Friday Fun Zone: 10 Secret Hacks LGBTQ Entrepreneurs Swear By

Picture this: You're strutting down the runway of entrepreneurship, sequins catching the light, head held high, serving fierce CEO energy. But hey, even the best of us need a little zhuzh now and then. Whether you’re just launching your LGBTQ-owned biz or you’ve been in the game for years, sometimes it’s the smallest tweaks that make the biggest splash. That's what Left of Str8 Media and Consulting is all about! Ready to unlock some fabulous, under-the-radar hacks to help your business shine brighter than a disco ball at Pride? Let’s get into it!

1. Slide Into Their DMs With Purpose

We’re not talking about thirst traps here (well, unless that’s your brand!). Direct outreach via DMs on Instagram or LinkedIn is one of the fastest ways to build genuine connections. The trick? Lead with value, not a pitch. When I was doing LGBTQ Entertainment Podcasting for the past 10 years, for the first 3-5 years, most of my celebrity and non celebrity lgbtq personality guests came from me reaching out on Social Media. I still got at least 25% of my guests from people I would have never known about if I didn't see them on Socials.

Hot Tip: Send a quick, thoughtful compliment or comment on their recent project. Then ask a genuine question. Authenticity beats automation every time.

Stat to Slay: 78% of salespeople using social media outperform their peers who don’t

2. Create ‘Micro-Collabs’ That Pack a Punch

Who says collabs have to be huge productions? Partner with another LGBTQ creator or business for one-off Instagram Lives, giveaways, or co-authored blog posts. Again, some of my best podcasts were collabs with other podcast hosts.

Hot Tip: Pick partners who align with your values and vibe. A shared audience doubles your visibility!

Fun Fact: 65% of brands say partnerships are crucial to growth.

3. Use Your Out-ness as Your Superpower

Your story is your strength. Consumers are craving authenticity more than ever, and LGBTQ entrepreneurs who lead with their truth build deeper connections.

Hot Tip: Share your personal journey on your website’s "About" page or through regular storytelling posts on social.

Truth Bomb: 86% of consumers say authenticity is a key factor when choosing which brands they like and support

4. Automate the Boring Stuff (So You Can Focus on the Fabulous)

Stop wasting time on repetitive tasks. Tools like Canva templates, email sequences, and social media schedulers free up your energy for the creative work that lights you up.

Hot Tip: Batch your content creation and schedule posts a month in advance. Then pour yourself a cocktail and relax. BETTER YET, Hire a consultant like me to help you craft your posts and choose the best schedulers and content to post.

Efficiency Win: Automation can save small business owners over 6 hours per week (Zapier).

5. Get Obsessed With Your Niche Audience

Trying to be for everyone? Sweethearts, you’ll end up being for no one. Dive deep into what makes your audience tick. What are their passions, their struggles, their dreams. More importantly, what is your passion and why are you choosing THIS business you are doing. Your passion and enthusiasm will be a magnet for others. What's the old saying..."Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life!"

Hot Tip: Use polls, surveys, and Instagram question stickers to ask directly what they want.

Reality Check: 80% of consumers are more likely to purchase when brands offer personalized experiences.

6. Slay the Social Scroll And Automate Like a Pro

Social media is the runway of modern business. Some of us are highly creative with hundreds of ideas a minute, some need a boost. This is where AI platforms like Chat GPT and others can be a real blessing in technology. Ask them brainstorm 10 different ways to use social media for "x" part of your business and you'll be cooking in no time. This frees up your mental bandwidth to focus on actual engagement (aka making those followers feel seen and celebrated).

Hot Tip: Set aside one “content batching” day per month. Dress up, do a little photoshoot, write your captions, and schedule it all. One and done.

Stat: Marketers like your friends here at Left of Str8 Media and Consulting, who plan content in advance are 60% more likely to report successful results than those who post on the fly.

7. Get Loud in the Right Rooms: Niche Networking Works

I've talked about this a lot and truly believe it, not all rooms are created equal, so stop wasting your charm and knowledge on the wrong crowd. Find the circles where your queerness isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated. Think LGBTQ chambers of commerce, queer-led co-working spaces, or even Slack communities like “Queer Design Club” and “StartOut.”

Pro Tip: Start by searching LinkedIn or Eventbrite for “LGBTQ entrepreneur networking” in your area or industry. Then, actually show up, be it in person or virtual, you choose!

Stat: 78% of LGBTQ entrepreneurs say identity-based networking groups help them feel more confident and connected in business.

8. Build a Biz That Feels Like YOU, Not a Corporate Clone

Let your brand reflect your vibe—whether that’s glitter and grit or sleek and soulful. Cookie-cutter branding? That's a hard pass for me. Your story is your secret weapon. The LGBTQ community craves authenticity, so tell your story on your website, like your ‘About’ page, I mentioned earlier, and your feeds. That’s how people find you, not just a service.

Hack Tip: Use a brand voice chart: list 5 words that describe your tone (fun, fierce, professional, quirky, bold) and write every post or email in that voice.

Stat: Brands with strong, consistent identities see a 33% revenue boost compared to inconsistent competitors.

9. Turn Testimonials into Trust Machines

Ask every satisfied client or customer for a testimonial, then get creative with how you use them. Word of mouth is golden, but don't just wait for it, work it. Turn a five-star review into an Instagram Reel. Pop them into your email signature. Create a highlight just for love notes. Social proof turns curiosity into conversions.

Hot Tip: Add a quick testimonial form to your checkout page or send a follow-up email with a 2-minute survey asking, “What did you love most about our product or your experience?”

Stat: 72% of people say positive reviews and testimonials make them trust a business more.

10. Protect Your Energy Like It’s Your Profit Margin

Running a business as an LGBTQ entrepreneur can be empowering and exhausting. Burnout is real and it doesn't care how rainbow your brand is. Protecting your mental health isn’t just a luxury, it’s part of your business strategy. Learn to say no, log off, and normalize rest. You don’t need to earn it. You already deserve it.

Hot Tip: Schedule your self-care like a client meeting. Meditation, therapy, gym, dance break, naps and make sure they go on the calendar first.

Stat: LGBTQ entrepreneurs are 40% more likely to experience mental health struggles than their peers.

What's the True Hack? You, Friends, Are the Hack

At the end of the day, the real secret isn’t just in the tips and tools, it’s you. Your resilience. Your vision. Your unapologetic queerness. Running a business as an LGBTQ entrepreneur means you’re already breaking molds and rewriting the playbook.

Whether you’re batch-scheduling Reels, building bold branding, or just taking time to breathe, remember: your queerness is your superpower, not your setback. So go ahead. Werk that biz like a runway. Own your niche, protect your energy, and don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.

Because business isn’t just business—it’s personal. And you? You’re making it Werk!