Welcome [back] to another week of your weekly dose 🎶

Every Tuesday, I’ll be sharing tips, updates, and must-know music marketing insights to help you get your music heard!

By Finch Bergling 🙂

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Your Weekly Reel Idea

Once again, a trend is taking over Instagram, with videos consistently reaching over 1 million views.

These trends highlight the importance of dedicating a few minutes each week to understanding what the algorithm promotes and to following its recommendations.

You might spend hours brainstorming video ideas, recording, and editing videos that don't gain much attention, while a simple 5-minute trend is right there waiting.

📝 Content Summary: In this reel, a musician shares an inspiring message about their journey to success in their 20s, accompanied by clips highlighting moments from their career.

🎦 How to create a similar Reel:

1. Use this text template: "In your [20s/30s/40s/50s] you will [...]. It's really important you [...]"
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   → Example: "In your 30s you will feel like it's too late to start. It's really important you ignore that voice"
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   ​→ Example: "In your 20s someone will offer you to join their band. It's really important you say yes"
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2. Find 3-5 video clips that connect to your message.
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3. Overlay the text on your videos - keep it readable with good contrast
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4. Use the specific trending audio (this format only works with that sound!)

🤔 Why does it work so well?

1. It’s a trend - the algorithm already rewards this format, so using it helps your content get pushed further.
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2. It’s relatable - people see themselves in what you’re saying.​
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3. It builds a deeper connection - your audience gets to know you through the story and the videos you share.

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Your Weekly Tip

5 ways to stand out in 2026 (while everyone else does the same thing)

If 2024 was about learning and 2025 was about trying, 2026 needs to be your year to finally break through.

How, you may ask?

Well first, release good music, and invest even more time and money to make each song better than the last.

If your music isn't good enough yet, skip this email and go work on that!

Assuming your music meets industry standards and could make Olivia Rodrigo a little nervous, there's no reason 2026 can't be your breakthrough year.

If your music is objectively good, here are 5 proven ways to stand out in this saturated industry:
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Way 1 - Find your Unfair Advantage​
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Success doesn't always come when you work harder. Many times, all you need to do is leverage your talent and luck.

This is called your unfair advantage, which can be things like having more money, being more intelligent, living in a better place, having a good education, or having a higher social status.

To succeed, you should focus on what you have that others don't, and use those strengths to stand out. The key word is leverage.​
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​You are already better at something than most musicians. Use it.​
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For example, Billie Eilish can attribute her success to no one but her brother, FINNEAS, who recorded, wrote, and produced most of her songs, creating a hit machine and a pop star.
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Of course, Billie already had all the talent it takes to succeed, but without leveraging her brother's talent, I'm certain she wouldn't be in the position she is today.
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​Way 2 - Think outside the box​
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You need to be more original with your music and content compared to other musicians.
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I keep hearing everyone saying 'Choose quantity over quality.' While there's some truth to that, it's important to remember that when focusing on quantity, you may see yourself growing faster, but those who follow you will leave as soon as they realize that the quality of your music and content is relatively mediocre, and there is nothing unique or new about it.
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I recently made a post about 3 of my favorite songs, which really stood out to me because they blend 2 or more different genres in one song.

Also, I often share creative reel ideas in this newsletter that went viral specifically because they had an "out of the box" component.
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​Way 3 - Become Exceptionally Authentic​
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People like it when you're honest and open with them. But they don't like it when you're fake or pretend to be someone you're not.
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You can share more about your personal life and how you make your music. People who don't like the "real you" might stop following you, but that's okay.

It's better to let the haters go and keep the true fans around. Being real and honest can be a HUGE strength.​
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My favorite example is also one of my favorite singers, Clairo, who became popular after a music video she filmed in her bedroom went viral.

Another example I really like is Audrey Mika, who films herself eating food by herself quite often.
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​The truth is that creating music videos (or content) with fancy gear, dancers, or extensive editing might keep your audience away.​
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Why? Because everyone is doing this, and it feels fake.
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If you feel confident enough to show more of your personal life and let your audience into your private and messy bedroom, this would be a great way to stand out - You just need to keep your chin up and ignore the haters.
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​Way 4 - Create Unique Combinations of Skills​
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A monkey is okay. A unicycle is cool. A monkey on a unicycle? That's awesome (Unless it's AI).
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You're not just a musician, you're an ARTIST. You have skills that most people don't have.

Maybe you're good at acting, dancing, photography, or making films. If you combine a few of these talents, you'll become so unique that no one will be able to ignore you.
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For example, if you're good at acting, you can act out your lyrics. If you're a good dancer, you can create a dance routine to your song. And if you're good at filmmaking, you can make amazing music videos.
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There are countless examples of singers who became popular as actors - Ariana Grande, Donald Glover, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, etc.

Some independent musicians who are also great content creators and actors are Elise Ecklund and Daniel Thrasher.
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Don't be a monkey. There are enough monkeys in this world.
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In 2026, be a monkey on a unicycle.
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​Way 5 - Collaborate More​
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You can't be the best at everything. But what if you are the best at something, for example, songwriting, and you collaborate with another musician who is the best at something else, for example, singing?

What would happen if you made a song together?
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Charlie Puth, Halsey, Dua Lipa, SZA, all received their massive career boost after great collaborations.
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What if your 2026 mission would be to make a song with a team of the best songwriter, the best producer, the best singer, and the best content creator?
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What if you spent more time sending emails and DMs to potential collaborators?

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Each of these ways requires a lot of thinking, work, and patience.
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You can either go 100% on one way, 50% on two ways, or 20% on each way.
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But you have to find a way to stand out. There are millions of musicians out there, and music is not enough.
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​In 2026, aim to be more than "enough". If it's truly your dream, go all in, or go out.

See you next week!

Finch

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Let's work together 🤝

• ​Submit your music to my Spotify Playlists.
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• Grow your music career with Your First Hit Song 2026.
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• ​Book a 1-1 consultation.
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• Learn how to become a professional playlist curator.

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Discounts & Links 🔗

• Get 10% off on SubmitHub​
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• Get ​7.5% off your first campaign on Playlist Push - use code finch
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• Get 40% off your first month on PlaylistSupply - use code finch40
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• Get 40% off your first month on Booking-Agent.io - use code finch40
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• Get 40% off your first month on RadioPromo.io - use code finch40​
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• Get 7% off on DistroKid​
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• Get 7-day free pro on Hypeddit​

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That’s it for this week! Hope today’s email gave you something useful to work with.

Until next week, Finch 🎶

P.S. Newsletters aren’t social media - I can’t see what you’re enjoying unless you tell me. Hit reply and let me know what you liked (or didn’t) - I’d love to hear from you! 😊

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