If you are pursuing a career as a song writer, or even just dabbling for fun, it's easy to listen to a song on the radio, and think...
Now that is just crap, there is nothing original about that music.
And to a degree, you could be correct.
But, Don't get sucked into that defeatist mentality! There are too many avenues with the technology of today to be original, and still be heard as a songwriter.
People want to hear creative, and will search to find it.
What you need to focus on is not being cynical.
Take a look at what makes you unique as a musician.
Is it the lyrics? Is it the cool twists you take musically? What is your mission? Answer these questions and start driving them home in every song! Motivate people to have an emotion, don't settle for mediocre on a line or guitar lick.
Keep twisting it, till you come up with your unique sound.
Check out these time tested and true ways to learn from the commercial songs, and then write songs that are even better!

• Everything, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING, leads to the hook.
  The quicker the better.
  This is what people remember and sing or try to emulate on their own instruments, SO give it to them.
  
• More hooks the better - have a melodic hook, instrument hooks, secondary hooks in the verses
• Emote the emotion of the song when you are singing don't just sing...
  Let go!
• Pain a vivid picture - that means lyrically, melodically, clever twists in chord changes.
  Keep them on their toes
• This one is important, Think about who your target audience is - sure it's OK to think you want to reach everyone, but a good songwriter and musician knows good and well a certain audience will enjoy your music more than others.
  Don't lose site of that, and it will help keep your music focused
• This ties in with the one above, but Make a list of artists you enjoy in your genre - what elements of their songwriting could you incorporate without imitating verbatum
• Get to the chorus - I know you have an anthem in you, but don't make a habit of it.
  For the most part, get to the melodies, and hooks
• Experiment with creative sounds and pads - Don't be afraid to incorporate a dynamic, that wouldn't normally fit in your chosen genre.
  Just make sure it makes sense, but experiment.
  That's the fun of being in music

Think like a radio or tv executive.
You don't have to compromise your musical integrity to give them what they want.
Because what they want is the same thing you want...
Listeners If your music follows some of these guidelines, you will create listeners and the followers you desire.