com for early entrants or $100 for late entrants.
Send the form to the address listed on the downloaded entry PDF. As of 2011, the address for the christian music songwriter search was:
CREATE/CCM Magazine Songwriter Search
402 BNA Drive, Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37217
Watch for an announcement on CREATE contest's website for the winners of the contest and follow your mail in the months after sending your entry form. Call 615-367-2210, extension 301, for more questions about the artist search and to determine if your entry was received. The representatives can give you more information about the contest, guidelines and next entry dates.